Streamer in the Omniverse Chapter 203 203: First Contact

Here's today's chapter.

If you'd like to read 3/7/13 chapters ahead, or simply support , you can do so on my (P)(A)(T). If not, I still want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading—your support ans a lot to !

With that said, have a great night, and enjoy the chapter!

(P)(A)(T)/CalleumArtori.

[...]---[...]

POV: Devas Asura.

It had been about an hour since that gate opened in Ginza, and roughly an hour and five minutes since I had suppressed the invasion.

To be honest, I was disappointed.

I had expected to find a God, and instead I found a few thousand random lunatics, goblins, and orcs.

Maybe it was a bit disturbing—and even wrong—for to think that way, since encountering a God would have caused far more destruction and far more deaths. The invasion being just a random human army that looked like it ca out of a pirated version of D&D was undeniably much better.

But it was a total letdown…

After the whole incident, the Japanese police and military moved efficiently. I don't think it took them more than half an hour to arrive. Of course, with everything already under control, it must have been easier on their end.

After that, amid shouts of terror, surprise, and several weapons pointed at in confusion, I had a brief phone conversation with a man nad Shigenori Hōjō—using a device one of the military officials handed after the situation was partially explained.

Apparently, he was the Pri Minister of Japan in this world. Whether that was also the case in my Earth, I had no idea.

My knowledge of important political figures was, I admit, scarce and limited to nas that had the potential to turn the world into Chernobyl with the press of a few buttons. Beyond that, I didn't know much.

I thought they'd go for the cliché of handcuffing and throwing into so dark room for intimidation, because soone very stupid at the top of the hierarchy thought that would work.

But no—I had been very well received at the Kantei, the Pri Minister's official residence.

It was probably thanks to Shizuka and Itami, who spoke in my defense while everything was happening.

That, or the fact that I was exuding death and "flickering" out of reality while the space-ti around was distorted due to the abilities of the Moon Shield and the Teardrop Cleaver.

Or maybe it was because I'm friendly and kind. I didn't rule out the possibility that my smile had convinced everyone.

Either way, the room I was in at the mont was spacious.

There was a set of dark leather sofas around a glass coffee table. The walls were in neutral tones, with no windows, decorated only with wooden panels.

In one corner, a low sideboard held bottles of water, tea, and a few porcelain cups that made want to steal them.

The fact that almost everything was tea was a tragedy, but since I knew most Japanese people loved that garbage drink, I wasn't too surprised.

Overall, it was a stereotypical high-end corporate environnt—the kind I'd expect to see in a movie scene where so diplomat or important figure waits before entering a eting room.

I kind of wanted to leave already…

The room was completely bugged, of course. A few dozen microphones and micro-caras—but I mostly ignored them.

I was alone—well, as alone as I could be. They had left here and politely asked to wait, saying soone would co see shortly, and apologized for the inconvenience.

They were very polite, and given the situation, I didn't mind waiting.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind waiting in most situations.

Shizuka and Itami had been taken sowhere nearby. Interrogation, probably—especially since, from their perspective, Shizuka clearly knew .

I had placed a few Nightmares, along with Tyrian, in Shizuka's shadow in case anything happened. Not that I expected it to—but just in case.

("What information do we have, and how bad is the situation?") Jinn asked, her voice coming from within the Spirit Realm.

I glanced at one of the caras and smiled, giving a small wave, before sitting down on the sofa and tapping the Slick Cane against the floor with my right hand.

I had switched back into my suit the mont I realized the battle wasn't going to happen. I also stored away all my weapons.

The area around my body was still slightly distorted due to ti and space being ssed up around , but I was careful not to break anything—out of politeness.

("Aside from what that Roman-nad guy said—not our Roman—I pulled more from the blood, thanks to the Chalice.")

And from his "story," thanks to the Transparent World—but that part was a secret.

I projected my thoughts into the ntal microphone so everyone in the stream, as well as Jinn and Ozma, could hear.

