Journey to Planar World

Time is a cruel and unforgiving entity. It marches on, uncaring of the dire situation around it. Not a second does it allow for retreat, not a moment does it offer a pause.

The clock shows 11:59 PM, just one minute left until midnight. Across the globe, attention is focused on Tokai City.

World leaders, scientists, and military personnel from various developed countries monitor those seconds with a tension that is difficult to describe. Advanced satellites orbit directly above Tokai City, providing live broadcasts from the location that has now become a symbol of disaster and chaos.

Tokai City, once a bustling city, is now just a sea of destruction. The large crater created by Deidara’s explosion looks like a gaping wound in the earth, reflecting a gloomy shadow under the moonlight.

In Japan, ordinary citizens can’t do much but pray. They gather in temples, light candles, and offer prayers that no more disasters will destroy their country.

Under the darkening night sky with dark clouds rolling in, the atmosphere along the coastline feels heavy and ominous.

Charlie stands not far from the beach house, its atmosphere chilling. The place that was once filled with laughter and the aroma of barbecue is now a silent witness to the mounting tension.

The Sword of Damocles is planted in the wet sand in front of him. Both his hands grip the hilt of the sword tightly, ready to unsheathe it at any moment. His body is upright, unshakeable, even though the cold sea breeze hits his face, carrying the distinctive salty scent mixed with a tension that can almost be felt physically.

The waves roll gently, as if they are also witnessing this night that will determine the course of history. Behind Charlie, Aishia stands silently.

”This is the last villain. After this, we can go back.” Aishia hugs him from behind, providing warmth in the cold of the night.

”Yes, we’ll definitely go back no matter who appears.” Charlie says resolutely.

His intuition tells him that the fifth villain is very different from the previous four. There’s no doubt that the Abyssal Devourer will unleash everything in a final attempt at murder.

”The plan is as discussed; when the enemy appears, I’ll face them alone. Aishia, you’re in charge of protecting Nino and the others; don’t let anything bad happen to them.”

”Um. Charlie just needs to focus on the battlefield; leave the rest to me. I’ll protect them.”

”With Aishia here, I can be at ease.”

Enjoying this peaceful moment, Charlie enjoys the feeling of being pampered by Aishia.

The time shows 11:59 PM, and the change is immediately felt. The sky, previously adorned with stars, begins to be covered by dark clouds. The sea breeze, which was once gentle, turns into a piercing cold gust. But even though the atmosphere is ominous, time marches on, and at exactly 12:00 AM…

Nothing happens.

Charlie stands upright on the beach, gripping the hilt of the Sword of Damocles tightly. He looks towards the horizon, waiting for signs of the enemy’s arrival. But minute after minute passes, and the beach remains silent.

There’s no explosion, no magic circle, no terrifying aura that usually accompanies the arrival of the previous villains.

”Maybe the enemy is looking for the hiding place of the protagonists and heroines instead of directly causing chaos? It seems like this villain has high intelligence.” Charlie speculates, becoming even more wary.

But…

Previously, he had guessed that the enemy would need some time to start moving, but after waiting for an hour, there was still nothing. Only the sound of the waves accompanies the silence of that night.

”What’s really going on?”

”This might be the calm before the storm.”

Aishia responds to Charlie’s confusion.

❀❀❀

Elsewhere, think tanks from various countries that have been monitoring Tokai City with advanced satellites are also confused. They have prepared strategies to anticipate the emergence of the next anomaly, but what happens is the opposite—there are no signs of movement at all.

In the main control room of the Japanese military headquarters, a commander taps on the table with his fingers, his eyes fixed on the large screen displaying satellite imagery of Tokai City.

”Can anyone explain why nothing has happened?” He asks with a frustrated tone.

A data analyst next to him shakes his head, his face showing the same confusion.

”There’s no abnormal energy activity, no movement whatsoever in that area. But it’s too early to consider this over. We can’t guarantee that no anomaly has occurred. This might be an anomaly like the MK Virus; it’s many times more dangerous because we don’t immediately identify it.”

❀❀❀

Charlie takes a deep breath, his gaze remaining focused.

”Are they testing our patience, or is this just a diversion?”

He doesn’t believe that the Abyssal Devourer has given up or lost interest. There’s no other choice; the Abyssal Devourer can’t return to the dimension outside the multiverse before completing his task. In other words, the Abyssal Devourer can’t escape even if he wants to.

Aishia, standing behind him, finally speaks up: ”Charlie, maybe this is a tactic to make us complacent. We have to stay vigilant.”

Charlie nods slowly, but his eyes show doubt: ”Yes, I know.”

Excluding Kihara, who hid after spreading the MK Virus, the other villains were very active in killing the protagonists and heroines. That’s why Charlie was used to the enemy coming to his doorstep.

❀❀❀

The sun begins to rise on the horizon, its rays slowly dispelling the darkness of night. But the atmosphere on the beach where Charlie and his group are guarding doesn’t decrease in tension. The Sword of Damocles is still planted in the ground.

Next to him, Aishia checks the tablet with focus, her eyes moving quickly reading news that appears from various sources on the internet. Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, Itsuki, and Fuutarou sit near the beach house, each using their communication devices to look for any information that may have been missed.

Their task is to check if there are any new posts about abnormal events that suddenly occur that cannot be explained by science, which are shocking the world.

”Any new reports?” Charlie asks calmly.

For him, not sleeping all night only makes him a little tired. Level 4 is in the realm of superhumans who can avoid thermal weapon ambushes.

”Nothing. All the media are just reporting the situation in Tokai City as usual. No attacks, no energy anomalies, not even reports of suspicious activity.” Aishia shakes her head.

Ichika and the others also give similar answers. Yotsuba and Itsuki have even fallen asleep because they couldn’t stay up late.

”I see.” Charlie just nods silently, not sure what he’s thinking.

In a flash, the ground shakes.

The sky, which was originally bright, turns pitch black, covered by a giant shadow that blocks out the sun. The intense ground vibrations become even more intense, making the sand on the beach vibrate and the coconut trees sway violently.

Charlie quickly reflexes, puts his arm around Aishia’s waist so she doesn’t lose her balance.

At this moment, they feel the arrival of a terrifying creature.

Accompanied by a rumbling sound like muffled thunder, a giant that covers the sky and the sun appears in the sky.

A pitch-black dragon with scales that shimmer like steel emerges, floating in the air. Its yellow eyes burn like embers, radiating a deadly threat. Two horns curve back from its head, giving an impression of awe-inspiring fear. The dragon’s chest emits a glowing green light, adding to its mysterious aura and extraordinary power.

Its large figure stretches from one end of the horizon to the other. Its wings are as wide as the night itself. Each flap of its wings produces a strong windstorm, shaking the surface of the sea to create large waves.

”Physical Enchant.”

To be able to see the approaching dragon’s figure more clearly, Charlie uses Spirit Arts to strengthen his eyes to achieve the Clairvoyance effect.

”Impossible! That… Evil Dragon Fafnir?!?!” He exclaims in shock.