Rising through the Omniverse as a Herrscher

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Masachika and Poseidon stood facing each other, the relentless downpour drenching them both. Neither flinched, their gazes locked in an unyielding battle of wills. The air around them crackled with tension, the storm above mirroring the brewing conflict. Poseidon couldn't shake the feeling of unease—Masachika radiated a calm, overpowering aura that hinted at a gap in their strength.

But Poseidon's pride would not allow him to show weakness—not before the mortal standing before him. No matter how much Masachika's presence unsettled him, no matter how vast the gap in power seemed, he refused to be intimidated by one he deemed beneath the gods.

The sea god's jaw tightened, his trident glinting faintly under the rain as he steadied himself. His divine authority surged within him, a silent declaration that he would not bow to any mortal, no matter how extraordinary.

Masachika stood motionless, his fox ears twitching slightly as rain dripped from his nine tails, which swayed lazily behind him. His golden eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. With an almost imperceptible smirk, he finally broke the silence.

In a flash, Masachika vanished, reappearing just behind Poseidon. The movement was so seamless, so precise, that Poseidon barely had time to react.

"Shall we find a more fitting stage for this?"

Masachika's voice, calm and measured, carried a weight that sent a shiver through Poseidon.

Alarmed, Poseidon whirled around, only to feel the world shift beneath his feet. The Authority of Void enveloped them both, bending space to Masachika's will. In an instant, the two figures vanished, leaving behind only the fading echoes of their power.

As the storm over the city began to subside, the howling winds and torrential rain softened into silence. The brewing tempest dissipated completely, as if the gods themselves had called for calm. The city, now peaceful once more, was unaware that its would-be battlefield had been relocated elsewhere—somewhere far more suitable for a clash of such magnitude.

==========================

Mahiru and Maria, who had been sprinting toward safety moments ago, slowed their pace as they noticed the rain had abruptly ceased. The dark storm clouds that had loomed ominously overhead were now beginning to part, revealing a calm, moonlit sky.

Breathing heavily, the two came to a stop, glancing around in cautious relief.

"It's stopped…" Mahiru murmured, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Maria's gaze shifted toward the distant horizon, her expression softening with realization. "It must be Masachika's doing," she said quietly, a faint sense of reassurance creeping into her tone.

The two stood still for a moment longer, the silence around them eerily peaceful, before they continued their journey.

"Should we go to where he was? To see if he's okay?" Mahiru asked, her voice trembling slightly as she turned to Maria, concern clearly etched on her face.

Maria hesitated, the same worry gnawing at her heart. She, too, wanted to check on Masachika, to ensure he was unharmed, but doubt lingered.

"He told us to leave… to get to safety," Maria replied softly, her hands clenching at her sides. "He wanted us out of harm's way so he could face Poseidon without distractions."

Mahiru's gaze dropped to the ground, conflicted. She knew Maria was right, but the thought of leaving Masachika to face such overwhelming danger alone weighed heavily on her. "But what if he…" she trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Maria placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, though her expression betrayed her own unease. "Let's trust him, Mahiru. He wouldn't want us to put ourselves at risk."

Reluctantly, Mahiru nodded, though the worry in her chest refused to subside as they resumed their cautious walk to safety.

That was until they suddenly stopped in their tracks, startled by the presence of someone standing directly in their path. Their breaths caught, and their bodies tensed as they instinctively grew wary.

Before they could react further, the figure stepped closer, her calm yet commanding presence becoming clear. It was Belfast.

"I see that you two are safe," she said, her voice steady and composed, a faint trace of relief softening her otherwise serious demeanor.

Maria, her curiosity overcoming her caution, stepped forward and asked, "Who are you?"

The woman responded with a graceful bow, delicately pinching the edges of her skirt as she lowered her head with impeccable poise.

"Pleased to meet you both. My name is Belfast," she said, her voice refined and steady. "I am Masachika-sama's loyal maid. He has entrusted me with ensuring your safety."

Her composed demeanor and unwavering tone carried a sense of assurance that immediately eased some of the tension in the air. Mahiru and Maria exchanged a glance, their initial wariness giving way to curiosity as they took in the maid's dignified presence and the mention of Masachika's concern for them.

"Belfast, right?" Mahiru began, her voice hesitant but determined. "Can you tell us what's happening right now? What we saw and heard… was that really Poseidon? A genuine God of the Sea?"

Mahiru's words hung in the air, her disbelief evident. She still struggled to process the surreal events unfolding before them. Maria, standing beside her, shared the same doubt. The idea that they had come face-to-face with a being of myth—a god—seemed impossible to accept.

Belfast, her expression calm and understanding, nodded. "Yes, what you witnessed was indeed Poseidon, the God of the Sea. His presence here is no mere illusion or trick," she explained, her tone gentle yet firm. "Masachika-sama has taken it upon himself to confront him to ensure your safety. That is why he asked you to leave the area."

Mahiru and Maria exchanged another glance, their minds racing to grasp the reality of Belfast's words. The weight of the situation was unlike anything they had ever imagined, yet Belfast's composed demeanor gave them the strength to keep moving forward.

"But… will he be okay?" Maria's voice wavered, her worry spilling over as she clenched her fists. "Poseidon is a genuine God of the Sea! Brother to Zeus the King of all God! There's no way someone like him could win against that!"

Her words were filled with both fear and desperation. Maria couldn't suppress the growing anxiety in her chest. The boy she had loved, the one she had finally reunited with after so long, had once again saved her—put himself in harm's way for her. And now, he was facing an unfathomable opponent.

Belfast's expression softened, though her posture remained poised. "Masachika-sama is no ordinary person," she said, her voice steady and reassuring. "He knows the risks, yet he faces them with resolve. Trust in him, Maria-sama."

Maria bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the ground. She wanted to believe in his strength, in his determination, but the thought of him standing against a god—an actual god—was too much to bear.

