Hajime's POV

Man, that was a tough and fun battle! Thank my parents that I had realized my second job meant that I could use magic to deadly effect in combat… then again, I couldn't use most magic to passable levels without more affinity. Still, I need more of an idea of how to create magic, but we'll leave that for later.

Kaori and Shizuku look very tired- no doubt they're thinking of sleep. Yue looks calm, but the sheen of sweat is still visible in this lit room.

This is becoming a drag though- finally, this labyrinth is over. Let's move on.

"We'll rest once we're past this room. Move for now!" We're becoming one hell of a team- perfect teamwork-even in various combos. Part of this is the trust in each other that was built. The problem once we wake up is… how to… confess… to…

Timeskip- one night later

We slept well- luckily we managed to get to a garden of sorts, which helped me relax a lot more- though I still insist that a bed is the best place to rest in. Still, the fact that the girls decided to just dogpile on me is concerning… Wait- why is it so bright!?

"Wake up, my three lovelies! We have a new part of the Pits to explore!" Cringe enough to kill me! Even my parents wouldn't like this line of mine! An artificial sun is so not reassuring here and now!

Thank the mentality, Kaori woke up immediately! The kiss she gave me managed to calm me down, though I'm still cautious of our surroundings… Ok, we have a crystal acting as an artificial sun, good. The ground here potentially has a dragon's vein, so I'll have to use my magic sense to detect a spot for the stone to rest while we recoup and train to improve. The Mavericks that You mentioned possibly created this dungeon probably had a house built here. That said, there is a huge possibility of getting… Shizuku!?

What the hell!? The timing is too perfect for this to be a coincidence! Still… this means they realized that I've chosen to fuck the rules of common sense and date the three of them, huh?{1}

Before they realize that I've caught on, or that they sleepily sexually assaulted me (A forced kiss, though you won't find me pressing charges), I kissed Kaori fully awake and Shizuku was hit with a chaste one… though Kaori taking my first kiss the way she just did was slightly disappointing, so she went second. Plus, this way, I get a small bit of revenge on her, seeing as she and Shizuku lost their first kisses to each other, right after the final boss too! I was looking forward to getting both of their first kisses!

Anyway, that led to Yue waking up to the sight of Kaori and me making out. She shrieked, making us break apart.

"Wh-WH-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THREE DOING WITHOUT ME?"

Ooookay, that was unexpected. Before she shouts any more, I lean over (Kaori and Shizuku seem to be blushing, but is my body that ripped?)and silence Yue with a kiss as(s) well.

With the morning drama out of the way, being completely out of left field, for me, we explored the damn palace that was built here. The first two floors {2} yielded no results or items of interest, but the third floor…

It contained only one room which was illuminated by purple stones. Teh centre was dominated by an inscribed magic circle. In front of the four of us was a skeleton wearing fucking ROBES!? Must be the Maverick or the creator of this dungeon… Either way, the four of us step into the circle and pour our magic in… OW,OW,OW! Does it have to be a bitch to our heads!? Also the rush of memories of my time in the… OF COURSE! Read my memories, why don't you!? While at it, how about you spread it out!?

Hold up, that damn skeleton's getting an apparition in front of us! Is it a ghost or…

[One explanation and painful process later {read in Spongebob timeskip voice}]

Wha...

"WHAT THE HELL!?" x4

The story he- Oscar Orcus' apparition- wove for them was completely different from the history Hajime had learned from the Holy Church's records, or the stories Yue had been told about the Mavericks, though it did fit Yue's uncle's words. The revelations Oscar had for them shocked them to the core. His tale was one of mad gods and their descendants who fought against them.

A short time after the Age of the Gods, the world was engulfed in strife. Humans, demons, and even beastmen all fought against each other in a never-ending war. Their reasons were as numerous as their battles. Land, resources, personal values, greed, but most important among them was theology. In that age, the races and countries were split up into numerous factions, each of which had their own god. And it was each tribe's god that incited its people to fight against those who worshiped others.

After some time, a group appeared that sought to put an end to this centuries-long war. They called themselves the Liberators. There was only one thing they all had in common. Each member was a direct descendant of one of the gods. Their leader was someone who had, by coincidence, happened to learn of the gods' true intentions. It appeared that the gods were using the various races like pawns, playing a grand game of chess with the world as their board. The leader of the Liberators couldn't stand their sickening disregard for life, and began looking for comrades who felt the same way he did.

After an arduous search, they were able to discover the location of Asgard, the home of the gods. There were seven among the Liberators who were exceptionally powerful, and they were chosen to be the vanguard in the battle against the gods.

However, their plans were foiled before the battle could even begin. The gods manipulated the sentient races and made them believe the Liberators were trying to destroy the world. They were marked as enemies of the gods, and every human, demon, and beastman considered them their mortal foe.

After a great many conspiracies, events, and dramatic encounters, the Liberators found themselves on the run. They couldn't bring themselves to fight the people they had sworn to protect, but those very people believed they were ungrateful heretics trying to bring about the end of the world. Their true name was forgotten, and they were known simply as Mavericks in the annals of history. The Liberators were killed off one by one, until only the strongest seven remained.

With the entire world against them, they realized they wouldn't be able to defeat the gods. So they scattered to the ends of the earth and built huge labyrinths to hide themselves in. They created a series of trials, praying that someone who could clear them might one day appear, so they could bequeath their powers onto them in hopes that these new warriors would carry out their dreams.

Yeah, the history of Tortus is messed up. While I'd love to say I don't wanna fuck with it, Ehit the bastard god is definitely gonna be a BIG pain in our collective asses.

That outta the way though, the Liberators would've fit in extremely well in Dallas, Texas {3}.

"Damn, Ehit is really gonna find a way to fuck us over no matter what!" Trust Shizuku to be blunt about our situation.

"Doesn't matter, we'll find a way to fuck him over! Though that does explain why Amanogawa was chosen as the Hero" I reason with her…

Anyway, time to explore the house for realsies!

Now, calm down! I didn't just stop writing for no reason! I managed to get over my writer's block (why I'm getting it for fanfiction is beyond me)and I did have to apply for postgraduate courses, given that I've managed to graduate from my undergrad course… That and finals exams were a bitch due to the pandemic fucking around with the teachers... Those readers who were students with exams who cheated on said exams, please, PM me about your experiences!

{1}- Well, monogamy is considered common sense these days, so this line made sense… Also, my own common sense is outta whack, which means I also support polyamory...

{2}- As mentioned in {1}, my common sense is outta whack due to national sensibilities and global sensibilities clashing, so for future reference, the entrance is on the first floor

{3}- I like Basketball, and I like the NBA. Thus, the Dallas Mavericks were dragged in here as a reference. Also, this gives the Liberators the feel of the cowboys and outlaws of the Wild West, which honestly might suit them. And since Texas seems a popular place for cowboy culture, I choose to do it… Correct me if I'm wrong, pls.

On a side note, it is my sad duty to inform you that at the time of upload, which would be around 0030 hours on 24/06/2021 IST, I will have turned 21 years old… Yeah, I'm OLD now in internet years (at least I think so)... Yay me! Please do NOT wish me a happy birthday, since I do value my fragile heart.