<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

In about five minutes, Yugi eliminated that golem that Abyssal Frame had been struggling with, using a mix of his sword, lightning, Bloodlust and Black Flash. In that same five minutes, another Hollow Magician fell, and another golem rose. The last one was difficult enough. If they had to deal with a few more, it wouldn't end well. Miko's shout to mark her official return came just in time to let Yugi parry the golem's arm with Abyssal Frame's left ulna. A skeletal right fist swung in the golem's direction added more recoil, but only managed to drive this golem back.

Golems weren't going to fall so easily moving forward. So long as that was the case, Yugi would accept any legitimate help that came along. Tae asked if they needed assistance. The golem's returning fist clashed against that of Abyssal Frame, shattering constructed bone all the way to the elbow. Yugi could restore that, but at a cost. "Could probably use more than assistance. If I could call in an S-rank Healer-Fighter to pull some overtime, you'd be here for the next two hours!" Yugi assured.

[Apollymi]

Yugi managed to take down the golem that was summoned around the same time as his separation. It seemed a bit of a tougher fight, but a combination of skills toppled it without the same sort of difficulty they'd face when fighting Igris. Even so... Miko re-entered combat in time to be a bit helpful, but she also had to shift attention back to herself. She was doing so to give a bit of a break and encourage a bit more time for straight aggression against the creature. At the same time, Yugi was claiming that Tae could and should take on something, which made a small smile come to her face. "Hai hai, I guess I can offer you two a break. You did wait a really long time before summoning me again..." she said casually heading towards the creature using Miko's skill as cover.

Once she was close enough she hopped up, even after giving a large quantity of her mana to the pair she seemed to be unhindered when she aimed for direct contact with the creatures head. The Epidemic Surge skill had quite a bit of usefulness, and as her hand was coated in a poisonous looking aura the contact seemed to make the place she touched on the creatures head begin to corrode. When that happened Tae seemed to draw back, and begin punching that same spot repeatedly taking advatage of the weakness created to continue her current activity. Just the same Miko had appeared nearby Yugi to watch the work of the good Doctor. "Sou ka, we really actually need to get our paper up. She's having such an easy time with that...it has to be out-leveling us by now... which means those last two mages are going to be a pain in the ass..." the brunette asserted. Still, if Tae was going to take a few minutes to handle the lightwork, Miko would begin searching for the next mage, and quietly marking it with her catalyst so she'd know where it was when the golem fell. Tae for her point in this took about 3 minutes to corrode the head of that creature down to nothing while striking it repeatedly without extreme strength but still enough to do some form of damage.

[Bloodedge]

And so, Tae's assistance led to the very easy defeat of another golem. Two remained, but Tae was not present for the pair. Clearly the Players weren't in S-rank territory yet. Yugi would say the golems were, but on the lower end as of that previous one. The penultimate golem had to wait. Too many knights, assassins and archers were piling up when the likes of Kaguya and Ren were called upon again, only leading into the next golem in time for its summoning and a bit of the fight. They could not fell the creature this time. Another forty minutes passed in total, with Tae's summoning required once more for healing and the completion of another golem. And then... there was one mage left.

That last Hollow Magician threw everything it had at the Players and the singular S-rank Concubine. There were barriers thrown, assassin hiding techniques used as support, and every knight in the room was forced into berserker state. There was no room for error, but also no room for breathing. By the time Tae was at the end of her final minute, they only had one option left. "Goddamnit! I don't think holding out for Red is gonna work here. Go for Blue; we're clearing this bitch today!" he shouted. Yugi was back to using that Cursed Seal, now at 50% advancement or so. Abyssal Frame wasn't active presently... but he knew it would be soon. "It's gonna suck, but... if nothing else, I think we can survive with just the last golem in here. You down?"

[Apollymi]

Tae's assistance led to a very specific outcome. She managed to down another golem before it was time for a switch. A long time passed after that, which felt like ages. Kaguya and Ren were summoned back to help with the masses, and then Tae came back for healing, but wasn't able to stay fully for help with the last golem to spawn. Some unnecessarily sneaky Hollow Magician decided that death was not something it wanted to experience. It tried harder than any individual should just to make sure it would live as long as possible.

