The Boundless Journey, Starting From Bofuri

When Takeru regained his senses, he noticed he was in a forest. However, after briefly using his Observation Haki to perceive, Takeru confirmed the locations of Emilia and the others. They were all safe, not far away.

While Takeru was investigating, a pink-haired elf girl who looked about 11 or 12 years old appeared behind him, wearing a white robe.

He was not at all unfamiliar with her: Lewes Meyer, a clone of Lewes Meyer. Although possessing Lewes Meyer's memories, she lacked a 'soul'!

Seeing Takeru, she immediately ran off in a certain direction. Takeru knew she was leading him. Without any fear, Takeru followed her to a dilapidated ruin.

Looking at the situation inside, Takeru remained calm. After a moment's silence, he walked into the ruin.

Walking inside for a while, Takeru heard a peculiar voice.

"How interesting. I really can't see through you at all. Why is that?"

As the ethereal voice faded, the scene before Takeru's eyes changed. Takeru knew very well his physical location hadn't changed, so this change was in his mind, or rather, his consciousness.

Looking at the vast grassland and unfamiliar sky, Takeru was somewhat puzzled. He knew for certain he carried no lingering scent of a witch, yet it seemed Echidna had taken an interest in him.

However, Takeru wasn't overly concerned about Echidna. He knew clearly that Echidna nearby couldn't harm him much.

In this world, there were only three beings who posed a real threat to Takeru: one was the Witch of Envy, Satella, another was the Witch of Vainglory, Pandora, and the last was the current Sword Saint, Reinhard, who had previously challenged him to a spar.

This did not include the Witch of Greed, Echidna. Thinking this, Takeru turned and looked at Echidna.

White hair, white skin, black eyes, black clothes, sitting elegantly at a tea table, she appeared very dignified, graceful, and beautiful.

"My, how curious. You don't seem surprised or afraid at all!" Seeing the calm look in Takeru's eyes, Echidna spoke with wonder.

"Why should I be afraid? If I wish, I can leave here at any time." Hearing her words, Takeru replied calmly.

"Is that so? How impressive. I am Echidna. You may also call me [The Witch of Greed]." Hearing Takeru's words, Echidna spoke again. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Is that so? I'm curious about your purpose in summoning me here." Hearing her, Takeru spoke calmly.

He also walked directly to the tea table. Looking at the teacup before him, he picked it up with interest, thought for a moment, and drank it. He found the tea's taste bland, like plain water… not particularly good, but not unpleasant either.

Watching Takeru's actions, Echidna showed surprise. "How brave you are, drinking something offered by a witch in one go!"

"Is that so? I just believe you have no reason to harm me, or rather, you can't harm me." Hearing her words, Takeru replied with a confident expression.

"Quite confident, aren't you? Aren't you curious about what was in it?" Hearing Takeru, Echidna directly asked.

"Oh? I'm listening." Hearing her, Takeru spoke calmly.

"Since it's produced here, to put it bluntly, it's my bodily fluids." Hearing Takeru's words, Echidna spoke softly.

"A beautiful girl's bodily fluids? Seems like no loss, then." Hearing her, Takeru remained unperturbed.

"Truly astonishing. You are really, really not ordinary." Looking at Takeru's calm eyes, Echidna showed an expression of amazement. Since seeing Takeru, she found herself being the more surprised one.

"Alright, time is about up. I'll be leaving now." Looking at Echidna, Takeru stood up.

"W-wait a moment!" Seeing Takeru using his will to open a rift, Echidna couldn't help but call out.

"Hmm? Is there something else?" Hearing her, Takeru looked at her calmly.

"I am [The Witch of Greed]! Are you going to pass up the chance to talk with the Witch of Greed? For others, this is a rare opportunity. I acknowledge your thirst for knowledge, your curiosity, your greed. Speak, what do you wish to ask?"

"Is it about the beast created against fate to save the world from starvation, [The Witch of Gluttony] Daphne? Is it about her who sought to fill the world with love and bestowed emotions upon the worthless, [The Witch of Lust] Carmilla?"

"Is it about her who lamented a world full of strife yet healed everyone with violence, [The Witch of Wrath] Minerva? Is it about her who, merely seeking stability, drove the dragon beyond the Great Cascade, [The Witch of Sloth] Sekhmet? Is it about the one who, relying on childish innocence, mercilessly judged sinners, [The Witch of Pride] Typhon?"

"Is it about the one who thirsted for all the world's wisdom, unwilling to abandon even the world after death, the very incarnation of the desire for knowledge, [The Witch of Greed] Echidna? Or is it about the one who devoured all witches as her nourishment and became an enemy of the world, [The Witch of Envy], that abhorrent being?"

Seeing Takeru about to leave, Echidna used the witches as bait, trying to ignite Takeru's thirst for knowledge.

However, Takeru remained indifferent. Soon, though, Takeru felt a slight discomfort and subsequently discovered he had gained some special abilities, or rather, Authorities.

"Much faster than expected. Could it be because you are extremely compatible? How surprising." Observing Takeru's changes, the Witch of Greed showed astonishment.

Initially, she thought even after drinking her prepared tea, the Witch Factors of Sloth and Greed within Takeru wouldn't activate so quickly.

But the result exceeded her expectations. Takeru was far more compatible with these Authorities than she imagined.

Takeru closed his eyes, sensing the three Authorities. Since Roy was not slain by Takeru, Roy's Witch Factor was not absorbed.

Regarding Unseen Hands, Takeru found he could release it very easily after a brief sense. He also understood its derivative ability: to make others his [Fingers], allowing possession at will. Takeru was more curious about [The Lion's Heart], which could make him invincible in a sense.

However, after testing briefly, Takeru found discomfort arose after his heart stopped beating for over eight seconds. Though he could use the invincibility again after a second or two.

After a quick test, Takeru shook his head regretfully. Although it seemed excellent, unfortunately, it couldn't be taken out of this world.

"You truly are astonishing, mastering two Authorities so quickly!" In less than ten minutes with Takeru, Echidna felt more surprised than she usually did in an entire year.

"It seems your tea allowed me to perceive the existence of these three Authorities. Though their usefulness may not be great, thank you nonetheless. However, it's time for me to return, or they will worry." Hearing Echidna's words, Takeru spoke plainly.

"Wait a moment! Don't you have anything you want to ask me?" Hearing Takeru, Echidna was somewhat flustered, waving her hands at him.

"Sorry. Perhaps we'll meet again another time." Hearing her, Takeru spoke calmly, waving his hand to open a dark passageway.

"No way! I am the Witch of Greed! Those in power across the world covet my knowledge, trying every means to meet me. Wait, calm down, let's talk properly. I even know truths of the world that no one else knows!"

Seeing Takeru's actions, it was Echidna who grew anxious this time.

"I'm not interested in those things. But perhaps I can have tea and chat with you when I have time later." Looking at Echidna now, Takeru unexpectedly found her somewhat endearing. He sighed lightly, walked over, and patted her head.

"You...!" Feeling Takeru's action, Echidna was stunned, a hint of blush appearing on her face.

"Well then, farewell, Echidna." After doing this, without waiting for her response, Takeru vanished from that space.