Belfast, noticing that Maria still wasn't convinced, calmly raised her hand. A swirling portal materialized behind her, its edges glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.

Both Mahiru and Maria stared in shock, their eyes wide as the mysterious gateway loomed before them.

"If you truly wish to see what Masachika-sama is capable of," Belfast said, her tone unwavering, "then step through this portal. It will take us to a separate dimension, one removed from this world. There, you can observe the battle safely from the sidelines, away from the crossfire."

Maria and Mahiru exchanged uncertain glances, their disbelief at what was happening only growing.

"A separate dimension?" Mahiru echoed, her voice a mixture of awe and apprehension.

Belfast nodded gracefully. "Indeed. Masachika-sama anticipated your concern and instructed me to provide this option. However, I must warn you—what you witness may be far beyond anything you've imagined."

Maria hesitated, her heart pounding. Her concern for Masachika warred with her fear of what they might see. After a moment, she swallowed hard, determination flickering in her eyes. "Let's go," she said firmly, glancing at Mahiru. "I have to see for myself."

Mahiru hesitated but finally nodded, steeling herself. "Alright. Let's go."

Belfast stepped aside, gesturing toward the portal. "Very well. Follow me." With that, she stepped into the swirling light, and the two girls followed close behind, their hearts bracing for the unknown.

As they stepped through the portal, the world around them seemed to shift in an instant. The familiar surroundings of the city vanished, replaced by an overwhelming expanse of water.

Mahiru and Maria blinked, both taken aback by the sudden change. The vast ocean stretched endlessly in every direction, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore filling their ears. The sky above was a striking blend of deep blues and purples, signaling an otherworldly atmosphere.

They stood at the center of the ocean, surrounded by nothing but the vast, untamed waters.

Maria's breath caught in her throat. "We're... in the middle of the ocean?" she whispered, her voice filled with awe and disbelief.

Belfast, unfazed by the sudden shift, turned to them with a calm nod. "Yes. This is where Masachika-sama is. The dimension we've entered is separated from the world you know. Here, you will be able to observe without interference."

Mahiru's eyes scanned the horizon, still processing the surreal nature of their surroundings. She couldn't shake the feeling that they had crossed into something beyond their understanding.

As the wind whispered around them, Maria's gaze shifted anxiously toward the distant waves, wondering where Masachika was—and what was happening in this vast, uncharted space.

After a tense silence, the two girls eventually spotted a figure in the distance, standing alone against the vast ocean backdrop. As they moved closer, their eyes locked onto Masachika, but what they saw made their breath catch in their throats.

There, standing confidently, was Masachika—but he was different. His usual appearance had changed dramatically. Fox ears, sharp and alert, sprouted from his head, their fur a deep shade of white. Behind him, a majestic tail—nine of them, each one flowing gracefully in the wind—extended from his back. The sight was both awe-inspiring and surreal, as if the mythical had become reality.

Maria blinked, unable to process the transformation immediately. "Is… is that really him?" she whispered in disbelief, her voice barely above a breath.

Mahiru, equally stunned, nodded slowly, her eyes wide. "Masachika… what happened to you?" she murmured, her heart racing as she tried to reconcile the person they once knew with this new, almost divine figure before them.

Belfast, standing calmly beside them, offered a small, respectful nod. "What you're seeing now is the true form of Masachika-sama," she said, her voice unwavering.

Maria turned her gaze toward Masachika, her eyes widening in disbelief. "That's... his true form?" she asked, her voice a mixture of awe and hesitation.

"Yes," Belfast confirmed with a composed smile. "But rest assured, even in that form, he is still Masachika Kuze."

"I see…" Maria murmured, her expression softening as she continued to gaze at Masachika. The immense power radiating from him was both intimidating and, in an odd way, reassuring. Despite his overwhelming presence, she couldn't look away.

Mahiru, standing beside her, noticed the deep concern etched on Maria's face. She glanced at Masachika, then back at Maria, realizing that Maria's worry for him ran far deeper than her own. It wasn't just awe she saw—it was something more personal, something rooted in a bond she couldn't quite understand.

But she pushed that thought aside as her attention shifted back to Masachika, who now stood resolutely, facing off against Poseidon on the other side of the battlefield.

But she shook that thought away, refocusing her attention on where Masachika now stood, locked in an intense standoff with Poseidon on the other side of the battlefield. Her gaze hardened, knowing this was no time to dwell on emotions—Masachika was fighting a god, and every moment counted.

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Masachika floated effortlessly in the middle of the ocean, the waves swirling calmly beneath him. His nine tails rippled with the movement of the water, a reflection of the newfound power coursing through him. Yet, despite the peace in his surroundings, something tugged at his senses.

He paused, his sharp fox ears twitching slightly, as an eerie awareness settled over him. He could feel it—two, maybe three presences, watching him from afar. Though he couldn't pinpoint where they were, or who they were, the sensation was unmistakable. Eyes upon him, hidden from view.

A slight frown appeared on his face as he tried to focus, but the feeling quickly faded. With a shrug, he dismissed it. For now, his attention was needed elsewhere.

His gaze shifted back to Poseidon, who remained hovering in the distance, a curious expression on his face. The God of the Sea regarded him with an almost questioning look, as though trying to decipher Masachika's next move. The silence between them stretched, thick with the tension of the impending clash.

Masachika met his gaze calmly, unfazed by the presence of an ancient god before him.

"why did you teleport us here?"

Masachika's gaze never wavered from Poseidon, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. He tilted his head slightly, as if genuinely puzzled.

"Hmm? Oh, you don't know?" His voice carried a sharp, mocking edge. "I thought for sure, with you being the God of the Sea and all, you would've figured it out by now."

He gestured casually to the surrounding ocean, the stillness of the water contrasting with the tension in the air.

Masachika's smirk grew sharper, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You know, I always thought gods were supposed to be omniscient," he began, his tone mocking. "But I guess I was wrong, huh?"

