*Note: another chapter, don't say I'm lazy and I don't upload chapters because it's too lazy for me to do it... yes, I'm not a lazy person.
Anyway, have a good day :)
...
If Nemesis didn't know firsthand that Akira wasn't lying, she might not have believed him. After all, his natural charm was so potent that it had even begun to affect a being as detached and ancient as her. She stood there, her golden eyes reflecting the gray, somber sky of Sainan, looking at the boy who had managed to stir something long-dormant within her essence.
"Anyway, I've spent many years wandering through the cold void of space alone, and loneliness eventually affects all living beings, no matter how long you live… That's why I've always sought out interesting things to do. It wasn't always this way, but… years pass, and in the end, everyone ends up feeling lonely… even me. All I'm looking for is a companion, but I don't want someone ordinary. I want someone who is truly interesting, handsome, and powerful. My standards are quite high, and although you already meet two out of three, the one I consider most important is still missing: strength. After all, my companion cannot be a weakling who doesn't know how to fight, but someone strong, decisive, and who doesn't surrender in the face of difficulties. Tell me… will you be capable of that?" she asked.
Her gaze was filled with a profound seriousness, as if, contrary to everything Akira knew about her from the original stories—a free, playful, and perhaps slightly malicious entity—the only thing she truly sought was a life partner. It seemed that this version of Nemesis was genuinely hollowed out by solitude, yearning for someone to share the burden of immortality. Solitude is a cruel mistress; even for a being of near-infinite power, it eventually catches up, sinking its claws into the soul. Perhaps in the distant past, she had someone she cared for, but the relentless flow of millennia had snatched them away, leaving her to fill the void with fleeting interests that never quite satisfied her.
Akira stood before her, realizing he was looking at a girl offering herself as a prize in one last, desperate attempt to find something—or someone—who could fill that internal emptiness.
"Fine, I'll try to pass your test. When do we do it?" I asked. It was crucial to establish the logistics; I needed to know the time and place to prepare for what would undoubtedly be the most difficult challenge since my arrival in this world.
"How about right now?" she suggested, her voice smooth and challenging.
"Now? You're not even going to give me time to prepare?" I asked with genuine curiosity. The suddenness of her proposal caught me off guard.
"Do you really need to prepare? I mean, no matter how much you prepare, you would need years to be able to fight me on equal terms. So, I don't think you need any preparation at all. Besides, keep in mind that if you pass the test… you get to have me. Do you seriously want to wait?" she asked, her tone shifting into something dangerously seductive.
She ran her fingers along her own body with a mischievous, lingering smile, as if her very presence were a bait intended to break my resolve. Damned succubus! I thought, feeling my pulse quicken.
"Fine, but I'll have to notify the girls. Otherwise, they'll worry about me," I nodded, conceding to her terms.
"That works for me. I'll wait for you in the park near your house in an hour," she said.
And before I could even draw another breath to respond, she vanished in a swirling cloud of black smoke, leaving no trace behind, as if she had been a mere hallucination brought on by the gloomy weather.
"Why won't they let me rest? A fight against Nemesis? Good grief, I just want a break from all this fighting!" I grumbled to the empty park.
The street remained desolate; the gray clouds and the biting wind had kept the locals indoors, which was lucky. Had there been anyone around, Nemesis wouldn't have used such a flashy exit for fear of being spotted by ordinary humans. Regardless of my complaints, I knew I was in deep. This wasn't just another skirmish. If I won this duel, it would be a monumental blessing. I would have the second most powerful being in this universe by my side, protecting me from any threat, not to mention the personal privileges of having her as my woman. But if I lost… she would leave. I couldn't allow that. Nemesis had been on my mind since I first arrived in this world; the desire to make her mine was a fire that had been burning for a long time. Now that a golden opportunity had presented itself, failure was not an option.
(Note: There are many heroines, and I need to hurry up. Besides, I don't think there's any other meaningful way for Nemesis to enter the harem. While it's true that in the original manga she was interested in Rito, it was pure interest and flirting, not love. Don't think Nemesis has been conquered just by looking at Akira; it has been a long process. First, when she discovered him, then when she investigated him—off-screen—and finally when she saw him in combat. Though it might seem fast, it's a slow burn that has culminated here. Sometimes Akira doesn't even need to be present to spark interest; look at Run, who fell for the protagonist almost instantly in both versions.)
I couldn't waste any more time complaining. I sprinted back home as fast as my legs could carry me and gathered the girls to explain the situation.
The atmosphere in the living room shifted instantly from lazy comfort to high-stakes tension. Every girl stood frozen, processing my words, but Yami's reaction was the most visceral.
"How is it possible that you got into such a huge mess when your only goal was to go buy popcorn?" Nana asked, her brow furrowed in a mix of anger and bewilderment. She couldn't understand how this man had such absurd luck—or misfortune—with women.
"Regardless, this is serious. Nemesis isn't the number one assassin in the rankings for nothing. Her power is overwhelming, surpassed only by the King of Deviluke. I don't know if it was prudent for you to accept this fight, Akira," Yami said, her expression grim and focused.
"What did you expect from someone who only thinks with his lower half? She offered herself as his woman as the reward! That woman already knew exactly how to tempt him!" Nana exclaimed, throwing her hands up. She was frustrated that Akira seemingly ignored the extreme danger Nemesis posed just because of a beautiful face and a seductive offer. Did he not realize that everything he had seen so far was a mere shadow compared to her true power?
"But if he wins, Akira will have the incredibly powerful Nemesis in his harem. Who will dare to attack him once the rest of the galaxy finds out?" Momo pointed out, her analytical mind already calculating the political and strategic benefits.
"Mmm, Momo is right. Nemesis is a great addition to Akira's harem. She is beautiful and powerful. Besides, having a new sister is never a bad thing!" Lala cheered, her eternal optimism shining through the gloom.
Nana stared at her sister, her jaw dropping. Why was Lala so eager to recruit more women? At this rate, when Akira finally became king, he would have a harem of forty wives or more! (Note: No, not that many).
Yami looked toward Dita, hoping for an ally in her protest, but to everyone's surprise, Dita chose the other side this time.
"On this occasion, I have no choice but to agree with the princess… with Momo. Having Nemesis as part of Akira's harem could prevent most nobles from sending more assassins. Even knowing of her presence, few assassins would dare to accept a contract knowing Nemesis is protecting Akira up close. Having her around would provide a much greater sense of security than what we have now," Dita explained calmly.
Yami and Nana wanted to refute Dita's words, but deep down, they knew she was right. Nemesis was a name feared across the stars. Her reputation alone was a deterrent. If she joined Akira, the greedy nobles who had been hunting him might finally decide the risk was too great.
It was well known that Nemesis had already eliminated several nobles in the past—those foolish enough to covet her strength or her person. Her powers allowed her to vanish from a crime scene without leaving a single shred of evidence. Even though the King of Deviluke knew perfectly well who was responsible for the sudden "disappearances" of corrupt nobles, he never pursued it. In a way, Nemesis was doing the crown a favor by thinning out the ranks of the most treacherous aristocrats.
Of course, this "freedom" was only possible because Nemesis never killed at random. Her targets were always the greedy, the malicious, and those who simply became too insistent in their pursuit of her. As the saying goes: "Dead dog, no more rabies."
If she were to join the household, those arrogant nobles who still harbored desires for Lala and the other girls would likely surrender. And those stupid enough to try anyway, knowing Nemesis was standing guard, would undoubtedly face a fate far worse than death. (Note: Spoiler, some will still try).
"Fine! But I want everyone to know that I am angry!" Nana huffed, crossing her arms.
Everyone looked at Nana with "we already know" expressions. Even though she complained loudly, they all knew she was soft-hearted and fiercely protective—and very, very jealous. She just hated seeing Akira collect women like football trading cards.
With the decision made, we prepared to head out. However, just as we were about to leave, Kari and Mikan arrived. I had completely forgotten to call them and tell them not to come today amidst the chaos of the meeting with Nemesis! (Note: Do you think I forgot about them? Who do you take me for? I remember everyone).
Since they were already here, there was no way to turn them away. We quickly filled them in on what was happening and set off for the park.
We arrived at the designated spot shortly after. The park was still empty, save for a single figure sitting on a bench, swinging her small legs playfully back and forth.
"My, it seems you decided to bring everyone along as spectators," Nemesis said, her golden eyes scanning the group.
She stood up and approached us, her gait effortless.
"Nemesis… what is your true objective in challenging Akira?" Yami asked immediately, her hand hovering near her hidden blades.
"Didn't he tell you? I'm tired of being lonely and I want someone by my side. Unfortunately, my standards are so high that until now, I haven't found anyone worthy—at least until now, assuming he passes my test, of course," Nemesis replied casually.
"Is that truly your only reason?" Yami pressed, her gaze sharp.
"What other reason could there be? You know me, Konjiki… no, Yami. You know how I am. If you suspect I'm here to assassinate Akira… I think you already know that's nonsense. If I had wanted to kill him, he wouldn't be alive right now," Nemesis stated.
The words were harsh but undeniable. If a being of her caliber had intended to strike, Akira would have been dead before he even realized she was there—unless, of course, the Omnitrix had intervened with a life-saving transformation.
"Fine… I'll believe you for now. But… don't be too hard on Akira, or I will never forgive you," Yami said, her brow furrowing as a wave of pure, concentrated killing intent radiated from her. It was the aura of a former top-tier assassin who had taken hundreds of lives.
"As I already said, I'm not here to kill him. At most, he'll come out a little bruised, nothing more," Nemesis replied, seemingly unfazed by Yami's aura, as if the killing intent were nothing more than a gentle breeze.
"Well then, let's get this started as soon as possible," Nemesis said, a sharp, excited smile finally spreading across her face.