Rising through the Omniverse as a Herrscher

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After accepting the quest, Masachika's attention shifted back to the group before him. They remained oblivious to his fleeting interaction with the system, their smug expressions unaltered, exuding an air of overconfidence that bordered on arrogance.

Noticing that the group's attention had shifted away from her, the girl seized the moment and moved to take cover behind Masachika. Her voice trembled as she pleaded softly, "P-please, help me."

"Don't worry," he replied calmly, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the group of thugs. "I was about to do just that. So, could you please take a step back?"

The girl nodded at his steady tone and took a cautious step back, doing exactly as he instructed, her trust placed in the figure now standing as her shield.

"So, how's this going to go? Are all of you coming at me, or should I come to you?"

Masachika taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.

One of the men, visibly enraged by his words, snarled and charged forward. "Die, you bitch!" he roared, swinging his fist wildly at Masachika.

Masachika effortlessly sidestepped the attack, his movements fluid and precise. Before the man could react, Masachika grabbed his arm and slammed him to the ground with a bone-jarring thud.

"Gak!"

the man wheezed, the air knocked out of him.

[Defeat the Aggressors (1/5)]

Masachika straightened, his gaze sweeping over the rest of the group. "So, who's next? Or are you all gonna chicken out?" he challenged, his tone calm but laced with cold confidence.

The remaining thugs hesitated, their bravado faltering as they exchanged nervous glances, unsure of whether to advance or retreat.

"If not… then I'll come to you!" Masachika declared, his voice sharp and unyielding.

In a flash, he surged forward, closing the distance in mere seconds. Before the thug could react, Masachika's fist drove into his gut with precision and force, leaving him gasping as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

[Defeat the Aggressors (2/5)]

He of course controlled his new found strength or his hand would just pierce through his stomach very easily.

"Wh-why, you... Die!!" another thug yelled, rage fueling his reckless charge as he prepared to attack Masachika head-on.

Just like before, Masachika dodged the attack effortlessly, his movements seamless and precise. In the same motion, he delivered a swift chop to the back of the man's neck. The thug staggered briefly before crumpling to the ground, unconscious.

[Defeat the Aggressors (3/5)]

The remaining thugs froze, their confidence now replaced with fear. Masachika straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his hands as if the scuffle so far had been nothing more than an annoyance.

"Well? Who's next?" he asked, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable edge of menace.

The remaining thugs exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions betraying the fear that surged beneath their bravado. As Masachika took a deliberate step forward, they instinctively recoiled, the last vestiges of their confidence evaporating in an instant.

Before any of them could muster a response, Masachika surged forward in a blur of motion. His fist collided with the gut of one thug, the force of the blow lifting him off the ground for a heartbeat. The man crumpled to the earth, unconscious long before he could even hit the dirt.

[Defeat the Aggressors (4/5)]

After seeing the thug fall he then look to the last one and said.

"so, you are the last one."

"You bastard!" the last thug shouted, desperation in his voice as he drew a knife and lunged toward Masachika. The blade gleamed in the dim light, slicing through the air with deadly intent, aimed directly at Masachika's chest.

"Look out!" the girl cried out, her voice laced with panic.

But Masachika didn't even flinch. With a fluid sidestep, he effortlessly caught the man's wrist mid-swing. A swift twist of his arm sent the knife clattering to the ground, harmless.

Before the thug could react, Masachika spun, delivering a precise kick to his side. The impact sent the man crashing into the dirt, the force of the blow enough to knock him unconscious in an instant.

[Defeat the Aggressors (5/5)]

Masachika exhaled, shaking his hand loose as he glanced around at the motionless bodies scattered on the ground.

"And that's all of you,"

he muttered, his tone indifferent, as if dispatching the group had been nothing more than routine.

Masachika then turned around and said.

"its over now. your safe."

"T-thank you," she stammered, bowing deeply.

Masachika gave her a small nod, then glanced at the unconscious thugs sprawled around him. The girl glanced at the thugs lying unconscious on the ground and asked,

"Umm, are they okay?"

Masachika looked over at the thugs, then back at her. "Oh, don't worry. I just knocked them unconscious."

"I see. Thank goodness," she sighed, clearly relieved.

Masachika couldn't help but feel a bit bewildered. Here she was, someone who had just been almost dragged into something dangerous, yet she seemed more concerned about the thugs' well-being than her own. It struck him as odd.

"You should get out of here before they wake up," he advised.

Masachika then turned around and walked away, and the girl before she get out of here, then yelled out to him and said.

"T-thank you for saving me! I'll be sure to show you my gratitude!"

Masachika who heard this just waved his hand, and continue walk toward his home.

He then see the Quest.

