After noticing something unusual about Lin Ge, Gojo Satoru had someone pull his records.

No parents, no family, 26 years old, grew up in an orphanage. Abandoned with a nametag reading “Lin Ge,” which became his official name.

After high school, he didn’t pursue college. Instead, he drifted between odd jobs: cashiering at convenience stores, cleaning interiors—simple work requiring no academic qualifications. His frail body, paired with an insatiable appetite that left him perpetually hungry no matter how much he ate, meant his financial situation was always precarious. With no close friends, he led a lonely life.

On paper, his profile was perfectly ordinary.

The phone screen dimmed from lack of use as Gojo Satoru took another bite of the sweet and creamy daifuku, tapping the table rhythmically with his finger.

What secret was this person hiding to almost evade the detection of the Six Eyes?

What was his real purpose in approaching him?

And why did those eyes look at him with such… hunger?

His phone chimed.

Seeing “meow” from AA Desert Lone Wolf, Gojo Satoru paused before replying:

“Had to leave for something urgent. Is your hand still hurting?”

He cares about me!

Lin Ge stared at the screen, a rare pang of guilt surfacing. He quickly typed:

“It’s fine now.”

After all, he had devoured twenty-one family meal buckets! Though… he still wasn’t full.

Gojo Satoru’s response came almost instantly.

“Strawberry Shortcake: Did you eat enough for lunch today?”

Lin Ge felt a small surge of warmth.

What a great person! Gojo Satoru is truly a good man!

“AA Desert Lone Wolf: Yep yep!”

He added a cute cat-nodding emoji for good measure.

After hitting send, Lin Ge glanced at the clock—8:30 PM. Still early.

Before Gojo Satoru could reply, he quickly followed up:

“Want to grab some late-night snacks? My treat!”

Since he wasn’t heading back to Honmaru anytime soon, why not eat more?

“Strawberry Shortcake: Sure!”

Since he was the one treating, Lin Ge carefully searched for a good barbecue spot nearby and arranged to meet Gojo Satoru at a place called [Kojo BBQ].

Excitedly, he slipped on the new clothes he’d bought at the department store earlier. Worried about mosquito bites, he even sprayed himself with floral-scented repellent.

Before leaving, Lin Ge checked himself in the hotel mirror and couldn’t help but marvel at the old adage: “Clothes make the man.”

Was it his imagination, or did his cheeks look a bit plumper? His complexion seemed healthier too.

To confirm it wasn’t just good lighting or his own delusion, he snapped a selfie with his phone.

The camera shutter clicked, and his familiar unsightly face appeared in the album.

Frowning, Lin Ge scrutinized the photo. He really did seem a bit chubbier.

Still ugly, sure, but slightly better. A win’s a win, right?

His mood soared—until, on his way to the barbecue joint, he ran into a History Retrograding Army soldier.

The area was dense with woods, the streetlights dim and flickering. For some reason, the streets were eerily deserted, not even a food cart vendor in sight.

Ahead of him, a purple rift exuding ominous energy suddenly split open. Sharp claws tore through the flimsy barrier between realms. In less than a second, a towering, ferocious History Retrograding Army soldier stepped fully into view.

Thud.

Its heavy footfall echoed as it landed.

Seeing the stunned Sage frozen in place, the creature grinned smugly. Drawing its blade, it prepared to attack.

Lin Ge: ”…”

His mood got even better!

“Keh keh keh keh keh keh keh!”

Lin Ge covered one eye dramatically, cackling like a villain. His gaze swept over the History Retrograding Army soldier with undisguised greed.

“You smell like… yogurt-twisted fritters! Freshly baked, too!”

The History Retrograding Army soldier: ”…”

Yogurt-twisted fritters? Me? Wait, am I the fritter here?

The creature eyed the lone Sage with bewilderment.

Wasn’t the weakling supposed to be crying or calling for help? Why did it feel like the roles were reversed?

Growling, it arched its back and bared its teeth, emitting a low rumble: “Heh… heh…”

The intense purple glow around it signaled its power. This wasn’t just a grunt; it was a higher-level enemy.

To Lin Ge, though?

It just smelled even more delicious.

Seeing his “yogurt-twisted fritter” leaning closer, Lin Ge lovingly opened his arms.

“Come here, fritter!”

The History Retrograding Army soldier thought he was surrendering. As soon as it got close, it raised its blade high, ready to end this Sage in one swift blow.

This would be a small step for the soldier, but a big win for the Time Government!

But just as it was about to strike, a massive mouth loomed before its eyes.

The last thing it saw in its short life was Lin Ge’s jaws closing in.

“Nom.”

