Takumi and Rimuru remained frozen—still clutching each other—after Sakuya's chilling words drifted through the conference room.
"Exactly what about me is terrifying?"
The door closed behind the maid as she escorted Shizue out.
Silence.
A very long silence.
Then—
"Takumi… we're dead, aren't we?"
"Yes, Rimuru. We lived a good life. Dimensional City will remember us fondly."
The two trembled dramatically for a few moments before finally breaking into laughter.
A Moment of Reflection
Once calm returned, Takumi leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.
"Rimuru, meeting Shizue here… it means the world is starting to converge faster than expected. Visitors from other worlds aren't rare anymore."
Rimuru nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah… and she's strong. Really strong. Ifrit being inside her is dangerous, but at the same time… she's a good person. You can feel it."
The golden fractal light in Takumi's eyes dimmed.
"The Civilization System warned me that dimensional convergence is accelerating. More people like her—more distortions—will appear soon."
Rimuru drummed his slime-like fingers on the table.
"Then we'll deal with them. Like always. Together."
Takumi smiled.
"Of course."
Civilization System Notification
A golden screen materialized before Takumi.
[System Notice]
New Unique Visitor Detected: Shizue Izawa
Potential Integration: Dimensional Coexistence Program
Trust Level Required: 50
Current: 24 → 38 (after emotional event)
Takumi nodded.
"The System approves of her. She may become a key figure in stabilizing the dimensional link… if we guide her well."
Rimuru tilted his head.
"Guide her? Or give her a home?"
Takumi paused.
"...Both."
Dimensional City: A New Day Begins
The next morning, sunlight reflected off the crystalline towers of Dimensional City.
Automated drones—powered by compressed magicule cores—hovered through the air, carrying construction materials to the outskirts. Workers of multiple races collaborated seamlessly.
The city, even in this early stage, felt alive.
Takumi stood on the balcony of the Administrative Tower, arms crossed as he watched fresh districts rise.
"System," Takumi whispered.
"Begin blueprint rendering for Residential District Type-02—optimized for mixed-species habitation."
Golden geometric diagrams materialized.
[Construction Blueprint Approved]
Estimated Completion: 36 hours
Rimuru drifted over, bouncing like a blue slime ball.
"Takumi! I checked on Shizue this morning. She's resting well. Ellen and the others are eating breakfast at Mrs. Kamado's stall. No trouble so far!"
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"Except Sakuya glaring at you, right?"
Rimuru froze.
"...I fear that woman."
"We both do.", Takumi muttered.
Tour of the Future
Later that day, Takumi and Rimuru met Shizue outside the tower.
She stood gracefully, her mask set aside for once. Sunlight glowed on her pale skin.
"Lord Takumi, Lord Rimuru. Thank you for having me. You mentioned… a tour?"
Takumi extended a hand politely.
"Dimensional City is growing every day. If you are staying here, even temporarily, I want you to understand what you're a part of."
Rimuru hopped forward.
"And also because seeing your reaction will be fun!"
Shizue blinked. "Fun?"
Takumi sighed. "Ignore her."
The Heart of the City – Dimensional Spire Plaza
The trio arrived at a vast plaza encircling the central spire.
Shizue's eyes widened at the sight:
Floating walkways
Mana-powered lights
Transparent screens showing city metrics
Multi-racial citizens interacting freely
"This… this is impossible… Humans and monsters… together?" Shizue whispered.
Takumi's voice was calm.
"The world you know is divided. This city aims to change that. Not by force, but by coexistence and shared progress."
Shizue looked down at her hands.
"Can… a world like this truly exist?"
Rimuru smiled.
"We're building it. One step at a time."
Shizue looked at the pair with newfound respect.
The Dimensional Research Institute
Next, they visited a massive geometric building shimmering with runic circuits.
Researchers bowed as Takumi entered.
"This building was created yesterday," Takumi explained. "Its purpose is to study dimensional instability. And you—Miss Shizue—are one of our first key data sources."
Shizue blinked.
"Me?"
Rimuru nodded.
"You're from another world, and Ifrit inside you is also a dimensional anomaly. Understanding you helps us understand the bigger picture."
Shizue looked conflicted.
"If… if I can help… I will."
Takumi placed a hand on her shoulder—a rare gesture.
"You already have."
System Trigger: Shizue Event
A golden screen appeared suddenly.
[Character Integration Event Unlocked]
Shizue Izawa – Dimensional Refugee Route
Progress: 12%
Requirements: Trust + Stability + Emotional Security
Takumi hid the screen from Shizue.
Rimuru noticed and whispered:
"Another event?"
"Yes. She's tied deeply to dimensional energy. Her future matters to this world—and to us."
Rimuru nodded somberly.
Seeds of the Future
As they finished the tour, Shizue turned toward Takumi.
"Lord Takumi… this city… feels warm. Like a home I once wished for."
Takumi paused.
A rare softness appeared in his eyes.
"If you want a place to belong, Dimensional City welcomes you. No past chains. No demons haunting you. Just your future."
Shizue covered her mouth, eyes trembling.
"A… place to belong…"
Rimuru grinned.
"Yep! Takumi is cool like that! He won't abandon people!"
Takumi looked away.
"Don't praise me so easily. You'll make me feel embarrassed."
Shizue laughed—genuinely.
"Thank you… both of you."
Nightfall – A New Crisis Approaches
That evening, as the three prepared to part ways…
The sky flickered.
A violet crack split the horizon for half a second.
Wind distorted.
Magicules churned.
Shizue gasped.
Rimuru tensed.
Takumi's eyes immediately turned gold—Herrscher of Finality awakening.
[System Warning]
Dimensional Rift Detected
Distance: 14 km east of the forest
Estimated Threat Level: Unknown – High Danger
Rimuru whispered, "Takumi… another tear? Already?"
Takumi clenched his fist.
"It begins sooner than expected."
He turned to Shizue.
"Miss Shizu. Will you fight alongside us?"
Shizue inhaled deeply.
Then nodded.
"Yes. If I have the power to protect this city… I will use it."
Takumi smiled—sharp, confident, resolute.
"Then tomorrow… we face the rift together."
Rimuru flexed.
"Let's show this world why Dimensional City will never fall!"
The night sky swirled ominously.
A storm was coming.
And Dimensional City was ready.