📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 1 – The Summoning
[Neo's POV]
The countdown in the corner of my vision ticked down like a drumbeat.
00:00:10 … 00:00:09 …
Everyone in the Dimensional Group Chat was on-edge. The first collective mission. Not a training exercise. Not a sign-in reward. A real battle that would decide the lives of thousands.
[System Announcement]: Prepare yourselves. Each group member is permitted to bring one or two allies from their world. Allies must willingly consent to join. Warning: If the mission fails, their soul points will be deducted.
The chat exploded instantly.
[Group Chat – Live Feed]
Tony Stark: Wait wait wait. You're telling me this isn't just "bring your Pokémon to battle day"? Soul points? That sounds way too grim.
Himiko (HSR):giggles But it makes things spicy, don't you think? If we screw up, our precious friends suffer too~
Kiana: Then we just won't screw up! Easy!
Asuna: …This is no joke. If we fail, ten thousand people in Aincrad die permanently. If the transmigrator succeeds, their souls will be farmed endlessly.
Zhongli: Then the choice of allies matters greatly. We must only bring those who understand the weight of this task.
Neo: I'll bring Kiana and Himeko. They deserve to see what the multiverse really is, and… I want them to fight beside me.
Kiana: (shocked emoji) W-wait, you're dragging me into a death game?!
Himeko: (laughing emoji) He's right though, Kiana. We can't keep running from the truth. If we want to save this world—or any other—we'll have to face it head-on.
Tony Stark: …Hate to admit it, but Romanoff and Cap would jump at this. But if they lose "soul points," they're toast, and I'm not about to risk that. I'll bring Rhodes. He already knows the risks of fighting alongside me.
Himiko (HSR):hums Then I'll bring my dear Natasha. She'll scold me, but she won't refuse. Besides, she's too much fun to watch when she's serious~
Asuna: I don't need to bring anyone. Aincrad… is my home. This is my responsibility.
All eyes turned to Zhongli's typing bubble.
Zhongli: …I suppose the time has come.
Tony Stark: Uh oh. Old man vibes intensifying.
Zhongli: My "mortal guise" as Zhongli was always… a retreat from the responsibilities I once bore. But this mission—this group—is proof that the heavens themselves have woven a path beyond Teyvat. If the multiverse itself is at stake, then I cannot stand by as a bystander any longer.
Kiana: …Zhongli-san?
Zhongli: I am Rex Lapis. Morax, the Geo Archon of Liyue. And I shall stand before my people not as a consultant, but as the Archon they once trusted. I will bring Ningguang, Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing. Together, we will represent Liyue in this task.
The chat went silent. Even Tony didn't crack a joke.
Neo: (typing slowly) …That's a heavy choice. Are you sure? Once the veil is lifted, you can't put it back on.
Zhongli: Responsibility once accepted cannot be cast aside. If the Lord God's pawns intend to farm souls, then I will not allow my world—or any other—to be threatened by such blasphemy.
[System Notification]: Allies confirmed. Neo (Kiana, Himeko). Tony Stark (James Rhodes). Himiko (Natasha). Zhongli (Ningguang). Asuna (native). Mission transfer begins in 60 seconds.
[POV Shift – Zhongli]
The countdown ticked like the tolling of a funeral bell. I stood at the balcony of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the city lights of Liyue Harbor glittering like stars below.
Hu Tao stared at me, suspicious. "You're really leaving, Zhongli? And dragging Lady Ningguang too? This isn't like one of your tea-drinking strolls."
I smiled faintly. "No, Director Hu. This is… something greater. The kind of task that cannot be ignored. I have worn the mask of a mortal long enough. My people deserve to see the truth."
Golden light flared behind me as my spear materialized. My robes shifted into the mantle of the Geo Archon. The weight of millennia pressed down, but it felt… right.
"I am Morax. Rex Lapis. Tonight, Liyue lends its strength to a battle beyond worlds."
Hu Tao blinked, speechless for once. Ningguang approached, her fan snapping shut. "Then let me stand by your side. If this truly involves powers greater than Teyvat, the Tianquan of Liyue Qixing cannot remain ignorant."
