Chapter 29 - 22 - Floor 18, Pt II. And, new threats?!

* * * * *

"Bell Cranel. The 'Little Rookie'.--"

"I have a proposition for you."

- - - - -

Long ago, the Gods descended to the Lower World that the adventurers live in, seeking new experiences.

And--

They decided to live in this Lower World forever with them.

With their divine powers locked away, their lives wouldn't be as easy or convenient, but they vowed to live happily.

Some sought after prosperity--

Some sought after heroes--

And... ....

Some sought after "Salvation."

- - - - -

"Bell, can you move?"

Right after Sasuke and Bell Cranel had finished their conversation, Ais walked into the tent.

"Ais-san... ...Thank's for saving me." Sasuke observed as Bell started stumbling on his words upon seeing the Sword Princess.

"Mmm...It was your comrade who rescued you."

Bell then glanced at Sasuke, who was still emitting a certain aura that prevented people from approaching him casually.

Ais then gestured to both Sasuke and Bell.

"I'm supposed to tell our leader when you wake up. Come with me."

- - - - -

In another tent, Sasuke was standing beside Bell, who was kneeling on the ground.

In front of them, was a young boy with blonde hair.

"I understand the situation. We will welcome you as guests."

Bell immediately thanked the young boy in front of them.

So--

This person is the captain of the Loki Familia.

Sasuke simply stood by the side without saying anything.

The young boy then shifted his sight towards Sasuke.

"You are the newest member of the Hestia Familia, right? Sasuke-kun, is it?"

Sasuke closed his eyes as he replied coolly--

"That's right."

The other members present in the room directed gazes of apprehension and suspicion towards Sasuke.

The young boy continued--

"A monster poisoned some of our comrades with a particularly nasty venom. Our swiftest members are heading to the surface to fetch an antidote. We plan to stay here until the medicine arrives."

- - - - -

The surroundings soon turned dark, as though night had fallen--

Inside a particular tent--

"Welf! Lili!"

Bell's face instantly contoured into a smile as he saw his comrades slowly opening their eyes.

- - - - -

"We really did slow you down. Sorry."

"That's not true. Because our whole party was there, we were able to survive all that."

Lili added from the side--

"We couldn't have done it without everyone, right?!"

Bell then revealed a slightly serious expression--

"That's also true. However, there is someone I would like to introduce later."

Welf and Lili raised their head at Bell's statement, although the atmosphere was soon interrupted by the appearance of Ais.

"Dinner is ready."

- - - - -

~Back to the present~

Humans who gaze at reality and possess strength, they ended up becoming the originators of illusion. They scatter illusion that is convenient for themselves to the surroundings and coaxed the weak who are looking for someone to cling to. And then they exploited those weak people. ... ....That was the beginning of a powerful person's history.

A reality where you cannot even have the illusion of hope, that's what you called a dead end. In that case, illusion and despair have the same meaning.

At one point, in order to achieve his goals, Sasuke had stepped over his comrades and sought to rule the Shinobi world with his strength. He had lost hope in the system of the Shinobi world... ...lost hope in the faith of humanity. He had reached a dead end. In order to unify and reform the 'broken', he had tried to kill his best friend.

However, that very same friend of his saved Sasuke from the despair that would have consumed and plunged him into a spiral of eternal darkness with no return.

It was at that moment--

Sasuke's left eye received a feedback.

Kuh--

A searing pain--

Sasuke clasped his left eye as he dropped to his knees.

As he slowly opened his left eye again--

A series of images flashed before him.

An extremely large spherical cavity--

Just like a crystal. And beside that crystal, was a large creature.

What is that?!

Sasuke was shocked at the sight of that massive creature.

It had seven heads and ten horns--... It's giant body was easily longer than a few hundred meters.

Each one of it's head belonged to a different creature and the body had a variety of features, giving off a very foreign sensation from it's body. Extending out from inside it's body was countless number of chains which were tightly restraining the beast.

As random and sudden as the images appeared to be, it vanished in an instant.

Just what is that...?!

The searing pain finally subsided from Sasuke's left eye and he slowly stood up.

[Partner, what happened to you?]

Did you see that, Ddraig?

