168 Side Chapter 25
"What business you have here anyway, Master?" Nero finally asked Issei: "Umu... Are they trying to bribe you using these artifacts?" She pointed at the numerous artifact and tools laid before them.
"Hmm, you're not wrong. You could say that they're trying to bribe me in a way." Issei said after a little bit of thinking.
"Umu! Then what are you waiting for! Just take all of them!" She didn't even wait for their confirmation and swooped all of the artifacts into her spatial storage: "There! Problem solved!"
Erica and the others had their face twitch furiously seeing how Nero just took all of their items like that.
Even Issei only looks at a few of them...
"What problem solved, you little devil." Issei sighed wryly and lightly tapped Nero's head.
"Since they're trying to bribe you then you should just take everything they have! Take each and every bouquet offered to you! That's my principle!" She said boastfully: "Now then, let's embark on our journey, Master!"
She then dragged Issei out of the building without caring for anything else...
"...Erica, Liliana. Go act as their guide. I believe his excellency didn't know much about our world's attraction." Paolo said towards his niece.
"Understood, uncle! Let's go, Lili."
"E-Eh? Um, got it."
The two of them then hastily follow after Issei and Nero.
Paolo who's left behind rubbed his temple tiredly.
To think that the old Emperor of Rome would appear here... Ah, should he say Empress instead seeing that Nero is a woman? Well, no matter. He's extremely relieved since they don't seem to be causing trouble in their world.
...
-Sanctuary Yomotsuhirasaka-
It was a sanctuary that should be named like that by the people of the surface.
As a world of mythology, as expected there were also gods living there.
It was deep inside the earth, a territory that was ruled by darkness.
Because of that, it was also called a country of night view, underworld, etc.
At the entrance of Yomotsuhirasaka, there was an absurdly large rock at the side.
One had to look up at the rectangle wall of rock. It was called the Thousand Pulling Stone. It was named so because it would finally move only with a thousand people pulling it.
The stone suddenly trembled slightly and the intensity of its tremor is increasing by the second until it finally breaks into pieces.
The rotting corpse of a woman emerged from the entrance...
Her flesh was rotting off everywhere, the white of her bones became exposed. Countless maggots were crawling on that rotten limbs, making a rumbling sound that sounded like thunder...
"...Finally the surface... My country..." The woman said joyfully before her expression turned menacing: "I resent you, mine husband! Even though I told you not to look why are you still looking back then... I resent you!" She yelled with hatred.
[Didn't you promise me...]
[Don't tell me you're.... Izanami, my wife?]
[I didn't want to show this rotten body only to you!]
[To think that one who fell into the underworld will be corrupted to this degree…]
[Even though I told you not to look why are you still lookinggggggggg!]
[You're noisy, damn monster! The soul of my wife Izanami has disappeared since long ago!]
The dead wife went into a fit of anger, while the husband who broke his promise became defiant...
They did a little chase in the underworld until the husband finally sealed the wife with the Thousand Pulling Stone.
Remembering that moment, the woman, no, the Goddess named Izanami body spits out a large amount of black miasma.
She was the mother of country founding and now became the goddess of the underworld.
Her black miasma suddenly jerked slightly before it turned slightly red in color.
"?!" The woman becomes alarmed and she gained her clarity by a little bit: "...This presence..." She muttered.
Her body flinched slightly and she hugged her own body feeling some outside energy starting to affect her body.
"Ugh... This... Feeling..." She groaned.
Her festering and rotten body were starting to heal bit by bit. Her skin was returning into a soft and smooth white skin that was like silk.
The garment covering her body was also changing from a scrapped rag into the kimono of an imperial queen.
In the end, her rotting body is nowhere to be seen and its place appeared a woman that has features befitting that of a Goddess.
Izanami has black hair and black eyes, a slender face that looked unhappy. Her limbs were slender with a slim waist of a willow tree. She was terribly dainty, but on the contrary, she also looked terribly coquettish because of that. Izanami was wearing a blue round-necked robe worn by members of the nobility and the imperial court with tight sleeves, along with a black ancient skirt.
Even though her whole body is still covered in miasma, her menacing aura is slightly weakened. Her resentment towards her husband is still there but the hatred is not overwhelming as before.
