Floor Fifty-One –
System:
"I don't think the matter is very dangerous, Himiko. Rio is currently at a very high level of power."
Himiko (almost losing her mind):
"Aaah! You are all idiots! Upper entities are not that simple! Yes, Rio has become stronger, but that does not mean he is strong enough to face beings from the upper dimension! Don't joke with me, System!"
Rio:
"Alright, calm down, Himiko. Can you explain to me again exactly who these upper entities are?"
Himiko (angrily):
"I already explained!! They are beings that live in the upper dimension. That place is said to have no concepts such as life or death! These beings do not even know the meaning of 'life' or 'death'!
They control everything in the lower dimension, and if they sense a threat, they kill it!"
Rio:
"So… they are gods?"
System:
"No, they are not gods. But they do not understand death or life because these concepts do not exist in the upper dimension. Anyone who enters there becomes immortal.
They were created by 'the First' to control the lower dimension. They are not true gods, but false gods.
Just beings with immense power. And there are angels as well."
Rio (beginning to understand the picture):
"Alright, and exactly when will one of them come to kill me?"
Himiko:
"Do you have a desire for death?!"
Rio (seriously):
"It seems the time for joking is over. I'm leaving.
System, help me go to a good place for training."
System:
"Yes… what about the First Boundary? It is a barrier located between the upper and lower dimensions.
Someone can control it—it is outside the range of the upper entities."
Rio:
"And how do I reach it?"
Himiko:
"Are you serious?! You want to go to the boundary? Why?"
Rio:
"I will train there."
Himiko:
"Alright, child… In the First Boundary, there is a tree called the Tree of Life.
It is located at the center of the boundary, and its roots connect the dimensions and everything between them. You can use it as a means of transportation."
Rio:
"And then? Where do I find the roots?"
Himiko:
"I don't know."
System:
"You will find them outside the world!"
Rio:
"Let's do it now."
Himiko (laughed and showed her surprise):
"?"
Rio (beginning to lose hope):
"What?"
Himiko:
"You idiot, the universe can be imagined as a mathematical problem that no one can solve, understand, or even think about due to its extreme complexity."
Rio:
"What do you mean?"
Himiko:
"I mean… do you think a being like you is capable of comprehending the universe? I am certain that if you think about leaving the world into the universe, your mind will shatter from the very first second, and your existence may be erased!"
Rio wanted to say something, but he was interrupted…
Space around them began to crack.
System:
"It seems this conversation… has ended."
Himiko (steps toward Rio and grabs his shoulder):
"Rio, find another way to train—and quickly!"
In the real world –
Yui (placing a warm towel on Rio's forehead):
"What happened to him? He suddenly lost consciousness…"
Rio (slowly opens his eyes):
"Mm… Yui…"
Yui:
"You finally woke up!"
Zalarosa (while cooking):
"What happened to you, Rio? Why did you suddenly collapse? And where did all that energy come from?!
For a moment, I felt as if I was facing twenty Demon Lords!"
Rio:
"Don't worry about it. It was just a test of my power."
System:
"Many of your skills were just activated. Would you like to see them now?"
Rio:
"Not now. I don't want to read an entire newspaper."
System (trying to tempt him):
"As you wish. But the skills that were activated are unbelievable and extremely powerful…
Are you sure you don't want to see them?"
Rio:
"Don't test me—I said I don't want to see them."
System:
"As you wish. But remember—the enemies are on their way, and you don't even know what your abilities are.
How will you fight them?"
Rio:
"Mmm… I don't know."
System:
"Let me at least show you your skills—and the power of your sword, Kagutsuchi!"
Yui:
"Rio, will you eat with us now?"
Zalarosa:
"Come quickly before the food gets cold. No one likes cold food, right?"
Rio:
"Alright, I'm coming."
He ran toward them and started eating, completely forgetting his new powers and abilities.
Five minutes later…
Yui:
"I'm really full. Your food is truly delicious, Zalarosa."
Zalarosa (smiling):
"Thank you!"
Rio:
"Your food is so good that I want an amount that would last me an entire month."
Zalarosa (surprised):
"Will you eat all of that?"
Rio (laughing):
"My stomach can devour an entire whale!"
System:
"Warning!!
The skill 'Will of the Continent' has been activated!!!
There is… killing intent!"
Rio (narrows his eyes and looks toward the source of the threat):
"Who's there?"
??? (claps and approaches):
"Congratulations, congratulations, Rio!!
The upper entities have noticed you!!!
Your death is now inevitable!"
Rio (draws his sword and takes a combat stance):
"Who are you?!
System, is the skill 'Will of the Continent' still active?"
System:
"Yes."
Rio:
"Then how do I guide it toward the spirit of the continent?"
System:
"Impossible!!!! This person is stronger than you can imagine!
He can cut off your head from where he stands!
His level is not normal—it is legendary!!
He is at a level… beyond my calculations entirely!!"
To be continued…