บท 102: Chapter 102: A Trade with Saya Takagi
'Click!'
Eriri's bedroom door suddenly opened.
A small head peeked through the gap.
"Eriri? Why aren't you resting?" Sayuri asked, concerned.
"Um, I just wanted to see if Rei Ao had left yet."
"I was just about to go," Rei Ao replied, standing up.
But before he could leave, Eriri ran out of her room and hugged him in front of her mother.
She whispered softly, "I-I'll keep the secret."
Rei Ao chuckled. "I know."
He patted her gently on the head and said, "Alright, I should get going."
"Mm!"
Although reluctant, Eriri let go of him and watched him leave with an unwavering gaze until the door closed behind him.
Sayuri observed this with a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. It seemed her daughter had special feelings toward Rei Ao. In truth, she was pleased—Eriri had clearly developed a very positive impression of him.
Tomoya's unexpected death had indeed come as a shock, but maybe it was a turning point that would help Eriri leave the past behind and grow.
As for Eriri's feelings, Sayuri thought it best to watch over her daughter's mental health first and then address things further down the line.
…
Thanks to Raphiel and Vignette's efforts, Tomoya's death was officially deemed accidental, and the entire Academy was put on a mandatory break. They would be informed later about when classes would resume.
…
The break had barely started when someone came to visit Rei Ao at his home.
Yukino Yukinoshita.
In the living room, Rei Ao looked at her, surprised. "Is that all you came here to ask?"
"Yes."
Yukino nodded. She had only one question: Weren't monsters only supposed to appear at night?
But Rei Ao shook his head with a small laugh. "Yukinoshita-san, I think you misunderstood."
"When I told you not to go out at night, it was because there's a higher chance of encountering monsters then, not because monsters can 'only' move at night."
"…"
Yukino fell silent, realizing he was right.
"And besides, the creature at school wasn't a monster—it was a demon."
Yukino's expression turned serious. "Does that mean the world is becoming dangerous?"
At that moment, Mai entered with a plate of freshly washed grapes. She sat down beside Rei Ao, casually offering Yukino some, then started feeding one to Rei Ao.
Their close behavior made Yukino feel uncomfortable, but Rei Ao remained completely at ease.
He explained, "The danger is only temporary."
"The Heaven and Demon Realms are in negotiations with this other world, and a solution should be reached soon."
"If you don't want any of your family to end up like Tomoya Aki, dead under strange circumstances, then it's best to keep them from wandering around recklessly."
"…"
Yukino had already learned from the chat group what had really happened to Tomoya. His "accidental death" was simply a cover for the truth.
No one would want such an unclear, unresolved death.
"But you don't need to worry too much. Since your family's right next door, I'll notice if anything happens."
However, his reassurance didn't ease Yukino's concerns. She had family—her sister, her mother. Despite their strained relationship, she couldn't ignore them.
So she asked, "How can I gain the strength to protect myself?"
She didn't think it was right to rely on others forever.
Yukino wanted the power to protect herself. With the changes in the world, she felt a strong sense of impending crisis about the future.
Rei Ao lifted his gaze slightly, smiling. "A trade."
"Make a trade with me, and I can grant you power."
"…"
Yukino frowned, instinctively rejecting the idea. Other than her body, she had nothing else of value to offer.
Rei Ao understood her pride well. She hadn't yet fully adjusted to this new view of the world.
But then, an opportunity presented itself.
[Ding! Saya Takagi has initiated a trade request!]
[Trade Request]: Find and rescue her mother.]
[Ding! Please choose your trade condition!]
Rei Ao's lips curled into a grin. "Yukinoshita-san, how would you feel about experiencing world travel?"
"Hm?"
…
Saeko Busujima and Rei Miyamoto cut down the undead like they were slicing vegetables, clearing the way as they escorted Saya Takagi and Shizuka Marikawa to the location Saya had called a survivor gathering point.
But when they arrived, everyone froze in shock.
A young girl with a small white dog at her side looked ahead and hesitantly said, "Saya-oneesan, it… looks like there's no one here."
This girl was Alice Maresato, whom they had rescued not long ago.
"…"
Saya Takagi bit her lip.
The survivor camp was now devoid of life. The scene was utter chaos, with only the undead roaming around.
That could only mean one thing… the camp had been overrun by the undead.
Which meant her mother and father might…
"No, I have to find them!" Saya, her eyes red, rushed inside.
The others exchanged glances before following her.
At last, they came upon a zombie.
Saya's voice trembled as she murmured, "Dad?"
The undead figure in a suit was unmistakably her father. As he lurched closer, Rei Miyamoto stepped forward without hesitation and drove her spear through his head.
Shizuka gently patted Saya's shoulder in comfort.
Saeko looked around and noted, "We haven't seen any sign of your mother here."
"Yes! My mother… she might still be alive!" Saya clung to this faint hope, no matter how slim it was.
Immediately, she sent a trade request to Rei Ao.
[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]
[Trade Condition]: One-time body usage rights
[Ding! Confirm the trade?]
"Confirm!"
If it meant finding her mother, she would do anything!
[Ding! Trade Initiated!]
[Trade Partner]: Saya Takagi
[Trade Purpose]: To find and rescue her mother
[Trade Condition]: One-time body usage rights
[Duration of Stay]: 3 hours
Shizuka looked at Saya with a complicated expression. For her family, Saya had chosen to make a trade after all.