She tried raising the dead from the underworld but instead of reviving, they ignored her completely and instead went back into the Underworld. Some even moved on into the river of reincarnation...
"What... What's happening..." Izanami muttered confusedly: "This divine energy... is healing me but also affected my divinity. Another God or Goddess is behind this? No... This is not a divine aura belonging to a simple God!"
Now that she thinks about it... Why did the seal that locked her in the Underworld suddenly break on its own?
"Ah!" She suddenly slumped to the ground. Her face becomes flushed and she started to understand this red miasma's property.
"This miasma is not my own... No, it was still mine but it is slowly changing and starting to affect me instead. How can this be... What kind of divinity could affect a Goddess such as me to this extent!" Her body sparkled with lightning and she created a spatial distortion.
She hastily entered the spatial distortion and tried to find the owner of the red miasma. Once she manages to pinpoint its location, Izanami departed leaving behind her previous domain.
In fact, not only here, the same thing is happening all over the world.
...
Issei's eyes flashed slightly while looking at the sky. Looks like the "seed" he scattered for the last few days is starting to sprout.
He spread out a tiny amount of his <Chaos> energy to this world hoping that it will serve as a catalyst of some sort to brings out the hidden or sealed Heretic Gods.
Since most Gods are arrogant beings then they will obviously investigate the one who's affecting their divinity.
"Look here, Master! Does it look good on me?" Nero flashed the necklace she just bought at Issei.
"Mm, you do look great in that." Issei took his gaze back from the sky and looked at Nero.
"Hehen, but of course! Anything I wear will look great on me!" Nero said in pride.
"Sure sure." Issei sighed helplessly looking at this hyperactive wife of his.
"Let's go buy some swimsuits! It's been a while ever since we last buy a swimsuit for ourselves!"
They have been at it for hours already but it seems she still hasn't had enough. He's MORE than used to accompany his wives on a date so Issei doesn't really care.
While the two of them are having their little date, Erica and Liliana who have been following them the whole time are feeling speechless.
"...To think that his wife is that Nero Claudius..." Liliana muttered incredulously.
"Indeed..." Erica nodded absentmindedly.
"What are you thinking about, Erica?" Liliana asked seeing Erica being absentminded.
"...I've been thinking. Is the <Campione> even needed at this point? Seeing how this unknown God will take care of the Heretic Gods in their stead. It's been just a few days but he has already taken down 3 Heretic God... plus a <Campione> if I might add."
"Don't take things for granted, Erica... He might be helping us now but who knows what will happen in the future. He never said that his 'job' is permanent. What if when he left our world, new Heretic Gods will start to appear? Without the <Campione>, we will be completely helpless."
"Well, you're right. It's just that... No, maybe it was just my emotions getting the better of me." Erica said with a wave.
"...I know that he has a charming face but remember that he's a God. There's no way he would fancy us, mortals."
"Huh?" Erica at first feel confused as to why Liliana suddenly said what she just said but then she understood: "Umm, Lili... What I meant by my emotions getting the better of me is not what you think... I was just feeling unbelievably small and weak after knowing that there's even God above God. Not because I was smitten by his charm..."
"..."
"Hehe, so that's how you feel about him... Who would've thought that late bloomer and stern Lili would-"
"Shut up!" At this point, Liliana's face couldn't be any redder.
"No need to be so shy, Lili. Even I have to admit that he's truly charming. It's no wonder an innocent girl like you would be smitten silly by him~. I wonder if you already write a romantic scene about him and-"
"I said shut up!" Liliana draws her sword and slashed at Erica out of pure embarrassment: "I told you to keep 'that' a secret!"
Erica easily dodges her sword while laughing still.
"So that man is the unknown God who defeated Marquis Voban and Salvatore Doni?" Suddenly a woman's voice was heard, carrying a melodic grace, it was a refreshing and beautiful voice.
Both Erica and Liliana become alerted and hastily look behind them only to see a young woman wearing a traditional Chinese outfit.
"Yes, Master. He's indeed the newly appeared God in the rumors." Beside her, a slender young man said respectfully: "He singlehandedly killed Marquis Voban and two Heretic God and also subdued another Heretic God that goes by the name Athena."
"I see..." The young woman nodded gravely.
This is truly unprecedented. Less than a week, this unknown God has already subdued three Heretic God and also the oldest <Campione>.
