"The Dawn of a New Civilization"
The meeting room fell silent the moment Takumi spoke.
The four adventurers—Ellen, Kabalu, Gido, and Shizue—felt a shiver run down their spines as they looked upon the young man whose presence filled the room with quiet majesty. His black hair shimmered faintly with golden highlights, a residual effect of the Herrscher of Finality's divine energy coursing through him.
Rimuru sat at his side, relaxed yet dignified. Though youthful in appearance, his eyes held countless lifetimes of knowledge.
Takumi leaned slightly forward.
"You came here by accident, you say?" he said with a faint smile. "Then perhaps fate is kinder than you think. This place—Dimensional City—is a sanctuary for all races. But it is also the foundation of something greater."
Before the adventurers could respond, a holographic display appeared above the long obsidian conference table.
Ellen jolted.
Kabalu nearly spilled his tea.
Shizue's eyes widened—she could sense the energy behind the projection.
Ranga tilted his head, as if accustomed to surprises by now.
Takumi continued, fingers raised slightly as circuits of luminous gold spun around his hand.
"Dimensional City is built upon the Civilization System—my unique power. With it, I can develop structures, technologies, and systems far beyond this world's imagination. Yet, technology alone is not enough. What we need is understanding—between humans, monsters, and all beings who wish to live in peace."
Ellen swallowed hard.
This city... is beyond anything the Empire even dreams of.
Rimuru lightly tapped the table. "So! We're hoping to know more about you four—and why the monsters were chasing you."
After a short explanation from Kabalu, the tone changed.
Takumi listened carefully, his expression calm yet thoughtful. The adventurers had indeed stumbled into the territory by accident, chased by unique-type forest monsters driven unusually aggressive.
Rimuru crossed his arms. "That's strange. The monsters here are usually very calm. Something must have triggered them."
Takumi nodded slightly. He already had a guess.
The Civilization System chimed in his mind.
[Notice]: Dimensional energy detected. Unknown interference affecting monster behavior. Possible external dimensional fluctuation. Recommend investigation.
Takumi stood.
"Thank you for your honesty. You four will stay in Dimensional City as guests for now. We will provide lodging, meals, and safety. But—"
He turned, eyes glowing with golden fractal patterns.
"—I ask that you keep what you see here confidential until further notice. This city is not ready to be publicly known."
Ellen instantly nodded.
Kabalu stiffened. "We swear it."
Shizue bowed quietly, though her gaze lingered on Takumi, curiosity flickering.
Takumi smiled. "Good. Then let us begin the tour of the future."
Dimensional City: A Growing Civilization
Takumi walked at the front, Rimuru beside him, Sakuya and Kanae following closely.
The adventurers trailed behind, stunned at every turn.
They passed floating street lamps powered by condensed magicules.
Workers—oni, humans, goblins, dwarves—constructed a new district using Takumi's conjured materials.
Children of different races chased each other, laughing.
And above it all, the central spire rose like the pillar of another world.
Kabalu whispered, "This… this isn't a town. It's a city of the future."
Takumi overheard and smiled faintly.
"Not the future. A beginning."
He lifted his hand. The Civilization System responded instantly.
Golden hexagonal plates formed midair.
[Construction Unlocked: Dimensional Research Institute]
[Effect: Enhances understanding of dimensional energy, increases defensive capacity, expands city territory]
The plates dissolved—and somewhere in the city, a new building began forming.
Ellen gasped, speechless.
Shizue murmured, "A power like this… could change the world."
Takumi didn't deny it.
He looked up at the glowing sky of Dimensional City.
"That's exactly what I intend to do."
Rimuru grinned. "And I'm here to stop him from overworking himself. And also to make sure we don't get invaded by jealous kingdoms!"
Takumi shrugged.
"If they try, the barrier will vaporize them."
The adventurers froze.
Rimuru laughed nervously. "He jokes. Mostly."
A New Threat Approaches
That evening, as the sun set in shades of violet, the city lights activated automatically.
Takumi stood atop the central tower, overlooking the glowing landscape.
Rimuru floated beside him.
"You sensed it too, right?" Rimuru asked.
Takumi nodded.
"Dimensional fluctuations… from the east side of the forest. Something—or someone—is tearing small openings between worlds."
Rimuru frowned. "Could it be another summoned person?"
"Possibly. But the energy feels chaotic... more like something trying to escape."
The Civilization System chimed again.
[Warning]: Dimensional instability rising. Estimated time until rupture: 72 hours.
"Rimuru," Takumi said softly.
"Yeah?"
"Get the city ready. If something comes through... it won't be harmless."
Rimuru's expression hardened.
"Understood."
Behind them, Sakuya stepped into view.
"My lord, shall I prepare the elite corps?"
Takumi nodded.
"Yes. Tomorrow, we investigate the source. For now—fortify the city and increase patrols."
Sakuya bowed.
"As you command."
A New Civilization Takes Shape
Throughout the night, the city worked under Takumi's orders.
New energy barriers formed.
Dimensional sensors were installed.
The Research Institute activated, analyzing data at incredible speed.
Kabalu and the others—given temporary lodging—watched from a balcony, overwhelmed.
Ellen whispered, "We're witnessing the birth of an entirely new era."
Shizue, however, watched Takumi's distant silhouette.
Who are you really, Takumi?
The air itself responded to him.
The world shifted around him.
He was not a normal leader.
He was something far more.
Takumi's Resolve
Deep in the tower's core, Takumi stood before the heart of the Civilization System—a crystalline construct pulsing with golden light.
Images flickered around him: blueprints, histories, computations, futures.
"A dimensional rupture… already? That means the balance between worlds is thinning faster than I expected."
He clenched his hand.
"If a higher-dimensional threat breaks through this early, this world won't survive. Not even Rimuru could stop it alone."
The light responded.
[System Directive: Expand civilization. Strengthen the world. Become the anchor of stability.]
"I know." Takumi closed his eyes.
"I'll build a nation strong enough to withstand even the end of worlds."
The Beginning of the Next Era
As dawn broke, Rimuru appeared beside him, hands behind his head.
"So? Ready?"
Takumi's eyes opened—golden, determined, unwavering.
"Yes. Today, Dimensional City takes its first step toward becoming a true civilization."
Rimuru grinned. "Then let's go show this world what we can do, partner."
Takumi smiled slightly.
"Together."
The sun rose—illuminating a city unlike any other.
A city that would one day shape the fate of all dimensions.