I nodded. "Then let us go, Ningguang."
[POV Shift – Neo]
The countdown hit zero.
The Cocoon of the End pulsed, dragging us into a storm of light. My hands tightened on Kiana and Himeko's shoulders as the world dissolved.
[System Announcement]: Mission transfer complete. Welcome to Aincrad.
[Scene Transition]
We crashed into solid stone. A massive plaza spread around us—the Town of Beginnings, first floor of Aincrad. But unlike the vibrant world Asuna once knew, this version flickered with distortion. NPCs stuttered mid-sentence, their eyes blank. A chilling message floated in crimson letters across the sky:
[New Rule: Death is Final. Souls harvested for progression.]
Kiana clutched my arm, paling. "This… this isn't a game at all."
Himeko's fists clenched. "Whoever twisted this place… they'll pay."
Asuna stepped forward, her sword gleaming. "Welcome to my battlefield. Let's take it back before the transmigrator turns Aincrad into a slaughterhouse."
The mission had begun.
📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 2 – Mission Briefing
[Neo's POV]
The Town of Beginnings should have been bustling with laughter, chatter, and the clanging of blacksmith hammers. Instead, the plaza was silent—NPCs looping broken dialogue, eyes glassy like puppets. The oppressive message still burned across the sky:
[New Rule: Death is Final. Souls harvested for progression.]
Then the system chimed, and text scrolled across our vision.
[Dimensional Mission Briefing]
Mission World: Sword Art Online (Altered)
Alteration by Lord God Transmigrator: Death game rules rewritten. Each fallen player's soul harvested to fuel transmigrator's ascension.
Primary Objective: Prevent mass soul harvest. Identify and neutralize transmigrator.
Secondary Objective: Maintain Aincrad's stability. Ensure Asuna and Kirito survive until Floor 100.
Time Limit: 30 days (world time).
Failure Condition: Player deaths exceed 30% of total population. Asuna or Kirito die. Transmigrator ascends.
Rewards:
• 10,000 Group Points (shared).
• Random Epic-tier gacha draw (1 guaranteed).
• Special recognition for MVP (unique bonus).
Warning: This mission scales in difficulty. Transmigrator may summon entities or technologies from other worlds. Proceed with extreme caution.
The silence afterward was suffocating.
Kiana: (voice trembling) …If thirty percent die, we fail? But… there are ten thousand trapped players here. That's three thousand lives hanging by a thread.
Himeko:grimly So we're basically acting as the firewall between them and a massacre.
Tony Stark: Classic cosmic horror bureaucracy—numbers and quotas. Great. And I'm assuming "ascend" doesn't mean tea and enlightenment.
Asuna: (quiet, but firm) It means the transmigrator will consume the harvested souls to become something beyond human. A God.
Zhongli:frowns And a God born from suffering is a calamity no world can withstand.
Himiko:giggles nervously Ooh, so if we lose, we don't just die. We become his lunch. How charming~
Neo: (cutting in) Enough. We can't afford to panic. We need strategy.
[POV Shift – Asuna]
Standing at the front of the plaza, I felt a fire kindle in my chest. Aincrad… my home. My prison. And now, twisted into a feeding ground by some interloper.
"I know this place better than anyone," I said firmly. "Every quest line, every hidden path, every respawn mechanic—well, what's left of them. I'll guide us."
Neo nodded at me, his Cocoon pulsing faintly at his back. The weight in his eyes was strange—like he carried entire worlds on his shoulders.
Himeko crossed her arms. "Strategy first. Neo, you're our group leader. What's your call?"
[POV Shift – Neo]
I took a slow breath. The Cocoon of the End hummed in resonance with Great Sage in my head, data flooding my mind. Numbers, probability charts, potential outcomes.
"First priority is protection," I said. "We can't babysit ten thousand players, but we can safeguard the leaders who hold them together. That means Kirito, Asuna, and the frontline raiders."
Asuna's eyes softened. "You… trust me that much?"
"I don't trust fate," I answered, meeting her gaze. "I trust people who stand up against it."
