Hajime Nagumo's memories of that fateful journey felt like a vivid, haunting dream. Every detail, every emotion, was etched into his mind as if it were a movie playing out on fragments of his thoughts.
It all began on an ordinary day on Earth, one that soon turned extraordinary. Hajime and his classmates were suddenly summoned to a strange new world, thrust into roles as 'heroes' destined to save this land. The anticipation and excitement of such a grand purpose filled the air, but for Hajime, that feeling quickly soured.
Unlike his peers, who were blessed with incredible powers and potential, Hajime's abilities were deemed mediocre at best. His classmates, instead of offering support, looked down upon him with scorn. Discrimination and ridicule became his daily companions as he was ostracized by his own "friends."
Name: Hajime Nagumo
Class: Synergist
Magical Affinity: F
Existence Value: 1,000
Skills: Transmutation, Language Comprehension
Two weeks passed, and the summoned heroes embarked on a mission to the Great Orcus Labyrinth, a colossal dungeon that promised danger and the opportunity to grow stronger. They journeyed its depths with relative ease until they reached a particular floor. It was there that their fates changed. Hiyama, one of Hajime's more arrogant classmates, saw a chance to impress Kaori, a girl many admired. He greedily reached for a large, glimmering ore, triggering a trap that teleported the entire group to the 65th floor of the dungeon.
The scene they arrived at was nothing short of a nightmare. They found themselves face-to-face with a Behemoth, a monstrous creature that had decimated even the most seasoned adventurers. Panic set in as the group realized the peril they were in.
Kouki, the self-appointed leader, hesitated to leave behind Commander Meld, who was critically injured. Hajime, seeing the urgency of their situation, argued that someone needed to take charge and lead the terrified classmates to safety. He urged Meld to protect the others while they immobilized the Behemoth.
As they launched a desperate assault on the beast, the unthinkable happened. A fireball, cast by one of his classmates, struck Hajime, sending him plummeting off the bridge into the abyss below. The treachery left Kaori and others in shock, but there was no time to react as the chaos continued.
Hajime awoke in the depths of the dungeon, surrounded by darkness and despair. The pain was immediate and excruciating. A massive bear monster loomed over him, and in a desperate attempt to escape, Hajime's left arm was torn off. He barely managed to survive by transmuting a wall to seal himself away from the creature.
As he lay there, bleeding and broken, his thoughts turned inward. He remembered the ridicule, the betrayal, and the overwhelming desire to return home. That determination ignited a fierce resolve within him. He vowed to survive, no matter the cost, and to kill anything that stood in his way.
Preparing his transmutation abilities, Hajime stopped the bleeding from his severed arm and faced the next monster, a vicious wolf. He fought with a ferocity born of desperation, stabbing the creature to death and consuming its flesh to restore his vitality and mana. But the meat was poisonous, and agony soon followed.
His body underwent a brutal process of deconstruction and reconstruction, each wave of pain pushing him to the brink of madness. He banged his head against the wall, seeking unconsciousness as a merciful escape.
When he awoke, Hajime was transformed. His body was stronger, his hair turned white, and his eyes glowed a blood-red. He had survived thanks to his sheer willpower and a stroke of luck that led him to a Divinity Stone containing Ambrosia, a substance with incredible healing properties. With his newfound powers, including lightning abilities from another monster, Hajime forged a weapon, a revolver he named Donner, after countless attempts. He continued his journey through the abyss, killing and consuming monsters to grow stronger.
Three days after defeating the bear, Hajime's relentless march led him to a sealed chamber. Inside, a small, seemingly delicate girl was trapped in a magical box. Initially wary, Hajime prepared to leave her, but her pleas for help and the story of her betrayal resonated with him. She was a vampire betrayed by her own people and imprisoned in the labyrinth. Moved by their shared experiences of treachery, Hajime used his full power to break the seal and free her. She asked him to give her a new name, and he chose "Yue."
