(Marvel, DC, images, manhuas, and every anime that will be mentioned and used in this story are not mine. They all belong to their respective owners. The main character "Karito Josue Valdez" and the story are mine)
The Dark Dimension
Gathered around a circular table, individuals from diverse universes emerged in a rare convergence. The visiting Darks maintained an air of patience, while others struggled to contain their restlessness. The collective anticipation ended as their deity, seated at the center, made his presence known with an audible sigh. Though the appearance of concern momentarily creased the brows of some Darks, it swiftly dissipated as their God addressed the weighty thoughts occupying his mind.
(???) "A squad of Darks were able to successfully converge two universes, one that the Guardian was also present in." He states nonchalantly
(Dark Scarlet King) "The Guardian is there? Do they need assistance in his elimination?"
(???) "For what it seems, they are doing fine... For now."
(Dark Gorr) "In what way did they change the cosmology in the League Of Legends Omniverse?"
(???) "They improved it by turning it into a Von Neumann Universe."
(Dark Luffy) "What's that?"
(Dark Jack Bright) "Luffy, did you skip your classes again?"
(Dark Luffy) "Not my fault it's so boring. I rather be terraforming instead."
(Dark Jack Bright) Sighs
(Dark Luffy) "Anyways, my question."
(Dark Jack Bright) "Well, to put it simply. It's a collection of sets constructed using operations such as the power set operation in specific hierarchical structures. There concepts like Aleph Null numbers which are uncountable infinite numbers, the Strongly Compact Cardinal and Ramsey Numbers which are large cardinal numbers, and Absolute Infinity which is the very idea of infinite itself."
(Dark Luffy) "..."
(Dark Jack Bright) "...Everything is infinite."
(Dark Luffy) "Oh~, now I get it. It's like a baby version of this dimension."
(Dark Jack Bright) "I guess..."
(???) "Anyways, ignoring that. Remain on stand by in case some of them need assistance. Relay this to the other Darks that didn't assist this meeting. And continue the search of the Final Nexus."
Having received a subtle acknowledgment from the present Darks, their leader found himself in solitude once more. Immersed in the vast tapestry of fiction, "he" pursued his quest for the Nexus of Knowledge and Imagination. However, before "he" could delve further into his exploration, Gorr the God Butcher called out to him, prompting a mere glance over the shoulder to acknowledge his presence.
(???) "Yes, Gorr?"
(Dark Gorr) "Can I finally do what I wished?"
(???) Smiles devilishly "Of course, you should appear in the Second Arc."
(Dark Gorr) "Thank you." Disappears
He looks towards nothing, with a mere flick, the scene turns into a white page.
(???) "This searching is getting tedious. If you readers' just knew where exactly it was..." He sighs
...
League Of Legends: Dimension V
In the early hours of the morning, the gentle rays of the sun illuminated the forest of Iona, casting a serene glow upon the Garden of Dreaming. Within a tree house, Karito roused from his slumber, sitting up on the couch where he had spent the night. As he stretched, joints audibly popping, he took a moment to gaze into the stillness before standing and making his way outside. Retrieving a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a bottle of water from his inventory, he commenced his morning routine. Despite the realization that his hacking abilities could streamline the process, he opted to follow the familiar rituals of the past.
Meanwhile, Lillia, roused early as well, descended the stairs of her abode, anticipating waking up to find Karito still in bed. To her surprise, the couch was empty, inducing a momentary panic as thoughts of abandonment flitted through her mind. However, her anxiety swiftly transformed into delight as Karito entered through the front door, dispelling her concerns. With a playful pout, she addressed him.
(Lillia) "Y-You scared me for a second!" she pouted.
(Karito) "How so?" he raised an eyebrow.
(Lillia) "I thought you left," she said, a bit sad.
(Karito) Bruh face. "No, Lillia. I didn't run away with the milk."
(Lillia) Confused. "What?"
(Karito) "Nevermind." He changed the topic. "Did you wake up and beelined towards me?"
(Lillia) She blushed. "N-No. Why would you say it like that?"
(Karito) "Like what?"
(Lillia) "I- Um..."
(Karito) "Calm down there, I met you yesterday."
(Lillia) Turned into a tomato. "N-NO! I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT! DUMMY!"