Lin Ge swallowed it whole.

This History Retrograding Army soldier wasn’t just tastier; it even had a crispy exterior with a tender inside, just like a perfectly fried fritter. Lin Ge savored every bite before gulping it down.

“So crunchy, so good… Who invented these things anyway?”

The lower-level ones he’d eaten before were bland and left no impression. But this purple one? It lingered on the palate.

“By the way, where are my colleagues while I’m out here getting ambushed?”

He decided he’d reprimand them later—by making them eat an extra family meal bucket.

“Do they think Honmaru runs fine without me? Hah! Impossible!”

…Actually… could it?

Pulling out his phone, Lin Ge checked the time. Almost 9 PM.

Closing the screen, he hurried off at a jog.

“Strawberry Shortcake, my strawberry shortcake! Please don’t wait too long!”

Under the full moon, perched in the treetops, Gojo Satoru silently observed Lin Ge’s astonishing act of swallowing the monstrous creature whole.

His gaze deepened, a curious smile tugging at his lips.

Honmaru No. 666

The sky was a clear, pristine blue after yesterday’s rain. The air in Honmaru was thick with the damp scent of rain-soaked earth.

This was the second day since their Sage went missing.

The fruits Lin Ge had planted earlier were now fully ripe.

Since Tsukumogami couldn’t use storage facilities to preserve crops, leaving them in the field risked rot.

Not wanting their Sage’s hard work to go to waste, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro silently harvested the watermelons one by one. He stored them neatly in a cool room, stacking them until the entire space was full.

His new cloak inevitably gathered some dust in the process.

Sitting under the eaves, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro thought about how Lin Ge had promised to buy them a shaved ice machine to make watermelon slushies once they returned from their last sortie. His lips curved into a faint smile at the memory.

But as he thought of their Sage’s current unknown whereabouts, that smile faded into a somber bitterness.

Upon returning to Honmaru, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro had immediately reported the incident to the Time Government.

Their response? “Please wait for further updates. If it’s urgent, consult with Konnosuke.”

But their Honmaru’s Konnosuke… had disappeared shortly after delivering the Sage. Probably afraid they’d lash out at it.

“What are you thinking about?” A cheerful voice broke the silence.

Yamanbagiri Kunihiro looked up to see Tsurumaru Kuninaga.

Pulling his hood lower, he said nothing.

Tsurumaru Kuninaga chuckled, plopping down beside him. Propping his chin on his hands, he stared at Yamanbagiri Kunihiro’s profile.

“You really like him, huh?”

Both knew exactly who “him” referred to.

When Yamanbagiri Kunihiro stayed silent, Tsurumaru Kuninaga’s golden eyes narrowed as he repeated the question:

“You really like the new Sage?”

This time, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro frowned but met Tsurumaru Kuninaga’s disapproving gaze head-on.

His answer was simple: “…So what?”

Tsurumaru Kuninaga: ”…”

His candid admission was unexpected.

Yamanbagiri Kunihiro was usually prickly and reserved—more so than most. Yet today, he was so straightforward.

“Are you planning to form a contract with him?” Tsurumaru Kuninaga raised an eyebrow.

After a moment, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro nodded firmly.

Tsurumaru Kuninaga’s smile vanished, replaced with a serious expression.

“Well, well… This is going to be troublesome.”

Unlike the initial contract Honmaru had with its first Sage, any new Sage must reestablish bonds with the Tsukumogami through voluntary contracts.

Being a Sage meant the ability to freely draw spiritual energy from their Tsukumogami and command them without question.

For a Honmaru to need a new Sage usually signified problems.

In the past, the Time Government had been desperate for candidates, selecting anyone with strong talent, regardless of character.

Most new Sages were either:

1. Physically powerful enough to subdue the Tsukumogami even without contracts.

2. Charismatic enough to earn their trust and respect despite past betrayals.

Tsurumaru Kuninaga didn’t think their new Sage fit into either category.

According to Hakusan Yoshimitsu, their new Sage was an oddball who didn’t even bother wearing a Guardian Talisman.

He was strange-looking—gaunt, sickly, like someone on the brink of death.

Yet, oddly strong in battle, often stealing their kills during sorties.

Shaking his thoughts away, Tsurumaru Kuninaga gazed at the distant sky, his curiosity toward their Sage growing.

Suddenly, he patted Yamanbagiri Kunihiro on the back.

“Since you’re so eager, why don’t we go find our wayward ‘master’ together?”

He deliberately emphasized the word “master.”

“…And maybe give him a little scare?”

He grinned slyly.

“It’ll be a spectacular one, I promise.”