By the time the Players were discussing their options it was that singular mage's fault that they didn't have enough fire power for the definite S-rank threat. Miko hadn't felt quite so challenged since the Riverglass Phantom. "Hai, switching titles," Miko said, going from her 'Taboo Indulger' title to 'Untouchable Favorite'. In so doing that feeling of Mana Reversal seemed to thump a bit like it recognized exactly where it'd come from. She began preparing to use Blue - Attraction Vortex to help clear the masses while her giving it the proper amount of time. As for Yugi's suggestion of survival over everything, Miko would easily agree to his plan. "It's gonna be a bitch but I didn't get strong enough to fuck Go-sei properly to die to a freaky franken-golem... let's do it!♪~" Miko chirped. One hand out she felt her mana coursing thorugh her body and felt the pull begin. "BLUE ATTRACTION VORTEX♪~" Miko chirped out with a pull which caused berserker Knights, assassins, archers and the like to be pulled into each other damaging themselves and each other as Miko's power aimed to crush and harm them as well. In so doing she even managed to catch the Hollow Magician who... despite all their trying... couldn't hold out against the attractive force. And even while it tired to, Miko also activated her own form of blue, bringing it's attention to her, and adding to the attractive force that would pull and kill it.

[Bloodedge]

There were no options remaining. It seemed that final mage was essentially immune to death while other enemies remained in the job-change quest domain. Considering how the Hollow Magicians' deaths unlocked the golems, it made sense... but that made it no less annoying to Yugi. Their best bet would be Miko using Blue to wipe out everything left. Indeed, that was Yugi's thought and Miko's eventual decision, as she gathered everything in sight and everything out of sight. Knights, archers, invisible assassins, and even that final Hollow Magician were all dragged into the Skill.

[LEVEL UP!]
[LEVEL UP!]

As the remaining enemies died in that vortex, the Players received that last little push over one level... and enough experience to register the level after. The golem would be appearing shortly, boasting the combined power of everything they'd fought thus far ─ bar the Blood-Red Commander, Igris. Ah, but they were also still being watched. A phone call through the System hadn't ended for the past three hours or so. Makima's phone remained active, and Gojo Satoru... had left briefly, returned with a bag of chips for snacking purposes, and done so in time to hear an interesting claim from the likes of Miko. "Strong enough to what?" he asked, seemingly interested enough to lean toward the screen over Makima's shoulder. "Fuck that; I'm not dying either! I want that fucking treat!" Yugi added. One chip hung from Gojo's mouth as he leaned further and continued prodding. "You should have died a few hours ago. Well... you're definitely gonna die now. I can't even tell what's going on in there, but basic math says you guys don't have the stuff for that next one. Say, what's that whole Concubine thing mean anyway?"

[Apollymi]

That final mage had been causing them so many problems. The switch to kill it and everything else in the room was one that Miko went along with. A switch in titles and a use of power later, and she was once again hearing a chant of level up, twice even. Ah, but while they conversed, planned and received levels there was a long term phone call still going on. The pair had gotten so deep into their conquests, that it was something Miko herself wasn't properly registering anymore. It was simply background noise, until they started talking to the pair directly. In this case, it was Gojo acknowledging the oddity of Miko's words. "Waaaah♪~ I forgot you were listening... but I did mean it, by my own approximation I could actually fuck you now without it killing me♪~ And I'm gonna do that♪~" Miko chirped with an odd amount of decisiveness. Apparently she wasn't the only one making rash decisions based on her libido. As Yugi claimed he was still in it for the treat. Makima smirked seemingly amused.

"I feel like I have to respect the amount of horny one has to be for their goals and motivations for continued existence to be so... hedonistic," she settled on a word with amusement lacing her tone. What was more, Gojo was forcing himself more into frame and making real question of the push over the threshold of Concubine. "Look realism isn't going to help us right now... I don't need you confirming our death to the franken-golem," Miko stated huffily, a pout gracing her cheeks. "It basically locks you into our likely future kingdom. Gives you a room key, a few special privileges, an ability to be buffed by a similar method to ones seen. Opens up progress towards long term expanded growth ceiling... That sort of thing," Miko said. "Anything else? I only have Renny to go by right now," Miko muttered. "Oh? Are you planning to go? If you do, I have to go too," Makima stated as an ultimatum to the System and the world at large. She'd been the one trying to go in the first place if only to keep her new pets safe. And even though they seemed perfectly capable in even challenging situations, there would be nothing to be done if they got outmatched by something too much stronger than them.