(Karito) "The hell are you thinking about? Did you even brush your teeth?"
(Lillia) "Of course I did!"
(Karito) "Then what the heck?!"
(Lillia) "You're confusing me!"
(Karito) "And you're confusing me!"
(Lillia) "..."
(Karito) "..."
(Lillia) "Well... I'm gonna make breakfast."
(Karito) "Is it gonna be some salad?"
(Lillia) "No. An omelet."
(Karito) Mumbled. "There are omelets here?"
(Lillia) Heard him. "Um... Yeah? Why is that so weird?"
(Karito) Shook his head. "Nah, it's nothing." Thoughts: "I'm not too knowledgeable on the actual lore and how different their tech is. Lillia made a treehouse in the Garden of Dreaming. What else am I expecting in this alternate dimension? K/DA? ... God no, there's already a lot of those with the same theme."
(Lillia) "You're so strange, Karito."
(Karito) "I get that a lot."
(Lillia) "Hmm... I can see that."
A palpable awkwardness lingered between the two as they exchanged glances. Lillia, embodying her characteristic shyness, averted her gaze to the side, while Karito, acknowledging the silent tension, released a contemplative sigh.
(Karito) "We don't wanna starve to death, now do we?"
(Lillia) "Ah!" Snaps out of it "Y-Yeah! Sorry!"
In the culinary sanctum of the Garden of Dreaming, Lillia embarked upon the artful endeavor of crafting an omelette adorned with a medley of vibrant vegetables. The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting a gentle luminosity upon the quaint kitchen within the tree house.
With an ethereal grace, Lillia glided across the space, her delicate hands deftly selecting fresh produce. A symphony of colors—verdant greens, fiery reds, and sun-kissed yellows—lay arranged before her.
In the crucible of her culinary haven, Lillia commenced the meticulous preparation. The crackle of eggs against the bowl harmonized with the soft rustling of leaves outside, orchestrating a delicate melody. Each whisk and fold bespoke a methodical finesse, revealing an innate understanding of the culinary alchemy at play.
The skillet, a gleaming canvas awaiting its masterpiece, met the flames beneath. Lillia's movements were akin to a dance—graceful and purposeful. The aroma of clarified butter intertwined with the fragrant allure of freshly chopped herbs, casting a spell that enveloped the sacred space.
As the eggs met the pan, a metamorphosis began. The mixture, kissed by the flickering flames, transitioned into a golden tapestry. With the precision of an artist, Lillia delicately arranged the assortment of vegetables, each slice a brushstroke on the canvas of the omelette.
The sizzling symphony crescendoed, heralding the completion of her culinary opus. Lillia, with an air of satisfaction, presented the omelette—a radiant mosaic of colors and flavors. The garden, now infused with the enchanting aroma, seemed to exhale in harmony with the culinary creation.
(Karito) Sits on the dinning table "Thanks for the food."
(Lillia) "Y-You're welcome..."
Awkward silence...
(Karito) "Why?"
(Lillia) Stiffens "W-What do you mean?"
(Karito) "Why did you try to snoop around my head while I slept?"
(Lillia) Looks down "I... Um... I...." Anxious
...
Ace Pov
To say that this world is strange is an understatement. First, I spawned inside an arena and absolutely dominated everyone. Then this chick comes out of nowhere, and I beat her by just turning into a small volcano, and now I'm being escorted to the ruler of this place. Maybe I should've laid low. But, now that I'm here, might as well ask a few questions and hear what the heck they want. Because since I've started world hopping, I've been gaining the attention of a lot of people by merely existing.
Walking by my side is a big dude called Darious. Dudes packed, what does he eat? Meat and protein shakes? But he's not the only one here; Katarina is also present. She's been eyeing me like some sort of snack. If she doesn't cut that shit out, she's gonna catch these hands. And finally, there's this weird dude whom I overheard Kat say his name is Draven. Some sort of battle maniac, but for some reason, I have this feeling... how do I even explain this? It was the same feeling when I was in those other two worlds. Like I know something is wrong. Like I know a part of a movie was either altered or corrupted. As if their script is completely different. Heck, I feel that everywhere. Am I the only one who can feel this... corruption?
As I continue to space out, Darious snaps me out of my daze as we stop in front of two large doors. I can already tell this is the entrance to his royal leader. Ugh, this is annoying.
