ushernet Chapter 164
Chapter 164
The Saintess had one defining trait: she couldn’t be physically touched.
According to the researchers, it was a "limited physical interaction." Any material would simply pass through her, but she could interact with objects at will.
In simple terms, it was like saying, “I can hit you, but you can’t hit me.”
‘Maybe she can control it to some degree since a few people can touch her.’
For example, the Academy President had managed to pat the Saintess on the head. And now, here I was, tugging at her cheeks.
Thinking of it that way, being able to touch the Saintess wasn’t really an issue. It just meant she allowed it.
- Wiggle wiggle.
**["???" pouts, saying her cheeks are going to stretch if I keep this up.]**
**[Hypno-chan complains, demanding her own cheek-squishing.]**
‘She doesn’t seem to like it, but she isn’t stopping me. Why isn’t she rejecting it?’
But in this moment, I was deliberately tugging on her cheeks to tease her, and she seemed visibly unhappy about it, squirming as if to escape.
...If her powers were the same as usual, she could just phase out like she normally does.
‘If I can physically interact with the Saintess now, does that mean I can do the same with those monsters?’
My expression turned serious. The Saintess’s trait was similar to the characteristics of those creatures—the apocalyptic beasts that would emerge from the EX-grade gate in fifteen years.
And here I was, pulling on the Saintess’s cheek. Did this mean I might be able to harm those monsters, too?
The excitement was hard to contain as I realized I might hold a clue to preventing the apocalypse.
"Hehehe... Could it be thanks to this ‘???’?"
‘???,’ the mysterious restriction on me since my regression.
Each time I kissed one of my wives, another seal lifted, leaving only one last one to break—the one with my mentor. There was a high chance this was the cause.
After all, this was the first time I’d touched the Saintess since kissing Alice. Unlike before, when I’d only kissed Shia, the release of restrictions seemed to have progressed, enabling me to interact with the Saintess now.
- Scratch scratch.
**["???" scolds me for scratching her chin like she’s a dog and insists she's a dragon, not a puppy.]**
**["???" seems to find it oddly pleasant despite herself.]**
‘What even is this “???” anyway?’
I scratched under the Saintess’s chin as I pondered.
“???” had been with me since the beginning of my regression.
Considering it seemed like a powerful being that allowed me to regress, it hurt like hell but boosted my stats, normalized my once-question-mark-riddled status, and now even let me touch the Saintess.
Who or what could it possibly be to have such amazing powers?
‘Well, it’s good for me, anyway.’
Whatever it was, I wasn’t complaining. If someone’s giving me a gift this good, I’ll gratefully accept. If they ask for it back, I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear.
With a happy heart, I lifted the Saintess up high.
- Whoosh.
‘I guess I’ll join the research team next time. I’ll definitely be helpful...’
**["???" sighs, remarking that I keep choosing pointless things to do.]**
**[Hypno-chan points, exclaiming that the Saintess’s bottom is showing.]**
Three months since my regression, I’d finally gotten my first clue toward resisting an EX-grade gate.
---
After that, my life became incredibly busy.
First, there was the festival preparation. Hosting an event that would attract global attention in just five weeks? I couldn’t let the Academy President do all the work, so I spent most of my free time working alongside her.
"Yu-jin, what about the cooperation request for the Ministry of Land and Transport?"
"I’ve already prepared a draft."
It wasn’t difficult. I had experience in clan management, after all. Even though I’d only assisted Shia as she took over from my father-in-law, this was nothing in comparison.
“Impressive. I didn’t expect it to be this polished for your first time.”
"Well, I’m pretty thorough. Also, I shortlisted three studios for live broadcasting, with costs and special features. Have a look."
"..."
But my mentor? Her strength, agility, and magic stats were all maxed out, and her unique traits amplified them further.
Fighting her with my current stats wouldn’t be easy.
If we fought head-to-head, I’d be flattened in three seconds. If my mentor used her full strength, my odds would drop to near zero.
Only if she held back for a few seconds would I stand a 50-50 chance.
The match was anything but certain, which made it all the more daunting.
- Grab.
"Aika, what’s for dinner?"
"...H-Huh?! W-Whatever you’d like."
"Then let’s order in. Sushi sounds good."
- Ding.
**[Activating skill: “Perfect Hypnosis”...]**
Just in case, I attempted a hypnosis suggestion while hugging her.
**[It fails.]**
"If that’s what you want, I’ll make it myself! Just tell me what you’d like, and I’ll go shopping for ingredients!"
"Come on, Aika, there’s no need. Let’s just order in, okay?"
"No! What do you think I took
all those cooking classes for? Wait, I’ll buy everything I need!"
- Whoosh.
"..."
As expected, it didn’t work. I couldn’t even get her to agree to sushi delivery, let alone use hypnosis to influence the match.
Publicly, the Academy was already abuzz with ads hyping the event. There was no backing out now.
The Chairman and Gong had spread the word that the Pentagon Academy Festival, aka “The Academy Event,” would showcase an unprecedented match between top-tier Awakeners.
The public was thrilled. Would Seo Yu-jin participate? Who would he duel?
Losing wasn’t an option. Losing would be embarrassing, and it would ruin my chances of impressing my mentor.
I clenched my fists, determination burning within.
‘This “???” has to make a difference. I’ll confess to my mentor, kiss her...!!’
- Clench.
‘And then, I’ll confess to all three wives at once, get their blessing for my harem, and... Well, let’s say it, I’ll finally...!’
With unashamedly male desires fueling me, I focused on training to increase my chances of winning.
- Ding.
**[Yu-jin, your katana is ready.]**
"Oh."
Looks like it’s time to train with my new sword. If it’s crafted to my specifications, my odds might just rise to 80%.
---
While Yu-jin kept himself busy, elsewhere...
In a slum in Hong Kong...
**[Pentagon Academy in Korea announces a grand festival event.]**
**[Could S-rank Seo Yu-jin participate in the duel?]**
**[Rumored duel with Ninomiya Aika likely.]**
"Hmm~."
A woman let out a delighted hum as she skimmed the headlines. Despite it being broad daylight, she was dressed in barely anything, yet no one seemed to notice her, as if enchanted.
The woman, Paimon, let a sly smile stretch across her face.
"Not usually into guys with shiny faces, but..."
"Might as well go watch for fun. I was bored anyway."