Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

Watching Seidou Takizawa flee in embarrassment, Kaguya couldn't help but reflect. Perhaps her tone had been too harsh, her blunt rejection wounding the fragile heart of this young man.

Then again, if Seidou Takizawa were to fall into despair, become disillusioned with the world, and tread a darker path, she mused that it would actually be quite entertaining.

Serves you right, she thought. You're lucky I didn't thoroughly mock and humiliate you. Otherwise, even your mother wouldn't recognize you after I was done.

Wasting her time with such trivial nonsense, and for what? He wasn't some stunning beauty or an adorable loli—so he could take his nonsense elsewhere. She had no patience for playing childish games.

Having thoroughly crushed the young man's self-esteem, Kaguya felt a small sense of satisfaction. It was as though she'd vented some of her pent-up annoyance with the system's constant interference. After all, it was his fault for walking straight into the firing line.

The workday at CCG was winding down, and members of the organization began leaving for home. Before long, the headquarters had largely emptied, save for a few diligent workaholics and the guards assigned to the night shift.

The autumn sky darkened quickly, the sun setting and casting a warm golden glow across the horizon before slipping away entirely. As the city lights flickered to life, the streets transitioned into the quiet hum of the night.

For Kaguya, however, this was the perfect time to investigate—not to mention, carry out a few less-than-sanctioned activities.

If the CCG had any secure locations where secrets might be stashed, it would likely be in the offices or conference rooms of Special-Class Investigators. These individuals held significant authority within the organization, ranking just below the directors and regional heads.

While some classified information would undoubtedly be locked away behind additional layers of security, lesser intel—such as details on ghouls—might still be accessible in these offices.

Kaguya's foot tapped lightly against the ground, and in an instant, her figure blurred into a streak of light. Like a phantom, she darted toward the division director's conference room, leaving faint afterimages in her wake.

Inside the monitoring room, one tall investigator glanced at a screen, rubbing his eyes. "Huh? Did something just go by?"

The stocky investigator next to him ambled over, peering at the monitor. "I don't see anything. What are you talking about?"

"It was just a second ago. Right there!" The tall one gestured toward the screen, his brow furrowing.

"You're imagining things," the stocky one replied with a chuckle. "You've been at this for ten hours straight. Take a break, or you'll burn out."

"Maybe you're right..." The tall investigator hesitated but eventually nodded.

Reaching the director's conference room, Kaguya found the door locked. She extended a finger toward the keyhole, and from her fingertip emerged an inky black substance, flowing like liquid into the lock.

It was her Truth-Seeking Ball, a malleable tool capable of transforming into any shape she desired—an ability Kaguya greatly appreciated.

After a few seconds, there was a soft click, and the door swung open.

Stepping inside, Kaguya surveyed the room. It was spacious and opulently decorated, far more luxurious than her modest office. Her gaze landed on the computer resting on the desk, and her eyes lit up as she strode toward it.

Booting it up, Kaguya quickly input a series of commands, but the system prompted her for a password. Without it, she couldn't proceed.

"It's password-protected," Kaguya murmured. "Makes sense—sensitive information would be too dangerous to leave unsecured."

Just as she was about to leave, the door burst open behind her. A man stormed in, leveling a pistol at her back.

"Well, well," the man sneered. "To think we'd find a ghoul infiltrating the CCG. Surrender now, or die where you stand."

Kaguya turned slowly to face him, a faint smile curling her lips. The man was Kichimura Washuu, the branch director and someone she'd briefly encountered during a prior meeting.

"Interesting," Kaguya said, her voice soft yet playful. "It seems I'm not suited for stealth after all."

"This facility is heavily encrypted," Kichimura said coldly, not lowering his weapon. "Alarms are triggered the moment unauthorized personnel breach certain areas. You were foolish to think you'd escape unnoticed."

"Ah, so that's how it works." Kaguya tilted her head, tapping her chin lightly with a finger. "Good to know. But do you really think you can capture me?"

"Do you think I'm bluffing?" Kichimura's finger tensed on the trigger. His free hand hovered over a nearby white case—his Quinque. "You may be skilled, but facing me, someone with years of experience and the finest weapons, is beyond your capabilities."

"Oh, no, no, no." Kaguya waved a hand dismissively. "Who said I planned to fight you?"

"So, you're surrendering?" Kichimura sneered. "That's wise. It'll save you some pain."