He gave a casual flick of his hand, the motion almost dismissive as his smirk widened. "Let me spell it out for you, then. I transported the two of us here—your so-called home turf. Figured I'd give you the advantage." He paused, his gaze piercing, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Otherwise, this fight would be over way too easily."

His tone was a clear jab, the mocking amusement evident as he watched Poseidon's reaction.

Poseidon's face darkened, his patience wearing thin as he absorbed Masachika's mocking words. His knuckles tightened, and the tension in the air grew palpable. Slowly, the calm ocean around them began to stir, as though responding to the god's rising fury.

The water churned, waves crashing violently as if in a desperate attempt to contain the storm brewing within Poseidon. Dark clouds gathered above, swirling ominously, mirroring the god's anger. The once serene ocean now seemed to pulse with a growing, unpredictable energy, the winds picking up in a furious howl.

Poseidon's eyes flashed with barely contained rage. "You dare mock me, mortal?" he growled, the very ocean around him shifting in sync with his wrath.

Masachika's smirk deepened, his gaze never leaving Poseidon as the god's rage seemed to manifest in the storm that began to brew around them.

"Oh, what if I was?" Masachika continued, his voice still dripping with mockery. "What's the worst you can do? The ocean is already shaking at the slightest hint of my words."

His casual tone contrasted sharply with the fury building in Poseidon, as if the god's anger was nothing more than a passing inconvenience.

Meanwhile, in the Separate Dimension, Maria and Mahiru watched in stunned disbelief. Their eyes were wide with shock as they witnessed Masachika, their beloved friend, continuing to provoke and taunt the powerful God of the Sea without any hesitation.

Maria's voice trembled as she whispered, "Is he... really doing this? He's angering Poseidon on purpose?"

Mahiru, equally shocked, could only nod in response, her heart racing. The situation was spiraling further than they ever imagined.

Masachika's taunts weren't just for show—they served a purpose. He was deliberately provoking Poseidon, trying to see the full extent of what the Heretic God from the Campione! could do. When he had been kicked earlier, he hadn't felt a thing, not even the slightest discomfort. At first, he thought it might have been a fluke, that Poseidon wasn't using his full power.

But now, as Masachika observed the once-tranquil ocean morph into a swirling abyss of chaos, his confident smirk faltered ever so slightly. The waters churned with unrelenting ferocity, colossal waves crashing like titans in battle. The atmosphere grew dense with an oppressive, malevolent energy, and towering typhoons of ocean water spiraled skyward, tearing through the heavens. It was as though the entire ocean had risen in rebellion, transforming into an apocalyptic death trap where survival seemed impossible, its wrath threatening to swallow everything whole.

This... this was the full-powered rage of an angered Heretic God. Masachika could feel it in the very atmosphere, the overwhelming pressure of Poseidon's might bearing down on him. There was no more doubt in his mind.

But, Masachika tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning as the intense pressure from Poseidon's full-powered storm pressed against him. Despite the chaos unfolding around him, he remained unnervingly calm, unaffected by the god's wrath.

He took a step forward, his voice tinged with mockery once more.

"Is this all there is to it?"

he asked, his tone almost bored. The immense pressure from Poseidon's power didn't faze him in the slightest—if anything, it felt lighter than what he had endured in the depths of Hell with the army of Titan that he was facing.

Poseidon's eyes narrowed, the storm around them intensifying as he glared at Masachika, disbelief and fury mixing in his gaze. "What…?" he growled, the words laced with incredulity.

Masachika's mocking tone only deepened the god's anger, each word like a spark to a flame. The pressure of the ocean's fury was palpable, but Masachika remained unfazed, his stance casual, even as the god's wrath threatened to engulf him.

Masachika's smirk only grew wider as he waved his hand dismissively, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You know what? Forget it. Let's just fight. Come on, give me your best shot. I'll even let you hit me first... oh, wait, you already did, but whatever, just come on."

His tone was dismissive, as if Poseidon's power were nothing more than a fleeting annoyance.

Poseidon's gaze darkened, his fury reaching a boiling point. Without a word, he raised his trident high, the ocean responding instantly to his command. The waters began to rise, swirling and churning violently as though the sea itself was answering the god's call.

With a swift motion, Poseidon brought the trident down, and the ocean surged forward, crashing toward Masachika with the force of a thousand storms.

Masachika stood unfazed as Poseidon's towering wave of oceanic fury surged toward him. With a calm, almost casual motion, he raised his Abyss Flower, the weapon gleaming in the chaotic storm. His focus sharpened as he channeled an immense amount of Honkai Energy into the spear, the energy swirling and converging at the very tip, crackling with power.

The air around him thickened as the concentrated energy surged through the spear, turning the tip into a volatile point of destructive force. Without hesitation, Masachika thrust the spear forward, directing the Honkai Energy straight into the incoming ocean.

The moment the two forces collided, the ocean seemed to resist, its massive waves surging against the Honkai-charged spear with a powerful roar. The water struggled to push back, but Masachika's concentrated energy was too much. With a violent explosion of force, the ocean split apart, the spear cutting through the water like a knife through fabric.

Poseidon, realizing the danger too late, leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the full brunt of the attack as the spear whizzed past him, carving through the water. He landed with a splash, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and fury, barely dodging the deadly strike.

Poseidon's gaze snapped around in search of Masachika, but he couldn't find him.

"Where is he—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden, sharp pain exploded in his side.

"Guhak!"

Poseidon grunted, his breath stolen by the unexpected blow. The impact sent him flying through the air, crashing into the roiling sea with a massive splash. Struggling to regain his balance, he gritted his teeth, the violent waves around him threatening to pull him under as he steadied himself on the raging ocean's surface.

A drip of blood slipped from Poseidon's mouth as he glared at Masachika with an enraged look. His chest heaved with fury. "Why you lowly human..." he growled, the words laced with venom.