"Where is this…?"
"As you can see, this is the world where Saeko resides."
A man and woman were in conversation.
It was Yukino Yukinoshita and Rei Ao.
This time, he had brought only Yukino to this world.
"Rei Ao! Please, help me find my mom!" Saya's desperation was clear, and she was nearly ready to drop to her knees.
Every passing second could mean life or death for her mother.
"Don't worry. Since the trade has started, I will fulfill my end."
Air stirred around them as elemental wind magic activated.
"Huh?"
Alice cried out in surprise. "I-I'm flying?!"
The others were similarly astonished as they were all lifted into the sky, held up by the wind, quickly ascending.
Yukino watched the scene, stunned.
This was true supernatural power!
Below them, she could see the twisted, shambling forms of humanoid monsters—the undead, or "zombies," as they were often described. The devastated, chaotic remnants of human civilization below gave Yukino her first true sense of the apocalypse.
This terrifying reality clashed with everything she had once believed.
Scanning the area, Rei Ao pointed. "Is that pink-haired woman over there your mother?"
Saya followed his gaze anxiously.
In the woods, a woman with pink hair and a purple dress was running, pursued by a group of undead.
The gap between her and her pursuers was closing fast.
"Mom!!!"
Saya instantly recognized her mother's running form. Relief flooded her—her mother was alive! But terror followed as she realized her mother was about to be overtaken by the undead.
"Rei Ao, please save my mom!"
"You don't need to ask—I'll complete the trade."
Rei Ao merely lifted a finger.
Suddenly, fierce winds arose.
'Whoosh! Whoosh!'
Takagi Yuriko ran, breathing heavily. After the undead overran the survivor camp, she had only one thought: to see her daughter one last time.
But the human body has its limits.
'Thud!'
Her weakened legs finally gave out, and she began to collapse, a single thought of despair crossing her mind.
"It's over."
If she fell here, the undead wouldn't give her a chance to get back up.
Yet, oddly enough, she didn't feel herself hitting the ground. Instead, a strong gust of wind lifted her, carrying her upward like a kite.
The next thing she knew, she was floating—right in front of her daughter.
"Mom!!!"
Seeing her mother safe, Saya Takagi cried in joy and ran to embrace her.
"What… what's happening?" Yuriko looked around in confusion, seeing everyone else also held aloft by the wind, as if in a dream. Or… had she died?
If so, did that mean her daughter Saya was dead too?
The thought cast a shadow over her face.
"Oh, Saya, my poor girl… never even had the chance to grow up and live happily…"
"Ma'am, I think it's necessary to clarify—both you and Saya are very much alive," Rei Ao interjected, breaking her out of her daze.
They slowly descended, the solid ground beneath their feet restoring a sense of stability.
Rei Ao added with an odd smile, "And soon enough, Saya will, in fact, be an adult."
"Huh?"
The graceful woman was confused.
Rei Ao, however, gently pulled Saya from her mother's embrace.
"Enough hugging. Any more, and you'll be hugging her to death."
"Huh? W-what do you mean?" Saya was baffled. Wasn't her mother just saved?
'Sigh.'
Rei Ao's fingers moved with a flick, and in an instant, a flash of light sliced through.
Yuriko's dress straps were cut, and with a look of confusion, she found her dress loosening and slipping, revealing silky lingerie and her figure.
But none of them questioned Rei Ao's actions, as they saw a bloodied scratch on Yuriko's waist.
"This…!" Saya's heart froze.
An undead scratch! This meant her mother had been… infected.
"How could this happen?" Yuriko, however, seemed calm.
"It's alright, Saya. At least my wish to see you one last time came true." She had known about the wound and felt herself fading as her wish was granted.
"Saya, live a good life."
"Mom!!!"
"Enough," Rei Ao interrupted, stopping the tearful farewell.
"She's not dead yet, so don't make this dramatic."
He pressed his hand to Yuriko's wound.
"Mm!"
The cool touch made her shiver slightly, followed by a soothing warmth spreading through her body. Her body reacted instinctively, though she quickly turned her head to hide her embarrassment, not daring to look at Rei Ao.
After a few seconds, Rei Ao removed his hand.
In a moment of relief, Yuriko glanced at her waist and found her wound… gone. The skin was perfectly unblemished.
"You're healed!" Saya exclaimed, remembering Rei Ao's miraculous abilities. Overjoyed, she cried out, "Mom, you won't turn into an undead!"
"This…"
Yuriko was overwhelmed, completely unsure of what had just happened.
But before she could celebrate, Rei Ao interrupted Saya's excitement with a reminder.
"Don't celebrate too early—it's time to fulfill the trade's payment."
"!!!"
Saya's face turned bright red.
Yuriko looked puzzled. "A trade?"
…
A short time later.
Rei Ao burned down all the remaining undead and found a clean, well-located villa for the group to rest in.
Along the way, Yuriko Takagi, Yukino Yukinoshita, and Alice Maresato had witnessed powers beyond their imagination—Rei Ao's, Saeko's, and Rei's.
Saeko, now at Level 24, and Rei, at Level 10, could handle the undead with ease.
Yuriko now understood what the "trade" involved, and she couldn't help but feel her earlier words had been prophetic.
Only moments before, she had mourned that her daughter hadn't grown up yet… and now she was stunned, realizing her daughter was indeed about to become a woman, all for her sake!
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 50 Chapters Ahead of Others!
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง