"You say all this, but how can this help us kill The Eternal Flame? When I was face to face with him... I could barely stand. It's like nothings changed..."
Chronos' bloodshot eyes pierced through Sachi's self-deprecation. "Kaelthar left you in a different realm: Realm 666, one of the realms of Hell. It's the only realm of hell that The Eternal Flame has control over. There's a city under his control, and since it's not in the Gods' realm, there's no safe zone protecting it." Once again, Chronos grabbed Sachi's shoulders. "Go and kill every Champion working for him there. You'll get much stronger, and you'll be able to face Kaelthar."
"...Right..."
Sachi was conflicted. Killing a mass of people, a mass of real people, who's only goal is to stay alive would never sit right with him. Still, he couldn't hesitate. Lyra, Ray, and their Gods were all rotting away in cells, and his mom was still alone with no one to take care of her.
"But, there must be another way right? Killing everyone... I can't do that."
Chronos frowned. "You want to get out of this game as soon as possible, right? This is the way to do it."
Sachi shook his head. "This is more than just a "game". These people are real, they all have pasts, they all have homes... I'll kill anyone who threatens me first... But everyone else? I can't."
"...You've changed since we last spoke." Chronos is clearly upset.
"No... I just had to open my eyes and see this reality. I got lost in the idea that this is nothing more than a game. But the blood on my hands is real."
"Sachihiro, I'm betting my existence on you. I can't have you back out now."
Sachi looked down at the glistening marble floor. The cracks from the battle split down his reflection.
"That's not it. I'm just going home my own way."
Something flickered in Chronos' eyes.
"...Fine. Your decision is your own. But don't forget what rests on your shoulders. Our- My life is in your hands." Chronos' pulled out a scepter from his belt, and placed it onto Sachi's chest.
With a flicker of light, a white robe covered Sachi's torso, barely hanging over his legs. His arms were left exposed while a black sleeveless jacket was layered on top. Two belts rested over the robe and on his hip, holding up the black pants that now covered his legs. At the very bottom, black boots made him grow just a little bit taller. A black hair tie manifested and kept his ruffled long hair back out of his face.
"These clothes are imbued with heat resistance, it should help you survive in this realm."
[God of Time's Light Armor]
[Epic Outfit]
[+30 DEX]
[The God of Time's set of armor when they used to adventure.]
[Equipped: God of Time's Light Armor]
Amazed by the sudden transformation, Sachi only barely remembered a critical piece was missing.
"Ah! What about a weapon?"
"You already have one, don't you? Your goddess was nice enough to provide you with one after all."
Sachi froze for a moment before opening his inventory to see the only item he had stored away.
[Basic Katana]
[Common Weapon]
'The sword I had when I woke up.'
[Equipped: Basic Katana]
"Now, go back home, Sachihiro Takahashi."
With those words, Sachi was shoved backwards. He stumbled for a moment before tipping over, landing on a bed of rocks. They didn't hurt nearly as much now.
"Hey! I heard a voice this way!"
Several footsteps ran in his direction.
"There's a guy here!"
"Careful! It might be a new Champion!"
"Don't we have to report this to the captain first?"
"We can just take him with us, I don't see a Devil yet."
"Hey, you think he's from the God's realm?"
"As if, you'd have to be a Major God to travel across realms."
"Or working for one."
"Hey, you awake?"
Sachi turned over on the rocks and came face to face with a young looking man crouched over him. His fluffy brown hair was uncomfortably close, and his piercing brown eyes scrutinized Sachi up and down.
"...Yeah... Where am I?"
Another voice rang out further behind the crouching man.
"I think that rules out working for a Major God."
Another voice spoke next to him.
"You're far too quick to jump to conclusions."
The young man spoke again. "You're in the Devil's realm, didn't you see a scary looking creature before you woke up?"
"...No, I didn't..."
"Maybe its the Devil of Invisibility?"
"Ooh, what about Masochism? He was screaming earlier, maybe the Devil just wanted someone to torment."
The man closest to him spoke again. "Speaking of which, what was that about? We're you attacked?"
"No... I was just a bit freaked out when I opened my eyes."
The young man shrugged. "Happens to all of us, everyone thinks they died when they wake up here. My names Gili, and you?" He stuck out his hand to pull Sachi up.
"...Sachi." He grabbed Gili's hand and stood up.
"Hey, you sure this is even a Champion? I can't see no aura around him."
A tall man behind Gili was examining Sachi heavily. His short black hair and glasses were distinct, making him look more like a scholar than a fighter.
"It'd be even weirder for a normal person to be here, he certainly doesn't look like he belongs here." The other man was much shorter, and much younger. He look fifteen, maybe sixteen. His golden hair shimmied as he shuffled.
Gili turned around and spoke to the two. "Let's pack up camp and report back to the captain. I think this is something we should let him handle." He motioned for Sachi to follow. "Come along, we'll find a better place for you to be."
As Gili walked away with the others, Sachi was able to see their outfits better. They wore short black shirts and pants, nothing you'd imagine a fighter to wear, but one thing stuck out to Sachi more than anything.
A red arm band on each of their arms.