"As long as we are here, don't you dare set foot on Earth!"
After releasing such a bold declaration, Blast turned back to his companions and said, "Everyone, I need to borrow your strength."
"We, who gathered here from all corners of the universe, isn't it all for the sake of dealing with God?"
"Indeed. Now is the time."
"If you want our power, take it all."
"Enough talk. It's time to move. Let's go."
"..."
"You guys..." Seeing those warm, familiar faces that seemed almost like a synchronized unit, Blast felt a surge of warmth in his chest. A smile finally tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Alright. Let's go together!"
"Beast Emperor, Valkyrie, I'm counting on the two of you to sever the Sacrifice Light. The rest of you, come with me to repair the Dimensional Seal."
"Understood!"
The nine figures instantly split into two groups. The lion-headed warrior and the armored woman charged toward the pillar of light, while Blast led the other six upward into the firmament, collectively channeling their energy into the transparent membrane that was already spiderwebbed with cracks.
The collapsing momentum of the membrane halted immediately, and it began a slow process of restoration.
"Blast, why are you so obsessed with stopping me?" God spoke with simmering resentment. "With your strength, you must have understood the truth of the world long ago. Do you not wish to resist this cursed fate?"
"I don't care about fate. I am a hero. This is what I have always chosen to do; it has nothing to do with anyone else," Blast replied with a calm smile. "God, save your breath. We've clashed for so long that we know each other inside out, don't we?"
"Heh. You think you've won? Don't forget, there is still another part of me on Earth!"
"I know which threat takes priority. My partners will handle your other half. But as for the you standing before me, don't think you're taking another step forward!"
"Hmph. We'll see about that."
…
"Why were the two of us singled out for this job?" The Beast Emperor grumbled as they flew toward the light pillar. "I want to be up there fighting alongside them. Without me charging the front lines, how can they feel safe enough to output their maximum power?"
"They are repairing a seal, not engaging in a brawl," Valkyrie replied, shaking her head. "Besides, we are pure melee types. We don't have that kind of energy output."
"Hmph. My claws can rend the heavens. I can easily shred those energy waves; I don't need that flimsy energy stuff."
"Exactly. That's why your claws are useless for fixing the seal."
The two chatted briefly until they reached the light pillar. Noticing a distinguished man standing in the void nearby with two strange creatures, they paused to size him up.
Aomori also looked up, his gaze sweeping over these two members of Blast's squad. He felt a silent thrill: What incredible pressure. No wonder they are the ones Blast acknowledges.
It was worth noting that even someone as strong as Tatsumaki didn't quite make the cut for Blast's inner circle in this context. While it was possible Blast simply didn't want to drag "the girl" into such a high-stakes crisis, the fact remained: every member of this squad possessed power that dwarfed a standard Dragon-level threat. They were at least on par with Golden Sperm.
Standing before Aomori now, these two clearly possessed "Beyond Dragon" strength. The violent aura radiating from them brushed against Aomori's skin even through his psychic shield, feeling like the sharp edge of a blade.
"My name is Aomori, Chairman of the Hero Association," Aomori said, feigning ignorance. "Are you the helpers Blast called in?"
"A human from Earth?" The Beast Emperor waved a hand dismissively. "Leave this place at once. Don't get in our way."
In its mind, Blast was the only person on Earth worthy of recognition. The "frail-looking" fellow before it looked like just another ordinary human.
Valkyrie's gaze bypassed Aomori, focusing on the light pillar as she began calculating how to sever it.
"Heh." Aomori took a step forward, letting his aura flare without restraint.
The space beneath his feet trembled, and a sound like a clap of thunder echoed through the void.
Wait, this aura... I misjudged him. The Beast Emperor dropped its disdainful expression and began to regard Aomori seriously, its slit pupils shimmering with interest.
Valkyrie turned her head sharply toward Aomori, momentarily startled before a smile played on her lips. "Beast Emperor, you're too crude. Not elegant at all."
After lightly scolding her companion, she turned to Aomori with an apologetic look. "Forgive him. That's just his nature. He's anxious to finish the mission."
"It's fine. I understand." Aomori's smile remained steady as he nodded.
"Tch. Chat all you want. I'm going to test that pillar." Leaving Valkyrie behind, the Beast Emperor charged straight for the light.
"That lion... truly untamable," Valkyrie sighed. "Hello. I am Blast's companion; you can call me Valkyrie. So you're the one who founded the Hero Association. Blast mentions you often. He says he admires you for doing the things he couldn't."
"I've only made a small contribution. I don't deserve such high praise. Blast is the idol of all heroes, myself included. There are many qualities in him I strive to learn from."
Aomori offered a few polite words of praise for Blast before asking the question on his mind: "That enemy in the sky calling itself 'God,' what exactly is its origin? Could you share any intel? I'd like to help."
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt," Valkyrie nodded. "But it's a long story. I'll explain as we work."
Aomori agreed.
The two joined the Beast Emperor, who had already extended long, sharp claws and was slashing wildly at the pillar, sending sharp wind-blades flying in every direction.
The pillar that Aomori had found impenetrable was actually leaking red gas under the Beast Emperor's assault. Though the change was subtle, the pillar was indeed shrinking.
This wasn't because Aomori's attacks were weak, but rather because of the " Rule" set by God—outsiders to this specific world cannot interact with the pillar.
This explained why Aomori's and Darkrai's attacks were ineffective; only the native residents of this reality could strike it.
"Valkyrie, get over here and help! This Sacrifice Light hasn't reached its perfect state yet, but the energy within it is still massive. We don't have time to waste!" the Beast Emperor shouted while attacking.
"I know." Valkyrie's expression turned solemn. She reached for the hilt at her waist and slowly drew her blade.
A blinding light radiated from the steel; it looked as though she were holding a blade made of pure light. Once fully unsheathed, the glow subsided, revealing a sword as clear and translucent as crystal.
With a fluid motion, Valkyrie swung the blade diagonally upward: "Star Oblivion!"
A sword-light like the Milky Way spilled out, instantly cleaving the pillar in two. The silver arc shot into the heavens, seemingly cutting the sky itself in half.
The light pillar flickered for a moment before reconnecting.
"Heh, starting with your ultimate move? Direct, I like it! I can't fall behind then." The Beast Emperor laughed, baring its fangs. It took a deep breath, extended its hands forward, and its pupils contracted violently.
A massive, majestic phantom appeared behind it, mirroring its movements. The phantom's hands tore outward: "Sundered Heaven!"
As its hands pulled apart, a jagged black hole appeared in the void, spreading toward the light pillar and erasing a massive section of it.
However, as the black hole stabilized, the pillar reconnected, though it was now visibly reduced by nearly a tenth.
The scale of their attacks is truly staggering. Aomori was impressed. In terms of raw destructive output, he wasn't certain he could consistently outperform these two.
They were veterans who had fought God and his numerous apostles for years; they were not to be underestimated. By extension, it meant God's threat level was at least an order of magnitude higher.
"Tch. Still not enough?" The Beast Emperor panted. Clearly, that last move wasn't a standard skill he could use lightly.
"Then we must settle in for the long haul. Beast Emperor, pace yourself. Don't drain your stamina. Don't forget, that guy hasn't shown up yet."
"Yeah, I know."
As Valkyrie swung her sword to send more energy waves at the pillar, she spoke to Aomori: "I'll tell you what I know."
"I'm all ears."
"The original identity of God is a mystery. Some say it's the collective negative will of the world. Others say it's just a powerful individual from a certain planet, not much different from us. But its power is beyond doubt. To date, it has destroyed hundreds of planets inhabited by intelligent life. Aside from a few strong individuals it kept as pawns, it has devoured everything else."
"So, its current target is Earth?"
"Yes. Two hundred years ago, Earth was dozens of times more prosperous than it is now. Human footprints covered all continents, and they had begun looking toward outer space. That was when God arrived. After an earth-shattering war, humanity was nearly wiped out. And for the first time, God tasted defeat. No one knows exactly what happened back then, but logically, there shouldn't have been anything on Earth capable of resisting it."
"Was God sealed because of that war?"
"Yes. It was split in two. Its soul was sealed on the moon, unable to step foot on Earth. Its body was sealed beneath this continent, buried deep underground."
"It has a separate physical body?!" Aomori was startled, immediately thinking of the giant black figure deep underground mentioned in the original series lore.
"It's the absolute truth." Valkyrie's expression was grim. "We once saw its physical body. Back then, we thought we could destroy it once and for all. But the result was demoralizing. Even with all our strength, we couldn't leave a scratch on it, let alone destroy it."
"That's... hard to believe."
"It is. Our group is made of survivors of God's previous conquests and those who realized the threat it poses to the entire universe. Blast brought us together to form this small squad. To fight God, we are willing to sacrifice everything! And yet, we still see no hope of victory. Only Blast continues to believe firmly that we can defeat it."
"I see." With her explanation, the fog surrounding God began to lift for Aomori.
"Where have you been all these years? Aside from Blast, there are very few traces of your activities here."
"In a pocket dimension, God's domain. His remaining pawns have been trying to break the seal to let God descend and reunite with his body to become an invincible deity. We've been fighting them and wiped out most of them. But three months ago, the dimensional barrier developed a leak. Two of them escaped, and while we were pinned down by the remaining apostles, this situation unfolded."
"I understand now." Aomori nodded thoughtfully. "So if we stabilize the seal and cut this light pillar, we can temporarily resolve the crisis."
"Yes, assuming there are no other surprises..."
Hardly had she finished speaking when the earth below began a massive collapse.
Before their startled eyes, a black arm reached out from the ground. It was as massive as a mountain, covered in the same spiral patterns seen on God's face.
"Damn it! It actually 'woke up'!" Valkyrie's face went pale. "The one thing we wanted to avoid happened anyway."
"That... is God's body, I presume?" Aomori asked.
"Yes. That pressure... I could never forget it."
"Valkyrie, keep attacking the pillar! I'll go stop it!" Without waiting for a response, the Beast Emperor dove straight down, his figure vanishing in an instant.
"Wait! You can't take it on alone!" Valkyrie's warning was too late. "Damn it, Beast Emperor, don't you dare die."
"I'll go give him a hand." Since he couldn't help with the pillar anyway, Aomori decided to meet God's physical body head-on. He wanted to see if it was truly as invincible as Valkyrie claimed, perhaps there was an unexpected weakness.
"No! Your strength is still below ours. Going there is just throwing your life away."
"If you outsiders are putting your lives on the line, how can I, a resident, stand by and watch?" Aomori said with a smile. "Don't worry. The Beast Emperor and I will hold it off until you sever the pillar. Your pressure is greater than ours."
"Fine. I understand." Valkyrie allowed a small smile. "You're quite the show-off, but I think I like it. If we both make it out alive, I wouldn't mind being your girlfriend for a day."
"If you want that reward, you'll have to work twice as hard. Otherwise, I might not agree." Aomori waved a hand and vanished in a flash.
Valkyrie: "...???"