Chapter 32: Makishima Touma
After a moment, we finally broke apart from our embrace as her tears began to subside. The warmth and tender emotions that had flowed so freely between us gradually diminished, leaving a sense of tranquility in their wake. Both she and I felt a renewed sense of ease. The tense atmosphere that had enveloped us was now replaced by a comforting calmness.
Watching her countenance slowly return to its former cheerfulness brought a wave of relief washing over me. A faint smile graced her lips, gently erasing the remnants of sorrow that had clouded her features. This shared moment felt as though it deepened the bond between us, an inexplicable connection forged in an instant.
Despite our recent met, but from her perspective, it seemed as though we had been separated for an eternity. This profound familiarity felt both bewildering and strangely comforting, a sense of destiny intertwined.
I also processed a series of memories bestowed upon me by the system. This influx of information cascaded into my consciousness like a torrential downpour, offering unexpected clarity. It appeared the system had predetermined that the woman standing before me was, in fact, my devoted subordinate from a previous life.
This revelation illuminated a great deal, clarifying the immediate sense of familiarity and warmth that had enveloped us upon our first encounter. The brief touch and embrace felt undeniably natural, as though we were meant to rediscover one another.
These implanted memories offered a much more comprehensive understanding of our past relationship and the vital role she had played in my former existence—a role that seemed undeniably significant and characterized by unwavering loyalty.
Thus, her fidelity could be unequivocally guaranteed. This assurance provided a profound sense of security and confidence, knowing she would stand by my side without any shadow of malicious intent. In this world fraught with uncertainty, such readily established trust felt invaluable, akin to discovering a rare and precious gem.
Delving deeper into the system-provided memories, I learned that the woman before me was named Makishima Touma. The name resonated with a strange mixture of familiarity and foreignness simultaneously.
Understanding her background from these recollections allowed me to approach her with greater honesty and openness, particularly if I needed her to undertake tasks for me. No longer would there be room for doubt or suspicion to impede our progress. Trust, I realized, was the bedrock upon which a truly effective and enduring partnership could be constructed.
I then focused my attention on observing the property panel belonging to the purple-haired woman, which, as usual, was discreetly displayed adjacent to my own. This informational window offered a more complete and detailed understanding of her current abilities and overall status. The figures and descriptions contained within were truly astonishing, surpassing all expectations.
I was profoundly impressed by the sheer magnitude of power she possessed, which instilled in me an even greater sense of confidence as we faced whatever trials lay ahead, whether within the dungeons or in the real world.
According to the system's explicit explanations, she possessed the capability to exit the dungeon and enter the real world at my order. This extraordinary ability unlocked a myriad of potential strategies and collaborative opportunities for the future.
[Name: Makishima Touma]
[Race: Half Vampire]
[Age: 95 Years]
[Level: 100]
[Job: Ninja]
[Vitality: 1658]
[Intelligence: 2048]
[Sense: 1878]
[Quirk: Blood Shifter (Lv.1)]
[Remaining Points: 0]
Such an exceptionally powerful subordinate—I wholeheartedly approved! Her capabilities were truly extraordinary, and her level dwarfed my own current standing. With her at my side, I could finally relax, secure in the knowledge that I possessed a reliable foundation of support to aid me throughout my continued growth. She was, undeniably, an invaluable asset—both a shield and a sword embodied in one formidable person. However, the sheer extent of her power also introduced a subtle undercurrent of unease.
The question arose in my mind: was there a possibility, however remote, that she might one day turn against me, especially considering her current overwhelming superiority in strength? This thought, unbidden, flickered through my consciousness—a shadowy premonition of potential betrayal.
I felt an urgent need to secure assurances against any potential rebellion or threat emanating from her. Safety, I determined, must remain my paramount concern, especially in situations where such a stark power imbalance existed.
Therefore, I directly questioned the system, seeking confirmation that I would not meet my demise through something as simple as a sudden, unexpected backstab. Such anxieties were, I felt, entirely justifiable given the disparity in power between us. I needed absolute certainty that her loyalty was not merely performative, but truly dependable and unwavering. Blind trust, I knew, could prove to be a double-edged sword, leading to unforeseen vulnerabilities.
The system responded with an unequivocal guarantee, stating with absolute certainty that every subordinate it provided was inherently and unshakeably loyal, allowing me to finally set aside my anxieties.
Hearing this explicit assurance brought an immediate sense of relief and bolstered my conviction that Touma was indeed a trustworthy ally. The system's guaranteed loyalty offered a profoundly important sense of security, a crucial element for my peace of mind. The weight of doubt and worry lifted from my shoulders.
