Chapter 125: Strange Options

Mu Yang emerged from the mirror in his residence and entered the personal dimension to find Yoshino. She was nestled in the arms of the Snow Empress, who was stroking her hair, while the shopkeeper meditated nearby.

"Sister, I would like you to study Yoshino’s abilities. She possesses such power without any formal training. While it may not be particularly impressive to you, it is already an insurmountable force in the eyes of an average spirit beast. It lacks the intensity of Ultimate Ice, but it comes remarkably close," Mu Yang said, casting a glance at Yoshino before turning his attention to the Snow Empress.

"This child? I have observed her power; it is indeed miraculous. However, while her abilities are formidable, her psychological flaws seem even more profound. If these defects are not addressed, she will never be able to fully harness her potential, no matter how great her strength," the Snow Empress replied.

"You’re right. It is a matter of her personality. Do you see the rabbit puppet on her hand? That is Yoshinon. It is her emotional anchor—an independent personality she has connected to via spirit power," Mu Yang explained.

Yoshinon piped up, "Did the little brother notice me? That’s very rude, you know. Dragging a girl from the street into your own world without permission—what kind of strange things are you planning to do?"

"Using an object to anchor one’s emotions?" the Snow Empress mused. "While I wouldn’t recommend it, yet..." She looked at Mu Yang, thinking, *I seem to have become like her.*

"Sister, have a look for now. I have some matters to attend to, so I won't stay," Mu Yang said. Though he had no pressing business outside, his system exploration progress was still only at 12%, which he suspected was because he had whisked Yoshino away.

"Report, the Witch has appeared at the shopping mall," a crew member announced, having spotted Mu Yang on the surveillance feeds purchasing metal toys.

Lacking sufficient raw materials and unable to trade with specialized mines due to his identity, Mu Yang had to resort to scavenging metal from toys to construct his mecha. While ordinary metal was insufficient for high-level forging, Mu Yang possessed the skills of a blacksmith. Drawing from the memoirs of an eighth-level soul engineer on how to purify metals, he found he needed a much larger quantity.

"How annoying. I never imagined I’d be short on money. I could rob a bank, but if I do, how am I supposed to trade with the other Spirits? Trading with a Spirit who just robbed a bank? I’d be lucky not to get attacked," Mu Yang muttered to himself with a self-deprecating smile.

...

"Sister, are you ready to mobilize?" Itsuka Kotori asked Shido.

Shido clutched his skirt with one hand and covered his face with the other, saying, "Will this really work? Besides, the target is just a child."

"Don't worry, we’ll help you," Kotori replied. With that, Shiori was teleported to Mu Yang's side.

...

Although Mu Yang had not heard Kotori’s conversation, he sensed someone suddenly appear in his vicinity. He curled his lips into a smile and whispered, "Has she arrived? My little tool for exploration progress."

...

"Sister, what are you doing here?" Mu Yang asked upon seeing Shiori.

"Attention everyone, this is our first battle. Let’s begin the selection!" Kotori’s high-pitched voice crackled through the hidden earpiece in Itsuka Shido’s ear, igniting the morale of the entire crew.

Inside the *Fraxinus*, a phantom display slowly materialized, projecting the figures of Mu Yang and Itsuka Shido. Immediately, three options appeared before every crew member. Kotori’s lips curled into a smirk.

"Everyone, show me your best!"

A: "Little brother, where are your parents?"
B: "Little brother, do you want to be as pretty as your big sister?"
C: "Little brother, why don't you come with me for some fun?"

"The answer is quite obvious..." Vice-Commander Kannazuki Kyouhei declared with an expression of extreme solemnity.