"Actually..." Kaguya's smile widened, her tone as calm as ever. "You've misunderstood."

"Misunderstood?" Kichimura's brow furrowed as unease crept over him. Before he could react, Kaguya's eyes locked onto his, their depths swirling with an irresistible pull.

His mind blanked, and the world around him faded to darkness.

Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed down the hall. A group of armed investigators burst into the room, their weapons trained on Kaguya.

"Freeze! Hands in the air!" one of them barked.

"Hold on," came Kichimura's voice. He turned to face them, his expression calm. "Stand down. There's been a misunderstanding."

"Director?" The investigators exchanged confused glances. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." Kichimura waved them off. "I wrongfully accused Tsukiyomi of wrongdoing. You're dismissed."

Relieved, the investigators holstered their weapons, saluting before exiting the room. None noticed the faint, unnatural gleam in Kichimura's eyes as they departed.

....

Ghouls—those ravenous predators cloaked in human forms—had long become humanity's shadowy nightmare. Their appearance decades ago plunged society into chaos, their insatiable hunger for human flesh spreading fear and despair. Yet, amidst this horror, their origins remained shrouded in mystery.

For years, experts have debated the cause of the ghoul phenomenon. Some hypothesize that ghouls are an evolutionary branch of humans, while others suggest they're a product of viral mutation. The most widely accepted theory, however, points to a meteor that struck Earth fifty-three years ago, carrying extraterrestrial pathogens that altered human biology.

As for the infamous meteorite, it now resides in—

"Cochlea," Kaguya murmured with intrigue.

Cochlea, located in the 23rd Ward, was a fortress-like detention facility that imprisoned S-class ghouls and higher. Equipped with RC suppression liquid and specialized sedative drugs, it was hailed as an impenetrable bastion. But, as fate would have it, Cochlea was later breached by the Aogiri Tree organization in the original story.

Kaguya found it surprising, even absurd, that such a pivotal object was stored there. Perhaps the decision-makers believed the facility was invulnerable due to its heavy defenses. A grave miscalculation, no doubt.

Letting out a soft breath, Kaguya rose from her chair and powered down the computer.

This investigation had yielded significant results—confidential data, intriguing revelations, and most importantly, the meteorite's enigmatic properties. If the records were accurate, the meteorite might harbor extraordinary energy, possibly exploitable for her own use.

Just as she pondered this, the system chimed in:

[System notification: A new mission is available—retrieve the extraterrestrial meteorite. Rewards: 20 achievement points. Failure penalty: -20 achievement points. Will you accept?]

Kaguya paused, then chuckled lightly. A mission tailored to her current goals—how convenient. Since she was already determined to acquire the meteorite, she might as well accept the task and gain additional benefits.

"Accept," she said with a smile.

[Mission accepted: Retrieve the extraterrestrial meteorite within seven days. Failure will result in penalties.]

Seven days wasn't a lot of time, which meant she needed to act swiftly. Hesitating could result in wasted opportunities—or worse, forfeited points.

Passing by Kichimura Washuu, she patted his shoulder lightly, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Thanks for your help."

Kichimura, however, remained utterly motionless. His face was blank, his eyes glassy, as if he were nothing more than a wooden doll.

He had fallen victim to Kaguya's Star Eye illusion, a hypnotic power that few could resist. While under its spell, Kichimura wouldn't awaken for at least an hour. When he finally did, he would remember nothing of their encounter—his memories erased with surgical precision.

Satisfied, Kaguya exited the office, her footsteps graceful and unhurried.

Once outside the CCG building, Kaguya headed toward the 23rd Ward at full speed. Her figure streaked through the dimly lit streets, a blur of motion against the fading night. However, midway through her journey, she abruptly stopped, her expression shifting to one of irritation.

She had realized a crucial oversight—she didn't know Cochlea's exact location.

Back at the CCG, she had glanced at a map briefly but hadn't bothered memorizing Cochlea's precise coordinates.

Her lips twitched in annoyance. How could someone as brilliant as her make such a rookie mistake?

Turning her gaze to the horizon, where the sky was already tinged with the pale light of dawn, she sighed. Returning to the CCG now would waste too much time.

As Kaguya tapped her temple in thought, her sharp senses caught something in the distance—a faint but distinct sound of combat. Her ears twitched as she turned toward the source.

It seemed to be coming from a church.

Inside the church, two men were locked in a fierce battle. Punches flew, the sound of impact reverberating through the air like thunderclaps.

