The next morning, thanks to the medical supplies that Bete brought with him from the surface, the Loki Familia planned to leave the Dungeon around noon after further investigating the monster that Ais, Tione, and Tiona found in the eastern part of the 18th floor.
However, the group couldn't find anything new and gave up.
While preparing to return to the surface, Bete, who had returned last night, heard a very troubling rumor and went to Ais and the other girls, "I knew about him coming here, but what the hell is going on about this Kisuke guy..." Bete's voice then became lower as the corners of his ears reddened, "...About him..."
Ais only tilted her head in confusion.
Seeing that she didn't get it, Bete continued, "Y-you know, that! That, uh... you know... About him peeking at you girls during a bath!"
Recalling the incident yesterday, Ais blushed a bit and nodded.
With his jaw slackened, Bete exclaimed, "What... the hell!!?"
He turned around and rested his arm on a pole while muttering, "That piece of garbage... So easily accomplishing what I never could!"
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around his neck, "Come on now, buddy~. You could do that too if you have enough guts~!"
Startled, Bete turned to his side and saw Kisuke grinning at him, "The hell? Get away from me!" Bete slapped his arm off.
"As feisty as ever I see~. But really, you only need guts! Don't be afraid, young man!"
Bete was instantly aggravated, "What do you know!? I wouldn't be able to get out unscathed if I were to do that!"
"What are you talking about? Look at me? Aren't I fine?"
Bete then looked at him from top to bottom and asked in surprise, "H-how?"
"Guts!" Kisuke answered with a very serious face.
However, Ais who had been listening to their talk suddenly warned Bete, "If you were to do that... I'll kill you."
Bete received another shock of his life and thought, 'What is this difference in treatment?'
After successfully messing around with the wolf boy, Kisuke returned to prepare for their ascent to the surface. After an hour, everyone was prepared and started marching after bidding farewell to Bell's and their rescue party since they decided to stay for a bit longer.
The Loki Familia easily dealt with the Goliath on the 17th floor and went on their way without hiccups. But before they reached the 16th floor, Kisuke used his Gigai to replace him and returned to the 18th floor.
Yoruichi also wanted to follow, but taking care of the unconscious girls was also important so she chose to remain.
When he got back, an incident had already happened where Lily suddenly disappeared.
'Hmmm... Over there, huh.' Kisuke inspected their camp sight and used his observational abilities to trace where they had gone. A few minutes later, he arrived on an elevated natural platform near the wall of the 18th floor. Kisuke could already see Bell Cranel arguing with the Adventurers around him who captured Lily.
Looking around for a few seconds, he found Hermes' and Asfi's hiding spot, where they could watch everything unfold, and sneaked up behind them.
Kisuke looked down and saw that the Adventurer who kidnapped Lily agreed to release her if Bell could win a duel against him, 'Proving your point by getting hold of the other party's weakness? You already proved otherwise.'
But then the Adventurer used his broadsword to create a small explosion on the ground, lifting up dust which covered Bell's view. Through the dust, Kisuke saw how the adventurer put the 'Hades Head' on and disappeared, 'Now that's just pathetic.'
A one-sided battle with Bell at the receiving end then started. The companions of Bell's opponent started cheering up and getting excited about Bell not being able to return an attack, 'I don't understand what's so fun about that. However, with this Cranel-san should be able to realize how cruel and underhanded Adventurers could be. In hindsight, this is really beneficial for him.'
Without realizing that Kisuke was already beside them, Asfi spoke up, "You have a vulgar taste... Do you really find this interesting to watch?"
"Pretty harsh, Asfi," Hermes replied.
Asfi sighed and continued, "You said that you wanted to see Bell Cranel's abilities with your own eyes... But was it really necessary to give them my helmet as well?" Asfi then looked towards Hermes with a serious expression, "Do you have something against that boy?"
"Hmm..." Hermes rubbed his chin and thought for a moment before replying, "I'd rather call it tough love. Bell-kun has no idea what the children can really be like. He might even find himself in a stickier situation than this in the future. Vulgar or not, I want him to know this other side of humanity." He then snickered, "Then again, I can't deny this is entertaining."
Asfi looked back to the ongoing battle, "And if he were to fall here?"
In response, Hermes just grinned maliciously, "Then he didn't have what it takes. That's all."
"Really harsh~," Kisuke said as he finally decided to reveal his existence.
Hermes and especially Asfi, shuddered when they suddenly heard someone beside them. Asfi then hurriedly secured Hermes to her side before taking a look at who was beside them, "Kisuke Urahara...?"