[Quest]

[Defeat the Aggressors (5/5)]

[Ensure the safety of the young lady (1/1)]

[Do you want to submit the Quest?]

"yes"

I said, tapping the confirmation.

[Quest has been submitted.]

Just as Masachika was about to check the reward for completing the quest, a sudden pulse, almost like the beat of a heart, echoed inside his body.

"Wha—what is this?" he muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion as he instinctively checked his body for any changes.

Then, a new prompt appeared before his eyes, startling him even further:

[Congratulations, you have acquired Unawakened Heart Tool.]

Masachika stared at the message, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. The strange sensation in his chest seemed to sync with the pulse he felt earlier.

"What… Unawakened Heart Tool?"

he repeated, the words barely registering in his mind. The very idea of receiving such an item was enough to leave him speechless.

He knew exactly what a Heart Tool was—and just how overpowered they could be. Heart Tools were abilities tied to emotions and hope, reflecting the strength of the user's heart and their emotional state. The catch was that if the user had lost all hope, the Heart Tool became useless.

The process of acquiring a Heart Tool was shrouded in mystery. It wasn't something that could be obtained through sheer force or effort; it had to be bestowed by someone the user truly cared about—someone who could touch their heart in a way no one else could. And, most importantly, it was limited only to humans. Any other race was completely excluded from the possibility.

This raised a crucial question: how had he, a Herrscher and no longer fully human, managed to acquire one? He knew that, as a Herrscher, obtaining a Heart Tool should have been impossible. After all, Alice had attempted to give one to a demon she cared for, only to fail. If it couldn't be done then, why was it possible now?

But then again, if it could make him stronger, he figured it didn't matter. He'd take it, regardless of how impossible it seemed.

He speculated that the Heart Tool might function similarly to a Sacred Gear from this world or a Unique Skill from Tensura, but there was a critical difference. Unlike those, the strength of a Heart Tool wasn't fixed—it was directly tied to the intensity of the user's emotions. The stronger their emotions, the stronger the Heart Tool became. And the most unsettling part? There was no upper limit to how powerful those emotions could grow, meaning the Heart Tool had virtually no bounds. In terms of potential, it was practically broken.

So a weak Heart Tool can become the strongest weapon if the user raises its proficiency to its limit and possesses a strong will or intense emotions. The true strength of the Heart Tool is directly tied to the user's emotional growth, making it a potential force to be reckoned with, no matter its starting point.

There was also a unique mechanic tied to these tools: proficiency. A Heart Tool's true potential couldn't be unlocked immediately. It took time, training, and the accumulation of proficiency. As the user continued to push their Heart Tool, its effectiveness grew. Over time, the Heart Tool would evolve, its duration increasing with each improvement.

The only way to increase the proficiency of the Heart Tool was by using it regularly—at least once a day.

Once the Heart Tool reached its peak proficiency, it would undergo a final transformation—evolving into its Ultimate Battle Form, known as a Trump Card. This was the Heart Tool's true, most powerful form, shaped and refined through emotional growth and experience. In this form, the Heart Tool gained the ability to slay innumerable gods.

Though the Heart Tool's Ultimate Battle Form is incredibly overpowered and broken, it comes with a very heavy condition for activation. The first condition, of course, is proficiency—the Heart Tool must reach its peak level of mastery. The second condition is more personal: the requirement for activation varies from person to person. This is why it's called a Trump Card—it's only used when the user is backed into a corner, with no other choice but to unleash its full power.

Masachika glanced down at the prompt again, his heart racing with a mix of confusion and excitement. The Unawakened Heart Tool—was it really just waiting for something to trigger its power? Or perhaps it needed him to forge an even stronger bond, to push his emotions to an extreme he hadn't yet reached.

What form would his Heart Tool take? A weapon? An ability? He wasn't sure yet. But one thing he knew for certain: his emotions were now the key to awakening it, as it was intrinsically tied to his heart. The tool would be shaped by the depth and intensity of his feelings, growing stronger with every surge of emotion.

"Haha, hahaha. It seems that helping her was a big boon for me,"

Masachika said, a grin spreading across his face as he placed a hand over his chest, feeling the pulsating rhythm of his newly acquired Heart Tool. The sensation was surreal, a steady thrum of energy that seemed to resonate with his every heartbeat, each pulse sending a jolt of power through him.

He couldn't help but chuckle at the twist of fate. His actions, was just want to kick their asses, had led him to something far greater than he had anticipated. The Heart Tool—this mysterious new power—was bound to be an asset.

Masachika continued walking toward his apartment. When he arrived, he noticed a petite woman standing in front of his door. She had green, wavy hair that fell gracefully to her shoulders, with a few strands framing her face. Her eyes were striking—a mesmerizing pink and green gradient.

The moment Masachika saw her, he immediately recognized her. Klein, Mobius's assistant. He realized Mobius must have sent her after discovering an unknown energy in the blood sample and skin tissue he had provided.

Masachika recognized her instantly—Klein, Mobius' assistant. The realization hit him hard. He had known this moment would come sooner or later, especially after Mobius had discovered the unknown energy in his blood sample and skin tissue. However, he hadn't expected her to act this quickly.

'Figures… Mobius overworking her assistants hasn't changed at all,'

he thought, stifling a sigh.

She turned her gaze toward him and spoke, her voice calm but purposeful.

"Are you Masachika Kuze?"

"Ah, yes, that's right. I'm Masachika Kuze,"

he replied, his tone polite yet cautious. His neutral expression gave little away, though his mind was already racing with the implications of her sudden appearance.

"And you are?"

"I'm Klein. Pleased to meet you, Kuze-san," she said with a slight bow, her voice calm and composed.

"The pleasure is mine," Masachika replied, offering a faint smile. "So, what brings you here?"

"Would it be alright if I borrowed some of your time?" Klein asked, her gaze steady yet respectful.

"That's fine by me," Masachika said. "But let's discuss this inside. I'd like to take a shower first—if that's alright with you."

Klein nodded without hesitation. "Yes, that's fine by me."

Masachika gave a small nod in return and unlocked the door, only to be greeted by another familiar presence—Belfast, waiting just inside.

"Welcome back, Masachika-sama."

"Mm, I'm back, Belfast," he replied with a brief smile.

Belfast's gaze shifted to Klein, and she raised an eyebrow. "I see that you have a guest, Masachika-sama."

"Yes, this is Klein."

Klein bowed her head slightly. "Pleased to meet you."

"Please to meet you, too," Belfast responded with a polite smile.

Masachika glanced at both of them and then spoke. "Belfast, could you serve her some hot tea while I take a quick shower?"

"As you wish, Masachika-sama," Belfast replied, her voice calm and dutiful. She turned toward Klein. "If you'd follow me, Klein-san."

Klein nodded, following Belfast as she led her to the living room. Masachika, meanwhile, made his way to the shower room.

After a few minutes in the shower, Masachika stepped out feeling refreshed. He quickly headed to his room and changed into casual clothes, preparing for his conversation with Klein.

Once dressed, he made his way to the living room, where he found Klein sipping tea that Belfast had prepared for her. The scene was calm, though a subtle tension lingered in the air.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting, Klein," Masachika said as he approached.

"It's fine. I'm the one who suddenly asked for your time," Klein replied with a polite smile.

"I see. Then, what exactly is it you want to talk about?" Masachika asked, though he already had a good idea of the topic.

Klein placed her cup down gently before responding. "Dr. Mobius and Dr. Ruan Mei would like to meet you, Kuze-kun."

"I see…" Masachika murmured, his brows furrowing slightly as he fell into deep thought. He was familiar with Mobius, but the mention of Ruan Mei caught him off guard. He hadn't expected her to exist in this world, let alone express an interest in him.

"Can I take some time to think this over? I will tell you once I have think it over." he asked after a pause.

"Of course," Klein replied, pulling out a small card. "Here's my contact information if you decide."

She handed it to him with a calm yet expectant expression, waiting for his decision.

"I believe that's all I needed to ask of you," Klein said as she stood from her seat, her movements graceful and precise. "Then, if you'll excuse me."

"Ah, yes. Please, take care on your way back," Masachika replied, offering a polite nod.

Masachika watched Klein as she made her way to the front door and quietly left his apartment. Once the door closed behind her, he leaned back on the couch, still holding her contact information in his hand.

"Sigh... so much has happened today,"

he muttered, exhaling deeply. From the unexpected events at school in the morning to Klein's sudden visit, it had been an overwhelming day.

As he tried to collect his thoughts, Belfast approached with a tray in hand, gently setting down a cup of tea before him.

"Please drink this, Masachika-sama. It will help you relax," she said with her usual calm demeanor.

"Ah, thank you, Belfast,"

Masachika picked up the cup and took a sip, immediately widening his eyes at the unexpected deliciousness of the tea.

"Delicious."

"Thank you for the praise, Masachika-sama."

The soothing effects of the tea quickly washed over him, easing the tension he'd been carrying. However, the oddly potent calmness made him pause, a subtle sense of unease creeping in as he wondered about the tea's true nature.

A growing suspicion crept into his mind, and a sense of unease followed. Setting the cup down, he glanced at Belfast and hesitantly asked,

"Belfast, what kind of leaves did you use to brew this tea?"

With her signature composure, Belfast responded,

"Oh, it was made using the leaves of the World Tree."

