• Chapter #19: [DEATH PLANE]

Gray and dullness.

Those were the words that would properly describe the place that those [Greater Mass Teleport] had led me and the others to.

I mean, seriously, everything’s gray. The soil, the grass, the trees, the clouds, the sky… Everything’s just a dull gray in color. Also, there’s this gray ash that seemed to endlessly fall, even though there’s no signs of any volcanic eruption. The ashes also seem to disappear upon hitting something solid, which is why I’m not covered in soot right now.

All in all, it seems that everything here just kind of… Died?

“Ugh…”, I groaned in annoyance, as I continued to survey the surrounding area. I activated the ability of my Halo, but it seems that it doesn’t work on this place. It was like something’s blocking it.

[Store]

Luckily, the store ability still works. That’s good, at least I’m able stay here for a very prolonged time, though I would prefer not to.

Now, let’s test out another ability.

[Shade Walker]

I entered the shadow realm, then got out to whatever place it guided. For some reason, the other side of the shadow realm on this place was connected to my apartment. Hmm… Something to ponder on…

However, that also meant that I could escape here at anytime I want to.

I relaxed my wings, making them settle on my shoulder and drape on my back, similar to a cape. Then, I begun to explore this god forsaken place.

…

“Tsk… It seems like we got transported to a Death Plane…”, Shido clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“A Death Plane?”, Hiro turned to Shido in confusion.

“It’s a planet or dimension in which it’s creator Deity or God died…”, Shido answered.

Hiro was immediately surprised, not knowing that it’s possible for a Deity or a God to die. Besides Hiro, his group also wore shocked faces as they stared at each other.

“You might think it’s not possible, but it is.”, Shido said upon seeing their confused and surprised faces, It seems that this group of people was still lurking in the dark and not reading enough textbooks.

Things went silent for a while, aside from their footsteps. They quietly stared at the gray world, before Hiro spoke.

“So… How do we get out of here?”

“We need to find the Deity’s Shrine. There’s something that would help us get out of here.”, Shido answered Hiro, still scanning the area for other structures.

“A monument…”, Hayami echoed softly, her face not changing in the slightest,

It seems Hayami know something after all.

“Yeah, when a planet or a dimension’s Deity or God dies, a shrine forms…”, Shido added.

“I see…”

Hiro looked over the dull world around him, gripping the sword on his scabbard.

…

I continue to walk this lonely planet. To be honest, I’m starting to like it here, quiet and peace. I could just add some personal stuffs and alterations and voila! I’ve got my own personal space to do whatever I want.

I squint my eyes as a vague humanoid figure appeared on the distance.

[Bloodlust: Active]

Instantly, all of my senses were enhanced drastically. The figure was much clearer now, and it revealed to be the snow girl from earlier, Yumie Lisa if I remember.

Despite her monstrous abilities, she’s actually even more beautiful now that I’m able to get a closer look on her. Even if she’s just an 18 year old, her abilities were already below my ranking. For that, I consider her as even more of a genius than Hiro, despite his adaptability and affinity towards the Tyrant’s Blade.

Right now though, she was staggering, exhausted, and full of wounds and grime. Looks like something had happened that took quite the toll on her.

Talking about the plot and coincidence in my encounters this days...

With that, I quickened my steps. As we neared each other, I immediately casted.

[Saint’s Light]

A golden glow coated her body, making her widen her eyes. She quickly looked up, and upon seeing me, immediately put on a battle stance and…

[Frost Lance]

Oh…

Wow where's the thank you in here?!

I stared flatly at the approaching ice spear. I healed her and this is how she thanks me?

*Sigh*

I simply batted away the ice spear, letting out a grunt of irritation as I did so.

Shocked by my casual dismissal of her attack, she rapidly backed away, glaring at my still walking figure as she did so.

“Who are you?”, She glared at me coldly, with several ice spears floating besides her, ready to attack me if she willed so.

“I healed your comrades earlier and now you, and an attack is all I get?”, I said as I stopped a few feet in front of her.

Silence went on for a while. Her eyes widened, before a blush also adorned her pale cheeks. She then bowed to me in embarrassment.

“I-I’m very sorry… And… Thank you for your help right now and before.”, She said, before looking up. Finally, she had regained her composure.

And what the hell is that blushing effect for!?

Silence ensued once more, as we stared at each other. I’m unsure of what to say, but thankfully, my awkwardness was hidden by my mask. However, the girl’s thoughts were clear, as her eyes darted everywhere.

“Umm… My name is Yumie Lisa… You’re a LightSeeker, correct?”, She introduced before asking. Hmm… She recognized my outfit? It seems that the ‘LightSeeker’ isn’t just restrained to me and is quite famous.

“… Yes.”, I replied, going with the flow of conversation.

“—?! I see… So you’re really one of the people who directly serves that Church of the Light.”, She mused, staring at me strangely.

“… That was from a long time ago…The light was far now.”, I trailed sadly. Luckily, thanks to my [Talent] skill, my acting skills is next to reality and the level of my bullshitting increase. It’s evidenced with her eyes glinting in panic, afraid that she brought up something sad.

“Anyway, how did you know that?”, I asked her.

“I noticed from your clothes.”, She said gesturing at my bright jacket.

*Sigh*

“… I guess the alterations didn’t really do anything, The status of the seeker still within me." I added another bullshit of lies.

We then began to walk silently, our footsteps the only one echoing on the place.

“I must say though, it’s rare to see a Supreme Rank individual getting injured. How did you end up in that state anyway?”, I asked. This time, it was me who initiated the conversation.

“Me and my partner got transported to an abyss-like location. It was a strange place, one that sapped our mana. Added to that, it also spawned these shadow creatures at quick paces and at massive amounts. We were separated shortly and had to fight our way to survive and get out.”, She explained. I see… So there were places that are still active on this dead world.

That's quite smart for the enemy to drain and attack them when they were caught off guard by the teleport spell.

“So… The legends of the LightSeekers still exist…”, She mumbled beside me, which I still could hear clearly.

*Sigh*

“Please don’t make such a big deal of me… I had fallen away from grace…”, I lied another one to her, which hoping to dodge the conversation. Thankfully, it seemed to work as she once again went silent.

“We need to find a way to escape this place.”, I said, changing the topic.

“Alright.”, She blankly replied. Either that she’s a robot or kuudere, I do not know.

Still, we were walking for quite a while now, and she didn’t ask on where are we going and immediately just followed me.

I couldn’t help but notice that she’s stealing glances at my masked face. Too bad, only the Deity of this place can see me. Too bad, she's dead though.

How did I know? My research and [Plotter’s Discernment].

I’m secure, yet for some reason, I couldn’t help but feel the urge to run away…

[•END•]

Revised by BaNaeNae.