[No, I didn't see anything. What are you talking about?]

That's strange...

Sasuke removed his hand from his eye.

I thought Ddraig would have seen it as well...

A shiver coursed through Sasuke's spine--

Is that a monster from this world...?

Or perhaps...?

Sasuke could not help the unease that started to arise in his heart.

Were those images a premonition of something ominous that was to happen in the near future?

In any case, that creature was dangerous.

Even though it was only a series of images, Sasuke could already sense the hostility that emanated from that creature.

However, he was also confused. How did he manage to see those images?

Just as those thoughts were running through Sasuke's mind, a loud voice permeated through the air.

"Goddess!"

"Bell-kun!"

Has that Hestia person arrived?

Sasuke turned around as he slowly advanced through the forest.

Whatever the case, I have to be on alert.

That thing...

I don't know why but...

...I fear that I will encounter it soon--

- - - - -

"Let me introduce you. This is Sasuke-san. He rescued us from the dungeon when we were chased by the monsters."

In another make shift tent, five people stood inside.

One was Sasuke, three of them were the ones who Sasuke had rescued, and the last was a petite girl with huge brėȧsts.

This girl was the Goddess of the Hestia Familia.

"I see. I see." Hestia scrutinized Sasuke as she evaluated him.

Bell interrupted from the side, "So that's how it is. For the time being, Sasuke-san is a member of our Familia. And, we are also not allowed to ask about his background. That was his request for saving us."

After a short silence, Welf nodded his head.

"I still have my doubts but since Bell trusts you, I will not pry further into it as well."

Although Lili also nodded her head, she still gave a suspicious stare at Sasuke.

"Since Bell-sama says so, I won't say much. But! That doesn't mean I trust you yet!"

However, Sasuke wasn't in the least bothered by it.

Hestia then stared at Sasuke with a serious expression before she slightly lowered her head.

"Thank's for saving Bell-kun. I really appreciate that. As for your requests, I promise to keep it a secret from the others as well. This is also Bell-kun's wish."

"Thanks."

A single word escaped from Sasuke's mouth.

"Well then, let's meet up with the others. There are some people who wish to apologize to you as well, Bell-kun."

"I see..."

Sasuke proceeded to leave the tent.

"You are not coming with us, Sasuke-san?"

Bell asked as Sasuke prepared to step outside.

"Those issues are for you to settle. I am not interested."

With that, Sasuke turned back and left.

His mind was currently preoccupied by that creature and Sasuke was already formulating different plans in his head.

He was always planning a step ahead for contingencies.

- - - - -

The next day, after the Loki Familia had left, Sasuke was observing a certain situation from a distance away.

"Where is my Goddess?"

"Your Goddess is safe. I'm not shameless enough to hurt her."

"Then, you're here for me."

"We're about to have a fight. Just you and me. A duel."

"A duel..."

Bell cranel was currently facing off against another adventurer.

As Sasuke observed his surroundings, his sight landed on a blonde hair man with a feathered hat, who was also observing the duel.

So that guy is the instigator--

Sasuke sensed a similar presence from that guy to Hestia, so he guessed that he was a God as well.

Sasuke then turned his sight back to the duel.

Bell Cranel huh...

Sasuke noticed that his opponent had used some kind of item to make himself invisible, resulting in Bell Cranel to lose the advantage.

Nonetheless, Sasuke could clearly see the opponent with his Sharingan.

However, he was not planning to interfere. He didn't feel the need to. After all, he was not obligated to help him with everything.

ZOOM! ZOOM!

Multiple arrows launched towards the group of Adventurers surrounding Bell.

So his comrades have arrived--

Another group of Adventurers came rushing to aid Bell.

Very soon, another fight broke out between the two groups of Adventurers. However, Sasuke was still observing the situation without moving a single step.

Then, his attention shifted back to Bell's duel.

Hou?

It seems he can finally sense his opponent...

Although Bell was still struggling against his opponent, they were now on equal footing.

BOOM!

A brilliant radiance penetrated the atmosphere.

Is that her true power?

After releasing her divine powers, Hestia slowly walked up towards Bell and the other Adventurer.

"Children, sheathe your swords."