In an instant, Poseidon surged forward, the ocean beneath him lending its power as waves propelled him at an impossible speed, breaking the sound barrier with a deafening crack. The air around him trembled with the sheer force of his charge, the sea itself twisting and churning as he closed the gap between them.

When he reached Masachika, Poseidon unleashed a barrage of rapid, powerful thrusts with his trident, each one a deadly blur aimed at overwhelming his foe.

Masachika stood unfazed as Poseidon's trident thrusts came at him with blinding speed.

Masachika unleashed the full power of his Ninetails, each tail moving with precision and grace to intercept the incoming thrusts. Utilizing an advanced technique akin to an Auto Counter, he seamlessly employed the Authority of Consciousness, allowing him to subconsciously read and predict his opponent's attacks. Every strike was deflected effortlessly, as though his body moved on its own, reacting instinctively to Poseidon's relentless assault. It was a flawless display of mastery and intuition, showcasing his unparalleled ability to turn even the fiercest onslaught into an opportunity for control.

"What's the matter?" Masachika taunted, his voice smooth and mocking. "It's not hitting at all, you know."

Poseidon's fury surged to its zenith, his rage erupting as his relentless attacks were thwarted. His patience shattered. With a feral snarl, he vaulted high into the air, the ocean heeding his call with roaring waves that rose to meet him. Lightning crackled as he brandished his trident, its prongs gleaming with the ferocity of the storm.

"Let's see you handle this!" Poseidon roared, his voice echoing like a crashing tidal wave. With a surge of divine fury, he unleashed a relentless torrent of thrusts, each strike descending with the ferocity of a raging storm, faster and more forceful than the one before.

Yet amidst the chaos, Masachika remained unshaken. His voice, smooth and dripping with amusement, cut through the cacophony like a knife. "Oh my, isn't that impressive," he remarked, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

The storm of attacks fell upon him, but Masachika's ethereal tails wove effortlessly through the air, deflecting each deadly thrust with precision. They moved like an extension of his will, redirecting the furious onslaught as though it were no more than a mild inconvenience.

Maria and Mahiru, watching from the sidelines, tightly gripped each other's hands, their fingers intertwined in a mixture of concern and awe. The intensity of the battle before them was almost overwhelming, the air thick with the raw power of the clash. Their eyes never left Masachika as they watched him endure Poseidon's fury, silently praying for his safety, but unable to look away from the sheer spectacle of his strength.

Poseidon, seeing Masachika hold his ground, gritted his teeth in frustration. With a roar of determination, he lunged forward, his thrusts faster than ever—so fast that each strike shattered the sound barrier with a deafening crack. As he pressed his assault, he manipulated the surrounding sea, shaping the water into numerous avatars of himself.

The avatars mirrored Poseidon's movements perfectly, each one unleashing a flurry of thrusts at the same blinding speed and devastating power as the original. Together, they created an overwhelming storm of attacks that converged on Masachika from every direction, leaving no room for escape.

Despite the relentless onslaught, Masachika remained calm, his sharp gaze analyzing the chaos around him. His tails moved with precision, intercepting strike after strike, deflecting the relentless barrage. However, even his tails began to strain under the sheer volume of attacks. So, Masachika also wielded the Abyss Flower in his hand, using its power to redirect the incoming thrusts with precision and force.

A few strikes managed to break through his defenses, grazing him with their force. However, Masachika's wounds began to heal almost instantly, the cuts sealing themselves before even a drop of blood could escape his body.

The shockwaves from the two clashes were so immense that the ocean itself transformed into a raging weapon, its waves threatening to engulf and drown anything—or anyone—unfortunate enough to be nearby.

They continued their fierce exchange for several minutes, the battlefield a maelstrom of clashing power. But then, Masachika decided it was time to break the deadlock.

With a sudden surge of energy, he unleashed a burst of power that shattered the relentless assault. The barrage of trident thrusts raining down like a violent thunderstorm was met with unyielding defiance. Each spear aimed at him was either deflected or shattered as he pushed forward, his will as unwavering as the force driving him.

Poseidon, sensing the shift in the air, instinctively moved to the side just in time. The moment proved crucial, as Masachika thrust forward with all his might, sending a devastating wave of energy through the Abyss Flower. The force of the attack was so immense that it tore through the stormy clouds overhead, slicing through the tumultuous sky and revealing a beam of blinding light that cut through the ocean's surface like a divine strike.

Everyone watching, with the exception of Belfast, stood in stunned silence, utterly captivated by the display of Masachika's overwhelming power. The ocean's tempest had been split wide open, the sky itself cracked as if responding to the sheer force he wielded.

"Well, I suppose it's time to end this,"

Masachika muttered, his voice calm yet filled with authority. With a fluid motion, he dismissed the Abyss Flower, storing it back into his inventory.

Masachika considered this the perfect moment to test the full potential of his Heart Tool. His eyes narrowed with focus as he began to chant, his voice resonating with unwavering determination.

"By my heart's will, strike true and pierce through fate. Empower those bound to me, and reclaim what is lost. Through all barriers, I summon your might—come forth, Γουνγνίρ!"

As his words echoed, a surge of energy rippled through the air, the very space around him trembling in response to the invocation.

With a sudden, fluid motion, a spear materialized in Masachika's hand. Its design was a striking balance of elegance and ferocity, the spearhead gleaming in vivid gold, its edges glowing with an ethereal light. Shaped like a jagged blade, it radiated a potent energy that gave it a divine aura. The shaft was sleek, jet-black, with intricate gold accents near the top and scattered throughout, adding an ornate touch to its form. The base and guard were adorned with delicate golden carvings, reinforcing its mythical origins. At its core, a mesmerizing Golden White glow pulsed, as if the weapon itself were alive with otherworldly power.

Maria and Mahiru stood in awe, their eyes fixed on the spear in Masachika's hand, mesmerized by its stunning beauty. Yet Poseidon, witnessing the weapon, felt a chill of dread seep into his core, sensing the overwhelming power emanating from Masachika's Heart Tool.

