Chapter 04: Ethereal Realm

Author's note. 

Quick note for those who have already read previous chapters and haven't seen the edit, Unique Skills can't be named after Gods, only Ultimate Skills can be. So I changed Haphaestus to Machiavellian as it sets in with Kiyo's personality as well. Same as Great Sage with Rimuru. That's it. Enjoy the chapter. Also, this is how Kiyo looks here. 

(Kiyotaka Ayanokouji)

As we traversed the verdant, lush green meadows atop the swift-footed direwolves, our destination laid in the metropolis of dwarves. Our purpose was to enlist skilled dwarves to contribute to the betterment of the infrastructure for the village that was being presided by Rimuru, housing Hobgoblins and Direwolves. 

While I possessed the ability to fulfill this task, I deemed it prudent to abstain from any involvement to prevent arousing suspicion.

After manipulating the alpha of the direwolves, I employed my Transmutation abilities to supplant his recollections, implanting my words as his own cogitations---his subconcious thoughts and expunging any memory of his encounter with me. 

This decision proved astute in light of recent revelations.

As it turned out, Rimuru had a formidable skill of predation. Through the act of devouring, he could not only assimilate various proficiencies from the obtained skills but also shape-shift and peruse certain recollections---fragments of memories. 

My alliance with Rimuru would enable me to shield myself while augmenting my might to a degree that none would dare to impede me. However, this meant that I hid my tracks well enough to never raise any kind of suspicion. 

As we set out on our journey towards the dwarven capital, Gobta's guidance proved invaluable. 

I had my eyes set on the star-wolf before. Although as Rimuru possesses the coveted star wolf now, my interests had shifted towards a particular entity that had previously escaped my attention.

Upon further contemplation, I realized that this entity held great potential for my endeavors. Regrettably, as an unnamed being myself, I am unable to name this elusive quarry. Nevertheless, I have resolved to prioritize its capture and assimilation into my sphere of influence.

Indeed, the pursuit of this entity promises to yield immense benefits, and I am determined to seize this opportunity. But I think I should do something about the name first.  

"Rimuru." 

The mere utterance of Rimuru's name caused a hush to descend upon the gathering of goblins and wolves. They all turned to look at me, their eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. The monsters had come to view Rimuru as their deity, worshipping him with unwavering devotion. Addressing him by name was a blasphemous act in their eyes, one that was met with contemptuous glares and scowls.

My gaze fixed on Ranga---Rimuru's loyal wolf companion, who flinched under my piercing stare. His eyes darted away from mine, unable to withstand the intensity of my gaze. There was something in my eyes... a power that was not in my control. 

It was clear that my transgression had caused a stir among the gathering, and I could sense the tense atmosphere that hung over us like a thick fog. 

"Oh, now. Calm down everyone. He helped us all survive the attack. So, he doesn't have to be so formal with me." Rimuru said, trying to calm down the situation. 

"Yes, Master Rimuru. I am sorry for acting in a rash manner in front of you." Ranga said, looking at me from the corner of my eyes. 

"So... what was it that you wanted to talk about?" Rimuru asked as I got closer to him. 

"I can't go inside the city with you. I have an important task to do. So, you can go without me." I said as Rimuru got down from Ranga. 

"But why? Do you not want to stay with us anymore?" He asked. 

"I will be back once you're done inside. I will be waiting outside the city gates for you in three days." 

I said that but I wasn't sure if I was able to come back alive or not. The cost of doing so was unknown, but I had died once. The fear of death was nothing in the first place. I knew that whatever was calling me wasn't dangerous in any sense. If anything, I could feel the intrigue of whatever entity observed me.  

"Hmmm. Ok, I understand. We will meet you in three days east of the city gates. Is that ok?" Rimuru asked, his voice much cheerful than before. 

"Sure. I will be going now." 

"Take care." Rimuru said as I walked away from there. I could feel Ranga's stare at the back of skull. 

Should I take care of him? 

"Machiavellian. Is there a skill in my possession I am unaware of?"

[Answer: You have a passive skill 'Soul Plunder.' The skill activates on its own once you've striked enough fear in the heart of anyone.]

"And what happens after?"

[Answer: A seal of submission is branded on the soul itself. It can be used to obtain utmost loyalty from anyone or if you want, a near-instant or a prolonged-torturous death]

"That would explain why the woman in the cave died by looking at me." I said to myself. 

[Caution: Interference in space-time detected. The entity from before is trying to establish connection. Do you wish to allow the connection?]

Taking in a deep breath, I opened my eyes, "Allow." 

The world around me appeared to convolute, as though the fundamental structure of reality was contorting before my very eyes. My body became limp, and I felt my consciousness begin to drift away from me. In the midst of this surreal experience, a dire admonition was delivered to me by "Machiavellian," warning me of impending danger. Before I could even attempt to process this ominous message, everything went pitch-black, plunging me into a void of darkness.

The atmosphere was fraught with an aura of impending doom, a sense of inevitable catastrophe that loomed ominously over me. As the world began to warp and twist, I felt a strange sensation of detachment, as though I was no longer entirely present within my own body.

All at once, my consciousness was snatched away from me, and the inky blackness of the void closed in around me like a suffocating shroud. I was left alone in this void, adrift in a featureless expanse of nothingness, with no sense of direction or orientation to guide me. The world as I knew it had been stripped away, leaving only a sense of profound disorientation and unease in its wake.

As the engulfing obscurity descended upon me, I found myself ensnared in its suffocating grasp, plunged into a world devoid of light and color. 

Once a vibrant lush green expanse---my surroundings had transmuted into a desolate wasteland, wrought with torment and despair. 

It was in this hellish landscape that a malevolent figure appeared before me, clutching a witch-ball in his grasp.

With a sinister cackle, he spoke, his voice oozing with sadistic pleasure, "Kufufufu. Marvelous, simply marvelous. It appears as though I will have the pleasure of entertaining myself for quite some time. Welcome, to the Spiritual Realm."

His words dripped with malice, causing a chill to run down my spine as I gazed upon him. The atmosphere was rife with tension, the very air thick with a sense of impending danger. I knew then that I was trapped in a perilous and otherworldly realm with this man and his evil machinations.