That earned me a faint blush—and a small smirk from Himeko, who definitely noticed.
"Second," I continued, "we need intel on the transmigrator. He's hiding somewhere in this world, maybe even among the players. That means infiltration, investigation, and someone to track anomalies."
Tony Stark: (snorts) Guess who just volunteered for detective duty. My suit can scan for energy readings, even if the system tries to mask it.
Himiko:sing-song I can sniff out lies. Don't worry, if someone's pretending to be a helpless gamer, I'll peel them open~
Zhongli: Then I shall ensure the stability of the battlefield. Ningguang and I will anchor defenses and watch the larger strategic picture.
"Good," I said. "Which leaves me…"
Great Sage's voice chimed inside my mind:
Suggestion: Due to your Owner Perks, your probability of encountering the transmigrator first is high. Recommend proactive search and combat preparation.
I almost cursed. Of course the system stacked the odds against me.
[Group Chat – Private Live Broadcast Commentary]
Kiana: Ughhh, I don't like this. He's going to rush headfirst into the hardest fights, isn't he?
Himeko: (smirks) That's what you like about him, isn't it?
Kiana: I–! N-no, that's reckless! Totally reckless!
Tony Stark: (laugh emoji) Kid's got guts. He reminds me of a younger me.
Asuna: …It feels surreal. I thought this world was mine to save. But now… maybe it's our fight.
[POV Shift – Neo]
"Last point," I said. "Preparation. We've got thirty days, but the sooner we move, the better. Kirito hasn't met Asuna yet—this early in the timeline, the frontline is still chaotic. We can use that."
Asuna stepped up, placing her hand over mine. "Then let's form a strategy team. Tonight."
I nodded. My heart pounded, but not from fear. For the first time since reincarnation, I felt it—the real weight of being the leader.
[System Notice]: Mission objectives confirmed. Initial strategy phase begins. Time until first enemy incursion: 48 hours.
The countdown appeared. The plaza buzzed faintly as broken NPCs flickered, like a ghost town waiting for a storm.
We had forty-eight hours before the transmigrator made their first move.
And every second counted.
📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 3 – Downtime Bonds & Dividing Roles
[POV Shift – Neo]
The plaza emptied slowly after the mission briefing. The others scattered—Zhongli disappeared in a swirl of golden motes, Himiko skipped off humming, and Stark muttered something about calibrating sensors. Only I lingered, watching the frozen NPCs twitch like broken marionettes.
It was then that Asuna approached, her steps light but sure.
"You're calm," she said, voice tinged with curiosity. "Most people hearing about a 'soul-harvesting God' would be shaking."
I chuckled softly. "If I showed you what's in my head, you'd understand. Let's just say… I've read this story before."
Her brows furrowed. "Story?"
"Yeah," I said, leaning back against the fountain. "There's a world out there—a light novel world, one I know down to the smallest detail. Tensura. That's where my current race and skills come from. A slime who evolves into a being capable of rewriting destiny itself."
Her lips parted slightly, realization dawning. "…So that's why your powers feel… structured. Like they're written into you."
"Exactly. My slime race, my skills, even my Cocoon—they're not random. The Cocoon of the End I carry was given by the group chat, but my powers and race, those came from Tensura. That world is the foundation for everything I am now."
For a long moment, she was silent. Then she smiled faintly. "Then I'll trust that foundation."
[Later – Dining Hall, Schicksal-Style Meal in Aincrad]
Himeko had managed to wrangle food out of the system—a simulation of Schicksal rations, with the faint taste of real spices. Kiana tore into bread like she hadn't eaten in days, crumbs flying.
"You're gonna choke," I teased.
"Mmff—I won't!" she protested with her mouth full. "This tastes way better than cafeteria slop back at St. Freya!"
Himeko sipped her wine, watching us with that knowing teacher's gaze. "You're too relaxed, Neo. You just got told there's a transmigrator out there farming souls. What's keeping you grounded?"
I tapped my temple. "Great Sage. And… perspective."
"Perspective?"
"This isn't the first time I've seen rules of life and death twisted. In Tensura, there's something called a Harvest Festival. Demon Lords kill thousands, harvest souls, and ascend. Power born from death." My tone darkened just enough to still their laughter. Then I looked at Kiana and forced a grin. "But this time, I'm not just a spectator. I'm here to stop that madness before it spreads."
Kiana blinked, then flushed scarlet, nearly dropping her bread. Himeko chuckled and swirled her wine, clearly amused.
[Group Chat Banter – Live Feed]
Himiko: Awwww, Neo, are you confessing mid-dinner? Bold move~
Tony Stark: Kid's got more game than me back in MIT.
Zhongli: (calmly) Attachment is not a weakness. It is an anchor. Do not mock him for that.
Kiana: SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!! (/// >///< ///)
Asuna: (quietly typing) …Still. He means it. And that matters.
[POV Shift – Neo]
Hours later, we reconvened. Everyone gathered in the central plaza again, a circle forming under the digital moonlight. The system's countdown floated above us:
[Time Remaining: 47:02:16]
The tension was palpable.
"Alright," I said, stepping into the center. "Time to divide roles."
[Strategy Division]
• Frontline Anchors: Asuna, Kirito (when we reach him), Neo (combat support + high-threat suppression).
• Intel Division: Tony Stark (energy scan), Himiko (deception analysis), Great Sage (pattern recognition).
• Strategic Support: Zhongli (defensive bulwark, resource logistics), Ningguang (tactical grid support once summoned).
• Flex Squad: Kiana + Himeko (strike support, mobility, morale).
[Live Chat Reaction]
Tony Stark: So basically, I'm Batman with a shiny suit. Got it.
Himiko: And I get to sniff out the fake sheep. Mmm, fun!
Zhongli: My duty remains unchanged—shield the innocent.
Kiana: Hey! Why am I just "flex squad"?
Himeko: Because you're unpredictable, Kiana. You're our wild card.
Kiana: …Wait, is that a compliment?
[POV Shift – Neo, Final Words Before Deployment]
I looked at each of them, one by one. For a moment, they weren't just allies—they were pieces of a fragile hope holding this twisted world together.
"This…" I said slowly, "…feels like a rip-off version of the Harvest Festival in Tensura."
Blank stares.
I smirked. "In Tensura, Demon Lords gather for the Harvest Festival. Kill enough, harvest souls, and ascend to a higher stage. It's structured, ritualized… and terrifying. The transmigrator here is doing the same thing, but without rules, without restraint."
Asuna shivered. Kiana clenched her fists.
"But here's the difference." I clenched my fist, the Cocoon glowing faintly. "The group chat told me something, before all this. That one day, when I'm ready, I'll get a personal mission. To cleanse another world—not of innocents, not of players—but of ten thousand corrupt politicians and criminals who thrive on making people suffer."
Silence fell over the group.
"It's almost the same number," I admitted. "But the intent is different. Justice, not madness. That's what separates us from monsters like the transmigrator."
The Cocoon pulsed, almost as if in agreement.
I looked up at the countdown.
"Forty-seven hours left. Let's show him what that difference looks like."
📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 3 – Downtime Bonds & Dividing Roles (Expanded Tensura Lore)
[POV – Neo]
Everyone was watching me carefully now. I'd already mentioned the Harvest Festival, but if I didn't explain Rimuru's evolution properly, they'd miss the real danger of what the transmigrator was trying to imitate.
So I took a breath and began again.
The Harvest Festival – Souls as the Key
"In Tensura, evolution isn't about training—it's about souls. You don't just get stronger by fighting; you ascend by feeding your existence. When Rimuru's people were slaughtered, he harvested tens of thousands of souls and became a True Demon Lord.
But that wasn't the end of it. The real turning point came later, when the Eastern Empire launched their campaign against him."
The Eastern Empire's Folly
I could see the confusion in Kiana's eyes, so I laid it bare.
"The Empire captured Veldora the Storm Dragon, Rimuru's closest friend, and shackled him with mind control. They wanted to use him as a living weapon. But Veldora isn't just strong—he's calamity incarnate. A Storm Dragon under control was like giving a nuclear bomb a trigger.
To save his people, Rimuru was forced into a nightmare: face not only the Empire's armies, but his own friend, weaponized against him."
The Battle with Veldora & Velgrynd
I clenched my fists at the memory from the novels.
"Velgrynd, the Scorch Dragon, also fought for the Empire. Rimuru had to lead an army of demons, clashing with two True Dragons at once—Velgrynd in her fiery fury, and Veldora, enslaved, his mind no longer his own.
The battle destroyed landscapes. Whole armies were wiped away like ash in a storm. But Rimuru refused to abandon Veldora. No matter how much destruction Veldora caused, Rimuru fought with one goal: to free his friend."
The Turning Point – Consuming Veldora
"Finally, Rimuru made a desperate choice. Using his evolved [Gluttonous King Beelzebuth], he devoured Veldora—not to kill him, but to pull his friend's soul inside and shatter the mind control from within.
And here's the key: in doing so, Rimuru's soul came into direct contact with the Dragon Factor—the essence of what makes a True Dragon. His analysis ability, his very slime body, copied and integrated it. His soul was compatible, his will unbreakable. So instead of destroying him, the Dragon Factor fused with him."
From Demon Lord to Dragon-Kin
"That fusion triggered something never seen before. Rimuru's Ultimate Slime form merged with the essence of a True Dragon, and the result was an entirely new existence—a subspecies of True Dragon.
He retained his demonic attributes, his slime abilities, his analytical skills, but layered onto that was the soul-deep might of a True Dragon. Infinite regeneration, reality-warping energy, raw destructive force. From the weakest monster species, Rimuru rose to stand beside the strongest beings in the multiverse."
The True Dragons – Laws in Flesh
I glanced at Zhongli, who looked like he already suspected where this was going.
"True Dragons aren't just monsters. They are laws given flesh.
• Veldora is chaos, his storms rewriting landscapes.
• Velgrynd is flame, burning dimensions themselves.
• Velzard is stasis, freezing space and time.
When Rimuru evolved, he became recognized as kin to these beings. Not fully equal—but no longer bound by mortal limits. A slime that ascended into their category."
The Shadow Above All – Veldanava
"And above them is Veldanava. The god of creation. But the truth? What people saw of him was only an avatar. A fragment.
That fragment alone birthed universes, created races, and granted divine skills like they were trinkets. And yet, it wasn't the real him. The true Veldanava exists beyond causality, beyond dimensions—a being on the level we call Boundless.
And Rimuru, through sheer accident of fate and determination, touched a path that leads in that direction."
The Weight of Rimuru's Evolution
I leaned forward, voice low.
"That's why I compared this transmigrator's plan to the Harvest Festival. He's trying to force a similar leap—using souls to trigger a false ascension. But unlike Rimuru, he has no loyalty, no bonds, no compassion. Just greed. Just hunger.
And if he succeeds, he'll become something twisted—an abomination with stolen godhood. Not a True Dragon, not a Demon Lord, but something perverse, hungry for endless ascension."
Group Reaction
The room was silent.
Kiana's hands shook, but she raised her head. "Rimuru risked everything just to save one friend… And this bastard wants to do the same thing just to feed his own ego."
Himeko smirked, grim. "Then we make sure he doesn't even get close to that Dragon Factor nonsense."
Zhongli's voice was deep, steady. "If what you say is true, then preventing this ascension is not just necessary—it is a duty owed to every world."
The live chat buzzed.
Asuna: "So we're facing someone who wants to fake Rimuru's journey… but without Rimuru's heart. That's even scarier."
Misaka: "Great. Just great. A wannabe god with a complex."
Himiko: "Heh~ fake or not, he'll burn if he tries."
Neo's Final Words
I looked around the room, at every ally, every friend.
"The chat group once told me I'd walk a path like Rimuru's one day. A personal mission to purge ten thousand corrupt souls—criminals, tyrants, politicians who make people suffer. Almost like a Harvest Festival, but one of justice. That's why I recognized what this transmigrator is trying to do.
But unlike Rimuru, he isn't worthy. Unlike Rimuru, he isn't saving anyone. And unlike me, he isn't aiming for justice. He's just harvesting for madness."
