Hidden Management Zone.
In the vast white space.
Luo Shu watched with a smile as Kotoko Iwanaga, having completed the ritual, slowly opened her eyes:
"How do you feel?"
Kotoko's eyelashes fluttered as she gradually opened her eyes, revealing pupils as clear and profound as bottomless pools.
This phenomenon lasted about six seconds before subsiding.
Then, Kotoko took a deep breath and bowed gratefully to Luo Shu:
"Thank you. The ritual proceeded smoothly, and from what I can tell, I've successfully advanced from an Elite Rank Folklorist to a Hero Rank Sage."
"It was quite strenuous, but fortunately, the promotion was successful."
She then turned to Ravel, who had returned to normal size and was standing beside Luo Shu, and smiled:
"Ravel, thank you too. Without your tears, I wouldn't have been confident about advancing so quickly."
Caught off guard by the gratitude, the rarely praised Ravel grew visibly flustered:
"...I didn't really do much. Just shed a single tear."
"The one who truly contributed was Mr Luo Shu, right?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu calmly remarked:
"If you thank me, I'll accept it without hesitation and demand appropriate compensation!"
"After all, unlike those who do good without expecting returns, I'm the type who prefers to leverage favours for benefits!"
Kotoko couldn't help but laugh at Luo Shu's words:
"In that case, it seems I'll be worked to exhaustion from now on~"
"Then you'd better be prepared."
Luo Shu curled his lips into a smile as he responded, then added:
"But counting you, Kotoko, that makes five people in the department who've mastered Concept Entanglement."
"By the way, you have mastered it, right?"
"Hmm?"
Kotoko Iwanaga blinked at this question, then raised her small, pinkish palm:
"Haven't I been demonstrating it on my hand this whole time?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to realise something and quickly explained:
"I see - it's because there aren't any black lightning flashes, right?"
"Although I've never actually used it before, according to the information from my inheritance, in a world where concepts are scattered and unclaimed, using Concept Entanglement causes one's mastered concepts to collide with the world, resulting in black lightning phenomena."
"This phenomenon usually only disappears when the corresponding concept already has an owner and has been woven into an Authority - meaning a certain Angel has mastered the concept."
"Alternatively, entering special locations with stable concepts, such as Divine Kingdoms, would also prevent this phenomenon from occurring."
Nearby, Ravel listened to these explanations and suddenly recalled the black lightning she'd seen during her first encounter with Luo Shu, when she'd been instantly defeated.
So that was Luo Shu using Concept Entanglement against her?
You used a Demigod-level skill right in my face?
Instantly, Ravel's gaze shifted towards Luo Shu, becoming distinctly odd.
Unaware of Ravel's shifting expression, Luo Shu remarked with some surprise:
"So you've been testing Concept Entanglement while talking to us this whole time?"
From Luo Shu's personal experience, while Top Tier Class Heroes could use basic Demigod techniques like Concept Entanglement, they still required focused concentration to execute properly.
For Kotoko Iwanaga to effortlessly use it while conversing immediately after her promotion was... somewhat unusual.
"Is it an advantage from your Class?"
Just as Kotoko Iwanaga was about to explain, Luo Shu's remark made her glance at him in surprise before replying:
"Correct, this is indeed the advantage of my Class."
"Strictly speaking, the Hero Rank Class Sage from the path of wisdom doesn't possess true frontline combat capabilities."
"However, the passive abilities of the Sage Class are exceptionally suited for battle."
At this point, Kotoko raised her index finger and cheerfully listed them:
"First is Multi-Threaded Thinking!"
"Under normal circumstances, I can replicate my thought processes twelvefold, allowing me to handle twelve tasks simultaneously."
"Second is the sublimation of my Folklore Studies from my time as a folklorist, enabling me to create various Arcane Arts based on different cultural traditions."
"And most importantly, Targeted Creation!"
"Generally speaking, I can analyse the strengths and weaknesses of any opponent before me and, drawing from my foundation in Arcane Arts, create countermeasures on the spot!"
"Combining these three allows me to devise targeted Arcane Arts against specific opponents during combat, thereby generating direct combat effectiveness."
Hearing this, Luo Shu suddenly understood:
"I see, so you're that annoying counter specialist!"
"Truly a disgusting ability," Ravel nodded in agreement from the side.
As someone involved with the mystic side, just imagining these abilities made it clear how irritating Kotoko Iwanaga could be.
If you feared fire, she'd create fire on the spot. If you feared water, she'd conjure water. If darkness was your weakness, she'd instantly craft shadowy environments.
No matter what, Kotoko could always deploy the abilities you hated dealing with most.
Putting themselves in an enemy's shoes, wasn't this an utterly infuriating skillset?
Faced with their comments, Kotoko couldn't help but complain:
"Why are you two so united when it comes to criticising me?"
Luo Shu joked in response: "Don't look for reasons elsewhere - examine yourself instead."
"It's just that your abilities' effects are genuinely off-putting..."
"How could you..."
Kotoko looked at Luo Shu with puppy-dog eyes and murmured:
"But I can also temporarily enhance someone's creativity by channelling conceptual power to grant them Enlightenment of Wisdom. How does that make my abilities off-putting?"
Hearing this additional capability, Luo Shu immediately changed his tune:
"Actually, I suddenly think this ability is quite brilliant, Kotoko..."
"That... was too quick a reversal..." Ravel said, somewhat dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Kotoko proudly puffed out her chest:
"Right? I think it's absolutely wonderful too!"
"By the way, Luo Shu, would you like to experience Enlightenment of Wisdom?"
"No, I'd prefer finding a test subject first."
Luo Shu refused without hesitation and turned to look at Ravel.
"A test subject, huh..." Kotoko followed Luo Shu's gaze towards Ravel.
Instantly, Ravel found herself under their collective scrutiny, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.
She had a strong premonition that her immediate future looked rather bleak.
'Someone, please save me...'
Just as Ravel was silently screaming for help, salvation arrived in the form of an unexpected voice.
"Um, sorry to interrupt, but Senior Yukinoshita just contacted me to ask the Director to return to the meeting room."
"It seems a Satan called Leviathan has come to visit."
As she finished speaking, Megumi Kato tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled at the three people staring at her strangely:
"Was what I said odd?"
Luo Shu's mouth twitched at her words.
'The words weren't odd, but where the hell did you come from?'
"I was in charge of cataloguing the Abyss Artefacts in the management area today, so I've actually been here the whole time."
'You can read minds now?'
"It's just that Director's expressions make his thoughts too easy to guess~"
Defeated, Luo Shu could only retreat to the meeting room.
"Finish your work soon, Kisara-san has already prepared dinner, and by the way, the head chef is Miss Erina~ And it's French cuisine~ Aren't you looking forward to it?"
'No, I just think you're the one looking forward to it... while also rushing me to finish work.'
Luo Shu raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose:
"But speaking of which, Satan Leviathan visiting..."
At this, Luo Shu glanced at Ravel.
Noticing his gaze, a bewildered Ravel could only lower her head guiltily.
'Don't look at me like that! I really don't know anything!!'
Seeing Ravel like this, Luo Shu knew he wouldn't get any answers, so he said:
"Ravel, come with me."
"After all, your presence will at least let Her Majesty Leviathan recognise that we're collaborators."
'That just makes it even more awkward than not being able to answer questions... Am I just a decoration now?'
Under Ravel's existential crisis expression, Luo Shu led her straight back to the ground-level Hidden Management Department to meet this Satan Leviathan!