One of the combatants was a tall, lean man with sandy brown hair and glasses. His handsome features were marred by an air of desperation. His opponent, on the other hand, had blue-violet hair, sharp eyebrows, and a chiselled face—though a subtle, unnerving femininity undercut his otherwise striking appearance.

Despite the brown-haired man's relentless attacks, his opponent was clearly superior. The blue-haired man evaded each punch with ease, his movements light and taunting. From his smirk to his relaxed stance, it was evident he wasn't taking the fight seriously.

"Is this really all you've got, Nishiki Nishio?" the blue-haired man teased, sidestepping a punch effortlessly. "How disappointing. I expected more."

"Damn you, Tsukiyama Shuu!" Nishiki snarled, his teeth grinding audibly. "Let her go!"

So these two weren't strangers—they were none other than Nishiki Nishio, a side character from the original story, and Shuu Tsukiyama, the notorious "Gourmet."

Tsukiyama's lips curled into a derisive grin. "Let her go? Let my meal walk away? How absurd."

As he spoke, his movements shifted, his posture growing more deliberate. "To be honest, I'm tired of playing with you. Why don't you just... disappear?"

Before Nishiki could react, Tsukiyama lashed out with a devastating kick. His leg blurred, leaving behind faint afterimages, before slamming into Nishiki's chest.

Boom!

The impact echoed like an explosion. Nishiki's body flew backward, crashing into a row of wooden pews. Splinters erupted into the air as the benches shattered under the force.

Nishiki's momentum carried him further, slamming him into the church wall with another resounding crash.

Blood sprayed across the ground as Nishiki crumpled to the floor. His glasses had shattered, leaving only an empty frame dangling from his face. His arm hung at an unnatural angle, the broken bone piercing through his skin in a gruesome display.

Meanwhile, Tsukiyama adjusted his tie with exaggerated nonchalance, a smile of satisfaction gracing his lips. "Finally, it's time to enjoy my meal."

He turned toward the altar, where a young woman lay unconscious. Nishiki's girlfriend, Kimi Nishino, was sprawled across the platform like a sacrificial offering.

Smiling predatorily, Tsukiyama began his slow ascent to claim his prize.

"Wait."

Just as Tsukiyama Shuu was about to make his way toward his "meal," a low, hoarse voice called out from behind him.

"Hmm?"

Turning around, Tsukiyama saw Nishiki Nishio, his face drenched in blood and his body trembling with pain, forcing himself upright by gripping the broken remains of a chair. His teeth ground together as he growled, "Even if it kills me, I won't let you harm my girlfriend!"

With those words, Nishiki pushed off the ground, his entire body taut like a spring. In a flash, he lunged toward Tsukiyama, swinging his fist with all his might, roaring in defiance.

"Your girlfriend?" Tsukiyama sneered, his expression one of mocking amusement. "You can't even protect yourself, let alone someone else. How amusing."

With a flick of his wrist, his kagune blade shot out, gleaming with deadly intent.

Splat.

"Arghhh!"

Blood sprayed into the air.

Tsukiyama's blade pierced straight through Nishiki's chest, the length of it emerging from his back. Blood began soaking Nishiki's clothes, staining them a deep crimson as the weapon impaled him entirely.

Nishiki's throat bobbed, a gurgling sound escaping his lips as blood poured from his mouth and nose. His body grew limp.

"What a waste of my time," Tsukiyama said with a snort, flicking his arm. Nishiki's body flew to the side like a discarded rag doll. It crashed against the ground with a thud. "Annoying. Truly annoying. And now my meal has been delayed. Waiting too long will ruin its flavor."

Satisfied, Tsukiyama began walking toward the altar to claim his prize, a predatory grin on his lips. But before he could reach it, a hand shot out from behind, clutching his leg tightly.

"What now, Nishiki Nishio?" Tsukiyama said, his face darkening as he glanced over his shoulder.

"I won't… let you… hurt Kimi…" Nishiki wheezed, blood dribbling from his mouth. His trembling hand clung to Tsukiyama's leg with sheer determination.

Thud!

Tsukiyama kicked Nishiki square in the face, sending him flying. Nishiki smashed into the altar, his battered body collapsing in a heap.

"How laughable." Tsukiyama sneered, turning back toward the unconscious Kimi Nishino. "Your pathetic persistence is entertaining, but you're only delaying the inevitable. Just sit back and watch as your beloved girlfriend becomes my meal. Of course, if you'd like to join her, I won't mind."

