📖 Chapter 4 – Before the Dive
Part 1 – The Weight of the Countdown
The timer burned faintly in the corner of my vision.
[Mission Transfer Countdown: 12 hours remaining]
It wasn't loud. It wasn't intrusive. But the subtle ticking presence pressed against my mind like the beating of an unseen drum. Every blink reminded me that in half a day, I'd be pulling myself—and others—into a battlefield outside the bounds of logic or time.
"…You're awfully quiet," Kiana muttered, leaning on the doorway of my temporary Schicksal quarters. She was dressed down in her academy uniform, hands in pockets, the picture of restlessness. "Don't tell me you're nervous already."
I forced a half-smile. "Just thinking. About what's ahead."
"Pff. Think less. Punch more. That's what Himeko always says." She gave a cheeky grin before vanishing down the hall, leaving me alone again.
Her levity didn't calm the gnawing pressure in my chest.
"Report: Host mental state showing 37% instability. Recommend emotional recalibration."
I exhaled. "Ciel, you don't have to read me like a lab report every five minutes."
"Correction. Great Sage's role is to evaluate. Ciel's role… is to support."
The difference in tone was subtle, but I caught it. Ciel's presence was sharper, more human, as if Rimuru's ultimate partner was quietly breathing in my head. It was oddly comforting.
"Support, huh?" I muttered, running my hand across the back of my left shoulder where faint, geometric etchings glowed. The Stigmata had manifested hours earlier, a resonance triggered by my arrival in this world. Not quite like Rimuru's skills—this was a honkai-born power system, fused unnaturally into my soul.
"Activate partial release," I whispered.
At once, energy surged down my arm. Azure lines etched across my skin, crawling like veins of light. My vision sharpened, my muscles thrummed, and the sensation of possibility opened like a gate inside my mind.
"Observation: Stigmata bond is stable. Compatible with skill framework via Degenerate."
Degenerate. My most peculiar gift. Unlike Rimuru's Predator, it didn't consume—it split, recombined, and rewrote. By merging and separating, I could restructure skills like threads in a tapestry. And now, with the Stigmata's buff, the threads glowed brighter.
"Feels like wearing armor under my skin," I muttered, flexing my hand before shutting it down. The glow receded, leaving me winded. "Guess I'll need more practice before the mission."
A knock came at the door.
"Enter," I called, and Theresa Apocalypse walked in, small yet emanating an aura of command that reminded me she was Schicksal's acting Overseer. She glanced once at my dimming Stigmata before fixing me with those sharp lilac eyes.
"You've been… busy," she said softly.
"I had to test it. I don't want to drag your people into danger unprepared."
Theresa crossed her arms. "Speaking of danger. I heard from Himeko you planned to talk to me about something important. About that… group."
I nodded. This was the moment I'd been rehearsing. I waved my hand, and a faint holographic projection of the Dimensional Chat Group interface flickered into existence. The sight made Theresa's lips press into a thin line.
"This," I began slowly, "isn't just some toy system. It's a lifeline. It connects me—and others—from countless universes. And it exists for one reason."
She tilted her head. "Which is?"
I locked eyes with her. "To stop the Lord God Space."
The words seemed to drain the room's air. Theresa's brows knit. "…Explain."
I took a breath. "The Lord God Space is… think of it as a machine, or maybe a parasite. It recruits transmigrators—people pulled from other worlds like me—but instead of guiding them, it uses them. Manipulates them into conquering, corrupting, or outright destroying worlds. They hop from timeline to timeline, tearing apart stories before they can reach their natural ends."
Theresa's fists clenched. "…That sounds exactly like—"
"The Honkai," I finished for her. "An invasive force that doesn't belong, spreading, consuming. But where the Honkai is nature twisted, the Lord God's transmigrators are… choice twisted. People given power and pointed at worlds like loaded guns."
I closed my hand over the hologram, the interface vanishing. "That's why this chat group exists. To gather people from across realities who won't be manipulated. Who'll fight back. Who'll save these multiverses before they collapse under the weight of interference."
Silence stretched for a long while. Then Theresa spoke quietly. "And you… were chosen as its leader."
