Songs in the Void

Hub World, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.

While Tatsuo was busy starting to create his defensive gear, Sadao, Chiho, and Yakumo were all headed home after leaving the apartment. However, since they lived in different directions, Sadao and Chiho separated from Yakumo pretty quickly. And although Sadao offered to walk Yakumo home, since it was not safe for a young woman to walk alone at night, she politely declined his offer.

So, Sadao and Chiho were walking towards the train station alone at the moment.

"Soramoto-Kun is really good at playing the piano and singing, isn't he, Maou-San?" Chiho asked in an energetic tone. "And I've never heard any of those songs he was singing before. Do you think he wrote them himself?"

"Probably." Sadao replied with a nod. Then, he continued in a solemn tone. "But from what the Manager told us, Soramoto-San was kidnapped when he was about six years old, right. And he was gone for eight years. So, doesn't it make you wonder where he learned how to play the piano like that?"

That question was enough to make Chiho's steps come to a stop. However, she did not stop for long, quickly catching up to Sadao again.

"Well, maybe he's just a genius." Chiho said cheerfully. "I mean, there are a lot of people in the world who just have a knack for music, you know."

"Maybe you're right." Sadao replied with a small smile. "Maybe I'm just thinking too much into things."

'*Sigh* Although I don't wanna make Chi-Chan worry, I feel like there's a lot more to Soramoto-San than meets the eye.' Sadao thought to himself while he and Chiho continued to chat on their way to the station. 'Then, there's his sister and his mom's secretary. The way they carried themselves was not like anormal human. They seemed like they had seen a lot of battle in their lives. Even if Shiranui-San was really weird. And finally, there's Sumire-San. Although I didn't get the same feeling the other two gave me, it was even more suspicious because I couldn't feel anything from her… at all.'

Meanwhile, Yakumo was walking alone towards her own house. She was thinking about the nice time she had at the Soramoto residence. A small smile had even appeared on her usually taciturn face, as well.

'Soramoto-Kun is a really good pianist and singer.' Yakumo thought to herself as she walked. 'His family was nice, too. But I wonder why that Shiranui-San kept on glaring at me the whole time. Maybe she didn't like me? His sister was really nice, though. And his mother was quite welcoming, as well.'

While continuing to think about her trip to Tatsuo's home, Yakumo eventually reached the path leading to her house's front door.

'I didn't think he was friends with Sasaki-San, though.' Yakumo said to herself as she walked towards her front door. 'I never see them talking to each other at school. Maybe he doesn't need my help opening up to others. Maybe he's just the quiet type… But since I can't hear his thoughts, I can't be sure.'

Although she seemed to be a normal girl, Yakumo was born with a special, psychic ability. She has the ability to hear the thoughts of anyone who holds affection for her. At first, she could only hear the thoughts of her family, with her sister's thoughts being the loudest. Unfortunately, that lead to her not having a very good impression of her sister a few years ago. But they're relationship improved greatly after a series of events.

But when she grew older, Yakumo started hearing the sounds of the boys who had crushes on her. And because she was such a beautiful girl, every boy she knew had a crush on her to some extent. Until she met Tatsuo, that is. For the first time, she could not hear the voice of a boy around her age, and that interested her. So, she started going out of her way to talk to him. Though, her desire to help him open up to his classmates was genuine.

Before she could think about her inability to hear Tatsuo's thoughts any further, Yakumo reached the front door of her house. And just as she reached for the doorknob, she heard a scream that she knew had come from her sister.

So, wasting no time, Yakumo yanked the door open, kicked off her shoes, and rushed through the house to wear she could hear Tenma screaming, eventually arriving at the living room.

"Nee-San! What's wro---" Yakumo asked in a panicked tone.

However, when she saw her sister and the state of the living room, she completely froze with a dumbfounded expression on her face and her mouth hanging open in shock.

"Ahh! Yakumo! Help me!" Tenma screamed after hearing Yakumo's voice. "Make it stop! It's trying to eat me!"

Currently, Tenma was standing in the middle of the living room with the vacuum cleaner running. However, Instead of using the vacuum to clean the floor, Tenma seemed to be wrestling with it, trying to pull her long skirt out of its nozzle. On top of that, the living room was a mess. A real mess. There were cups and plates scattered on the tea table, the cushions on the couch were out of order, and there were water stains in random places on the floor.

