AN: Ahh..Hi?
Hehehe... sorry for the late update! I actually fell asleep and just woke up!
I didn't expect to be this tired...
If I didn't dream about Mcdonalds I wouldn't wake up... Hey, I'm serious about this part.
I felt like... why do I need to buy food in Mcdonalds at this time... then I woke up.... Ahahaha!
Anyways, here is the 1st update for this week!
Please enjoy~
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Seiryuu City, DesuMachi Planet…
As Hachiman stepped out of the office, Patricia bowed lightly.
"May the fortunes of war be in your favor, my lord."
"Aaaah?"
Kagura, who had been watching her father leave, tilted her head in confusion. But the moment the door closed behind him, her expression changed. She grew restless in Ruan Mei's arms, squirming as if trying to chase after him.
"Aaaaaahhh!!!!"
"Shh… It's okay, my dear. It's alright. Dad will come back soon."
Ruan Mei gently patted Kagura's back to soothe her. But this time, the reassurance wasn't enough. Kagura let out a small wail, stretching her arms toward the door and calling for Hachiman.
"Waaaaaaahh!!!!!!!!"
Mei quickly left Mia's side and joined Ruan Mei, brushing Kagura's hair softly.
"Kagura-chan, don't worry, okay? Papa won't be gone for long. He'll be back very soon."
Surrounded by the warmth of her mothers, Kagura gradually stopped crying. Instead, she holds tightly onto Mei and Ruan Mei's clothes, unwilling to let go. Her eyes remained at the door as if hoping Hachiman would enter at any given moment.
"Is Hachiman-sama really going to…" Auna began, breaking the silence, but her voice trailed off before she could finish.
Mei, Ruan Mei, and Sora all nodded solemnly.
"Since the world keeps pushing trouble onto Hachi-nii," Sora muttered with a pout, crossing her arms, "he doesn't really have a choice. He has to face it and deal with it now."
"T-Then… can we at least accompany him to fight the magician?" Zena asked, gathering her courage as she stepped forward as if she could still catch up to him.
"I advise you not to even think about it." Ruan Mei's voice remained even as she stopped Zena just before her hand reached the door.
"Ruan Mei-sama?"
Auna spoke gently on behalf of the startled girl.
"If we go with him, we'll only become a burden." Ruan Mei shook her head slightly. "Without us there, he can unleash his full strength without worrying about anyone. Otherwise, why do you think he left without taking Mei with him?"
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Ruan Mei wasn't looking down on them; she was simply stating the truth. No matter how strong Mei currently was, she still wasn't at the level of Noah or Hajime, who could withstand Hachiman's full strength without being affected.
Mei understood this clearly. That was why she chose to remain behind instead of following him. Not only would her presence make Hachiman worry about their safety, but it would also prevent him from fighting without restraint. With her staying, at least he could be certain everyone here would be protected.
Sensing the subdued atmosphere, Ruan Mei let out a small sigh.
'I suppose this is the price of getting involved with others.'
She then lifted her head toward Yusaratoya, who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. She hadn't interrupted earlier when Hachiman questioned Mia, but she had noticed something.
Yusaratoya had recognized what the Maze truly was.
She had noticed earlier as well that Hachiman had clearly sensed that Yusaratoya knew something, yet he chose not to press him. For some reason, that stirred something unfamiliar within her. A faint irritation surfaced each time her attention went toward Yusaratoya… and then toward Mia.
Because the elf had stayed silent, Hachiman now had to leave their side to face an unknown magician alone. Because of this incident, their daughter had cried, reaching for her father as he walked away.
Logically, Ruan Mei understood that Mia was merely a victim, targeted by some selfish individual. So she could suppress the unfair thoughts she had for the child.
But Yusaratoya?
That was different.
"Excuse me, Mr. Elf. Would you please answer my question?"
She addressed him directly.
"…What is it?"
To most in the room, Ruan Mei's tone sounded unchanged, unhurried, detached, almost bored. But Mei, Kagura, Sora, and Patricia felt it immediately. Under that smooth tone was a faint edge of coldness.
Yusaratoya sensed it as well and answered cautiously.
"What exactly is this Maze Hachiman and that child were talking about?" she asked.
Yusaratoya parted his lips to respond, but Ruan Mei added quickly,
"And please don't say you know nothing about it… because from your expression, it's clear that you do."
The elf pressed a hand to his forehead, massaging it as every eye in the room turned toward him. After a brief sigh, he lifted his gaze and met Ruan Mei's stare.
He finally spoke.
"The Maze is…"
—--------
Hachiman left the gates of Seiryuu City and headed toward the place where Mei and Sora had found Mia. There, he found the body of Mize, the Ratman, who had protected her until the end.
He stood in silence for a moment. Then, without a word, he dug a grave with his geo elemental ability and buried him properly.
"…Thank you," Hachiman said. "For protecting her."
After paying his respects, he turned his gaze toward the owl perched on a nearby tree branch.
"Are you not going to show yourself, Magician-san?" he called out calmly. "Or are you planning to keep peeking through that familiar of yours?"
The bright sky darkened as clouds covered the sun. A low rumble rolled across the sky, followed by a flash of lightning. Mist began to spread through the clearing, slowly swallowing the forest entrance and the surrounding plains.
Hachiman tightened his grip on his holy sword. Another bolt of lightning struck, casting a long shadow under the tree where the owl perched. From that shadow, something began to rise.
In an instant, everything around him stopped: grass, wind, even falling leaves, frozen as though time itself had halted.
Hachiman felt his muscles tense. The presence that emerged from the darkness was heavy, oppressive.
A figure clad in a black robe stepped out from the shadows. Its hood concealed its face, long sleeves hiding its hands. He couldn't clearly see any of his features.
Hachiman focused and read the information displayed above the figure's head.
Zen.
Level 41.
Skills: "Unknown."
'I've got a bad feeling about this…' Hachiman thought, his hand already resting on the hilt of his holy sword. 'Another anomaly? Like the heroes… or Arisa?'
He stood ready, prepared to draw at the slightest hint of hostility.
"I have come, Hero." His voice sounded like something that had crawled out of a grave and remembered how to speak.
Under the hood, his face was swallowed by darkness despite the fading daylight. All Hachiman could see were two faint violet flames burning where eyes should have been.
"Although I can't say it's nice to meet you," Hachiman replied evenly, "I'll still ask out of courtesy—how do you do, Magician-san? I'm Hikigaya Hachiman… a traveler."
"A traveler?" Zen burst into laughter. "Ahahahaha! If travelers are all as high-leveled as you, then everyone would call themselves a Hero!"
The laughter rang strangely through the mist. Hachiman blinked once, almost surprised by how genuinely amused the man sounded.
"Still, as one would expect from a Hero," Zen continued, his tone switching to something almost admiring. "To be able speak calmly while being pressed by fear… that is worthy of praise."
Hachiman didn't bother correcting him. He wasn't feeling any fear or anything at all.
"I originally intended to use Mia to fulfill a long-cherished wish," Zen went on, tilting his head slightly. "But seeing a true Hero standing before me… this is a far more welcome surprise."
Hachiman's cheek twitched.
"I'd prefer to avoid violence if possible," he said flatly. "So, is there any way I can convince you to leave us alone?"
"A foolish question." Zen's reply came without hesitation. "My madness is not so shallow that it can be swayed by mere words."
Even without seeing his face, Hachiman could tell that Zen was smiling under that hood.
"So do your best, Hero," Zen said softly, spreading his arms. "If you wish to protect Mia from me, then show me the courage and strength befitting your title."
He began to chant.
'Yeah… I figured you'd say that,' Hachiman thought, tightening his grip on Excalibur. 'Guess I'll take you up on it.'
Hachiman didn't waste another second. He drew Excalibur and jumped straight at Zen. The sword cut down with full force, only to pass through Zen's now semi-transparent body.
"What?!"
He clicked his tongue and immediately leapt back, widening the distance the moment his instincts screamed at him.
[■■■■ ■—-Shadow Whip.]
Zen finished his chant. Shadows spilled from under his feet, stretching and twisting until they formed a spear-like lash that shot toward Hachiman.
He raised Excalibur and blocked. The holy blade shone with bright blue light, and the shadow attacks dissolved the instant they touched the light.
[Skill Acquired: Shadow Magic]
[Skill Acquired: Shadow Resistance]
'So he can control shadows…?!'
Hachiman ignored the system prompts. More whips followed toward him from every direction. He pivoted, stepped, and slashed, intercepting each one as they struck. Pouring more Imaginary energy into Excalibur, the blade shone even brighter, humming in his grip.
"Let's try something that could actually work," Hachiman muttered.
With a sharp horizontal swing, he released a crescent arc of light that tore through the mass of shadow whips, scattering them like smoke in a storm.
The force of the attack knocked Zen's hood back.
Under the light, there was no flesh.
Only a skull.
Within the hollow eye sockets burned two deep violet flames where pupils should have been.
"You're… a wraith?"
Hachiman's eyes widen as he sees Zen's face under his hood.
"I'm a bit offended to be lumped in with such base undead creatures."
Zen's tone carried genuine irritation as he lifted a hand.
[...Shadow Prison.]
The shadow below Hachiman suddenly surged upward like a living tide and swallowed him whole before sinking downward.
Darkness.
When he opened his eyes, nothing but pitch black was surrounding him. No light. No sound. It felt as though he had been sealed inside the shadow itself. There wasn't even air.
His HP began to decrease as well with every passing second.
'If I weren't a Memetic Entity, I'd probably suffocate from the lack of oxygen,' Hachiman thought calmly. 'Alright… how do I break this prison?'
'Hmph! Stop overthinking, my successor. Or has that smart brain of yours finally stopped working?'
Ashborn's powerful voice rang inside his mind.
Hachiman almost wanted to slam his head into a wall.
'Right…! I actually forgot who I am!' He fell on all fours for acting silly. 'Thank god those two idiots (Noah and Hajime) aren't here or else I'd never hear the end of it!'
Shaking off his embarrassment, Hachiman's eyes lit up in a deep indigo glow as the power of the Shadow Monarch flowed through him.
The prison reacted instantly.
Without a single sound, the surrounding darkness fractured like thin glass, breaking apart into countless fragments before dissolving into nothing.
"How absurd!" Zen sounded genuinely surprised, yet there was unmistakable excitement in his voice. "Truly absurd! How did you escape my flawless Shadow Prison?!"
'Are you shocked, impressed, or thrilled? Pick one and stick with it!' Hachiman complained inwardly.
"Wahahaha! As expected of a Hero! Turning the impossible into a miracle!" Zen threw his head back and laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "Very well… let us begin the trial."
He spread his arms grandly.
Only then did Hachiman realize that they were not in the forest anymore.
They now stood inside a vast oblong chamber, large enough to fit two school gymnasiums side by side. The stone floor stretched wide with thick pillars lining the walls. Candlesticks were mounted along each pillar, casting a magical light that felt almost artificial in its brightness.
At the far end stood a raised platform. Upon it rested a throne, and beside the throne floated a glowing red orb nearly six feet in diameter. It resembled an oversized monster core, pulsing with magical energy.
"A trial must be fair," Zen declared. "I will not tolerate cheating. Only those who have captured the Maze may enter this chamber. That is the rule."
He nodded to himself as though affirming his own authority.
"Are you playing at being a game master?" Hachiman asked dryly.
'If you're going to run a life-or-death game, at least keep it in virtual reality!' he added silently. 'Ahh, I suddenly miss my game partner… Cayna, I hope you are doing well.'
"A game, you say?" Zen sneered. "It is true that no one can truly die within this Maze. But do not mistake that for triviality. This is no child's pastime."
His violet flames burned brighter.
"To complete the capture, the Hero who has reached this chamber must defeat me…To kill this Undead King."
'What is this guy even saying? Does he actually want someone to conquer the Maze just to kill him?'
Hachiman's cheek twitched. The more Zen talked, the more irritation came under his skin.
'He released monsters on Seiryuu City… hurt Mia… killed her friend… all for this twisted game?'
"If you want to die, then do it yourself," Hachiman said coldly. "Don't drag innocent people into your nonsense."
"Bwa-ha-ha-ha! As long as I possess the gods' blessing, I cannot die."
There it was again, that faint distortion in Zen's tone. The way he said blessing… it didn't sound holy. It sounded like a curse instead.
Hachiman exhaled through his nose.
He had heard enough.
"Fine," he muttered. "Then I'll personally escort you out of this so-called master room."
But Zen clearly had no intention of making things simple. The door beside the throne slowly began to open, and then—
—--
Right now, Hachiman was falling.
He originally had prepared himself for enemies when the door beside the throne opened, but instead, a blond woman stepped out. For a split second, he got distracted by the suddenness.
That was all they needed.
Zen's hands stopped moving across the operation pane on the stand.
"…Seriously?"
The throne room disappeared as he was teleported outside.
'At this height, I won't die…' he calculated calmly. 'But I'll probably end up buried deep enough to need a week to dig myself out.'
He crossed his arms mid-fall, already running through options.
Before he could act, however—
Splash.
He plunged directly into a body of water at the bottom. The impact was surprisingly manageable. The fall had been slowed thanks to the water, so he sank deep but didn't hit the bottom.
Bubbles rose past his face as he pulled himself together as he swim upward. When Hachiman finally broke the surface, he took in a deep breath.
"Just where the heck am I?" he muttered to nobody in particular.
From what he could gather, he got teleported by some kind of magic or something. He looked over the scenery spread out before my eyes. The area seemed to be some kind of mountain pass. The surrounding mountains were bare of greenery, too, and there wasn't an animal in sight.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Then he opened them and looked around again.
"…It's still there."
This time, he kept his eyes closed for a while and counted up prime numbers, trying to calm his mind.
Then I gathered his resolve and opened his eyes again, but it still hadn't disappeared.
"So it really wasn't an illusion…."
Hachiman stared at the enormous tree that stood not far away from where he had fallen
If it were just a normal, large tree, that would be fine. But, to his immense disbelief, this tree was just as large as the mountains surrounding it.
"Is this what they call a 'world tree'?"
According to the display next to the apparent world tree, read Maze of Trazayuya.
The giant tree was adorned with filaments that looked like a spider's thread. It was hard to see them clearly among the branches, but judging by the scale, Hachiman guessed that they were passageways.
Opening my map, he saw that this region was called the Ash Rats Principality. Luckily, it appeared to be the territory right next to Seiryuu Earldom, so he wouldn't be stuck in the middle of nowhere.
He used his "All Map Exploration" skill to scan the area and choose a route back home in advance.
The nearest populated settlement, Ash-ratman village, was far on the other side of the mountains, so even if he had to use his strongest attacks in the process, there would be no innocent casualties.
With a tentative plan already made, he swam toward the edge of the lake and pulled himself onto the shore. Water dripped from his clothes.
"…This is going to be annoying."
Moving in wet clothes would only slow him down. Without hesitation, he stripped off the wet layers and changed into his Express crew uniform. It looked like stylish modern attire at first glance, but in reality, it was the most practical battle wear he owned.
The uniform was a blend of magic and advanced technology. Enchanted for durability and flexibility, it was made from a special fabric developed by Hajime.
The fibers were synthesized using what he called Unstable Molecules or UMF for short.
—--
Somewhere in the Marvel world, where Noah and his group were currently at…
"Achoo!"
A man tinkering inside a high-tech laboratory suddenly sneezed.
"Huh? Is someone talking about me?"
He paused for a moment, then shrugged and returned to his work.
"Just a little more and I can finally finish this starship… then my research about cosmic radiation will finally begin seriously."
—--
Back to the main story. By taking advantage of UMF's unstable molecular properties, the resulting fabric became extremely durable, almost impossible to tear. Considering how powerful the crew had grown, ordinary clothing would never survive a serious fight and would easily be torn, leading to the kind of accidental exposure no one wanted.
To prevent that, Hajime, being unapologetically possessive of his beloved princesses, refused to even imagine them becoming eye candy for anyone else. So he poured his full enthusiasm into perfecting this fabric. With Noah backing him up, the two worked side by side to make sure the idea became reality.
Using a specialized apparatus, the uniforms were woven directly from the synthesized fibers. The girls who watched the process couldn't help but feel how absurdly "sci‑fi" it was just to create combat attire. Their measurements were taken through full-body scans, and holographic projections wrapped around them to preview the final designs.
Let's just say… it was memorable.
Of course, producing these uniforms wasn't cheap. The materials were rare, the crafting process complex, and the time investment significant. Even though much of the cost was reduced through the Power of Reason, the total expense was still considerable. That was why Sora's uniform remained relatively plain and not fully customized yet.
Thankfully, the Astral Express had solid financial support from connections, business ventures, and careful spending habits. Even so, a large portion of their funds went into maintenance of the Express, daily necessities such as food and water, operational supplies, and the pocket money allotted to each crew member. Budget control was no joke.
Anyway… that's not the point right now. Back to the main story.
After changing, Hachiman made full use of his map and followed the indicated path toward what appeared to be the facility's entrance. An imposing gate stood before him—no surprise there. What did catch him off guard, however, was the wooden sign hanging neatly beside it.
"…What is this?"
The facility's name and its conquest rules were written in Elvish. Besides that, the same instructions were repeated in Shigan and several other languages.
It read:
[ This training facility is meant to be used by elves. The protective safeguard devices will not function for any other race, so proceed with caution.
There are no rules prohibiting anyone from using the training center, but you do so at your own risk.
The training center is not responsible for any injuries or destruction of property that occur inside. ]
Hachiman stared at it blankly.
Then his shoulders began to tremble, half irritation, half disbelief.
'So this is some kind of forest dungeon built specifically for elves to train in?!'
According to the disclaimer, there were safeguard systems inside. But if he intended to destroy the Maze, those so-called protections wouldn't mean much. And honestly, he doubted they would be reliable if the entire facility started collapsing anyway.
Zen had mentioned that no one could truly die inside the facility, but Hachiman had no way of confirming whether Trazayuya had extended those safeguards to races other than elves.
"…Yeah. I'm not trusting that blindly."
With a sigh, he pushed the gates open and stepped inside.
The moment he crossed the threshold, a monster was already waiting for him. According to its title, it was labeled as a Wandering Monster, so this was likely just a random encounter rather than a deliberate trap.
It stood about three feet tall, vaguely shaped like a preta, a hungry ghost.
"At least try to look intimidating," Hachiman muttered.
At first glance, he thought it was a goblin, the classic small-fry enemy. But the display clarified it as a Weed Goblin. In other words, nothing more than a bundle of animated weeds pretending to be dangerous.
He didn't bother drawing his holy sword, pulling out his pistol, or activating his emblem. One casual kick was enough.
Poof.
The weeds scattered in all directions. A small whitish core dropped onto the floor, but Hachiman didn't even spare it a glance as he walked past.
'Let's finish this quickly. I want to be home before dinner.'
He continued walking without a second waste.
'I'm not missing Mei's cooking for this nonsense.'
With that simple motivation, Hachiman continued forward, determined to clear this Maze as efficiently as possible.
======