Chapter 26: Return

(Authors note:

Aight, since we did not reach 100 power stones, there is no extra chapter on Saturday.

The next chapter will be on Monday.

Comment on possible worlds you guys might want to see, I already read the previous suggestions just looking for more stuff that I may have missed.

Aight, enjoy the chapter.)

(Dante POV)

Standing inside, the seemingly endless expanse of space, I gazed at the frozen Sogiita.

Inside this false domain mimicked using Esper powers, everyone deemed an enemy or any dangerous entity will be subjected to the compression of the surrounding space.

The compression the target is subjected to varies from minor compression (enough to cause fatal injuries) to black hole creation from the compression of the mass held inside the space.

'Great Sage, can you explain what I could do inside here in a simplified manner? I don't want to listen to big brain stuff.' After admiring the space for quite a bit, I asked the Great Sage.

[Notice: Within the Domain, the host exhibits omnipresence and near-invincibility. Only adversaries with law manipulation capabilities equal to or exceeding the host's spatial manipulation can counter this state.]

'Oya? This sounds super OP. Does this mean I am already godlike to worlds without God-level entities?' I inquired.

[Notice: The host should reign down his ego. With the current capabilities, Great Sage can only maintain the Domain for approximately 10 minutes per activation, with a maximum of 5 activations per day.]

'I see. I don't need to ask what will happen if I attempt a 6th time as I already have an idea. What do I need to do to increase the activations and duration?' I asked, watching Sogiita sweat profusely as Great Sage gradually intensified the spatial compression aimed at him.

[Notice: Enhancement of the entire human physique is required. Despite the Great Sage's support, the host's below-average human capacities create constraints, as the host's body cannot endure the strain induced by utilizing its powers to the fullest.]

As I directed the Great Sage to continue the Domain's activation and release Sogiita, I pondered, 'In the end, everything returns to my body, huh? Well, there's nothing I can do about it at the moment.'

After the pressure surrounding Sogiita elevated, he sat on the ground and gazed around the area with wide eyes, "Aiyaa, you got me there. Domain Expansion, huh? Quite the ability, but I'm not losing forever. How about a rematch after some time? What ya say?"

Sporting a friendly smile, I chimed in, "Absolutely, I'm up for a rematch anytime."

Extending my hands towards Sogiita, I watched as he burst into laughter reminiscent of a scene from a shounen manga, grasping my hand as I assisted him to his feet.

"What do you say about getting stronger and being able to have more fights?" I then asked while I took out two Monoblock (Vergil chairs) chairs for us to sit in.

Sitting on the other chair, Sogiita replied, "I'm all down for getting stronger and having more fights, but what's the deal here? If this is some pitch about joining the groups on the Dark Side of the City, count me out. I'm not into those board games. I'm all about guts, not sneaky business."

"Nah, this ain't got anything to do with the games the higher-ups play. I'm talking about real blood-pumping battles. I can't tell you much unless you join, but all I can say is that; this is the real deal and not some shady business. So what ya say? You up for it?" With a pose like the Trade Offer meme, I asked Sogiita.

Before he could reply, I added, "Let me be honest with you, I was beating around the other level 5s to find the right person, and your guts are something that I admire. I'd say a guy like you is perfect for our team."

'While I am sure that Sogiita will accept as he is typically a battle enthusiast shounen protagonist that would not back down on a good fight, a little bit of flattering isn't that bad.' Even though I lied a bit as beating the other level 5's got nothing to do with this, I wanted to try and do a sale pitch, even though I clearly suck at it.

"Okay, sure. But I'm telling ya, I won't hesitate to quit if this is some shady stuff. Real men need to live with guts and stop sneaking around." Sogiita replied after a few seconds of contemplating as he crossed his arms around his waist.

After hearing Sogiita's reply, I activated the Ability (Multiverse Chat Group) and summoned my phone, I then took out a similar-looking phone inside the inventory which was marked as a "Quest Item" before handing it to Sogiita.

"Here, take this. After you access it later, let's talk inside the Group Chat app installed on the phone." I said as the phone vibrated, making me check the Quest tab.

'All quest completed. Nice, only took about 4 days. Not bad.' I said to myself as my gaze hovered around the button labeled Quest Complete.

'Good thing, I took this quest. I'd probably take 2-3 months if I went to the Arifureta world and who knows how long it would take to level up on Konosuba.' Being pressed with a time limit of a year doesn't feel quite good.

'I need to choose my next missions wisely unless there is something in that world that would be worth spending my time on, I need to do the missions that require less time.' As my mind slightly wandered, Sogiita started talking.

"This phone looks quite nice. What model is this? Never seen one like this before." With scrutiny, I saw Sogiita check out the phone.

[Notice: Domain Expansion Compressed World will deactivate in 60 seconds.]

As the notification from Great Sage rang inside my mind, I faced Sogiita, "Aight, I'll be going now. Let us talk in the chat later. I'll explain the other stuff you need to know there."

Without waiting for a reply, I clicked the Quest Complete button.

A new window then popped out asking me whether I wanted to return now, or I could choose to stay for 1 more week before I get forcibly returned to my world.

With a click of my tongue, I mused, 'Damn, there's a force return function. I guess the Supreme God wouldn't want me escaping to other worlds and not returning, huh?'