The words hit Masachika like a thunderbolt. His head fell forward onto the table with a loud thud.

*Thud!*

"Belfast..." he groaned, his voice muffled against the table. "You can't just casually use something like that for tea! Just like with the Drink Energy you made using the Fruits of the World Tree! Where the hell do you even get those?!"

Belfast remained unfazed, her calm demeanor unwavering as always. She simply gave him a small bow.

"Masachika-sama, I assure you, all ingredients are carefully sourced to ensure your safety and well-being."

"I know, I know you're doing this for my well-being..." Masachika sighed, rubbing his temples as a headache began to form. "But please... this is too much for me. First, it's the fruit, and now it's the leaves. How the hell do you even get those? Are you growing them or something?"

He tried to joke, but the next thing Belfast said made him slam his head into the table even harder.

"yes, I'm growing them in a Separate Dimension that I have created Masachika-sama."

When he heard that, his head slammed into the table with such force that it split in two. The tea on the table was launched into the air, but Belfast, with remarkable precision, caught it mid-flight, not a single drop spilling.

"Are you serious?" he groaned.

"yes, I'm serious."

He groaned again, the frustration clear in his tone as he heard it once more. The weight of everything that had happened that day, compounded by the revelation about the World Tree, was beginning to overwhelm him. He leaned back against the couch, pressing his hands to his temples as the headache grew more intense, his mind struggling to process it all.

Just as Masachika was about to stand up and retreat to his room, planning to skip dinner, he suddenly heard a voice from the side.

"hai, hai, Brother! are you here?"

"sorry for barging in Masachika-sama."

Masachika turned toward the source of the voices and saw Yuki and Ayano standing there, as if they had appeared out of nowhere. Immediately, he could tell that their arrival was due to Ayano's power as the Herrscher of Void.

For Ayano to be able to use the Authority of Void so effectively, despite only acquiring it last night, and teleport here so smoothly was nothing short of impressive in his book.

He could have done the same as her right now, but he decided to focus on building his physical strength first. Gaining physical power was far more difficult compared to using the Herrscher's abilities, and he knew that true strength came from a well-rounded foundation, not just relying on the sheer force of his Herrscher powers.

"I see you've already figured out how to use your Authority of Void, Ayano," Masachika remarked, raising an eyebrow in acknowledgment.

"Yes, Masachika-sama. I asked Belfast-sama this for help in understanding how to use it this morning," Ayano replied, her expression calm and respectful.

"I see…" Masachika murmured, glancing at Belfast. He hadn't expected her to provide guidance on the matter.

'Well, I suppose it makes sense. Belfast would know how a Herrscher uses their Authority,'

he thought to himself, nodding slightly in understanding.

"Sigh... Well, what brings you guys here?" Masachika asked, feeling exhausted.

Yuki, with a smile on her face, replied, "Well, I was thinking of showing you something I made using the Authority of Truth."

"Huh? What did you make?" Masachika raised an eyebrow, curious despite himself.

"Just watch, Trans-- "

"Wait!" Yuki began, but before she could finish, Masachika cut her off.

"If you want to show me something, first I have a question. Is it bigger than this room?"

"Yes. Probably."

"I see. Belfast, can you expand the space inside this room?"

"Yes, Masachika-sama."

With that, Belfast raised her hand, and the space within the living room expanded, growing to the size of a baseball stadium. Masachika, Yuki, and Ayano watched in awe as Belfast's power unfolded. Ayano, as the Herrscher of Void, carefully observed each of Belfast's movements.

Once the expansion was complete, Belfast spoke.

"It is done, Masachika-sama."

"Thank you. You can continue now, Yuki."

"Alright, Trans—form!"

At her command, her body was enveloped in a brilliant light, and highly advanced armament materialized, covering her from head to toe. Even her casual clothes transformed into a sleek battlesuit, enhancing her presence with an air of power.

Masachika recognized it instantly. It was the same battlesuit and armament worn by the original user, Bronya, as the Herrscher of Truth in the game. Yuki then turned to him, a smug grin spreading across her face, clearly pleased with herself.

"So, what do you think? Pretty cool, right?"

Masachika, exhausted from everything that had transpired, barely mustered any enthusiasm.

"Yeah... very cool, I guess."

His tone was flat, his mind too preoccupied with the events of the day to engage with her excitement.

Yuki, noticing the lack of enthusiasm in Masachika's response to her transformation, pouted and crossed her arms. She deactivated all the armament she had just deployed, leaving her only in her battlesuit. Her voice, now tinged with a hint of a tantrum, echoed her frustration.

"Moo, is that all you can say? You could at least praise me for being able to do this after getting the Herrscher Core last night!"