[Bloodedge]

Miko was going to have a go at Gojo, and Yugi was going to work his way into Makima's pants somehow. These things were not allowed to become deterred dreams; they were mandates placed on the Players by their own desires. Makima credited their hedonism, and Yugi brought back his habit of scoffing. "You think it's that simple? Lady I'll figure out a way to tear this whole quest down if it'll let me peel those long ass legs back for just five minutes!" he announced. According to Miko, there were nothing but benefits to gain from becoming one of those Shadow Concubines. Of course, there was every implication that taking the title came with some sort of lifelong commitment. Luckily for the Players, Gojo Satoru made such things quite casually, as he'd done with the chairwoman herself. "I don't need to hear more," he interrupted as the final golem manifested, bearing such power that it began weighing down on the Players immediately. Why did the white-haired man interrupt, though? Well... the System would make that clear.

〔SYSTEM NOTICE — BOND THRESHOLD REACHED〕

Bond Route: Gojo Satoru
Status Update Detected.

Intimacy has reached 50%.

Designation Confirmed: Shadow Concubine

The bond has crossed a structural threshold.
This connection is now formally acknowledged by the System.

New Access Granted:
• Concubine Inventory — Authorization Expanded
 Target may now access his designated Inventory Node.
• Concubine Key — Generated
 A unique access key has been created.
 The destination remains sealed until a Domain is established.

Status Notes:
• Concubine Room functions as a private, instanced space.
• Access will be shared between Player and Concubine upon activation.
• Environmental benefits pending Domain construction.

〔SYSTEM NOTICE — STATUS UPDATE〕

Designation Updated.

Individual: Gojo Satoru
Status: Shadow Concubine (Active)

Access Granted:
• Shared Inventory Interface (Player-Restricted)
• Item Transfer Authorization
• Bond-Linked Equipment Compatibility

Restrictions:
• Inventory access is mediated through the Player.
• Autonomous System commands remain locked.

Additional Note:
This designation reflects recognized intimacy and trust, not ownership.

System Remark:
The strongest has been bound.
Titles are not given lightly.
They are earned—and carried.

Alas, nothing could be so simple. Gojo alone would have been a godsend against the overwhelming power of the current golem, but Makima delivered an ultimatum. She was at a very interesting position, Intimacy at the turning point of the Concubine threshold. All visible System screens went a bit haywire. It could have been due to the strength of their current opponents that glitches and numerous error alerts were appearing... but, that wasn't the case. The Players would find out the true cause whenever Miko elected to summon Gojo Satoru...

〔SYSTEM NOTICE — CONCUBINE SUMMON REQUEST〕

Shadow Concubine: Gojo Satoru
Summon Request Detected.

Miko has requested to summon Gojo Satoru into the Job-Change Quest dungeon.

[WARNING — EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE DETECTED]

Shido Makima has issued an ultimatum.
"If Gojo is summoned, I will also go."
Refusal to comply will result in immediate termination of the Gojo Satoru summoning.

SYSTEM ERROR — BYPASS DETECTED

External interference has created an exception in the summoning protocol.
Makima's demand has been recognized as a binding condition.

Special Exception Granted

Yugi may now summon Shido Makima as a condition for Miko summoning Gojo Satoru.
Makima will be treated as a temporary summon (no formal title or Concubine status applied at this time).

System Remark:
The System does not normally allow this.
However, some wills are simply too strong to deny.
Makima has forced her way into the equation.