("This was all a planned invasion by the Empire of Sadera, after they carried out a smaller reconnaissance incursion.")

("The portal had a different form before. Sothing more natural, like a rift. They used magic and camouflage items at night and stayed only briefly. They abducted so people and returned quickly, in case anything went wrong.")

("After kidnapping a group of civilians for interrogation, they decided this side was weak enough to be dominated and began constructing the portal's stabilizing structure, calibrating it to open in a more strategic location.")

I let out a snort. Calling the middle of a street in Ginza a strategic point was laughable.

("Well, at least strategic based on what they knew.")

("Which, assuming they kidnapped random people, probably isn't much.") Ozma joined in. ("And Hardy? Domintus said she's the Goddess of the Underworld… It's likely she was the one who opened the gate, right? What are the chances she crosses over to this side and our problems escalate?")

I humd, tapping my fingers against the handle of the Slick Cane.

With my right hand, I grabbed one of the rewards I had received from the recently completed mission: a small purplish sphere of light, roughly the size of a baseball.

Remnant of Hardy's divine essence...

It was cold and trembled slightly, sowhat translucent. It was strangely inert, not trying to escape my grasp or even react.

("It's unlikely she'll co over. I don't know much, but from what I do know, her personality is capricious.") I said, recalling the information.

That was a bit contradictory—since being capricious ant she might very well co over just because she felt like it.

I tossed the divine essence into the air, playing with it like a ball.

("If I had to guess, she opened the gate because she wanted entertainnt or was bored. Maybe so other equally stupid reason. Sadera just took advantage of it—or thought it was so kind of mission or divine revelation.")

The information that Hardy had opened the gate wasn't sothing that idiot knew, but it was a fairly simple conclusion.

Besides the gate reeking of Hardy's divinity—and being one of the elents stabilizing space, preventing it from collapsing in on itself and causing the portal to disappear—if the Saderan Empire had the resources to open a portal like that, it would've been easier to wait and open several across multiple points, launching a large-scale multi-front invasion.

Overall, everything pointed to Hardy.

After I finished speaking, another portal appeared in front of . From within it, a few ssages erged:

[MagicalGirlSera-Tan]

What about the feathered ones up above?

[MagicalGirlSera-Tan]

It might not be like here, where the Abrahamic factions have a stronger presence in Japan, but I seriously doubt they didn't notice the planet getting invaded.

[MagicalGirlSera-Tan]

If this Hardy invades, throw her into Heaven and let them deal with it. Then collect the rewards after everyone gets screwed.

[MagicalGirlSera-Tan]

Or throw her into Hell. A Goddess of the Underworld would obviously be interested in another underworld. Let this world's Big L deal with her.

("That was actually my plan B. But like I said, I doubt she'll really cross over to this side.") I replied to Serafall using the ntal microphone.

She had woken up from her "fainting" a few hours after what happened with Patrick and the murder in the park.

She seed a bit embarrassed about losing control like that, but recovered within two or three ssages before going back to normal and declaring she now had a new arch-nesis—on top of Gabriel, the angel who had licked .

As for her new form, which Sirzechs had ntioned, I had asked about it.

Serafall's response, quoting her exact words, was: "It's a secret, but it's sothing really cool and sexy. When you co to my world, I can show you—if you ask nicely… Or maybe I'll attack you with it. So be prepared!"

Properly threatened, I ignored that problem and left it for future Devas to deal with.

("As for whether the ones up there reacted, the answer is I have no idea.") I continued, glancing upward. ("There doesn't seem to be any kind of movent on their part, but I can't exactly tell what's happening up there. Sa goes for Hell.")

I highly doubted they hadn't noticed anything, but there was no way to check.

While I waited for whoever was coming to speak with , I kept playing with and poking at Hardy's divine essence.

I wasn't entirely sure what to do with it…

My first idea was to let Shadowfla eat it, but after thinking it over, I decided that, for now, that wouldn't be the best use. The little guy had "woken up" a few hours ago, finishing its evolution.

