A/N: Alright, guys, here's a new chapter. Before we begin, I just wanted to say a few things.
Firstly, this was supposed to be a 125-chapter book. However, due to accidentally deleting all my files on my laptop, I had to rewrite chapters 95 to 125. Since I'm rewriting all of it, I've decided to make this a bit longer. I don't know how many chapters will be added, but I aim for at least 135 overall chapters.
Secondly, I'll be adding multiple anime references starting from here. Some wanted to know about Rimuru's past life while finding Shizue's reincarnation (Shizuku).
Thirdly, since I'm adding multiple anime references, I will not include some info on some of the anime characters. Some of the characters I'll add will be explained in the sequel I plan to make for this book.
That's all. Enjoy reading.
--This chapter is written by Void-King--
Chloe and the others look at the two beings in front of them. Shizuku, Sakura, Akame, Kurumi, Shiraori, Hajime, and his girlfriends are wondering about the identity of these two. For some reason, Hajime feels that these two are to be respected, and any form of arrogant attitude toward them would only cause trouble.
While the others are confused, Chloe, Luminous, and Ciel seem to know one of these two.
"You're Veldanava, right?" Ciel asks as she looks at Veldanava, trying to analyze him. However, she ultimately fails to get any good results.
"You instantly tried to analyze me in our first meeting, Ciel-chan. Sorry, but any kind of analytical skills or magic are useless when used on me," Veldanava says to Ciel.
"Tsk..." Ciel clicks her tongue, displaying a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.
Before anything else can be said or done, Hajime decides to speak up.
"By Veldanava, you mean the God that Rimuru and the 7 Arc Angels talk about?" he asks.
"So you all have met the 7 Arc Angels? Well, that would make it easier to explain your current situation," Veldanava says, nodding his head.
Veldanava explains why they summoned them, mentioning a battle in the distant future that will determine the survival of not just one universe but an infinite number of them. Although Rimuru is his successor, his current power is insufficient to face the beings that will appear. Hence, he needs trusted individuals to help them reach new heights of power.
"Why us?" Hajime asks.
"Because you all are those that Rimuru has trusted. I know he trusted more people, but you guys are the ones who reached a power level even I didn't expect. Especially the three of you: Shizuku, Hajime, Kurumi, and Akame. You all were once humans, yet you four achieved powers using your own strength. You surpassed my expectations," Veldanava explains.
He acknowledges that there are stronger individuals in the multiverse, but these four, despite being mortal, surpassed his expectations. Maybe that's the true nature of humans - an unpredictable species capable of anything when putting their hearts into it.
"Maybe that is why I fell in love with Lucia's human incarnation," Veldanava thinks.
"Dear, it is time we send them to their trials," Azathoth or Lucia says to Veldanava, looking at the people in front of them.
"You all shall face your trials in right about... now," Veldanava says, flicking his fingers and sending the group into their individual trials.
"WAIT, AT LEAST TELL US WHAT WE HAVE TO DO..." Luminous tries to say something, but she's too late and is sent to her individual trial.
Once Luminous opens her eyes, she sees a chaotic scene. Her surroundings are burning from a crimson red fire, buildings collapsing, and the pavement drenched in red liquid.
For hours, she walks aimlessly until she stops in front of a single cathedral. Among all the buildings, this cathedral is the only one that remain standing. It seems out of place, so Luminous decides to see what's inside.
"Time to see what kind of trial I'm going to face," Luminous says, as she push open the cathedral door.
"Welcome to my domain, Luminous Valentine," a feminine voice echoes inside the cathedral. The voice is both feminine and sinister, surprisingly similar to Luminous's own voice.
"Who are you?" Luminous asks.
"Who am I? My name doesn't matter. What matters is whether you can come out of here alive or will you become my next meal," the voice replies as its owner steps out of the cathedral's darkness.
Luminous sees a figure with a height similar to hers, long silky silver hair, a black gothic dress, and heterochromia eyes. Standing in front of her is none other than herself.
