Akira was stunned.
Although he had used some of his abilities in the making of the clothes, it shouldn't have brought them to life.
What was going on?
"Eh?"
Kitagawa Marin also noticed her abnormality. "Eh? Eh~!"
——————
In the living room.
Kitagawa Marin sat at the table, her tail flicking back and forth—as agile as if it had come alive.
"That must be it."
Akira took a sip of water and said calmly, "You've turned into a Monster."
"You're the kind of Monster who gains the character's power just by putting on a role-playing costume."
"As far as I know, the S-Class Hero Watchdog Man gained the power to become an S-Class Hero because he wore a dog mascot costume."
"And you seem to be a bit more advanced than them—even after taking it off and putting it back on, you still turn into a little devil."
Kitagawa Marin's face was full of joy.
With this ability, she could play any character she wanted to role-play.
She wasn't that resistant to being a Monster or not.
After all, there were good Monsters too.
They were called Heroes.
Kitagawa Marin propped her chin, her crimson tongue licking her canines.
"Akira, do you want to sign a contract with me?"
"This is truly an act against heaven's will."
"Eh?"
"You've indeed gained an ability called Role Playing, but these abilities are borrowed."
"And the more you believe you are the character itself, the stronger the abilities you can gain."
Kitagawa Marin was stunned. "Akira, how do you know?"
"Because you've already signed a contract with me. I can know some of your status."
Kitagawa Marin covered her mouth. "When? Could it be that Akira, you are also…"
Akira rubbed his forehead. "Just understand it that way…"
Akira spoke about his abilities while looking at Kitagawa Marin's panel.
By the time he had more or less explained everything, he hadn't noticed anything unusual about her.
Never mind. If the system considers this power a skill, then there's definitely no problem.
Perhaps it was precisely because he had captured Kitagawa Marin first that her monstrous transformation was so superficial.
However, the Role Playing skill was very powerful.
Should I give her a platinum capture ball?
Kitagawa Marin was also bewildered. She had never expected Akira to possess such power.
Will I become stronger by doing it?
How evil—it's like an ability from a game.
But Akira didn't abuse this power.
Every girl was willing.
And they all gained power.
Just as Kitagawa Marin accepted this absurd truth, a platinum capture ball appeared in Akira's hand.
Two normal capture balls would be too much of a waste for this ability.
The Master Ball had to be used to complete chain missions, and for the Master Ball, it would be a bit of a waste of its performance.
"Marin-chan, don't resist. I'll take another look at you."
"Mm!"
Kitagawa Marin nodded firmly. The platinum capture ball hit her shoulder.
A beam of light shot out, hitting her.
Immediately, she was pulled into the platinum capture ball.
The status light blinked three times. Capture complete.
A system prompt immediately appeared before Akira's eyes.
[Character: Kitagawa Marin]
[Potential: A]
[Loyalty: 90]
[Strength: 2]
[Agility: 2]
[Stamina: 2]
[Skills: Elementary Makeup Art, Role Playing]
[Evolution Charge: 10%]
[Status: Playing]
"Congratulations to the host for acquiring Elementary Makeup Art—upgraded to Advanced Makeup Art."
"Congratulations to the host for acquiring Role Playing—upgraded to Divinity Mask."
Divinity Mask: No external disguise required. Can consume vitality to condense a Divinity Mask and role-play the deity the host wishes to portray. The strength of the deity's power depends on the host's belief. The stronger the deity's power, the shorter the role-playing time.
Holy crap!
What a good skill.
This platinum capture ball wasn't wasted.
Awesome!
[Divinity Mask! Please welcome Erlang Shen!]
Akira brushed his hand over his face. A facial mask condensed from Akira's vitality—essence, qi, and spirit—enveloped his cheeks.
Although his original appearance was still discernible,
his charm and temperament had completely changed.
"Heavenly Eye!"
Akira closed his eyes. A brilliant stream of light burst forth from his glabella, ignoring all obstacles and reaching directly to the sky.
In that instant, the Divinity Mask shattered inch by inch, ceasing to exist.
Damn it!
Can't even one-tenth of my vitality open the Heavenly Eye?
But Erlang Shen's Heavenly Eye did seem very powerful. It could see the past, the future—basically everything.
Peeking into heavenly secrets, calculating the ways of heaven.
His one-tenth vitality really wasn't enough.
I can't do these things next time. Can't take it, can't take it.
Thinking of this, Akira released Kitagawa Marin. When she appeared, she was in her little devil form.
"It seems that even this way, no abnormality can be seen."
"Marin-chan, from now on, just use this as your own ability. There shouldn't be any problem."
"Mm!"
Suddenly gaining her dream ability, Kitagawa Marin was very happy.
"Akira, I will use it well."
"Then, Akira… do you want to try the little devil?"
Kitagawa Marin's face was full of smiles, as if the little devil from a game had walked out of the screen.
Akira remembered some of the little devil's special abilities, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
"With such an opportunity, of course I have to give it a good try."
——————
The alarm bells of the Jujutsu Association rang out loudly.
Everyone's expressions were grave.
Lord Tengen paced back and forth within the barrier.
At this moment, Masamichi Yaga—the principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High—walked in.
"Lord Tengen, why did you sound the alarm? Has something happened?"
"A god… a god has appeared… Although it was only for an instant, its power shocked me."
"And it wasn't to sound an alarm, but to tell the god to find me."
Lord Tengen paced back and forth, his face filled with unwillingness.
"If a true god could see me, perhaps I could break free from my current state—and there would never again be a crisis threatening all humanity."
Masamichi Yaga's face was solemn. "Did the god discover you?"
"No."
"Perhaps in the eyes of a true god, I am merely an ant hidden in the cracks—not worth mentioning at all."