"Lu Yinghua... and Cult Leader Luo Hao. To think that they would come to Italy so soon..." Erica muttered solemnly.
"Doesn't she shut herself in the Mount Lu convent all day long and hate going out?" Liliana is also feeling tense in the presence of Luo Hao.
"Our Divination stated Monkey Divine Monarch will appear here... While I'm curious why it suddenly able to break free from his seal on his own, that doesn't really matter. Meeting this unknown God can be considered a bonus." Luo Hao said coldly ignoring Erica and Liliana.
"Be careful master. He's not to be taken lightly." The slender young man, Lu Yinghua advised.
"I have never taken my foe lightly. Especially if they're someone capable of defeating two of my brethren with ease." Luo Hao scolded.
"Yes, Master. It was my mistake..." Lu Yinghua said poutingly.
Luo Hao snorted at her disciple and strode forward bypassing Erica and Liliana. Lu Yinghua stays in the same spot since he will only get in the way when the time comes.
"...Should we stop her?" Liliana whispered.
"No need. And it's not like she would listen to us anyway seeing that she's ignoring us from the beginning. We better evacuate this area though... Just in case." Erica said with a wave.
"Oh my, it's getting rowdy in here." Another voice resounded.
"Hm? Lucretia? What are you doing here?" Erica said after realizing the newcomer's identity.
"I was going to greet our main star of the day but it looks like someone else beat me to it. Oh well, I guess I will have to wait for my turn." Lucretia said with a shrug.
"You wanted to greet 'him'? What for?" Erica inquired.
"That's a secret~." Lucretia winked.
Luo Hao walks closer to Issei's location while being battle-ready the whole time.
She covered her entire body with her Qi and activated several of her <Authority>.
"Muh?" Nero is the first to show a reaction to Luo Hao approaching them.
Issei also took a glance at the approaching Luo Hao.
Once Luo Hao arrived in their front, she introduced herself: "Greetings, God of another world. My surname is Luo, with the given name Cuilian, and style Hao. The leader of the holy cult, the one standing astride the martial pinnacle." Once she introduced herself, she took her stance.
"?" Nero tilted her head feeling intrigued: "What is she doing, Master? Is she looking for a fight?"
"Seems like it." Issei sighed tiredly.
"How tactless! Can't you see that we're having a date right now?" Nero said fumingly.
"Well, it is as my wife says... If you want a fight then wait until our date is done. That applies to all of you." At first, Issei said towards Luo Hao but then he looks to the side where a spatial distortion started to appear one by one.
"Hn?" Luo Hao knitted her eyebrows after sensing the numerous divine presence appearing one by one.
One... Five... Ten... Twenty... Fifty...
A large group of Gods started to appear around Issei surrounding him.
Some shown a look of disdain towards Luo Hao while some had their eyes stuck on Issei and Nero unblinking.
And amongst those Gods, one of them is the God that Luo Hao has been looking for.
"So you're here at last... Counting by our calendar, it was a hundred years ago. However, your exquisite methods, the godly skill you employed to subdue the dragon god that laid waste to Tokyo, are still fresh in my memory... Monkey divine monarch, Sun Wukong."
Sun Wukong has the form of a monkey with golden fur and red eyes that walks upright and is the size of an adult human.
"Hoh, a god slayer from my homeland, huh... While fighting you might be fun, this kin of mine who "summoned" us all here looks far more intriguing."
"...So many Heretic Gods!" Liliana muttered in shock.
"Why here of all places?!" Erica exclaimed.
"Wait... Didn't they say that they were summoned? Then that means..." Liliana said while biting her lips.
"Yup, his excellency must've summoned them to deal with them in one fell swoop~," Lucretia said nonchalantly.
"You summoned them here, Master." Nero said while giving Issei a side glance.
"Err, I kinda did but I didn't think that they will arrive so soon," Issei said.
"Ohhh, to think that I'm able to meet such a lovely maiden here out of all places!" One of the Gods who have the appearance of a handsome young man wearing white clothing, including a cloak said boisterously. He's riding a pegasus and he was referring to Nero who's clad in her white bridal outfit.
"Not only that, but you also wear a bridal outfit befitting of this great Hero! Truly beautiful!"
"Mu?" Nero frowned deeply at him.