With Chloe, she walks in endless darkness. She cannot see even a tiny bit of light, yet Chloe continues to walk forward as if some unknown force is guiding her.
"What in the world is this place? And how come this is a trial?" Chloe asks as she continues walking into the vast darkness. The floor she's walking on disappears, and she screams. When she opens her eyes, she's on the ground, holding a sword. She feels the sword stabbing someone, and when she looks at the person in front of her, her entire body freezes.
"Chloe, how can you do this to us?" the person says.
Upon seeing the person in front of her Chloe shakes, unintentionally letting go of the sword she was holding.
"No... no... no... this cannot be," Chloe cries while shaking, looking at the person in front of her.
"Chloe, I won't forgive you," the person says as it falls to the ground.
Chloe immediately goes to the person's side and holds its hand.
"No... no... no... Rimuru-san, please don't. I didn't mean to do this."
Each of those who are sent to their trials faces challenges that will determine if they are ready to stand next to Rimuru.
Veldanava intentionally aims for their weaknesses and scenarios where they are likely to fail. He knows this is too much for them, and his successor won't be happy about it. Still, it's necessary to push them to their limits so they can overcome their own limitations. With their current strength, they won't stand a chance against the beings they'll face in the future.
{A/N: I will only leave Chloe and Luminous as a teaser for their trials. Each one of them will have their chapters for their trials, so I hope you guys can wait for it.}
Back with Rimuru.
"Is that all you have, Rimuru?" his past self, known as Korogane Ikki, asks Rimuru, who is on the floor bleeding due to hundreds of cuts on his body.
"I honestly thought you would be stronger now due to the experience you have accumulated all these years in searching for her. But it turns out I'm mistaken," Ikki says as he walks in a circle, holding Intetsu in his hand. "Get up, Rimuru," Ikki demands.
Rimuru tries to get up but can't. His human body is injured, without his powers his body was Losing Strength every Seconds that passes.
"I said get up. Are you really me who fought in a war for Stella?" Ikki asks, but Rimuru doesn't answer. "I see, so you won't even answer. I'm your first challenge, yet you've already given up."
"Who... said that... I have given... up?" Rimuru asks while slowly standing up, lifting his head and looking straight at Ikki's eyes.
"If you haven't given up, then defeat me. Because if you don't, I'll end you right here," Ikki says as he dashes straight towards Rimuru, lifting Intetsu above his head and slashing downward to slice Rimuru in half.
Rimuru is surprised by this action he doesn't have much time to react so he was ready to accept the blow. Suddenly, time slows down, and he feels someone was hugging him from behind. In Rimuru's vision, everything slows down, even Ikki's movements.
"You can do it. I believe in you," a feminine voice speaks from behind - a voice very familiar to him, belonging to someone he love.
"You're not the Sword God without a reason," another feminine voice says.
Unknowingly, his eyes start to tear up as the two voices belong to two people who have long passed away.
"You don't have to worry about us anymore, Rimuru. No, my Ikki."
"Be sure to complete this trial, Rimuru. No, Otosaka Yuu. I will be watching over you, my one-eyed Grim Reaper."
The two voices slowly disappear, and Rimuru stops crying.
"I know what I'm going to do," Rimuru says as his eyes glow golden, looking at his past self in front of him.
Once the flow of time returns to normal, Ikki's slash is met by nothing but air.
"Looks like you're ready for round two."
"Ah, and I'm more willing to exchange blows with you... Ittou Shura," Rimuru activates one of his long-lost abilities - the ability that belongs to his persona as Korogane Ikki, one of his trump cards during that life.
"How?"
"Surprise stealing was not something I like to do, but I needed the power. So, I used Plunder to obtain Ittou Shura," Rimuru says. 'Stella, Nao, thank you for encouraging me. The two of you will always have a special place in my heart.'
--To be continued--