I want Miroku on my side.

　I've made up my mind - I'm going to "tame" this guy.


　Asura is a boss demon unique to Hinode Island. Basically, it is common knowledge in Mevion that bosses cannot be tamed, but in this case it is a delicate matter.

　First of all. The first thing to note is that this isn't a dungeon. They are not dungeon bosses, in other words, they are called "boss demons" to mean "boss-class demons outside of dungeons", but in fact, they may just be "native demons". The possibility of it being so can't be ruled out.

　One more thing. There is a special movie that is always inserted when you beat the boss. I can't remember exactly, but I don't think there was an Asura movie. If that's the case, the chances of being able to "tame" the boss are much higher, just like the Dark Wolf.

　Lastly, Asura's ego (...). The first time he fought against the Dark Wolf, he was just a "mere demon" that only followed a predetermined pattern of action. However, with the 《Tame》, it suddenly had an ego and became the current "Anko".
　It is impossible to call Miroku, who speaks very fluently and even has a firm will, a mere demon. Perhaps it has already been "tamed" by someone else in its long history and gained an identity. If that's the case, then the system would be able to "tame" it without any problems.

　Based on the above three points, I judged Asura to be a "usable demon".


　Well, you'll know all this when you try to time this thing.

　Currently, my "tame" is 9-dan. As long as it's not a demon that can't be used in the system, I should be able to tame most of them with an average of 20% of the time, with the exception of those that can't be used by the system.


...... extra, real name ......
You want to know. Then answer my calls.
...... will ......!

　As Miroku said this, he knelt down, blood dripping from his stomach and back, and waited patiently for me to speak.


　...... Strangely, I don't feel like I'm going to fail.


　Suddenly, I remember. A contestant in the Reiou Battle, the dog-shaped beastman, Kapito-kun.

　He said that he was "lucky enough" to be able to tame the Earth Dragon. I was somehow stuck on that "lucky" word.

　After all, there was a 1 in 5 chance. Whether you repeat it over and over again or end it with a single shot, if you could "taste" either of them, you could say that you were lucky.

　In the first place, I don't think Capito-kun had the ability to shave 80% of the Earth Dragon's HP.

　In other words, isn't there another meaning to that word "lucky"?

　Yes, for example, if the opponent has already succumbed or wants to be used. The possibility that there is a system that allows you to increase the probability of taming in such special cases, or that allows you to tame a character without reducing your HP, is a no-brainer.

　I can't help but think that there are other factors that affect the probability of success in this world besides the traditional system of "taming".



''--Asura. Your name is Asura.


　Whether that's why is not certain.

　However - Asura's 《Tame》 was successful in one shot.


　Did he simply win a fifth of the vote, or did he meet the conditions for receiving the special lottery? The details are unknown, but the Asura's "Tame" worked very easily.

''Asura...... so-so...... so-so......''

　Miroku nodded vigorously when he learned his real name.

It's a good thing ...... that I've been destined to fight ...... since I was born into this world.

　I'm not sure, but he's convinced.
　In the meantime, I feel sorry for the poor guy, out of breath, so I'll let him recover.

'Here, drink this, too.'
...... pain, enter.

　After handing over the high-grade potion, Miroku gulped it down in one gulp.

　If it was Miroku's rugged status, it would only be a makeshift recovery. That's what I thought, but the ...... result was completely different.

　It's a good thing that Miroku recovered most of his HP with a single high-grade potion.

　It's not.
　I immediately took a peek at Miroku's status.


............ wow.

　There were tremendous numbers scattered around.

　Let's say, super-specialized (・・・・); STR, DEX, AGI, VIT, and SP, especially STR and DEX, are ridiculously high, but INT, LUK, MGR, HP, and MP are terribly low instead.

　...... No, it's probably not surprising. It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good deal more out of it.

　Originally, Asura was not that strong of a boss demon. It was about the same as the normal demons that appeared in the A grade. Since it had been [absorbed] until it became so strong after a long period of time, it's only natural for its status to be sharp for the [Battoujutsu].

　This is indeed the incarnation of [Battoujutsu]. This guy's self-description wasn't a mistake either.


"Thank you, Taishakuten. From the bottom of my heart, I pledge allegiance to you.
Oh, come on.

　Miroku, suddenly energized, bows to me again. is ...... Teishakuten (...)?

I fought without a full heart and carried too much anger and sorrow. I have caused suffering to the people of this island in the cause of providing for them. I must fulfill my responsibility. Forgive me, O Teishakuten, for I have done so. Then you will free this island of samurai spirits from many ghosts.

　I don't get it. It's a poem.

