[100] Surprising and Dangerous Encounters

Chapter 100: Surprising and Dangerous Encounters

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"Couldn't we have gone flying? Can't you fly?" Yuzuru asked, her tone brimming with impatience. "Why would you use public transportation when you can fly!"

We were inside a mostly empty bus, with seats that were worn and the hum of its engine a constant background noise. I looked at the little girl with a raised eyebrow as she kept talking.

"How am I supposed to carry both your sister and you without looking indecent? I mean I don't mind carrying your sister in my arms, but…" I stared at her.

"Ugh, w-whatever!" she snapped her head to look outside the window with her arms crossed.

Shoko giggled beside me. The two sisters sat to me on either side, with Shoko on my left, as she leaned into my shoulders.

 "She's too interested in magic and the supernatural," Shoko murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe it's because she's still quite young?"

"Nah, it's perfectly natural. Nowadays, interest in the supernatural and magical is quite common." Superhero movies started popping off two decades ago, and though it lost its hype for a bit during the 2020s, it had regained its fire recently. Along with supernatural movies in general. The new generation was a lot more interested in these. I guessed Shoko wouldn't know since she must have rarely seen movies.

 "Do you want to catch a movie next weekend?"

"Tomorrow?" She perked up. Tomorrow was Sunday.

"How about after that? I have got a date tomorrow." A second later, I realized I shouldn't have said that. She frowned at the air and looked away.

I decided not to comfort her and enjoy the silence instead. The bus continued for two more minutes before we got off.

* * *

As we continued our walk, the bustling city gradually gave way to a more serene, residential area. The streets were lined with neatly trimmed hedges and blossoming cherry trees. Each home we passed seemed to outdo the last in elegance and design, which spoke volumes about the neighborhood's class.

We had to walk from here since naturally buses couldn't enter this neighborhood. Yuzuru was shocked by the scene, "I should have expected it, but you are rich!—if you are living in this neighborhood… No wonder you called us poor!"

"What the- I didn't call you poor." I shot the little girl a shocked look as I flicked a finger on the back of her head.

With an 'ouch!' she glared at me but I ignored her and focused on Shoko.

"By the way, since you're a part of the Sect now, I should be teaching you magic soon. We can do that movie date and I can teach you there." I said and her face went flushed.

"D-date…?" She looked away from my eyes and played with her hair. "Well… i-in that case, next Sunday is fine."

"Hey, I wanna tag along! I can't let you be alone with Shoko, you'll take advantage of her." Yuzuru suddenly snapped at me and continued, "And what's that Sect thing? Can I join?"

"You're too young to join," I said, glancing at her. "And, let's be honest, a bit too short."

"WHAT?! That didn't just come out of your mouth-!" Yuzuru attacked me, but how could I let a little girl disrespect me? I held her head with a hand and she couldn't take a single step forward.

As I did that, I decided to check her body condition. She was very excited to learn magic, and it's as if I couldn't teach her if she had the affinity to.

"Oh," I blinked, genuinely surprised. "What is this, you have the weakest magic affinity I've encountered." In recent times, anyway.

"Liar! Liar." She glared at me, not believing me at all.

"But worry not, you have decent spiritual veins. Black Flames Veins…? Seems like it." Humans with special elemental veins were rare, which should be especially true for this planet. But I suppose since her sister had enough magic to store a Sacred Gear, she wasn't normal either. 

Personally, magic affinity and spiritual veins didn't matter to me. Neither did it matter when I chose to train someone. Due to my expertise, I could overcome the type of affinity my students had. But there was no need to do that if it was strong enough already. Black Flames are strong.

I hummed, "I can teach you Martial Arts if you're willing. But not next Sunday. How about you don't third-wheel the date?"

Her eyes lit up with a spark of hope and determination. "Alright, deal! But if you're lying, I'll give you a good beating!"

Shoko's blush deepened a little knowing that the date wouldn't be interrupted, and she'll be alone with me. Unfortunately for any dreamy expectations she might have, I don't plan to touch her during the date.

….

Finally, we reached our destination. The Hoshino mansion stood proudly at the end of a cobblestone path, its architecture a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese design and modern luxury. The exterior walls, painted a warm, inviting cream color, were complemented by dark, lacquered wood trim. Lush greenery surrounded the house, with a meticulously maintained garden featuring a small, burbling koi pond, adding to its beauty.

