As Ainz began to alter the plot of his world, a black-purple sphere of light emerged from the center of the Torii gate and flew straight toward Yuen.
A black-purple energy orb?
A hint of surprise appeared on Yuen’s face.
He remembered that the last orb from the Torii gate had been pure white.
He extended his palm and gently caught it.
The moment he touched it, a light blue data panel suddenly appeared above the light source.
[Gift from the Overlord World] [Use this item to master basic Necromancy Magic.] [Compatible Species: Human, Undead] [Owner: Yuen (Transferable)] Seeing the panel displayed by the light orb, Yuen raised an eyebrow with interest.
“…Did it update automatically?” He had just casually mentioned to Ainz in the dimensional space that he lacked the ability to appraise items, and now a panel had appeared.
It was hard not to suspect that the Torii gate possessed a consciousness he couldn’t perceive.
“If it updated with new functions, then the white light orb should also have a panel now.” Yuen put away the black-purple orb and summoned the white one he had received previously.
As expected, a panel popped up for it as well.
[Gift from the One-Punch Man World] [Use this item to upgrade all physical aspects of the body.] [Compatible Species: Human] [Owner: Yuen (Transferable)] Yuen wasn’t too surprised.
The effect matched what he had guessed from its energy signature.
Putting the white orb back, Yuen walked out of the dimensional space and went straight to the Torii gate.
He placed his hand on the red pillar of the gate.
“You have a consciousness, don’t you?” The Torii gate didn’t react.
Yuen figured the gate couldn’t speak, so he tried a different approach.
“If you have a consciousness, manifest the door.” As he finished speaking, the empty space within the Torii gate instantly transformed into a door.
Just as I thought…
Yuen could now confirm that the Torii gate of his shrine possessed a consciousness he couldn’t detect.
But— If he could make the gate manifest the door to other worlds, did that mean he could also travel through it?
Thinking of this, Yuen walked from the pillar to the center of the gate.
He reached out, intending to push the door open.
But no matter how hard he pushed, or even when he used enough strength to cause slight cracks in the door, it remained firmly shut.
Realizing he couldn’t force it open, Yuen withdrew his hand and casually waved to repair the cracks.
If he broke it and the door could no longer form, he would lose a lot of fun.
Just as Yuen was about to turn back to his sanctuary, a panel formed in front of the door, similar to the ones from the light orbs.
[Conditions not met.
Cannot open.] “Hm?
So I’m missing certain conditions.” Yuen had thought entering other worlds was impossible.
As for what those conditions were…
Yuen didn’t dwell on it.
It was better to let nature take its course.
With his long lifespan, entering other worlds through that door was only a matter of time.
….
Tokyo, Akihabara.
Kasumigaoka Utaha and her editor, Machida Sonoko, were discussing her new book in a café.
Although advertisements for Kasumigaoka Utaha’s Koisuru Metronome had been released, it hadn’t officially gone on sale yet.
However, Machida Sonoko saw great potential in Kasumigaoka Utaha, so she had specifically invited her out for a chat today.
While waiting for their coffee, Machida Sonoko suddenly remembered something.
She rested her chin on her interlaced fingers and looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha across the table.
“By the way, did you go to that shrine I recommended?
My grandmother says a real god lives up there, but you can only see him if you’re lucky.” “Although everyone who’s been there says it works, I don’t really believe that part.” The mention of the shrine instantly reminded Kasumigaoka Utaha of unpleasant memories.
Her expression worsened slightly.
“So, Machida-san, you mean to say you haven’t been there yourself?” Machida Sonoko noticed Kasumigaoka Utaha’s displeasure and laughed awkwardly.
“Ahaha, it seems you went, Utaha-chan.
Actually, hearing my grandmother talk about it made me want to go too, but work has kept me too busy to find the time.” Speaking of which, Machida Sonoko didn’t forget to change the subject.
“Did you meet that so-called god, Utaha-chan?” She intended to lighten the mood, but her question only made Kasumigaoka Utaha’s expression worse.
“I did.” “Huh?” Machida Sonoko was confused, her brain failing to process the information immediately.
“You met what?” Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed.
“The god your grandmother mentioned.” Machida Sonoko rolled her eyes.
“Stop joking.
How could a god possibly exist?” Just then, the waiter brought their coffee.
Kasumigaoka Utaha immediately picked up her cup, her red lips parting slightly to take a small sip.
“I am not in the mood to joke.” Seeing Kasumigaoka Utaha’s serious expression, Machida Sonoko paused.
“You weren’t scammed by someone, were you?” “Do you think I’m someone who would be scammed?” Kasumigaoka Utaha blinked and countered.
Since Machida Sonoko didn’t believe her, she didn’t intend to explain further.
After all, it wasn’t exactly a fond memory for her.
“Let’s drop this topic.
Machida-san, didn’t you say I need to do a signing event on the day my book goes on sale?
When exactly is it?
I need to plan my schedule.” “Barring any accidents, it should be next Sunday.” Machida Sonoko took a sip of her coffee.
“If the schedule changes, I’ll call you in advance.” The release date of physical light novels was arranged by the editor-in-chief and the publisher president.
A small editor like her had little say in the matter.
Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded.
After quickly finishing her coffee, Machida Sonoko stood up and sat next to Kasumigaoka Utaha, looking curious.
“Utaha-chan, tell me more about that god you mentioned.” The few words Kasumigaoka Utaha had spoken earlier had thoroughly piqued her curiosity.
Kasumigaoka Utaha pretended not to hear her.
She stood up and said to Machida Sonoko, “Excuse me, I’m going home.” “Oh, come on, Utaha-chan, don’t leave!
Tell me about it properly!” Machida Sonoko hurriedly grabbed Kasumigaoka Utaha’s arm.
Kasumigaoka Utaha felt helpless.
“I can tell you, but Machida-san, you need to stand up for a moment first.” That phrase had an inexplicably familiar ring to it.
Machida Sonoko, blinded by her desire for gossip, complied immediately without thinking.
Seeing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha smile imperceptibly.
Taking advantage of the moment, she slipped past Machida Sonoko and trotted out of the café without hesitation.
Machida Sonoko’s eyes widened.
…Did I just get tricked?
Since she was wearing high heels, by the time Machida Sonoko reacted, it was already too late to catch up.