The idiot of a self-proclaimed hero keeps talking on his own without realizing that he just overstepped his boundary.
"Allow me to introduce myself, beautiful maiden. My name is Perseus! To show your respect to the great name of the Dragon slaying warrior, I allow you to come by my side and serve me!"
Perseus flashed a brilliant smile, showing his pearly-whites teeth.
He was surely not your normal pretty boy, his smile both bold and charming. But all Nero felt for him is pity and also annoyance... Pity for this foolish idiot.
She glanced to her side and flashed a wry smile... Ah, as expected... Master is angry. She thought silently to herself. May you rest in peace, flamboyant idiot.
"While I want to continue our talk. It would be best if you stood back. The role of a young maiden is to stand by and wait to be saved by the hero, and offer her love to the victorious. It would be presumptuous of you to interfere any more than that! Now you just need to wait while I handle that-"
"Handle what exactly?"
"!!!"
Perseus's eyes went wide seeing the glaring red eyes in his front.
As expected of a former "Hero" his reaction isn't slow. A sword materialized in his palm.
It was over a meter long, its blade thick and heavy like a cleaver. A fitting sword for a hero, or so he claims.
At speeds beyond what Erica and Liliana's eyes could follow, his movements were like that of a meteor, terrifyingly fast. He slashed at Issei...
But Issei easily caught the sword with his bare hand and then he grabbed Perseus's face with his other hand.
He proceeds to slam Perseus's body down to the ground destroying their surroundings.
Thankfully Erica and Liliana have already evacuated the surrounding area or there will be casualties.
Issei repeatedly smashes Perseus's head to the ground again and again. Loud booming sounds repeatedly resounded that it even shook entire Italy. The people in Italy thought that it was an earthquake but Paolo and few others know that it was something else...
After a few moments, Issei lets go of Perseus's head which has already beyond disfigured. He couldn't be any deader at this point but Issei is not done yet.
Still not satisfied, Issei lifted his leg and stomped at Perseus's head yet again.
*BANG!!!*
Every single God in the vicinities gulped audibly at this display of power. Some even had their bodies shook and wanted to leave the location right away but their pride won't allow them.
The first half was just pure raw strength but that last stomp contain divine energy that made their body shiver to their very core.
Not only that, they can tell that Perseus was trying to use his divinity the whole time during his beatdown but it seems that his divinity won't activate no matter what...
They don't have the intention of helping Perseus since they wanted to see Issei's capabilities but it looks like they get more than what they bargained for.
"*Whistle* Now that's what I call a beatdown..." Sun Wukong whistled at the sight.
Even Luo Hao is having a cold sweat after witnessing Issei's action.
That sword of Perseus is indeed fast but she could still counter it. But as for that grab by Issei... She couldn't see it!
But that ferocity... Um, she likes it. Such tyrannical display is truly befitting for someone who defeated two <Campione>.
Once the dust settled, Perseus's body is nowhere to be seen.
All that's left is the giant crater where his body once was located.
Issei snorted and waved his hand to revert the surrounding back to normal. It's as if the destruction that happened earlier never happened in the first place.
"...Good for you two, looks like you won't have to worry about the damage," Lucretia muttered jokingly.
Both Erica and Liliana nodded dumbly at her words.
Issei then went back to Nero's side not giving the other Gods another glance.
"You're done venting your anger, Master?" Nero asked with a smile.
"I wasn't angry..."
"Sure you don't." Nero chuckled: "I wanted to continue our date but it looks like we won't be able to..."
"Why? We can just ignore them."
"I know we could but it won't be as fun. We can continue our date tomorrow, Master."
"Are you sure? We can go to another place if you want."
"Don't mind, don't mind. I rather we have another date tomorrow rather than finishing our date today." She said with a wink.
"Well, if you say so."
"Umu. Now let's go and finish your job here. Shall I give you a hand, Master?" She took out her sword and asked.
"Hm, why not?" Issei said with a thin smile.
"Please wait!" One of the Gods called out.
Both Nero and Issei looked at the God who just spoke.
"We are of the same... So why would you go on your way to kill your own kind, my kin?" A Goddess with the appearance of a 15-16-year-old girl with silver hair, long lashes, and rosy cheeks. She is the embodiment of maidenly beauty. However, her arms, legs, and lower torso are made of brass prostheses.
