"What do you think?"
"Eh? What I think?"
After returning with Hephaestus's request, Tsuna had intended for Loki to be the one to decide. But now, Loki was pushing the choice back onto him.
She looked completely unapologetic.
"Well? It's your world, isn't it? Whatever decision needs to be made, it's yours to make. I'm not about to make that call for you."
"Hephaestus wants to go to your world to search for the material that ignites that flame. You might have some influence over there, but getting your hands on that kind of material won't be easy. If you don't want to expose your identity, you'll need to use certain… unconventional methods."
"When that time comes, neither Hephaestus nor I will be able to help you. You'll have to handle it yourself. So whether or not to bring Hephaestus with you—that's for you alone to decide."
"And once you do decide," she added pointedly, "you'd better be ready to deal with whatever trouble comes with it."
Her tone carried a clear warning. Loki wanted Tsuna to understand that this choice wasn't trivial. Once he made it, he would have to bear the full weight of the consequences.
Tsuna had already considered that on his way back.
"I never planned to use my identity for personal gain."
"As expected."
Loki wasn't surprised by his answer, just as she hadn't been surprised to learn of Hephaestus's desire to visit his world.
Tsuna had once lived in that other world without any of his current powers and had done just fine. There was no need for him to complicate things now.
"So you're planning to use your abilities to search for those materials instead?"
"Yeah. That's what I'm thinking. But it's not like I don't have other ways."
He didn't know the exact origin of the materials used to make those rings, but there were ways to investigate—and doing so wouldn't be all that difficult.
In that modern, network-driven world, you didn't always need special channels to find what you were looking for. You just had to access the network itself.
"That kind of method doesn't really work here," he said. "But in a world where everything flows through data, it's pretty simple."
"Data?" Loki tilted her head.
"It's where information from every corner of the world gathers. A virtual data world built from ones and zeros. If you can find a way to infiltrate it, you can obtain any kind of information. It's one of the ways ordinary people move forward—something like Magic Stone Technology."
"But this world is overrun by monsters. Most people are still stuck in an agrarian age, without the time or resources to push toward technological development."
"If the number of monsters were to drop to the point where the world's safety wasn't at risk, maybe then, some capable individuals could start expanding the field of Magic Stone Technology. And with the help of the gods, things related to entertainment might even explode in popularity."
Knowing the gods' boundless craving for amusement, Tsuna was sure that once the world achieved peace, Magic Stone Technology would become the next great frontier.
"Sounds interesting."
Listening to his explanation, Loki found herself intrigued by that other world.
A world where everything existed within a digital realm—it was far more complex than Tsuna's simple description implied. It gave her a deep curiosity about the brilliance of mortals in that distant place.
If humans in Tsuna's world could create such wonders, perhaps this world's Magic Stone Technology could one day reach similar heights.
"Well, that's something to worry about once we're actually there," Loki said. "As for Hephaestus, since you've made your decision, just make sure to prepare your plan for finding those materials ahead of time—and avoid exposing too much about yourself."
"Don't worry. I'll be ready."
The network might be useless in this world, but in his, it was an overwhelming advantage.
To unleash an army of electronic monsters into the data networks of that world… that would be fun.
Preparation had always been Tsuna's greatest strength.
"Oh, right," Loki added. "If you have some free time, go see Bete. That mutt's been looking for you. He's been holed up in the Training Space for a while now—figured he should polish up his claws a bit. Speed's his only real specialty, after all."
"But once he found out Tiona and Tione leveled up—and that you helped make the tools they used—he came looking for you. Couldn't find you, so he ended up at my place instead."
Loki burst out laughing at the memory.
"Pfft!"
"That stupid wolf stood outside my room for half a day, fidgeting like an idiot, and couldn't even get a word out! To think you were the reason for that. Hah, fine, I won't tease him anymore. Just go talk to him when you can. He's been dying for a sharper weapon. Funny, though—he's all loud and arrogant with everyone else, but when it comes to you, he turns meek as a puppy."
Tsuna chuckled, remembering the sharp-tongued werewolf.
Loki was right—around him, Bete Loga had never said anything particularly harsh.
"Could it be… because I once mentioned I could create an item that brings someone back to life?"
Thinking back on it, Tsuna realized that might be the reason.
"Eh? You weren't joking about that?"
"Well… no. I really can make that kind of item. But I don't know if it can truly bring the dead back to life. I've never dared to test it. Reviving people is not something I'd mess with lightly."
"That's for the best," Loki said seriously. "In this world, the cycle of souls is managed by the gods. If you try to guide a soul on your own, you'll draw the attention of the god in charge of reincarnation."
Her initial surprise faded into understanding.
She was relieved, even proud, that Tsuna's mindset was so steady. If word of someone being able to revive the dead ever reached the heavens, it would cause another uproar among the gods.
"Be careful with that kind of forbidden thing," she warned. "You'll catch the attention of certain people up above. You might not know this, but the heavens and the lower world are still connected. The one maintaining that connection is Ouranos."
"I've always kept that in mind."
Tsuna had expected as much.
In a world filled with gods, there was no way his powers could escape divine notice—especially from those who had not descended to the lower world.
He had always known to avoid crossing lines beyond his own limits.
And Tsuna never forgot that rule.
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