God Rivalry – Chapter 13: “Waves Before the Raid”
The night sky shimmered over the restless ocean. At the bustling port, a luxurious cruise ship prepared to depart for a private American island. Employees boarded one by one, among them Hirauka and Sayaka.
Captain: “All aboard!”
The ship’s horn echoed as it glided away from the shore.
Passengers spread across the decks, enjoying the wind and the smell of salt. Hirauka stood alone at the railing, the ocean breeze brushing past his face.
Hirauka: “A cruise this fancy… yet it’s still a business trip, right, Sagashi?”
Sagashi: “Hirauka-sama, come on—relax! You’re always in mission mode.”
Hirauka: “Work first, pleasure later. We’re here for the deal.”
Sagashi: “Forget the deal for a moment, just breathe the ocean air.”
Sayaka approached, her heels clicking lightly against the deck.
Sayaka: “Enjoying the trip, gentlemen?”
Hirauka: “Good morning, boss. Thanks for booking an entire cruise.”
Sagashi: “Yeah, thanks, boss—oh wait, Tatsuya’s calling me. Gotta run!”
Sagashi vanished, leaving the two alone.
Sayaka: “Now that he’s gone, we can talk about God Flare and raids.”
Hirauka: “We’re not here for that. This is a company trip.”
Sayaka: “Business is for mortals. We’re different.”
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Hirauka: “Maybe… but in their eyes, we’re still human.”
Sayaka (smiling): “Can’t you just talk about divine things for once? Please?”
Hirauka (raising an eyebrow): “Unbelievable—the Sayaka Shiba begging to talk about raids.”
Sayaka: “Even I get tired of meetings. So, tell me—what’s your power?”
Hirauka: “God of Weaponry.”
Sayaka: “Thought so. I’m the God of War. My Trident of Warman controls warfare itself.”
Hirauka: “Incredible. I’ve read about it.”
Sayaka: “Tensei told me about you. We’ve fought raids together before.”
Hirauka: “Tensei again, huh…”
Sayaka: “Can you use forging yet?”
Hirauka: “Forging?”
Sayaka (facepalming): “You don’t even know your own divine art? Fine—what’s your tier?”
Hirauka: “No idea.”
Sayaka: “Raise your ring hand and say ‘Divine.’”
Hirauka obeyed. His body glowed faintly.
Sayaka: “Tier 1. Tensei’s Tier 3. I’m Tier 5.”
Hirauka: “So you’re stronger than him.”
Sayaka (smirking): “Obviously.”
Suddenly, thunder rolled. The sea churned violently; waves rose high, crashing against the ship.
Sayaka: “That’s no normal storm.”
Hirauka: “We should move inside.”
Everyone gathered in the main cabin.
Sayaka: “Alright, people—focus on the deal. Hirauka, your presentation first.”
Hirauka stood before the crowd, projecting calm confidence.
Hirauka: “Our business stands strong, but share values are slipping. By adjusting our strategy and monitoring investors more closely, profits will climb again.”
Applause filled the room. Mid-clap, Sayaka froze, her expression grim.
Sayaka: “Excuse me. Continue without me.”
She rushed out through the emergency exit. Hirauka followed, a sense of foreboding gripping him.
Inside his mind, a divine voice thundered:
“Hirauka… a raid must be conquered. Hurry.”
Without hesitation, he vanished in a flash of light.
The landscape twisted into chaos—burning trees, shattered ground, and demonic sorcerers chanting through swirling smoke. Hirauka readied his weapon.
Hirauka: “Another raid… let’s end this quickly.”
He stepped forward—but a firm hand grabbed his wrist.
Sayaka: “What are you doing? This raid isn’t one to underestimate.”
Hirauka: “I was looking for you. Where did you go?”
Sayaka: “Into this raid, obviously. These aren’t normal demons—this is a raid of sorcery.”
Before either could speak again, a massive fire blast erupted toward them, lighting the battlefield in crimson flames. The heat singed the air, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.
Sayaka: “Hirauka! Brace yourself!”
Hirauka: “I’m ready… let’s see what we’re really up against.”
Together, the two Raid Conquerors stepped into the storm of magic and fire, the ocean waves roaring behind them—a prelude to the devastation the raid would bring.
The battle was about to begin.
