Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

In a slightly dim room due to limited lighting, over a dozen researchers in white lab coats were busy at work. At the front of the room stood a massive display made up of more than ten screens, each showing different footage—some from the air, some from the ground, some from the streets, and even a panoramic view of the entire city, all visible on this enormous monitor.

This was DEM Corporation's all-weather surveillance system, with monitoring set up not only throughout the city but also in the skies via floating surveillance drones, which almost entirely enveloped the city streets in a dense web. Initially, these devices were intended to detect spatial quakes, but DE Corporation now used them for other purposes. After all, no one would know, and the AST forces had also been given prior notice.

So, they could proceed with their plans openly, as they were doing now.

"Have you detected the status of the battle location?" A white-haired, handsome man walked up to the monitor and asked in a deep voice. This was DEM Corporation's director, Westcott.

"We have detected it, but..." The researcher hesitated slightly.

"What's the problem?" Westcott's brows began to knit together.

"Director, I think it's best if you take a look for yourself," the researcher replied, pressing keys quickly on the keyboard. The monitor flickered, and the scene appeared on the screen.

"This is..." Westcott's cold eyes narrowed slightly.

What appeared on the monitor was not the usual view but a strange sight. At the battle's location, a dense, dark mist blanketed the area, surrounding it completely. Even strong light couldn't penetrate it, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.

"This is the situation," the researcher said. "Shortly after the battle started, this darkness appeared. The surveillance system can't penetrate the mist, and even satellites can't analyze what this substance is. It appears to have the ability to block detection."

Westcott's brows furrowed deeply. The unfolding scene had already exceeded his expectations and seemed to be heading in an unpredictable direction, something he absolutely could not allow.

"Did you deploy autonomous cameras and robots?" Westcott asked in a low voice.

"We deployed them before the battle began, but..." The researcher's face held an expression of disbelief. "Once they enter the dark mist, they lose contact immediately. Even the Beast Unit stopped responding after going in. We have no idea what's happening inside, but it seems capable of jamming all signals."

Westcott's face darkened ominously, an intimidating presence that even the researchers around him felt, each becoming visibly tense and anxious.

"What about the Executive Director? Do we have any updates on her?" Westcott asked suddenly, referring to Ellen.

"We had contact at the beginning," the researcher replied nervously, "but after the fight with the spirit intensified, the mist appeared, enveloping them both. Since then, we've heard nothing."

"Damn it," Westcott ground his teeth, his voice coming out as if forced through gritted teeth. He had never lost his composure in front of his subordinates before.

After a while, as his mood seemed to calm, Westcott turned and said in a steady voice, "Notify Captain Aizenk and have his aerial fleet move in and prepare for battle."

"Aerial fleet?" The researcher was slightly startled and replied, "Isn't that a bit excessive if it's just—"

"Do as I say." Westcott spun around, his eyes gleaming with a chilling light.

"Y-yes, right away."

The researcher, shaken by Westcott's glance, broke into a cold sweat and nearly stumbled as he hurried to make the call.

Westcott didn't spare him a glance, turning instead to look at the inky fog on the monitor.

Ellen, don't let me down.

A cold glint flashed in Westcott's eyes.

However, Ellen, who bore such high expectations, lay weakly in Kaguya's embrace, her delicate face flushed, her eyes unfocused, and her gaze hazy with tears. Her breath was shallow, her entire body covered in a light sheen of sweat, and her fair skin glowed with a rosy tint, exuding a faint, alluring fragrance.

At this moment, Ellen had none of the presence of the world's strongest wizard. Instead, she was utterly spent, her body soft and powerless. She couldn't even summon the strength to push away Kaguya's hand from her chest as it kneaded and shaped her softness.

With a smirk, Kaguya leaned down and planted a kiss on Ellen's small, sensitive peak, giving a gentle bite. Ellen shuddered as if struck by lightning, as if an electric current surged through her body, sending waves of goosebumps across her skin. A faintly sweet scent, reminiscent of lilies, wafted through the air.

As the sky gradually darkened, the sunset slowly dipped below the horizon, the vibrant red clouds fading, and the last rays of daylight disappearing. This "battle" had indeed "wasted" quite a bit of time, not to mention draining a fair amount of energy.

Lightly pinching Ellen's cheek, Kaguya's mouth curved into a smile. "This is your punishment for daring to disturb me. If there's a next time, I'll make sure you can't even cry out. Even if you beg on your knees, I won't let you off. Understood?"

For a long time, there was no response from Ellen. Kaguya blinked and looked at her face, noticing Ellen's glazed eyes as if she hadn't fully recovered.

"Could I have broken her?" Kaguya scratched her head. "That would be no fun. Well, if that's the case, I might as well kill her."

It seemed Ellen heard this, for she shuddered and suddenly snapped back to reality, her face flushing deep red. Biting her lip, she weakly pushed against Kaguya, but her body was too exhausted to put up any real resistance.

Kaguya chuckled, releasing her understandingly. She tossed a set of clothes to Ellen and leaned in to whisper by her ear, "Remember what I said: if you dare disturb me again, I'll make sure you suffer so much that you won't even be able to cry. Got it?"

Ellen left, wearing the clothes Kaguya had given her. Before departing, she turned back, biting her lip and giving Kaguya a long, deep look, her beautiful eyes carrying a subtle, complex emotion.

