Joseph and his team materialized on the planet-city of Kagoshima, a dazzling yet disorienting sight that seemed to defy reality itself. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, the landscape fluctuating between solid and spectral forms. The planet appeared to teeter between existence and nonexistence, an unsettling limbo that sent shivers down their spines.

  What struck them most was the city's eerie calmness. The citizens went about their lives oblivious to the looming crisis, their faces serene and untroubled. Only the city’s leaders and defenders were aware of the precarious state of their world, working tirelessly in the shadows to resolve the catastrophe and avoid inciting mass panic.

  As the team took in their surroundings, they were approached by a group of armored warriors. At their forefront stood Takashi Suzuki, their leader, whose poised demeanor radiated authority. His eyes locked with Joseph’s, and he extended a hand in greeting.

  “Takashi, apologies for the delay,” Joseph said as they shook hands. “The situation on Planet Nagano was far worse than we anticipated.”

  Takashi nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “No need to apologize. Every regional planet seems to be facing its own share of crises these days. But you’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

  As they released their handshake, Joseph hesitated, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “Sorry, but I have to ask—are you by any chance related to the Kazuhiro family? Specifically, Chika Suzuki from the Wisteria Forest Kingdom? Your name made me wonder.”

  Takashi chuckled lightly, his expression softening. “Not at all. Names and surnames often overlap, which can lead to confusion. But I assure you, I have no ties to the Kazuhiro lineage.”

  “Got it. Just thought I’d clear that up,” Joseph said with a nod.

  Takashi gestured forward. “Now that that’s settled, let’s move on to the pressing matter at hand.”

  “Right,” Joseph replied, motioning to his team as they followed Takashi and the warriors through the bustling streets of Kagoshima.

  Their destination was the city council chamber, an imposing structure at the heart of the metropolis. Inside, they were met by the city lord and his council members, a group of stern yet resolute individuals who carried the weight of the planet’s survival on their shoulders.

  Stepping forward, Takashi introduced Joseph and his team, their presence a beacon of hope amid the uncertainty. Polite nods and murmurs of approval rippled through the chamber before the room fell silent.

  With the formalities complete, the city lord rose from his seat, his voice grave and steady. “Now that you’ve arrived, we must waste no time. The crisis we face threatens not just Kagoshima but the delicate balance of this entire star system. Let us discuss our strategy to save our world.”

  Takashi took a deep breath and turned to Joseph and his team, their expressions now fully attentive. He could sense their readiness, but the weight of the situation pressed heavily on him.

  "I've brought you here to explain the severity of the crisis we face," Takashi began. "A Z-rank monster, whose aura stretches across the universe, is threatening to obliterate our planet and erase all existence along with it."

  His words hung in the air like a cold, dark cloud, and the silence that followed was palpable. Joseph and his team exchanged uncertain glances, trying to process the gravity of the situation.

  "If you'd noticed," Takashi continued, "our planet is barely holding together. As the only warrior here with an aura that spans the universe, I've managed to stabilize it—partially. But that won't last. A few other warriors are holding the line against the monster's minions just outside the city's borders. They've breached our defenses and are wreaking havoc. With your arrival, I believe the tide could turn in our favor."

  Joseph nodded, understanding the stakes. But Takashi's next words sent a chill down his spine.

  "The truth is, our planet isn't simply hiding," Takashi said, his voice low but resolute. "We've been shifting between dimensions—pocket dimensions, alternate realities—hiding ourselves outside the fabric of the universe. We're running out of time, though. The strain is taking its toll, and we can't keep this up much longer unless the monster is stopped."

  Joseph's brow furrowed. "And no one knows?" he asked, glancing around at Takashi's team.

  Takashi shook his head. "We can't risk the panic it would cause. To the outside world, everything seems normal. But in reality, it's anything but. If the public knew, chaos would ensue."

  With a wave of his hand, Takashi focused his aura, creating a shimmering projection of their planet in its current state. Joseph and his team stepped closer, their eyes widening as they took in the sight before them. The planet, once whole, now hung suspended between the branches of countless timelines. Cosmic threads wove through alternate realities, the delicate strands of time reaching out in every direction, each one threatening to pull their world apart.

  "It's a dangerous gamble," Takashi said, his voice grim. "We've taken every precaution to keep the monster from finding us. But if a timeline crashes into ours... it could either erase us entirely or fuse our world with another, creating an anomaly that would destabilize everything."

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  Joseph and his team stared in awe, the magnitude of the situation sinking in. They were no longer simply facing a monster—they were staring into the very fabric of existence itself.

  "We've had to make sacrifices to stay hidden," Takashi added. "But the longer we wait, the closer we get to becoming an anomaly between timelines. If that happens, our world will be lost, along with countless others."

  He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "My team and I will assist the others in holding back the monster's forces. It's the only way we stand a chance. But you—your team—must secure the artifact."

  Takashi, his expression darkening. "This monster—this being—didn't just appear out of nowhere. It's far stronger than anything we've encountered. I believe it draws its power from an external source—something beyond even the boundaries of our universe. It's a force unlike anything we can comprehend. If we don’t stop it soon, it will have the power to not only disrupt the flow of time but to alter the very structure of our reality."

  Joseph and his team exchanged uneasy glances. The stakes were higher than they could have imagined. The universe itself was at risk, and this artifact might be their only hope.