As Tsukiyama approached the altar, he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He whipped around to find Nishiki standing again, swaying but upright.

"You're truly an irritating pest," Tsukiyama growled, his patience finally snapping. He slammed Nishiki to the ground with his left hand and raised his kagune blade high with his right.

The sharp edge gleamed, a cold light dancing along its surface as he prepared to strike. "How utterly vexing. Die, Nishio!"

Thwack! Slash! Thud!

Blood splattered across the altar as Tsukiyama repeatedly plunged his blade into Nishiki's body, carving through him with unrelenting fury.

When he finally stopped, Nishiki's body lay motionless, riddled with gaping wounds.

"Hmph."

Exhaling deeply, Tsukiyama adjusted his tie, a smile of satisfaction returning to his face. "Why must you be so stubborn, Nishio? If you'd stayed down, I might have spared you this agony. But since you've disrupted my feast, it's only right I end this once and for all."

With that, Tsukiyama's kagune blade began to morph, its size and thickness increasing until it towered like a massive executioner's blade. Raising it high, he prepared to deliver the final blow.

"Farewell, Nishiki Nishio."

Just as the blade was about to descend, a calm, melodic voice interrupted from behind.

"Excuse me, but could I ask for directions?"

"What?" Tsukiyama paused, lowering his blade slightly as he turned toward the voice. Standing behind him was a silver-haired girl wearing a fox mask.

"Pardon me," the girl said again, tilting her head slightly. "I was wondering if you could tell me how to get to Kokuria."

"Leave." Tsukiyama's brows furrowed in irritation. "I have no time for foolish distractions."

"How rude," the girl pouted under her mask. "I was only asking a question."

"I'll say it one last time," Tsukiyama snapped, his voice rising. "Get out of here!"

"Must you be so aggressive?" The girl sighed, her tone exasperated. "I was just—"

"Enough!" Tsukiyama roared, his composure finally breaking. "I told you to get lost!"

"Such bad manners," the girl muttered. Then, with a shrug, she added, "But I suppose I should expect no less from someone who's clearly a lunatic."

"Lunatic?" Tsukiyama paused, his anger giving way to curiosity. He sniffed the air, his crimson eyes widening as he caught her scent.

"What… what is this aroma?" He inhaled deeply, his expression shifting to one of sheer ecstasy. "Soft… sweet… perfection. This scent! It's divine! Oh, how it fills me with bliss! This is no ordinary fragrance—it's a miracle! A gift from the heavens!"

Tilting her head again, the girl stared at him blankly. "Are you... a pervert?"

"I've decided!" Tsukiyama exclaimed, his voice growing shrill with excitement. "Such an exquisite scent! I must have it—I must have you!"

Without waiting, he lunged toward her, his kagune blade extending as it shot forward with blinding speed.

The silver-haired girl leaped gracefully into the air, flipping mid-flight to evade the attack. She landed lightly near the altar, her voice calm yet mocking. "A dog in heat. That's what you remind me of."

Tsukiyama, now holding a torn piece of fabric, lifted it to his face and inhaled deeply, his expression wild and euphoric. "Ah! Truly divine! To think I could claim such perfection!"

The girl glanced at her sleeve and noticed the missing piece. Her voice dropped to a chilling tone. "If this is truly heaven's will, then I'll send you straight to hell."

Before she could act, however, a weak hand grabbed her leg. She looked down to see Nishiki, bloodied but still conscious.

"You're still alive?" The girl's tone was one of genuine surprise. "Are you immortal or something?"

Barely lifting his head, Nishiki rasped, "Please… help me… save Kimi."

"Oh?" The girl blinked, then smirked. "I don't just help anyone, you know. If you want my assistance, you'll have to pay a price."

"I… have nothing…" Nishiki choked out, desperation in his voice. "Please… I beg you…"

"Nothing, huh?" The girl seemed disappointed at first but then brightened. "How about this? Sell yourself to me—become my servant—and I'll save your little girlfriend. Deal?"

"Deal…" Nishiki whispered without hesitation, his vision blurring as blood loss overtook him.

"Excellent. Consider it a pact," the girl said cheerfully, clapping her hands. "From now on, your name is Shi Nishiki."

As Nishiki finally lost consciousness, the silver-haired girl turned toward Tsukiyama, her mask hiding a dangerous smile.

"It seems playtime is over."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven