Nigghod.

It has already been more than a month since I accepted the offer to become a multiverse traveller… I thought I was doing pretty good for myself. Likewise, I dare not say that I have seen everything there was to witness in this world, but I have seen enough during this month. Ranging from the random acts of kindness strangers commit on the streets to the most horrid acts possible.

... I thought that there would not be much to surprise me. At least in a very meaningful way.

"How has it been going, little friend?" said Enyo. His tone was warm and welcoming.

How wrong was I...

The scene that presented itself in front of me shocked the daylights out of me. In this pungent, dim-lit room that stunk of corrosion rested the remains of a particular being.

The 'Little' friend Enyo was addressing was not a living life form. He was talking to a massive skull, Its width must have spanned at least 120 feet (ca. 37 m)

The pristine condition it was in further floored me, even the bones seemed to be shining. It rested in the centre of a huge altar that was lit up by multiple candles. The way it was elevated only added to the intimidation factor.

The way those hollowed-out, massive eye sockets appeared to be gazing at me sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't even imagine what it would have felt to get started down by the skull's proprietor while it was alive.

The faint black mist that seeped out of what hard black scales that remained didn't help with my unease at all.

I was not sure, but going by the structure of the skull, it had to have been a monster of draconic origins. There was no other way around it.

It still had such an intimidating presence even in death.

With just the width of its skull's reaching that size, I couldn't even begin to imagine the size of the actual creature.

As I was making my observations, Enyo didn't stop affectionately rubbing the skull. His caress seemed full of wistfulness and love.

He sighed and removed his mask. I could finally see his facial features, and I was not disappointed. Sharp features along with blond hair that went to his shoulders, and emerald eyes. They were fair and noble; they truly went well with his displayed corundum earlier.

"These bastards really did you dirty." He paused a second as a myriad of emotions appeared on his face.

"Isn't that right, Nidhogg?" he muttered after a few moments. He never stopped his caress.

'Nidhogg?' I wondered in my mind.

I had no recollection of something like this happening in Danmachi, but I was faintly familiar with the name. It seemed to all too easily roll off my tongue.

'Nidhogg…'

The name somehow sounded really familiar to my ears. It took me a moment to realise what they were talking about.

'!!'

I widened my eyes when I remembered some faint information about it, I was not sure how relevant that information would be, but it sure wasn't promising. Not at all...

Nidhogg was a MASSIVE soul-devouring wyrm, imprisoned in the roots of Yggdrasil in the Norse methodology. Its escape was one of the marks that highlighted the start of Ragnarök— the end times.

That was how much of a big deal it was. However, I was not inclined to believe that its might was on the same level as its Norse counterpart. The one I was thinking of would eventually shake the entire Norse seven realms to escape the binding of Yggdrasil: The Tree Of Life.

I looked at its remains.

'Who could have vanquished it?' It was all that was running through my mind at this moment. No matter if it weren't as impressive as its Norse predecessor, it must still have surely been a special creature.

It seems I didn't need to dwell on it further because I received an answer right after.

"Those damned spirits…" he remorsefully said. His curled palms hit the altar's edge in an act of pure frustration.

I had no idea how strong the spirits were supposed to be.

Going by how Ouranos, the de-facto Overlord of Genkai, seemed to hold Gaia: the mother spirit, in such high regard… I assume their strength was not to be trifled with.

But the bigger question would be why, and not how. Why would the Spirits deal with such a creature? Was it another question of the supposed 'balance'? Or maybe this time it was something else?

That single question plagued my mind. I stayed put as I viewed Enyo watch over the skull. Sadly, I received no further information or hints.

The depressive silence dominated the dimly lit room. No words were exchanged at all. But I couldn't help but notice the mad glint that gradually surfaced on Enyo's mind.

'Those damned spirits will pay for it, I promise you, friend.' he resolutely said.

Silently standing upright, her hands folded in front of her, Ein finally spoke.

"Should we get going, my lord?"

Although, the same androgynous voice was what came out as usual.

Dionysus silently donned his mask and seemed to transform into the Enyo persona once again. Only then did he respond.

"Yes. I suppose we should."

He looked back one last time at his friend's remained before he went off, with Ein right behind him.

I stood there for a few moments, contemplating a few things. I couldn't disagree with the amount of information I got so far, all in all, it was a successful day. But it was just as frustrating as well. I felt like many things were going over my head here.

I was once again reminded how this world couldn't be as simple as a stupid animation made it out to be. The deeper I delve into the unknown, the more that fact is engraved upon me.

The couple unassumingly exited the unimpressive dim-lit room — save for the large skull in the middle of it— explicitly in a worse mood. That was especially the case for Enyo, Ein didn't seem particularly remorseful. She only looked sad because her lord was.

That was the case for me as well; for different reasons, however.

-----

[Akagi Ken]

Level:5

HP: 7700

MP: 3850

Unallocated Stat points: 156

Valis: ~10mil

-Strength: E420

-Endurance: D530

-Dexterity: D580

-Agility: D580

-Magic: E410

Skills: Gamers Mind - Gamers Body - Instinct - Mind's Eye (True) - Mage - Mystery- MasterSmith- One-Handed Sword Mastery - Rejuvenation - Shapeshifting - Mixing- HeadPatting- Luck- Endless Libido- Battle continuation- Mana Burst.

Magic: Ele magic - Non-Ele magic - Inventory- Space-Time magic.