Loki was surprised but immediately sighed in relief before replying, "Is that so? Then you can take her, but only if you promise that you'll be taking good care of her."
"That I'll do.", promised Kisuke, even though he knew full well that Loki's 'taking care' was a bit different from his 'taking care'.
"Well then, that's all from me. Have a great day everyone~!" Kisuke turned around, intending to leave immediately, when someone suddenly called out to him, "Please wait!"
Kisuke turned his head and asked, "What is it, miss Doctor?"
Airmid, with great curiosity, asked Kisuke, "I'm sorry for asking this and taking up your time, but if you don't mind, could you further explain your words earlier? What is this Ki? And how could it keep them alive?"
"You can ask everyone from the Loki Familia about its specifics, but basically, it's an energy similar to Magic Power but naturally resides in everyone. And unlike Magic, everyone, with enough practice, can use it, though some are naturally attuned to it."
"The beginning stages of Ki practice is strengthening the blood, so even after they've lost so much of it from their wounds, the Ki contained within their remaining blood was enough to keep them alive."
"I see... So that's why I could keep my consciousness.", Finn, who had been resting in the corner beside Gareth, spoke up.
"Correct.", replied Kisuke with a smile, "Although you still can't use it to strengthen your attacks and defenses, your practice was enough to make you harder to kill."
"I understand. On behalf of the entire Loki Familia, I thank you for imparting this magnificent technique and also for saving our lives. If there's anything you want, please tell me."
"There's nothing for now but if I think of something, I'll be sure to let you know~." Kisuke then closed the doors of the clinic and left.
Soon after, Finn faced Airmid and asked, "Airmid-san, what do you think of his words?"
"I don't understand it fully, but his words were in line with my observations.", answered Airmid with a nod, "But are you sure that you're fine with me hearing all of this? It seems to be a very important piece of information."
"You're now part of our trusted individuals so it's fine. Besides, we don't intend to monopolize this method." Finn then looked towards Loki and said, "In any case, Loki. I'd like you to negotiate with the Guild to reduce the number of our expeditions. If possible at least by half."
"Oh, leave it to me~!" Loki gave a thumbs up.
"Thank you." Finn then announced to everyone, "The excursions to the Dungeon will be set to a minimum and everyone is to practice their Ki in that freed up time. As you can see, even with minimal effort, the degree it helped us was already outstanding. So take this seriously, even those who are having a difficult time with it."
"Yes, Captain!", shouted everyone who was awake in unison.
"Please keep it down!" Airmid, of course, reprimanded them for the noise they created.
But Finn only chuckled and continued, but with a repressed voice, "Of course, while we're at it, we'll sort this out and take our revenge. We can't really have them keep running around."
Everyone from the Loki Familia became determined. They seriously underestimated their opponents and have figured just how dangerous their group was. Before there were more victims, and for their wounded pride, they had to take care of them.
At this moment, the door suddenly opened up again with Riveria entering the room, "Do you have a spare bed?"
"I can prepare one. But for who?", responded Airmid immediately.
Soon after, Bete entered the room while being assisted by others, "For him. He has some broken bones all over his body."
Finn immediately frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Ais also followed inside and answered with a deadpan expression, "He was flung around by Kisuke."
"...Huh?" Everyone was having the same surprised expression as Finn when suddenly, Tiona started laughing out loud, "Fuhahahaha! You probably attacked him out of nowhere, didn't you!?"
All the female members were then reminded of Kisuke's real strength and imagined Tiona's words with Kisuke having a big grin on his face and ended up stifling their laughs.
Of course, there was a person who wouldn't hide her expression. Displaying a smug smile, Tione added, "I can imagine it. Kicking or punching him before he grabbed your limb and swung you around, right~? I would really have liked to see that."
"Shut up, you bitches! You knew about his real strength and decided to hide it!", roared Bete at them, but Airmid started bandaging his mouth first.
"Tell us what happened.", instructed Finn and Ais narrated what they saw and heard.
That night, their view regarding Kisuke Urahara would change yet again. Loki, on the other hand, chose to stay quiet and leave after making some excuses when she heard Ais mentioning the 'Reject' ability.
'The ability to 'Reject' reality? That's even more ridiculous than that over-the-top sparring!', thought Loki as a cold night wind blew on her face.
.
.
.
Late at night, Serafall woke up Hestia and Artemis and said that Kisuke had come out. Right now, both of them were having some hot chocolate while covered in a blanket within the living room. "Will he really come?", asked Hestia.
"Since he came out, I think he'll at least show his face.", answered Serafall while taking a sip on her hot chocolate.
"It's too bad that the others aren't here.", muttered Artemis.
"They've been in the Dungeon for three days now. Are they doing alright?" Hestia couldn't help but worry. Ever since Kisuke left, it seemed that they suddenly kicked it up a notch and became even crazier with their training. Not to mention, they seemed to be in the area where only Level 4s could thrive.
"You worry too much, Hestia-sama. They'll be fine. Aside from that, Medusa-chan is there to take care of them and pull them out in case of an emergency.", appeased Serafall and couldn't help but pat Hestia's head.
"Not to mention they planned to stay there for at least a month.", agreed Artemis and nodded with a wry smile.
Hestia's eyes widened as she woke up completely and recalled their words before they left, "T...That's right, isn't it?"
It was then that Kisuke's voice resounded from the door, "It seems that all of you are doing fine~!"
Hearing that, Hestia hurriedly placed down her cup and jumped out of her blanket and off the couch before attaching herself to Kisuke like an octopus grabbing its prey, "Kisuke-kun!!! It's been so long!!!"
"No. It hasn't. And I've been gone for longer than this.", replied Kisuke as he casually walked over the couch and sat down, ignoring the Goddess attached to him like a kid.
"Spoil her a bit. There are only very few people currently in the estate, so she has been feeling lonely.", said Artemis.
Kisuke quickly scanned the entirety of the state using his Reiatsu-Ki and only felt Claire and Ophis sleeping. But the moment his energy lightly swept by Ophis, the humanoid Dragon instantly woke up and disappeared from her bed and reappeared on his shoulders. Since his lap was occupied, she had no choice but to go to her second favorite spot, "...Welcome back."
"I'm back~ Though I can't really stay for too long.", greeted Kisuke back while patting Hestia's head.
Artemis was slack-jawed when Ophis suddenly appeared, "O-Ophis-chan has this kind of ability?"
"It's one of her many hidden talents~!", answered Serafall with a smile.
Editors:
28th00: Ah, yes. Phis-chama’s Shoulder Loli transportation technique. It’s a hidden talent, because she usually lands on his lap.
Alexander: It seems that Hestia's ability to hold her love for Kisuke back has started to become weaker since the Artemis arc. Give her a few more weeks, and she’ll cling to him even while she sleeps.