As soon as Hestia saw Bell, she immediately ran up and hugged him.

"Bell-kun!"

So it's over huh...

As soon as Sasuke turned around to leave, the ground started to shake.

An Earthquake...?

I don't like this shaking...

ROARRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

From above the ceiling, a massive creature descended.

Isn't that?

Sasuke knew exactly what creature it was.

Tch, how troublesome.

- - - - -

"What a boring sight, Rias Gremory."

"You are...?"

A certain youth with silver hair stepped inside Rias's room.

"Vali Lucifer. Why did you come here..."

Vali shrugged his shoulders.

"A certain knight from your peerage called me here."

Vali sighed after looking at Rias.

"...So you will fall this low, just because your lover's whereabouts are unknown."

Hearing Vali say that, Rias started to get enraged.

Not only Rias, but the queen of her peerage, Himejima Akeno, had been at a loss ever since the disappearance of the Sekiryuutei, Uchiha Sasuke.

However, upon seeing Rias's angered face, Vali revealed a smile.

"Hmph, don't get so riled up, Rias Gremory. You should know that man by now. He is not one to die that easily. After all, he was the one who defeated me."

Vali then closed his eyes.

"I have an idea of where Uchiha Sasuke might be."

The moment Rias heard that, a certain flame was ignited within her heart.

There was a radiant of hope lit up in her eyes.

"Where is he?"

Vali opened his eyes and looked straight at Rias.

"Uchiha Sasuke is in another dimension."

- - - - -

~A certain location~

A whirling sound issued out while accompanied by a spiraling void.

A certain man stepped out from the void. A horn protruded from his head.

"Is that you, Isshiki-senpai?"

The man turned around at the voice.

Another male in a long sleeved light colored attire sauntered forward while holding a red line that resembled a fishing rod.

"Urashiki."

"Heh...you are still using that human vessel? How is your Kara organisation doing, Isshiki-senpai?"

Urashiki asked the other male while revealing a smile.

"Hmph, because of Kaguya's failure, I have to clean up her mess. It will take me some time before I drain that planet dry of chakra. This vessel will serve me well before I regain my powers. How are the others doing?"

Urashiki shrugged his shoulders.

"Momo-senpai has gone after Uchiha Sasuke. I have no idea where they are right now."

"Uchiha Sasuke. Both he and Uzumaki Naruto will be troublesome people. They will no doubt hinder our plans. Especially that Uchiha Sasuke. His doujutsu is bothersome."

"Relax, I am sure Momo-senpai can take of him. In the mean time, we should continue nurturing the Juvenile Jyubi."

"Uchiha Sasuke..."

"No doubt--Before he becomes a bigger threat..."

"I should eliminate him first."

- - - - -

"What should we do now, Momoshiki-sama?"

"This world is truly amusing. For such creatures to exist."

Two figures communicated while observing the giant creature in front of them.

"The power that is radiating from this monster, it's on par with that vulgar creature we encountered earlier..."

However, their conversation were soon interrupted.

"Well, well, who do we have here?"

Momoshiki turned around.

Three figures stood behind them.

One was a middle-aged man with dark silver hair. The other was a brown skinned young male in black vestments. Beside them, was a giant Dragon with three heads, six giant wings and dark scales with a shade of purple.

The one who spoke was the middle-aged man.

"This place is not for unauthorized people. How did you get in here?"

Without waiting for a reply, the man continued--

"That thing over there belongs to us. I suggest you step away from it."

"Hou?"

Momoshiki revealed a provocative smile.

"That vulgar creature has piqued my interests. What will you do about it?"

Instantly, the aura of the other three surged.

The young male spoke--

"Rizevim, this place cannot be revealed to the outside. We will have to take care of the intruders."

The dragon with three heads also spoke in unision--

"That's right!"

"We can't let them leave."

"Let's kill them!"

"Well, it certainly seems to be the only option."

The middle aged man named Rizevim sighed.

"Momoshiki-sama..."

"Since these vulgar insects wish to battle, we shall show them the true power of the Otsutsuki."

6 pills materialized in Momoshiki's palm as he swallowed them at once.

"Now then..."

The veins around Momoshiki's eyes started to bulge.

- - - - -