Despite our brief acquaintance with Makishima Touma, armed with the memories the system had so thoughtfully implanted in my mind, I consciously endeavored to cultivate a sense of deep familiarity with her. My aim was to forge a close and trusting relationship, the kind of bond that would enable us to collaborate seamlessly and effectively. Solid teamwork, I knew, was the key to achieving shared objectives and overcoming future challenges.
"Touma," I began, breaking the comfortable silence, "do you perceive any new powers, distinct from those you possessed before?" I asked, my curiosity piqued, eager to understand if she had sensed any alterations upon arriving in this world. My eyes fixed upon her expectantly, awaiting her response.
"Himaru-sama," she replied, a hint of uncertainty mingling with deep respect in her voice, "I do indeed sense a new power. Is this perhaps a gift bestowed upon me by you, Himaru-sama?" Her eyes sparkled with a hopeful anticipation and fervent enthusiasm, like a child receiving a much-desired Christmas present.
"One could certainly say that," I responded, my interest now fully engaged. "Now, try to utilize it and let me witness its capabilities firsthand!" I commanded, feeling an intense desire to see what she could accomplish with this newfound power. My curiosity and anticipation reached a fever pitch.
"Yes, Himaru-sama!" Touma answered with palpable excitement. A genuine smile bloomed across her face, radiating eagerness and unwavering determination to showcase her very best. She seemed genuinely thrilled to demonstrate her abilities.
Then, Touma deftly retrieved a kunai from her item box and made a small, precise incision on her thumb. A single droplet of blood welled up and escaped the tiny wound, only to see the flesh immediately knit itself back together in the blink of an eye. The vaunted vampire regeneration was plainly evident.
However, instead of falling to the ground, the droplet of blood defied gravity, hovering gracefully in mid-air. I watched in utter astonishment at this unexpected spectacle, my curiosity regarding Touma's abilities intensifying further still. It was a scene defying all natural laws, a true marvel unfolding before my very eyes.
Then, the volume of suspended blood began to expand and morph, slowly taking on a discernible human shape. I remained transfixed, observing with my own eyes as a fully formed humanoid figure materialized from the floating blood. The transformation felt almost magical, swift, and utterly captivating.
The process was both rapid and aesthetically pleasing, culminating in the emergence of another Makishima Touma, standing perfectly formed beside the original, complete with identical attire. The newly created clone was an exact replica of the original, as if a mirror image had suddenly taken physical form. Two Toumas now stood in my presence.
"This," she announced with a note of pride, "is what I am now capable of with my new ability; I can generate multiple clones using only a small quantity of my own blood, Himaru-sama!" she explained respectfully, meeting my gaze with unwavering confidence. Her voice conveyed a clear sense of pride in her newfound powers.
"Is that all?" I pressed, probing further into the latent potential of this ability. I wanted to understand its full scope, limitations, and any hidden possibilities.
"It appears," she elaborated thoughtfully, "that I also possess the ability to alter my outward appearance, though this requires a minute sample of blood from the creature whose form I wish to mimic," she clarified meticulously, providing a more detailed and nuanced explanation of her shape-shifting capabilities. It seemed there was a fascinating aspect of physical transformation at play.
"And," she continued, adding even more crucial information, "I sense that I can transform into virtually anything, regardless of discrepancies in body size or even gender; however, I can only replicate their outward appearance. I am unable to replicate or copy their unique abilities or inherent powers," she concluded, offering vital insight into the limitations of her metamorphic Quirk. This detailed information was critical for strategic planning and future applications of her powers.
"So, that's it, huh? That means I can do it too." I murmured almost to myself, contemplating the immense potential inherent within this newly revealed Quirk. The possibilities and combinations of powers began to whirl in my mind, sparking a flurry of strategic thoughts.
Why did I mutter such a thing? Because, coincidentally, just after Makishima Touma had arrived in this world, my own property panel had also undergone a series of significant and unexpected changes.
I suddenly noticed new abilities conspicuously displayed on my panel—abilities that had most certainly not been present previously. These novel powers had manifested mysteriously and seemingly out of thin air. A profound shift had occurred within me.
[Name: Yūsha Himaru]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 9 Years]
[Level: 20]
[Occupation: None]
[Vitality: 455]
[Intelligence: 429]
[Sense: 465]
[Quirk: Dungeon Master (Max), Mental Barrier (Lv.1), Blood Shifter (Lv.1)]
[Remaining Points: 0]
Indeed, I had inexplicably acquired the very same Quirk as hers. This unforeseen development presented a monumental opportunity for me to exponentially strengthen myself and evolve into a truly formidable individual possessing a multitude of Quirks. It felt as though I had been handed a key to unlock vast reservoirs of latent potential within myself.
Furthermore, there was yet another piece of incredibly advantageous information: I was now capable of receiving half of the experience points that she earned from venturing into dungeons. Experiences gained within the dungeon environment could now be harnessed to level up my own Quirks, accelerating my power growth.
This was an undeniably significant advantage, a system practically designed to facilitate my rapid advancement and ability development. The system was, it seemed, actively encouraging my progression and providing me with exceptional benefits.
However, intermingled with this overwhelmingly positive news, there was also a less welcome revelation—a piece of unfortunate news. Due to having reached level 20, I was now, apparently, restricted from further level advancement within the vampire dungeon. This limitation meant that I was compelled to promptly fulfill specific mission requirements in order to unlock the gate to the level two dungeon.
Unlocking the level two dungeon became my immediate and most pressing priority if I wished to continue my personal growth trajectory and accumulate further levels. This was, without question, a critical next step that I had to undertake swiftly to ensure my ongoing development did not stagnate or stall. Time was, undeniably, of the essence.
While I was still deeply immersed in contemplation, pondering which specific Quirks might hold the key to successfully opening the level two dungeon gate, Touma's voice suddenly interjected, pulling me back to the immediate present.
"By the way, Himaru-sama," she inquired with a noticeable curiosity in her tone, "what exactly has happened to your appearance?" Her eyes, filled with genuine intrigue, meticulously scrutinized the subtle yet discernible alterations in my physical form.
"Oh…" I responded, taking a moment to gather my thoughts and formulate a concise explanation. "You could say that I have experienced a phenomenon akin to what you yourself underwent—reincarnation," I replied calmly, aiming for a simplified yet understandable explanation.
"You mean you have also reincarnated, just like me, Himaru-sama?" she pressed, her voice brimming with enthusiastic curiosity. Touma's eyes widened and sparkled with undisguised excitement, revealing a deep fascination with my reincarnation story.
"Yes," I confirmed, "I have reincarnated into this different world. However, my memories from my previous life became somewhat blurred and fragmented. Initially, I held absolutely no recollection of you whatsoever. But," I continued, adding a touch of carefully crafted narrative, "when you embraced me earlier, a fleeting glimmer of those long-dormant memories suddenly resurfaced, though not in their entirety," I explained with deliberate seriousness, striving to make my fabricated explanation sound plausible and aligned with a semblance of reality.
From the carefully implanted memories provided by the system, it appeared that Makishima Touma had once been an ordinary high school student living in Japan. She had led a perfectly normal teenage life, unremarkable in its everyday routines, until one fateful day when her destiny took a dramatically unforeseen turn.
Following her untimely death in a tragic accident, she had undergone reincarnation into a vastly different world—a realm of fantasy and magic, far removed from the mundane reality of her previous existence. Unfortunately, her life in this fantastical new world had also been fraught with hardship and profound suffering. Fate, it seemed, was intent on testing her resilience.
The village in which she had been reincarnated was brutally attacked by marauding bandits, and tragically, all members of her new family in this fantasy world had been mercilessly slain. The bandit raid was described as exceptionally brutal, leaving behind a trail of wanton destruction and immeasurable sorrow.
Touma, still just a teenager in this new life, had been forced to confront this devastating reality entirely alone. She was the sole survivor of the massacre, left utterly helpless and on the verge of being sold into slavery. Misfortune, it seemed, had relentlessly pursued her across worlds.
It was at this darkest juncture, teetering on the precipice of utter despair, that I had dramatically arrived, intervening to dismantle the slave trading operation and ultimately rescue her from her grim fate. Her fortune, had finally begun to shift upon my unexpected appearance on that fateful scene.
Wielding the considerable power at my command, I had swiftly and decisively destroyed the slave trading establishment and liberated her from her impending enslavement. I had become, in essence, her unexpected savior, a beacon of hope in her darkest hour.
Following her dramatic rescue, she had chosen to follow me, drawn by a sense of gratitude and perhaps destiny. With her willing consent, I had then transformed her race into a Half Vampire, bestowing upon her newfound strength and ensuring she would no longer be vulnerable to such victimizations.
From that pivotal moment onward, Touma had faithfully followed me, becoming my staunchly loyal and exceptionally powerful subordinate. Our relationship, it appeared, was forged in the crucible of fate and further strengthened by the bonds of unwavering devotion and mutual respect.