(Darious) "Beyond this door, is Lord Swain. Show respect."
(Ace) Bored face "Uh huh..."
Does he really think I'm going to bow to someone I don't even know? That's funny. After that small talk, Darious opens the door, revealing Swain in his throne. He seems to be waiting for me. In terms of looks, I can say he's intimidating—long white hair, black armor, and other fancy stuff that I couldn't care less about. The three who followed me show respect toward the individual, but I can sense tension building up as everyone eyes me. I haven't moved, nor do I look like I give a damn about who he is. This makes some of the guards quite mad, and the other three slightly glare at me.
(Guard 1) Raged "How dare you not show respect to the Grand General, Swain?!"
(Ace) "Bitch, who?" Confused face
(Guard 2) "He's stupid to boot."
(Ace) "Who?"
(Guard 2) "Yo-"
(Ace) "Asked." Snorts
Before things could escalate, I felt a black aura disperse in the room, capturing everyone's attention. It was obviously Swain.
(Swain) "Silence! I will tolerate your behavior this once because I actually need you."
(Ace) "We just met, and you're already asking for favors? Is it that easy to do favors for randoms like this in this place?"
(Darius) "Ace, I swear to Noxus if you don't shut up, there will be consequences."
(Ace) Animal crossing sounds
(Darius) "YOU-!" Ace interrupts him.
(Ace) "Anyways, because whatever favor you're asking gives this feeling that it'll be worth my time. So, what is it?"
(Swain) Thoughts "This damn bastard..." Speaks "Yes, there is a mission I have for you."
(Ace) "And what is it?"
(Swain) "Scouts have spotted a strange figure, but this figure is a terrifying monster. It's absolutely gargantuan. No matter what we did, we never could harm it. We were lucky that it ignored us and went back to rest in Khworez. Its power is... totally foreign for us, and you... for some reason, feel similar. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like you're the right person to ask for this."
(Ace) "So... I'm going Monster Hunting?"
(Swain) "If you're able to hunt this monster, you will be given the highest rewards that I can offer."
(Ace) "I'm listening..."
(Swain) "Would you hunt this monster for us?"
Well... This sounds fun. Reminds me of the time I had to kill dragons and other creatures with Natsu and the others.
(Ace) "Well, for once, I will actually accept this mission. Plus, you said it had the same sensation as me... right?"
(Swain) "Yes."
(Ace) "And that sensation is?"
(Swain) "I can't even begin to explain the feeling you give nor the monsters."
(Ace) "Alright. I'll take Kat as a guide."
(Swain) "Accepted."
(Katarina) "Wait, wha-?"
(Ace) "Sweet, I'll start tomorrow morning then."
(Swain) "Good, the sooner, the better. Kill it."
(Ace) "Don't tell me what to do, I'm doing this because it sounds fun." Puts his arm around Darius, purposely pissing him off. "Darius! My man! Can you give me a room?"
(Darius) "N-"
(Swain) "Show him to his quarters."
(Darius) Annoyed sigh "Yes, Sir."
(Ace) Smug face
Poor little Darius had to personally take me to my room, how funny. Ruining his Alpha personality is gonna be a blast. After Darius told me to follow him, we quickly exited the room, leaving a perplexed Katarina behind, with Draven just following suit right after we left.
(Katarina) "What the fu-?!"
...
...
...
Karito Pov
During the night, I felt Lillia silently walking towards me. Why was she doing this? Well, remembering correctly, she collects dreams from people when they sleep. If there's one thing I hate, it's people snooping around my head without my consent. And the dreams I always have will break this poor champion's soul. Don't get me wrong; I know why she does it. She's too kind for her own good, to the point where she apologizes to her enemy while beating the shit out of them. She wants to help me, I know. But I don't want it. Just what could someone like her possibly do to help me?
So I did the obvious and blocked her power temporarily. This confused her greatly, making her question why she couldn't access my memories or why she felt weak. Of course, I could even shield my brain, but making her a bit scared should be enough to make her back off. And as predicted, she did.
And now, here I am, confronting her for intruding into things I don't want anyone to see.
(Karito) "I asked a question, Lillia."
(Lillia) "I-I'm sorry! I-I just wanted to help you." She bows profusely.
(Karito) "Well, news flash. I didn't ask for it. The freeloading is more than enough. I don't want you prying into my life."
(Lillia) "Bu-!"
(Karito) "Lillia..." Serious tone.
(Lillia) "I-I'm sorry..." Looks down in sadness.
After that, all there was was awkward silence. After a minute or so, Lillia stood up, saying that she's not hungry, and quickly went upstairs to her room. Great, I forgot how sensitive she is, and in a world record, I made a 'friend' cry within just one day of our friendship. Wow, that's embarrassing.
(Toxin) "Karito..."
(Karito) "I know..."
(Toxin) "So you know what you have to do next, right?"
(Karito) "Do I have too?"
(Toxin) "For fuck sakes man, stop being so toxic."
(Karito) "That's ironic."
(Toxin) "Shut up and at least make her not feel so shitty for doing something she's been doing since she was born."
(Karito) "..."
(Toxin) "Come on!"
(Karito) "Fuckin' fine..." stands up and walks towards the room where he detects her
God... emotions are one hell of an influence. I could hear her lightly whimper in her room, repeatedly calling me an idiot. That's understandable, but I also have to make her understand something called 'privacy'. So, I knocked on her door as I hear her gasp and seemingly fix her room. So she quickly went to the door and opens it while looking to the side.
(Lillia) "Is there... something you need?" She asked, not facing Karito.
(Karito) "Look, Lillia. I did sound like an asshole-"
(Lillia) She hums quietly.
(Karito) Bruh face. "What I meant to say is..."
(Lillia) She slightly looks up, looking at his chest.
(Karito) "That in time, I'll tell you... I'm just not ready to share my experience yet."
(Lillia) She looks at his eyes. "I... Understand..." Her eyes a little red from crying.
(Karito) "Yeah, so... I'm sorry for the way I snapped at you. You're a sweet soul." He pets her.
(Toxin) Inside Karito's thoughts: "That Puerto Rican Rizz hit's again."
(Karito) Thoughts: "Fuck off."
(Lillia) Lets him pet her. "Okay... I forgive you."
(Karito) "That's a relie-"
(Lillia) "You're making dinner and lunch as payback."
(Karito) Stares motherfuckerly.
(Lillia) Giggles cutely
At least she isn't too hard to reassure. A little bit of cooking from me will make her forget that she was ever upset in the first place. So that should be a sight to watch.
Also, it seems that the 'other guy' made his first move to get rid of the closest Dark that invaded from another verse near Noxus. Perhaps it's just our luck to meet our sworn enemies. But this actually is convenient; two of us here should ease the workload of what I need to fix in this dimension. Though, I pray for his unfortunate soul for the monster he has to face, just his luck. I can even tell that it's gonna be his first Dark. Jesus, he has some shit luck...
But I can't say much about how bad his luck is because I can also feel that something bad is going to happen. I can feel the Dark energy slowly but surely forming around. So I might as well prepare myself for whatever character I have to face when it opens up. Hopefully, it doesn't take me nor someone else into a different dimension inside this Von Neumann Universe. Of all the things they could turn it into, they decided to make it into one of the most complex shits in history. Ugh... And to think more complex things exist to make an Omniverse above Immeasurable.
Enough pondering, though. I should think about what food to take if I do get sent somewhere else in this absolute infinity of a universe.
...
...
...
Location, Noxus.
No Pov
Within the opulent confines of the Noxian palace, a pair of champions escorted Ace to his designated quarters. The grandeur of the halls lent a picturesque quality to the journey, almost as if he were on a leisurely vacation. Engaging in conversation during this procession, Draven, who had maintained a reserved demeanor during the earlier meeting, initiated a dialogue with Ace. Unfazed, the pirate found Draven to be surprisingly easy to converse with, despite the latter's stoic dedication to his duties. Ace, in turn, saw the reserved nature of Draven as an opportunity for a playful form of interaction—a game of annoyance that he intended to play until he grew weary.
On the other hand, Darious, visibly unsettled by the arrival of the newcomer, took issue with Ace's apparent lack of respect and unrestrained behavior. Had Ace demonstrated a modicum of politeness, Darious might have been more tolerant. Unbeknownst to him, Ace was well-versed in manners but chose to express them selectively, typically in the company of friends or in moments of gratitude—neither of which had transpired in this particular context.
In contrast, Draven engaged with Ace in conversation more freely. Their camaraderie, perhaps stemming from a shared spirit of independence, flourished, even though Draven's penchant for bloodshed set him apart. As they exchanged tales of their adventures, Ace, however, remained reserved for several reasons. Firstly, who would readily believe his extraordinary ability to traverse between different worlds? Certainly, only a few, if any, unless there happened to be individuals in this universe with similar capabilities—information that Ace was not privy to. Consequently, he chose to share accounts of his original world's exploits, seamlessly blending them with tales that suggested they occurred within this realm. Draven reveled in these narratives, and even the typically focused Darious couldn't help but harbor a growing curiosity about this enigmatic pyromancer.
As their conversation flowed, the trio eventually reached the door of Ace's assigned quarters, signaled by Darious.
(Darious) "This is your room..."
(Ace) "Oh, ho? Roomy." Thoughts: "This looks like a royal guest room from those movies I saw back in Korea. Bed, closet, bathroom, closet, and a balcony."
(Draven) "Are you sure you want to commence the mission tomorrow?"
(Ace) "The sooner, the better. Plus, the comment about the monster 'feeling' like me got me curious. Even though that comment is pretty sus. Feels like me?"
(Draven) "You're making it weird, Ace." Frowns
(Ace) "I know." Smirks
(Darious) "Do what you want, but wake up at 8 in the morning for your mission debrief."
(Ace) "Yeah, yeah. Got it. Are there any restaurants in here?"
(Draven) "I know a place."
(Ace) "Of course you do."
(Darious) Quietly starts leaving
(Ace) Grabs Darious' shoulder "Oi, you're coming with us."
(Darious) "No fucking way."
A few minutes later...
(Darious) "I can't believe I was dragged here..."
Here sat Darious, a fearless warrior, the greater symbol of Noxian might, the nation's most feared and battle-hardened leader rendered powerless in the company of a gluttonous Ace and an inebriated Draven. The tavern they visited suddenly overflowed with patrons once Ace and Draven entered the establishment. Ace's exploits inside the arena had spread like wildfire, and numerous civilians sought the opportunity to meet him. Fortunately for them, Ace found himself in high spirits, having just devoured his tenth plate of food. He currently laughed uproariously with a few strangers, while Draven engaged in a prank, drawing on the body of a passed-out individual.
Darious began to doubt Ace's competence. The only time he was truly impressed was in the arena, witnessing an incredible display of power. However, everything that followed seemed like a comical shift from seriousness to a lack of regard for anything. Perhaps Ace was simply carefree, Darious thought. Knowing that Ace claimed to be a former pirate, he speculated that his personality might be rooted in that experience, yet he wondered if there was more beneath the surface.
Curiosity fueled Darious. He wanted to inquire about Ace's motives, or anything that could shed light on what made him tick. For now, he chose to wait patiently in his chair, opting to distance himself from the lively party that the other two had initiated inside the restaurant.
A few hours later...
It neared midnight, and the revelry had gradually subsided. The trio opted to escort Draven back to his residence. Ace, now considering Draven a friend, willingly undertook the task of assisting the severely inebriated Draven. Upon reaching Draven's dwelling, Ace entered and unceremoniously deposited him onto his bed. Left standing was Darious, who had maintained a stoic silence throughout. Ace felt no inclination to pester the warrior, but to his surprise, Darious requested permission to accompany him. Ace, nonchalant, merely shrugged and allowed him to join the stroll back to his quarters within the palace. Minutes passed in companionable silence until Darious, seeking to break the ice, decided to initiate conversation.
(Darious) "Ace, what do you wish to achieve by completing tomorrow's mission?"
(Ace) "I guess... buy a shit ton of food."
(Darious) "I'm serious. Provide an actual answer."
(Ace) "If it gets me to do something, I'll do it."
(Darious) "So you accepted out of boredom...?"
(Ace) "Pretty much."
(Darious) "One last question."
(Ace) "Shoot."
(Darious) "Do you have a purpose?"
(Ace) "A purpose? What are you talking about?"
(Darious) "For example, I fight because I believe in our cause. Because if Noxus doesn't conquer all, everything will fall apart."