Masachika sighed, clearly not in the mood to indulge her.

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry, but right now, I'm not in the mood to praise anyone. Because Someone just gave me an outrageous item that's giving me a headache, even though a Herrscher is supposed to be immune to that kind of thing."

He shot a begrudging glance at Belfast, who seemed a bit bothered by his look.

The two finally noticed the table split in half, and Yuki, curious, asked, "Brother, what happened for the table in front of you to be split in two? And what's this item you're talking about?"

Masachika sighed, glancing at Belfast. "Well, why don't you explain it to them, Belfast?"

He turned his gaze to Belfast, who then began explaining everything: the World Tree she was growing, the fruit she had harvested to create the energy drink, and the leaves she used to brew the tea. Once she finished, both Yuki and Ayano were left just as stunned as Masachika had been earlier.

"Wha—what? Is that a joke? Ayano, are you hearing this right?"

"U-un, yes. Yuki-sama," Ayano stammered, clearly taken aback by the revelation.

Yuki and Ayano exchanged a look, both of them processing the absurdity of what they had just heard. The gravity of the situation settled in, and the once playful atmosphere grew tense as they tried to comprehend the magnitude of what Masachika and Belfast had just shared.

"What did I tell you? The reason I smashed the table is because of how absurd and outrageous all of this is."

"Y-yeah. It's very absurd and outrageous."

Yuki rubbed her temple, trying to soothe the sudden headache she was feeling.

"Thinking about this right now is giving me a headache."

"Finally, someone understands what I just went through."

Masachika sighed in relief, grateful that someone else finally acknowledged the sheer absurdity of the situation and everything he had endured.

"Brother, buy me a drink to cure my headache!" Yuki demanded, her tone both insistent and whiny.

"You want me to go out now to buy you a drink?" Masachika asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Un! Come on, chop-chop. This headache is still pounding in my head," she said while massaging her temples dramatically.

"You…" Masachika let out a heavy sigh. "I have zero motivation to argue, so fine, I'll go buy you a drink."

"Yay!" Yuki cheered, her mood instantly improving.

"Geez… so what's your order?" he asked, already mentally preparing himself for her answer.

"Well, since it's already nighttime and coffee will just keep me awake, I guess I'll just go with a milk tea," Yuki said, her voice still slightly whiny as she continued to massage her temples.

"A milk tea, huh? Fine. Anything else?" Masachika asked, already grabbing his wallet and keys, resignation clear in his tone.

"Hmm, maybe add some pearls to it. Oh! And make sure it's not too sweet!" Yuki chirped, her headache seemingly taking a backseat to her excitement about the drink.

Masachika sighed, already regretting agreeing to this. "Alright, milk tea with pearls and not too sweet. Got it. Ayano, do you want anything?"

"N-no, I'm fine, Masachika-sama," Ayano replied politely, though her eyes briefly darted toward Yuki, who was now humming happily despite her supposed headache.

"Alright, I'll be back soon," Masachika said, heading toward the door.

"Got it, Brother!"

Yuki replied cheerfully, her earlier headache now completely forgotten.

Masachika headed out to buy Yuki's drink, muttering under his breath about how he always seemed to get roped into her whims. After a few minutes of wandering the quiet streets, he finally picked up the drink she wanted.

While he was out, he decided to make a quick stop at a nearby pharmacy. He grabbed some headache medicine, figuring it would be a wise investment given the increasingly absurd and outrageous events that seemed to plague his daily life.

As his gaze lingered over the shelves, his hand hesitated before picking up a box of stomachache medicine. He couldn't quite explain the reason, but a gnawing feeling in his gut told him it might come in handy sooner rather than later. With a resigned sigh, he added it to his basket and made his way to the counter.

After purchasing the medicine, Masachika strolled through the quiet streets, the soft glow of streetlights barely illuminating his path. As he walked, he noticed a shrine nestled among the trees. The area was dim, shrouded in shadows, so he activated his Extrasensory Perception to read the name inscribed at the shrine's entrance.

When the name registered in his mind, he froze mid-step, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Pfft!! What the hell?!" he exclaimed, nearly choking on his own spit.

There, boldly written at the Tori Entrance of the shrine, was the name Amagami.

"Why is Amagami here in Tokyo? Shouldn't it be in Kyoto?" Masachika muttered, his confusion evident.

From what he knew, the Amagami Shrine was supposed to be located in Kyoto—a place steeped in history and mysticism. In this world, it should logically be situated in the region governed by the Yokai.

His brows furrowed as he stared at the shrine, trying to reconcile this oddity with his understanding of both this world and the shrine's significance.

"Is this an off-branch of the Amagami Shrine or what?" he muttered, still trying to piece the situation together.

