Wow. I didn't think I could say that with a straight face. Of course, I meant it. But to be able to say it without stuttering like that...
Must be the benefits of being a professional writer. And one who's done a lot of romantic confession commissions, haha.
Yura covered her mouth. She muttered something under her breath and then reached over to punch my arm. "Stupid. How can I even look at someone else now if you say that? And what are we even going to do about us, huh? Have you even thought about that? I'm the Legendary Hunter's granddaughter, and you're just... you."
I hummed. "Well. I AM just me. But I think 'just me' is enough, you know? Haven't you noticed?"
"Huh?" Yura blinked. "Noticed what?"
"Well, you said it, didn't you? You're the Legendary Hunter's granddaughter. You're also an S-Ranked Hunter. Even if it's mostly from your ability, your physique should match it. But..."
Yura's eyes widened in horror, shock, and then surprise. "...You're right. A normal person would have... during, um... that, they would have..."
"Been split open worse than you were when I-"
Yura blushed and said, "I'm being serious here!"
I laughed. But then I said, "Fine, fine. Serious mode. But anyway... Yeah. I might not be a registered Hunter yet. But I just awakened today, you know? Seems like my ability is more overpowered than I thought, right?"
Yura froze. "Wait. You just awakened? Today? Like... when we were...?!"
"Oh, no. I mean before we met-"
*SMACK*
"Owowow! Sorry, sheesh!"
Yura pulled her hand back from slapping my face and huffed. "You're terrible!"
"Sorry, Love." I chuckled and stared at her face. "You're just so lovely to tease."
"Hmph... Fine. You're the only one who gets to see me like this, so it's okay. I guess." Yura grumbled and then said, "...So? What's your ability then, Neol?"
"Compilation."
"...What?"
I shrugged. "That's all the system message told me. It said 'your ability is compilation' and 'experiment at your leisure.'"
"...WHAT?!"
===
After another hour of explaining to Yura that, yes, I DID have an ability, no, I didn't know the specifics, and yes, I DID seal Belial and subsequently repurpose him into a sword that I was keeping in a liminal space within my mind...
Yura facepalmed and said, "...I gave my first time and my heart to a psycopath. What do you mean you didn't know how your powers worked and just winged it against an SSS-Ranked monster like Belial? AND WON?!"
I shrugged. "I just kinda felt like I'd win. Besides, demons are easy to beat."
Since they were bound by King Solomon in the past, and since they had true names, as long as I had it, I could bind them since I'd memorized the Legemeton, Goetia, and his other works.
Also, Shin Mega- I mean, [Rebirth of the Goddess].
"ARCHDEMONS ARE NOT-" Yura took a deep breath and said, "No. I'm not going to question this. Fine. I'll believe you, even if it's ridiculous. But you'd better answer my other questions, Bastard."
I held out my hands and said, "I'm all yours, Love. Ask away."
Yura pointed at me and said, "How did you awaken your ability? And why did no one notice?! An ability as ridiculous like that should have set off the Hunter Association's sensors!"
I shrugged. "I was at a cafe around noon last night. I was enjoying some coffee when the message popped up. After that, I just headed home and was planning to experiment when the whole Belial showing up thing happened, you know?"
"HOW ARE YOU SO CASUAL ABOUT THIS!?" Yura ran her hand through her bangs and said, "It's a life changing event! Anyone else would have been over the moon! But you're just like... 'eh, cool.' What the hell?!"
"Well... I never planned to be a Hunter. It's a risky job."
Yura flinched, no doubt remembering the friends she had recently lost.
Seeing her immediately become crestfallen, I quickly pivoted and said, "Besides, I make more money being a writer, you know?"
Yura blinked and then gave me a skeptical look. "...Even an F-Ranked Hunter makes a stipend of 100,000 SC a year. That's enough money to coast on forever. And you're saying that you make more than that without being a Hunter?"
"Yeah." I nodded. "NovelBins scale pretty infinitely, you know? And lots of Hunters need something quick and portable to unwind. I have around ten novels completed and over 10 million words written, so if we take in residuals at around 5 SC per 1200 word chapter... let alone the commissions some people give me..."
Yura froze, running the numbers in her head. Then she pointed at me and said, "You! Are you secretly a billionnaire?!"
"...You're bad at math, huh?"
"Sh-Shut up! You know what I mean! You're loaded then! Why are you living like this?! Idiot!"
I shrugged. "Haven't had a reason to spend my money."
And that was true. I pretty much just worked out, ate, and wrote. I didn't buy fancy clothes or toys, so my money was just accruing. The only thing I really did was play around in the markets and bets.
It'd been a while since I actively checked my bank account, but it should be running around the upper hundred millions. Like, at least 500 million SC.
Ah, SC was the currency by the way. Skye Coins.
...Huh.
I suddenly realize that my internal monologue is like... the internal monologue of a character.
Was this my way of coping to being reincarnated after all these years? It might be my way of coping.
Meh.
Anyway...
I paused and then raised an eyebrow at Yura. "...Why are you upset about this, Love? My money is your money too, you know?"
Yura froze. "That's... Wait, are you serious?"
I nodded. "Of course. You're serious about me, right?"
"Of course I am, idiot." Yura immediately retorted and then spoke in a softer voice. "...I already gave you all of me, didn't I?"
I held her hand and said, "I know. So you get all of me too. That includes what I make, you know?"
"...You're an idiot." Yura brushed tears out of her eyes. "...What kind of guy has a one night stand with a girl and says he'll give her everything?"
"The kind of guy who chooses to love that girl anyway and is determined to chase her to the ends of the earth." I winked. "So if you're planning on running now, tough luck, Love."
"Hmph. As if I'd run. Bastard." Yura paused and quietly said, "My bastard. Mine. Only mine. ...Right?"
I lifted her hand to kiss it. Then I said, "Only yours, yes. Always yours."
Yura sighed. "...I hate this. I should be mad. I should be terrified. You are abso-fucking-lutely lovebombing me. I should be dragging you to my parents and grandpa to be interrogated. So why...?" She held my hand up and leaned it against her cheek. "...Why do I want to just disappear with you? Me, the Legendary Hunter's legacy?"
I chuckled and gently kissed her other cheek. "I just have that effect on you, I guess. But don't worry." I stared at her with a sincere smile and said, "Your dreams are my dreams too. From now on, I will weave my life into yours. There's no need to change what you do for my sake. I'll just arrange my life to fit yours."
Yura stared at me, biting her lip. "...Really?" She looked into my eyes and said, "Even if we barely see each other?"
I blinked. Then I burst out laughing.
Yura huffed. "What are you laughing for?! I'm seriously worried, you know!"
I smiled. "Yura, Love. Did you seriously think I'd let you out of my sights that easily?" I reached into the air and pulled out Ragnarok, the demonic sword I forged from Belial.
Yura flinched and started at the blood red sword. Then her eyes widened in realization. "Wait. Neol, you're planning to-"
"Mm, I didn't plan on it. But if the love of my life wants to pursue the path of a Hunter, as her man, I have to walk beside her, right?" I let out a bright smile. "Let's head to the Hunter Association to get me ranked."