Then, when Yakumo looked out the sliding door to the backyard, she could see the laundry hanging on the clothes line. However, it was all balled up and thrown over the line haphazardly.

After taking in the visible mess, Yakumo sighed heavily. Then, she walked into the living room and turned off the vacuum cleaner before pulling Tenma's skirt free.

"Yakumo! You saved me!" Tenma shouted once she was free. Then, she flung herself into her younger sister's arms. "That vacuum cleaner is evil. It was trying to eat me. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come back when you did."

"*Sigh* I'm just glad you're okay, Nee-San." Yakumo said as she patted Tenma's back in a consoling manner. "I'm sure you've had a long day, Nee-San. You should get some rest. Just leave the chores to me, okay?"

"*Sniff* Okay." Tenma replied, almost in tears as she hugged Yakumo a little tighter. "Thanks for saving me, Little Sis. I love you."

"I love you, too, Nee-San." Yakumo replied with a gentle smile.

With that, Tenma separated from Yakumo's embrace. Then, with shaky steps, she left the living room and headed for her bedroom while Yakumo watched her with a gentle gaze.

Once Yakumo could no longer see Tenma, she turned her attention back to the living room and sighed once again.

"Looks like tomorrow is gonna be a long day." Yakumo murmured to herself. "I've got a lot of cleaning to do. I haven't finished my homework yet, either. But I don't' feel like doing any of that right now. So, I'll get up early tomorrow and take care of all of it."

With her decision made, Yakumo turned around to leave the living room, turning off the lights on her way out. And for some reason, she felt that she would get a headache if she went to check the state of the kitchen. So, she returned to her own bedroom and continued to think about her trip to Tatsuo's home earlier in the day.

The next day, Tatsuo woke up after getting only a few hours of sleep. Then, he went back to working on his defensive gear project after washing his face. And he continued doing so until it was time for training.

Then, after training and dinner, Tatsuo thought he would take a little time to test out his new laptop andthe [Hacking] skill. And things went just as smoothly as he expected. However, he knew things would go much smoother if he had a hacking tool, a program that assists in breaking into computer or network security. So, he decided to make one. However, when he tried, he realized that he did not have the knowledge or skills to do so, as he knew nothing about programming.

"*Sigh* I guess I gotta buy the programming skill, too." Tatsuo muttered to himself as he opened the [System] interface.

Navigating to the [Shop] tab, Tatsuo continued to the [Skills] sub tab before searching through the numerous skills available for purchase. And he eventually found what he was looking for.

{[Programming – E+]

-The ability to write computer code.

-With the proper knowledge and intuition, programs can be created to do anything non-magical computers are capable of.

-Prerequisites

Dexterity – E+

Intelligence – E+

Perception – E+

Cost 1,850 Coins}

With that purchase, Tatsuo now had 448,900 Coins, since he had received seventy coins from his random coin draw earlier in the day. After integrating the knowledge from his new skill, Tatsuo got to work on his hacking tool. And he continued until it was time to go to sleep. He had school the next day, after all.

The following school day seemed to fly by for Tatsuo. And his routine was quite consistent. Each day, he would wake up and get ready for school. Then, after breakfast with his family, he would leave for school, taking his new laptop with him.

After reaching his middle school, Tatsuo would talk with Yakumo before classes started. However, unlike in the past, Chiho also joined them for their chats. And because not only one, but two of the most beautiful girls in the class were talking to him, he received quite a few unfriendly stares from the boys in his class. Meanwhile, the girls, who were already interested in him because of his looks, became even more interested when he drew more attention from girls.

Then, after classes started, Tatsuo would barely pay attention, like he always had. Because of his training with DOATECH, he already had a university level education. Meaning, middle school classes were quite boring. So, instead of paying attention to the teachers, he thought about what he needed to complete his hacking tool.

Then, during the breaks, while chatting with Yakumo and/or Chiho, he would take out his laptop and continue working on the hacking tool.

