49 Chapter Forty-Eight
As Muichiro delved deeper into the unfamiliar forest, his eyes and senses were sharp despite his outwardly calm demeanour.
....
( Orario - On the surface)
The surface world was veiled in the cover of night.
At the Wheat Manor, Demeter found herself restless, her worry for Muichiro gnawing at her thoughts.
The fact that he hadn't returned from his dungeon dive and hadn't given her any indication of staying out late was unsettling.
Her divine intuition urged her that something was amiss. Instead of retiring to bed, she summoned Cuthbert to her chambers.
The butler arrived promptly, his attire impeccable as always, and bowed in deference to Demeter's presence.
"How may I serve you goddess...you seem concerned."
Inquiring how he could be of assistance, he listened attentively as Demeter voiced her concerns about Muichiro's prolonged absence.
"Cuthbert, it's not like Muichiro to break his curfew without notice. Something doesn't feel right. Can you look into this?" Demeter's expression carried a mix of concern and affection.
Cuthbert's brow furrowed, his thoughts aligning with Demeter's unease. "You're right, Lady Demeter. Muichiro has always adhered strictly to his routines. I will dispatch someone to investigate immediately."
His voice carried a note of assurance, reflecting his commitment to ensuring Muichiro's safety.
With that, Cuthbert disappeared from Demeter's room, his departure marked by a blur of motion.
On the rooftop of the Demeter Familia, a solitary but tall figure stood in contemplation, surveying the expanse of the Demeter familia domain.
The hooded figure remained silent, their face hidden from view. Cuthbert materialized before them, the precision of his movements a testament to his speed as a level four...With a respectful nod, he conveyed the information Demeter had shared.
Though the figure's expression remained concealed, Cuthbert sensed their understanding of the gravity of the situation.
"Though Demeter loved all her children wholeheartedly there were probably only two people now that she doted on more. That was of course her adopted child Persephone who was currently outside Orario and her new child Muichiro.
In response, the figure bowed, a gesture of accord. Without uttering a single word, they turned and vanished, their speed surpassing even Cuthbert's keen eyes.
As the figure moved with blinding speed across the rooftops of Orario, their destination was clear: the entrance to the dungeon.
....
Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the labyrinthine dungeon, Muichiro continued his journey alongside his newfound companion.
Hours seemed to blur together as they navigated through the eerie forest, its bizarre inhabitants and luminescent foliage never ceasing to intrigue Muichiro's analytical mind.
"Interesting," Muichiro murmured, his tone devoid of emotion, as he observed the shifting environment.
His ever-present aura of composure remained unbroken as he dissected his surroundings, each nuance absorbed into his keen perception.
His companion, the recently discovered creature, flitted about him, its curiosity evident in its sparkling eyes and cute giggles.
"You're quite the curious one, aren't you?" Muichiro's words were directed at the creature, though his expression remained impassive.
The creature responded with a series of melodious chirps and graceful movements, dancing around him in a seemingly carefree manner.
Despite his lack of overt emotion, Muichiro's intrigue was piqued by the creature's behaviour.
"I wish I could understand you," Muichiro mused aloud, his gaze following the creature's flight.
As he continued his exploration, Muichiro's notebook emerged from his haori's sub-space pocket.
The pristine blank pages now half-filled with pictures and writing waited to be filled with his meticulous observations. His katana remained securely sheathed as his fingers moved nimbly across the pages, translating the world around him.
"New species of plant... bioluminescent insects...strange gravity fluctuations..." Muichiro murmured as he wrote everything he discovered down.
As they say, knowledge is power.
Amid his documentation, he observed the alterations in gravity as he delved further downward.
He tested the shifting forces, running, jumping, and analyzing the physical changes he experienced.
His mind worked methodically, piecing together the puzzle that this environment presented.
With characteristic discipline, Muichiro recorded his observations and was comprehensive but easy to follow and read.
He deduced that the escalating gravity would render this realm inaccessible to ordinary humans, making it a unique place for higher-level adventurers alone.
.....
After traversing the labyrinthine expanse for fourteen hours, Muichiro's resolve remained unbroken despite the seemingly boundless nature of the terrain.
The environment stretched before him, seemingly vast and endless, prompting him to wonder if he would ever uncover its true extent.
It appeared to dwarf even the sprawling city of Orario in size and complexity.
"Piipii!" The melodious sound of Pii's voice accompanied Muichiro's thoughts, Throughout these fourteen hours Pii hadn't needed to rest a single time, it seemed like Pii didn't need sleep.
But that may not be the case, he would have to continue observing to make sure.
Accompanied by his newfound companion, Pii, Muichiro maintained his vigilance as he pressed onward.
*Shaaaaaa!*
Suddenly, from the shadows, a figure lunged at him with predatory intent, fangs bared in a bid for a surprise attack.
"Huh!" Muichiro's voice was calm and focused as he swiftly intercepted the attacker's neck, halting their assault with a firm grip that spoke of his seasoned combat skills.
Pii's surprised chirp echoed in the air as it sought refuge behind the safety of Muichiro's head, observing the unfolding scene.
"It's okay, little friend," Muichiro's tone was measured and soothing, directed at both Pii and the defeated assailant.
Pii's presence served as a reminder that he wasn't alone in this strange realm.
The would-be assailant now found themselves ensnared in Muichiro's grasp, a pristine white-scaled snake with eyes as azure as the oasis's tranquil waters.
The creature writhed within his firm grip, its intention thwarted by his swift reflexes. What intrigued Muichiro was the fact that he hadn't sensed the snake's presence until it was upon him, a reminder of the unpredictable dangers lurking in this uncharted realm.
As Muichiro maintained his hold on the snake, he witnessed its jaws open, a glow emanating from the recesses of its throat.
Reacting instinctively, Muichiro redirected the serpent's attack away from them, a beam of icy energy slicing through the air and obliterating several trees and plants.
The aftermath lay in a frozen wasteland, a testament to the snake's potent abilities.
"(;° ロ°)!!!..."
"(●__●)!!!..."
"Good thing I didn't let that hit us," Muichiro's voice was composed, acknowledging the potential danger as he carefully observed the aftermath.
Taking note of the devastation caused, Muichiro observed the snake's behaviour and recognized its readiness to strike again.
Acting swiftly, he dispatched the creature with a calculated move, silencing its threat with a crunch of breaking bones.
The snake dissipated like mist, leaving Muichiro to observe the unique magic stone it had left behind.
Examining the magic stone in his hand, Muichiro noted its distinct appearance—a departure from the conventional dark purple hue with a light yellow sheen.
Instead, this stone possessed a light blue colouration with a dark black sheen within. He pondered whether this variation was characteristic of all the monsters residing in this particular area.
Pii's gaze over Muichiro's shoulder signalled the absence of immediate danger, prompting a relieved trill from the companion.
It nestled back onto Muichiro's shoulder, secure in its protector's presence. Muichiro stored the distinctive magic stone away, a tangible memento of his encounter, before resuming his journey to find the exit within this uncharted, enigmatic expanse of the dungeon.
"Let's keep moving, Pii," Muichiro's voice held a subtle determination as he addressed his companion.
"Priiiii-"
....
I got a good idea from one of the comments in the last chapter. The name Wi or Wii is short for Will o Wisp. But I was starting to like Pi as well so why not add them together?
Pi-Wii/Pii/Wi I'll choose between Any of these three but I'm liking Pi-Wii.
....
Just watched the first two episodes of the live-action one-piece, loving it so far. But I don't like how serious Garp is, love my boys Yassop and Bogard and surprisingly I loved Helmeppo's character/actor as well.
....
(Picture of the Unknown figure.)