Yuzuru and Shoko paused for a moment, their eyes wide with awe as they took in the sight of the abode. The house's imposing entrance, adorned with intricate carvings, seemed to beckon them in, while the soft glow of lights from within hinted at the luxurious warmth and comfort that lay beyond its doors.

I stared at it too but for a different reason. After a while, I let out a sigh and moved to the house just by our side, equally high class. The two girls followed behind me as I rang the bell and waited.

The door opened, and a yawning Tsubasa appeared. "Who is-" she started before her eyes snapped open at my sight. She stared at me for a second, then at Shoko, before she processed the situation and launched herself into my arms.

"Stupid Aqua, You know how worried I was when I heard you ran off somewhere? Why haven't you replied to my messages?!" she demanded with a frown and a pout. "Just how much did you two fight that you had to leave your home? And even if you had to leave, you know I live just here. Why did you go out to find some other place instead of coming to me?"

The two girls behind me knew Tsubasa from school, though they probably had no idea that my cousin and I were this close. I kissed her head and hugged her back.

"I needed some time alone too," and from the looks of it, the time alone did me good. Shoko's Sacred Gear had noticed my mood change last time in school, but this time she hadn't. Well, naturally, since I got a flashback of my Emmanuelle. It's hard to be sad or mad after remembering her.

"Are you back now…?" She looked into my eyes, unsure. She was doubtful since I had come here instead of returning to my own house. 

"I'm not," I said honestly. I moved to the side a little to let Tsubasa notice Shoko and her sister. "I'm here to talk to Ruby about letting Shoko join B-Komachi. I think her singing talent surpasses all the members we currently have."

Tsubasa blinked. "Oh. Hello, Shoko, and Yuzuru. Uh, please come inside, we should discuss this with a cup of tea."

"Nah, we gotta leave again right away," I stopped Tsubasa from dragging us in. "Can you just call Ruby out? I need to talk to her first. I'm sure she wouldn't have objections to my recommendations, but I'll give her a demonstration too. By the way, where are uncle and aunt?"

"They're asleep," she said with a frown. "You're lucky they are. They are pretty mad at you. Well, both you and A- your mother." She stopped when she realized she had almost name-dropped Ai in front of two outsiders. "Anyways, I'll go call Ruby. Wait here."

"Yeah," I nodded as Tsubasa ran out of the house.

A silence fell upon us. A moment later, Shoko couldn't stop her curiosity. "I… didn't want to ask since it's personal, but is everything alright between you and your mother?"

"It's not… Not at all." I rubbed the back of my head and didn't expand on that. She had the sense to not ask for details.

* * *

Ruby appeared just a minute later. She looked mad, as expected, but contrary to my expectations, she leaped into my arms instead of continuing to glare at me.

"Hey," I greeted her as I hugged her back. Tsubasa did me a favor by dragging the two girls inside her house. Ruby put a Bubble of Silence around us before speaking.

"I feel cheated," she said and raised her head, looking into my eyes. I felt nervous, had she found out that I was Gorou?

Logically speaking, there was no real reason to feel nervous. In the first place, I hid it from her because to me, Gorou's memories felt foreign—barely any emotion attached to it. I was entirely the Venerable One back then, and couldn't be bothered dealing with a clingy child.

Now though, my memories were more vibrant. The damage that the Order of the Crimson Abyss had done was mostly repaired, and so my 10th life's memories came with memories attached to it. I didn't mind Ruby - Sarina - finding out my identity, even if she would be a lot more clingier than ever.

"All these times, I held back from asking you details about your life because I didn't want to give you details about mine. But what's this, you always knew who I was, you read my mind, didn't you?" she said while I blinked. "Let me read your mind too! It's not fair otherwise, you cheating asshole!"

Aha, so she hadn't found out. I suppose this explanation made more sense to her than me somehow, conveniently, being her last life's (one-sided) lover. Plus, even if the possibility might have occurred to her, she didn't want to believe that Gorou was dead. Gorou's current status was Missing - a small Google search showed that, something that Ruby had done. The body was tossed down a mountain and into a cave, so it was unfound to date. Ruby wanted to believe that he was alive somewhere.

"Well," I hesitated. She just asked to read my mind, and I could show her a glimpse. 

But was this the right time…? I can't even live in the same house with her, so she'll miss me like crazy—knowing that I was alive, yet not beside her. She might even want to come with me, leaving Ai behind, though I'm not exactly sure. Plus, I'd have to tell her about my other life too for things to make sense to her.

"No, let's put that for another time," she cut the silence and looked deep into my eyes. "Since you saw my memories anyway, I don't have to be ashamed to ask this or burdened too. Consider this payment for reading my mind without permission, okay?" She had a request. Her eyes trembled, "Will you… help me find Doctor Gorou?"

"...." No, at this point if I hid the truth from her only to reveal it later, it'd be a crime to this poor child. It doesn't matter if this isn't the right time, I'll make it be. 

"Ruby."

"Yes?"

"Gorou is dead."

"...." Ruby stared at me blankly, before her face drained of color, her eyes welling up as she processed my words. A second later, she pushed me back immediately. "Watch your mouth! How dare you say that, you bastard! Stay away from me."

I yanked her closer and grabbed her face, "It's kind of dumb that I have to kiss for this, but, I have proof. Proof about not just that, but something else. Forgive me." I said and pulled her into a kiss. 

As I couldn't use magic, I couldn't simply cast a spell to show her my memories. I had to use my [Soul Reflection] for it but to share it with someone else, I had to 'connect' with them. Kissing was the 2nd best way for that connection, and before anyone asks what the 1st best way is, I'll just say it's a lot more intimate.

Ruby struggled, angry at me, angry at the man who dared to claim her love of life, the only person who was by her side till the end, was no more. Until my memories began to flash through her brain.

Her struggle stopped. Ruby stared into my eyes with her body limp as I carefully chose what to show her. I couldn't make the same blunder I did with Koneko, so I started by showing her Gorou's memories with her. Then memories after her death, where Gorou, as a grown-up man, had cried. I showed split but important flashes until my very death, where I was stabbed to death.

Ruby was crying by then, tears trailing down her cheek, yet her ruby-red eyes were filled with affection as she stared into mine. I decided to give her a glimpse of my life as the Emperor of Mankind, just to prove to her that I hadn't lied before. I could only show 5 seconds before I was interrupted.

"This bastard!" a hand yanked me away from the kiss by the collar until another fell on my cheek. Sounds of continuous, endless slaps filled the air as a screaming Ai hit me. Ai had arrived unnoticed, my attention wholly absorbed by the flood of memories. "That's your sister! You gross lunatic!" Each of her sentences were accompanied by a slap. "You couldn't take your mother, so now you are after your sister?! And here I was feeling regretful for you!"

While it's understandable that she'd misunderstand the situation given what she saw, as well as since Ruby was crying, I felt my ears heat up in anger. Luckily, the Bubble of Silence covered the entire front yard, so these accusations didn't reach outside ears.

I scowled deeply, about to stop her hands, but someone did it before me. "D-don't you dare hit him!" Ruby jumped into my arms, protecting me, as I fell on my back with her on top of me. Ruby glared back at Ai, "Leave us alone, you don't know anything, you stupid woman!"

Even I was taken aback by her outburst, I had never expected Ruby to say something like that to Ai, whom she always treated like a Goddess. Ai herself looked devastated hearing that from her only child whom she expected good treatment from all.

'Huh, what a mess.' I sighed while Ruby hugged me tightly, so tightly that I doubted a normal human would have died. She wept as she buried her face into my chest, and Ai looked at the scene, confused and hurt.

Though my anger had slightly abated, it wasn't enough for me to extend any comfort to her at that moment. I'll do that later, it's not as if we don't have time on our hands. She needs to learn-

The world came to a halt.

My danger senses screamed like a Red-Level tsunami warning, and my instincts moved to touch an unconnected Icon. This will leave my body in shambles, and chances are I might even die. I have talked about how connecting to too many Icons in the Underlord Rank might cost me, and now it was serious. But my mind proceeded with that information later and connected with the Icon first.

"Arghh-!"

The [Time Icon] manifested over my head—no, it had already manifested a while ago, that's why the world had paused to begin with. It wouldn't last for long, I knew, even as blood burst out of my ears and nose. I pushed Ruby out of the way and leaped toward Ai, to her away from the attack's path.

A sharp, elongated arrow made out of pristine white divinity was rushing toward her, and I knew for sure her entire existence, down to her soul, would be consumed by that. I was the only one who could stop it, and I tried. But it was too late, the Time Icon was blinking out of reality, and my body was too wrecked to handle it. I forced it to stay and managed to push Ai out of the way.

I sighed in relief until I realized the Time Icon has had enough as it blinked out, and left me directly on the arrow's path.

The Divine Arrow hit me in the chest, slamming me into the wall behind me with a loud thud that cracked the wall. I spat out blood but my eyes remained focused, I grabbed the arrow and pulled it out. It began to erode, unable to consume my soul, as a peal of laughter left my lips.

"Who… who is it?!" my voice boomed, despite my body's condition. I summoned the [Crown Icon], failed, and then forced it to appear anyway. It bloomed into a dark coronet, as my hair went black and my eyes turned a fiery red. 

This was like using drugs to appear stronger, while it'd only harm my body in the long run, but I had no choice. I had to annihilate the bug that dared to attack my home before I fell.

My [Aurelius Bloodline] power unfurled like an invisible, expansive net. Tendrils of Qi, thinner than strands of hair, radiated out from me in a pulsating wave. They reached outward, permeating the air and the ground, extending my senses far beyond the limits of flesh.

Everywhere these tendrils touched, I became attuned to the world in an extraordinary way. I could see without seeing, hear without sound, feel without touch, and smell the very essence of the environment. I could feel the unfelt. It was as if the world around me became an extension of my own body, a vast sensory network that connected me to the smallest vibrations of life and matter.

A few hundred meters away, atop a small hill barely visible to the mortal eyes, the tendrils of my bloodline power made contact. I immediately found the culprit there. Amidst the quiet rustling of leaves and the gentle pulse of the earth, I felt the presence of a strange tree. It was not just a physical sensation but a deeper, more profound awareness. The tree stood out like an anomaly in the natural order, its essence different and unsettling. The culprit was there, hiding in plain sight, within the tree. Or the tree itself? 

My senses honed in on it, every fiber of my being focused on this singular point, ready to unveil the hidden threat that lurked within. I glared at it. "You? A tree?!" I knew who it was, it didn't take a genius to figure that out.

My feet blurred against the ground, and suddenly I was in front of it. The tree's spirit trembled, as if alive, and an 'essence' escaped it. I was too unstable to stop it, so I let out an attack to burn it asunder instead. 

Summoning the depths of my dark Crown, I reached into the realm of Limbo, where the rules of reality bend to the will of the mighty, I pulled out a skill from the Path of the [Hollow King]. 

With a gesture, I called forth the [Hollow King's Spear, Dance of the Starlit Sky] – as a wave of power left me, burning all my Soulfire, and a million ghostly spears, each a shimmering phantom, forged overhead.

The sky above Tokyo transformed into a luminous white canvas, as the Spectral Spears materialized, covering the expanse with their spectral glow.

The spears hovered ominously, before in unison, a million points of light rushed toward a single fleeing enemy. The blades descended, tearing through the veil between the physical and the spiritual, striking the fleeing essence, the part of a God's soul, with unerring precision. Each hit was a thump of spectral energy, resonating through the realms, inflicting wounds not just on the physical form but deep within the spirit of the entity.

The sky lit up with the brilliance of a thousand suns, each strike a call back to the power I once wielded. The Hollow King's Path was the blandest, yet most powerful of all, especially against souls. It was the greatest treasure in the first world of my 9th life, my first introduction to the 'Path' power system.

The essence, unable to withstand the onslaught, wailed in agony as it suffered injuries that transcended physical boundaries, the very core of its being under siege. 

As the last of the Spectral Spears found their mark, the essence faltered, its energy dissipating under the relentless assault. The spectacle above Tokyo slowly faded, leaving behind a silent testament to the battle that had transpired – a battle where the line between the physical and the metaphysical was blurred, showcasing the might of the Spectral Spears.

That little soul had been eradicated, dealing much unrecoverable damage to the main soul, and the battle had ended. But I couldn't celebrate.

The [Crown Icon] vanished, and I fell to my face.

More than the damage the arrow did—which amounted to almost zero; after all, how could a mere tree do me damage?—my own Icons had harmed me more. My body was too weak to handle the weight of the Time Icon, and then I went ahead and used a powerful ability from my Crown Icon.

I was on the verge of death, my breathing was barely there as I tasted the soil under my face. I'm unsure if I'll survive even with immediate medical support. To make it worse, I didn't know anyone in this world with enough medical expertise who could help me in this state.

I had backup plans for this type of situation, but my consciousness gave in before I could try any of them.

At least… I hadn't failed the Time Icon this time. 

I've saved her.

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