A large stream of data flowed through Ajuka's eyes again, and he conducted a new round of testing on the stone tablet.
One second later, the data analysis was complete.
Conclusion: Tatsuma is a reincarnated Devil.
"Interesting."
Ajuka couldn't help but clap.
This was the first time he had seen an existence like Tatsuma.
Ten seconds ago, he was an ancient Devil with a bloodline purity comparable to the first generation Satans.
Ten seconds later, he became an ordinary, unremarkable reincarnated Devil.
The difference between the before and after was so great that if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have dismissed it as a joke.
"I'm becoming more and more interested in you."
"I don't like men."
"Don't worry, my sexual orientation is also normal."
Ajuka took out a test tube from his pocket and said, "I want a little bit of your blood for research."
Tatsuma thought for a moment and said, "I can give you blood, but you have to offer corresponding compensation."
Ajuka nodded. "No problem, is there anything you want?"
Tatsuma said, "The technology for creating Evil Pieces."
"...You really gave me a difficult problem right from the start."
Tatsuma asked, "Is it not possible?"
Ajuka said, "This thing is the cornerstone of today's Devil society and cannot be easily shared."
"Besides the technology for creating Evil Pieces, is there anything else you want?"
Tatsuma said, "Not at the moment."
"Alright, I understand."
Ajuka fell into a brief silence.
A large number of thoughts flashed through his mind, and he silently assessed Tatsuma's trustworthiness.
After a moment, he spoke again, "The technology for creating Evil Pieces can be given to you, but that's all. You'll have to figure out how to get the materials needed to create Evil Pieces yourself."
"No problem." Tatsuma agreed.
With a thought, he opened his system panel and unequipped all traits except [Pawn]. After that, he cooperated with Ajuka to complete the blood sampling before equipping the traits back on.
Tatsuma asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Not anymore."
"Then I'll be leaving first."
After saying goodbye, Tatsuma turned and left the abandoned building.
However, just as he was about to go home, a ding sound came from his pocket.
Taking out his phone, he opened the chat box.
A message that had just arrived came into view.
[Soyo: Tatsuma-san, are you free now?]
Inside the spacious penthouse.
Soyo sat on the sofa, staring nervously at the phone in her hand.
Unlike her usual school attire, she was dressed today in a white short-sleeved shirt and a light-colored high-waisted long skirt. Paired with her fair and delicate skin, she exuded an aura of youthful vitality.
However, unlike her overall appearance, Soyo's expression was very haggard at the moment. As if she hadn't rested well for a long time, there was a faint hint of dark circles under her eyes.
Ding!
The phone's notification sound rang.
Soyo's spirits lifted, and she immediately looked at the reply in the chat box.
[Tatsuma: I'm free, where should we meet?]
[Soyo: Can you come to my place?]
[Tatsuma: Okay.]
The reply sound of the message rang again.
At the same time, a magic circle appeared on the ground not far away, and Tatsuma's figure appeared from within.
"Good evening, Tatsuma-san."
Having experienced this once before, Soyo took a deep breath and actively stepped forward to greet him.
"I'm really sorry, to make you come all the way here at this hour."
"It's okay, the work of a devil is originally done at night."
Tatsuma stepped out of the magic circle, his gaze sweeping over the girl's tired face.
"What is this time's request? It couldn't possibly be related to Sakiko again, could it?"
"...Yes."
"You are quite persistent."
Soyo replied, "I want to help Sakiko."
Tatsuma's ten million yen affected more than just Sakiko.
Having initially escaped her predicament, Sakiko's attitude towards Soyo changed significantly, not being as heartless as in the original story.
Influenced by this, Soyo's thoughts also shifted from wanting to get Sakiko back to form a band to wanting to help Sakiko out of her difficulties.
"To be honest, I hesitated for a long time. After being attacked that night, I often have nightmares about that priest."
"I'm very afraid of meeting Tatsuma-san and encountering that kind of killer again."
"But... I want to help Sakiko."
Soyo repeated, her expression becoming resolute.
"It was Sakiko who saved the lonely me, giving me friends and making me feel warmth."
"Now that she is at rock bottom, I don't want to do nothing and let her bear it alone."
"Tatsuma-san, I want to understand the difficulties Sakiko is facing, and how I can help her."
"That's moving."
Tatsuma thoughtfully sized up the young girl, then shook his head and refused, "But moving aside, this matter involves Sakiko's personal privacy, which I cannot disclose."
Soyo dejectedly said, "...As expected, it's not possible."
Tatsuma said, "From all perspectives, you, a normal person, are not suitable to interfere in this matter."
"Moreover, with me here, you don't need to worry at all, Sakiko won't have any problems."
"?"
What does that mean?
Soyo was stunned for a moment, her mind subconsciously recalling the scene where she and Sakiko were attacked that day.
At that time, facing the killer, Sakiko and she reacted completely differently. Not only was Sakiko not intimidated by the enemy's aura, but when she pulled her to run away, her strength was astonishingly great.
Furthermore, after being saved by Tatsuma, Sakiko naturally mentioned Tatsuma's name, appearing very familiar.
Soyo hadn't paid attention to these things before, only assuming that Tatsuma and Sakiko had made some kind of deal.
However, after hearing Tatsuma's words just now, she suddenly realized that something was off.
"Tatsuma-san, what is your relationship with Sakiko?"
"Didn't Sakiko tell you? She used to be a maid at my house."
"Huh?!"
Unexpectedly hearing such explosive news, Soyo was startled.
However, after calming down, she had a flash of inspiration and came up with a good idea.
"Tatsuma-san, are you still short of maids at your house?"
Tatsuma said, "We are not short anymore, the house has its own cleaning function after renovation."
"Then... then are you short of a chef?"
"To meet Sakiko, you are really trying hard."
"I can work for free, I can even pay to work at your house, please."
"Since you've said this much, I'll give you a chance."
Looking at the humble young girl in front of him, Tatsuma took out an Evil Piece from his pocket.
"This is?"
"An item that can turn you into a Devil."
Tatsuma introduced the effect of the Evil Piece.