Hiroshi had no real interest in seeing what Ulu would bring to the world once he "awoke".

But Hiroshi had to say it, because with only one finger, there was so little he could actually do right now. Without Ulu's body, he was practically useless—all he could do was stand up to flip someone off, or maybe act as a foreplay toy.

Only by possessing Ulu's body could Hiroshi actually accomplish anything. He could use Ulu to find the other fragments of Visah'Su's corpse.

If he could gather all the fragments, Hiroshi could achieve true resurrection—returning to the world with Visah'Su's complete body.

But Hiroshi didn't plan to tell Ulu any of this. Instead, he made sure to come off as disinterested in resurrection, as though he was just here to amuse himself.

The reason was simple. Hiroshi wasn't about to let Ulu think, "Visah'Su's resurrection depends on me," because that would inevitably lead to dangerous ideas—like Ulu trying to control him.

Anyone with desires had weaknesses, and Hiroshi knew this well. Ulu, on the other hand, clearly didn't understand; his desires were written all over his face, carved into his very heart.

After a night of reflection, Ulu had calmed down from the excitement of "obtaining ultimate power." Especially now, as he looked down at his left hand, the middle finger—clearly different from the other four—hung limply, as if it refused to follow his commands. Only then did he fully comprehend what kind of being had taken root in his body. Fear and anxiety spread through him.

This world didn't have web novels, after all. For a native of this isekai realm, the concept of "two souls in one body" was far too overwhelmed.

Do you... need me to do anything?" Ulu asked nervously, his voice trembling in his mind.

"I told you, I have nothing I want to do," Hiroshi replied calmly. "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep. Don't bother me."

With that, Hiroshi went silent. The middle finger went even softer, almost as if it had truly fallen asleep.

Ulu wasn't sure if Hiroshi really needed sleep, but he didn't dare question it. Instead, he whispered a timid "Goodnight, then" in his mind and went about his duties.

Hiroshi, of course, wasn't asleep. He was quietly "observing" Ulu—from the perspective of the finger.

Yes, Hiroshi could still only control this one finger. His soul and consciousness were still confined to it, not, as Ulu seemed to think, fully integrated into Ulu's body.

Just as Ulu couldn't control this middle finger, Hiroshi couldn't control Ulu's body. He couldn't even shift his perspective to Ulu's head—his view was stuck on this finger, which was incredibly frustrating.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

But this situation wasn't unchangeable. All that was needed was for their souls to become more aligned, to become more like one.

And how could that be achieved?

The answer was simple: Ulu needed to use Hiroshi's power.

If Ulu used Hiroshi's power, it would naturally create harmony between the two souls in his body. But the problem was, Hiroshi's soul—Visah'Su's soul—was far superior to that of an ordinary person like Ulu. This so-called "harmony" was really more of a one-sided devouring, with Hiroshi consuming Ulu's soul.

The more Ulu used Hiroshi's power, the more his soul would be consumed by Hiroshi, until eventually there would be nothing left—and the body would belong entirely to Hiroshi.

But if Ulu realized this and refused to use Hiroshi's power at all, then Hiroshi wouldn't have any way to change things. Right now, Hiroshi was just a finger, while Ulu was the one in control. Getting a mere finger to overpower the person controlling the body was almost impossible—unless, of course, Ulu's desires made him unable to resist using Hiroshi's power.

So, was that possible?

The answer was yes.

Pretending to be asleep, Hiroshi observed Ulu from his limited perspective, while recalling everything he knew about the man.

Ulu was a minor priest in the Rhyo Church, one of the four major faiths. In the game, he had a short-lived storyline because he briefly possessed Visah'Su's finger. Hiroshi knew a bit about him from that.

He knew that Ulu would die because of the dangers of holding something too valuable. If Hiroshi did nothing, the story would progress to the point where someone else would take possession of him.

But that next person would be much harder to control. Hiroshi would likely end up sealed away, and that would truly be a hopeless situation.

So, despite Ulu's cowardice, stupidity, and wickedness, he was currently the best "card" Hiroshi had. Hiroshi couldn't allow stronger, more formidable opponents to come after him, treating him as a prize. Instead, he needed to use Ulu to hunt them down and reclaim the scattered fragments of his corpse, regaining his power.

But, again, Hiroshi couldn't make the first move. He couldn't just pop up and yell, "Use my power now!" Even if Ulu was stupid, he'd realize something was off.

So, Ulu had to make the first move. He had to be the one to come closer, to rely on Hiroshi, to use Hiroshi's power.

The closer he got, the more Hiroshi could do with Ulu's body.

...It might sound a bit passive.

But Hiroshi knew that in this world, opportunities like that were everywhere.

Take now, for example.

The church where Ulu worked was crowded with boys in shabby clothing, their faces gaunt and hollow. They were lined up, all eyes turned eagerly toward Ulu.

A famine was ravaging the land, and Ulu's church was distributing rations—a bowl of porridge, so watery it was practically just hot water.

Each person could only get one bowl, and quantities were limited. No one was allowed to take extra for others.

Because, "Only those most devoted to the God of Rhyo deserve this food." And how was devotion measured? Naturally, it was judged by who arrived earliest. But in a crisis like this, the old and weak—those closest to death—couldn't possibly compete with the young, strong boys. So they were deemed insufficiently devout and received nothing.

This famine came once every twenty years.

Hiroshi recalled this part of the game as he watched Ulu ladle out porridge for the boys. The angle wasn't ideal for viewing, but it would do.

As a member of the clergy, Ulu had to tread carefully around Hiroshi—or rather, around the power he represented.

Hiroshi gave a small, internal sigh, when suddenly he noticed a boy he recognized. Hesitant, the boy approached Ulu. It was the same boy who had been in Ulu's room the previous night.

"P-priest," the boy stammered. "Um... about last night..."