The Shikigami girl behind me is wearing a white kimono, and it's absolutely impossible to say that she's not cute.

Although that's what I say, she was originally just a Shikigami without any autonomy, so why...

"Why is the master looking at me so strangely?"

The Shikigami girl said this, tilting her head slightly.

She's too adorable, it's really hard to look straight at her.

"Wait, what's your name?"

The reason I ask is because in my eyes, the name on her head is still just "天后" (Tianhou).

"Me? I don't know~"

"You can't answer like that with a smile, you know?"

"Then, master, please give me a name."

"Naming, I'm not good at that... Wait! Why did the topic suddenly change to naming? Shouldn't the question be why you suddenly have your own consciousness?"

"I'm not very clear about it, but there's a vague memory that says 'after killing a certain number of enemies, a new soul will be formed using fragments of their souls'."

"I see... But you only lost a liquid nitrogen bottle... Could it be the accumulated number from previous battles?"

"Master?"

In my moment of contemplation, she actually walked up to me and stared at me with her curious eyes.

I instinctively took a step back.

"Does the master hate me? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's just that you suddenly came close and startled me."

"I see. That's good~ If the master were to dismantle me in anger, I would be very lonely."

Don't worry, I won't dismantle you, and I won't. By the way, did you just gain consciousness or have you had it for a long time?"

"I just gained consciousness."

"What about your memories?"

"Other than the memory I just mentioned, there's nothing else."

"Battle techniques?"

"Battle?"

"..."

Looking at her puzzled expression, I shook my head helplessly.

Then, using the previous mental connection, I commanded her to attack the wall next to us.

She took a brisk step and punched the metal wall.

With a loud bang, the entire wall sank in.

"Huh? What just happened?"

Shikigami looked at her hand in confusion, then looked at the wall.

"What happened just now, master?"

"... Well, it seems that your battle system is now under my control, so you can't use it. By the way, I'll call you Pure White."

"Pure White? That sounds nice~"

Saying that, the name on Shikigami's head suddenly changed in an instant, and the original "天后" became "纯白" (Pure White).

Can you really name someone like that? It's really convenient.

"Anyway, you should go back to the ring for now..."

"No!"

I didn't expect to be rejected!

Other humanoids would directly obey the command to return to the ring, but this girl actually refused me.

And the ring didn't take her back either.

What's going on?

"Why?"

"Because... it feels scary to be alone in the ring."

"..."

Looking at her expression... it seems like what she said is indeed her own thoughts.

In other words, a Shikigami who can smash through metal walls is telling me that she's afraid of the dark.

...

"Alright, then just stay by my side. But don't do anything strange, okay?"

"Yes, master!"

"By the way, don't call me master, just call me Fir. It feels more normal that way."

"Got it, Fir!"

It still feels a bit strange, but oh well, let's leave it at that.

"Okay, next, let's find the other two..."

Thinking that, I looked around the mine, but I couldn't find their names in any direction.

I opened the communication terminal.

"Where are you guys?"

"Beneath you."

I quickly looked down, and at that moment, the floor suddenly cracked open!

I spread my wings and tried to fly, but when I turned around, Pure White was already falling while screaming!

I hurriedly reached out to grab her, but after grabbing her, I realized...

This person is heavier than metal!

And so, the two of us were suddenly pulled into the darkness with a loud noise.