The central city of the academy metropolis, Hinotsuchi.

The most prominent building in the bustling central district filled with tourists is a luxury hotel built for corporate personnel.

Many corporate representatives who visit for extended stays—such as those inspecting support academies—use this hotel.

Equipped with the finest technology Hinotsuchi has to offer and modeled after luxury hotels that once existed in Japan, this place offers a level of lodging entertainment still out of reach for the general public.

It was in a room of that very hotel that Jingūji Sougo resided.

“Are you really going to stay here alone? I’ll buy you something you like, okay?”

At Hinami’s words, Sougo quietly shook his head.

For some reason, his expression was unusually solemn.

“I’ll just play games here today.”

“Well, yeah, games from the academy metropolis are pretty fun. But don’t forget to study too, okay? You’re aiming to become an Explorer, right?”

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

Seeing Sougo’s straightforward eyes, Hinami felt a sense of growth and smiled.

(He’s seemed more reliable ever since going to Fectom…)

Perhaps it was the influence of seeing frontline warriors in action.

Sougo appeared a bit more mature compared to other kids his age.

Hinami had even heard rumors that he was becoming popular among girls in his grade because of how maturely he interacted with them.

Whatever the case, Sougo had definitely grown.

Whether he became an Explorer or inherited the family business, he’d likely do just fine.

“Alright, I’m heading out then.”

“Yeah, be careful.”

As she mentally added buying Sougo’s favorite snack to her schedule, Hinami closed the door.

Before long—

“………………Alright!”

Sougo’s free time had arrived.

“My sister’s gone. There’s no maid here today either… I can do this!”

He peeked through the door’s peephole to confirm his sister had walked away, then dove onto the bed.

Then, he put on a pair of headphones born from the joint development of Zilnius and Chroma.

Incidentally, this item hadn’t hit the market yet. Sougo had used all his pocket money from the past three years to purchase it.

Price tag: five million yen.

“I-I’m going to listen to it…!”

He declared, though no one was there to hear.

He opened a virtual window.

There it was—the purchased audio data.

Its title: 『Be Healed by the Starreader Girl—Healing and Temptation Sleep Induction Audio』.

This was an audio work created by the mysterious creator 『★Yomi＠Doing Their Best on the New Release』—someone Sougo had followed from the beginning, even commissioning pricey custom work from.

Having satisfied Sorciera fans with illustrations, bizarre writings, comics, and more, this person’s latest work was a must-buy for him.

But more than that, Sougo had a compelling reason to listen to this one.

“The campaign entry… the limited audio…!”

Aside from the audio file bundled with the purchase, there was a mysterious application page.

Apparently, it was a lottery campaign to win a special bonus track, with only one winner.

Sougo, trembling with excitement, had applied late at night.

And five minutes later, thanks to a lightning-fast drawing, he won—the audio was delivered to him.

“A-a track only I have. Only me…!”

His fist naturally clenched.

Was this joy and excitement?

Or was it longing for the unseen form of someone he admired?

Trembling with elation, Sougo had no idea.

No idea that no such campaign actually existed.

And that a certain Demonsgear, if given enough time, was capable of interfering with electronics.

“Alright, starting with part 1…!”

Sougo closed the curtains, darkened the room, and played the audio.

『Good morning, cute little Explorer. You’re awake now, aren’t you… oops, did I surprise you? I am—』

“…!”

『I’ll stay right here with you until you fall asleep again.』

“…fwa”

『Even though I counted for you, you still couldn’t sleep? Hehe, naughty boys get punished—』

“！？！？”

『Focus on your right ear… fuu~. Hehe, your shoulder jumped. So cute.』

“…fue”

To Sougo, this was an entirely new experience.

It was just audio—yet it felt like his entire body was being taken over.

The 120-minute-long recording was more than enough to melt Sougo completely and implant a kink that would never go away.

“S-So this is… ASMR…”

Sougo thought dreamily.

(If I listen to this after becoming an Explorer and I’m really tired… I might seriously ascend or something.)

To him, that thought was a revelation.

An epiphany that might become his ultimate answer regarding supreme ASMR.

(Maybe I can enjoy it even more. This ASMR is just the beginning…!)

And so, the ASMR monster was born.

Sougo still had no idea.

That in the future, he’d be known as “The ASMR Nut of Fectom.”

“I have to become an Explorer…!”

Sougo renewed his resolve.

Just then—

Thanks to autoplay, a bonus track began playing.

『Hehe, buying something like this—what a pervert you are.』

“…!?”

Suddenly whispered in his ear, Sougo jumped.

But in the next moment, he instinctively assumed a “listening” posture.

『If your family found out you bought something like this… I wonder what would happen?』

“…huh?”

『Your beloved idol might despise you. Poor little thing♥』

Somehow, he felt like she was talking about him—and he froze.

But he didn’t stop the audio.

『Pervert♥ Pervert♥ You like having your ears teased, don’t you♥』

“Y-Yes…!”

Though it was just audio, Sougo responded aloud.

His preferences were already fully customized.

He was now a top-class pervert—one he’d be embarrassed to reveal anywhere else.

And still, Sougo had no idea.

That in the future, at the Hinotsuchi Cultural Festival, he would win the grand prize with a single ASMR project.

『Come on, focus on your ears—』

Sougo obediently closed his eyes again.

He concentrated so that not even a single breath from her voice would escape him.

It resembled, strangely enough, the meditation new Explorers practiced.

Sensing the flow of mana within, and shaping it into ideal power—basic training at its most fundamental.

Driven into deep focus by the ASMR, Sougo had entered an ideal meditative state.

His body had already been modified by a certain mysterious staff.

Having witnessed Converged Slash—magic’s highest manifestation, aside from special abilities—Sougo unconsciously modeled the flow of mana inside him after it, controlling it with extreme precision.

In other words—

Everything aligned miraculously, and Sougo was now evolving at an astonishing pace.

(Someday, I want to be with Sorciera too…!)

A strong wish manifests as an ability.

In the not-so-distant future, he would surely gain power.

The power slumbering within him… was slowly, but surely, beginning to take shape.