"Now then," Masachika's voice was calm, but his words carried the weight of certainty. "Shall we bring this to a checkmate?"

He shifted into a throwing stance, and the spear, Γουνγνίρ, began to glow brightly, the radiance pulsing in time with the growing intensity in Masachika's heart—a heart set on victory.

"I will not let you!"

Poseidon bellowed, fury and desperation in his voice. With a violent surge, he summoned his full might, conjuring a massive avatar made entirely of the ocean's waters, towering over him like a vengeful god.

Masachika took a single, measured step forward, his gaze unwavering. "Strike true, Γουνγνίρ," he whispered with quiet resolve.

With a fluid motion, he hurled the spear toward Poseidon, and the world seemed to hold its breath. Poseidon, seeing the attack coming, reacted in kind, commanding his water avatar to raise a massive trident, the ocean itself shaping into a weapon to intercept the incoming spear.

When the two forces collided, the sheer power behind Γουνγνίρ unleashed a cataclysmic shockwave that tore through the air. The impact sent ripples across the ocean, growing exponentially until they erupted into a massive tsunami. The waves roared like an angry beast, towering high into the sky, their force crashing down with the fury of nature itself. The violent tremor shook the very foundations of the sea, threatening to swallow everything in its path.

"Guk! Aaaaahhhhhh!!"

Poseidon's roar of defiance echoed across the battlefield as he struggled to hold his ground, his arms straining against the oncoming force of Γουνγνίρ. But the power surging from the spear was overwhelming, and he felt his grip on the avatar faltering. The force was too much, the spear's relentless power pushing against him with the fury of a storm.

The moment of weakness was all it took. Γουνγνίρ shot forward, unstoppable. Poseidon's eyes widened as he saw the spear closing in on him, and with a swift motion, he lunged to the right, narrowly attempting to dodge the spear's deadly path.

But then, something impossible happened. The spear seemed to twist in mid-air, homing in on him with a terrifying precision. In a heartbeat, Poseidon realized that there was no escape. The spear pierced through him with a deafening crack, the jagged tip ripping through his chest as though his divine form was no more than paper.

A violent gasp escaped his lips as he felt the intense force of the strike tear through his very being, leaving behind a gaping hole where his heart once was.

"You… fucking… bastard…"

Poseidon's voice was weak, his words laced with fury and disbelief. The pain surged through him as his form began to unravel. His divine essence, once so powerful, started to disintegrate into nothingness, crumbling into fine dust, scattered by the wind. The golden hue of his godly aura flickered and dimmed, fading away with every passing second.

As he dissolved into the void, the massive avatar of ocean water that had once towered over the battlefield began to collapse. The vast form lost its cohesion, the swirling waves turning into mere droplets, scattering back into the ocean like forgotten remnants of a forgotten storm. The ocean, once a weapon of destruction, returned to its tranquil state, as if the chaos had never existed.

The dark clouds that once churned with lightning and thunder slowly dissipated, their menacing presence fading like a bad dream. The winds that howled in anger softened, and soon enough, the skies cleared. The once-turbulent air grew still, and rays of sunlight broke through, casting a warm glow over the battlefield. The storm was no more, replaced by an unexpected calm, as if nature itself had exhaled in relief.

Masachika, seeing that Poseidon had finally been defeated, called Γουνγνίρ back to him.

"Come, Γουνγνίρ,"

he said, his voice calm but heavy with exhaustion.

At his command, the spear reappeared in his hand, its divine glow dimming slightly. With a swift motion, Masachika froze the sea beneath him, the icy tendrils spreading across the surface in an instant. The battlefield grew eerily silent, save for the faint crackling of the freezing water.

Once the freezing was complete, Masachika's body finally gave in to the overwhelming exhaustion. He collapsed onto the icy surface, his limbs trembling under the strain. A weary sigh escaped him, and his chest heaved with each ragged breath, as if the very air was too thick to draw in. Slowly, his fingers loosened their grip on Γουνγνίρ, and it fell to the ground with a heavy thud, the sound echoing in the stillness.

"Pant, pant, pant. Seems I pushed myself a bit too hard," he muttered, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "And I was talking all that mad shit, acting arrogant as hell, even though none of my energy's fully recharged yet…"

Masachika winced as his body sank into the cold, frozen surface beneath him. All nine of his tails lay sprawled across the ground, utterly exhausted and motionless. The fatigue was overwhelming, every muscle in his body aching from the strain of the brutal battle.

His mind replayed the earlier moments of the fight—the relentless flurry of sound-shattering thrusts Poseidon had unleashed. He had barely managed to keep up, each desperate counter and deflection pushing him closer to his limits.

While his Honkai Energy, tied to the Cocoon of Finality, remained stable and intact, his personal energy reserves told a different story. They had yet to fully recover, leaving him drained and far more vulnerable than he was comfortable admitting.

As a sidenote, Masachika's Auto Counter ability continued to move his body, regardless of his intentions. It was using up every last ounce of energy he had left, pushing him to the absolute limit. If he had been at full strength, he would have toyed with Poseidon, enjoying the battle. But in his current state, with his energy nearly depleted, the fight had taken more from him than he'd expected.

There was one more card he could play with the Authority of Consciousness: an ability called Autopilot. It was akin to a super-reflex, resembling the Ultra Instinct seen in Dragon Ball. It removed the gap between thought and action, allowing predetermined movements to be executed with the precision of a spinal reflex. Masachika wasn't sure if it would work, but he figured it was worth testing. If he could do it and master it, he'd achieve a level of reflexive action like the Perfected Ultra Instinct.

As Masachika lay there, trying to regain some semblance of composure, a voice suddenly pierced through the stillness.

"Saaaaa-kun!!"

