"Why have we appeared in the Abyss world?"
Surrounded by dense jungle, Mai Sakurajima couldn't help but voice her question.
"Because the witches of the Desire Faction did something interesting."
"Turning randomly appearing Abyss worlds into designated ones—that's quite a feat of technology."
"And it seems they've also sealed spatial powers, meaning the Emergency Escape Devices created by the Star Gate probably won't help us leave this Abyss world."
"Those witches are quite capable, aren't they?"
As he spoke, Luo Shu raised a finger, and with a flick, Ai Hoshino, who had been floating mid-air, slowly descended until she was level with his waist.
Yet, even after the change of scenery and the absence of blankets, Ai Hoshino remained fast asleep, even emitting soft snores.
Seeing this, Mai Sakurajima hesitated before asking:
"Why was Miss Hoshino dragged into this as well?"
"It's not just her. Everyone in the Wilton Hotel should have been pulled into this Abyss world."
Luo Shu explained this to Mai Sakurajima with complete calm.
"The entire hotel's occupants are here?" Mai Sakurajima's heart sank.
A luxury hotel in the district would have at least several dozen people.
All of them trapped in an Abyss world—was this some kind of wilderness survival scenario in another world?
After all, Abyss worlds were teeming with frenzied monsters and all sorts of bizarrely functional Abyss Artefacts!
At that moment, as if sensing Mai Sakurajima's thoughts, Luo Shu reassured her:
"Relax. I've already gathered everyone. Though I was tricked, I still had enough time to save them."
You had time to rescue dozens of people, but not to escape?
And what did he mean by 'gathered' them?
Mai Sakurajima longed for the scientific world she could never return to.
How on earth did Luo Shu hide all those dozens of people?
As if reading Mai Sakurajima's thoughts, Luo Shu explained directly:
"I've placed them in Kurumi's City of Devouring Time."
"As for why I'm not leaving, it's naturally because I've received a revelation!"
At this point, Luo Shu wore a faint smile. "Son of Heaven told me there might be some worthwhile gains in this Abyss world."
"Son of Heaven?" Mai Sakurajima was startled. Was that related to Luo Shu's Demigod Class?
Child of Apocalypse.
A Demigod capable of hearing divine revelations.
Could there truly be rewards in this Abyss world where the Desire Faction had confined them?
"But in that case, Luo Shu, with you being trapped in this Abyss world... will the Hidden Management Department be alright with that?"
Mai Sakurajima's face showed concern:
"The witches of the Desire Faction wouldn't confine you here without some purpose, would they?"
Faced with Mai Sakurajima's question, Luo Shu simply smiled and replied:
"Indeed. From the current situation, it appears the witches of the Desire Faction are attempting to create favourable conditions for an assault on the Hidden Management Department's garrison."
"And you're smiling about that?" Mai asked, perplexed.
Was an impending attack on the Hidden Management Department's garrison something to be happy about?
Wait... an attack on the garrison?
Suddenly, Mai recalled information about the Hidden Management Department's headquarters.
Though it was merely a commercial-residential building spanning over ten acres with six floors, the Hidden Management Department maintained constant barrier coverage and housed the SDS's latest magical research developments.
Moreover, the garrison was guarded by no fewer than three Demigods, while the underground Hidden Management Zone served as an extension of the Divine Kingdom within the Divine Pantheon.
And the Desire Faction actually wanted to attack such a place?
Mai suddenly understood why Luo Shu was so relaxed.
With defences like these, it would take a miracle to breach them! No wonder Luo Shu wasn't the least bit worried.
"So, Luo Shu, what are you planning to do next?"
"Explore this Abyss world while waiting for news from the garrison." Luo Shu tapped his temple with his index finger.
Only then did Mai remember the Divine Pantheon's internal chat group.
Opening it, she found the expected uproar.
[Luo Shu: Trapped in an Abyss world by the Desire Faction's scheme. Going to loot some stuff first, don't worry~]
[Origami Tobiichi: ???]
[Origami Tobiichi: Shu-kun, are you in danger? Where are you? I'm coming to rescue you!!]
[Miku Izayoi: Idiot, can't you read? He said 'don't worry' which obviously means he's fine!]
[Nia Honjo: Or maybe Origami isn't actually going to rescue him, but to quench her thirst instead?]
[Kurumi Tokisaki: Ara? That sounds strange, but coming from Origami, it somehow makes sense.]
[Utaha Kasumigaoka: More importantly, why were you still outside at this hour, Luo Shu? And how did you fall for a witch's trap?]
[Utaha Kasumigaoka: If I recall correctly, you were supposed to be at a dinner with Oko Shinomiya yesterday. What kind of dinner lasts until dawn without explanation?]
[Utaha Kasumigaoka: Most importantly, Kisara previously claimed she was with you. Did you both lie about this, Kisara?]
[Kotoko Iwanaga: Oho, I smell something fishy here.]
[Sharon: This might be late, but please exercise some restraint when outside. At least leave some for me.]
[Eriri Spencer Sawamura: Sharon, have you no shame? Though honestly, that stuff tastes awful. Are you addicted or something?]
[Meer: Hmm, Eriri, did you reveal something? Am I hallucinating?]
[Eriri Spencer Sawamura has retracted a message.]
[Eriri Spencer Sawamura has requested a one-hour self-mute from the group.]
Seeing these messages, the still-awake girls in the group burst out laughing.
Eriri, the walking self-destruct button, had truly outdone herself this time.
Seeing this, Mai Sakurajima felt both amused and that the atmosphere within the Familia seemed to grow more relaxed by the day.
Had everyone ignored the actions of the Desire Faction?
Just then, Mai noticed a series of new messages appearing.
[Lacus: Has the Desire Faction restricted you, Luo Shu? Does that mean they plan to make a move against the Hidden Management Department today?]
At the name 'Lacus,' Mai's eyes flickered slightly.
Was this the Supreme Chairwoman of the SDS? The woman standing behind Luo Shu?
At that moment, within the Divine Pantheon, Luo Shu responded.
[Luo Shu: If nothing unexpected happens, it should be today.]
[Lacus: Understood. Though I can't be certain about the intel they've gathered, based on the information we've deliberately exposed, the Desire Faction likely estimates our garrison's defensive strength at around 2 or 3 Demigods.]
[Lacus: Meaning they've prepared countermeasures for at least 2 Demigods, with a maximum of 4.]
[Lacus: Considering Luo Shu is already restricted, they probably have 2 or 3 more methods in reserve.]
[Lacus: According to intel provided by the 'Swallows' and Ms Aya within Truth Astronomy, as well as confirmation from Ms Kurumi Tokisaki, the Desire Faction currently only has one Top-Tier Class Holder—Emilia.]
[Lacus: I see... 2 or 3 methods, plus Emilia launching a surprise attack on headquarters...]
[Lacus: Luo Shu, I think I know what to do now!]
Reading these messages, Mai's eyes brightened.
Was this what professionals looked like?
[Luo Shu: Go ahead and act as you see fit.]
[Luo Shu: Have fun with it.]
After this brief exchange, Luo Shu turned his head, squinting at the small green-skinned creatures in the forest as he muttered under his breath:
"With Lacus handling things over there, I don't need to worry much. It's this side that's more concerning..."
Staring at the green monsters that only reached his thighs, Luo Shu couldn't help but show a peculiar expression:
"Goblins?"
"This isn't the kind of starter mob you'd normally find in an Abyss world!"