"'Chosen' might be stretching it. But yeah. The perks I got—the Cocoon of the End, the Owner privileges—they all point to that. Someone—or something—needed a counterbalance."
Theresa walked closer, her height barely reaching my chest, but her gaze piercing all the same. "Neo… if what you say is true, then your role here is larger than anything Schicksal can dictate. But it also means…"
"…I'll be dragged into conflicts far worse than Honkai alone," I finished.
She nodded slowly. Then, to my surprise, her expression softened. "Then all the more reason you won't face it alone. You're under Schicksal's roof now. You've gained my cadet's trust. And… I'll be watching you. But also helping, in my own way."
My chest loosened at her words. "Thank you, Theresa."
For the first time since reincarnating, I felt a weight ease from my shoulders.
But the countdown still ticked in my mind's eye.
[11 hours, 17 minutes remaining]
And soon, we'd be tested.
Understood 👍
I'll remove the "Kiana being reincarnated across countless worlds" part completely and keep the rest of Part 2 consistent with the Cocoon being a Dimensional Chat Group product. I'll also keep all other details intact.
Here's the clean rewritten Part 2:
📖 Chapter 4 – Before the Dive
Part 2 – Blades and Truths
Theresa didn't leave immediately after my explanation. She lingered, staring at the faint glow still ebbing from the mark across my shoulder.
"That Cocoon," she said finally. "It resembles something we've kept records of. You know about the Cocoon of the End, don't you?"
I exhaled slowly. "I've read about it since arriving, yes. In this world, the Cocoon is… let's call it a fail-safe. A catalyst that resets civilization when Honkai overwhelms humanity, letting the cycle start again."
Her eyes narrowed. "And what you carry?"
I flexed my hand, summoning the Cocoon's presence—its silver-blue aura shimmered faintly in the air, a fragment of possibility that hummed with multiversal resonance. "Mine isn't that. The Cocoon I carry was produced by the Dimensional Chat Group itself and granted to me upon becoming the Owner. It isn't tied to Honkai's cycle, nor to this planet's will. Instead…" I hesitated. "It's like a multiversal anchor. Something forged to exist in any reality, bypassing the laws that would normally reject it."
Theresa's lips parted, shock flickering across her face. "So it's… alien to even the Honkai."
"Exactly. And because it's not bound by this world's rules, I can wield it without triggering resets or catastrophic collapses."
Theresa stiffened. "If that's true… then all of this runs deeper than even Schicksal's archives suggest."
"It does," I admitted. "But for now, all I can do is use it to protect. And train, so I don't waste the gift."
Theresa gave a curt nod, though unease lingered in her gaze. "Then let's see how you handle yourself in the field. Himeko has been waiting."
The Schicksal training grounds were a cavernous space, reinforced with steel barriers and glowing holographic emitters. At its center stood Himeko, clad in her crimson combat suit, greatsword slung across her back. She looked every bit the seasoned warrior, arms crossed as I approached.
"You're late," she said dryly.
"I was explaining existential threats to Theresa," I shot back. "Time-consuming stuff."
Himeko smirked, rolling her shoulders. "Fair enough. But here, no speeches. Only fists."
"Count me in too!" Kiana bounded in from the side, her white hair bouncing as she drew her pistols. "If you're going to be part of our team, I wanna see how you fight!"
I sighed, cracking my neck. "Figures this would turn into a two-on-one."
"Think of it as a warm-up," Himeko said, unsheathing her sword in a single fluid motion. "Let's begin."
The training started simple: Kiana darted forward with twin gunshots, while Himeko followed with a sweeping slash meant to force me into defense.
"Activate: Stigmata Partial Release."
Azure lines flared across my arms and chest. The world sharpened, movements slowing just enough that I could read the flow of their attack.
Kiana's shots? Predicted, deflected with a flicker of energy.
Himeko's sword? Heavy, but telegraphed, allowing me to roll past with a burst of speed.
"Notice: Stigmata output amplified by Degenerate skill recombination. Current enhancement: Strength +18%, Reflex +21%."
I grinned. "So this is the synergy."
"Cocky already?" Himeko's blade came down in a crushing arc.