Hermes also frowned at his presence, but immediately recovered his smile and asked, "What are you doing here? And for how long have you been here?"
"I heard that you two were up to something interesting, but when I came, it turned out to be just some stupid and boring duel. Is this what you came down here for?" Kisuke replied as he continued watching.
'We were followed yesterday? Well, if he can sneak up to Asfi this close, then that should be easy.' Hermes couldn't find any falsehood in his words but this also meant that he was a type of 'child' that could hide his true intentions with truths, "What do you plan to do?"
"Hmm... Nothing~. I just came here to confirm some things."
Hermes became intrigued by his words, "Hoo? Confirm what?"
Kisuke then looked towards Hermes for the first time and said, "To confirm whether or not this is Zeus' will."
Hermes' eyes widened slightly but he immediately recovered his poker face. However, he suddenly saw Kisuke's smile and realized that he already made a mistake. Due to how unexpected his question was, he ended up giving a reaction, 'Although he's also an amazing one to notice the minute changes in my expression... I guess he already expected it?'
While smiling, Kisuke continued, "I guess not~. So this is your own motive?" Without waiting for Hermes' reply, Kisuke looked back to the ongoing battle and saw that Bell was already turning the tide of the battle and blocking some punches, "Whew~. He can already feel his opponent's gaze and general position after just a few minutes. That's some talent, I must say. I guess this is what you could expect from Zeus' child."
At some distance, he also saw Bell's companions moving in while beating up the Adventurer's accomplices, "I guess this is about to end~."
Tipping his fedora hat, Hermes asked in a serious tone, "What do you want?"
Without looking at him, Kisuke answered, "I just don't want you to have the same idea against my girls... if by chance they also caught your attention."
"...You're here to warn me of something that could not happen?" Hermes' jaw slacked, 'Just for that, he revealed himself and the things he can potentially do?'
It was Kisuke's turn to tip his hat, "I'm pretty protective of my girls. I don't want anyone scheming behind them if I could have prevented it." He then looked towards Hermes and Asfi while letting out his killing intent, "It doesn't hurt to make sure."
Asfi shuddered and immediately grabbed Hermes with her left hand while her right hand pulled out a shortsword. But despite her intent to protect Hermes, Asfi couldn't help but shake in fear as she looked straight into his eyes, 'What is he!?'
Hermes patted Asfi's head to calm her down and looked towards Kisuke, "I promise. Is that enough?"
Kisuke then took back his killing intent, letting Asfi heave a sigh of relief. But she didn't let down her guard yet.
"That's enough." Kisuke smiled and went back to watching Bell who was starting to overpower his opponent.
"I'm surprised you believed me that easily." Hermes smiled wryly.
"You know what I'd possibly do... Besides, I don't want to be your enemy when we can probably work together in the future."
Hermes also looked back to the battle that was about to end, "Work together, huh. I'm not really looking forward to it."
The spectating group then noticed that Lily had already been freed thanks to Naaza finding her and the others from Bell's group also started gathering to match his opponent's group.
"I guess it ends here." Hermes turned towards Asfi, intending to instruct her to leave.
However, before he could give his command Kisuke suddenly said, "This kind of ending is kind of boring, don't you think?"
Hermes stopped and asked, "What do you mean?"
With a grin, Kisuke continued, "You can do something else to spice things up, right?"
"..." Hermes only stayed silent, trying to guess what he is referring to.
"Look. Everyone's already gathered here. Maybe you'll be able to see something more amazing if you let out a bit of it?"
Hermes then finally realized what he was referring to and with widened eyes, he said to Kisuke, "...You're insane and I'm very much surprised you knew about that." But a second later, a big smile appeared on his face, "But I like the idea."
Asfi was confused and asked, "What do you mean, Her- ?!" But before he could finish her words, Hermes suddenly released his Divine Aura, drowning her in his majestic presence.
Hermes released his Arcanum, revealing his divinity in the Dungeon. Those below the platform shuddered at this aura and tried to find it, but failed.
As he released his Divinity, he concentrated it towards Bell's opponents, making them run away in fear. However, he concentrated the larger bulk of the aura on Kisuke, wanting to get any reaction from him and also as a form of revenge for threatening a Deity.
But contrary to his expectation, Kisuke just stood straight with the same smile on his face, seemingly unaffected by his aura. 'I may have found a 'monster'.', he thought.
