LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 247.1
Chapter 247.1. New Year
A new year begins. Nothing has really changed, but it’s a chance to set new goals… or maybe not. I always have goals anyway, so it doesn’t really matter.
The cold wind howls, and the world outside is a white expanse of snow. About fifty centimeters deep, maybe? Clearing it looks like a pain, thinks Sakimori, gazing out from the penthouse atop the Amatsugahara Corporation headquarters.
“New Year’s means otoshidama, huh? Back in the day, I thought giving money to kids when I became an adult would be a hassle. But giving it shows you’ve got the means, right? I’ll hand some to Jun and the others later.”
With knife-sharp eyes, a cunning face framed by stubble, and a well-trained, medium-build body, Sakimori exudes the aura of a powerful man. His name is Amano Sakimori, head of the special district governing the northeastern Kanto region. Just an ordinary magician who deals in dark magic.
“Shizuku, why am I’m talking like I’m narrating my own thoughts? And seriously, calling yourself an ordinary magician is a stretch.”
“Oh, come on! The protagonist is always supposed to be ‘ordinary,’ right? Characters like elites or geniuses always end up getting beaten by the main character, don’t they?”
I know what she’s saying… and yeah, she’s not wrong.
Beside me sits my partner, Amano Shizuku, a petite girl with glossy black hair in semi-long waves. Her soft, demure eyes, delicate nose, and cherry-blossom pink lips create a sweet, innocent charm. As she swishes the hem of her furisode sleeves like wings, she pouts playfully. She’s dressed like this today just to show me.
“Pfft! Using dark magic and ruling over Japan’s special district—you’ve got that dangerous vibe, too. If this were a manga, you’d totally be the kind of character the hot-blooded hero would take down, Master.”
That’s Amano Yukihana, laughing uncontrollably. She’s a striking beauty, about 160 cm tall, with long, raven-black hair that flows to her waist. Mischievous eyes and a vibrant smile adorn her lively face. She wears a translucent blue kimono patterned with snowflakes, perfectly complementing her model-like figure.
“But honestly, Sakimori, I feel like you’d end up killing the protagonist during the tutorial fight. You know, ‘The Prologue Is An Epilogue’! And I’d totally be the loyal scientist sidekick who says, ‘Sakimori, I’ve made a new enhanced human just for you!’.”
The one giggling as she leans her head against my shoulder is Kamishiro Serika. Despite her childlike features, her model-like body and ruby-red eyes give her a surreal elegance. Her snowy white skin marks her as an albino. Proclaiming prologue over right at the start? Now that would be bold.
“Oh, so you’re declaring yourself a mistress? Does that mean you’re yielding the title of wife, Serika?”
“Most villains have some tragic backstory, right? Like the wife who dies, for instance.”
“Well, no worries there—I don’t plan on dying. But you know, mad scientists do have a habit of getting killed by the hero.”
The two girls lock eyes, grinning at each other mischievously across me. Well, let’s not call those grins menacing—they’re too cute for that.
“Sakimori-shan is mine to protect!”
Sitting on my lap is the usual little girl, puffing out her cheeks and waving her little hands as if trying to pacify the other two. I think she’s trying, at least. Either way, she’s adorable, so I pat her head.
“You’re all wearing furisode. That’s pretty impressive. You all look great.”
“You’re supposed to blush and turn away, complimenting us under your breath! Why do you always say things so casually?”
“Doesn’t suit an old man, does it?”
Ignoring Shizuku’s protests, I smirk and clap my hands.
“All right, fun’s over. Time to use the Equivalent Exchange Store for the first time this year.”
I raise my index finger, swiping it through the air. A translucent monolith-like board appears, filled with text. My unique skill: [Equivalent Exchange Store].
This skill solved one of the world’s problems—it made monsters profitable. By exchanging monster cores for skills or items, it eliminated the issue of monsters being a waste of effort. Now that I’m operating independently, I can even produce things without the usual drawbacks.
“I’ve got four special monster cores from that demon we took down. I plan to trade them in for skills that will help us power up.”
“…My knowledge won’t be much help. We’ll have to feel things out from here. You don’t need existing skills anymore, Sakimori.”
Shizuku lowers her gaze, seeming downcast. I give her a soft pat on the head and smile.
“Cut the act. That’s not like you, Shizuku.”
“Grr… you caught me. Well, since I got a head pat, I’ll let it slide. Pop-pop!”
Raising her head with a playful smile, Shizuku flaps her arms like a pigeon. The little girl on my lap watches her and starts copying the movements, flapping her arms enthusiastically. These two really are adorable.
I glance back at the Exchange Store display, only to find Shizuku scanning through the list with surprising speed. She filters the massive skill catalog with precision, effortlessly narrowing down useful options. Didn’t she just say her knowledge wouldn’t help? And when did she gain access to my board?
As I watch her search intently, she finally picks a few skills, exhaling in satisfaction.
“Looks like I found some new skills. They seem to align with what we’ve been hoping for. And ever since I fully became a fairy, I’ve been able to interact with the board—though I can’t press the confirm button. I guess the store acknowledges me as your wife now.”
“So, your kin can touch the board? Maybe it’s because I’ve become independent from the dungeon.”
Reacting to Shizuku’s words, Serika taps the board. A clear chime rings out as it responds. Looks like I’ve opened up the company’s inner workings to my subordinates, huh?
Ignoring the playful exchange between the mischievous fairy and the smug albino beauty, I review the skills Shizuku selected.
Here’s what’s on offer. I’ll save one core for something else, so I have three to use.
[Limited 1: Wisdom of Swordsmanship] – 1 Special Monster Core A: Grants swordsmanship knowledge corresponding to your level. No drawbacks.
[Limited 1: Wisdom of Dark Magic] – 1 Special Monster Core A: Grants dark magic knowledge corresponding to your level. No drawbacks.
[Limited 1: Phantom Creation] – 1 Special Monster Core A: Allows unlimited creation of phantom beings below your level using rare cores. Phantoms do not grow.
“You’ve probably noticed that we can only use techniques up to the Ordinary, King, and Emperor levels. Beyond that, only enemies have access to higher levels. The top tier we know of is God-level, but it’s enemy-exclusive.”
“Even at Level 7 and in Dark Mode, I could only reach the Emperor level. Beyond that, I figured it was just about pumping in more mana for extra power.”