Is that what you think this is all about?
No. I was born with the Buddha's teachings.

What?


　Wait for .......

　Born (・・・・・・・)?

　That is to say, ......


Miroku, did you ...... have an ego to begin with?
The day I realized that I was me. "I remember that day with certainty. This was definitely before the founding of the Miroku School.
That was before you met Lycan.
"My Lord.


　Strange.

　That means that 0k4NN-san didn't get his ego because he "tamed" Miroku. My prediction was wrong.

　Did anyone other than 0k4NN-san "tame" it?　I can't dismiss that possibility, but it's quite unlikely.

　What about the possibility that Miroku's past was tampered with the moment I got my hands on?

　No, it's hard to think about. Akaneko said that the Maitreya School was created first, followed by the Kabuto School and then the Daikoku School, all of which were named by Miroku. If Miroku didn't have an ego, he wouldn't be naming the schools.

　Then what the hell is it, then?


'Teishakuten, I would like to say one thing--'
'Wait a minute. I'm sorry that I'm in the mood to say something important, but I can't help but notice what you're calling it first. Change it if you can.
...... Heavenly Emperor.
It's getting worse. Go in the opposite direction.
...... Mr. Second?
All right, that's good. A little further.
You, sir.
You've gone too far!
"Nushi-sama.
I like the direction it's going, but it's a little stiff.
"Lord.
...... Yeah, okay, that's it.
It's not easy.

　I have a line.


"Now, what did you almost say to me?
I was concerned that the Lord may have misunderstood one thing. May I make a point?
Come on!
So. You said that I had attained Self-awareness, and that is when I received my initiation from the Buddha.
When you got yourself together?

The Buddha appeared in front of me one morning. One morning, in front of my eyes, Shakyamuni Buddha suddenly appeared to me and said, "My Lord, you are the reincarnation of Maitreya. He said, "You are the reincarnation of Miroku Bodhisattva and you will attain enlightenment in this place and save many people. Therefore, I took the name Miroku and began to practice.

Okay, can I tell you something?
Be told.
f*ck you, man.

　I know I'm a "plain old fool" and I don't know a word of Buddhism, but I'm not going to be fooled by it. There's no way I'm going to listen to that kind of nonsense.

I'm not messing around.
'So let's say you're the reincarnation of Maitreya Nanchara, why is this island like this?　Which one of us is saved, ah?
...... It's not clear to me.
Why? I thought you were watching over them and keeping them under control?
My dear sir, I have watched you from afar. But I don't know much about the people of the island. I haven't been in touch with them for a few hundred years.
No?
The only offerings we can make are to bear the will of those who died on this land, to practice and to continue to fight. Never tell the people of this island what to be.
You're the godfather of the school and you're not.
Named, nurtured and guided. After a time, children leave their parents.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

　Miroku was not "tamed" by anyone, but his ego grew out of it, and he twisted his original knowledge of Buddhism, saw a vision of the Buddha, believed himself to be the reincarnation of Maitreya Bodhisattva, founded the Maitreya School, and since then he has been making offerings to the people of the island endlessly in addition to his practice.


　Does that make sense!

　What's that? Does that mean that you have naturally pried open the door to gaining an ego through enlightenment?　This is amazing.

　The amazing world that I used to listen to in history class when I was in elementary school, thinking that people in the olden days were just crazy, is now unfolding right in front of my eyes like a whirlwind.

　What? I have to be convinced?　Really?



You're not convinced, are you?

That's right: ......?


　Huh?

Miroku, did you just say something?
"No.
It's me. Here, here.
...... What are you, a ventriloquist?

　A voice came from Miroku's side. But Miroku didn't open his mouth.

'It's not Yu.'
So it's me!　Mask on the side!　On your left!

　Side masks ......?

Miroku, just turn to your left and shut up.
"As you wish.

　There were two masks on either side of Miroku's head.

　When Miroku turned to his left, he met eyes with the masks, which had a sad expression on their faces.


''Nice to meet you, Second. I watched the fight from inside Miroku. You were really good at it.''
The masks are talking. ......
Yes. My name is Shaka. I am the first person Miroku absorbed.
...... I'm not keeping up with you because it's going too fast, is that okay?
It's okay. You'll remember. You'll remember what happens to those who are absorbed.

　What happens when it's [absorbed]?
　...... Oh, I see.