(Ace) "And what makes you so sure that war will give you freedom? Or anything of the sort?"
(Darious) "Because I believe."
(Ace) "Well, I don't believe you. Because I'm sure you have questioned your deeds."
(Darious) "Are you saying that I'm in the wrong?"
(Ace) "Dari, I'm someone who's looking for a purpose. Because of something that happened. My... reason isn't valid anymore."
(Darious) "What do you mean?"
(Ace) "Because you at least have your brother, Draven. I don't even know if my own brother is still alive... my home... my friends... my family."
(Darious) "Then why don't you look for them?"
(Ace) "Because I simply don't know how to."
(Darious) "What?"
(Ace) "I'm a lost soul, Darious. One looking for a purpose. So, I'm a wanderer searching for a reason to continue moving forward."
(Darious) "You can-"
(Ace) "No. I don't believe in a nation that revolves around war."
(Darious) "Then what? Just take your reward and leave?"
(Ace) "Yeah, because there is one person that may be able to answer my questions. Perhaps I'll find my purpose with that person, I don't know." Stops in front of his room. "This was psychological. But, thanks for the company, Darious. You aren't so bad after all."
(Darious) "While it saddens me that you're wasting your potential, I'll take your word that this 'person' gives you what you're looking for."
(Ace) "I hope so too, Darious... I hope so too... Goodnight." Enters his room.
(Darious) "Goodnight, Ace."
It's strange, really. Before I started world hopping, my last memory was defending Luffy from Akainu's attack. After that, everything went dark. Then, I opened my eyes, and I was in a different realm. It's so strange. I'm supposed to be a dead man, right? Then how is it that I'm alive?
I want to see Luffy... my crew.
I miss my people.
And I don't even know if I'll be able to see them again.
...
...
...
During Ace's time with Darious and his brother, Karito had fulfilled his promise to Lillia. As expected, she shed tears of joy while savoring his dinner, officially designating him as the cook of the house he's staying in. He didn't mind, of course. He was grateful for what she had done for him, but concerns about his current power level lingered in his mind.
Before the Dark's metamorphosis of this verse, he could barely defeat them, losing only because he ran out of time. Now, in this cursed world, his chances seemed even slimmer. The last time he faced a cursed world, he endured immense pain, narrowly surviving due to his system avoiding complete lockdown and his status boost providing sufficient power to eliminate the source of corruption. Fortune favored him as the Darks there were superhuman rather than anything above planetary.
As Karito washed the dishes, deep analysis consumed his thoughts. Red Goblin should be around city level, even more with the Carnage suit. Yet, every Dark, including the likes of SCP-3143 or Murphy Lawden on steroids, could impact entire Omniverses. By scale, they should be Outerversal and above. Luckily, as a Guardian, their Hax minimally affected him; they could only nerf his powers. Though, Karito had discovered a way to bypass that, sparing himself from power blocks. In the past, it occurred frequently due to his inexperience, but now, with more expertise, he vowed not to let it happen again. The Darks could now only use their remaining abilities since they couldn't affect Karito physically, mentally, or temporally with their Hax.
The challenge arose with opponents like Mangog, Hercules, Juggernaut, and the Spider-God, who were Universal level without their Dark Hax. The Spider-God, being the first, could potentially surpass that level. Now, in the corrupted verse, they were buffed on their home turf, reaching Complex Multiversal levels by turning the entire realm into a Von Neumann Universe, growing more complex as it extended into the multiverse.
Karito roughly estimated his adversaries to be at Multiverse level, internally sighing at the realization. He needed to get stronger quickly, but his current progress suggested it would take too long. Following the recent fight before the universes collided, he had reached the pinnacle of his prestige level, enabling him to take a test and ascend to the next level.
Player: Karito Josue Valdez
Level: 100
EXP: 0/1,000,000
HP: 879,000/879,000
Prestige: Monarch
Hero: Spider-Man (Miles Morales)
STR: 894
END: 879
INT: 879
DEX: 920
VIT: 879
"Player, your path to Godhood is open, awaiting your choice to ascend through a test or survive in this Dark Infested world. The decision is yours, and should you falter in the test or challenge, you may retry on a subsequent occasion. Triumph, and you shall ascend to the realm of the Young Gods. Fortune be with you, player, and may fiction favor your journey."