As they prepared to leave the room, a powerful monster attacked them. Despite the fierce battle, Yue demonstrated her strength by using one of her strongest attacks, Azure Blaze, after drinking Hajime's blood. Together, they managed to defeat the monster, cementing their partnership. Over the next month, Hajime and Yue grew closer, sharing their stories and solidifying their bond. Yue decided to accompany Hajime on his journey to escape the labyrinth.
Just as it seemed they had reached the end of the abyss, they were confronted by a six-headed hydra-like monster, a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
It was at this critical moment that Satoru Gojo appeared. Suppressing a sigh at his dreaming self, Hajime's mind returned way back before all this happened. Before his encounter with Satoru Gojo, before Yue, and even before his fall at the Orcus Labyrinth.
His soul was reminded of the weight of a promise he thought he'd long cast away. A promise to the girl who cared for him back at the Inn of Horaud.
...…
...
…
In the hazy world of dreams, Yue's ancient memories replayed like a scene out of a movie. She saw flashes of a castle, its spires reaching towards the sky. She was a princess, beloved by the vampire race for her extraordinary magical potential.
Yue remembered the warmth of her closest loved ones, the respect of her people, and the weight he didn't bear of the countless lives she'd slain. She was destined to lead, to protect. But with great power came fear and jealousy.
The dream shifted, darkening. Whispers in dark corners. Plots formed in secret. Those closest to her, driven by greed and envy, turned against her. Yue felt again the sharp sting of betrayal as family members she trusted led her into a trap.
She relived the moment of shock and confusion as magic circles activated around her. Her own power, turned against her. Pain seared through her body as ancient seals bound her, draining her strength.
The world blurred, and Yue found herself entombed in a magical prison deep within the labyrinth. Centuries passed in lonely silence. She drifted in and out of consciousness, her only company the dismantled fragments of her own thoughts.
Hope had long since abandoned her when a new presence entered her prison. Through the haze of her dream, Yue saw a young man with white hair and red eyes. Despite his fearsome appearance, she sensed in him a kindred spirit - someone else who knew the pain of betrayal.
As the dream began to fade, Yue felt the rush of freedom as her prison shattered. She heard herself asking for a name, and the young man's voice softly speaking: "Yue."
The dream dissolved. No longer alone, no longer bound by her past, she had found someone to stand beside. In her sleep, a small smile played on her lips as she looked forward to the journey ahead.
••
GASP
Hajime Nagumo found himself gasping for air as an earthquake rippled through the coastal city, his lungs empty of air as he took in ragged breaths. Once the earthquake died down, he rustled his bed hair as Yue beside him squirmed, rubbing her eyes with a look of concern.
"Hajime? Are you okay?" She asked.
Hajime stroked her wavy golden hair as he gave her a reassuring smile. "It's fine. Just a dream," he replied. Sharing their usual morning kiss and a passionate oral business, Hajime and Yue tidied themselves as they prepared to go downstairs.
"Where'd Satoru disappear to anyway?" Hajime asked. He knew he wouldn't get a straight answer from Yue, who often opted for blissful ignorance when it came to Satoru's unpredictable nature.
"No idea," she replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Hajime and Yue descended the creaking wooden stairs of the Siren's Rest, their footsteps echoing in the early morning quiet. As they approached the breakfast lobby, the murmur of voices grew louder, a veil of palpable tension even before they entered the room.
The tavern's main hall was a discord of activity, far more bustling than what was usual for this hour. Patrons and servers huddled in small groups, their faces both of excitement and concern. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats.
As Hajime and Yue made their way to an empty table in the corner, snippets of conversation reached their ears.
"By the gods, did you feel that quake?" a portly merchant asked, his hands trembling slightly as he lifted his mug.
"Aye, shook me right out of me bed, it did," replied a weather-beaten sailor, his eyes darting nervously around the room. "But that ain't the half of it, I tell ye."