Like that, the schools passed. And when he returned home, he would train with Sumire, Mai, and Kasumi, have dinner, and work on his defensive gear until late into the night. Finally, when there were only a few hours left before his alarm would go off, he would go to sleep.

And this routine repeated until Friday night at about 10 p.m.

At this point, Tatsuo had finished both his set of defensive gear and his hacking tool. So, he looked at the [System] interface. More specifically, the details of his first mission.

{[Missions]

-A mission is available for the members of the [Dimensional Chat]

[Mission #1]

-Objectives

Become a Dungeon Explorer. Unlock [Energy Stat]. Become a Silver-Ranked Dungeon Explorer. Clear 2 Event Dungeons on Earth. Clear 1 Event Raid on Earth

-Number of Participants: Unlimited. Join Quest? Y/N

-The quest will start automatically in 0 Days, 1 Hours, and 56 Minutes.

Note: If participants are not chosen by the time limit, they will be chosen at random.

-Reward: 2,000 Coins; Random Reward; 4 Random [Dimension Chat] Invites.

[Begin Mission]}

"*Sigh* I think I'm good to go." Tatsuo muttered to himself after reading the mission objective once again. "The only concerning part about this mission is the fact that I have to become a Dungeon Explorer. But unless the Lord of the Dungeon chooses me herself, it will take a long time to become an Explorer. I mean, I would have to awaken to an ability, which I'm not even sure is possible. Then, I'd have to wait until Kang Shin starts accepting members into Revival. *Sigh* But that would only work if my rank was high enough. I hate games of chance like this."

Shaking his head to rid himself of those thoughts, Tatsuo decided to look over his [Status] one more time before accepting the mission.

{[Status]

[Personal Information]

Name: Soramoto Tatsuo

Age: 15

Race: Human/???

Title: ???

Coins: 449,275

[Physical Attributes]

Comprehensive Physical Evaluation: E+

Strength: E+

Agility: E+

Dexterity: E+

Endurance: E+

Intelligence: E+

Perception: D

Energy: N/A

Charm: B+

[Skills]

Language: E+

Pianist: D-

Singing: E+

Vale Tudo: E

Weapon Mastery: E+

Dagger Master: D-

Firearms Mastery: E+

Cooking: F+

First Aid: E-

Hacking: D

Stealth: D-

Blacksmithing: E+

Leatherworking: E+

Tailoring: E+

Programming – E+

[Note: The average values of an average adult are F+. Trained Athletes have values of E-. Those at the peak of their field have values of E. Those at the peak of humanity have values of E+. Anything D- or higher is considered supernatural, usually requiring the infusion of mana or an equivalent energy to achieve.]}

"Alright, everything looks good." Tatsuo said after checking his [Status]. "Then, let's get started."

With that, Tatsuo mentally clicked the [Begin Mission] button. However, instead of sending him to the mission immediately, another notification popped up on the interface.

{Note: The time in the participant(s) world will stop during the quests. Time will resume immediately upon the participant(s) return.

Note: For a fee of 5,000 Coins each, the participant(s) can have a background prepared for them so they can seamlessly fit in to the world.

Would you like to purchase a background for the world you are about to visit? Y/N}

Thanks to the fan fics he had read that had similar plots to his current situation, Tatsuo was not surprised that the time in his world would stop when he went on a mission. What did surprise him, however, was the fact that he could buy a background so that he would better fit in the world he was going to.

"Well, it kinda feels like I wasted money, now." Tatsuo grumbled after reading the last notification. "I mean, the whole reason I bought [Hacking] from the [Shop] was so that I could forge an identity for myself when I went on missions. Still, this is quite the convenient feature. I guess I'll accept it."

With that, Tatsuo clicked "Yes" on the notification screen. A moment later, the screen faded away to be quickly replaced by another.

{The mission begins. Please be careful on your trip. And may good fortune be with you.}

'Hmm? This [System] sent me off rather kindly.' Tatsuo thought as the world around him turned monochrome, signifying that time had stopped.

In the next instant, Tatsuo was covered by a bright, white light. Then, as if he and the light had never been there, he vanished from his bedroom.

At the same time, in the master bedroom, Sumire opened her eyes, despite the fact that time had stopped for the entire world.

