Chapter 40: Departure
I teleported back to the Gifu Base, battered and barely standing.
"Gojo-san?!?"
Sakagi and Shimizu were seriously worried, but I managed to report that we’d defeated the dungeon boss—safe and sound.
"Was it really that strong?"
"Seriously scary... I think we almost didn’t make it..."
As we were talking, a few Self-Defense Force members gathered around.
"Sakagi First-Class Air Attendant! We just got through to Fukuoka—the number of monsters there has dropped sharply!"
"Reports are coming in from other regions too—monster numbers are dropping everywhere!"
Seems like defeating the "Undying King" had a positive ripple effect. Later, Sakagi told me the "spirit essence" that had blanketed Japan was fading, and communication conditions were slowly improving.
Since I was practically half-naked, the Self-Defense Force let me change into proper clothes in their barracks, and I met up with Sakagi and the others again.
"The Self-Defense Force will probably be key in rebuilding Japan... thanks to Gojo-san, monsters have dropped drastically. Rebuilding is definitely possible now."
"Good thing Japan’s an island. No monsters are coming from the mainland. In Europe and America, one outbreak spreads everywhere... monsters don’t care about borders, you know."
"And even if monsters came from China, we’ve got Gojo-san here. So we’re safe!"
After a pause, I decided to say what I’d been thinking for a while.
"Actually... I’ve been thinking about leaving Japan to fight monsters in other countries."
Sakagi and Shimizu both blinked in shock, then fell silent, heads down.
"Yeah... you’re right. Thinking about the whole world, maybe that’s the better choice."
"We understand. We’ll support you with everything we’ve got."
The next move came fast.
With the Self-Defense Force’s help, I got all the necessities for the journey sorted out. Water, food—stuff that should be precious here—yet they told me to pack plenty.
I was asked how the heck I was gonna carry all this food and supplies, so I just vanished it in an instant and shoved it into the pocket dimension.
"Anything goes, huh...?"
I’m utterly mortified.
Yamamoto, the deputy commander, looked at me with a grim expression, but apparently he’d gotten word from the government mansion to cooperate with Gojo, so he didn’t say a thing.
Shimizu said with a laugh, "Yamamoto's old man got reassigned to a dead-end job," but... kinda feels sorry for him, honestly.
"Gojo, please take this too."
That said, what was handed to me was a single "sword."
"What the...?"
A sword made of demon steel. I thought it might come in handy someday...
Is this a weapon made of demon steel...? I decided to take a look at it myself.
Mithril Sword Rank B
Not high purity, but packed with mana...
Made of metal that’s been infused with something.
The鉴定 text says "mithril"... huh... so this is mithril...!
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
I talked it over with Shimizu and the others, and we decided to head to America—the country hardest hit, where the strongest monster said to be, a giant, is located.
The boss over there’s called a Titan, and apparently didn’t so much as flinch when hit with seven nuclear missiles.
"Anyway, how the hell are we getting to America, Gojo? Some usual vanish-and-reappear trick?"
No, I was thinking I’d just fly over. Should take a while, though.
"Yeah... be careful, okay?"
"Thank you for everything so far. From here on, our Self-Defense Force will do everything we can to protect Japan—go in peace."
Freyja’s words, Shimizu-san too—
"Because you’re the one who saved my life... I’ll never forget this debt. I’m counting on you, world!"
I grinned and took off right there.
I’d been to America before, so I could teleport there instantly—but in front of Sakaki and Shimizu, I deliberately didn’t use it.
I could always teleport back if something went wrong, but saying that might relax them too much, so I kept quiet and just left.
And with the defeat of the "Immortal King," my Sage level capped out. The stat increases were...
Sage Lv99
HP 1416/1416 → 1512/1512
MP ∞/∞
Strength 554 → 582
Defense 378 → 411
Magic Defense 780 → 860
Agility 420 → 441
Dexterity 711 → 731
Intelligence 1568 → 1649
Luck 563 → 604
[Class Skills]
Magic Arts Rank SSS Title: "King of Magic"
Healing Arts Rank SS
Composite Magic Rank B
Mapping Rank C
Magic Tome Rank F → D
Acquired “Skills” Magic Affinity (I) ×2 Telepathy (I) ×2
My class skill "Magic Tome" rose to Rank D. Concentrating, a large, 3D book-like thing appeared on my palm—something like a dictionary. Inside were descriptions, blueprints for weapons, armor, items, and more.
Only the beginning of the book is written, but it’s definitely an interesting skill. Honestly, though, I have no idea how to use it.
No matter how detailed the blueprints are, without materials, I can’t build anything. And I have no clue how to even start... Maybe it’ll help later. But right now? Useless.
I’ll save upgrading this for later.
All stats, including skills, now looked like this.
Sage Lv99
HP 1512/1512
MP ∞/∞
Strength 6111
Defense 3699
Magic Defense 1720
Agility 882
Dexterity 1316
Intelligence 2803
Luck 114760
[Class Skills]
Magic Rank SSS Title: "Wang of Magic"
Healing Arts Rank SS
Composite Magic Rank B
Mapping Rank C
Arcane Library Rank D
[Unique Skills]
Spatial-Temporal Manipulation All Status Effect Resistance God's Eye
Infinite Mana Barrier Defense Immortality
Gravity Manipulation Super Recovery
Divine Protection Invincible Strength
[Skills] [Magic]
Thousand-Mile Eye (VII) Wind Magic (XVIII)
Mana Enhancement (VII) Earth Magic (XVIII)
Growth Acceleration (X) Fire Magic (XVII)
Calculation Acceleration (VIII) Light Magic (VII)
Imitation (VI) Summoning Magic (X)
Blessing (IX) Thunder Magic (XVII)
Identification (X) Water Magic (XVIII)
Spatial Perception (XIV) Dark Magic (IX)
Strength Enhancement (XI) Enhancement Magic (VIII)
Heat-Cold Resistance (IX) Healing Magic (XIX)
Physical Resistance (VIII)
Magic Resistance (X)
Magic Affinity (XIII)
Stealth (XII)
Agility (X)
Precision Correction (VIII)
Intimidation (VII)
Telepathy (VIII)
Enemy Detection (XII)
Mental Defense (VI)
"Immortality" is an insane skill... I guess you can still die from outside causes, but with "Super Recovery" and "All Status Effect Resistance," I'm basically untouchable.
Still, it’s kinda hard to feel real about it.
Heading to a new battlefield—no fear at all. That’s just how it is. I just vanished in a flash and teleported straight to America.
That wraps up Chapter Three. Exactly one month after posting, I’m calling it a day. I’d love for you to keep watching in Chapter Four too.