Hajime's ears perked up, his hand instinctively moving closer to Donner, concealed beneath his coat. Yue leaned in slightly, her crimson eyes scanning the room with quiet intensity.
The sailor lowered his voice, but in the tense air, his words carried clearly to Hajime and Yue's enhanced senses. "Word on the street is, the whole bleedin' underworld of Erisen went up in smoke last night. Every major crime family, every cutthroat and thief worth their salt – almost entirely gone."
A collective gasp rippled through the nearby tables. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?" a young barmaid asked, her tray of drinks forgotten in her hands.
The sailor's voice dropped even lower, forcing the others to lean in. "Vanished, the lot of 'em. Left nothin' but blood behind. They're sayin' it's like the earth opened up and swallowed 'em whole."
As the whispers and overexaggerated theories spread through the tavern like wildfire, Hajime and Yue exchanged a look. The image of Satoru Gojo, with his ever-present annoying smile and blindfold, flashed through both their minds simultaneously. It was too much of a coincidence to ignore.
A serving girl approached their table, her smile strained as she tried to maintain an air of normalcy. "What can I get for you this morning?"
Hajime ordered a hearty breakfast for both of them. As they waited for their food, more details of the night's events trickled through the crowd. Stories of entire criminal hideouts found empty, save for ominous bloodstains. Whispers of dark magic and divine retribution mingled with more mundane theories of rival gang warfare.
As the minutes ticked by, Hajime's irritation grew. The food arrived, steam rising invitingly from the plates, but there was still no sign of Satoru. He had promised to meet them for breakfast, yet here they were, left waiting while everyone buzzed with the aftermath of what was surely Satoru's handiwork.
"That irresponsible bastard," Hajime muttered, stabbing a piece of sausage with more force than necessary. "Always showing up when it's convenient for him, leaving us to pick up the pieces."
Yue placed a calming hand on his arm, her touch cool against his skin. "He'll show up eventually, Hajime. He always does." Her voice was soothing, but Hajime could see the flicker of concern in her eyes. They both knew Satoru Gojo was a wildcard, unpredictable and dangerous.
"I know," Hajime sighed, his voice low to avoid being overheard. "But I can't shake the feeling he's playing us. This whole situation stinks of his particular brand of chaos. It's like he's in it just for the fun."
They ate in relative silence, both keenly aware of the growing unrest in the tavern. Theories became wilder, fear more palpable. A group of city guards entered, their faces grim as they scanned the room. The tension ratcheted up another notch.
Just as Hajime was about to suggest they leave and start their investigation without Satoru, the tavern door swung open with a dramatic flourish. A hush fell over the room as Satoru Gojo sauntered in, looking as carefree as ever in his striking white hair and blindfold.
"Good morning, lovebirds!" he called out cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere and the daggers Hajime was glaring at him. "Sorry I'm late. I had a rough night, you see."
Hajime's hand tightened on his fork, knuckles whitening. Yue's eyes narrowed slightly, her posture shifting almost imperceptibly.
As Satoru made his way to their table, "This guy…" Hajime sighed in exasperation, his brows frowning from the amount of stress the eccentric white-haired boy had given him. Satoru's complete lack of respect for personal boundaries tend to be a more than enough source of rising blood pressure. "He can't possibly be the cause of that earthquake now, is he?" Hajime added with a tone that denied his words, not wanting to hear anymore crass.
After arriving at their table, Satoru arrogantly plucked a chair form another occupied table and settled in with Hajime and Yue.
"So? Mind explaining what's going on?" Hajime asked in a demanding tone.
Satoru's eyes narrowed slightly, contrasting his otherwise playful smile. "Funny, do I look like your babysitter, Hajime?" He said, his fingers tapping on the table as he leaned back on his chair. "Try and figure it out yourself."
Aren't you the one who certainly got something we need to hear? Hajime's jaw clenched. Satoru's borderline god-complex, coupled with his infuriating habit of dropping cryptic information without any context, was starting to wear thin on his patience.
