Chapter Forty-Six

Muichiro quickly descended into darkness as he fell through the abyss of the hole, his senses overwhelmed by the sensation of weightlessness.

'So sleepy...why do I...why do I feel so...mhhhhhhhh...zzzzzzzzz!!!'

The world around him blurred into obscurity as the air rushed past his ears, and he felt a strange drowsiness seeping into his consciousness.

.....

(An unknown amount of time later)

In the midst of his surreal state, a gentle tickling sensation stirred on Muichiro's cheek.

His blank turquoise eyes slowly fluttered open, greeted by the soft, radiant glow that emanated from the surroundings.

Blinking in confusion, he found himself lying on the floor within an unknown cave adorned with glowing luminescence.

The cavern was a gargantuan thing of beauty, filled with glowing masses of flora, glistening rocks, and curious insects that emitted their own delicate light.

As Muichiro slowly sat up, his senses fully returning, he noticed that he was not alone.

His body was surrounded by a swarm of beautiful blue glowing butterflies, their wings creating a mesmerizing dance of light around him.

He marvelled at their presence, his curiosity piqued by their mysterious glow.

Among the butterflies, one of them landed on Muichiro's cheek, its delicate touch like a gentle caress.

He watched with fascination as the butterfly's rhythmic glow seemed to communicate with the others.

Suddenly, as if responding to a signal, the entire swarm lifted into the air, their collective radiance illuminating the cave in a breathtaking display.

In an instant, the butterflies departed from Muichiro's body, leaving him alone in the midst of the illuminated cavern.

'That was...interesting.'

As their glow faded into the depths of the cave, he found himself alone once more, surrounded by the mysterious and enchanting atmosphere of this new environment.

Muichiro rose to his feet, the luminous rocks beneath his boots emitting a soft and soothing light.

He retrieved his katana, and took a moment to observe his surroundings. The walls of the cave seemed to breathe with the light, as if the very essence of this place was alive and pulsating.

Closing his eyes, Muichiro focused his senses, attempting to connect with the environment around him.

He felt a subtle vibration emanating from a particular direction, guiding him towards the exit of the cave.

'It's around 950 metres away...how did I even get here, all I remember was falling, and then nothing.

Muichiro having no other options followed the pull on his senses, stepping forward into the uncharted territory beyond.

The journey through the caverns led him through a winding path.

As he moved deeper into the cave, the air seemed to hum with a gentle melody, the harmony of an unknown symphony echoing through the space.

Eventually, Muichiro emerged from the cave into a world that was both unfamiliar and strange.

The sky overhead was shrouded in darkness, but the surroundings emitted a soft, ambient glow, casting an eerie yet captivating light.

The landscape before him was a plethora of neon hues, a vibrant and surreal tableau that he had never encountered before.

'Where am I' Was Muichiro's first thought.

[ AN: You're definitely not in Kansas anymore.]

This was no floor he had ever read about in the records of the Guild. The very nature of this place defied everything he knew, leaving him with a sense of intrigue.

As he gazed out at the luminescent wilderness before him, Muichiro knew what he needed to do next.

He had two goals now—document the mysteries of this unexplored region and find a way back to the Wheat Manor to ease Demeter's worries.

With a deep breath, he took out the familiar map he had brought with him to this world and quickly looked over it. Nothing much of the map had really changed besides one or two things.

2Y, 6M, and 14D's were written on it. Muichiro had officially been in this world for 49 days now, so almost two entire months.

Muichiro's eyes settled on the timer atop the map, marking the passage of time he had spent in this world.

But he was more focused on the changing numbers than the timer. The numbers on the display reminded him of the duration he had spent unconscious.

From what he saw he was unconscious for around two hours.

As he had entered the dungeon around nineish, It was 2 o'clock right now, and he had been in the dungeon for three hours give or take.

With a better understanding of his circumstances, he now put away the Map and looked at the neon jungle in front of him.

With a resolute step, Muichiro stepped into the radiant jungle before him. The occasional rustling of leaves and the distant echoes of unfamiliar creatures filled the air.

He was in unknown territory now.

.....

Amidst the neon-hued flora and the occasional screech of the unknown, Muichiro found himself equipped with his katana and a sense of curiosity that burned within him.

The radiant environment seemed to pulse with life, inviting him to explore and discover the secrets hidden within this uncharted realm.

In his exploration, Muichiro's hand instinctively reached into his haori, fingers brushing against a familiar item.

With a deft motion, he retrieved a blank book from the depths of his sub-space pocket.

Moon, had bestowed upon him a unique gift—a haori with a sub-space pocket woven within.

This pocket of space allowed him to store items and retrieve them at his convenience. It was a precious possession that had now proven invaluable.

As Muichiro's fingers traced over the smooth cover of the book. He opened the book and began to draw.

The pages of the book transformed into a canvas for his observations, capturing the essence of the mysterious butterflies that had greeted him, the glowing plant life that illuminated the surroundings, and the curious insects that flitted through the air.

Each stroke of his pen was deliberate and masterful. Muichiro's drawings depicted the vibrancy of this new undiscovered floor or possible chamber.

He easily captured the essence of the luminescent landscape that surrounded him. He documented his encounters, letting the ink bring to life the beauty and wonder that unfolded before his eyes.

Muichiro continued his documentation, his drawings evolving from the butterflies to the plant life that he encountered.

His keen observations revealed that many of the creatures and plants were non-aggressive, suggesting that this particular area of the dungeon was akin to a sanctuary, a haven similar to the 18th floor of the dungeon.

Untouched by the typical aggression of the labyrinth's normal monsters. Despite the apparent safety, Muichiro remained vigilant, after encountering that variant war shadow, his guard had increased.

With great efficiency, Muichiro collected samples of the various flora and insects that piqued his interest.

Moon had provided him with vials and containers specifically designed to preserve the unique properties of rare specimens.

The luminescent rainbow moss, and the fiery red flower with its scorching aura—all found their place within the carefully prepared containers.

As Muichiro made his way through the dense forest, his journey led him to an unexpected discovery—an oasis of glowing water that shimmered like liquid starlight.

His instincts guided him, a gift from his deity that granted him insight into the nature of his surroundings.

Due to Nature's Blessing, he could sort of tell what things were harmful to him or not. Of course, it didn't always work, but the stronger he became the stronger his senses would be.

As he knelt by the oasis, Muichiro's hands cupped the water, bringing it to his lips.

The moment the cool liquid touched his tongue, he felt a surge of energy course through him, revitalizing his mana and clearing his mind.

"..."

"This Oasis...it restored my stamina, mana and mind instantly."