I clenched my fist.
"We won't let him climb that ladder. Not now. Not ever."
Got it 👍 You want me to expand Neo's lore talk even further, with Great Sage clarifications, and add a whole section where he explains the Chosen Hero/True Hero evolution path to the others. This will balance out the lore so it's not just about Demon Lords/Dragons but also the Hero archetype from Tensura.
Here's the rewritten Part 3 continuation (Neo's lore dump + Hero path explanation) with Great Sage chiming in for definitions and confirmations.
📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 3 (Expanded) – Tensura Lore: Demon Lords, Dragons, and Heroes
[POV – Neo]
I had just finished laying out the story of Rimuru's evolution, the Dragon Factor, and the madness of trying to force a Harvest Festival without the heart behind it. The group was still digesting when I felt the familiar voice of Great Sage chime in.
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Clarification. "Dragon Factor" is the condensed essence of a True Dragon's soul. Normally incompatible with non-dragon entities. Exception: Rimuru Tempest, due to his unique form and analysis ability."
I nodded and raised a hand. "Exactly. Rimuru could handle it because he's a slime—his body and soul are endlessly adaptable. Anyone else would've been erased by the Dragon Factor. That's why this transmigrator's plan is so dangerous: if he forces it, he might actually survive by corrupting the process."
The room was quiet, but I could see Asuna and Misaka still frowning, trying to piece it together. That was when I decided to give them the other side of Tensura's evolution coin.
The Hero Path – Light and Darkness
"There's another route to transcendence besides Demon Lords or Dragons," I said, folding my arms. "The path of the Hero. And it's just as rare, just as sacred."
Kiana tilted her head. "Hero? Like… chosen warrior stuff?"
"Not just that," I corrected. "In Tensura, a Hero isn't just a title—it's an evolution. Like a Demon Lord Seed, but for humans. And it starts with something called a Hero's Egg."
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Clarification. "Hero's Egg" = dormant spiritual core, generated within the soul of a human upon receiving dual blessings. Functions as the vessel of Hero evolution."
How a Hero Is Born
"Here's how it works," I said, counting off with my fingers.
• Human Race Only: You have to be human. Other races can't carry the Hero's Egg.
• Blessing of an Elemental: You need the recognition of the Elemental of Light or Darkness. Their blessing is one half of the spark.
• Blessing of the Spirit Queen: Usually granted by Ramiris, the Queen of Spirits. She anchors the Hero's Egg in your soul.
• Hero's Egg Awakens: These blessings form the Hero's Egg, dormant but alive, waiting to merge with you.
"To awaken it, you don't just fight. You undergo trials, prove your worth, and earn the right to fully merge with the Elemental inside the Egg. That's when you become a True Hero."
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Conditions for Awakening. 1: Hatching Hero's Egg. 2: Recognition by residing Elemental. 3: Assimilation of soul and Egg."
The Weight of True Heroes
"They're the counterpart to Awakened Demon Lords. Where Demon Lords ascend through souls and sin, Heroes ascend through light, darkness, and humanity itself."
I glanced toward Himeko. "There are even hints that to be a True Hero, you must embrace not only strength, but also the flaws and burdens of humanity. To know suffering, temptation, and still stand firm."
What Makes Them Different
• Spiritual Lifeform: A True Hero becomes something more than human. An awakened spiritual existence, a living miracle.
• Power: Their strength rivals Demon Lords and Dragons. They often awaken Ultimate Skills through their trials.
• God-Grade Equipment: Their weapons and armor often evolve with them, becoming divine-class gear capable of slaying even Demon Lords.
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Confirmed. Probability of Ultimate Skill acquisition during Hero Awakening: 62.3%. Probability of God-Grade Equipment manifestation: 48.9%."
The Balance of Power
"Think of it this way," I said finally. "On one side, you've got Demon Lords—monsters who transcend mortality by gathering souls. On the other, you've got True Heroes—humans who ascend by harmonizing with divine blessings.
And above them all… stand the True Dragons and beings like Veldanava. They are laws incarnate, unreachable except by the most impossible miracles."
Group Reactions
Asuna's eyes widened slightly. "…So if I lived in your world, and had the blessing, I could've become… something like that?"
"Exactly," I said softly. "You already carry that spirit. Honestly, you'd make a perfect candidate."
Kiana puffed her cheeks. "Wait, wait, wait—so Rimuru ate a Dragon, became a Dragon, but Heroes get… spirit eggs? That feels so unfair!"
Himeko smirked. "Sounds about right. One side bathes in blood, the other in trials. Take your pick, kiddo."
Zhongli, however, was silent, thoughtful. His golden eyes narrowed as he listened, the weight of gods and heroes clearly on his mind.
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Additional Clarification. Both Demon Lord and Hero evolutions are designed as balancing forces within the world system. Symmetry. Chaos and order."
I nodded to that. "Exactly. Demon Lords and Heroes are like two sides of the same coin. Without one, the world tilts too far. That's the real danger here: this transmigrator is trying to break the balance entirely, skipping the price and going straight for the reward."
The tension in the room thickened.
And that was when I finally said it again:
"This feels like a rip-off version of Tensura's Harvest Festival for Demon Lords. But uglier, greedier, and infinitely more dangerous."
Perfect choice 👌 Zhongli is the ideal one to press Neo here, given his gravitas, his role as an Archon, and his deep sense of balance/order.
I'll weave his question into the end of Part 3 to naturally foreshadow Neo's personal mission of purging 10,000 corrupt souls, while also framing him between the Demon Lord and Hero paths.
📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 3 (Extended with Zhongli's Question)
[POV – Neo]
I had just finished explaining the Hero's path—the Hero's Egg, the trials, the blessings of light or darkness. Great Sage had backed me up with numbers and clarifications, and the others were finally starting to grasp the weight of Tensura's cosmology.
Demon Lords on one side, Heroes on the other. Balance. Two sides of a coin.
The silence that followed was thoughtful, almost reverent. Asuna's hand rested over her chest, as though imagining what a Hero's Egg might feel like. Kiana was pouting, still trying to figure out if she wanted to be a dragon-eater or a chosen Hero. Himeko smirked at her antics but didn't interrupt.
And then… Zhongli finally spoke.
[Zhongli]:
"…If Demon Lords and Heroes are the balance, then what are you, Neo?"
The question hit like a hammer. Everyone turned toward me.
I could see it in their eyes—the curiosity, but also the wariness. Even Kiana stopped fidgeting. Himeko's smirk faded into something sharper. Asuna bit her lip, waiting.
I exhaled slowly. "What am I?" I repeated. "That's… complicated."
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Personal Mission reminder. Objective: Purge ten thousand corrupt souls—criminals and politicians from another world."
"Great Sage already told me something," I admitted, my voice lower now. "When I'm ready, I'll be given a personal mission. Not like this one, not a collective fight. Mine."
I let the weight settle before continuing.
"My mission is to kill ten thousand souls. Not innocents, not heroes, not random civilians. But the worst kind of scum—corrupt politicians, tyrants, criminals who thrive on making people suffer. Ten thousand in total."
The room stayed still.
I forced a small smile. "Sounds familiar, doesn't it? It mirrors the Demon Lord's Harvest Festival, where Rimuru ascended after claiming ten thousand souls in war. But the difference is…"
I clenched my fist.
"…I'm not harvesting for selfishness or evolution. I'm purging evil. Cleansing worlds where corruption rots the people from the inside out. It's closer to a Hero's path—fighting for justice, carrying the weight of humanity's sins. But I'm not purely a Hero, either. The method is too drenched in death, too bloody. I'm standing somewhere in between."
[Zhongli]:
"…A bridge of contradictions. Demon Lord's harvest, Hero's justice. A role not written in the laws of your world—or perhaps any world."
His amber eyes glowed faintly, and his voice carried the solemnity of stone and time itself.
"Then perhaps you are a third path, Neo. A convergence. Not Demon Lord, not Hero, but something forged by both—justice born of judgment, ascension through necessity. The balance breaker, or balance keeper. Only time will tell which."
