I ran.

My pursuer was like a single wild animal, but all I could do was run. Terror gripped my heart. I sprinted up the stairs, crossed the garden, and leaped to the roof, stumbling all the way.

"Where did you go?!" The creature's terrifying voice echoed as it relentlessly pursued me.

I thought I still had some breath left. After all, I had run long distances and trained my legs in recent years. Now that my confidence had been shattered, the creature seemed to be almost mocking me, its blonde hair waving as it chased me so closely that I couldn't even breathe.

Don't give up, I told myself. No matter the distance I created between us, it would come to the point where I would lose focus.

I was out of breath. I couldn't keep running. I couldn't escape. The only option left was to find a hiding place. I groaned and stayed in the shadow of the stairs, behind a decorative plant.

The creature's thunderous voice echoed throughout the mansion.

"I will never forgive you!" Those words were enough to make my legs tremble.

Currently, my name is Riser Phenex. I am 22 years old. Currently, a handsome young man with blonde hair and an enviable face. Up until 4 years ago, I was what could be called laid-back about life, a true playboy.

Imagine my surprise when Truck-sama hit me so, so hard that I ended up in this idiot's body.

I wasn't much different from a normal guy before coming here, but having seen all the mistakes I made on my way… I tried at least to work hard, doing the minimum to live a decent life in recent years.

The routine of a noble was complicated; oh, we're not talking about that, right? I, the current Riser Phenex, am a Demon, but not the casual red type with a trident and horns, more like… Have you watched anime? Like the Demons in Japan, to put it well.

The Phenex family was renowned and had its benefits, but for heaven's sake, the amount of obligations and political intrigues was a tasteless joke. When you think dealing with humans is bad, it's because you haven't met the Demons.

In the end, I adapted, and let's be frank, the previous holder of this body didn't have as many obligations as he should have, and in my old life, I was what you would call a Spy. Yes, I worked for the government, so I had good training to adapt to a bizarre situation like this, and so I did.

Now I've accepted the fact of living this new life, and to be honest… I was loving it.

After a year of pretending to be amnesic, I started to relearn practically everything that Riser should have learned or learned, and then I reshaped myself in this new society. In my second year, I decided what my plans for the next years would be, which led me to this…

The Phenex Family was powerful on its own, but there were equally powerful other houses, and any negligence in war, currently, we were at peace with other factions, but alliances were like raw pasta, delicious and seems solid but when you squeeze, it breaks and crumbles. It was almost a relief; it was like my old civilization.

What was my goal? Well… Besides being a Spy, I was also a scientist, and this reality was far from being as technologically advanced as mine, and it might be Riser Phenex's hormones or even what might have remained of his consciousness talking, but I really cared about the Phenex Clan, so I focused on developing this area to leave my mark.

Well, then I spent the last few years developing all kinds of technology, of course, using the Subworld's own technology. It was difficult; some things I kind of needed to 'invent' or improvise some basic elements, but it had moderate success with some specific ones. I also did most of it in secret, like Area 51; it made no sense to expose anything that wasn't 100%, prototypes were just a headache.

So, this was Riser Phenex's life now; he was a mix of Tony Stark, Human Torch, Batman, and an isekai protagonist… It was a joke for comic book enthusiasts.

Anyway, to get to the point of my pursuit, for the last 7 months, I've been conducting biological tests on physical enhancement, magical, etc.

The physical part was annoying, the biology of living beings, especially those of the Phenex Family who practically had skeletons that caught fire, would make my mentor pull out his ridiculous wig, but I managed to find a middle ground and personify the patterns and then make my first homunculus… And the result, well… 70% success.

And that's the story so far. "Come here! I'll pulverize you!" The creature's words struck fear in me as I hid in the shadows. I was terrified of this personification of rage, manifested in the form of that naked female body.

What happened, you ask?

Well, the homunculus apparently had an unplanned consciousness and didn't like the fact of being sort of a slave for my whole life. Did I not like that? Of course not! I was so proud of my creation that I even gave her a name based on one of my favorite fiction characters, just like her appearance, and even though her personality wasn't exactly the same, it was somewhat similar.

"Tsunade, can we talk?" Riser tried to argue, but only revealed his location to the enraged blonde.

"You bastard!" The woman made a devastating leap, and with superhuman strength, she jumped towards him, ready to deliver a powerful punch that was causing great destruction.

"My parents are going to kill me…" Riser sighed, prepared to calm his creation… Should he call her daughter?

(Scene transition)

Riser was back in his room at the Phenex mansion, which he had carefully transformed into a laboratory. Tsunade now sat indignantly on the bed as he tried to explain the situation.

She had grown tired of trying to kill him, only to witness him regenerate every time.

The room was filled with tubes, scattered books, tools, chips, and various other technological items.

"Understand, Tsunade, I didn't want you to feel like a slave. I just wanted to help, create something that could be useful for all of us. You're unique, special." Riser carefully chose his words.

The blonde woman crossed her arms over her ample bust, still clearly irritated. "Special? You created me to be your toy! Your weapon! Master! I won't accept that. I want my own life, my own choices!"

Funny how you consider me your master when I didn't impose that on you, and yet you tried to kill me just moments ago.

Riser sighed, realizing he had to change his approach. "Tsunade, you have free will, you can make your choices. I don't want to control you; I just want you to understand that we're in this together. We can work together as a team."

He then approached his creation and looked into her eyes. "Something like you is one in a million. I'm very proud of everything you represent and will represent in the future."

Riser wondered how emotionally connected Tsunade was to humans and if basic persuasion would be enough to achieve what he needed.

Tsunade-chan looked at Riser with a mix of distrust and hesitation. She was clearly in internal conflict, torn between the rebellion against feeling like a creation and the desire to have her own identity and freedom.

"Master, I understand what you're saying, but how can I trust someone who created me for their own purposes?" Tsunade-chan questioned, her expression serious.

Complicated, this talk of not asking to be born was almost as irritating as the theory of which came first, the chicken or the egg…

Riser took a deep breath, preparing for a delicate ethical debate. "Tsunade, we're all shaped by something or someone. I didn't want to create a toy but a partner. Someone who could share the burden, joys, and choices of this world. I didn't want to take away your freedom; I just wanted to give you the tools to make your own choices."

I wasn't lying; slavery is a regressive and short-sighted act. There's always the possibility of the oppressed rising against you. So, the best option is to provide a false sense of freedom.

The blonde woman looked at her hands as if trying to process Riser's words. "But what if my choices are different from yours, Master? What if I don't want to follow the paths you planned for me?"

Riser approached more, looking into her eyes with sincerity. "I don't want to impose my path on you, Tsunade. I want you to have the freedom to choose your own destiny. What I created was a being capable of making decisions, learning, and evolving. It's not a weapon; it's a partner."

Riser truly believed that not even he could reach the pinnacle of homunculi capabilities. Only they themselves could reach and define their limits. And, of course, he was here to study and record this occurrence.

Tsunade seemed less furious but still wary. "And how can I be sure you won't change your mind? That I won't end up being used as a pawn in your hands?"

Riser replied seriously, "Trust is something that builds over time, Tsunade. I'm willing to give you time and space to prove that my intentions are genuine. But remember, trust is not one-sided. I also need to trust you."

Fact, how will I know you won't try to kill me more seriously than the last time? Tsunade wasn't the model of loyalty based on what she showed so far.

Their eyes met for a moment, reflecting a mix of emotions. "I still have my doubts, Master. But maybe, I can give this a chance."

Riser smiled, relieved. "That's all I ask. Let's build our destiny together, Tsunade-chan. As partners."

Doubt still lingered in Tsunade-chan's eyes, but there was a small spark of acceptance.

On the other hand, Riser was both satisfied and disappointed with the outcome so far. Tsunade had just awakened, and apparently, her brain functions weren't 100% active yet. She hadn't even tried to negotiate or make a deal. Well, he would use this to his advantage for now. It was still a good sign; he didn't have to play the role of Cronos with his first daughter.

"Well, I think it's time to dress you elegantly and introduce you to the rest of the family." Riser said, running his hand through his hair.

Tsunade looked at Riser with a mix of disinterest and contrariness "Family? You mean your demonic relatives? Why on earth would I want to meet them?"