I met it with my bare hand, energy sparking as Stigmata-enhanced muscle braced against steel. My other hand flicked out, palm glowing as Degenerate split and merged abilities mid-motion, weaving together [Magicule Strengthening] with the Stigmata's raw output.
The clash sent shockwaves through the training ground.
Kiana whooped. "Whoa! He blocked Himeko's sword with his hand! No fair, I wanna try something too!"
She lunged again, this time closing in for melee. I let her flurry rain down before twisting her wrist lightly and sending her spinning to the ground—careful not to hurt her.
"Heyyy! That's cheating!" she pouted, sprawled on the floor.
"Lesson one," I said, panting slightly. "You don't get to call it cheating if the enemy doesn't play by your rules either."
Himeko chuckled, lowering her blade. "Not bad. You've got raw power, and you're adapting quickly. But you're holding back."
I wiped sweat from my brow. "Because if I cut loose, I might wreck your entire training hall."
"…Fair point," she admitted.
Theresa's voice rang out from the observation booth. "Then that's enough. I've seen what I need. Neo, your Stigmata resonates unlike anything in our archives. And with Degenerate, you're rewriting even our understanding of skill systems."
I exhaled, muscles aching but spirit burning with a fire I hadn't felt in years.
Kiana bounded up, grabbing my arm. "Not bad, new guy! But next time, I'm totally winning!"
I laughed. For the first time, I didn't feel like an intruder. I felt like part of their world.
But the countdown ticked on.
[10 hours, 4 minutes remaining]
And soon, training would no longer be just practice.
📖 Chapter 4 – Before the Dive
Part 2 (Extended Training → Awakening Skills)
The room still thrummed with residual energy after my clash with Himeko. Kiana was bouncing on her toes, eager for another round, while Himeko wiped sweat from her brow with a smirk.
"You've got stamina," she admitted. "Most recruits can't even last ten minutes against me. You've been going at this for thirty."
I smirked back, though my chest rose and fell with sharp breaths. "Guess I'm not most recruits."
Just then—
"Notice: Resonance detected. Conditions met. Unique Skill awakening in progress."
I froze. "Wait… what?"
A flood of data crashed into my mind. Symbols, formulas, memories that weren't mine but were now part of me. My body shuddered as my vision warped, and I dropped to one knee.
"Neo?!" Kiana darted forward, worry etched across her face.
Himeko raised her blade again, cautious. "What's happening to you?"
Inside my mindscape, Ciel's voice rang out with crystalline calm:
"Correction: Awakening confirmed. You have unlocked the following skills."
– Unique Skill: Infinity Prison
– Unique Skill: Merciless (Soul Consumption)
– Intrinsic Skills: Absorption, Dissolve, Self-Regeneration, Mimicry → fused into Ultraspeed Regeneration.
– **Race Adjustment: Slime. Male biological identity preserved. Reproductive organ retained."
– Extra Skills: Black Flame, Black Lightning (evolved into Black Thunder), Body Double, Flame Manipulation, Flame Transformation (evolved into Black Flame), Gravity Manipulation (Gravity Flight).
– Common Skills: Integrated from Rimuru's base library.
I staggered back to my feet, energy blazing like wildfire in my veins. "So that's what this was about…"
Theresa's voice boomed through the intercom, tense. "Neo, your body… it's changed. Readings are spiking off the charts!"
I held up a hand, flexing as black lightning crackled between my fingers. Then, with a thought, the sparks became a rolling sphere of obsidian flame, twisting unnaturally before dissipating into nothing.
"Don't panic," I said with a grin. "This is still me. Just… more of me."
Kiana whistled. "Whoa… you can do THAT?!"
"Only one way to find out how much I can do," I said, straightening. "Round two?"
Himeko's grin widened. "Now we're talking."
⚔️ The Second Round
Himeko struck first, her greatsword cleaving downward. I met it with a Black Thunder-infused palm, sparks screaming as the collision tore the ground apart.
Kiana dashed in with her pistols, only for my Body Double to appear at her flank, forcing her to spin around in shock.
"Two of you?!" she yelped, firing wildly.
"Three," I corrected—another double appeared behind her.
The real me blurred forward with Gravity Flight, the air warping as I stomped down and sent her sprawling.
Himeko came in hard, but I unleashed Black Flame, the temperature dropping unnaturally as crimson-black fire clung to her blade like tar. She snarled, shaking it off with raw strength.
"Analysis: Suggestion. Combine Ultraspeed Regeneration with Dissolve for counter-assault."
"Good idea," I muttered.
Her sword finally grazed me, cutting a shallow wound across my arm. But instead of blood, the injury melted into liquid slime before instantly reforming. In the same motion, I caught her blade with a dissolving grip—the steel sizzled, microscopic shavings dissolving into me.
Himeko's eyes widened. "…You just ATE my weapon?!"
"Only a nibble." I released the sword before any permanent damage was done.
Kiana pouted, cheeks puffed out. "That's unfair! You're like a cheat character!"
"Not cheat," I corrected, smiling wryly. "Just a player with different rules."
The battle stretched on for another half hour, my new skills combining fluidly: Black Thunder arcs chaining with Flame Transformation, doubles baiting attacks, regeneration shrugging off mistakes. By the end, Kiana was collapsed in laughter on the floor, while Himeko leaned against her blade, sweat dripping down her cheek.
Theresa's voice finally broke through. "Enough! Any further and you'll level the entire hall!"
I stood, breathing steady despite the fight. My body felt limitless—flexible, adaptive, hungry for more.
And in my mind, Ciel whispered with serene finality:
"You are ready."
📖 Chapter 4 – Before the Dive
Part 3 – Bonds in the Quiet (Direct Continuation)
The training hall lights dimmed as we wrapped up. Kiana clung to my arm, grinning despite being drenched in sweat.
"You're way too strong, y'know that? But… I think I like having you on our side."
I chuckled. "Glad to hear it. You fight with heart, Kiana. That's worth more than raw power."
She flushed faintly, turning away with a huff. "D-Don't say embarrassing stuff like that!"
Himeko approached, wiping her brow. "For all that strength, you're still humble. I'll admit it—you're something different. And maybe… what Schicksal needs right now."
I nodded quietly. "…Thanks, Himeko."
From the observation booth, Theresa stepped down at last. Her expression had softened—cautious still, but touched with reluctant trust.
"Neo," she said. "If what you told me about the Dimensional Group is true… then this world is only the beginning."
I met her gaze evenly. "Exactly. The Lord God Space won't stop until they break every cycle, every timeline, and every world. That's why we need to stand together. You, me, Kiana, Himeko, and everyone else in the group chat."
Theresa studied me for a long moment before sighing. "…Fine. I'll trust you. For now."
🌐 Dimensional Chat Live Banter
[Group Broadcast: Live Training Stream Ends]
Tony Stark: Wow. Guy turns into a slime and doesn't lose his—uh, man-parts. Science can't explain that.
Asuna: That was… overwhelming. I thought magic in Aincrad was strong, but this feels like a whole different level.
Zhongli: A foundation of adaptability. He now mirrors the primordial flow of elements. Truly, a rare evolution.
Himiko (Star Rail): Hahaha! You squished, burned, and zapped them all! Do it again! Do it again!!
Kiana (Chat): Neo's MY ally, so don't even think of stealing him!
Neo: Relax, I'm not going anywhere.
Kiana tugged at my sleeve, pulling me toward the exit. "C'mon, you need food after that! I know just the place."
And for a moment, amid laughter and warmth, the countdown ticking in the corner of my vision didn't feel so heavy.
[9 hours, 15 minutes remaining until group transfer.]
📖 Chapter 4 – Before the Dive
Part 3 – Bonds in the Quiet (Expanded)
The training hall's lights flickered back to full brightness as we wrapped up, the echoes of clashing steel and crackling energy fading into silence.
"Food. Now," Kiana declared, puffing her cheeks like a squirrel. She tugged my arm insistently. "If I don't eat soon, I'll faint!"
I laughed. "I didn't know Valkyries ran on food as fuel."
"We do!" she retorted, dragging me out into the Schicksal dormitory wing. "Himeko-sensei said training is only complete after dinner, so let's go, let's go, let's go!"
🍴 Cafeteria Scene
The cafeteria buzzed with chatter from other trainees, but most of them stole wary glances at me. I couldn't blame them; rumors of my powers must have already spread.
Kiana, though, plopped down at the table with a mountain of food piled on her tray. She shoved another plate at me. "Eat! You're gonna need it after that crazy fight."
I raised a brow at the ridiculous amount of fried chicken and curry she was devouring. "Are you secretly a bottomless pit?"
She grinned with a mouth full of rice. "Maybe!"
I sighed, but the warmth in my chest surprised me. Watching her laugh, cheeks full and eyes bright, reminded me of something I'd lost long ago: simple, human moments.
Himeko arrived a moment later with her own tray, far more modest in size. She slid into the seat across from me. "You handled yourself well. And not just in combat."
I blinked. "How so?"
"You didn't flaunt your power, even when you could. That restraint earns more trust than any flashy move." Her tone softened as she added, "But don't forget—power attracts enemies just as much as allies."
Her words lingered in my mind even as Kiana loudly demanded dessert.
🌙 Himeko's Private Talk
Later, when Kiana went back for her third slice of cake, Himeko leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"Neo, tell me honestly. This… Dimensional Group. How far does it go?"
I met her gaze. "As far as every world connected to fate. Not just this one. Anime worlds, novels, movies—realities where stories become lives. And the enemy wants to erase or dominate them all."
Her brows furrowed. "And you were chosen to stop it?"
"Not just me," I corrected. "Us. You, Kiana, Theresa, and the people in the group chat. We're all pieces on this board. I just… happen to be the one holding it together."
She stared for a long moment, then smirked faintly. "You're either the greatest liar I've ever met… or the most reckless hero."
"Why not both?" I quipped, but the tension in her eyes told me she wasn't dismissing it.
🌐 Dimensional Chat – Prep Banter
[System Notification: Group Broadcast Active]
Tony Stark: So, did slime-boy finally eat dinner? Or did he just absorb the nutrients out of the food?
Neo: I ate like a normal person, thank you very much.
Asuna: Kiana seems sweet. She reminds me of a guildmate I once had… headstrong, cheerful, but hiding pain.
Zhongli: Bonds forged over meals are not trivial. They anchor mortals and immortals alike.
Himiko (Star Rail): Ehhh, stop being so serious! More explosions, less talk! I want to see Neo go BOOM again!
Kiana (Chat): Hey! Neo's mine to spar with! Don't steal him!
Neo: …I'm not an item, you know.
Theresa (in person, peeking at my device): This group is… stranger than I imagined.
System Notice: [Next Mission Timer: 8 hours, 32 minutes]
I set the device aside, exhaling slowly. Around me, the dorm settled into its evening quiet. Kiana was already dozing on the couch, crumbs still on her cheek, while Himeko sipped wine in the corner.
Theresa caught my eye from the doorway, her expression complicated. She didn't need to say it—I could tell she was silently asking: Will you really carry this weight?
I answered her with a steady nod.
[System Reminder: Preparation Window Ongoing – Members may train, gather resources, or strategize.]
Part 4 – Preparations Across the Multiverse
The view shifted as I synced with the group's shared broadcast. For the first time, I saw what my fellow members were doing in their own worlds.
Tony Stark stood in his workshop, welding sparks flying as he tinkered with a new arc-reactor-powered gauntlet. "If this mission is cross-dimensional, I'm bringing firepower. Can't let magic hog the spotlight."
Asuna sat in a serene clearing in Aincrad, practicing swift sword strikes. Her blade shimmered with speed buffs as she murmured, "For Kirito… and for myself. I won't fall behind."
Zhongli meditated atop a mountain, his Geo constructs glowing faintly. "Erosion is inevitable. Yet even erosion can be delayed… with resolve."
Himiko giggled somewhere in the Astral Express's training room, detonating holographic enemies with bombs that shouldn't have existed. "Boom! Hehehe, I'll paint the mission red!"
Back in my room, I cracked my knuckles, stretching. With Ciel's guidance, I planned the synergy of my newly awakened skills.
"Recommendation: Prioritize Infinity Prison and Black Thunder in combination. Supplement with Body Double for survivability."
"Got it. Let's see just how far this owner perk can take me…"
System Notice:
Owner Privilege – Daily Special Gacha Pull available.
Chance of high-tier reward increased.
The glowing orb appeared before me, shimmering with possibilities. I clenched my fist, heart racing.
"Alright. Let's test this."
The orb cracked open—
Chapter 4 – Before the Dive
Part 5 – The Owner's Pull
The night sky over Schicksal was calm, the moon's pale light spilling across the fortress-city like a sheet of silver. But inside my dorm quarters, the air was tense with anticipation.
[System Notice: Owner's Special Daily Gacha Pull Available. Would you like to proceed?]
I sat cross-legged on the floor, the Cocoon's faint hum resonating behind my ribcage. This wasn't like the regular sign-in rewards or the low-probability rolls everyone else had. The system's words carried weight. Owner's Pull.
The screen shimmered, and before I could confirm, the chat flared alive.
[Dimensional Chat – Live Broadcast ON]
Kiana: OHHHH Neo's pulling again?! This is better than a movie! 🍿✨
Himeko: (sigh) Try not to destroy the training grounds this time, Neo.
Theresa: Be serious, you two. Owner's pull… that wording alone feels dangerous.
Tony Stark: I'm betting it's either a weapon or some flashy suit. C'mon, system, give me something to roast him with.
Asuna: Maybe it's something supportive? He's already strong enough in combat.
Zhongli:Everything has its price. A boon for the Owner may also be a chain. We will see.
Himiko: If it's another Cocoon, I'm bailing. That's cheating. 😒
I exhaled, fingers brushing over the glowing interface. "Alright, let's see what you've got for me."
The orb spun. Light fractured into infinite shards, each one whispering of different fates. Weapons. Skills. Even technology from worlds I hadn't touched yet. The longer it spun, the heavier the pressure in the air became, as though reality itself was holding its breath.
Then—
DING!
A golden glyph flared, brighter than anything I'd seen before.
[Congratulations! You have drawn: Dimensional Anchor (Prototype).]
Type: Special Artifact (Bound)
Effect: Can stabilize collapsing worldlines, anchor allies across dimensions, or summon one group member into immediate proximity (cooldown: 72 hours).
Note: Artifact has fused with Cocoon of the End. Permanently bound to Owner.
The orb dissolved, its energy flowing into my chest, settling deep in my core. My vision flickered for a moment as the Cocoon's presence shifted, adjusting to house the Anchor.
And then the chat erupted.
Kiana: SUMMON SKILL?! YOU CAN CALL ME INTO YOUR ARMS ACROSS WORLDS?! 😳🔥
Himeko: Kiana, for once, control yourself.
Theresa: …This is beyond strategic. Neo, do you realize what this means? You could stabilize Herrscher disasters before they fracture reality.
Tony Stark: Summoning teammates, anchoring collapsing timelines… damn. That's not a weapon, that's leadership material. You just pulled the cosmic walkie-talkie deluxe edition.
Asuna: It's… beautiful, actually. With this, no one has to be truly left behind.
Himiko: Hmph. Useful. But if you try summoning me in the middle of your bath, I'll kill you.
Zhongli: A fine gift. Yet remember, Owner. Anchors not only bind… they also weigh down. Use it wisely.
I let the noise wash over me, a grin tugging at my lips despite the warning in Zhongli's words. This wasn't some flashy attack skill, nor a miracle cure-all. But in a world where lives could be erased in a blink, where universes crumbled under the weight of invaders… this was priceless.
[System Notice: First Collective Mission transfer begins in 60 minutes. Prepare accordingly.]
The countdown appeared, a merciless reminder that tomorrow wasn't guaranteed.
I rose to my feet, walking toward the balcony. The night air was cool, tinged with the scent of sea salt from distant shores. Below, Schicksal's city lights twinkled like stars. For a fleeting second, I felt the weight of every world the chat group was tethered to.
Dimensional Anchor… huh? I clenched my fist, feeling the warmth of the Cocoon pulse in response. If this is the responsibility that comes with being the Owner… then I'll bear it.
The timer ticked on behind me.
[59:57]
"Alright then," I whispered to the horizon. "Let's save some worlds."