Here they were, eager for the information he'd certainly possessed, and all they got was a playful jab and a challenge? A sigh escaped Hajime's lips as he realized he was probably going to have to pry the details out of the eccentric sorcerer one sarcastic remark at a time.
Another waitress, a human woman this time, arrived at their table, breaking the tension with a passionate and affectionate side eye directed at Satoru. "Your orders, sweety," she said casually as she shot one more side eye to Satoru.
Satoru's frown vanished as quickly as it had appeared. In its place was the usual face he always wore, an eccentric playful smile. He took his order, not at all recognizing or bothering to acknowledge the presence of the waitress. He didn't even look at her.
After she left, "Relax, spiky," he said as he held out its palm. In it, a dark rotating disk the size of his palm hovered just above his hand. Then, it contracted and expanded, becoming large enough to encase their table as it seemingly went invisible.
"That… is a curtain. It's to prevent eavesdropping on us."
"Oh…" Hajime realized and hummed in satisfaction. "So? Are you finally going to spill?" He asked as he took a bite out of his pancake. Satoru merely nodded as he took a bite out of his steak, which arrived shortly after his order was taken. Even his rough handling of utensils seemed so elegant and charming.
"Sho," he said as he table talked while gulping down the meat in his mouth. "I've actually went ahead to the ocean as I returned from a little uneventful walk. It was to find the Sunken Ruins of Melusine. I didn't want to bother Yue giving you head so I thought I'd go back and stroll some more." Hajime's and Yue's mouths were wide, their dropped jaws looking comical as contents of their mouth spilled down forth.
Ignoring them completely, Satoru continued speaking. "It took a while to find these so-called ruins of a floating island called Andika, and I began to think it was all just rabble spouted by that old guy I've interviewed. But then I actually came across the ruins! But no matter how hard I looked, I just can't find the labyrinth, like, at all. I scanned every nook of the sunken remains but there's just no trace. So, I came to the conclusion that what if…" Satoru paused as he looked up to gauge Hajime and Yue's reactions.
"There's a special condition to finding it, and even getting in," he said.
"And what would that be?" Hajime asked as he continued to chow away at his food.
Satoru looked at him with a judging stare. "How the hell would I know? Though perhaps, maybe, we need to clear some of the other labyrinths first?"
"Great. So, all we did to get here is for nothing then," Yue spoke for the first time since sitting down on the table, picking up her spoon as he fed Hajime a spoonful of her stew.
Hajime and Yue took that chance to exchange a look, their eyes hinting frustration and resignation. Though Satoru hadn't explicitly stated it, his actions spoke volumes. The way he casually mentioned exploring the sunken ruins alone, the offhand manner in which he shared crucial information, and the sinking sensation that everything they knew of him was just an act - it all pointed to one uncomfortable truth: they were just along for the ride.
It was becoming increasingly clear that Satoru's adherence to their agreement was less about camaraderie and more about his own amusement.
Yue's delicate fingers tightened around her spoon, feeling a combination of irritation and something deeper, almost melancholic. He sees us as nothing more than entertainment, she thought, her mental voice tinged with bitterness. A distraction.
Hajime's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding silently as he processed Satoru's words. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut - they were superfluous, unnecessary additions to Satoru's self-granted adventure, or vacation even. The only reason the Legacy bothered to stick around was to fulfill his end of the Binding Vow, and perhaps to alleviate his crushing boredom, or maybe loneliness?
But even that loneliness, Hajime realized, was a double-edged sword. Satoru Gojo's pride and power had set him apart, elevating him to a level where connections became fleeting, inconsequential things. Allies or foes, it made no difference - everyone just got in his way.
They finished their meal in tense silence. They were traveling companions to a god among men, a being so young yet so far removed from mortal concerns. Satoru, oblivious or perhaps indifferent to their inner turmoil, continued to eat with relish.