"His will lives on in Miroku.
'Yes. My will was exceptionally strong. Hence I am speaking in this way.
Yeah. So what do you want?
First of all, I want to thank you. It's meeting you has made it possible for me to manipulate my words again.
Is Tame having an effect on you?
No. The deceased takes form at the moment of their attainment of Buddhahood. No. The deceased, on the verge of becoming a Buddha, gives form to his thoughts. I have been waiting for this moment in Miroku for a thousand years.
"Millennia.
'I'm not kidding. I have one thing to tell you. Second, listen to me carefully.
Yeah.

"And know that we are not the only ones who will be reborn...

"What--?


　............ I'm surprised.
　Wasn't it just Raspberry Bell and 0k4NN, .......


'You, too, huh?'
My name is Gotaro Takahashi, Professor of Humanities and Director of the Center for Buddhist Philosophy, Graduate School of Thought and Culture, Toto University, and I was bitten by a poisonous snake to death in June 2008 while traveling in India.
"...... Sounds like you're not lying. No, wait. Then why do you call yourself Shaka?
When I was in elementary school, my nickname was Shaka. It's an association of Goutarou, Gautaro, Gautama Siddhartha, and Shaka, as a child. I've liked it so much that I've been calling myself that ever since I came to this world.
I understand.

　It's definitely Japanese, this guy.

'Well, next question: "Mövius Online doesn't exist in 2008. So why are you here?
I didn't even know this was a real future game world until Raycan told me about it. ...... I'm not sure why.
You talked to Lakan?
'Yes, from Miroku, with him when he was still alive. In the world before, he died in 2026. They say he was from Michigan, USA.
'Really? I've talked to him a few times at Mevion and he's fluent in Japanese.
"Apparently, there's a big 'Japan' thing going on here: ......

　Ah, that kind of thing.

I'm suspicious of the university people ...... but well, I've been dead twice now, so there's nothing I can do about it. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. That's all I could regret.
Twice in a lifetime?
No, sir. "No, no, no. During my fieldwork, I was so excited that I found a large figure that looked like an Asura statue, and when I approached it out of curiosity, it was easily killed. That's Miroku. If I were to compare it to the story I just told you, it would be Miroku when he didn't have a sense of self. I'm impressed that his name really was Asura.

　It's impressive, isn't it?

Are you stupid?
Yes, he's an idiot. But I could have words with you. I could trust you with my information. This would not have been possible if Miroku had not absorbed me. I guess that's another way of saying Buddha's guidance.
'So Miroku got his ego from absorbing you?
'There is no doubt. And by absorbing me, you must have gained knowledge of Buddhism at the same time.
They thought it was a manifestation of the Buddha.
From what I've heard, I'm afraid not.
'What do you think about the fact that you think of yourself as Maitreya?'
'It's very simple. I was a big, big fan of Maitreya. I am the leading authority on Maitreya. I went to India for the study of Maitreya. As a result, I died.

　Yeah, I get it. It's just more of the same.

So Miroku was inspired by your love of Maitreya, huh?
Yeah, probably.

　I see.
　Now that I have a rough idea of why, I feel a little better.

　It's a strange story, though. It's hard to believe.

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not a fan of this, but I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not a fan of this, but I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not a fan of this.


I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right. However, I have no choice but to accept it.
Well, I get what you're trying to tell me. It's all a mystery to me.
That is good. Ukiyo is full of mysteries. Don't ever feel that you understand it.
...... You say some pretty good stuff, man.

　I strongly agree with you about that. I hate those people who say "that's just what it is" with a smug look on their face, as if they understand everything.


And that's all you want?
Yeah, that's it.
'...... Speaking for myself, is this really all you've got?　Don't you have something more like, you know, the weight of a thousand years or something?
Not really. I'm very satisfied with the fact that I'm able to communicate with you in this way. I feel like I'm about to become a Buddha.
There's a lot of weirdos in this world, all of them.
You can go to ......
............ Ah, so it's over.


　I'm sure this is his end (...).

　Shaka's, no, Takahashi-san's presence could be seen fading rapidly.

　The flame in the eyes of the mask on the right side of Miroku's head gradually and gradually diminished.


''The rest of you will be fine. The one you're waiting for (・・・・・) is also quite an oddity, as you might expect. So, second. We'll meet again someday, if we can, and if we can, we'll meet again, and we'll talk like this again--.......


　...... gone. Completely.

　He must have matured.

　From Miroku, Shaka was gone.


　It was a ridiculously spiritual experience.

　I've only met him for a few minutes, but for some reason I miss him. Is it because we're hometown people?　Or was it because I was there at that moment when people were disappearing?　Either way, it's sad.



Hey, wait.

　And then there was another one, huh?

　A voice with a distinctive accent came from the mask on the left side of Miroku's head.


You're a surprise. My name is Rei Kan. Do you remember me?　I am the first Eishou.