Anime Multiverse: Building a Pantheon from Scratch

Seeing Mira Tsubakihara take out the Heart of the Demon, Luo Shu's expression briefly faltered, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face. He instinctively furrowed his brows and opened his system interface via mental command—half-preparing to make a run for it—while eyeing Mira with deep suspicion.

"Mira-san, do you really understand what that thing is?" he asked cautiously.

"It called itself the 'Heart of the Demon,'" she replied, then seemed to remember something. She turned to him with an apologetic expression and said, "Earlier, your friend—you know, the silver-haired girl full of energy—she asked me about this ring. I lied to her."

"I told her I didn't know where the ring was… but in truth, I've always known. It's been in my pocket this whole time, in a jewellery box. At first, it made me forget it existed after work, but then, it made me remember again."

Luo Shu fell silent for a few seconds after hearing that, before asking with growing wariness, "Then why did you choose this moment to show it to me?"

Recalling what Tachibana had said about the side effects of the Heart of the Demon, everything began to click into place for Luo Shu. The ring could suppress memories of it in women, making them forget it entirely—but if it could suppress, it could also restore. For some unknown reason, it had chosen to make Mira remember at this very moment. And that had led to their current situation.

Mira hesitated for a moment before handing the jewellery box toward Luo Shu, her voice carrying a tinge of distress. "You may not believe me, but… this ring seems to be alive."

"Alive?" Luo Shu repeated, looking down at the ring without reaching for it, trying to maintain a safe distance. Frankly, he already found it unsettling enough when Mira said it had made her forget about it. And now this…

Yet strangely, Luo Shu had the uncanny feeling that the eye within the red gemstone—the one embedded in the ring—was looking at him with flattery, almost as if trying to win favor. Was it just his imagination?

While Luo Shu was still pondering, Mira offered further explanation, her tone uncertain. "Actually… when I returned to the apartment earlier, I did message the security team."

From Mira's side of the story, Luo Shu pieced together a new perspective on the events. As it turned out, she hadn't returned to the apartment recklessly—her plan had been to handle things with care and avoid civilian casualties. Specifically, she had been relying on the residents of Rooms 201, 301, and 305, all of whom were female bodyguards trained by official Japanese agencies—rumored to be from the same team that protected the Prime Minister.

Apparently, that had been one of the conditions Mira negotiated with her grandmother to live independently. Her plan was to retreat home and have the on-call bodyguards deal with the stalkers while she evacuated under their protection.

But as she reached the front entrance, the Heart of the Demon influenced her—prompting her to pull Luo Shu in and ask for help. That single moment changed the entire course of events.

Because of Luo Shu's intervention, they went to the 4th floor, then ended up on the 5th. The pursuer followed, but they had completely bypassed the 3rd floor, where the bodyguards had deployed. By the time Luo Shu climbed back down to the 3rd floor via the emergency escape on the balcony, the guards had already found Mira and secured her in Room 503. Then came the part where Luo Shu shot at the Hounds on the 4th floor.

Because of the gunfire, Mira was kept secured in Room 503 the entire time under heavy protection. Luo Shu, meanwhile, was discovered by patrolling officials after discharging a weapon and was forced to cooperate, ultimately leaving with the police from the first floor without being able to return.

After sorting all of this out, Luo Shu sighed and rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the throbbing in his head. "So, even if I hadn't done anything, you would've been fine?"

"You've got the wrong idea, Luo Shu-kun."

Mira leaned across the table, placing both palms on its surface and moving her face closer to his. At such a distance, her intensity seemed magnified tenfold.

"Let's not assume I and the bodyguards would've been able to handle those inhuman opponents without your help. You took the initiative to use lethal force before the Hound could escape. That undoubtedly protected my life."

"So yes, the fact that you saved me—that's an undeniable truth."

Hearing her firm and sincere tone, Luo Shu instinctively leaned back and raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender. "Alright, I get it. Yes, yes, I'm your life-saver. Is that good enough for you?"

"Yes. I'm glad you understand," Mira smiled warmly and sat back in her seat.

Seeing her that way, Luo Shu couldn't help but feel a little strange. Who so eagerly insists on being in someone's debt? It was bizarre… just what kind of logic circuits did these female leads run on?

He glanced again at the ring in the box—the one with the flattering gaze—and frowned.

"So, going by what you're saying—"

"Mira. Just call me Mira, or Miss Mira if you must," she interrupted, raising a finger to stop him.

Luo Shu looked at her for a moment, then adjusted his words. "So, Miss Mira, are you saying the ring deliberately manipulated you into getting closer to me?"

"Well… under the circumstances, yes. But things are different now," she replied, pausing mysteriously before emphasizing her last few words.

Luo Shu narrowed his eyes at her. He didn't press the issue, but his instincts told him something was off. "Very suspicious. First the wallet, now this ring..."

"What is it?" Mira asked, noticing his sudden silence.

Thinking of how his "lucky wallet" had mysteriously ended up with him twice now, Luo Shu had a sinking feeling. He casually brushed it off with a "nothing," then mentally contacted the system that called itself "Servant of the Gods."

'System… is it because of something special about me that both the wallet and this ring keep gravitating toward me?'

[Ding—!]

[Answer: Under certain conditions, active Abyssal Artifacts will instinctively approach the most suitable host to seek further evolution.]

'…I don't think I'm capable of evolving anything right now,' Luo Shu muttered to himself. But the pieces were coming together.

So this flashy title—Lord of the Divine Assembly, Future God-King—was actually useful for once?

Still, if these so-called "active" artifacts were flocking to him hoping for an upgrade… weren't they basically just clinging to a thigh? But aren't you guys more powerful than me? Feels like I'm the one clinging to you!

Suppressing that thought, Luo Shu hesitated for a moment and looked at Mira. "Let me ask again—are you really sure you want to give this ring to me?"

"Honestly, it's a bit awkward, but I'm pretty sure that even if I accepted this Abyssal Artifact, I couldn't possibly give something of equal value in return."

It was true—he could've taken it for free. But Luo Shu wasn't the type to casually mooch off a heroine. Not when he still planned to milk her for points later. He needed to maintain a good relationship, after all.

"No, I never expected repayment. Besides, the ring clearly wants to be with you anyway…"

Mira nodded and was about to urge him to take it, but suddenly paused, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at the ring. As if remembering something, she spoke up again with a trace of curiosity.

"But if you really feel guilty, how about this—just tell me what this ring actually does. We'll call that even."

She looked genuinely puzzled. "There's something strange about it… Whenever I touch it, I feel inexplicably uneasy. What kind of power does it have?"

Luo Shu was about to answer—but the words caught in his throat.

Wasn't this ring's power… hypnosis against women?

That… was definitely a killer question that he absolutely could not answer!!!