Demigods were hard to capture.
This was something Luo Shu had long known.
And a woman like Aya Tokoyogi was even harder to catch among the hard-to-catch.
Even now, Luo Shu was well aware that Aya retained the power to commit suicide at any moment.
After all, a captured Demigod in the current climate would inevitably become the subject of all kinds of experimental research.
Whether it was the Five Great Powers or various hidden organisations, everyone coveted the power of Demigods, eager to study the life state of sorcerers at this level.
Under such circumstances, the fate of a captured Demigod—especially a female one—was all too easy to imagine.
And Aya was precisely the type of fiery-tempered woman who would rather die than endure such humiliating experiments.
For her, being captured alive was worse than suicide. That was Aya's mindset.
The only exception was likely the arrangement Luo Shu had just made.
Having Natsuki Minamiya be the one to capture, manage, and handle her.
In Aya's subconscious, Natsuki was probably the only person who wouldn't use those disgusting methods to harm her.
And for now, due to Luo Shu's relationship with Natsuki, he seemed to have been categorised by Aya as a relatively safe individual who wouldn't resort to such tactics either.
'Except... now that she felt secure, this woman's personality had shifted far too drastically...'
Muttering to himself for a while, Luo Shu was astonished by Aya Tokoyogi's transformation. Eventually, he tentatively asked:
"Aya, my offer still stands. Would you consider becoming my subordinate?"
"I refuse."
Aya Tokoyogi gave Luo Shu a faint glance before adding:
"I won't work alongside Natsuki Minamiya."
Faced with this response, Luo Shu's face twitched as he said helplessly:
"Natsuki has a contract with me. I can't dissolve it to replace her with you."
"Then why did you invite me at all?"
Aya Tokoyogi was somewhat surprised. A contract? What kind of contract had these two signed?
At that moment, faced with the retort, Luo Shu's expression gradually became blank:
"All who become my subordinates sign a symbiotic contract. This enhances my abilities."
"I see." Aya Tokoyogi immediately believed this explanation.
Though she knew Luo Shu was undoubtedly concealing many things, she was temporarily willing to take him at his word.
After all, this also provided a reasonable explanation for why he hadn't killed her, insisted on capturing her alive, and even invited her to join.
"I have no intention of gifting my power to others."
Aya Tokoyogi flatly rejected Luo Shu's invitation, but before he could respond, she added:
"However, if you're willing to offer an equivalent exchange, I might be persuaded to trade some of my resources for usable assets."
Hearing this, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow before replying:
"Letting you go cannot be part of the trade conditions."
Having confirmed Aya Tokoyogi wouldn't agree to the contract, Luo Shu naturally intended to extract some benefit from her. Otherwise, would he simply keep her for free?
Luo Shu had no habit of maintaining other women—unless they were his own.
"In my current state, leaving here would mean certain death."
Aya Tokoyogi let out a cold laugh, her mind perfectly clear.
Whether from official forces, hidden organisations, or even within Truth Astronomy itself, many coveted what she possessed.
Now that her Demigod powers were sealed, she was merely a top-tier Hero Rank, drastically increasing her chances of being ambushed or captured alive.
Unless Luo Shu lifted the seal, her fate after leaving the Hidden Management Department was all too predictable.
Even within the department, she didn't expect much better treatment—at most, Natsuki Minamiya's influence might spare her from abuse.
Life as a prisoner offered little to discuss, and this so-called trade was merely a way to pass the time with some research.
Faced with Aya Tokoyogi's bluntness, Luo Shu nodded in agreement but didn't abandon his recruitment efforts:
"The condition for lifting the seal is signing a contract with me and joining my side. This offer will remain open to you."
Without waiting for her response, he continued:
"From now on, your residence will be the underground Hidden Management Zone. Your movements are restricted to this Hidden Management Department garrison. You may not leave this area without my permission."
"Additionally, all your living expenses here will be covered by Natsuki."
At this, Aya Tokoyogi gave Luo Shu a rather peculiar look:
"Are you certain you fancy Natsuki Minamiya?"
Making her spend Natsuki's money?
Was he sure she wouldn't spend it recklessly?
A man entangled with Natsuki Minamiya was actually encouraging her to drain his lover's funds?
To her bewilderment, Luo Shu replied candidly:
"The more you spend, the more it pains Natsuki, the stronger her desire to persuade you to sign the contract. Isn't that ideal?"
Studying him briefly at this explanation, Aya Tokoyogi then inquired:
"What's her credit card pin?"
Although Luo Shu's reasoning sounded rather high-sounding, in her view, it was simply them bullying Natsuki Minamiya.
Yet she couldn't deny how tempted she was by this condition—so much so that she was already itching to act.
"Six eights."
Luo Shu answered Aya's question before adding,
"Since you've agreed to the terms, there's no need for me to elaborate further."
"The first room on the third floor is the secretary's office. If you need anything, you can seek help there."
"I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
"Oh, by the way, you're free to run away... but the consequences of doing so—"
At this point, Luo Shu gave Aya Tokoyogi a meaningful once-over:
"Natsuki must have told you, right? Your appearance is quite... appealing to me."
Aya raised an eyebrow, then watched as Luo Shu departed. Only after he and Mukuro Hoshimiya disappeared behind the elevator doors did she click her tongue in regret.
"If running away means you'd go bully Natsuki Minamiya, I might've demonstrated a witch's escape artistry for you."
With that, Aya cast a glance at Natsuki's door before smirking faintly.
She chuckled to herself and was about to stride towards the elevator—
But after taking a single step, she suddenly found herself on the street next to the Hidden Management Department, blending into the crowd fleeing the snowstorm.
Aya Tokoyogi: "???"
The next second, her face flushed crimson with fury.
Gnashing her teeth, she spat out the name of the culprit:
"Nat! Su! Ki! Mi! Na! Mi! Ya!"
Inside the room, Natsuki let out a cold laugh.
"Don't mention it, Aya."
"Spend my money? Then sic Luo Shu on me to humiliate me? Hah! I'd rather gift you the new bed I bought so you two can roll around and humiliate each other!!"
"Ugh, what a pair of shameless dogs!"
"Fine, I'm moving out. Have fun with the place, won't you?!"
Inside the elevator, Mukuro tilted her head, sensing the direction of the seal, and said to Luo Shu in confusion:
"Brother, that witch... seems to have run away..."
Luo Shu was baffled, his expression full of disbelief.
"Was my threat not clear enough? Or is Aya Tokoyagi actually trying to climb into my bed to spite Natsuki?"
"But there's no need to be this eager, is there?"
Just then, Mukuro added with a puzzled look:
"Strange... she seems to have come back on her own? Now she's heading to the first floor."
"Eh?"
Luo Shu was stunned.
What kind of game was this—running away only to return?
A free trial?
He couldn't make sense of it.
Luo Shu was utterly bewildered.
Regardless of his thoughts, though, he had to deal with the chaos Serafall had stirred up first before returning to handle Aya Tokoyogi.
Still, Luo Shu made sure to note down Aya's little 'invitation' in his mental ledger.
Who knew someone would try to seduce him like this? How bizarre!