"A person as beautiful as you shouldn't contaminate your hand with the blood of your own kind." She said softly: "Come and join us, beautiful one." She activated her charm magic hoping to entice Issei.
"...<Open>, Nuptiae Domus Aurea! Sing, Fax Caelestis!" Nero slashed at the Goddess's direction.
*Slash!*
"...Eh?" The Goddess's body is bisected in half before she explodes in flame.
"Hmph! Did you think I'm nonexistent? Trying to seduce my husband right in front of my eyes. You're either brave or simply stupid!" Nero said in disdain: "Umu! Master, let's wipe them all!"
Issei shook his head at her declaration: "...Who's the one being angry now?" He whispered.
"While that woman just now did something foolish. Care to tell us why you start killing your own kind, your eminence?" A God with three eyes asked.
The rest of the Gods are also taking their distance from the fuming Nero.
"Bah, stop asking questions! Since when did our kind need a reason to do things? We can do whatever we want!" Sun Wukong said with a laugh.
"...While I agree with your answer, I still feel curious." The God said in return.
Even Luo Hao didn't think Sun Wukong answer is wrong since she also have the same view as him.
"Are you protecting these humans, perhaps? From how you reverted the damage you caused to your surroundings just now, it can be seen that you seem to care about these humans wellbeing." The God continues asking Issei but then he suddenly changes his attention to Luo Hao: "And you should also share the same view as us, don't you, God slayer? Human is not worthy enough to be in our presence."
"You are correct, I am the Ruler of the Martial Realm, the conqueror that none may oppose. My will is the will of the heavens and the truth of the earth. In my view, humans are undeserving of mercy or benevolence. From the perspective of the earth and the sky, it is debatable whether human existence is good or bad..." Luo Hao replied.
"Ugh, aren't they here for a fight? Why did they suddenly start asking questions instead!?" Nero said impatiently.
"Apologies, but it's just within my nature." The God said: "And we're not really here to have a fight with him... We were just 'summoned' here."
"Lies. You have clearly displayed your hostility towards us when you just arrived earlier." Nero pointed out.
Indeed, when they first arrived, they already used their divine energy to test Issei out. If he's weak then perhaps they would've already killed him directly.
"And Master was once a human himself, so of course he would care for them." Nero said nonchalantly.
"!?" Their eyes went wide in surprise.
"...He was a human?" Erica mumbled under her breath.
"Does that means he's a <Campione>? No that doesn't sound right either. If he's a <Campione> then the other <Campione> wouldn't call him a God. And his divine energy is nothing like the other <Campione>." Liliana thought aloud.
"Oh my... We clearly uncovered some of his secret, but why it feels like he become more mysterious instead?" Lucretia sighed.
"...You were once a human?" Sun Wukong said feeling intrigued than ever: "Hey, tell me how you're able to become a God! I mean I was an animal myself but seeing a human become a God is a first for me."
"I see that you Sun Wukongs have the same personality to certain extent." Issei said with one of his eyes closed.
"Sun Wukongs?" Sun Wukong tilted his head in confusion.
While he's confused, Erica, Liliana, Lucretia, and Luo Hao understand what Issei meant.
"There's also the Monkey Divine Monarch back in your world?" Luo Hao asked aloud.
"Of course," Nero answered in place of Issei.
"Back in your world? You mean you're not of this world?" The Gods said in surprise.
"Now this clear thing up... No wonder we don't have a single clue about your identity." The God with three eyes nodded in realization.
"Enough chit chat! And Master, until when are you going to hide your strength?" Nero said.
"Hmm, I was waiting if there will be more Heretic Gods appear here but it looks like this is it. Fewer than what I would expect but oh well..." Issei said with a sigh.
"Few? You're saying that all of us present can be considered few? Even a couple of us could easily annihilate this country with ease even with that God slayer present!" One of the Gods said in disdain: "That idiot you killed earlier is nothing but a weakling!"
Nero looked at this God with a look as if she's looking at an idiot. Weakling? As if you yourself could easily kill another God like that.
"Hmm, I guess we don't need to wait anymore..." The moment Issei released his aura, a tyrannical and domineering aura instantly surged out like a tsunami. The Gods felt as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss as a frightening and icy aura shrouded the entire area, leaving them immobile.
The Gods whose divinity related to <Dragon> immediately kneeled on the ground on their own.