A few seconds later, Hermes took back his Divinity and sealed it again in his avatar. Moments later, Asfi recovered and grabbed his collar, "What was that for!?"
Chuckling, Hermes replied, "For this~."
A second later, the ground started shaking and the paths towards and from the 18th floor were sealed by landslides, "What's happening!?"
"The Dungeon is angry," Hermes muttered.
After a few more seconds, a giant monster appeared in the middle of the 18th floor. Asfi dropped Hermes and muttered in shock, "G-Goliath...!?"
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EDITORS
Alexander: Mad as ever. But I like it.
28th00: Well, this is one way to continue the Black Goliath fight from canon in Rivira without Hestia, plot armour works in the weirdest of ways, I swear! Hermes might even literally mean monster in regards to Kisuke, since Xenos are a thing he is very aware about. Kisuke's species should really just register as "Yes" at this point though, especially with the 'Plot Rock' where his heart should be.
"G-Goliath!?" Asfi exclaimed, "What is a boss monster doing here!?"
In response, Kisuke just chuckled after witnessing the birth of the black-skinned Goliath through the crystals that gave light on the 18th floor, "Now things have become more interesting~." Although he hated it when other people schemed against him and those important to him, he didn't have the same hesitation when doing it to others, hence, he suggested summoning a strong monster to Hermes.
"Yep. That's a floor boss." Hermes muttered as he watched the Goliath drop down from the ceiling, creating a shockwave.
"Hermes-sama! What did you do this time!?" Asfi asked in a panic.
"There is some truth in Kisuke-kun's words. However, this time, it isn't just for amusement." Hermes tipped his hat and muttered.
While gritting her teeth, Asfi asked again, "Please tell me what's going on!?"
"A tantrum." Hermes answered, "The Dungeon hates it, you see. Hates the fact that Gods are all the way down here. However, what I don't understand is why is the Dungeon more sensitive than normal. Although it would have summoned a monster, it shouldn't have summoned a floor boss with just a bit of Divine Aura."
Hermes then commanded Asfi, "Asfi... Go to Rivira and call for reinforcements."
"What!? Isn't retreat a better option!?"
Hermes then faced the paths towards the 18th floor, "Take a look. Our route to the surface caved in. Seems the Dungeon won't let us retreat."
Asfi gritted her teeth harder before leaving Hermes alone, "Fine!!! But if I can't get out of this place alive, I'll haunt you forever!"
Hermes shook his head, "I'm going to be punished for sure." He then faced Kisuke, "What are you planning to do? With you in there, their survival skyrockets."
"Nope. Nothing. I won't do anything. Although I suggested this, I didn't say I'll help out." Kisuke replied while thinking, 'I just wanted to confirm how a God's aura affected the Dungeon. Thanks to that, I was able to gather valuable data.'
Hermes sighed and sat down, intending to watch what was about to unfold. Kisuke, on the other hand, stayed quiet.
While the Goliath started decimating its surroundings, the group that attacked Bell was targeted. However, Hermes was impressed that Bell still decided to help them when they were in danger, proving that he had the disposition of a hero that this era needs now, 'I've seen something great. Following his suggestion was indeed the right thing.'
With the leader of Rivira, Bors, along with Asfi and Ryuu, they led the battle against the Goliath. However, it wasn't an easy fight as it was not just the Black Goliath that appeared. Smaller monsters also started roaming around the whole floor, disrupting the formation created by the Adventurers to deal with the Floor Boss.
But even though the Black Goliath was stronger than the Goliath on the 17th floor, the people of Rivira were already used to dealing with his kind since this floor boss had the same move set, albeit, stronger.
With the volley of magic from the casters in the backline, they were able to gravely injure the Black Goliath and thought that it was about to be killed with just a bit more push.
However, contrary to their expectation, the Black Goliath roared and gathered magic power on its fist, smashing it on the ground and creating a very powerful shockwave that was enough to change the floor's terrain around it.
Since they were in the shockwave's destructive radius, Kisuke hurriedly grabbed Hermes and used Flash Step to get away.
Startled, Hermes thanked Kisuke, "Thanks... But dare I say, you're pretty fast."
Kisuke didn't say anything and just watched the progress of the battle. It was then that he saw Bell's skill, 'A charging type skill?'
With the same magic that he used to defeat the Minotaur, Bell was able to blast away the Black Goliath's head with his white Firebolt.
Kisuke then looked around and saw everyone's state before he started to walk away.
Seeing his action, Hermes asked, "You're not going to watch until the end?"