  "It seems we're not just dealing with a regular monster," Joseph said thoughtfully. "It's not only a universal threat—it's got its hands in the multiverse too. Whatever it's using to amplify its power, it's working."

  Takashi's brow furrowed as he rubbed his chin. "Exactly. The monster's ability to alter time and reshape reality is a clear sign of the power it wields. But the artifact... It might be the key to putting an end to this madness."

  Joseph raised an eyebrow. "The artifact? You mentioned it before."

  Takashi hesitated for a moment, as if recalling something critical. "I should have explained the artifact's importance earlier. My mistake. The artifact is not just a weapon—it’s the only thing that can counter the source of the monster’s power. Without it, all of our efforts will be for nothing."

  "The monster, however, once possessed an artifact known as the Left Eye," Takashi added, his tone shifting with a newfound urgency.

  "The Left Eye?" Joseph echoed, brow furrowed in confusion. "What's the purpose of this relic?" he asked, hoping for some clarity.

  Takashi sighed, his eyes clouding with the weight of his thoughts. "The Left Eye is a power artifact that amplifies the monster's abilities. However, during a previous battle, we managed to disarm him, and the artifact was lost. Its last known location was in an abandoned church just outside the city’s border. We still hope it's there. Recovering it would give us a significant advantage, but be warned: the monster's minions are tirelessly searching for it. And worse, other creatures—those not allied with the monster—are also seeking the relic for their own purposes."

  Joseph absorbed this information, his mind already formulating strategies. "Understood. We retrieve the artifact. But what else should we be prepared for?"

  Takashi's gaze grew darker as he continued, "There’s one being you should take note of. He poses as the monster’s champion. His power far exceeds ours—possibly even the monster's. The creature has tamed him, controlling the otherworlder who once wielded the Left Eye. This being's strength is now feeding the monster’s power, making it even more dangerous. This otherworlder was once an ally to us, but now he's under the monster's control. If we can free him and retrieve the Left Eye, we'll gain the advantage needed to defeat the monster and restore our universe."

  Joseph’s expression hardened with determination. "Retrieve the Left Eye. Free the otherworlder. And save not just our planet, but the entire universe," he said, his voice steady as he summarized their mission.

  "Then it's settled," Joseph added, his grin returning. "Time for a monster hunt, then!"

  Takashi was momentarily taken aback by Joseph's enthusiasm. "This isn't the first time we've faced something like this, and it won’t be the last," Joseph continued, his confidence unwavering. "It may seem impossible, but in the end, we always find a way to overcome."

  Takashi smiled faintly, his eyes momentarily closing as he thought. When he opened them again, his expression was resolute. "Such hope and confidence are what our people need. Very well then, let’s get to it."

  The teams made preparations. Takashi and his team would assist the other warriors in holding the line, while Joseph and his team set off to locate the artifact. As they ventured, Joseph's gaze caught a glimpse of something unexpected—a mosque in the distance.

  "Muhammad, fucking Allah," Joseph exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "You guys have mosques here? Aside from churches? I can’t remember the last time I saw a mosque in an isekai world."

  "This is pretty sick," Joseph added, chuckling. "I can't remember the last time I met an isekai Muslim."

  "Next thing you know, you’ll run into a Buddhist isekai," he teased his comrade with a playful jab.

  His words, however, immediately prompted a reaction from Yoshinori, who stood a little straighter. "Actually, I’m a dedicated Buddhist," he said, a slight smile on his face.

  Joseph’s teasing grin faltered. "Whoa! Yoshinori, you never mentioned that before?" he said, caught off guard.

  "You never asked," Yoshinori replied, his tone light but with a glint of humor in his eyes.

  Takashi chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, we have mosques and temples in addition to churches. The people here have different beliefs, just as we do—science is not the only thing they turn to."

  Joseph thought for a moment before responding. "I see. Back in Fujimori, the Wisteria Forest Kingdom, I saw churches with priests, nuns, and all sorts of spiritual leaders, but never did I come across Islam or Buddhism—not in this world, at least. Mostly occult religions." He paused, a little amazed by the diversity he was encountering.

  Takashi nodded. "Every region, neighboring land, and culture has its own distinct beliefs. It’s what makes this world unique."

  With that, the group continued on their journey, heading for their respective missions. As they neared the point where they would split, Takashi and Joseph exchanged a brief look. "Good luck," Takashi said, his voice steady and sincere.

  "Same to you," Joseph responded, his grin widening.

  And with that, they went their separate ways, prepared for the challenges ahead. Takashi and his team moved towards the frontline, while Joseph and his team set off in search of the Left Eye. The path ahead was dangerous, but their resolve was unshakeable.

  As Joseph and his team continued their journey, they encountered only a few obstacles before finally reaching their destination: an abandoned Catholic church. Standing outside, they gazed at the imposing structure, its towering spires casting long shadows in the dimming light.

  "This is it," Joseph said, his voice steady but tinged with determination. "We split up to cover more ground. Stay sharp for any threats."

  "Got it!" the team responded in unison before dispersing. Yuki headed toward the back of the church, intent on finding the artifact, while Yoshinori began searching the adjacent building. Mari stayed outside to keep watch, her eyes constantly scanning for danger. Meanwhile, Mai and Joseph entered the church.