As Masachika pondered, his Extrasensory Perception suddenly registered something—a faint presence nearby. It wasn't coming from within the shrine but lingered just outside its perimeter.

He focused for a moment, gauging the presence. Sensing no hostility, he decided to leave it alone. His mind was already weighed down, and he wasn't in the mood to overthink things. With a dismissive shake of his head, he resumed his journey home.

Unbeknownst to him, as he exited the shrine's vicinity, the bushes near the perimeter rustled softly. Emerging from the shadows was a young woman with long black hair tied in a low tail. The most striking detail about her was the fox mask she wore, concealing her face and lending her an enigmatic aura. She was clad in a traditional shrine maiden's attire, which, combined with her masked appearance, made her seem almost otherworldly.

"Phew..." she muttered softly to herself, her tone one of palpable relief. "It seems that boy didn't come here with any ill intent. If he had... I shudder to think what might've happened to this shrine."

She glanced in the direction Masachika had gone, her masked visage unreadable, before retreating silently into the shrine grounds, her form blending seamlessly into the shadows of the night.

After a few minutes of walking, Masachika finally arrived at his apartment. The familiar sight of the building brought a subtle wave of relief, a welcome escape from the day's chaos. Unlocking the door, he stepped inside to find Belfast waiting for him, as composed and graceful as ever.

"Welcome back, Master," she greeted him with a gentle bow.

"Yes, I'm back, Belfast. Where's Yuki and Ayano?"

"She's still in the living room, waiting for you, Master," Belfast replied smoothly.

"I see," Masachika murmured, a flicker of anticipation crossing his face.

Masachika kicked off his shoes with a quiet sigh, the weight of the day's events pressing down on him. As he entered the living room, he noticed that the space had returned to its original state. His gaze immediately shifted to the table at the center of the room. It was the same table that had been split clean in two during the earlier commotion, yet now it stood whole and intact. The surface gleamed softly under the light, its flawless repair so meticulous that he couldn't help but pause, momentarily impressed.

Still, something about the table felt… off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. A fleeting instinct urged him to ask, but he decided against it, brushing the thought aside.

Shifting his gaze, he spotted Yuki sprawled out on the sofa, her posture relaxed and carefree. She was no longer clad in her battlesuit but had changed into casual clothes—simple yet stylish, exuding an effortless charm. Lying on her side with her legs lazily crossed, she was engrossed in a manga, holding it up with one hand as if nothing else in the world mattered.

Standing quietly beside her was Ayano, ever composed, patiently waiting for her next order. Her posture was impeccable, a perfect contrast to Yuki's laid-back demeanor, as if she were a sentinel ready to fulfill any request at a moment's notice.

When she finally noticed his presence, she tilted her head slightly, a playful smile forming on her lips.

"Ah, welcome back, brother," she said casually.

"Yes, I'm back. Here's the milk tea you ordered."

Masachika handed her the drink he'd been carrying, and Yuki sat up slightly, accepting it with an eager grin.

"Yay! Thank you!"

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, waving off her enthusiasm. "So… are you going home, or what?"

Yuki pouted, puffing out her cheeks in mock indignation.

"Sheesh, can't I at least stay here for a while?"

"Then… did you at least tell them that you're here?" Masachika asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Nope," Yuki replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of her milk tea that Masachika give to her.

"Wha—" Masachika froze mid-sentence, utterly dumbfounded. "You didn't tell them? Seriously?"

"Why bother?" she said casually, leaning back against the sofa. "They'll figure it out eventually."

Before he could respond, Yuki let out a contented sigh, lowering her cup with a satisfied smile.

"Phua! That hit the spot! Thanks for getting this for me, Brother!"

Her cheerful grin caught Masachika off guard. For a moment, his irritation faded, replaced by a faint smile he wasn't even aware of.

"Yeah, whatever,"

he muttered, turning his gaze aside to hide the hint of warmth creeping onto his face.

"Well, I'll be retreating to my room to get some rest," Masachika said, already heading toward the hallway.

"Un. Good night, Brother," Yuki replied with a soft smile.

"Good night, Masachika-sama," Ayano added with a respectful nod.

Masachika nodded in return, not pausing his stride, and soon entered his room. After closing the door behind him, he made his way to the bed. The moment he lay down, his eyelids grew heavy, the exhaustion from the day catching up to him. Within moments, he fell into a deep, restful sleep.

===============================

In the Stigmata Space, Masachika slowly opened his eyes. He sat up, taking in his surroundings and realizing he was once again in this strange, ethereal space.

"Hah… seems I'm back here again,"

he muttered under his breath as he got off the bed. Stretching his arms above his head, he shook off the lingering grogginess.

He made his way out of the room, heading toward the area where the Cocoon of Finality was housed. But as he stepped outside, his gaze fell upon something utterly out of place—a massive gate, standing tall and incongruous against the otherwise serene surroundings of the Stigmata Space.

"Well, that's… unexpected," Masachika murmured under his breath, staring at the gate in disbelief.

Masachika turned around, expecting to see the room he had just come from, but to his surprise, there was nothing—only the Japanese gate and the Cocoon of Finality stood in the otherwise empty space.

"Wha—where is it?"

he muttered, his voice tinged with confusion as he continued to scan the area.

As he looked around in bewilderment, a faint sound caught his attention. He turned his head toward the source of the noise, his eyes widening as the gate slowly creaked open.

When it was fully ajar, a powerful gust of wind blasted through the air. Masachika instinctively shut his eyes, bracing against the intensity. The wind howled, the force nearly pushing him back.

As the wind finally died down, he opened his eyes again—and what greeted him was a breathtaking sight. Before him stood a Grand Shrine, its majestic architecture rising in the distance, surrounded by an aura of tranquility.

A deep, commanding voice echoed from within the gate, its power reverberating through the air.

"Come in, Masachika Kuze."

The voice was overwhelming, yet somehow familiar. Masachika hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities.

Is this the voice of an Awakened Stigmata—or worse, Herrscher personalities?

The thought flickered through his mind. If it was the latter, it could prove useful. After all, such beings would have intimate knowledge of Honkai Energy and how to control a Herrscher.

With that thought, he cautiously took his first step inside the Grand Shrine.

The atmosphere around him had shifted drastically since his first arrival. The once-empty path now seemed to stretch out before him, flanked by Sakura trees in full bloom, their petals gently falling like soft snowflakes. The sky, which had previously shimmered with countless stars and was devoid of clouds, had transformed. Now, it was a deep, serene night sky, with a crescent moon hanging like a silver scythe.

Masachika couldn't help but pause, his gaze lingering on the breathtaking scenery. The stark contrast to what he was used to left him momentarily speechless. Everything about it felt different—unreal, yet somehow more inviting.

The beauty of the surroundings was so captivating that Masachika found himself walking slower, drawn into the tranquil atmosphere. Every step felt like he was stepping deeper into a serene dream. He was mesmerized by the peacefulness, the delicate blooming Sakura trees, the night sky with its crescent moon—it was everything he craved. Peace and serenity had always been what he longed for, and now, for a brief moment, he found himself surrounded by it.

'I guess being outside of Reality, the owner of this space can create whatever they want, huh? Amazing,'

he thought, his mind marveling at the possibilities. The Stigmata Space was a realm beyond the constraints of reality, and the ability to alter its very fabric was a natural consequence.

After a few more minutes of walking, Masachika finally arrived in front of the Grand Shrine. The massive gates of the shrine creaked open, revealing the interior. As he stepped forward, he could see the far end of the room, where something awaited him—something he could not yet fully discern.

There, standing in front of him, was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She was a kitsune, unmistakable with her fox ears and nine elegant tails. Her long, dark purple hair cascaded down her back, framing a face adorned with intricate facial markings and piercing brown eyes. Her figure was striking, with her attire consisting of a black kimono and matching skirt, both trimmed with fur. The kimono's neckline dipped low, revealing a sense of bold elegance. A blueprint obi wrapped around her waist, while a magatama necklace with a large purple gemstone hung around her neck, the beads adorned with a giant magatama.

She was currently reclining sideways, holding a Kiseru in one hand, her posture relaxed and composed, as though she were waiting for something—or someone.

The kitsune woman took a slow, deliberate inhale from the Kiseru, the pipe's smoke curling up around her. She exhaled, letting the wisps of smoke drift lazily from her lips.

Masachika, however, wasn't a fan of smoking, especially after his experiences in his past life. He instinctively swatted his hand in front of his face to clear the smoke, his mind reminding him of the dangers—how smoking could destroy your health and lead to addiction.

As he watched her, a sense of recognition stirred within him. He knew exactly who this was. What puzzled him, however, was why she appeared in the form of a character from a game he once played—a game filled with warship waifus. It seemed so out of place, and yet, here she was, standing before him.

The kitsune woman spoke, her voice calm yet imbued with a certain authority.

"Welcome, Masachika Kuze, to my space."

Masachika nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Yes, and you are?"

He took a step closer, closing the distance between them until he was about five feet away. With a steady motion, he lowered himself into a seated position and met her gaze.

"Hmmm, why not call me Musashi?" she replied, her lips curling into a faint smile. "I've taken the form of one of your favorite waifus from your past life."

Masachika's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of waifus, a familiar discomfort rising in him.

"Ugh, alright. But I have to ask… Are you one of the Herrscher personalities that lies within my Herrscher Core?"

He asked the question directly, without hesitation. There was no time to beat around the bush.

Musashi, her eyes glinting with a knowing look, studied him for a moment. Without a word, she brought the Kiseru to her lips, inhaling deeply. A few seconds passed before she exhaled, sending a cloud of smoke swirling into the air.

Masachika was still looking at her with steady gaze waiting. She then answer his question.

"yes, yes I am. The Herrscher Personalities that lies inside of your Herrscher Core and this place is the Stigmata Space, that I have created for myself to live in."

Masachika's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice steady as he asked, "I see. Then, are you going to take over my body?"

It was a logical question. After all, Herrscher personalities had a history of attempting to seize control of their host's body, often driven by genocidal tendencies aimed at destroying humanity and civilization itself.

Musashi took a deep drag from her Kiseru, her eyes unfazed as she inhaled the smoke. A few seconds later, she exhaled, the smoke swirling around her and drifting into the air. The cloud of smoke hit Masachika, and he instinctively swatted at it, trying to clear it from his face.

"No, actually," she replied, her voice calm.

Masachika frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Musashi leaned back slightly, her gaze distant as she spoke.

"It's simple. I don't have a reason to do so. Sure, the Cocoon seeks for humanity and civilization to embrace the Honkai through trials and errors, but I'm not inclined to follow that path."

"Why is that?" Masachika asked, his tone flat, still processing her words and the implications of her statement.

Musashi exhaled a steady stream of smoke before responding, her voice calm but laced with an undeniable truth.

"Because it would be a futile effort," Musashi said, exhaling a final puff of smoke from her Kiseru, the haze swirling around her like a veil. "If I tried to take control, I'd be attacked from all sides—by humanity, the Supernatural Side, Yuki Suou, Ayano Kimishima, and even that maid of yours, Belfast, who would see me as a threat. And let's not forget you. You wouldn't let me take control of your body without a fight. In the end, I'd be facing a losing battle on every front. Too many enemies, too many forces converging on me, with no room to maneuver. The odds would be stacked too high. There's no victory in such a scenario. That's why I have no interest in taking over your body. It's simply not worth the risk."

Masachika nodded in acknowledgment, fully understanding her point. If Musashi attempted to take control, she would be attacked from both sides—outside of this space by humanity, and inside by him. What's more, she seemed more wary of him than of humanity itself.

Why? Because, despite this Stigmata Space being Musashi's domain, just like Musashi, Masachika still held the power of the Herrscher of Finality. That power made him a significant threat, one that Musashi couldn't afford to ignore. Even in her own realm, the influence of his abilities could not be dismissed, and she saw him as a potential adversary who could easily undermine her plans. In her eyes, he was the true danger, the unpredictable force within her grasp.

So that's why she couldn't afford to do that. If her focus were divided between multiple threats, her strength would become meaningless. Masachika, despite being a part of this space, remained a significant and unpredictable force. He wasn't just another presence in her domain; he was the greatest threat she faced. His power, if unleashed at the right moment, could deliver a devastating blow to her. A strike that would force her to lose focus, even if only for an instant. And that brief moment of vulnerability could be all it took for humanity to exploit her weakness, tearing down any advantage she might have.

And what's more, Musashi had too many other dangerous factors to consider—like Belfast. The mere thought of facing her was enough to make Musashi wary. If it came to a direct confrontation with Belfast, Musashi was certain she would lose, no matter how much she went all out. Belfast was an enigma—her power and resolve were formidable, and Musashi knew that any attempt to engage her would likely end in defeat.

That was just one problem, however. Musashi still had to contend with the entire Supernatural Side. While the gods in this realm posed little challenge to her, she could use the Honkai Beasts to deal with them, but the real issue lay in Belfast. Belfast was not part of this realm, and her power came from a different source—one Musashi couldn't control. What would happen if Belfast joined forces with others from the Supernatural Side? Could Musashi even hold her own against that many powerful opponents?

The more Musashi thought about it, the more it became clear that Belfast was a unique and pressing threat. It wasn't just the supernatural beings or gods she had to worry about—it was Belfast herself. A battle against Belfast was something Musashi was not prepared to take lightly, and that fact made her even more cautious of any potential conflict.

"understandable."

Masachika said as he nod in understanding.

"But can I at least request you something?"

Masachika said, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of hesitation.

"Hm? What is it, Masachika Kuze?"

Musashi replied, her tone light, though her eyes remained sharp, watching him closely.

Masachika took a moment, his gaze steady, then spoke in a calm but firm voice.

"Could you please stop smoking?"

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i think that's about it, so as always thank you for reading.