"I already know how it's going to end," Kisuke answered while waving his hand, leaving the place. He knew that this was not enough to defeat the Goliath due to its increased regenerative abilities, but it was not just Bell who was out there, and soon enough, Bell's skill should be able to overpower that monster and destroy the magic stone inside it, 'That's a hero's strike, alright.'
Easily going through the caved-in path towards the 17th floor, Kisuke was able to return to the Loki Familia when they were on the 6th floor.
"What happened?" Yoruichi asked after she noticed that the Gigai beside her became the real Kisuke.
"I captured it through a video camera. You can watch it later." Kisuke answered with a smile.
Not more than an hour later, they were able to reach the surface. "Finally! The sun!", shouted Tiona while jumping around excitedly.
But the first to approach them were not the people of the Loki Familia or the Guild, but a horse-drawn carriage that was driven by Kuroka, "Welcome back, nya~!"
Kisuke then went to Finn's side while Yoruichi talked to the supporters who were carrying the stretchers where Aika, Koneko, and Sona slept on and asked them to carefully load them up to the carriage.
"Deimne-san, thank you very much for taking care of our girls." Kisuke removed his hat and thanked Finn properly.
Finn then put out his right hand, "It should be our part to be thankful for their presence. I hope that we can work together again in the future."
Kisuke shook his hand and replied, "Much obliged." He then turned towards Riveria after separating from Finn and added, "See you around, Riveria-san."
Riveria nodded, "I'll be seeing you soon."
Kisuke also nodded at him and acknowledged Gareth before turning his way towards the horse-drawn carriage.
But before he could get away, Kisuke heard Ais from behind him, "I'm not giving up."
Kisuke didn't turn around and continued walking, only waving his hand in acknowledgment of her words. However, those parting words and actions only fueled the already brewing misunderstanding for most of the members in the Loki Familia. They thought that Kisuke and Ais had something going on, seeing how the latter kept chasing after the former.
As Kisuke took his distance, he could feel the 'grievance' of the Loki Familia members at the thought of someone taking away the Sword Princess which they idolized. But Kisuke couldn't care less about what they thought about him and just go on his way uninterrupted.
When he reached the carriage, he saw that everyone was already riding it and he didn't forget to thank the supporters who carried the three girls throughout their whole journey.
On the way back, Kisuke noticed that people, Adventurers, Guild members, and ordinary citizens were getting busy decorating the streets, "Is there an event?"
"If I remember it right, it should be the Holy Moon Festival in ten days," Yoruichi answered after racking up her brain to recall what was scheduled to happen.
"Holy Moon Festival?" Kisuke asked. Since he was too busy with a lot of things, holidays were out of his radar and he just left this kind of information to Yoruichi.
"Yep, nya~. This is a traditional celebration that dates back before the Gods' descent, nya. It's supposed to be an event where people send their prayers to the Moon Goddess for protection against monsters. The festival will occur every 6th Fullmoon of the year, nya." Kuroka answered. She then looked towards Kisuke and Yoruichi with a smile, "Take this chance to go on a date, nya~."
Yoruichi looked at her and said, "Hmm? I thought you'll be jumping on this chance."
Chuckling, Kuroka replied, "You two have been too busy with your things. So you haven't had much time with each other, right? You two have helped everyone else a lot so please use this time for yourselves, nya~."
Kisuke smiled, "I guess that's the plan ten days later~."
Kisuke thought that it was just enough time to completely stabilize the device which could help them to travel through dimensions and return to their former world.
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EDITORS
Alexander: Finally some romance. However, if the dimensional device will be completed, then it can mean only one thing. PHIS-CHAMA can finally visit her beloved Donut-dealer and break Ais' curse through pure cuteness/innocence.
28th00: My Phis-chama senses are tingling! SHE COMES! WE SHALL GET OUR INFINITE CHAOS LOLI DRAGON VOID GOD AGAIN! Hell shall be raised in this poor, poor city. Doors shall be made through walls, daedalus street shall be remodeled when she eventually gets lost there! Criminal Famila shall get NOMMED, gods included, when they try to even THREATEN HER FOOD ! Side-note, I think Ais would have one of those existential crises' when she meets Phis-chama, she's the Black Dragon to end all Black Dragons (Being a Void Dragon God), but also a child (mentality and shape wise), but also a god(dess? Sex is pretty fluid when you're an avatar of a primodrial aspect of reality after all.), the thing she can't even comprehend harming.
Goyya: Phis-chama should appear around Chapter 500+