Riser turned his gaze to Tsunade solemnly. "Well, what kind of father wouldn't want to boast about his daughter at a family dinner?"

Tsunade didn't like what she heard, so she stood up, faced Riser, and tapped her forehead with her fingertips. "Father? Master, what do you mean by that?" The homunculus felt treated like a child at this point.

Riser, in turn, sighed. "It was just an expression; don't get so bothered by it." He then looked at his smooth, white forehead. "We should improve this later; it needs to be more faithful, and maybe an insignia later on." Riser muttered to himself.

Tsunade didn't quite understand what he meant but decided to ignore the nonsense he was talking about.

"Come on, Tsunade, after dinner, I want to run some strength tests with you. I bet it will be fun." Riser said.

Tsunade, on the other hand, just crossed her arms over her exposed breasts with a grumpy expression.

Riser shrugged, deciding not to insist more on the "parenthood" subject. Instead, he grinned mischievously and said, "But before anything, how about a formal introduction? After all, you're a unique creation, something extraordinary that deserves to be seen by everyone."

With a swift movement, Riser opened a secret door in one of the room walls, revealing a black dress adorned with colorful LED lights. Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the poor taste, while Riser insisted for her to put it on.

In the end, Riser managed to convince the young homunculus.

They then proceeded to the corridor. Soon, they reached a stunning room where a large table was set with a variety of demonic delicacies. Seated at the table were beings of different shapes and sizes, all members of the eccentric Phenex family.

"Ah, Riser, you finally decided to join us! I hope you have an explanation for all the destruction in the east wing of the mansion." exclaimed Lady Phenex, his mother.

Riser smiled and made an exaggerated bow. "Of course, but first, let me introduce someone very special. Tsunade, this is my peculiar family. Family, this is Tsunade, my latest creation, a homunculus created practically from scratch." Curious looks turned to Tsunade, who was visibly uncomfortable with the sudden attention.

Riser continued, ignoring Tsunade's embarrassment. "She's unique, a masterpiece in homunculi. Tsunade, why don't you show everyone what you can do?"

Tsunade sighed, tired of all the exposure, but decided to play along. She struck a dramatic pose, and suddenly, her black dress lit up with blinding intensity, while colorful beams of light radiated from her. Everyone in the room was left agape by the extravagant scene.

"That's… incredible!" murmured Lord Phenex, while others clapped in excitement. It was said that the heart of a Phenex, step 1, be extravagant.

Lady Phenex, on the other hand, looked at Riser disapprovingly. "Riser, you really haven't learned to control your experiments? What the hell is happening now?"

Riser tried to appear innocent. "Oh, just a little power demonstration from Tsunade. Don't worry; everything is under control!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Tsunade made a dramatic gesture and summoned an energy sphere in her hands. "Prepare yourselves, dear members of the Phenex family, for my ultimate move, the 'Celestial Homunculus Fist'!"

Riser, realizing things were getting out of control, tried to intervene. "Tsunade, it's not necessary…"

But before he could finish the sentence, Tsunade unleashed a powerful punch towards Riser. The impact was so strong that a shockwave spread across the room, sending plates flying, chairs tumbling, and even the paintings on the walls trembling.

Riser, surprised and somewhat dazed, was sent flying through the dining room, crashing through a wall and disappearing from view. Tsunade, on the other hand, remained in the raised fist position, with a triumphant smile.

A tense silence filled the room before being broken by the thunderous laughter of Lord Phenex. "That was amazing! I've never seen anything like it in my life!"

The other members of the Phenex family joined in the laughter, while Lady Phenex looked at the destruction around with a mixture of shock and irritation.

Riser, a bit battered, returned to the room with a forced smile. "Well, it seems Tsunade really has a powerful punch. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but it was impressive, wasn't it?"

Lady Phenex crossed her arms. "Impressive is one way to describe it. Now, you will fix all this mess, Riser!"

In the end, I had to clean up the mess. Anyway, this was just a small step; soon, he would achieve his plans. He would revolutionize the Underworld with all kinds of technological, biological, and magical advances!

(To be continued?)

Note Autor: A floating idea