This was never what I wanted.
Death was what I wanted.
I thought I had it, didn't I? Only to be reborn here.
I always found it strange, but now it all made sense.
It was you, Raphael, wasn't it?
You pulled some strings to ensure my resurrection.
How cruel, how selfish, how twisted.
That's right, this was never what I wanted.
Even in death, I want you to regret it, lament it, repent it.
For whom? For what?
For your life, I would've slaughtered a billion souls.
Dying together with you would've been my final peace, but you just had to ruin it by leaving me all alone.
Maybe I am meant to find meaning in your demise.
That, too, would give meaning to my lone existence.
But don't you worry, Raphael.
I will be the one to finish what we started.
I've failed you in life,
I will not fail you in death.
In time, I'll be seeing you soon.
In time, I'll be joining you in the stars,
Raphael.
We'll be happy again.
.........
......
...
"I knew it." The new Rimuru, released from Gleipner, walked on thin air. His presence emanating a new level of power completely different from the one before. Each of his steps were powerful and full of confidence. His air seemed to disregard the beings before him as insignificant pests.
"I always knew I couldn't trust prophecies." He said, looking directly to the souls of these forgotten souls. Those eyes of his.... his eyes held no killing intent. There wasn't any malice whatsoever. Neither was there any emotion. It was as empty as how he felt. The feeling of loss that overwhelmed all others.
The overwhelming mana he radiated before vanished into thin air like nothing. It was as if a seemingly uncontrollable storm of cosmical proportions randomly vanished. It was completely abnormal. The primordial angels, which could be called the highest of light-based beings, feel completely hopeless in the face of a presence-less being in front of them. This was an enemy now beyond them.
The fully realized potential of Rimuru.
What's more dangerous is that this evolved Rimuru is feeling conflicted of the world around him. He views everything as nothing. To him, it seemed nothing held meaning. A complete feeling of nihilism, and a crisis presented like never before. If let free with his current state of mind, Rimuru could very well be the very thing he fought to prevent in his previous life, the end of the world.
But, contrary to Zalario's views, it seemed Rimuru was still rational. Its just that his feeling of loss was so incomprehensible that it wasn't weird to come to those conclusions.
I exagerrated, Zalario thought.
"Ah, I should've seen this coming afterall... It was like this with Shizu, now that I remember it." Rimuru said with a tinge of nostalgia. A complex symphony of emotions visible in his eyes.
A tear fell from his eyes, and a reminiscent smile formed.
His eyes look different... Zalario thought. That isn't to be taken literally. Physically, Rimuru didn't change at all. It's just that his vibes are so menacing that it's incomparably disturbing, sending chills down the spines of Fenn, Obera, and Zalario. These beings couldn't contain the fear they are feeling. They were nervous, so nervous that anyone can see it.
"Those false gods ran, huh?" Rimuru questioned, particularly to no one. He completely ignored the three before him. "Who the fuck gave them permission to leave?" Still no presence could be felt from Rimuru. But he felt so scary that they doubted their own perception of realities.
Zalario, Obera, and Fenn. These almighty beings who normally reduce entire worlds to dust are having their lives flashing before their eyes. That was the gravity of the threat Rimuru poses, especially in the present, where his head is conflicted with loss and vengeance.
"Oh well." Rimuru declared, as he turned his back. "Stay here, I will have a word with your boss." With that, he disappeared off to nothingness. The oppressive atmosphere from before vanished into thin air. The palpable essence of death that choked their very souls vanished, leaving them free.
Zalario, Obera, and Fenn all released a collective sigh of relief, still trying to comprehend the abnormality of the situation.
How in the world did Rimuru gain that much power?
What made him feel such tremendous sense of loss?
It was then that Zalario recalled Rimuru's words. A steady progress of realization slowly making itself full.
I will have a word with your boss.
!!! It can't be...
Zalario finally realized. This could be more than he ever expected. This could be a major turn of the war. An ignition to a new age and phase, where destruction reigns. "You two, we are returning! Now!"
Zalario opened a portal and went in it, a swirling vortex of spatial energy. Fenn and Obera had complicated looks, seemingly reluctant to follow along. But they both went with him anyway. Their heads were filled with uncertainty and fear.
.........
......
...
In the otherworld inhabited by cryptids, insectars, and phantoms along with the World Destroying Dragon, a confrontation of never been seen proportions unfolded. Michael, a being with blonde hair, stood amidst the desolation, a throne of damnation serving as his seat of power.
"I've killed you. Made sure of it, too," Michael proclaimed with an air of tension, his voice echoing through the eerie castle.
But Rimuru, the indomitable Demon Lord that defied death, materialized before Michael's throne as a vortex of gentle golden light. The very fabric of the reality around them seemed to ripple in response to their clash of wills.
"I took extra precautions and didn't take things for granted. I did all that just in case of the one in a million chance you were alive. I... foresaw you living. You, of all people, couldn't... can't die that easily. Yet it still baffles me. How in the world did you do it?" Michael questioned, struggling to comprehend the resilience of his enemy.
Rimuru, however, cut through Michael's words with a calm yet menacing tone. "Hey, you should choose your words more carefully. After all, they're about to be your last."
The atmosphere tensed, and time itself seemed to freeze. In the stillness of the suspended world, Rimuru and Michael faced each other with an intensity that transcended mortal understanding.
"!!!" Michael gasped, realizing the imminent threat that hung in the air.
And then, the world stopped.
