Rising through the Omniverse as a Herrscher

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After a few minutes of walking through the quiet streets, I finally arrived at the supermarket. The automatic doors slid open with a soft hum as I stepped inside, greeted by the bright fluorescent lights and the faint background music playing overhead. The familiar scent of fresh produce and baked goods filled the air, mingling with the cooler undertones of the frozen food section.

Grabbing a shopping basket from the neatly stacked pile near the entrance, I adjusted my grip and began making my way through the aisles. My steps were unhurried, my eyes scanning the shelves carefully.

"Fresh vegetables, fruit, and a good cut of meat…" I muttered to myself, recalling Belfast's request.

As I passed the produce section, I picked up a bundle of leafy greens, checking their freshness before placing them into my basket. A few tomatoes followed, their smooth, firm texture passing my quick inspection. Having been a cook in a very high-end restaurant in my previous life, I knew better than to buy anything subpar.

Moving to the fruit section, I selected a few apples, some oranges, and a bunch of bananas, making sure to check the price tags as well. Mentally calculating the total so far, I kept an eye on my budget. Even though Belfast had given me a general list, that didn't mean I could just spend without care.

After a brief pause, I continued toward the meat section, scanning the selections carefully. I needed to find a good balance between quality and price. Spotting a decent cut of beef that fit within my budget, I picked it up and placed it into my basket.

As I debated whether there was anything else I should buy, a familiar voice called out to me from behind.

"Saa-kun?"

I recognized the voice instantly, even before turning around. When I did, I saw Maria standing there in casual clothes, carrying a small shopping basket filled with neatly arranged groceries.

"Masha?" I blinked in mild surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Maria tilted her head slightly, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Hmm, what else? I'm doing some grocery shopping, of course. And you?"

I glanced at my own basket before shrugging lightly. "Same as you, more or less."

"I see," she said, tilting her head slightly. "Then, are you done buying your groceries?"

"Ah, almost." I gave my basket a quick once-over. "I was just checking if there was anything else I needed, but it looks like I've got everything."

Maria nodded in understanding. "It's always good to double-check. Nothing's worse than getting home only to realize you forgot something important."

"Yeah, that'd be a pain," I agreed. "Especially if it's something crucial for dinner."

"Fufu, true," she giggled. "But for someone like you, who can teleport here anytime you want, I don't think that really counts as a 'pain.'"

I sighed, shaking my head. "I only teleport when it's an emergency."

Maria raised an eyebrow, her playful smirk growing. "Heeeh~? Then what was that all about yesterday? After you fought Poseidon, you just teleported straight back home."

Clicking my tongue, I looked away. "That's because I was tired."

Maria chuckled. "So you're saying being exhausted counts as an emergency?"

"After fighting a literal god? Yes, I'd say it does."

Hearing that, Maria laughed. "See? You do enjoy the convenience." She nudged me lightly with her elbow. "You try to act all serious, but deep down, you're just as guilty of taking the easy route when you can."

I sighed again, shaking my head. "I wouldn't call it 'taking the easy route.' It's just… why walk all the way home when I can be there instantly?"

Maria smirked. "Which is exactly what I'm saying. You like the convenience."

I shot her a sidelong glance but didn't argue further, knowing she'd just keep going in circles with her teasing. Instead, I shifted the topic. "Anyway, are you really done shopping?"

Maria tilted her head slightly, tapping a finger against her chin. "Hmm? Just like you, I'm almost done."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you come up to me, Masha? You could've just finished up first."

Her lips curled into a playful smile. "Can't I just come and say hello to you?"

Letting out a small sigh, I shook my head, though there was no real annoyance behind it. "You just happened to spot me and decided to mess with me, didn't you?"

Maria giggled, placing a hand on her hip. "Maybe~"

I knew better than to push the subject further. "Whatever. So, shall we head to the cashier together?"

Maria gave a small nod. "Un. That sounds good."

With that settled, we walked side by side through the supermarket, weaving between the shelves as we made our way to the checkout area. As we walked, Maria casually glanced at my basket.

"Oh? You're buying a lot of ingredients. Planning to cook something special?"

"Not really," I replied. "Just the usual groceries."

"I see."

As we finally reached the checkout counters, we each stepped forward to place our groceries on the conveyor belt. The cashier greeted us with a polite nod and began scanning our items. While waiting, I noticed Maria glancing at me again, her expression softening slightly.

The cashier finished scanning my groceries, and I paid for my items. Grabbing my bags, I adjusted them in my hands while Maria did the same.

As we stepped out of the supermarket, a cool breeze brushed past us. The sky had begun to change colors, hues of orange and pink blending together as the sun started its descent toward the horizon.

I glanced at the sky before turning my gaze toward Maria. "It's already getting late. I'll walk you home."

Maria blinked in surprise before smiling. "Oh? Being a gentleman today, are we?"

I rolled my eyes. "Just making sure you get home safely. Who knows what kind of trouble you might run into?"

Maria let out a playful hum. "Well, if you insist~"

The two of us walked side by side through the quiet streets, the evening air cool against our skin. The streetlights cast a soft glow, stretching our shadows along the pavement.

