It was a world of crimson, without a single stray color.
Seeing that the red mist from the outside did not enter the Digital World through the spatial rift he had created, Aomori breathed a sigh of relief. He cautiously peered out from the opening, his mind racing: This is exactly the scene I saw when I descended into the dungeons. In an environment like this, it would be incredibly easy to lose one's way without the system's guidance. I need a guide or a landmark.
A landmark, huh...
He pondered for a moment before retrieving a piece of paper from his system inventory. On it was a stark, crimson circle.
Nobita's Zero Score Test Paper.
"If this truly originates from the world of Doraemon, there should be a connection."
Aomori entered the True Sight state and looked at the Zero Score Test Paper in his hand. He discovered a faint white thread extending from his palm, passing through the rift and into the red mist, stretching out into the distance.
"As I thought..." He did not impulsively follow the white line into the mist. Instead, he stepped back and summoned several lightning clones, sending them through the opening one by one in a queue.
The red mist was clearly not harmless. When entering a dungeon, Aomori had sensed a layer of prismatic light enveloping his body, likely serving as protection against the mist's influence.
As expected, the first clone entered without any protection and was instantly reduced to red mist, as if assimilated.
The second clone deployed a telekinetic shield but was assimilated in less than a minute.
The third clone utilized lightning energy and lasted roughly a minute as well.
...
After several rounds of testing, Aomori's energy was depleted. He sealed the opening and exited the Bond Evolution mode. However, he had figured out which method provided the best defense against the red mist.
It was spatial power.
By creating a localized pocket of space around the body, one could resist the encroachment of the red mist.
"No wonder the mist cannot affect the dungeon worlds."
With these basic facts understood, Aomori now truly possessed the possibility of traveling to various worlds independently. He had taken a massive step closer to his ultimate goal.
"Just you wait. I will return!" His gaze was filled with unwavering resolve.
He would find his way home, and then he would tear that detestable invader into pieces!
…
Aomori accompanied Ophanimon on a tour of various Digital Worlds until the dungeon timer expired, at which point he returned to the world of One Punch Man.
He sat in his office in silence for a long time before taking out the Portable Camcorder. He removed the memory card and inserted it into his computer.
"36 terabytes? They actually filmed that much?" Aomori was astonished.
The camera was usually handled by Darkrai. He hadn't expected it to capture so much footage. Aomori opened the files and began browsing through them one by one.
First to appear was Pikachu's "done-with-life" expression. Recalling the battle from that time, Aomori couldn't help but chuckle. Next was Sabrina's innocent smile. He watched with a smile for a long time before slowly clicking the next file.
In the world of Digimon, he saw himself playing with Salamon, Absol, and other companions; in Jujutsu Kaisen, there were the highlights of his battles against the four Curses and Gojo Satoru; in the world of monsters, he saw Miko's tearful pouting and the joyous scenes of everyone sharing a feast. Returning to the Pokémon world again, he saw Ash defeating strong enemies and reaching the pinnacle of his career. In One Piece, there was the raw, fist-to-fist combat against the "Strongest Creature" Kaido. In Re:Zero, he saw himself surrounded by many little girls. In the One Punch Man world, he saw his clash with Garou, the announcement of the Hero Association's establishment, taking Fubuki as his disciple, sparring with Tatsumaki, and the raid on the Monster Association...
"I've experienced so much without even realizing it..."
As he watched these precious videos and photos, Aomori's smile grew wider. It lingered long after the footage ended.
"Whatever happens, I have to say thank you. Thank you, System, for letting me live this life again."
Feeling a rare sense of unease regarding his next uncertain journey, Aomori allowed his emotions to show. He removed the card and carefully placed it back into the Portable Camcorder.
He looked out the window. The sky was beginning to brighten; he had been watching all night. After a moment's thought, he vanished instantly.
In a bedroom filled with pink decor, Fubuki yawned and propped herself up. As the blanket slid down, her graceful form was exposed to the air. She tossed the covers aside and wobbled out of bed. Walking out of the room, her eyes suddenly widened. She panicked, scrambled back into the bedroom, and slammed the door shut.
"S-Sensei? Why are you here?"
"I came to take you out for breakfast. Also, I have a question for you."
"Please wait a moment! I'll be right out!"
An hour later, Fubuki finally finished dressing and stepped out of the bedroom. She lowered her head, her face flushed. "I'm so sorry to keep you waiting..."
"It's fine. Let's eat. Here, try this soy milk; it's very fresh and sweet," Aomori said with a slight squint of his eyes.
"Oh, okay." Fubuki took it and took a sip. "Sensei, what did you want to tell me? Is there a new mission?"
"No, it's personal." Aomori looked her directly in the eyes and said seriously, "Fubuki, will you have my children?"
"Eh?"
"EH?!!!!"
…
After a month in the "tender village," Aomori stood once more before the dimensional rift, gazing at the world filled with red mist. He gripped the Zero Score Test Paper and immediately entered the True Sight state.
Staring at the white line stretching into the distance, Aomori, having carved out an extradimensional space around himself, took a deep breath, crossed the rift, and flew into the thick red mist.
Upon entry, Aomori felt an endless pressure, as if countless strong enemies were lurking in the surroundings. Having tested this with clones, he was familiar with the sensation. He steadied his nerves, ignored the feeling, and focused intently on the white line ahead.
He would periodically exit the True Sight state to recover before re-entering to adjust his course. Everywhere his gaze fell was red mist, unchanging and absolute. Aomori could only rely on the faint white light in his hand.
After an unknown amount of time, a white pinpoint of light finally appeared ahead. Aomori's spirits lifted, and he accelerated his flight.
After another long stretch, just as he felt he couldn't hold on any longer, he reached the destination. The tiny pinpoint had expanded into a sphere of light much larger than Earth.
"Is this the new world?" Straining with his last bit of energy, Aomori broke through the barrier on the sphere's surface and dove in.
Once inside, he immediately deactivated his Bond Evolution mode and put away the exhausted Millenniummon. Looking at the dark environment around him, he closed his eyes and let his body plummet.
Moments later, he pierced through thick nimbostratus clouds. It was the middle of the night, and the area seemed to be caught in a violent storm. Gale-force winds howled, rain poured in torrents, and lightning flashed through the swaying trees.
Aomori crashed into a forest like a falling star, splintering the trees that were struggling against the wind. His body was buried in a muddy pit, submerged by the rain.
"It's been a long time since I've been this pathetic." Aomori's consciousness began to fade. He barely managed to release Darkrai before falling into a deep sleep. The mental toll of the long journey had been immense.
The pit broke open as Darkrai lifted Aomori. Its blue eyes scanned the surroundings before it took flight and vanished into the woods.
…
"Father, how is he?"
"He's fine. His body is incredibly strong. If it weren't for the lack of a sulfuric scent, I would have thought he was a monster. He's likely just exhausted. He should be fine after some sleep."
"That's good. Father, you're tired too. Go to bed; I'll look after him here."
"Alright. But be careful. You can't be too trusting of strangers."
"I know. Don't worry."
They seem to be harmless people. Aomori, who had regained a sliver of consciousness while lying on a soft bed, processed the dialogue between the man and woman. Feeling safe, he sank into deep meditation. Meditation restored his spirit much faster than sleep.
….
Early the next morning, Aomori suddenly snapped his eyes open.
Mental strength is back to seventy or eighty percent. Energy is at about one-tenth. The physical body is undamaged.
After assessing his condition, he sat up and looked at the girl resting by the bedside. She had short hair and was wearing a pink dress. Her breathing was steady; she was clearly still asleep.
Aomori didn't disturb her. He turned to examine the room's decor. Passing over various sundries, his gaze locked onto the books on the shelf.
"Magic: From Beginner to Expert", "Great Events in Magic History", "History of the Flying Broomstick"...
Aomori raised an eyebrow. If this was the world of Doraemon, he knew exactly which plotline he had landed in.
"Interesting..." A smile played on his lips. Since he needed to return to his peak state before his next journey, he might as well stay here for a few days.
As he was lost in thought, the young girl groaned and woke up. Seeing Aomori sitting up, the grogginess in her eyes vanished, replaced by sheer joy.
"You're awake! How do you feel? Is anything hurting?"
"Thank you for your care. I'm fine now," Aomori said with a broad smile and narrowed eyes.
Seeing such a bright and handsome face, the girl blushed and shook her head. "I didn't do much, just let you sleep on the bed. I'm so glad you're okay. There was a typhoon last night, and you suddenly fell from the sky right into my house. You scared me to death!"
"I apologize. I was in a hurry, so I rode my flying broom, but..."
"Riding a broom in that weather? You're lucky to be alive!" She put on a stern face and scolded him. "What if you had fallen into the forest? What would you have done then?"
"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
"Good. As long as you know you were wrong. By the way, I haven't introduced myself. I am Miyako Mangetsu, currently working as my father's assistant. And you?"
"Aomori. My name is Aomori. I'm just a wandering traveler."
…
Under the warm invitation of Miyako and her father, Dr. Mangetsu, Aomori agreed to stay for a couple of days.
"Meeting is destiny; our encounter was surely ordained." Dr. Mangetsu was a balding, middle-aged man with a small mustache. He chanted an incantation, and his slightly plump body shook as he summoned delicious food onto the table.
"Doctor, do you believe in fate?"
"Of course! I often see the future through the manifestations of magic, and they always come true. Fatology is a scientific and systematic study of magic. Have you heard of the 'Demon World Descent Theory'? It is a revelation I received from destiny through magic. One day, the Demon World will descend upon the Earth!"
"Father, don't talk about such serious topics during breakfast." Miyako looked at Aomori apologetically. "He's always like this, trying to sell his theories to everyone. Please don't mind him."
"It's quite alright. I think Dr. Mangetsu makes a lot of sense," Aomori nodded in agreement. "The Demon World definitely exists, so we must be vigilant against their invasion."
"See! See!" Gaining Aomori's approval, Dr. Mangetsu became incredibly excited and talked enthusiastically.
It wasn't until the afternoon that he stopped, still wanting to say more. "The current earthquakes are premonitions. I fear the vanguard of the Demon World army will arrive soon."
Miyako had heard this countless times and felt bored. She walked to the window to look at the scenery, but her eyes suddenly narrowed as she looked at the sky. "Father, come look! There's a black meteor!"
"A black meteor?" Dr. Mangetsu and Aomori stood up and joined her at the window. Sure enough, a black meteor with a long tail was falling from the sky, landing in a nearby forest.
"Could it be a monster?"
"It's possible."
"I'll go check it out," Miyako said.
"I'll go with you," Aomori volunteered.
"But your body..."
"My body is fine. If we run into a monster, I can help."
"Miyako, go with Aomori. Be careful."
"Okay."
She summoned a wide carpet and stood on it with Aomori.
"Hold on tight!" Miyako chanted an incantation, and the flying magic carpet shot out like a rocket toward the direction where the black meteor had fallen.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a withered forest. In the nick of time, they saved two children falling from the sky.
"Oh, we finally meet." Aomori looked at the blue robotic cat following closely behind and smiled inwardly.
Doraemon's 4D pocket is full of treasures. I wonder if I should pick up a few?
…
In the original world, magic naturally didn't exist. This was a parallel world created by Nobita and Doraemon using the magical What-If Phone Booth. From Aomori's perspective, this was the plot of the movie Doraemon: Nobita's New Great Adventure into the Underworld.
Just like the original story, Miyako met Nobita and the others and invited them to the mansion, where they were once again subjected to Dr. Mangetsu's lecture on his theories. Meanwhile, Doraemon used his gadgets to give Dr. Mangetsu a massive hand.
If everything went according to the original plan, Dr. Mangetsu would be kidnapped by monsters tonight.
Unfortunately for the monsters, Aomori was here.
————
NOTE: This fic has been completely translated. If you want to read the whole story head over to my p-atre-on: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]