But Kaguya didn't catch her gaze, because as soon as the dark mist surrounding her had dissipated, several figures rushed toward her, nearly knocking her over. Seeing who it was, Kaguya looked surprised and said, "Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you still here?"

Standing before her were Tohka Yatogami, Yoshino, and Origami Tobiichi. Kaguya had instructed them earlier to go find a safe place and hide while she dealt with the rest. But not only had they ignored her instructions, they had stayed and waited for her to come out.

Kaguya felt a cold sweat trickle down her back, thankful she'd used her Mirror Flower, Water Moon ability to create an impenetrable mist just now. If the girls had seen anything inappropriate, it would have been terrible. What if she corrupted them? What if her heroic image in their eyes was shattered?

That is, if Kaguya still had any sort of image left.

Tohka Yatogami, Origami Tobiichi, and Yoshino all gazed at Kaguya with expressions of delight. Tohka's eyes were even red and brimming with tears.

Seeing their faces, Kaguya felt a little ashamed—she had been off enjoying herself just moments before. Yet, above all, she felt touched. She hadn't expected them to care about her so much.

However…

"Ahem, could you move your arm just a little?" Kaguya's face was tinged with a slightly feverish blush as she managed to say, "You're almost choking me."

"Oh, thank goodness you're safe!" Tohka said, her pale arms wrapped tightly around Kaguya's neck, ignoring her words and clinging on as if she'd never let go.

"Loosen up a bit—I can barely breathe!" Tohka's enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming for Kaguya, as she felt her neck being squeezed uncomfortably.

Seeing Tohka's actions, Origami's brow twitched in irritation. She strode over, grabbed Kaguya's other arm, and edged herself closer, gently nudging Tohka aside.

Tohka quickly noticed Origami's subtle move, let out a huff, and lifted her chin defiantly, clinging to Kaguya's arm just as tightly.

The scene was charming, especially with the soft pressure of their ample chests against Kaguya's arms, creating an intoxicating sensation. However, Kaguya, caught between them, was finding it hard to breathe.

Yoshino, meanwhile, was far more reserved. She didn't try to compete for space but stood quietly at Kaguya's side, holding tightly to her clothes with her small, delicate hand, her soft cheeks radiating a gentle smile.

Amid this touching scene, a sharp sound of something cutting through the air echoed from a distance, swiftly approaching.

Kaguya and the others froze, and in an instant, the object appeared before them.

At that moment, its true form became clear—a large missile with a long body and a trailing jet of flame. However, this missile was unlike the previous ones. It was much larger, painted in black, and traveling at an astonishing speed, roughly Mach 10, reaching near-hypersonic velocity.

Kaguya, however, paid it little mind. No matter how powerful, a missile was still just a missile. Even a ballistic missile with a larger warhead had no effect on her, as high explosives posed no threat to Kaguya.

But Origami, upon seeing the missile, froze. Her pupils contracted as she shouted, "A tactical nuke!"

Before they could react, the missile reached them.

Boom!

A blinding flash erupted on the ground, illuminating everything like a second sun. The world turned a blank white as light flooded the scene. After the light faded, an ear-splitting roar followed, reverberating throughout the city. The ground trembled, fierce winds howled, and the earth itself rippled like waves. Meanwhile, a massive mushroom cloud rose, billowing with searing flames and thick black smoke.

A shockwave swept outwards with an unstoppable force, flattening everything in its path. In mere moments, the entire area had become a wasteland. After the violent explosion, all that remained was desolation. The towering buildings were gone, replaced by broken walls and scattered ruins, still smoldering and filling the air with a choking, burnt odor.

At the same time, at an altitude of 20,000 meters, aboard a massive aerial warship:

"Captain Aizenk, isn't it a bit excessive to use a nuclear missile so recklessly?" a nondescript crew member said, looking uncomfortable. "If the AST Ground Self-Defense Force finds out…"

"Who cares? As long as we eliminate the spirit, a few casualties are nothing," replied the burly captain with a beard, his expression haughty. "Besides, when has anyone fought a war without deaths? If destroying a city is the price for taking down a spirit, so be it."

"But, Captain," the crew member replied with a forced smile, "if such statements are leaked, it could spark a major scandal. I ask that you exercise some restraint."

Captain Aizenk seemed to realize his words might have been careless, but he brushed it off casually. "Mind your own business. Now go check the nuclear missile's effects and report to me immediately."

"Yes, sir." The crew members busied themselves with their tasks.

"No spirit could survive a nuclear blast like that," Captain Aizenk muttered, walking to the control panel with a cigarette in his mouth. He sat in his wide leather chair, sneering, "Those fools were just too afraid to use nukes earlier. It could've solved everything. What a bunch of useless cowards."

"C-Captain…" a crew member stammered suddenly.

"Hm?" Captain Aizenk frowned in annoyance. "What's the problem now? Out with it."

The crew member swallowed nervously, then turned around and said, "I think you should see this for yourself, sir."

"What nonsense." Captain Aizenk grumbled as he stood up from his chair, striding over to the monitor. "If this isn't important, you'll regret it."

But when he looked at the image on the monitor, his pupils shrank instantly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven