Ch 199. Kotoko and the Tentacle Monster Hoshimi

Kotoko did a quick mental calculation and said, "Alright, I can get you those two training methods by the weekend."

"Great," Hoshimi replied, resting his head on Kotoko's shoulder with a smile. "It looks like I'll get a glimpse of the 'truth' of this world by the weekend. Just thinking about it gets me a bit excited!"

Kotoko glanced at Hoshimi, blinking. "Are you sure you're excited? You don't seem to be showing it at all."

"Kotoko, you don't understand. This is called having thunder in your heart but a calm lake on your face. Just because I look calm on the outside doesn't mean I'm not thrilled on the inside."

Kotoko looked at Hoshimi with suspicion. She pointed a finger at the sky, her expression peculiar. "Hoshimi, don't forget that this sky is a reflection of your emotions. There's been no change in the sky at all, so how can you say you're excited?"

Hoshimi: "..."

He had forgotten about that detail.

To be honest, he wasn't particularly interested in this so-called 'truth' of the world. He just wanted to continue living his happy daily life. If this world were simply an ordinary one without any mystical elements, he'd be even happier. That way, nothing strange or supernatural would suddenly pop out of nowhere to disrupt his peaceful life.

But this world wasn't so simple. Kotoko, the 'Yokai Priestess,' Kure Karura, who possesses extraordinary combat power, and that unscientific 'Great Detective' Siesta, all pointed to the fact that this world was far from ordinary.

To ensure his peaceful daily life and satisfy his curiosity, it was inevitable that he would come into contact with the supernatural and start training.

Besides, his dream ability had already granted him immortality, so he wasn't going to get overly excited about some basic training methods. Of course, if a particularly powerful training method were to appear before him, he'd still get excited.

"What are you thinking about, Hoshimi?" Kotoko asked, squinting her eyes when she saw that he wasn't speaking.

"Nothing much, just thinking about how efficient you are. In just two or three days, you've already found two training methods."

Kotoko shook her head. "That's nothing. In modern society, with the decline of the mystery, various training methods aren't as hidden as they used to be. Some basic methods can be obtained if you're willing to spend the money."

"But they're not very useful. In this age of the decline of the mystery, the difficulty of even starting with these basic methods has risen to an insurmountable level. Unless someone is incredibly talented, it's hard to even begin."

"By the way, Hoshimi, you don't have to worry about starting your training. I'll assist you so that at the very least, you'll be able to find out what your 'talent' in the mystic is."

"Oh?" Hoshimi asked, his face close to Kotoko's soft cheek. "How will you assist me?"

"Two methods," Kotoko said, raising her index finger. "First, I'll take you to the territory of some powerful monsters. They create environments rich in spiritual energy, which will help you in your training. I don't need to explain what spiritual energy is, right?"

"Mhm," Hoshimi nodded, indicating that he understood.

Spiritual energy should be the mysterious particles that float in the air. In Eastern cultures, it's called spiritual energy; in other cultures, it might be called magic, mana, elemental energy, or ether. Regardless of the name, it's just a form of energy.

"Second," Kotoko raised her middle finger, "I'll provide you with items infused with spiritual energy, ensuring that you won't run into problems due to a lack of it when you start your training."

"Two backup plans," Kotoko concluded. "We'll choose depending on the situation."

"Got it. I'll follow your lead, Kotoko," Hoshimi said, smiling as he nuzzled Kotoko's cheek.

Kotoko pouted, "If only you were always this obedient. Let me remind you in advance, if you succeed in your training, you absolutely, positively, must not use your power to bully the weak, especially weak monsters."

"I understand. I won't do anything reckless," Hoshimi responded seriously, his smile fading.

From Kotoko's perspective, finding these training methods for him was already a significant effort. If he were to cause trouble afterward, it would be a great disservice to Kotoko.

Though he might be carefree, he wasn't about to mess up on something so important.

"Good, I'm glad you understand," Kotoko said, satisfied.

With the serious matters out of the way, Kotoko shifted the conversation with a playful nudge, "Hoshimi, do you remember how we first met?"

Hoshimi's smile returned as he mischievously placed his hands around Kotoko, "Of course I do. At first, I thought you were just a chuuni girl, but after a bit of interaction, I realized you were the real deal."

As he spoke, his left hand began to move toward Kotoko's chest, feeling her heart begin to beat faster.

Kotoko playfully rolled her eyes and pouted, "You really put me through the wringer during our first meeting. I thought some strange creature had come to take revenge on me."

"Oh? A strange creature?" Hoshimi raised an eyebrow. "So you didn't even see me as human at first, huh? That deserves some punishment!"

With that, Hoshimi raised his hand and gave Kotoko a light smack on the thigh.

Kotoko rolled her eyes again and elbowed Hoshimi in the side, "You weren't exactly acting like a human either! You scared me half to death during our first meeting!"

During their first encounter, after exchanging a few words and names, Hoshimi suddenly transformed into a tentacle monster without a word.

He didn't fully become a monster; rather, he maintained a mostly human form, but a few dark tentacles extended from his back. Hoshimi used those tentacles to bind her, laughing maniacally, "Goddess of Wisdom? If I devour you, I should become stronger and smarter, right? Come on! Merge with my body! Become my nourishment!"

To be honest, Hoshimi's stunt really frightened her. With her identity as the 'Goddess of Wisdom,' it was entirely possible for her to attract unknown monsters. At that moment, she truly believed she was about to die, and before her 'death,' she was already thinking about how to transmit Hoshimi's information to the outside world, to let both humans and monsters know about this ominous being that devours humans.

But Hoshimi turned out to be all bark and no bite. Despite his wild proclamations, he didn't actually do anything harmful, and even the tentacles avoided her sensitive areas, only lifting her up and shaking her around like a roller coaster, but at an acceptable speed.

As time passed, she began to suspect something was off.

Why hadn't this tentacle monster eaten her yet?

In her confusion, she observed more closely and finally noticed the playful glint in Hoshimi's eyes.

This guy was playing with her!

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