Startled, Masachika pushed himself up into a sitting position, his body protesting with each movement. He turned to the side, eyes locking on Maria as she rushed toward him, her face a mix of relief and concern. Before he could even react, she threw herself into his arms, causing him to lose his balance completely.

"Whoa, Kujou-san!"

The impact sent them both tumbling to the ground in a heap, with Masachika caught off guard by the sudden closeness. He blinked, still disoriented, but there was a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite the exhaustion.

As Masachika was about to speak, he suddenly felt something warm trickle down his face. He blinked, confused for a moment, before realizing it was a tear—a tear that had fallen from Maria's eyes.

"Kujou…-san…"

Maria's tears continued to stream down her face as she looked at him, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and frustration.

"Moo, Saa-kun! You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried I was, watching you fight like that?! And what's with you constantly provoking Poseidon?! You worried me so much!"

she lightly punched him in the chest, her anger softened by the relief of seeing him still alive. Her eyes shone with a mixture of exasperation and affection, as though all the tension from the battle had finally caught up to her.

"And also, what's with Kujou-san?! Call me like you used to!"

Masachika, seeing the raw emotions on Maria's face, could only mutter, "Sorry… Masha…"

"Moo, idiot! Idiot!"

She continued to lightly hit him on the chest, her frustration evident, but the blows were softer now, as if she was trying to release all the built-up tension. Then, something shifted in her. She stopped, her hand falling to her side as she slowly lowered her head, resting it gently against his chest.

"But… thank you… for saving us…"

Her voice was soft, muffled against his chest, but there was an unmistakable sincerity in her words that made Masachika's heart twinge.

"You're welcome."

Masachika smiled faintly, the faintest hint of warmth reaching his eyes as he felt the weight of the moment. The two of them, so caught up in their own worlds, had finally come together again after all the time that had passed. It was a quiet, unspoken understanding between them.

That is, until a voice called out, interrupting their moment.

"Umm… excuse me."

Startled, the two of them looked up, only to see Mahiru and Belfast standing nearby.

"Are the two of you… acquaintances?"

Mahiru asked, her brow furrowed in mild confusion. The expression on Maria's face, full of familiarity and emotion, was unlike anything Mahiru had expected. From what she knew, Maria and Masachika hadn't interacted much—yet it seemed like there was something more between them.

"Well, first off… Masha, can you get off of me?"

"Ah, sorry."

Maria quickly moved off of Masachika and stood up straight. Masachika, still feeling the exhaustion, sat up slowly, his body aching from the battle.

"Sorry if I'm the only one sitting down. I'm really tired after all that fighting, and I'm still trying to recover some of my energy."

"No, no, it's fine. You were fighting a god, after all, so it's completely understandable that you're exhausted."

Mahiru said as she wved her hand, saying that it was fine for him to sit down.

"Thanks. Now, as for me and Masha…" Masachika paused for a moment, glancing at Maria before looking back at Mahiru and Belfast. "I guess it's better if Masha tells you about that herself."

"Eh? Why me?" Maria exclaimed, pointing to herself in surprise.

Masachika gave a tired sigh, shaking his head slightly. "I'm really worn out right now and can't think straight in this kind of situation. It's probably best if Masha tells you about it."

"Hmph, alright. Well, it's like this, Shiina-chan."

Maria began explaining, her tone softening as she delved into the past. She told Mahiru how she and Masachika had been childhood friends, inseparable during their younger years. However, for reasons she still didn't fully understand, their paths had suddenly diverged, and they lost contact with each other.

As she continued, Maria revealed the truth. The "boyfriend" she had been talking about all this time wasn't some mystery person—it had always been Masachika.

Mahiru was taken aback by the revelation, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Eh? Then Kuze-kun here is the one you've been talking about in school?"

Maria nodded. "Yes, that's right."

Mahiru's curiosity deepened, and she tilted her head slightly. "I see… but if I may ask, if you two were childhood friends, why haven't you interacted at all in school?"

Masachika sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "Well, it's simple, really. Masha's hair and eyes are completely different now. Back then, she had blonde hair and blue eyes, and to be honest, I barely remembered her name."

Masachika explained, speaking from his experience. In the past, he had no idea who she was. But after recovering the memories of his previous life, everything became clear. He finally realized who she was—Maria. The problem was.

"even if I know her name and what she looks like now, if anyone finds out, the whole school will roast me like a barbecue."

He spoke with certainty, knowing the kind of reaction he'd face for being linked to a former childhood friend—especially one like Maria, who was treated like a "madonna" by everyone.

"I see," Mahiru responded thoughtfully, her expression more serious. "I understand what you're saying. If you two reveal that you're childhood friends, everyone will probably connect the dots and assume you've been the one behind the scenes all along—Kujou-senpai's boyfriend."

Masachika nodded, relieved that Mahiru understood the gravity of the situation. "Exactly... So, I'd really appreciate it if you could keep this a secret." He clasped his hands together, giving her a pleading look.

But Maria, clearly displeased, pouted. "Moo, why don't you want to reveal to everyone at school that we're childhood friends?"

Masachika turned to her with a deadpan expression, his voice carrying a hint of subtle exasperation. "Masha, do you even realize what your reputation is? And mine?"

Mahiru then stepped in to help Masachika, her tone calm and reasonable. "What Masachika is saying is true, Kujou-senpai. If you were to tell everyone that you're childhood friends with him, considering your reputation as the school's Madonna and Masachika's image as the lazy student, it won't go well—especially for him."

"Moo, you two are mean!" Maria pouted, then quickly hugged one of Masachika's tails, causing him to nearly yelp in surprise. She seemed taken aback by how incredibly fluffy his tail was.

"My, your tail is so fluffy, Saa-kun," she said, rubbing her head against it.

Masachika, feeling unusually awkward with someone touching his tail, he did his best to hold back any strange sounds. He glanced at Maria and said,

"Masha, please don't rub your head against my tail."

"No," Maria replied defiantly, hugging his tail even tighter.