"...This divine aura..." Sun Wukong face turned grim.
"Oi oi oi... Are you joking?" A carefree-looking God with a pair of horns said. Even though he looks carefree, his body could be seen trembling ever so slightly.
"Why are they kneeling? I know that this aura is out of this world but, don't they have any shame?" A prideful God with three heads and six arms said while resisting Issei's aura.
Issei's current aura obviously isn't at its full strength since if he releases all of his strength then this world would undoubtedly explode.
"Hnn... There's quite a bit of them that could realize Master's 'true' strength, huh?" Nero said while tapping her cheek: "Well, no matter. We can just leave those who are kneeling for later! Let's go, Master!" Nero also releases her strength to match Issei.
"Ou." Issei simply nodded.
The two husband and wife then went on a killing spree... Well, Issei didn't really do anything but Nero is.
Nero wildly danced on the battlefield, wherever she passes, there would be blood sprays out from the surrounding Gods' body. She repeatedly attacking again and again without end.
Her movement is very precise and on point, she doesn't let a single attack come close to her body.
"Fuhahahaha! Tremble before the might of this Nero Claudius! No... Call me Nero Bride instead! Umu, I'll grow stronger and more gorgeous than ever! Clear the way! The emperor is coming through!" She wildly laughed.
"You're not a bride anymore though..." Issei said wryly while flicking away a God who comes close to him.
"Shush, Master! Don't ruin my moment!" Nero said with a pout: "You don't think this is the right outfit for a fight? But a bridal gown by definition is a woman's battle garb... Just you wait, Master. I'll protect you like never before!"
Issei could only shake his head at her declaration. What protection? He's the man here so he should be the one who protects her. Well, as long as she's happy then Issei will just let her be.
Nero's sword's edge was wrapped in a burning flame. It appeared unexpectedly with a twisting flame tornado. The whistling of air ripping apart made them unable to help but cover their ears, and this attack of Nero split apart a couple of Gods in the process.
"What the hell is wrong with this woman!? How come even with our divine perception we still couldn't catch her movement!" One of The God who has her arm cut off shout out.
"And not to mention that our divinity is mostly useless! We can only rely on our pure strength and magical energy!" Another followed up.
"And that man... That man still hasn't made any movement..." They looked at Issei warily who only stood silently in the middle of the battlefield.
Issei is only observing Nero while he casually deflected any attack that comes his way. It doesn't seem that he has any intention of making an attack of his own.
"...Is he treating us as a training dummy for his woman?!" One of the Gods said through gritted teeth after realizing Issei's attention.
"Oh? You're smarter than I thought." Issei casually remarked: "You all are nothing but 'experience' for my wife. Try not to die so soon now." He lightly chuckled.
"You!"
"All of you down there! Why don't you help us! Stop acting so disgraceful!" They growled at the kneeling God on the ground.
"...Fool." Izanami muttered while sweating profusely: "You have no idea who you're facing with right now."
"Hah?! Who are you calling a fool!"
"...Milord, seeing that we are from the same homeland. Can you please let me go?" Izanami asked fearfully whilst still kneeling on the ground: "And if you still have to kill me no matter what... At least, please let me kill my husband first. And if you let me, I'm willing to serve you with everything I have!" Izanami said ignoring the God who's fuming in the background.
"Hm? We'll see." Issei said without much interest.
"Homeland? That Goddess should be Izanami no Mikoto... So does that mean his excellency is from Japan?" Liliana asked doubtfully.
"Seems like it," Erica responded.
"Do you know which Japanese God possesses such overwhelming power, Erica?"
"Who knows?"
"...You don't seem to be so shocked at this revelation, Erica."
"What's the use of getting surprised over every single thing that's related to him? It would only make you look dumb." Erica said with a shrug.
"True, I guess..." Liliana said with a groan.
"Well, setting that aside... The Emperor Nero Claudius seems to be having the time of her life over there. Should we join them, Lili?" Erica asked jokingly.
"Stop being so carefree all of the sudden... And as if we can participate in that chaos." Liliana berated.
"But that's the correct mindset though. The more you try to pry into his excellency secret the more you become at a loss." Lucretia giggled.
"You all seem to know about him quite a bit..." Lu Yinghua whispered.