[Apollymi]

Miko and Yugi were hedonists, that much was true. That being said the desires they allowed to lead their lives weren't so simple to classify as hedonistic. Both were willing to go to extremes the likes of which were seen as stupid or self-sacrificing to see their own happiness through. As such that scoff was something heard by Makima which made her brow raise. "Ara~ So honest," Makima said with a lightly teasing tone. Such behavior from those she enjoyed was not something she'd speak negatively of, and these two had very rapidly found themselves near the top of her favorites list. At the same time, Gojo was being given a list of mostly benefits to joining Miko's side of this organization. She wasn't innately dishonest though, she had every intention of revealing the fact that she didn't know how long such a thing would last, that it could be his lifetimes worth of intimacy he was going to have to give her on and off. Of course, as she was rather free-spirited herself it wouldn't be changing anything about his life in a negative way, even so she planned to make sure he understood what it would mean. Ah but he didn't need to hear more, "And you said I was reckless♪~" Miko sang almost playfully.

"That's what I like to fucking hear♪~" Miko exclaimed when that update went through... still there wouldn't be time for celebration. No the weight of that golem coming together sent a shiver down Miko's spine as she unconsciously took a step back. "Fuck it's terrifying," she murmured softly. But there was an out... one which had her looking at that summoning screen. "Well, you know what you signed up for... Go-sei♪~ I choose you♪~" Miko aimed to lighten her own mood again pressing the button to summon the man. At the same time, Makima waited knowingly. She was quite serious about going along with Gojo and the follow up screen for Yugi would either have both individuals appearing or neither. "What the fuck, Brainface?" Miko uttered softly, still... she knew Yugi wouldn't be turning down a summon either. What was in front of them was currently way too much for them to take alone, even one of them would have helped, for both she imagined nothing short of a cake walk.

[Bloodedge]

Gojo's reckless behavior was nothing new. When one became truly powerful, one gave up on many needless reprehensions. Everything in life had become cause for enjoyment, if not the seeking of it. Another lifetime commitment made on a whim, with many chances for entertainment? Easy decision. Looking at the final golem and how it physically affected both Players, things only became easier. Even so, Gojo casually chomped into another chip before digging into the bag again. He'd be holding one out in front of Makima's face when summoning became an option Miko spoke of. "That easy, huh? I might flex on another brokey today♥~"

Alas, not all limitations came from the System itself. Gojo Satoru was easily capable of being summoned, but Makima's desire for involvement superseded even the System. They'd only seen external interference once before, and not in such a direct way at all. Makima's decisions held more weight than anything else thus far. "Holy shit, Mommy says, Mommy gets!" he announced. Shido Makima was apparently a bigger deal than Brainface's algorithm. Yugi wouldn't waste time questioning that. Even as he felt himself being drained by the last golem's very existence, Yugi reached out to tap the screen in front of him. "You activated my trap card! I activate Supreme MILF Domination!" he shouted triumphantly. With that, Miko's summoning attempt would be cleared as well. Shido Makima and Gojo Satoru were being brought into the job-change dungeon, right between the Players and their final enemy.

[Apollymi]

Apparently powerful people could be reckless and it was simply how they existed. Many chances to entertain oneself over the course of a lifetime commitment was about what was possible. Makima was soon on the receiving end of a chip which was being held in front of her face, she'd definitely have it. "You might, but you're kind of a weird case regardless," Miko mentioned casually. Gojo's original Route started quite odd, he'd basically had to decide to be part of it. It seemed that several aspects of him simply worked like that. "Ooh? Is it time?" Makima wondered almost absently. Gojo had filled her in on the nature of aura farming and she thought that now would be the time to flex a little.

Beyond that point, it seemed like there would be a dual set showing up here. As Makima was able to demand a summon of the System and receive it. 'Hm, the last time the System did this sort of thing, it was telling us to run. I wonder if Brainface is scared of Makima-sama?' Miko had her own mental curiosity, but she wouldn't be expressing it aloud. No there was too much else going on. Makima and Gojo were being summoned between the players and their opposition. A large golem. Makima currently in a short skirt and a business jacket didn't seem at all bothered to suddenly be here. In fact she soon had her left arm lifted and her fingers were in the shape of the gun. She wasn't carrying a weapon, she didn't need one. She'd been waiting for quite a while to try out the new information she'd learned. Now then what would they be doing soon after, obviously handling this threat.