The fla was definitely interested in the divine essence. It was practically begging, like a child, for to let it consu it.

"You've eaten enough already. I have other possible uses for this." I said, glancing toward the interior of the Spirit Realm.

Shadowfla, "physically," was the sa—still floating above the lake of black sludge—but it had grown much stronger and developed two rather terrifying new abilities:

-//-

[Fragnted Shard of the First Shadowfla (Weakened)]

[Max Bond!]

Type: Ability.

Rarity: Orange >>> Pink (Forrly Red) (Weakened) (Evolving)

Damage: 989 ~ ??? >>> 1940 ~ ??? (Weakened) (Evolving)

Current Maximum Temperature: 5439 degrees Celsius (9822.2 degrees Fahrenheit) (Evolving)

[...]

Ability(1) - White: The Shadowfla is capable of consuming Materials/Energies/Sins to strengthen itself and return to its peak.

The stronger/stronger the Material/Energy/Sin, the longer the Shadowfla will take to consu it!

If the Material/Energy/Sin is at a much higher level than the Shadowfla, it will not be able to consu it or will consu it partially!

Ability(2) - Blue: The Shadowfla is capable of generating small tentacles that latch onto the target, hindering the extinguishing/displacent of the fla.

The Shadowfla's tentacles operate based on the sins of the target, clinging to them and consuming them to strengthen itself!

Ability(3) - Green: The Shadowfla is capable of restoring the Aura of "The Strear" by consuming its own 'Vital Fla'.

The 'Vital Fla' of the Shadowfla can be restored by consuming Materials/Energies/Sins!

Ability (4) - Orange: The Shadowfla has its damage and temperature increased against beings with attributes [Fallen], [Fallen Angel], [Angel], [Good], [Evil], and [Divine].

Any being connected to the Christian Pantheon (DXD) will struggle to resist the Shadowfla.

The being known as the "God of Light (Remnant)" will take increased damage from the Shadowfla.

The inner heat of the Shadowfla's fire withstands the "cold" that cos from the "void."

[NEW!] Ability(5) - Light Red [Shadow Spark (Shadowfla Servants)]: The mont a target looks at the Shadowfla, their sins are reflected in their left eye, generating a "Shadow Spark" inside it.

This parasitic spark takes the form of a flaming eye with tentacled optic nerves.

The greater the target's sins, the stronger the generated Spark. It remains inside the eye until "The Strear" decides to activate it.

Closed State: The Shadow Spark remains completely inert, silently parasitizing the eye without triggering any physical or magical alarms.

Open State: The spark subtly drains all types of energy and sins from the host to strengthen itself. To remain undetected, it hides within the target's "Concept of the Left Eye," enveloped in a false, non-existent experience created by a glimpse of Ability(6)

Activation: The spark physically manifests, instantly consuming the host's left eye. It shreds through flesh and bone, tearing out of the skull to aggressively attack its forr host.

Note: Due to the interaction with Ability(6), depending on the duration of parasitism, the host's overall strength, and the volu of sins/energy consud, the Shadow Spark can completely devour the "idea" or "concept" of the left eye directly from the host's soul, making any form of healing or regeneration impossible.

[NEW!] Ability(6) - Pink [The mories of Foreigner Sin: Eyes Are The Door To The Soul]: This ability alters the very "idea" of sin itself. When a target looks at their own sins reflected in the Shadowfla, any mory carrying sin is instantly infected by the "Foreigner Sin."

The Shadowfla can consu infected mories without the target realizing it. The exact mont the original mory is devoured, a "Foreigner mory" is generated in its place, acting as a perfect "shadow" replica of the original event.

Corruption Cycle: If a pure, sinless mory is touched by a "Foreigner mory," it may begin to hallucinate. The harmless mory gradually twists into a sinful one.

Example 1: A harmless mory of receiving a gift distorts into a mory of committing a preditated theft.

