Deceitful World

I was in the bathroom contacting Izanagi. 

"So what now?"

[That red-sheathed sword that I handed to you can now be used whenever you call my name!]

"There's a cost, right?"

[Not completely. You'll be granted my power and my shinkuro, which is electric. The powers will be hard to grasp as of the first time you use it, but I guarantee that you'll push through!

The drawbacks didn't sound too harsh. Mastering the techniques sounds like a chore, though. "I'm only going to use it in a life-or-death situation. Mastering my own techniques and abilities should be my first priority."

Izanagi burst out laughing. [Well, at least I won't have to worry about your shinkuro and body turning into shreds!]

That is one of the reasons why I wanted to focus on my own strength…

[You're visiting that Chikao lad in the library after classes, right?] Just wanted to let it be clear to not mention my presence in the matter. We still don't know if there are deities eyeing us. Alerting the other gods would be detrimental.

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Chikao and I were gathered at one of the library tables. The library was so huge that no one would pay us any mind, and we wouldn't look too out of place. 

Chikao relaxed before opening his mouth."Lay it all on me, Yukimura. What's the case we're dealing with here?"

"I've been tasked with searching for these gods that could potentially destroy Japan as we know it."

A shocked expression took over Chikao's face. "Really? A search for destructive gods sure is a heavy task. How did you come across this information?"

I struggle to make up something. "Well, it was like this sort of dream I had. Something like a vision."

"So you prophesied the future disasters? Intriguing, yet I still find it odd. How could someone like you be bestowed such a prophecy?" Chikao leans in. "Want to get to the bottom of this prophecy and stop the gods from causing the calamity of Japan?"

"You sure? This could be extremely dangerous for the both of us."

"Mark my words. I can help you investigate the matter while you do the action of defeating these gods. I'll text you any information I end up gathering." We exchange numbers. 

This is perfect. Having him as an investigator could make things go so much faster! "Thanks! I would love to talk more, but I have to head home early today."

Chikao grinned before waving goodbye. Now that he will be investigating, all of the pressure on my chest went away. 

As I enter the house, I see Fumiko scrummaging through a box. "What's in there?"

"Meh, just old pictures and whatnot!" She pulls one out of a purple-haired boy that looked to be eight or nine years old. "You see him? That's my little brother! I had to leave them' a couple of years ago to work with the DES, from which I ended up getting fired a year later. I want to visit Osaka so that we could reconnect." She lets out a sigh before putting the picture away. 

"We could totally visit Osaka! I heard they had a cool tournament that they run!"

"My brother was always interested in that thing. The Proelium Arena is too dangerous, though. You'll get your shit turned to flesh if you're not careful." 

"Maybe we could find your brother there! Not the flesh part, though. I'm sure he's fine."

"I doubt it…" I pat her on the back. Her harsh voice was so gloomy. 

I decided to go to Mya's room to discuss the matters of Izanagi and the gods. "And that's the new mission we've got going on."

"I don't think I want to take part in this. We could seriously end up dead."

"We kill deceits! We'll be fine! Besides, this could probably help us get to the bottom of our father's death much faster."

Mya looks unfazed. "You can do that if you want to end up dead. I'm going to be dealing with these damned deceits."

I don't know why I tried to convince her. She always prefers the safer options instead of putting her life on the line. Her safety is also my concern, which is why I don't mind her option too much. Well, I guess I'm going to do my homework now.

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I was dispatched to uncover this mysterious outbreak of snakes in the forest. I've had to cut down many of these huge snakes while navigating my way through the trees. The air became denser the deeper I ventured, and the trees became more spread out. 

I step into a massive open area of land that seemed to be the center of the forest. I exhaled as I stretched. The fresh air and relaxation were short-lived due to the sound of a boom from behind me. Debris flew as the dust began to uncover the cloaked silhouette behind it. 

I gripped the sword on my side. "Looks like we have a visitor. Mind introducing yourself?

A cloaked, white-haired man with pale skin wore a malevolent smile on his face as the dust uncovered his figure. Hysterical laughs pierced my ears as they echoed throughout the forest. "You're hilarious! Last time I checked, this was MY territory!" 

I observed my surroundings. Various sizes of snakes were lurking in the trees. They had a hostile gaze that would leave anyone unsettled. "Your little friends here say it all! At least you'll have people to cry at your funeral for ya!"

"You're one ballsy guy, aren't you!? I'm bound by the powers of the almighty Yamata no Orochi! You're in the place of your future GOD, bastard!"

I display my sword to him. I drag it across the ground as I slowly approach him. "Flashy names and being under the protection of a deity won't prevent me from burying you. That Orochi guy should be really disappointed in himself for having someone like you roam around under his tail."

The young cloaked man's eyes flashed at my comment. "You DARE disrespect his name!?" A giant snake comes forth, and the cloaked young man stands on top of its head. "You'll learn what a future god is capable of! A new world of chaos is what we yearn for! I shall bring about this future and seize the likes of you from this world!"

"I didn't come here for your lore." My sword slices through the giant snake's head. Blood poured around the area, almost covering my entire face with it. I turned behind me and saw the young man. "You're the fun execution I've been looking for. Give me hell!"

End of Prologue