Kousuke finally came to recognize the difference in perception between generations after the conversation he had this time.
However, setting aside Riku’s comment about hobbies, he wasn’t surprised by the fact that his own stories weren’t spreading widely, as he had intentionally tried to prevent that.
If anything, he was surprised by how quickly it had taken effect.
He had been actively trying to minimize his influence as a god since he became an Avatar.
The world had learned from the beginning what would happen if anyone tried to interfere directly with Kousuke, so now, there were almost no organizations or nations that attempted to do so.
Even if there were, their attempts were limited to telling Razek Amamiya things like, “Don’t monopolize the Avatar,” or “Let us have a say too.”
For now, everything was being shut down by Razek Amamiya, so it never reached Kousuke.
As a result, stories about him as an Avatar were spreading, but his prior achievements were only known to the generation that lived during that time on the Central Continent.
Kousuke was explaining this to Shurein as they walked through the dungeon floors of Amamiya Tower.
“Hmm. Well, whether you intentionally aimed for that or not, the result is certainly that way,” Shurein said.
“Right?”
“It’s a bit late, but may I ask why you went out of your way to do that?”
It was indeed a bit late, but Shurein and the others already knew that Kousuke had been avoiding the spotlight, so there was no need to ask why.
What Shurein was asking now was simply out of curiosity, following the flow of the conversation.
She didn’t think it would matter if she didn’t get an answer.
To Shurein’s question, Kousuke casually replied with a shrug.
“Even as an Avatar, I thought it was questionable for a god to directly exercise power… but that’s just an excuse. The truth is, I found it troublesome to be in a position of superiority.”
Seeing Shurein’s unimpressed look, Kousuke quickly rephrased his statement, to which Shurein nodded, saying, “That’s probably true.”
Of course, Kousuke had considered the excuse part.
However, it was clear to Shurein that the latter reason was far more important to Kousuke.
This was something all the women who had spent over twenty years with him in the management layer would say.
That was Kousuke’s way of thinking, and they were not members who would suddenly fuss over such a thing.
The members of “Flame Wolf,” who were leisurely chatting, watched the two with subtle expressions.
Riku, noticing this, clasped his head and spoke to the two walking ahead.
“Father, Mother Shurein, please stop. Our companions are about to start ignoring reality.”
To Riku, Kousuke replied with a shrug.
“What are you saying now? Haven’t they come to the management layer several times for training?”
Though it was only a few times, the members of “Flame Wolf” had visited the management layer to seek instruction from Shurein.
Naturally, they had met Kousuke then as well, and they had a certain degree of familiarity.
Kousuke had not hidden his personality, so he assumed they understood him perfectly.
However, Riku shook his head at Kousuke.
“No, Father. That’s naive. They were looking at you through the filter of ‘Avatar,’ so they probably interpreted everything in a positive light.”
He added that after Kousuke met them, even when the topic came up and they discussed it while still under the “Avatar filter,” Riku hadn’t corrected them, which further fueled the misunderstanding (?).
Then, all of that was blown away by the conversation with Sarasa this time.
Combined with the current conversation between Kousuke and Shurein, Kari and the others’ minds were in utter confusion.
“…Isn’t that Riku’s fault too, not just mine? Or rather, I’m hardly to blame, am I?”
Kousuke had never acted like he was wearing a mask when he was in the management layer.
He felt that if the misunderstanding had progressed due to the “Avatar filter,” Riku was also to blame for not correcting it.
“No, is that… true?”
As Kousuke tilted his head, Riku tilted his head in the same way.
Seeing the two tilting their heads at each other, Shurein wore a exasperated expression.
“It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other, isn’t it? More importantly, shouldn’t Riku try to do some damage control now?”
“Ah, shoot.”
Prompted by Shurein’s advice, Riku hurried towards his companions.
Watching him, Kousuke muttered,
“…If things go poorly, they probably don’t even realize they’ll be joining the group.”
“Well, we won’t know until it happens, will we? Besides, wasn’t Kousuke like that too?”
When Shurein said that, Kousuke blinked for a moment, then smiled slightly.
“That’s true, he was.”
The expression on Kousuke’s face was one of indescribable nostalgia for the past.
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Kousuke and the others were on the 72nd Floor of Amamiya Tower.
They had come because Kari and the others insisted, wanting to see a battle of SSS Rank.
Although Kousuke had explained that his fighting style was completely different now compared to when he became SSS Rank, he ultimately couldn’t resist their insistence.
However, Riku had relayed Kari’s request, so Kari and the others hadn’t negotiated directly.
Kousuke also had nothing to hide from Kari and the others, so he hadn’t intended to refuse strongly.
As a result, everyone except Sarasa had come to the 72nd Floor.
A representative monster on the 72nd Floor is the Famrudo Boa.
This boa, which uses fire magic, is a troublesome opponent that possesses considerable speed and attack power just by charging.
Even an A Rank adventurer could be instantly defeated if they let their guard down.
Therefore, it requires careful handling when encountered.
…Or so it should be.
Kari and the members of “Flame Wolf” widened their eyes at the phenomenon unfolding before them.
“…What is that?”
“The opponent is a Famrudo Boa, right? It’s not some lesser boa, is it?”
“I told you. It’s not much of a reference.”
Riku replied to his companions with a sigh.
What they had seen was Mitsuki’s attack, which had decapitated the Famrudo Boa that charged at Kousuke with a single swing.
No, they couldn’t even confirm if it was truly a single swing.
Mitsuki’s strike was that fast and sharp.
Kousuke, returning from the battle, tilted his head at the astonished group.
“Huh? Didn’t you go on an adventure with Gazeran before? Is that so surprising?”
“No, wasn’t it Nana who handled most of it back then?”
Kousuke’s face seemed to search his past memories at Riku’s words, and then he nodded in understanding.
“…That’s true, now that you mention it.”
Furthermore, their strength had undeniably increased since then, so they now possessed the power to truly grasp how extraordinary Mitsuki’s feat was.
Witnessing the power of individuals who had conquered the Tower, Kari and the others finally understood the length of the path ahead.
The Avatar filter had proved to be remarkably effective!
…Perhaps it should be called the power of charm rather than a filter.
It’s a terrifying power that allows anything to be dismissed as “because he’s an Avatar.”