"""No no, not at all.""" The three of them said at the same time.
"In fact, we're the most confused of them all, young hero Lu." Erica said.
"...Oh." Lu Yinghua said with a sweat.
"..." Luo Hao is observing the ongoing battle above her with a clenched fist. She's really itching to join the fight!
"So, wanna fight, God slayer?" A voice called out to her.
Luo Hao looked in front of her where Sun Wukong can be seen standing freely.
"While you're indeed my target, I'm curious why didn't you tag along with the other Heretic Gods to fight 'him'?" Luo Hao asked.
"Fight him? Kahahaha! What a funny thing to say." He laughed out loud.
"What's so funny?" Luo Hao frowned.
"As if confronting him could be called a fight! It will only be a one-sided slaughter at most." Sun Wukong said nonchalantly: "Perhaps if I were to fight his wife I still could have some fun even if I were to lose but him? Nah, I'll pass."
"You're afraid of him?" Luo Hao mocked.
"Eh, you could say that." Sun Wukong said in an aloof manner.
"..." Luo Hao frown deepened seeing Sun Wukong admitted it so easily.
"So what's your call?" Sun Wukong asked once again.
"...While I'm tempted to fight you right away. That Heretic God piqued my interest more." Luo Hao said while looking at Issei in the sky.
"Oh, is that so..." Sun Wukong lifted his staff and sit on the ground: "Ah, but let me correct you a little bit. 'He' is not a Heretic God."
"Hmph, Heretic God or not, he's still a God. That makes him my enemy." Luo Hao snorted.
"True to your title, I see... Well, I can respect that." Sun Wukong then didn't say anything else. He spectated the ongoing "battle" above him silently.
"...Godking!" Luo Hao shouted.
Since the other Gods basically feared him, calling him King of Gods seems suitable. And that imposing manner could only belong to a King which makes him a 'King' just like her! Luo Hao reasoned inside her mind.
But looks like the title that she come up with also made a number of arrogant Gods thought that she's talking with them.
"Hm?" His shout garnered the Gods' attention along with Issei.
"We forgot that there's a God Slayer nearby... Should we kill her first?" The Gods started to discuss between themselves.
"If you want then go ahead."
"Tch, you're clearly waiting for an opportunity."
Ignoring the other Gods who's bickering with each other, Luo Hao continued speaking towards Issei: "I request a duel between just the two of us!"
...
"So this is the adventurer's guild?" Ryo looked up to the grand building in front of him.
"Affirmative."
"...Isn't it a little too big for an adventurer's guild?" Ryo said with a twitch of his face.
"This is considered normal considering the owner of this guild. And it's not only adventurer's guild available inside this building."
"Right..."
Ryo cautiously entered the building and saw the interior bustling with business.
Human, Beastkin, Dragonewt, Elves, Fairies, Demons, Lamia, Harpy, etc. All sorts of adventurers belonging to different races can be seen roaming around the building.
Ryo once again felt unreal with the scene he's seeing. This is truly the isekai that he has been looking for... Too bad he has no cheat or his life will be complete.
"Hey, that guy... Is he another reincarnator?"
"Looks like it. The way he looks so clueless and how he keeps looking around is a dead giveaway."
Some of the onlookers whispered when they saw Ryo who looks clueless.
"Hey, rookie!" One of them called out.
"Huh?" Ryo glanced to the side where a group of people can be seen.
"You look like a beansprout! What is your intention for coming here!" They surrounded him menacingly.
"I-I want to register..." Ryo said with a gulp.
"Heh, is that so?" They grinned wickedly at each other.
"We're willing to show you the ropes for a certain amount of fee." They made a gesture with their hand and Ryo could tell that they're basically asking for money.
"If you know what's good for you then you better accept our offer." One of them with a mohawk styled hair said.
I-Isn't this the typical template for isekai novel out there?! To think that it happened to him out of all people... Ryo thought bitterly to himself.
"Oi, looks like those guys are at it again."
"Huh? Oh, you're right. Are they not bored doing the same thing over and over again?"
Other adventurers whispered to each other.
Ryo who's backed into a corner couldn't help but think if there's someone who will be able to help him.
"Hehehehe..."
They continued to grin wickedly while still surrounding Ryo.
Is the money he just received earlier going to be forfeited just like this?! Such misfortune!
