Chapter 31: Rage of a Beast, Deicide in Netherworld

Everything was normal during the night in Japan, especially near Tokyo where Ray's mansion is nearby. People are either returned home after a tired night or busy with their nightlife when suddenly everyone across the world feels goosebumps creep under their skin. They didn't pay any attention to it because it might just be a random occurrence, maybe something happened to the earth's magnetic field due to a solar flare or something.

For the magically attuned folks however is a different case. They can feel the great evil like Satan just descending on earth after opening the gate of hell. The one closest to the epicenter, Japan, is the most affected one as few even fainted immediately while those of other countries felt the weaker shockwave of evil energy.

For the first time in history that the whole supernatural world is panicked and scrambled to find out what just happened. This definitely isn't a descendant of an evil heretic god, this is something more primal that every magically attuned human can feel.

They can feel the harbinger of apocalypse had arrived and descended on earth. However the presence soon vanished like it never happened which made them even more panicked because this thing can hide its presence. It might be lurking among the humans right now, finding a chance to prepare before it strikes the humans.

The Campiones across the world also felt it and for once joined together to solve this mystery. This definitely isn't a heretic god and definitely is worse than a heretic god. The Campiones have great instinct which allows them to gauge their enemies and to better read the flow of the battle. This is unarguably their strongest strength because it is the ability that allows them to survive when fighting against superior enemies like a heretic god and win. However their instinct told them this time that this enemy is beyond a heretic god and anything they ever fought before.

…

[HCC Headquarter]

"What.. just happened…" One of the 4 advisors says while looking at her colleagues that also just woke up and disoriented.

Sayanomiya Kaoru massages her temple while trying to get a grasp of the situation.

'Did this be an attack from a heretic god?' She asks herself before denying that conclusion because the headquarters are still in one piece and none of their wards are triggered.

'Perhaps it is an aftershock of a heretic god's descent…' Without concrete proof she cannot jump into conclusion. Kaoru quickly orders the people that have already recovered to quickly check other regions too and gather information of what just happened.

She is the only advisor present currently in the Tokyo headquarter since the other advisors also have their region to handle. She quickly gave a call to check on other branches too and only Kyoto responded that they have similar experience. The other two probably still have not yet recovered.

Suddenly she felt light headed before her nose bled and entered a trance state. Her subordinate nearby quickly stop and waited for the prophecy to be passed down while few went to get the medical personnel for Kaoru to get treated after the spirit vision ended.

Not just Kaoru who received a spirit vision, all other Hime-Miko or priestesses across the world receive the same grim prophecy.

——

The one who crowned as King of Demons,

The crown less King who bore the six billion curse born from humanity,

The one who bore All the World's Evil,

An avenger who born from the corrupted wish of man(Alaya),

Once dormant now awakened,

The Beast of Calamity that bear the sin of vengeance,

The Beast of Retribution are awoken,

The gate of hell are opened,

The sins of humanity will turn into curse,

The curse will be the tool for retribution,

Its cursed ichor will consume the world.

——

The same prophecy is stated by everyone that has Spirit Vision ability across the globe and it plunges the world into chaos. They didn't hesitate and quickly sought their respective Campione or leaders to deliver the prophecy.

However, the Vision from Princess Alice is slightly different.

——

The human(?) who crowned as King of Demons,

The crown less King that shoulder the six billion curse born from humanity,

The one who selflessly bore All the World's Evil,

An protector who born as an avenger from the corrupted wish of man(Alaya),

Once dormant but awakened by the divines god,

His maidens was abducted by the God of Travel,

The Beast of Retribution that bear the sin of vengeance,

The Beast is enraged and thus lost his reasoning,

The armageddon is here,

The Evil of Humanity he bore is under his will,

The curse will be his weapon of vengeance,

The cursed ichor he bled will consume the world into a purgatory of flame.

——

Once the prophecy from Princess Alice is released to the supernatural world, the panic escalated immediately. Many scholars tried to decipher the prophecy and even collaborated together after knowing the severity of the problem.

The few keywords shed light to the situation which immediately show who the culprit is. Netherworld became the main blame because it stated that 'Once dormant but awakened by the divines god,'. The gods became the suspect and 'God of Travel' did narrow down to none other than Hermes, the God of Travel.

Those associations that have guardian deities immediately contact them to ask for information. Look and behold, the news of the Greek pantheon being attacked by a monster is spreading like wildfire amongst the gods in the Netherworld.

Due to the distortion of time, more time had passed in the Netherworld. Only a few hours passed in the mortal world and almost a day had passed in Greek's Land of Gods. Few gods tried to communicate with their believers in the mortal world and supplying information.

The most significant news they received from the gods is, the Greek's Land of Gods is gone. The entire place is now on fire, the black mud drowned the world, everything the mud touches is combusted into flame and the people turn into husks or bones, preying on the living. As the prophecy said, 'The armageddon is here,' and 'The cursed ichor he bled will consume the world into a purgatory of flame.'

The Netherworld is in unrest because the disaster is now bleeding over to their land. Gods band together to fight against the 'Beast' at first but not much joined because they think they are safe and didn't need to worry about it. Only a few weaker gods that were either interested in a challenge or simply adventurous went on the subjugation but until now, none had returned.

Only when the disaster bled over to their land that they started to take the problem seriously. Massive recruitment of gods, heroes, mythical beasts, etc is put up to resolve this disaster.

Their main concern is the culprit of the disaster, Hermes. Despite the help of multiple gods with major or minor divinity in divination, Hermes cannot be divinate as if he was hidden or no longer within the universe. Hermes didn't have the ability to hide from this much divination attempt which means he either has a collaborator or simply fled the universe.

The latter one is the one they wanted to avoid the most. Thankfully the only one that has the ability right now denied that she helped Hermes. Madame Aisha who held the Fairy's Corridor corridor authority which is the only authority that can send someone out of this universe.

…

[Ray's Mansion]

"How far has the damage reached?" Ishtar asks with a gloomy face.

"Greek has fallen, Roman almost fallen since Ray is there right now because Mercury is one of Hermes' incarnations. The other nearby pantheon is only facing his cursed mud and horde of undead that follows." Nyx reports the results of her reconnaissance in the Netherworld.

Everyone is in low spirits because there is no other way to wake Ray up without capturing Hermes first. Last time this happened in the Danmachi world, Ray only stopped after being severely weakened and exhausted. During that time, it was his first Advent and he lacked power and control which exhausted him faster but this time, he is way better in every aspect from his last Advent which means exhausting him is very hard especially with a dragon core that keeps supplying him with mana.

However, the dragon core isn't the real reason he cannot be exhausted but it is the cursed mud, the All the World's Evil is the main reason as each victim devours into the mud, their power is also absorbed by Ray which makes his rampage unstoppable.

Everyone except EMIYA and Nagato who joined the first attempt to calm Ray down in Netherworld tried to negotiate with Black Iri to stop or at least slow Ray's rampage. However their negotiation failed because that 'bitch' said Ishtar is encouraging Ray to rampage and supporting Ray.

[Flashback]

"Iri, please stop Ray. He already destroyed enough right? The Greek pantheon already turned into flame and the other pantheon didn't antagonize Ray at all." Ishtar who was accompanied by Ereshkigal, Nyx and Artoria said.

"Unfortunately no, after all the time waiting for this moment. The moment finally arrived where I can finally live for my purpose, to grant my master's wish. I will make sure to fulfill his wish even if I have to face you all. He wishes to destroy everything that wronged him and I will fulfill that wish." Black Iri said with a wide smirk on her face that irritates Ishtar. Black Iri then raises her arms. "The world will be consumed by the black mud and it will fulfill his role as the Beast of Retribution. He will deliver his retribution to the world that had wronged him."

Black Iri then burst into laughter as her body sank into the curse mud below her feet. "Aren't you all his companions and lovers? You should be supportive of him like me or perhaps your feelings for him are that weak?" Black Iri continues to taunt them until she fully vanishes into the black mud.

"How dare you bitch!" Ishtar is the first to explode into anger. " I care none of this world at all, I just afraid he would be regret when he wake up from that murderous rage and be even more hurt!" The other three hold Ishtar back and Nyx opens a portal back to the mansion because their plan to persuade Black Iri had failed.

[Flashback End]

"Haah…" Ishtar sighs before dropping her body on the sofa and looking at the ceiling.

"Um, how about Artoria? She is seeking help from Ray's sworn brother, Doni, right?" Ereshkigal asks which Ishtar said still no response, either Artoria didn't find Doni yet or something had happened to delay her.

"We didn't have someone to trust for now, if they discover that the Beast that is terrorising the Netherworld is Ray, there will be repercussions. Although I doubt his identity will stay hidden when it is using GoB freely. There is bound to be someone that can recognise those weapons." Ishtar replied before scratching her head again.

"By the way, any news from Alayashiki?"

"None for now, she refuses to do anything but wait. She even rejects our idea to summon a Grand Servant to help subdue Ray." Ereshkigal said before she shrink away after seeing Ishtar explode into another anger.

"Damn that brocon goddess, does she not understand the severity of the situation? Is she going to justify his rampage and allow it?" Ishtar jumps from her seat and storms away to find Alayashiki, leaving only Ereshkigal and Nyx looking at each other.

…

Almost all Campione assembled in Japan, the epicenter of the evil presence. The other half that are missing are Aisha, Doni and Artoria. Aisha is definitely unreliable if needed because her authority might throw her to another age or dimension without her consent while Artoria is meeting Doni to inform and hopefully acquire his help to subdue Ray instead of killing him.

"Her Eminence Luo Hao, Marquis Voban and John Pluto Smith. What can our association do for you?" Amakasu is sweating hard with the lineup of his guests.

Amakasu received request from the Tokyo headquarter to greet the three Campione by Lady Nagato who assume command in headquarter after Sayanomiya Kaoru is incapacitated from the strong backlash of Spirit Vision.

"Spare me nonsense and tell me what happened during the initial explosion of evil intent." Luo Hao demanded, although quite respectful since normally she would just waltz into their headquarters and extort them. She might be very arrogant and see her as above all but she will show some respect to her fellow Campione and two of them now own Japan as their territory.

"My apologies, your eminence but all of us are knocked out during that moment. One of our kings had departed to seek Lord Doni and another…" Amakasu gulped and wanted to say Ray is missing but the pressure Luo Hao put on him almost choked him to death.

"I don't take lies lightly. Tell me the truth or I will kill you." Luo Hao said with anger visible in her voice.

"Your eminence, please don't resort to violence. I will take care of this." John Pluto Smith said before quickly drag Amakasu away and whisper something using magic ability to prevent eavesdropping.

Amakasu made a quick phone call before nodding to John and John informed the two other god slayers that they will go to the Tokyo headquarters.

When they entered the vehicle, it was a silent and awkward 30 minutes ride in the limousine until they arrived at Tokyo headquarters. People are scrambling left and right and they are heavily understaffed.

Apparently a few smaller groups of magically attuned groups went and fanned the rumours of an apocalypse which was supported by the Spirit Vision to make profit and cause chaos. The HCC is severely understaffed to send agents to suppress and silence those troublemakers.

When the Campione trio entered the command center for the HCC, they were greeted with Doni, Artoria who they didn't recognize but able to feel is Campione, 2 goddesses and a few other interesting individuals. Doni and Artoria are able to arrive very fast because Ishtar lends Artoria her Maanna.

The situation became tense when the three Campione met face to face with the two goddesses. Doni quickly calms the Campiones.

"Wow, calm down first. They are friendly so there is no need to resort in violence." John Pluto Smith is a pacifist and easily agreed but Luo Hao and Voban didn't immediately agree.

"What are their needs to be here? They aren't even Japanese gods to be this land's guardian deity." Marquis Voban sneered.

"Ah, Lord Ray is quite eccentric even as a Campione whose task is to slay god." Amakasu quickly comes up with an explanation when Ereshkigal is too timid to talk while Nyx simply doesn't care because those god slayers can't even hurt her if she wants.

"Eccentric you say?" Luo Hao asked with raised eyebrows and was very interested in the reason.

"Yes, Lord Ray has goddesses as companions and even has two goddesses as his lovers." Amakasu explained.

"No, Milord has six lovers and three of them are goddesses." Artoria corrected while shamelessly adding herself in.

(Ishtar, Ereshkigal, Nagato, Tiamat and Haruhime are official while for Artoria, Ray didn't 'officially' state it yet. Alayashiki is one sided. Bella is still pending coz not old enough. Tiamat is a goddess of primordial ocean and chaos in the Campione world.)

Artoria's statement met with multiple wows from the people except Voban.

"To think one of my siblings has such an achievement to conquer his enemies into his lovers." Luo Hao said since she didn't know that the goddesses didn't come from this world. "No wonder I didn't feel the attraction to fight them like a heretic god does." She expressed the weirdness of these goddesses in front of her and dropped the issue.

"Regardless, we are investigating the source of the problem which led us to Japan where the initial explosion of evil intent. We hope you all can shed light to us about it without hiding the truth." Luo Hao said while eyeing Amakasu who lowered his head since he unintentionally exposed that he has the information but is reluctant to share.

Ray's lovers and former prisoner all look at each other. They are indecisive if they should expose the truth because they might decide to kill Ray to end the problem. Only Doni and of course Artoria agreed to only subdue Ray instead of killing.

While they are still being indecisive and the Campiones is impatient to get the informations, Doni with his well known trait of doing stupid moves decide to just spill the truth.

"The monster in the prophecy is none other than my sworn brother, Ray." Doni said proudly while showing his puffed chest. "He is the one rampaging in the Underworld right now after Hermes kidnapped two of his lovers."

The girls are surprised by the unexpected 'betrayal' of Doni while the Campiones are also equally shocked that the monster that is terrorising the gods is none other than their adoptive sibling.

The girls are ready to retaliate if the Campiones will attack them or take them as hostage against Ray, however after a few seconds of tense waiting, neither of the Campiones attack them and Luo Hao smiles instead of attacking them.

"Hoh, to think our most recent adoptive sibling is this strong to dare attack the Netherworld, the main home of gods." Luo Hao praised with a big smirk on her face. "Not even this eminence dared to fight more than two gods and he stormed the land of gods where there are more than a few dozen gods."

The inhabitants of this world are currently oblivious to what had happened in the Netherworld other than tidbits of information shared by their gods. Even then the information is inaccurate because the gods want to be looked as strong and will not risk being looked as weak and lose their believers faith. Only Susanoo is sharing the true story that shed light to the true magnitude of the destruction but only to Ena Seishuuin who serves Susanoo and has close relationships like a granddaughter and grandfather.

John Pluto Smith didn't voice any opinion and his(her) expression is hidden by the mask on his head. For Marquis Voban, he only releases a grunt before losing interest on the matter while under his facade he is also praising Ray like Luo Hao.

"Since this adoptive brother of mine has such an illustrious achievement under his belt, I decided to make him my sworn brother too." Luo Hao said while nodding to herself.

The girls release a collective satisfied sigh when the problem is resolved peacefully. Doni also give them a thumbs up and a smile with a comical bright shine on his pearl white teeth.

"You all seem to forget what Campione was. We are a devil king that slayed a god. We are supposed to be domineering and unrestrained like my brother." Doni said while Luo Hao expressed her approval of his statement.

"Indeed as Doni said, the gods have it coming for daring to kidnap my sworn brother's lovers. Even I would be disappointed if he stayed passive if this happened to him." Luo Hao added.

Seeing the conversation is being sidetracked, Voban attempts to bring back the conversation and ask the important questions.

"Our task is to track down the culprit, Hermes and save Ray's lover before we try to wake him up then? Also, was any of you goddess able to enter the Netherworld and keep track of Ray?"

Artoria tells them that one of her 'sisters', Tiamat, is currently in the Netherworld and keeps them informed about Ray's movement. Then informed them that another one of their sisters, the actual one that thinks of herself as sister, Alayashiki already secured help from a capable person to find Hermes.

That help managed to be secured only after Ishtar literally fought tooth and nail verbally with Alayashiki to make her budge and eventually accepted to temporarily summon Sherlock Holmes to search for Hermes. Along with Ishtar help and surprisingly Athena who willingly arrives to help, they are now working hard to deduce where Hermes is hiding.

"So, we have to wait for now and let the experts do their job huh." Doni said while being disappointed because the wait was going to be boring. "Artoria! Let's have a duel while we wait." Doni immediately suggested another ridiculous plan of his.

"I rather conserve my energy for when it is needed." Artoria quickly denied.

"How about we have dinner first? It's almost 7 pm and we already prepared a banquet for the exalted guests." Amakasu said while rubbing both hands like a suspicious insurance agent trying to sell their products.

Everyone nodded and agreed to the suggestion since they had nothing to do for now until they got the lead to Hermes' location.

—————

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(Note: sorry there is no perspective on Ray which I purposely did since it would be boring and very little to write about. I wanna focus a bit on his companions and give them some action.

Don't worry if you want action from Ray's side because he will get his part but simply be more focused on the girls. If disappointed then I apologize)