"How?!" Michael exclaimed, his voice echoing through the silent void.
Even in the hushed confines of the suspended reality, the clash of two swords sent shockwaves through the air, creating a turbulent storm of destruction. The forces at play resonated with the clash of titanic powers, and the very essence of the otherworld seemed to shudder under the weight of their confrontation.
"Does it surprise you that much? Look forward to more," Rimuru taunted, his words resonating with a chilling confidence as he began to overpower Michael.
This guy is a monster, Michael admitted from the bottom of his heart.
Michael, a being with possibly the highest level of energy in all of existence, found himself outmatched. He surpassed Rimuru in mana quantity, physical prowess, and the sheer number of skills at his disposal. Yet, in the face of this enigmatic opponent, he pondered what advantage Rimuru possessed against him.
As the battle unfolded in the suspended reality, each clash of their powers sent shockwaves across the other world. Michael couldnot believe his eyes. How much power did he gain!? He thought a time stop was all it took to remove Rimuru from existence, but now that he lost that advantage, he feld he had no chance of winning against the current Rimuru. Bythe time he realized this, the battle had already been decided.
Every attack Michael unleashed was instantly drowned out by an unknown force. Michael wasnot so incompetent as to ignore the reality shown before him. So, what shouldhe do? All means of attack had been neutralized and his defenses were gone. Even the Snow Crystal obtained from Velzard was pierced through like nothing.
The Scorch Dragon's Cardinal Acceleration he unleashed was severed in two. Moreover, the resulting shock waves had damage that extended to the consciousness. It wasn't even twenty seconds yet since they clashed in this stopped time.
Demon Lord Rimuru has become too incomprehensible.
The world resumed, and a new player entered the fray. Another long-term enemy of Rimuru.
"Who invited you, dipshit? Though you look quite a bit different than the last time I saw you. Had a makeover?" Rimuru's taunt cut through the air as his sword clashed against Feldway's. The two adversaries grinned with a disturbing intensity, each harboring a history of enmity that added fuel to the flames of their confrontation.
The clash of titanic powers reverberated through the depths of the Other World as Rimuru, Michael, and Feldway engaged in a deadly dance of two against one. The world, shaken by their formidable presences, bore witness to a confrontation that transcended the bounds of mortal comprehension.
His sword was intercepted by both Feldway and Michael's swords. They were both grinning disturbingly. The shock wave blew the three back, and they remained still for now.
"I won't even ask how you're alive, I'll just ask what made you lose your mind by coming here." Feldway emotionlessly said.
"Lose my mind?" Rimuru's laughter echoed through the battlefield, carrying a dark glint in his golden eyes. "Is that right?! Maybe you're right?! You're so right!! HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!" His arms spread wide in a display of madness that sent shivers down the spines of those witnessing the spectacle.
This was the domain of his enemies. Even Zelanus arrived, looking surprised at Rimuru being alive and well, even more so when he realized the astronomical danger Rimuru now emanates.
Who was dumb enough to come here alone?
The stage was set for an epic clash, and reinforcements began pouring in. Countless Insectars and Phantoms surged forward. With the three main leaders and the angels of the origin in. Fenn, too, stood among them, marking the arrival of those who had proven to be formidable enemies in Rimuru's past life.
As the formidable array of opponents gathered, Velzard descended from the atmosphere-less sky, her entrance as hot as ever. "What in the world is he doing here? You really fumbled, Michael," she remarked, her tone laced with a mix of surprise and slight tension.
Rimuru found himself surrounded by a sea of enemies, each with their own vendettas and grudges.
Jahil, particularly, self-proclaimed Great Sorcerer Emperor, lashed out at Rimuru without thinking. He thought he could win, and how delusional he was. "Your head's mineeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
He shouted with an abnormal degree of hatred as he rushed at Rimuru at full speed, presumably due to a prank Rimuru played on him before. He had obtained his previous form, so he looked different than the appearance Rimuru recognized him in.
But just as he neared Rimuru, he got punched in the gut. His eyes went backwards, and a painful groan escaped his mouth.
"And who the fuck are you?" The punch was so powerful that it cracked the space and instantly killed Jahil. Instantly, a leader of the Heaven's army was destroyed with such ease that made it hard to believe. But Feldway and Michael didn't even pay any mind to Jahil's death.
Pfft- Now what? Rimuru pondered amidst the chaos. His desire for vengeance had led him to this point, but the swiftness of their reinforcements forced him to reconsider his approach. Maintaining a confident smile in the face of adversity, he realized that escaping would be the easy route, but the burning desire to confront and at least punch the hell out of his enemies held him in place.
I should reschedule our clash. But when? On my part, I'm getting worried about Hajime and Yue back at Tortus. What a pain in the ass.
"Let's play a game. One akin to the game played by Rudra and Guy. Considering you guys, you'll probably eventually find the world I'll be living in. That's if you wish to kill me. Though good luck with that."
Feldway and Michael, understanding what Rimuru meant, couldn't help but agree. Rimuru's proposal was that Rimuru will live in a planet and defend it from their invasion. Simple enough.
If they had to be honest, even with all of the forces of here, there was no guarantee they'd be able to fully destroy Rimuru. At worst, he'd be able to ressurect again.
"Do you really think you can win?" Feldway mocked Rimuru, attempting to undermine his resolve.
Rimuru's smirk only grew, and he boldly declared the unexpected.
"Nah, I'd win 😈."
His words hung in the air, a proclamation of defiance against insurmountable odds.