"I guess I better have a little chat with that little girl at the top of that Dungeon." Sumire muttered to herself. "I really don't care about her plan to gather the power of every world in her Universe into herself. But if she makes my Tatsu-Chan wait any longer than he has to, to become a Dungeon Explorer, I might just destroy that universe myself. Hmph!"

With that, Sumire closed her eyes once again. Then, she let her body, the Void Empress' avatar, be affected by the time stop. Living for months in a world of stopped time would be quite boring, after all.

'I wonder how that Yu Ilhan managed to not kill himself from boredom.' Sumire thought as her consciousness froze.

ICDS World, First Dungeon, 100th Floor.

In a dark space at the top of a tall tower located in the space between worlds, a being of unimaginable power by this world's standards, lay in the air. Though, if anyone were to lay their eyes on her, she would appear to be nothing more than a ten year old girl with plum-colored eyes and long, plum-colored hair that seemed to melt into the surrounding darkness. On top of that, she was completely nude without a stitch of clothing covering her prepubescent body.

However, just at that moment, the little girl, Sherifina, twitched. She had felt a new presence suddenly appear on one of the worlds she was monitoring in the universe. On top of that, she could feel a past being created for this being by the world itself.

Naturally, Sherifina had never seen anything like this before. So, she wanted to investigate. Before she could do anything ,however, she heard a voice in her head.

{"I know what you're thinking, Little Girl."} An authoritative female voice, The Void Empress, said directly into Sherifina's mind, startling the Lord of the Dungeon. {"If you do anything to harm the boy I just sent into your universe, I promise you, I will destroy the whole thing, leaving nothing behind but dust floating in the void. And that naturally includes you."}

Hearing the voice in her head, Sherifina was shocked. No one in the last four thousand years had been able to enter her mind unless she allowed it. However, when she was threatened, she planned to reply with force.

"I don't' know who you are but---" Sherifina said, anger radiating from her entire being.

Before she could finish, however, her entire body, mind, and soul was struck with excruciating pain, cutting off her words.

{"I don't think you understand the situation you are in, Little Girl."} The Void Empress said in an annoyed tone after letting Sherifina feel the pain for a few moments. {"You are too far out of your league. And if you defy me, I will carry out my promise. Then, that little goal of yours, as insignificant as it may be, will never be fulfilled. Do you understand, Little Girl? I would sure hate for all your careful planning to have been a waste of time in the end."}

Despite the unimaginable pain she was feeling with every fiber of her being, Sherifina managed to nod her head with great difficulty. And as soon as she did, the pain disappeared as if it had never existed. However, the memory of the pain would stick with her for some time to come.

"Good. It seems you are more intelligent than I gave you credit for." The Void Empress said. "Then, as long as you don't do anything regrettable, I'll leave you alone. I will be watching, though."

Hearing that the entity that was speaking into her head would be watching, Sherifina gritted her teeth. However, she knew there was nothing she could do to defy this woman. Like the woman said, their leagues were just too far apart.

{"Oh, one more thing."} The Void Empress said in a tone as if she had just remembered. {"Make the boy I mentioned earlier into a First Dungeon explorer in a few days. Despite your weakness, that Dungeon of yours is good for building a foundation."}

Once again, Sherifina gritted her teeth. However, she had a question to ask. A very important question. One that pertained to her own survival under this entity.

"If you know so much about the Dungeon, then you know what will happen on that planet, correct?" Sherifina asked in a forced tone of respect. "What if the boy you mentioned dies on that world?"

"You need not worry." The Void Empress replied. "As long as you had nothing to do with his death, other than what you have already done, I will not hold you responsible."

Hearing that, Sherifina breathed a sigh of relief.

"I understand." Sherifina said in that same tone of forced respect.

{"Good."} The Void Empress said, her voice in Sherifina's head growing fainter with every word. {"Well then, I'll be watching. And for yours and this universe's sake, I hope you don't do anything you'll regret."}

With that, the dark space fell into complete silence. And while the Void Empress's gaze remained focused on this universe, Sherifina contemplated the encounter she just had. And she quickly realized that she had no other choice then to do what she was told. However, she vowed to herself that when she achieved her goal, she would have her revenge.