As Karito's gaze lingered upon his gaming system interface, Lillia, observing his prolonged contemplation, felt compelled to approach him. Her measured steps conveyed a palpable sense of concern, prompting her to inquire about the apparent preoccupation that held him captive.
(Lillia) "Karito?" Tilts her head slightly. "Are you okay?"
(Karito) Snaps out of it. "Huh? O-Oh, yeah. I was just thinking about something."
(Lillia) "Do you want to talk about it?"
(Karito) "Nah, it's fine." Changes the topic. "Did you like the food?"
(Lillia) Smiles. "It was amazing! I didn't know you were such a good cook!"
(Karito) "It's all about practice, what can I say?" Smirks.
(Lillia) "I can see that." Looks at the sofa. "Are you planning to go to bed soon?"
(Karito) "Yeah. I have a feeling that tomorrow I'll have to do something."
(Lillia) "Really? Can I come?"
(Karito) "I don't think you'll be safe if you do."
(Lillia) "What?" Concerned. "W-Where are you going?"
(Karito) "Do you remember the Wyvern I killed yesterday? When I saved you?"
(Lillia) Shocked. "Is there going to be another monster like that around here?!"
(Karito) "Pretty much."
(Lillia) "H-How do you know?"
(Karito) "I can feel alterations in the Omniverse."
(Lillia) Confused. "The what?"
(Karito) "Forget it. Just know that I'm going to be out for a while. And don't wait for me."
(Lillia) "B-But I want to help you!"
(Karito) "Lillia. You'll be helping my conscience by staying here, where it's safe."
(Lillia) Looks down. "I want to help you... I don't feel like I've paid my debt..."
(Karito) "Look..." Sighs and sticks his pinky up.
(Lillia) Looks up. "H-Huh?"
(Karito) "You know what this gesture is, right?"
(Lillia) "A-A pinky promise." Her eyes widen.
(Karito) "I promise to return alive, okay?"
(Lillia) Looks at his eyes. "Please... keep it... I don't want to lose a friend..."
(Karito) "You aren't, I promise."
Lillia and Karito exchanged a solemn pinky promise, a gesture that brought an internal smile to Lillia's countenance. Driven by her inherent benevolence, she chose to place unwavering faith in the sincerity of their oath. Her desire to aid Karito, to mend his fractured psyche and wounded heart, motivated her commitment. Despite the brevity of their acquaintance, she discerned the kindness within him, recognizing his struggles with profound trauma, leading him to distance himself from others for their protection. Unyielding in her resolve, Lillia vowed not to be pushed away, determined to fulfill her promise to assist humanity, starting with Karito.
In contrast, Karito found himself questioning the rationale behind his promise. Contemplating the possibility of being teleported elsewhere or confronting a formidable Dark adversary, he wondered if he had made the commitment simply to allay her concerns. Although successful in easing her worries, he grappled with the sense of having deceived her. Would he truly be able to fulfill this promise, or would the capricious whims of fate, often referred to as "Peter Luck," conspire against him in a catastrophic manner?
Amid his hopes for a favorable outcome, a cynical scoff escaped him, a testament to the pervasive belief that, for him, things seldom unfolded as desired.
(Karito) Thoughts: "I hope lucks at our side, Ace. Because we are going to need some sort of Faith Manipulation or something more powerful to win this."
(Lillia) "I'm going to bed, Karito. Sleep well and come back safe, please."
(Karito) "Don't worry, I'll return. Then we can start going on adventures."
(Lillia) "Adventures? Like what?"
(Karito) "I'll tell you when I come back, okay?"
(Lillia) Smiles "Okay!" Starts walking to her room "Goodnight, sweet dreams!"
(Karito) "You too, Lillia. You too..."
Observing as Lillia's silhouette vanished around the corner, Karito heaved a sigh. Delving into the interface of his gamer system, he contemplated the available options before selecting the challenging path of surviving in this Dark-infested world for ascension. Regrets were inevitable, and the journey ahead promised formidable challenges. Yet, he steeled himself for the uncertainties, preparing for whatever trials lay in wait.
Even if, once more, he found himself teetering on the brink of insanity.
(Karito) Flops on the sofa "Fuck... this is so annoying..." Falls asleep
To Be continued...