Masachika, determined not to let any awkward sounds escape, decided to take matters into his own hands—or rather, his will. With a focused thought, he willed his ears and tails to disappear. Just like that, they vanished, leaving Maria hugging nothing but air.

"Ah—!" Maria yelped as she tumbled forward, landing unceremoniously on the ground. "Ow… Moo, Saa-kun, you're such a meanie!" she huffed, rubbing her elbows as she glared up at him.

Masachika let out a long sigh, trying to regain his composure. Mahiru, sensing it was time to return to the pressing matter, decided to speak up.

"Umm, Kuze-kun… where exactly are we right now?" she asked hesitantly.

"Ah," Masachika began, glancing at the vast expanse of water surrounding them. "We're currently at the heart of the North Pacific Ocean."

Both Mahiru and Maria's eyes widened in shock as the realization hit them. They were unimaginably far from Japan.

"W-What? The North Pacific Ocean?!" Maria stammered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Mahiru, equally stunned, added, "That's… that's halfway across the world! How are we going to get back?"

"Don't worry," Masachika said, trying to reassure them. "I can teleport us back to Japan, so it's no big deal. Just come closer, you two."

Hearing this, both Mahiru and Maria moved closer to him without hesitation. Masachika stood up slowly, brushing off some dust as he picked up his Heart Tool. With a sharp snap of his fingers, a faint glow surrounded them. In the blink of an eye, the four of them vanished from the heart of the North Pacific Ocean.

When they reappeared, the familiar sight of the playground greeted them—the very spot where they had first encountered Poseidon. The air was still, the chaos from earlier seemingly erased, leaving the area eerily quiet.

"Well, here we are again," Masachika said with a faint smile, trying to break the tension.

The two girls stood frozen, still processing everything they had just experienced. Maria, ever curious, finally broke the silence. "Saa-kun, what happened to you? How do you have these powers? And those fox ears and tails?" she asked, her eyes wide with wonder.

Masachika hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal the truth. Seeing their genuine concern and the fact that they had already witnessed his abilities, he decided it was fine to explain. "Well, it's—"

Before he could finish, his Heart Tool— Γουνγνίρ —began to glow. The light intensified, and before anyone could react, the spear disintegrated into particles of energy. The shimmering fragments floated momentarily before being drawn back into Masachika's chest, where they vanished completely.

Both Maria and Mahiru stared in shock as Masachika let out a sigh, clutching his chest briefly. "Looks like it's returned to me for now," he muttered. He looked back at the two girls, their faces filled with a mix of awe and confusion. "I guess explaining just got a bit more complicated…" he added with a wry smile.

Masachika began explaining to them, revealing that he was no longer human—he was a Herrscher. However, he chose his words carefully, disclosing only the bare essentials. He mentioned Γουνγνίρ, but offered only a few snippets of information about it. He described how the weapon could return to his hand and track its target, but avoided revealing too much. Masachika knew better than to lay all his cards on the table—someone with the ability to read minds might use this knowledge to uncover more about his Heart Tool than he intended.

Masachika also concealed the existence of the supernatural in this world, believing it was better for them to remain oblivious. After all, ignorance was truly humanity's greatest gift from the gods.

Maria and Mahiru, both new to this unsettling reality, struggled to process what Masachika had just revealed. Their minds swirled with confusion and disbelief, but after witnessing what they had, they could only nod in hesitant agreement.

"So, that's the gist of it," Masachika concluded, his tone firm yet calm. "Could you all keep this a secret from everyone else? And also what you just saw?"

"U-Un… alright. And honestly, even if we told anyone, they'd never believe what they've just heard," Mahiru said with a shaky voice. Maria nodded in agreement, silently confirming Mahiru's point.

"I see… well, you two can go home now," Masachika replied, his tone softening slightly.

"Oh, right! I need to get going," Maria exclaimed, suddenly remembering her prior commitments. "Alya's probably waiting for me, and I bet she's worried sick."

As the weight of everything that had just happened began to settle, Maria glanced around, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.

"Wait… where's my bag?" she asked, turning in circles as she scanned the area.

It was then that Mahiru realized her own mistake.

"Ah! I dropped mine too!"

she exclaimed, recalling the moment when Poseidon appeared. Both of their bags had been abandoned on the ground amidst the chaos.

Just as Maria and Mahiru were about to search for their bags, Belfast stepped forward and spoke calmly.

"Rest assured, Maria-sama, Mahiru-sama. Here are your bags," she said, holding them out gracefully.

Both girls turned to look at Belfast and saw their belongings in her hands. They approached her hesitantly, gently taking the bags and inspecting them.

A wave of relief washed over them as they confirmed the bags were indeed theirs. However, a surprising detail caught their attention—they were completely dry. Considering the heavy rain earlier, the bags should have been soaked.

Maria and Mahiru exchanged puzzled glances, their curiosity piqued by yet another mysterious detail in an already overwhelming day.

"Well, you two can head home now. I'm going to head off and get some rest," Masachika said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Mm, alright. Please get some good rest, Saa-kun," Maria replied with a concerned smile.

"Yes, what Kujou-san said," Mahiru added. "Please take care and rest well."

"Alright, see you two,"

With those words, he turned on his heel, and before Maria or Mahiru could respond, he and Belfast vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint whisper of the wind behind them.

The two girls stood in the quiet playground, the eerie silence amplified by the absence of Masachika and Belfast. The night felt heavier now, the earlier events replaying in their minds like fragments of a surreal dream.

The two watched the scene in stunned silence before finally deciding it was time to head home.

"Well, with nothing else to do, I'll be heading home now," Maria said, adjusting her bag and offering a small smile. "See you later, Shiina-chan."

"Un, see you later, Kujou-senpai," Mahiru replied with a polite nod, her voice still tinged with lingering uncertainty.

With that, the two parted ways, each walking toward their respective homes. The cool night air wrapped around them, and though the chaos of the evening had subsided, the weight of what they had experienced lingered in their minds. Both girls couldn't help but wonder if life would ever feel normal again.

============================

Masachika and Belfast reappeared inside the house after teleporting.

"We're home," he called out casually, though he fully expected the house to be empty. However, his assumption was quickly proven wrong when a voice responded.

"Welcome back, Masachika-sama, Belfast-san," said a calm and familiar voice.

"Whoa! Ayano!" Masachika exclaimed, startled to see her standing right in front of the door.

Before he could say more, another voice chimed in.

"Brother, you're home."

Masachika turned toward the source of the voice and sighed. "Yuki, huh."

Yuki raised an eyebrow at his weary tone. "Hm? What's wrong with you? You look completely drained."

Masachika let out a tired chuckle and waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, I look drained because, well… I fought a God, actually."

The room fell silent as his words hung in the air. Both Yuki and Ayano froze, staring at him in disbelief.

"W-Wait! Did you just say God?! Did you seriously fight a God?!" Yuki stammered, her voice rising in shock.

Without bothering to answer, Masachika trudged toward his room, his steps heavy with exhaustion.

"Hey! Don't just walk away after dropping a bomb like that!" Yuki protested, following him down the hallway. She pushed open his door only to find him already sprawled out on his bed, fast asleep.

Yuki stood there, dumbfounded, as she watched her brother sleep peacefully, completely unbothered by the chaos he had just revealed.

"geez, is he that tired that he didn't hear me yelling at him?"

Yuki turned her gaze to Belfast, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. She knew Masachika well enough to understand that whatever had left him this drained wasn't ordinary.

"Belfast, can you tell us what happened? Why is he this tired?" Yuki asked, her tone serious.

Belfast, standing with her usual composure, gave a small nod. She knew Masachika intended to share what he'd been through, even if he was too exhausted to do so himself.

"Yes, Yuki-sama. You see…" Belfast began, her voice calm and steady as she recounted the events. She told them about Masachika's journey to Hell and his subsequent battle against none other than Poseidon, the genuine God of the Sea.

When Belfast finished, Yuki and Ayano sat frozen in stunned silence. The idea of Masachika not only surviving Hell but also slaying a god left them utterly speechless.

"He… slayed Poseidon? A God?" Ayano finally managed to say, her voice trembling.

Yuki, though equally shocked, quickly latched onto something else. Her brows furrowed as she leaned forward, her voice sharp. "Wait! How is there even a God in this world, anyway?!"

Belfast, unfazed by the question, calmly replied, "Yuki-sama, I should inform you that the God of the Sea Masachika-sama slayed came from a different universe."

"Eh? They came from a different universe?" Yuki repeated, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Does that mean… there are other universes out there, completely different from ours?"

"Yes, Yuki-sama. What you're saying is correct," Belfast replied calmly, her voice carrying an air of certainty.

"I see…" Yuki murmured, trying to process the revelation. Then, a new thought struck her, and her tone grew sharper. "But wait—how in the world did they even manage to cross over into this universe? And more specifically, this world?"

Belfast's expression remained composed as she explained. "It is due to the Dimensional Cracks that have begun appearing in this world, Yuki-sama."

"Dimensional Cracks?" Yuki echoed, her brows furrowing in confusion. "What are those, exactly?"

Ayano, too, was intrigued by the mention of Dimensional Cracks. As the Herrscher of Void, she was responsible for space and time, so the idea of tears in the fabric of reality caught her attention.

"Dimensional Cracks?" Ayano repeated, her voice calm but with an underlying curiosity. "I've never heard of them before. What exactly are they?"

Belfast gave a respectful nod before explaining further. "A Dimensional Crack is a rift or tear in space-time that connects different dimensions, timelines, or realities. It creates a bridge, allowing for beings, objects, or even energy to cross between alternate worlds or universes. However, Dimensional Cracks are often unstable, and their presence can disrupt reality itself—distorting time or even breaking the fundamental laws of physics."

Ayano's eyes narrowed in thought, absorbing the weight of the explanation. "So, these rifts can allow anything to come through, even things from completely different realities?"

"Yes," Belfast confirmed with a somber tone. "And unfortunately, they are often beyond control."

Yuki, who had been listening intently, frowned. "Wait… doesn't that sound really bad for this world, then? If these Dimensional Cracks keep appearing…"

"Yes, Yuki-sama. But don't worry—the Dimensional Cracks don't open often in this world. The one Poseidon appeared through was simply a matter of random chance."

"I see… does my brother know about this?" Yuki asked, her expression thoughtful.

"Knowing Masachika-sama," Belfast replied with a calm demeanor, "he will likely ask me about Poseidon's appearance once he's awake."

"I see…" Yuki let out a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. "but Thank goodness the cracks don't open that often. This world can't handle much more chaos."

Ayano, upon hearing this, also let out a sigh of relief. The thought that the Dimensional Cracks didn't open frequently was a small comfort amidst the overwhelming revelations.

Meanwhile, in his room, Masachika slept peacefully, his breathing steady and calm, oblivious to the weighty conversation taking place just outside his door.

[Splitting the Sea and It's God]

[Objective : Defeat/Kill Heretic God Poseidon (1/1)]

[Bonus Objective : Protect Maria Mikhailovna Kujou(Completed)]

[Bonus Objective : Protect Mahiru Shiina(Completed)]

[Reward : Authority of Water Unlocked]

[Bonus Reward : ???]

[Quest has been Automatically Submitted.]

[Congratulation, you have earned the Title of God Slayer.]

[Congratulation, you have Unlocked the Authority of Water.]

[Congratulation, you have Unlocked the Authority of Life]

=======================

i don't know if the Fight Scene is good or not but please tell me if there is some improvement that i need to add for the future reference.

and as for the Masachika and Maria part, please tell me if i'm moving it too fast then it should.

and as always thanks for reading my Fanfic.