The others shivered at his words.
Asuna whispered, "…Ten thousand souls… That's terrifying, but… also noble. You'd be purging monsters in human skin."
Kiana's fists were clenched. "That's insane, but… I kinda get it. If anyone could do it, it'd be you."
Himeko's gaze lingered, sharp but not unkind. "You're playing with fire, kid. Walking a path that'll chew you alive if you're not careful."
I nodded, acknowledging all of them. "Yeah. That's why I said this feels like a rip-off of Tensura's Harvest Festival. Except this one is just greed and madness. Mine… Mine's meant to bring balance. To finish what others can't."
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Designation suggested. Title: "Balance Walker.""
I chuckled softly. "Balance Walker, huh? Not bad. Might just stick."
📖 Chapter 5 – First Collective Mission
Part 4 – Group-Wide Preparations Across Multiverses (Inside Aincrad)
[POV – Neo]
The cobblestone plaza of the Town of Beginnings was alive with noise. Players milled around nervously, clutching beginner swords and leather armor. None of them knew the truth—that this wasn't just a game anymore, but a trap rewritten by a transmigrator feeding on fear and souls.
I leaned back against a fountain, trying to look calm. On the surface, I was just another "newbie." But my mind wasn't quiet.
The system had already reminded me: This is only the first mission. My personal trial—ten thousand corrupt souls—still hung over me like a storm.
So I whispered to the group chat.
[Neo → Group Whisper]:
"…I'm scared."
For a heartbeat, no one replied. Then the voices came.
[Himiko]:
👀 Ohhh, big boss admits weakness? Juicy. Go on, what's got you shaking?
[Neo]:
"It's not the battle here. Aincrad I can handle. It's my personal mission. Ten thousand corrupt souls. That means diving into worlds drowning in crime and tyranny, cutting down people again and again. I'm afraid… afraid I'll lose myself in the killing. That I'll stop caring if it's justice, and just… keep going."
[Zhongli]:
"…To acknowledge fear is the mark of one who has not yet surrendered to the abyss. Should you ever cease to fear judgment, that is when your humanity will be truly gone."
[Kiana]:
💢 Oi, dummy! You're not doing this alone! Family means dragging each other out of the pit. Even if it's your mission, we'll be right here—cheering, nagging, punching if we have to.
[Asuna]:
💙 Ten thousand is terrifying, yes. But… you're still Neo. As long as you remember why you fight, we'll remind you of it. You won't lose yourself.
[Himiko]:
😏 Yeah, worst case scenario? I'll tie you up and lecture you for hours. That'll keep your head straight.
I couldn't stop a small laugh escaping me, earning a curious glance from a group of passing players. I waved them off and lowered my voice again.
[Neo → Whisper]:
"…Thanks. All of you. Guess I needed to hear that."
[Great Sage]:
"Notice: Emotional stabilization achieved."
I sighed, smirking. Even my skill had to announce it.
[POV Shift – Narrative Overview]
While other players scrambled to form parties and test their beginner skills, the chat group's members were quietly preparing on another level.
• Zhongli: Even here, his calm authority radiated. Though disguised in simple armor, he carried himself like an immovable mountain. He whispered strategies to Neo through the chat, already mapping Aincrad's first floor with uncanny precision.
• Asuna: She slipped away to practice sword swings in the plaza outskirts, graceful and efficient. Players mistook her for a nervous newbie, but her precision drew Neo's quiet approval.
• Himiko: She stretched lazily on a bench, but her eyes flicked constantly across the plaza—reading player morale, noting potential allies, already planning how to stir chaos if needed.
• Kiana & Himeko (from Schicksal): They stood beside Neo in the plaza. Kiana grinned ear to ear, itching for action, while Himeko's calm presence steadied her like a tether. To others, they looked like a quirky party of friends.
Around them, Aincrad buzzed with life. The first floor's wide fields spread out beyond the town gates, sunlight glinting off the tall grass. The atmosphere almost lied—like this was just a beautiful VRMMO. But Neo and the group knew the truth.
The preparations had begun.