Yujin's Supremacy and the Metallic Intruder
Dalos already knew that Yujin's mana had overflowed to the point of surpassing most elders. He had started with an abundant reserve, and learning magic had taught him how to accumulate even more in his body. On top of that, he'd now mastered upper-level spells to a solid degree, putting his magical prowess on par with any average upper-level mage. No, because he absorbed every spell like a dry sponge, he was still growing. He probably knew more varieties than the typical upper-level mage. And with mana that overwhelmed even the elders. It meant that even if an elder came at him with full intent to kill, Yujin could hold his own. Even if multiple elders attacked, Yupiter could just step in. 'I've reached a level where I could put up a real fight.' And Yujin was still growing. Beyond magic, he had warrior-grade physical abilities from the Rubaran serum. He was getting strong enough to survive alone on the Meias planet without my help. Which meant that even if a pack of snot-nosed elder disciples came picking a fight like this, it wasn't scary—just annoying.
"...Hah, is that all you've got to say? Quit yapping and just come at me all at once."
"W-what?!"
"You filthy Terra scum!"
The elder's disciples charged at his provocation.
"Ice Lance!"
"Earth Drill!"
"Lightning Vortex!"
Boom!Crack!Krzzzt!
Even as young disciples, their spells were on the level of average Meias upper-level mages. But to Yujin, who was no longer inferior to elders, it was nothing.
"W-what?! You didn't even pierce his shield...?"
"No way! You bastard, don't tell me you have Rubaran nanomachines or electromagnetic tech..."
Calling it Rubaran science? It was a blatant mana-energy barrier. Well, whatever—it didn't matter. With or without the shield, Yujin's base specs plus mana reinforcement meant he'd shrug off most attacks anyway.
"Mass Gravity."
Thoom!!
"Gahk?!"
"Urk...!!"
Yujin unleashed the advanced gravity spell he'd learned from Elder Yupiter, crushing the disciples in one go. That was it. The situation resolved in an instant. Yujin glanced pitifully at the flattened disciples and walked away.
#
"It's about time to move past upper-level magic."
That meant Yujin was shedding the upper-level mage label to become a supreme-level mage. Those who mastered the pinnacle of magic and delved into its extremes. To the Meias, it was the highest honor. Not just the five elders—all supreme-level mages were elder-tier figures, treated as the tribe's elite. Yujin was joining their ranks.
"Already?"
"Indeed. Supreme-level in just over three years? Heh heh heh."
Old man Yupiter chuckled in admiration. Hmm... had I made him too overpowered? Nah, these days, refreshing munchkin stories were the fun ones. The elf planet had its charm in watching civilization grow bit by bit, but it couldn't deliver that crisp satisfaction like Yujin.
Two different flavors of content. That's when I sensed a cosmic anomaly.
About 2 billion light-years away in Sector M. The sector with the galaxy housing Earth, the Terra homeworld. No inhabited planets nearby, nothing particularly dangerous. But the distance was vast... and this was serious. Because an Outer God-like entity had appeared there.
It was in Galactic Union territory, so they'd detect it immediately. No effort to hide, just like me. Shit... if an Outer God pops up in the next sector over, they'll investigate and might expand into ours.
I couldn't identify it right away. Upper-level or higher, then. Time to dig through multiverse intel?
Hmm... An Outer God called Dalos or Daolos in other universes. A body of unidentified metal mass. Definitely had that metallic sheen. Of course, it wasn't actual metal. Outer Gods didn't have physical forms—they emerged from the Void's gaps, concepts given existence. It just looked that way. Like how I shaped myself as an energy body, this one mimicked metal.
Anyway, light reflecting off the metal warped via Void power, driving viewers insane. The deafening clashes and vibrations carried through vacuum space, bursting heads of anyone who heard. Classic Outer God—its mere presence devastated surroundings. But what the hell? It looked like a heavy hitter even among upper-levels. Why come to this universe?
"Fuck, what now?!"
"Code Black near Galaxy M-093851 in Sector M!"
"W-what?! Again?!"
As expected... the Galactic Union was in chaos. If it were 10 billion light-years away, maybe fine—but Sector M bordered G, so we might get swept in. 2 billion light-years should be safe, right?
Then this bastard started heading our way. Ripping open massive wormholes, not even hiding it.
Was this fucker... looking for me?
No good. Better intercept before it crosses into G Sector. Can't let the Union spot the elf planet. I could wipe memories if they did, but... y'know, that childish wish to keep my hidden toy secret.
Anyway, I zipped to Sector M and confronted it.
Screeeeech—Grriiind!
Ugh, loud as hell up close. No wonder heads exploded—the noise was brutal. Its form was geometrically complex, defying astrophysics. Like something from a higher dimension... fourth-dimensional. Well, technically yes—the multiverse gaps were higher dimensions.
I faced it and asked.
A warning laced in—stay away.
Yup, here for me. ■■-■■■■ was like Ubo-Sathla's nickname among Outer Gods. Useless to mortals, obviously. But what the hell did that guy blab to make a newbie to this universe come knocking?
Obviously, 'cause you warp the universe just existing! Do you know how many lifeforms got hit by your reflections and noise en route? I cleaned it up, no major damage, but sticking around would worsen it. Cleanup's a pain.
You not giving a shit about them is what's weird from my view. Outer God classic.
Too annoying to explain further, I grabbed it and slipped into the gaps. Union's sensors glitched on contact, so opening a rift was fine—they'd see it vanish. I wiped records and memories quick, in case patrols spotted the elf planet. Back to peaceful days for the Union.
I asked the one called Dalos. What business?
[......]
Ubo-Sathla, you blabbering shit—spreading my name around? Killed any goodwill to help. So this metal lump wants creation tips too? Just make your own—why me?
A pain, but another Outer God's creation? Curiosity piqued—I'd listen.