Chapter 16: The World's Genre
Following behind Seth, Hikigaya quickly understood the meaning of Seth's earlier words: "It's of no use to me."
If you added a word and turned it into "It's of no damn use to me," it would more accurately convey the deep meaning behind it.
Just from footwork alone, they weren't on the same level. All he could see was Seth's back. He couldn't get any closer, nor could he stretch the distance. It was clear that the rhythm was entirely in this guy's control.
Half a year was too short a time. Even if he had been tormented by the Demon Fist God for six months, by the standards of "Yomi," it merely laid a foundation.
In fact, not to mention other disciples of the "One Shadow Nine Fists" or the Demon Fist God, even the disciples of some other martial artists from Yomi were all much stronger than Hikigaya.
Then again, all of them had trained in martial arts since childhood. If Hikigaya could be trained to their level in just six months, the Demon Fist God wouldn't be a man—he'd be a literal god…
Even the original protagonist and No.1 cheat from the strongest disciples couldn't level up that fast…
"This place should be about right," Seth suddenly stopped. "And it's quiet."
Hikigaya looked around. This was the park where he had first met Seth.
"Tell me, you haven't tried opening it, have you?"
Seth sat down on the grass and gestured for Hikigaya to come over.
Seeing Hikigaya ignore him, he wasn't embarrassed and continued, "It's best you don't try. If you do, you won't have any chance left at all."
"Weren't you going to tell me what exactly I've gotten dragged into?" Hikigaya asked.
He had been holding that question in for a long time, but there was no one he could ask.
The Demon Fist God probably knew, but he didn't dare ask him.
"Do you believe in gods?" Seth didn't answer directly. "Like God, or whatever."
"No. Got a problem with that?" Hikigaya gave him a sidelong glance. From the tone of this guy, it was obvious he didn't believe in God either.
"Good, it's better not to believe. Because there really are gods in this world. Hmm… not the kind like your master, whose brain is fried. I mean the ones from myths and legends."
Huh?
Hikigaya was creeped out.
Are you freaking kidding me? Don't tell me being the strongest disciple still isn't enough to satisfy this world's taste for chaos!
"Ah, let me think. For a long time, humans created myths. And from those myths, gods emerged. The ones that don't follow human will—we call them Heretic Gods," Seth stroked his chin. "If it were a god you don't believe in, it wouldn't be a big deal. But unfortunately, more often than not, it's the god you do believe in that shows up. That's where things get annoying. Eventually, people could even summon them."
Holy crap! God Slayers! It's definitely a Campione setup!
What a damn scam of a TV show! Should've just read the novel instead!
Zaimokuza! Come out! I promise I won't beat you to death!
"You look like you want to hit someone," Seth said, noticing Hikigaya's twisted expression. "I advise you not to. Your master's Pencak Silat is really powerful, but you're not him. You're no match for me. Even in Yomi, you're just a beginner."
"No need for such detailed commentary. Can you just get to the point already?"
Hikigaya grunted and sat down on the grass opposite Seth.
"What do lofty gods have to do with me?"
"A lot, actually. This jar was created back in the day by followers of Osiris to oppose the god Set. To do that, they sought help from the followers of Horus, borrowing Horus's power. You've heard of the Eye of Horus, right?"
So chaotic—Osiris one second, Horus the next—but that wasn't the point.
Why does this guy never get to the damn point!?
"What about his eye? Got an eye infection? Go see a doctor!" Hikigaya glared. "The point, Seth! The point!"
"Don't be so hasty, we're almost there. Also, my name is Seth. That name wasn't just for anyone in the past," Seth yawned and continued, "Back then, only pharaohs could use this name. It meant 'Set the Great.' But later, after the kingdom fell, it was passed down by our Set cult. Any leader had to take this name. So honestly, I wasn't originally called this. I'm not used to you calling me that."
Didn't ask you to get used to it. Are you seriously a chatterbox? Just spit it out!
Hikigaya really wanted to hit him now. If only he could win…
"You're so impatient—no fun at all. Anyway, you've been chosen. Congratulations," Seth finally wrapped up.
The problem was… that summary was completely useless.
"That's it?" Hikigaya asked with a dark expression.
This guy was clearly messing with him, right?
I followed you just to hear this?!
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you who 'they' are. Actually, I'm their leader. But those kids are way too extreme. They actually want to summon the god our cult worships—Set. The worst part is, they even want to kill him. That's just plain stupid."
Seth, under Hikigaya's death glare, pulled a canteen out from his actual butt (really), took a sip, then grinned and said:
"You know, to summon something, you always need a ritual and a sacrifice. And congratulations, you guessed it—you're it. Since you just happen to be an outsider, and the god hidden in the jar, the Set Altar, just happens to respond to you, well, tough luck. Set is a god who protects outsiders, so naturally, the sacrifice also has to be one."
After a pause, he added: "Actually, I don't think your luck is all that bad. I mean, you did learn some pretty good stuff. Your master may be insane, but his martial arts are legit. I think you've got potential."
"..."
Hikigaya's hands trembled as he opened and closed his fingers, again and again.
Why can't I beat him? I really, really want to hit this guy…
"Talking is exhausting. Not doing this again. You're no fun—you can't even take a joke," Seth said as he stuffed the canteen into his robe and stood up, brushing grass off his butt.
"Well, that's it. As per the agreement, I've done what the Demon Fist God asked. From now on, whatever happens is up to us. But as a follower of Set, I still hope they fail to summon him. No matter what, it would be blasphemy. Do your best to resist, okay?"
After saying that, under Hikigaya's stunned gaze, the Egyptian named Seth turned into a swirl of yellow sand and disappeared with a gust of wind.
Clearly, that wasn't martial arts—it was magic.
Hikigaya looked up at the sky. It was still as blue as ever—but his heart had sunk to the bottom.
So it really was a God Slayer setup…
Freaking Campione…
This is just totally screwed!
So this is not a light novel isekai…
It's a fucking Fanfiction Crossover World!
Damn You Zaimokuza!