In response to Luo Shu's question, the reception room fell completely silent for over ten seconds, so quiet you could hear people breathing.
It was then that Yukino Yukinoshita took a slight breath before sighing:
"Director, while I don't mind your... unique hobbies, it would be better not to voice otaku remarks in public settings."
"Exactly, exactly!"
Kotoko Iwanaga nodded repeatedly, spreading her hands with an exasperated expression:
"I thought you were going to ask me to create fake gold, dollar bills, or antique paintings, but instead you want me to conjure up beautiful girls..."
At this point, Kotoko's expression turned slightly teasing as she raised an eyebrow at Luo Shu:
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate for the current setting?"
The implication was that it would be fine in another context...
However, Luo Shu wasn't paying attention to that at all. Instead, he asked curiously:
"So you're saying even fictional characters can be transformed into existence?"
"And can they possess their fictional abilities?"
"Eh?" Kotoko looked at Luo Shu in confusion, her expression somewhat hesitant as she replied: "The abilities of fictional characters definitely can't be replicated... But if it's a real person, creating an illusion with some of their actual power should be possible."
"Though how much can be imitated depends on the circumstances."
"Excellent."
Luo Shu nodded in approval, seemingly very satisfied with Kotoko's ability.
"Uh..." Kotoko was baffled by Luo Shu's reaction.
She had assumed Luo Shu wanted to summon girls from fantasy works to do... indecent things.
But judging by Luo Shu's demeanour, that clearly wasn't what he was thinking about?
And indeed, Luo Shu wasn't thinking about building a harem of 2D beauties like Kotoko imagined.
He wasn't unaware that he'd entered a 2D world - why would he pursue 2D within 2D?
His real objective wasn't to transform beautiful girls, but to use Kotoko's ability to test whether certain 2D characters existed.
As Kotoko said, if her ability could imitate real people and replicate some of their powers, while being unable to imitate non-existent ones...
Then it would essentially confirm the existence of specific characters in the real world.
And if they existed, mobilising the SDS's connections might actually help locate these people.
Of course, Luo Shu hadn't yet decided who to look for, but with Kotoko's ability, he could at least confirm who existed - for now, that was sufficient.
"Later, I'll give you some information about certain characters for you to try."
Hearing this, Kotoko could only say "Oh."
Beside them, Yukino Yukinoshita - now realising she might have misunderstood something - felt awkward, momentarily at a loss for words.
Having temporarily finished studying Kotoko's abilities, Luo Shu turned his attention to the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System.
There, he noticed some particularly interesting information.
[Congratulations, Host, on surpassing 1,000,000 total points! Possession function unlocked!]
[Possession: Can expend Spiritual Power or points to temporarily bestow the host's power upon Familia members, briefly elevating their authority while sharing partial Spiritual Power and abilities.]
"To think there's such a function..." Luo Shu was somewhat surprised by this newly unlocked ability.
After Kotoko became a Familia member and contributed 100,000 Points, his total had reached 1,090,000 - truly surpassing the million-point threshold.
But since there had been no movement with the previous 10,000 or 100,000 Points, Luo Shu had assumed accumulating too many points wasn't particularly necessary.
However, judging from now, it seemed points only started accumulating from the million mark?
'This damn system's functions are way too messy. Couldn't they at least provide an instruction manual?!'
While mentally complaining, Luo Shu turned to Yukino Yukinoshita beside him and said:
"Yukino, the Divine Pantheon just notified me about a new 'Possession' function. Later, add this information to the Familia's general knowledge."
"A new function?" Yukino blinked, then nodded. "Understood."
After acknowledging Luo Shu, both Yukino and Kotoko Iwanaga, beside her, curiously checked the newly displayed function.
When Kotoko saw the Possession function, her eyes lit up:
"Oh? This kind of ability?"
"Do you know something about it?" Luo Shu asked, only then remembering that Kotoko had inherited the legacy of a Seraphim.
In other words, this woman definitely possessed extensive knowledge about Demigods and even Angel-level matters.
Come to think of it, Kotoko might be an untapped treasure trove of knowledge!
Just as Luo Shu realised this, Kotoko bit her lower lip lightly and explained:
"I am indeed familiar with this 'Possession' ability."
"Generally, beings at the Apostle level and above possess this kind of power. They can use associated objects as mediums to respond to prayers or lend part of their power and authority to others."
"However, Apostles usually have a limited range of influence. Only Angel-level figures capable of global response commonly use this method."
"Though the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's description isn't entirely accurate. In fact, this Possession can also be applied to talismans."
"Talismans responded to by Angels are incredibly powerful weapons~"
As she spoke, Kotoko took out several yellow paper talismans and even generously handed five each to Luo Shu and Yukino:
"Here, these are Discord Talismans I made by praying to the Fountain of Wisdom and borrowing its authority."
"Normally, just holding the talisman and silently willing its use can curse a specified target."
"Typically, this puts the cursed person in a 24-hour state of discord."
"Basically, they'll get dragged into conflicts wherever they go—a true secret art of screwing people over!"
"To put it simply, it's like a 24-hour misfortune buff. Heh, these are really handy for playing dirty~"
Hearing Kotoko's explanation, Luo Shu glanced at the talismans he had received, thoughtfully tucked them into his pocket, then said to Kotoko:
"So, my Calamity Class could also use this Possession power to create corresponding talismans, right?"
'Calamity-related talismans... Would using them result in someone getting struck by lightning or run over by a truck or something?'
"Most likely, yes." Kotoko nodded, though her expression showed slight hesitation. "Should I test it out now?"
Luo Shu glanced at Kotoko Iwanaga before saying:
"While there's no harm in trying, what we're about to do now is rather crucial."
"Crucial?" Kotoko blinked in surprise.
Seeing her expression, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh and tease:
"Hey, hey, don't tell me you've forgotten about the Phoenix Tears?"
Kotoko paused for a moment before suddenly slapping her forehead in realisation:
"Oh, right! That's still a thing~~"
With that, Kotoko eagerly jumped to her feet, grabbing Luo Shu's hand:
"Then let's hurry up and go!!"
Luo Shu gave Kotoko an exasperated look before turning to Yukino Yukinoshita. After nodding at her, he stood up and allowed himself to be dragged away by the girl, heading towards the fifth-floor residential area where Ravel was temporarily staying.