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With a flash of light, Mika, Saori, and Alfia materialized in the Yahweh Familia home.
"Ah, Orario...it's good to be back." Mika opened a window, looking out at the familiar city, a sense of...relief washing over him.
He had visited two Worlds since his last time in Orario.
While his stays had been brief, the experiences, the knowledge gained, had been incredibly fulfilling, though also—exhausting.
In those Worlds filled with Powerful Gods and Devils—he had been forced to constantly suppress his curiosity, his Power, and his instincts, carefully calculating the consequences of every action. After all, in those universes, beings far stronger than himself were commonplace.
This constant vigilance had taken its toll. Now, back in his own World—he could finally relax. He felt his mastery of Cosmo deepening, a subtle shift in his understanding.
"So this is your World, Mika?" Saori's question pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see her, a bright smile on her face.
"You seem excited."
"Is it that obvious?" Saori asked, her smile widening.
To avoid detection by Orario's Gods—and to accompany Mika on his journey—she had suppressed her Divine presence, halting the transformation of her mortal body into its Divine form.
Therefore, she now possessed the unbridled curiosity of a—tourist, rather than the serene composure of a Goddess.
"Quite," He confirmed with a nod.
"Well, I am rather excited," she admitted. "This journey has been...enlightening." She then explained the reason for her excitement.
For Gods like Athena and Yahweh—born of the World itself, the only way to increase their Power, without guidance from other Gods, was to study and understand the World they inhabited. After all, they were manifestations of that World, its ultimate expression.
Their Power grew by aligning themselves with the World's essence.
However, while a World could encompass all Laws and Principles, a God, as an individual entity, had to choose a specific domain—a focus for their Power, then, through its mastery, shape and influence the World around them.
This was the nature of a God's Authority.
And in every Mythology—the ultimate expression of this Power was Creation itself. The Creator God was the pinnacle of Divine Power.
However, this path was arduous. To shape the World with one's own Authority required a deep, fundamental understanding of its nature.
And while the World's knowledge was readily available, woven into the fabric of existence itself—it was incredibly difficult to comprehend. Therefore—most Gods grew stronger with age.
Rapid advancement was rare among Gods.
However, traveling to other Worlds offered a unique opportunity for accelerated growth, a chance to—bend the rules, so to speak.
While the essence of all Worlds might be the same—a repository of all knowledge—their expression of that knowledge differed. Even if their ultimate outcomes were similar, the processes, the underlying principles, were unique.
It was like soil.
While its basic composition might be the same everywhere, the way it was shaped and influenced by the World around it varied.
And it was this difference that so intrigued Athena. She had lived for eons, her understanding of her own World's structure and Laws deeply ingrained.
But now, experiencing a different World—with different expressions of those same fundamental principles—provided her with valuable insights into the very nature of existence itself.
"I see..." Mika understood her analogy.
"So, for Gods like you and Yahweh, simply 'visiting' another World, observing its nature—can enhance your Power?"
"Indeed. It deepens our understanding of the World, strengthening our Authority. Furthermore, learning about different Power systems expands our own understanding of our abilities—providing new perspectives and possibilities."
"In short, traveling to other Worlds can enhance a God's Power in various ways," Yahweh explained, entering Mika's room.
Upon their return, Gabriel had merged with her, and now, having fully grasped the situation, Yahweh had come to greet them.
"Greetings, Athena of another World. I am Yahweh. It's a pleasure to meet you." She approached Saori, extending her hand. Thanks to Gabriel's knowledge of the Saint Seiya World—Yahweh understood that Athena was a Powerful Being—someone she had to treat with respect.
"The pleasure is all mine," Saori replied, shaking her hand.
"After all, in this World, I'm merely a mortal."
Her Divine Power hadn't fully returned yet. Therefore, she had to rely on the Yahweh Familia's protection—just as Mika and Gabriel had relied on her protection in the Saint Seiya World.
"Then let us assist each other," Yahweh said with a smile, and Saori nodded. They were both incredibly intelligent Gods; a single glance was enough to convey their shared understanding.
Yahweh turned to Mika. "So, for you, Mika, this isn't even your fastest growth phase yet. Once you become a God and establish your own Domain, your Power will truly...explode. You'll surpass me soon enough."
———
After a brief conversation and some playful banter, they dispersed.
Yahweh took Saori to explore Orario—while Mika and Alfia—went for a stroll through the city.
———
"Mika! Long time no see! Want to grab a drink at the pub?"
"Mika, have you been to the deep floors recently? We'd pay handsomely for any rare plants you could bring back." As he walked through the streets, he was constantly greeted, his ears filled with a cacophony of voices.
The citizens of Orario were incredibly enthusiastic.
This was a consequence of his actions during the recent battle.
Having single-handedly defeated and killed Alfia, once a champion of the Hera Familia and hailed as the "Embodiment of Talent," he had become a legend.
He had slain an icon of a bygone era—a symbolic victory over the past. Such stories always resonated with people.
While his victory had initially been celebrated primarily by adventurers and the Gods, as Orario recovered and life returned to normal, the citizens, too, began to understand the significance of his actions.
The Dark Faction had been utterly defeated—their Power broken. Orario was safe once more, its peace restored, its citizens no longer living in fear of sudden attacks.
Therefore, as time passed, those who had played a crucial role in that victory, like Mika, became...celebrities.
He was greeted with cheers and praise wherever he went. Previously, he would have fled such attention, but now, he smiled and patiently responded to every greeting, enjoying the warmth and recognition. He was home. Like a weary traveler returning after a long journey, he savored every moment.
He eventually reached Babel Tower, and, after a moment of contemplation, entered the dungeon, unarmed and unequipped.
———
He strolled casually through the dungeon's corridors, his hands in his pockets, making no attempt to conceal his presence. The monsters could sense him, but none dared to approach.
He radiated a dangerous aura—a palpable killing intent that filled them with Primal Fear.
While most adventurers believed monsters lacked intelligence, dismissing them as mere beasts, they did possess instincts, and one of those instincts was—survival.
In the future, when Bell Cranel encountered Ais Wallenstein for the first time, it would be after the Loki Familia's return from a deep-level expedition.
They had encountered a horde of Minotaurs, but the monsters, sensing their killing intent, had fled, their fear overriding their instincts to attack. It was their flight that had led to Bell's near-death experience and his eventual rescue by Ais—sparking his obsession and accelerating his growth.
Therefore, even mindless monsters could feel fear.
And Mika, at this moment, radiated danger!
The monsters avoided him, allowing him to descend unimpeded—until he reached the deep floors. There, his aura no longer deterred them, and they attacked. However, he remained unfazed, his hands still in his pockets.
Any monster that approached him was instantly killed, not by a physical attack, but by the sheer Force of his Presence...
His Cosmo—now enhanced by his other Powers, could kill without him even lifting a finger.
He continued his descent, his pace leisurely, observing the ever-changing landscapes of the Dungeon—marveling at its hidden beauty, a sight few adventurers had the luxury to appreciate.
The deeper he went, the larger the floors became.
While he had no map, his enhanced senses, amplified by his Cosmo, allowed him to perceive the entire level. He wasn't in a hurry.
Five days later, he reached the 49th floor, the site of their earlier battle against the Floor Boss, Balor. He looked at the giant, then, with a casual wave of his hand, unleashed a sword aura that sliced the Level 7 monster in half.
"Time flies... I still remember our desperate struggle against it. And now..." He shook his head, a subtle smile playing on his lips, then continued his descent.
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