Example 2: A legitimate mont of self-defense is rewritten into a sadistic, cold-blooded murder.

Once the mory carries a sin, it becos infected, restarting the corruption cycle.

mory Discard: "The Strear" can actively discard a "Foreigner mory." Doing so permanently erases the very concept of that mory from the target's mind. The forced erasure generates "ntal Shadowflas," inflicting agonizing, structural burn damage directly to the target's soul.

Puppet State: If every single mory of the target is consud and replaced by a "Foreigner mory", the Shadowfla instantly chains the soul with its tentacles and drags it inside the fla.

The soul becos a Hallow Puppet, a manipulated soul wiped of its sins.

The physical body left behind becos a Hollow Puppet — an empty, soulless vessel with the tally of all its consud sins etched deeply into its skin like a written history.

Note: This ability can currently only be used on beings with one or more of the following attributes: [Human], [Humanity], and/or [Divine].

Ability(7) - Light Purple: [Locked!]

Ability(8) - Li: [Locked!]

Ability(9) - Yellow: [Locked!]

Ability(10) - Cyan: [Locked!]

Ability(11) - Red: [Locked!]

Ability(12) - Purple: [Locked!]

-//-

I had a vague—very vague—impression that maybe the fact Shadowfla was one of, if not the, flas of Hell was sothing I'd been ignoring most of the ti.

This evolution basically reminded just how terrifying this thing was supposed to be at its peak—and that the Shadowfla I had received was little more than a nearly extinguished spark.

And maybe feeding it the flesh of 'The Eye' had been a mistake.

The mont I realized Shadowfla had finished evolving, the information about the changes in the fla ca to unconsciously, before I could even open my status to check what was written.

Originally, I intended to show the changes to the (CHAT), but after learning that this thing could now affect others just by being looked at, I changed my mind.

Especially since this "Foreigner Sin" infection wasn't sothing that took ti.

The description made it sound like a slow corruption cycle, but I knew that, to consu all the mories of a normal person without ntal protection, it would take one or two seconds at most.

I'd have to be almost consciously careful whenever I used this in the future…

For those reasons—and others—I decided to keep this as another one of my trump cards, in case sothing happened.

I had no doubt this would eventually "leak" at so point, but until then, I saw no reason to let that fact beco public…

About ten minutes after they had left alone in that room—most of which I spent staring at the hidden caras, one by one, until I had looked at each of them at least once—the door opened again.

Four people walked in: two I knew, and two I didn't.

Of the ones I knew, one was Shizuka Hiratsuka, the woman I vaguely rembered from that ani with the dead-fish-eyed guy.

I hadn't watched it, but I had her image in my mory and a few scattered bits of information from conversations.

She was wearing the sa clothes as before, from when I arrived in Japan: a white jacket and dark blue jeans. A black bag rested on her right shoulder, and she carried a shopping bag in her left hand.

Her face had a naturally tired look. Fair skin, long, ssy black hair, and gray eyes. She wore short heels.

The cigarette from earlier was nowhere to be seen, though I could still sll it. She smoked a lot, and her lungs weren't completely ruined yet—but they'd turn black as coal if she kept it up.

The other one I recognized was Yoji Itami. Well, at least his face—he was the guy from earlier, the one who moved when the gate opened.

I had a feeling he was soone important, but I didn't know where he was from or what story he belonged to. Probably sothing involving the gate.

He wore the sa outfit as before: an ani-print T-shirt and light denim shorts.

Casual shoes, and he was looking at like I was so kind of ani character that had stepped out of the screen. An otaku, probably.

His posture was upright, but he carried a sowhat sloppy air.

The other two were a suited man and soone from the military.

The military man was older, in his forties, with a straight posture and a stern gaze. A walking military stereotype, basically—he looked like he wanted to interrogate .

His na was Koichiro Hazama, according to the information the Chalice gave . Short hair, square face, sunburnt skin—and if I had to guess, he was a general or sothing along those lines.

Finally, the one leading the group—the first to enter—was Shigenori Hōjō, the Pri Minister I had spoken to earlier.

He was a man who could be considered elderly—or close to it. Sixty-nine years old, according to the Chalice. He wore a dark suit, his gray-white hair combed back, and had a triangular face with that unmistakable politician's air.

Before I could even stand, Shigenori bent forward at nearly a ninety-degree angle. It was one of those deep, formal bows—almost comical, if not for the seriousness on his face.

The silence in the room didn't last long before he began speaking, still bowed:

"On behalf of the governnt, the people of Japan, and myself, I sincerely thank you. What you did today… the speed of your actions and what you demonstrated at that location… you saved hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives that would have been lost before we could even respond. Japan owes you an unpayable debt."

I blinked twice before sighing and storing Hardy's divine essence inside the Voidbag, then stood up, resting my weight on the Slick Cane.

I walked over to him and placed my free hand on his shoulder.

"Stand up. I accept your thanks, but if you're going to give them, say it while looking in the eyes." I said, helping him straighten.

I considered saying that I didn't need thanks and that I did what I did because I wanted to—but I realized that would be rude, so I chose not to.

Dismissing it would an the lives he was thanking for ant nothing.

Shigenori stood. I could see hesitation in his gaze before his eyes fixed on my right eye. I don't know what he saw there, but he seed relieved.

Then he repeated it, eting my gaze:

"On behalf of the governnt, the people of Japan, and myself, I sincerely thank you for your actions. Thank you."

I gave a small smile.

"You're welco."

I noticed that Shizuka… thinking that na reminded of Shizuka from HOTD. It's been a while since I last spoke to her. I'll ask Saya how they're all doing later.

I noticed that Shizuka Hiratsuka, standing to the side, looked a bit surprised by my actions. I glanced at her.

"What?"

"Nothing…" Her voice was a bit hoarse, from smoking. "I just thought you'd refuse the thanks."

("She's probably been watching you for a while. Knows you well.")

I ignored the voice of my blue schizophrenia and looked at her for a mont.

I activated Spirit Vision—it was becoming a habit. The Chalice could give information, but I liked using the ability to get used to it.

The colors of her aura overlapped with reality, but they weren't very clean.

In her chest, where a vibrant red of vitality should shine, I saw patches of murky, speckled gray. Around it, closer to the trachea, there was also an opaque haze that seed to be suffocating the natural glow of her health.

If it kept going like that, that dirty color would eventually swallow the rest.

"You should quit smoking." I said, deactivating Spirit Vision. "Your lungs are starting to take damage. It's still reversible."

I'll give her a Purification Powder pill later to fix her lungs.

Shizuka looked back at , then sighed with a faint smile.

"You're reminding of one of my idiot students… You know, you're the sa, but at the sa ti, you're very different in person."

I gave her a nod but didn't respond. Not the mont—I'd talk to her later.

I turned back to Shigenori, who had been listening to the exchange in silence, and asked:

"Are we talking here, or moving sowhere else?"

"The eting room is prepared, but if you'd prefer to stay here, we can, sir." he replied.

"Drop the 'sir.' I'm Devas—pleased to et you, Pri Minister Shigenori Hōjō." I gestured toward the door with my chin, tapping the Slick Cane lightly against the floor. "Shall we?"

The walk to the eting room was brief.

The eting room was exactly what I expected. A long dark wooden table dominated the center, surrounded by black leather chairs, and on top of it were several maps I recognized as being from the Ginza area.

Not because I knew the region's layout, but because they were identical to the information I had on my Minimap.

The air still carried traces of other people's scent, including the four accompanying . This must have been where they were discussing what happened while I waited.

I hadn't really been paying attention earlier—I could've listened in if I wanted to.

I walked to the right side and, without waiting, sat down in one of the chairs near the center. I rested the Slick Cane against the table as the others took their seats.

Shizuka chose to sit to my right, on my side of the table. Opposite , across the table, sat Shigenori, with Koichiro to his right and Yoji to his left.

"How much did Shizuka tell you about ?" I didn't bother with pleasantries.

Silence took over the room for a second.

"Not much, but enough." Shigenori spoke for their side. "Miss Hiratsuka explained only that you were an ally and that you were here to help. The rest, she said was not her place to tell, and that we should ask you ourselves."

He paused.

"She also reiterated that you are human, so that we wouldn't form any wrong impressions about your powers and actions."

I glanced at Shizuka from the corner of my eye.

"What? If I can avoid problems between my country and you, I will." she replied to my look. Then added, a mont later: "That, and I don't want to risk getting banned for saying too much."

I let out an amused huff.

"I wouldn't ban you from the stream over sothing like that, don't worry. But I appreciate the thought."

I had noticed that Shigenori had lied about sothing—Shizuka had probably told them more than that.

("Tyrian, what isn't he telling ?") I asked, directing my thoughts to the Nightmare in the shadow of the woman seated beside .

I kept the ntal microphone off this ti.

The response was imdiate, in the sa delirious tone as always:

("My lord and master, the woman called Shizuka warned those nad Shigenori Hōjō, Yoji Itami, Koichiro Hazama, and several other politicians who attempted to interrogate her not to beco your enemies, nor to create any hostility with you.")

("In her words, she warned them that nothing the Japanese governnt possesses could force you or defend against you, should you decide to act against them. That, although you, my lord, are kind and gentle, you are not a fool, nor would you accept being trampled if attacked.")

("She also instructed them not to ask how the two of you know each other, my lord.")

And then he fell silent.

Well… that was more or less what I expected. Shizuka seed like an intelligent person, so it was obvious she'd try to warn the governnt not to do anything stupid.

Not that I would've done anything if I were treated rudely or anything like that, obviously.

Mass genocide over being offended was usually sothing you saw from transmigrators with surnas like Che, Yuan, Xiao, or Long.

In my case, I'd just leave.

I'd deal with whatever was invading Earth and then get out of the country—it was much simpler and avoided unnecessary headaches.

I turned and looked at the three of them.

"She didn't lie. I am—and will remain—an ally, unless you give a reason not to be." I nodded. "Since I'm sure you have questions, let's do this: one question each. You go first, then . Just to keep things organized."

("I feel like I've seen this a few tis before…") I heard Ozma's voice echo from within the Spirit Realm.

Along with that, two ssages appeared, floating inside two small suits of armor:

[(MOD)GeniusBillionairePlayboy]

I find it hilarious that your go-to thod when dealing with governnts or authorities is always this college party Q&A ga. All that's missing is the "whoever refuses to answer takes a shot."

[(MOD)GeniusBillionairePlayboy]

By the way, it's still nightti here. You running around the planet at hypersonic speeds probably fucked up the stream's ti zones.

(Iron Man checking-his-watch emote)

I gestured for the three across the table to begin while sending my thoughts to the stream:

("I'll stop using this thod when it stops working. And the stream's timing should normalize eventually.")

If it didn't normalize while the stream was active, it definitely would once I turned it off. So I wasn't worried about that.

In the ti it took to reply to Stark, soone on the other side spoke. Surprisingly, it was Yoji.

"Are there others like you?" he asked. "More specifically—if that was too vague—are there other users of magic, ki, chi, or whatever it is you use?"

I turned to look at him.

"So that's why you're here?" I asked back instead of answering. "Aside from being there as first contact when I arrived in Japan, the fact that you're an otaku and have more knowledge about fantasy is what got you into this eting?"

The reason Shizuka was here was obvious—she knew .

Shigenori was here because he was, quite literally, the Pri Minister. Koichiro likely held a high-ranking military position and would be responsible for sothing involving the gate—defense or reconnaissance, if they decided to cross over.

The only one I wasn't sure about was Yoji—but apparently, it really was just because he was an otaku.

To his credit, Yoji didn't look embarrassed in the slightest and simply nodded.

"Yes, my knowledge of ani is useful in this situation, and I was assigned to assist." He actually sounded proud of it.

I humd, acknowledging his answer as I tapped my fingers lightly on the table, then finally replied:

"Yes, there are other types of people like . Mages, magic users, ritualists… call them whatever you want."

It wasn't exactly a certainty, since I hadn't encountered any of them since coming to this world. But given the existence of Heaven and Hell, it didn't take much to conclude people like that had to exist.

The mana present in the atmosphere was also a factor. It wasn't comparable to Terraria, but it was higher than the mana density of Remnant, HOTD, or Demon Slayer.

"Since I've asked my question, you can continue and ask another."

A flicker of excitent crossed Yoji's face at my answer, but he held himself back and glanced at the two n beside him.

With a nod of permission from Shigenori, he asked:

"Is it possible for ordinary people to acquire these powers?"

"Is that for the military?" I asked, looking at Shigenori and Koichiro. I didn't wait for an answer. "Short answer: yes. Long answer: yes, but it's complicated to teach, and it would take ti for soone to learn how to use any kind of power or technique, even if it's possible."

I asked my question before they could respond:

"What's the casualty report for Ginza?"

I'll admit I wasn't paying much attention to the civilians—more to the army and the portal—so I didn't know the answer.

This ti, Koichiro spoke, his tone rigid:

"We are still conducting counts. For now, we have one hundred and twenty-two injured, thirty-eight missing, and fifty-five dead."

Less than I expected—and more than I would've liked, unfortunately…

The next question also ca from Koichiro:

"What would be the price for you to act as an instructor for a small group and teach them how to use powers similar to yours?"

Yoji seed a bit surprised that he was the one speaking, but Shigenori didn't. Sothing they had already discussed—without Yoji.

"Most of what I can teach would take too long for anyone to learn," I replied. "Ti I'm not willing to spend."

"And the things that wouldn't take as long?" Shigenori asked.

I humd, organizing my thoughts for a mont.

"Give a group of no more than five people. Preferably a group you'd have sent through the gate." I said, pointing at Yoji. "He should be one of them. During the ti I'll be in Japan studying the gate and deciding what I'll do, I can teach them. But whatever they manage to learn is not my responsibility."

I paused briefly.

"The price I want is materials: seawater from around Japan, water from lakes, sand from various beaches, soil from different locations across the country, and seeds from random plants and trees. All cataloged."

That would cover part of the materials for the model.

I would've asked for technology, tanks, and fighter jets under normal circumstances, but given that this world was in 2009, current technology was sothing I could easily build using Jarvis and Stark as references.

And I highly doubted this would be the only deal I'd make with Japan, so if I changed my mind, I could always ask for sothing else later.

As for manga, ani, and books, I planned to get those myself. I could enjoy so ti exploring, so there was no need to ask.

I looked at Shigenori. He, along with Yoji and Koichiro, seed surprised by my request.

Yoji, in particular, looked excited that I had chosen him. Also nervous and sowhat hesitant—contradictory emotions all at once.

Shizuka's emotions were more restrained. Her surprise was mild—she seed used to it, almost as if she had expected sothing like this.

And before I forgot…

I stood up, raising my right hand, and gave the Pri Minister of Japan a small smile.

I extended my hand for a handshake as I let my voice carry slightly:

"So—do we have a deal?…"

[...]---[...]

A chapter focused on introduction/thoughts/explanations/exposition.

Things have happened, Devas is starting to understand what's going on, Shadowfla has finished evolving, and living alongside Devas/eating the flesh of 'The Eye' has… not exactly been "good" for the little fla.

I'll speed up the interactions in the next chapter and move the story forward. If you have any comnts, feel free to leave them. I read every single one—I might take a while to reply depending on the situation, but I always do.

That said, have a good night and enjoy the read!