Anime Multiverse: Building a Pantheon from Scratch

"Now's not the time to tease me," Luo Shu sighed. Life wasn't easy.

"Though I was discovered, thankfully they assumed my powers came from a very rare artifact. That kind of item is considered a treasure, and the chances of someone encountering the same thing again are pretty slim."

The artifacts like, "Lucky Wallet" made from the scales of a semi-divine being, was worth a staggering 80,000 points. If such deep abyss tools could be mass-produced, the world would already be in chaos.

"Of course, I can't rule out the possibility that better detection-type artifacts might still find people like us. That's why I'm planning to allocate part of my points into concealment."

Given the situation, Luo Shu had already asked the system—who liked to see itself as a "support tool"—how many points were needed to add stealth functions to their wristbands.

"I checked—it's about two thousand points. It'll let us add a concealment function to all wristbands, though it won't work against Hero-ranked individuals or above. But considering our current situation, that should be enough."

"Thanks for letting me know, but something like this, which benefits all of us, you should just decide on your own. Be a little more assertive, my great God."

Despite what she said, Kasumigaoka Utaha's mood seemed to lift noticeably. "So, to summarize, other than you, both Eriri and I are in a relatively safe zone, and thanks to you joining this official 'Papa Club'—we also get access to insider info on special incidents?"

Looks like Utaha's brain was finally back online.

"That's pretty much the situation," Luo Shu nodded, acknowledging her summary.

"But that also makes it the most dangerous setup. You, the core of the entire Familia, are now an 'undercover agent' within another organization…"

Utaha sighed, clearly troubled by the implications. But what was done was done—she wasn't involved at the time and didn't have the full picture to criticize Luo Shu's judgment. So, she simply added, "If there comes a time you need to use my 'ability,' just tell me."

While her "mind-reading" wasn't much use in combat, it was still great for extracting intel.

"Actually, we're already in that situation," Luo Shu said, then added, "The organization I joined is transferring someone over to be my abilities instructor. Two others will also be transferring in as teammates. The point is to build team synergy."

"Three transfer students?" Utaha stared at him, her expression gradually shifting. "So, all your free time outside of classes is basically going to be monopolized by them?"

With a guiding instructor and two teammates for synergy training, what time would be left for actual Astronomy Club activities?

"Pretty much," Luo Shu confirmed.

He understood clearly that his spare time in school was going to be limited—unless, of course, those three were brought into the club as well. Not into the real Astronomy Club, of course, but the fake one that served as their base of operations. In fact, that was likely the plan—using the club to keep everyone close for mentoring and team-building.

But that also complicated things for the existing trio who knew the club's true nature.

"So basically, our club is about to be swarmed by three new transfer students, and Eriri and I have to play the part of 'normal' students in front of these 'professionals'? You think we can pull that off?"

Utaha paused mid-sentence, then realized—wait, wasn't that just their actual identity? She and Eriri were normal students… until just yesterday.

"Actually, now that I think about it, maybe it's not so bad. But how are you going to avoid exposing us accidentally?"

"I got a handy little artifact last night that should make them overlook some blind spots."

"Also, in terms of intel gathering, what better target than a few professionals sent to keep tabs on you?"

Luo Shu didn't mention the Heart of the Demon—it involved "hypnosis," and given Utaha's brain, thoroughly contaminated by anime tropes, he could already imagine the sort of pervy ideas that would inspire.

At that moment, Utaha muttered quietly, "Why does it feel like even just meeting you from now on will have to be some kind of secret rendezvous? Is there even a man on Earth capable of juggling five girls without any of them noticing the others? That's divine-tier difficulty…"

"What are you mumbling over there?" Luo Shu pretended not to hear and asked casually.

"Nothing," Utaha shook her head, then redirected the conversation. "So, from now on, our real club activities will all be done in that alternate space at the base, right?"

"Exactly," Luo Shu nodded. "Though I'll see if I can gradually bring those teammates over to our side."

"Oh?" Utaha's expression suddenly sharpened. "Don't tell me those three transfers are all girls—and beautiful 'main heroine' types at that?"

"..." Luo Shu paused, then frowned. "Two of them are, and as for the instructor... I don't know yet."

"I see," Utaha smiled brightly. "Seems like you've joined the right organization, dear God."

Luo Shu twitched slightly at her jab and gave his own forehead a quick pat before saying, "The instructor's probably transferring in today. Help me keep an eye out for any new students."

"So, you're not being approached directly? You're supposed to find her yourself? What is this—some kind of test?"

Utaha clicked her tongue but nodded. "Alright, I'll keep an eye out. I'll message Eriri on LINE later."

"Speaking of Eriri... where is she?" Luo Shu looked around, realizing it was just the two of them. He clearly remembered messaging Eriri too—asking to meet at the park.

Utaha chuckled softly. "Unlike us lonely loners, Sawamura-san is a hugely popular main heroine."

"She got dragged off by 'friends' at school?" Luo Shu immediately caught on. "Let me guess—she probably left with a deadpan face?"

"...Yeah. I didn't help her escape," Utaha said flatly, openly admitting she'd sold her teammate out. "Those kinds of surface-level friendships are something she needs to resolve herself."

"You read the minds of Eriri's friends, didn't you?" Luo Shu immediately caught the reason for Utaha's cold detachment. "Being the perfect-classy-daughter type isn't easy, huh?"

Checking his phone and seeing that class was about to start, Luo Shu said, "Let's save the rest for lunch break."

"Oh?" Utaha teased. "So, are we going to school together now to keep spreading those juicy schoolyard rumors?"

Luo Shu smirked. "As a member of my pantheon, shouldn't that be your choice?"

"..." Utaha went speechless. This man—he really wouldn't suffer even the tiniest loss!