"Nee, Saa-kun, what were you doing on this very day?" Maria's voice broke the comfortable silence between us, her curious gaze fixed on me.

I glanced at her, pondering how to respond. "Hmm..." I muttered, buying myself a moment to think.

She already knew the truth—that I was a Herrscher, that I had slain a god. But should I really tell her that I had gone to the Moon? That I had built a base there?

I considered it for a brief moment. Maria had already accepted the absurd reality of my abilities. She knew I could teleport anywhere at will, so going to the Moon wasn't exactly out of the question for her. There was no real reason to hide it.

With a small shrug, I decided to just say it. "Well… let's just say that I went to the Moon."

Maria's eyes widened slightly at my words, surprise flickering across her face. But instead of shock or disbelief, a soft, knowing smile tugged at her lips.

"Maa, that sounds fun."

"Fun?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Of all the reactions I had expected, that definitely wasn't one of them. Most people would have been stunned into silence, questioning if I was joking, or just outright refusing to believe me. But Maria… she wasn't like that.

Instead, she remained perfectly calm, almost amused. Her brown eyes sparkled with curiosity, but there was no hesitation, no doubt. It was as if I had simply told her I had gone for a casual walk in the park.

"You don't even look surprised," I noted, watching her expression carefully.

Maria giggled softly, resting a hand on her cheek, her smile widening. "Why would I be? You said that you're a Herrscher—a god-like being who can bend reality to their will. And you can teleport whenever you want. So, it's understandable that you'd be able to go to the Moon. If you visited Mars next, I would probably just believe it and ask what the scenery was like."

Her casual acceptance left me momentarily speechless. Most people would have been shocked, if not outright skeptical, but Maria didn't even flinch. It was as if we were discussing something as mundane as the weather. Then again, I suppose that's to be expected from someone who has watched me go toe-to-toe with a literal god.

Letting out a small chuckle, I shook my head. "You're ridiculous."

"Say that to someone who's a Herrscher, has slain a god, and even traveled to the Moon," she countered playfully, tilting her head with a knowing smile.

I sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in my voice. "Fair point."

Maria simply smiled, her gaze softening as we walked side by side, the conversation taking a comfortable pause between us.

"So, what does the scenery look like on the Moon?" she asked, her voice curious but calm, as if she were asking about a place I had visited in a dream.

I thought about it for a moment, reflecting on the stillness and the beauty of it. "It's beautiful," I said quietly, my eyes now drawn to the sky, where the Moon had already made its appearance, glowing softly in the evening sky.

The pale, silvery light bathed the world in a way that made everything feel... almost otherworldly. The Moon, even from Earth, seemed to pull at something deep inside me—something beyond just its physical presence. It felt like a quiet reminder of the distance between us and everything else, and yet, I had been there.

I glanced over at Maria, noticing how she was staring up at the same Moon, her expression almost wistful. "It's like... a different world," I added, more to myself than to her. "So quiet, so still. It's not like anything you can feel here."

Maria hummed thoughtfully, as if she was picturing it in her mind. "I can only imagine... Must have been quite the experience."

"It was," I replied, my voice low as the two of us continued walking, the quiet of the night surrounding us. "Something I'll never forget."

Maria watched me with a gentle smile, her brown eyes filled with warmth and understanding. There was something soothing in her gaze, like the calm before a storm, but with no trace of tension or concern. She didn't say much—just a simple, "I see. Good for you then, Saa-kun." Her voice was soft, but her words carried a sincerity that made them feel more meaningful than any elaborate sentence could.

She paused for a moment, as if thinking over something, before continuing, "But let me add this, Saa-kun... if you have the time, then please, show me what the scenery looks like."

Her words caught me off guard, but there was a gentle pleading in her tone, not demanding but inviting.

"Alright, whatever you say," I replied, my voice a little more relaxed than before. A small smile tugged at my lips, though it wasn't as easy as it seemed. I knew she wasn't just asking to see the view, but to experience it together with me.

We continued walking down the quiet streets, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement. The night air was cool, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees. Eventually, we arrived at the apartment where Maria lived.

"Well, this is where we part ways, Saa-kun," Maria said, turning to face me with a soft smile.

"Yeah. Well, see you later, Masha."

"Un. Later, Saa-kun."

With that, she turned back and entered the building, disappearing through the entrance. I watched for a moment before turning on my heel and making my way home, the quiet of the night settling around me like a familiar companion.

As I walked down the empty street, an unsettling shift in space hit me out of nowhere. The Spatial Distortion was right around the corner.

When I sensed the Spatial Distortion, I let out a long, tired sigh. Even on the weekend, trouble just had to come knocking.

(I guess your luck for attracting trouble is still as impressive as ever, huh, Masachika?)

Musashi's amused voice echoed in my mind, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

(Yeah, I can see that,)

I responded, rubbing my temple as exhaustion settled over me. I really didn't want to deal with this right now.

I hated it. The constant disruptions, the danger lurking in every corner—it was all getting tiresome. But what else was I supposed to do? It wasn't like I could just walk away.

I stored all my groceries in my Inventory to keep them out of the way, then walked around the corner.

As I arrived, my eyes immediately locked onto the cause of the disturbance—a Dimensional Crack, pulsating with unstable energy. The jagged tear in space flickered ominously, and from within, figures began to emerge. They staggered into view, their presence unsettling, like something out of place, as if the very world was rejecting their arrival.

A group of people clad in medieval-style armor stepped out of the Dimensional Crack, their weapons drawn—swords, shields, spears, and even a few bows among them. Their attire and equipment looked like something straight out of a fantasy world. But that wasn't the only thing that caught my attention.

Following behind them was a monster—one that you wouldn't see every day. Its massive form loomed over the warriors, its presence radiating a menacing aura. I narrowed my eyes, observing its grotesque, unnatural shape, as if it had crawled straight out of a nightmare.

"Tch… just what I needed,"

I muttered to myself, already feeling the headache forming.

Just as I was about to deal with them, I noticed something—an ominous presence radiating from their hands. My gaze sharpened, honing in on the black rings wrapped around their ring fingers.

The moment I saw those rings, I knew exactly what they were.

"…Outlaws…"

I muttered under my breath, the word leaving a bitter taste. I recognized them instantly, not because I had encountered them before in this world, but because of the memories from my previous life. I had played Evenicle before—I knew exactly what those rings meant.

These people weren't ordinary travelers lost between dimensions. They were criminals, branded by the laws of that world. If the Dimensional Crack had brought them here, that meant it was a direct link to Evenicle's world.

"Evenicle World, huh… And what's more, they're with Snake Crest."

Musashi materialized beside me, arms crossed, her sharp eyes narrowing as she focused on the Outlaws.

"Yeah, I figured as much," I replied, watching the scene unfold. "If they're with monsters, it makes sense. Snake Crest is an organization known for controlling them."

"What a pain…" I muttered, sighing as I prepared myself for what was about to come.

Stepping out from the darkness, I made my presence known. The reaction was immediate—panic and fear flickered across their faces. Even the monster accompanying them recoiled, its instincts screaming at it to flee.

"W-Who are you?!" one of them stammered, gripping his weapon tighter.

I met his gaze with cold indifference. "You don't need to know my name. You'll die here."

My words sent a shiver through them, but instead of retreating, they acted with desperation. With reckless abandon, they charged at me, weapons raised high.

"DIIIEEE!!"

The monster roared and lunged as well, realizing that its only chance of survival was to eliminate the threat before it.

But to me, they were already as good as dead.

The moment they moved, time seemed to slow—no, it stopped for me. I could see every detail in painstaking clarity—the flicker of fear in their eyes, the tightening of their muscles, the shifting of their weight as they lunged.

Without even a second glance, I activated my Authority of Ice.

An invisible force spread through the air, creeping into their bodies, freezing them from the inside out. The charge that had started so recklessly came to an abrupt halt as their movements stuttered. Ice rapidly consumed them, turning them into lifeless statues.

One by one, they dropped, their frozen bodies shattering upon impact with the ground.

A heavy silence followed.

Musashi let out a low whistle beside me. "Cold as ever, huh?"

I exhaled through my nose, stepping past the frozen corpses.

"Whatever. Scum like them don't deserve respect."

My gaze lingered on their shattered remains, eyes cold with disdain before shifting toward the Dimensional Crack. It pulsed with unstable energy, a tear between worlds that shouldn't exist in this place.

"So? What's the plan?" Musashi asked, her arms crossed as she eyed the rift warily.

"I'll analyze it first, then close it," I replied without hesitation. "If we leave it open, more Outlaws will eventually come through. It's only a matter of time before they reach the city."

With that, I activated the Authority of Truth, directing my focus toward the crack. Immediately, a flood of information surged into my mind, forcing me to steady myself as I processed the overwhelming influx of data.

In an instant, the underlying principles of the rift and the very Laws governing the World of Evenicle became clear to me. But more than that—I grasped a deeper truth. With the Authority of Void, I possessed the power to create Dimensional Cracks myself, forging pathways to entirely different worlds. However, there was a catch.

I had only obtained the coordinates for Evenicle's World, meaning I could open a stable passage there. But if I attempted to create a rift without specific coordinates, the destination would be completely random. There was no telling what kind of world I might step into.

"Got it, now to close this," I muttered, raising my hand as I focused on the Authority of Void.

With a slow, deliberate motion, I wove my will into the rift. The rift resisted at first, but little by little, it began to shrink, the edges folding inward as though the fabric of reality itself was stitching itself back together.

Moments later, the rift was gone—completely sealed, with no trace of its existence left.

"Fuuuh, all closed up," I sighed, letting my hand drop as the tension in my body eased.

Musashi nodded approvingly. "Nice work."

"Mm," I agreed, glancing around once more to ensure everything was in place. "Now let's get back."

Musashi nodded to him before silently stepping back into the Stigmata Space, vanishing from sight.

With a flick of my wrist, I teleported us back to the safety of home, leaving the forest and the remnants of the battle far behind.

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just like the previous chapter i don't know if the part with Maria feels force or not, but if so then tell me and also i don't know if this chapter good or not but whatever as long as the Reader think it's good then i'm okay with that.

and as always thank you for reading my Fanfic