Inner Voice: All Heroines Hear My Inner Voice Chapter 939 939: Fighting in gladiators

~12 minute read · 2,911 words
Previously on Inner Voice: All Heroines Hear My Inner Voice...
Eiji's accidental encounter with Shakti Varma, captain of the Ganesha Familia, leads him to change his plans. He decides to try and woo her, seeing it as an opportunity and a way to gain connections. Shakti, intrigued by Eiji's appearance and demeanor, agrees to help him enter a battle event at the Colosseum. Meanwhile, Asfi, from the Hermes Familia, grows jealous and irritated upon hearing Eiji's inner thoughts.
The arena buzzed with excitement, Eiji’s entrance igniting a fervor among the female spectators. His participation was even endorsed by the captain of the Ganesha Familia. Many men in the audience were displeased; they had wagered on Eiji’s opponent, fervently wishing for Eiji’s defeat and public humiliation. Ganesha, his voice resonating as powerfully as ever, announced Eiji’s challenger. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! KEEP YOUR EYES FIXED! EIJI’S OPPONENT IS KANO, A LEVEL 3 ADVENTURER FROM THE ANHUR FAMILIA, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS BLOODY AXE!" "WILL EIJI’S CHARMING FEATURES WITHSTAND THE FEROCITY OF KANO’S MONSTER-BLOOD-STAINED AXE!?" (A/N: In the original narrative, Eiji’s adversaries are original characters.) Kano advanced, wielding a massive axe still caked with the gore of dungeon monsters, clearly unconcerned with cleaning it. "Hoi, you're using your looks to charm the Ganesha Familia captain, huh? But once you're here, you’ll have to rely on your own strength! Don't come crying to me when I ruin that pretty face of yours." He smirked menacingly, intending to intimidate Eiji, and his words carried genuine malice. Eiji, however, paid no mind to the theatrics of what he considered an NPC. Under the collective gaze of the crowd, his naturally golden eyes suddenly shifted to a profound, dark hue, his pupils resembling abyssal black holes. A potent voracity energy began to emanate from him, like a ravenous, dark mist. Indeed. He had determined this was the perfect moment to unleash his power as the Emanator of Voracity. Why else would he possess such a formidable ability? A collective gasp rippled through the spectators. An icy chill permeated the air, and goosebumps prickled their skin, all stemming from the aura Eiji exuded. It was as if a primal predator had materialized in the arena's center, poised to claim its prey. Even Ganesha was momentarily stunned, his prepared words catching in his throat. "This aura… it feels unnatural. What kind of sorcery is this?" Shakti mused, her eyes reflecting a mixture of terror and wonder. Kano, positioned closest to Eiji, found himself in a dire predicament. His fierce grin evaporated, replaced by stark terror. His body trembled uncontrollably, and he instinctively took a step back. Despite his resolve not to show fear, his physical form betrayed his will. 'What is happening? 'Move, I have to move!' Unbeknownst to Kano, few mortals could resist the oppressive fear induced by voracity energy and maintain control over their own bodies. Eiji merely raised a single finger. A minuscule energy projectile shot from his fingertip, targeting the weapon held by his opponent. The instant the obsidian energy from Eiji touched the axe head, the metal began to corrode and disintegrate, as if consumed by an unseen force. "What?! My axe… it vanished?!" Disregarding his opponent’s outcry, Eiji spoke in a cold, resonant voice that echoed through the arena, chilling everyone to the bone. "The universe is but a grand feast… and you are a flea, not even worthy of being an appetizer." Eiji snapped his fingers. Instantly, the fabric of space around Kano contorted. A manifestation of the Emanator of Voracity appeared – a colossal maw of shadowy darkness erupted beneath Kano’s feet. Before he could even utter a scream, the Level 3 adventurer was propelled skyward, his very essence and strength seemingly ripped from his body, causing him to collapse in utter exhaustion. "....." A profound silence descended upon the arena, previously filled with the clamor of hundreds of spectators. Demeter brought a hand to her mouth, stifling a gasp. Ganesha stood rigid upon the platform, his elephant mask threatening to slip. "I… am I Ganesha? No… what just transpired?! Adventurer Kano didn’t even move! A Level 3 fighter was taken down like an insect in an instant! And Eiji…! He appears to be casting magic without incantations!?" The crowd erupted in shock, then a wave of cheers swept through the stadium as the spectators began chanting Eiji’s name. "Eiji! Eiji! Eiji!" Abruptly, however, an intense hunger overtook them, a craving for sustenance. They were unaware this was a side effect of proximity to the voracity energy. Eiji, of course, maintained control. Had he not, everyone nearby would have succumbed to a maddening hunger, consuming anything within sight. Should he give in to it? Certainly not. Among the crowd were Shakti and even Demeter. Eiji just now registered the latter’s presence and offered a subtle wink. "Ara? Is he flirting with me? Such a captivating man." Demeter exclaimed, surprised, before letting out a giggle. Like everyone else, she was awestruck by the power Eiji displayed, a force potent enough to influence even a goddess like herself. For a fleeting moment, she questioned his humanity. Could he be a god? Yet, gods were forbidden from wielding their divine powers in the mortal realm. This was the very reason Demeter and Ganesha did not suspect Eiji of being a deity. Ouranos had provided no indication that Eiji was a god distinct from themselves.

Though Eiji didn't record it, he had previously requested that Eiji refrain from revealing his god-like power in the lower realm unless absolutely necessary. This was to prevent other gods from causing trouble over it.

Adjusting his mask, Ganesha declared, "WONDERFUL! EIJI IS THE VICTOR! WE HAVE JUST WITNESSED A POWER THAT... THAT DEFIES ALL REASON! BECAUSE I AM GANESHA!"

Eiji wondered what Ganesha's identity had to do with his abilities.

Shaking his head, Eiji accessed his familia's group chat to inquire about his women's progress in the dungeon.

While confident in their safety, he was still curious about their current floor.

[Morgan: My dearest husband, this is incredibly simple. The monsters here are quite weak, yet they still provide me with experience points. Thanks to your Falna System, I can observe my strength increasing in real-time.]

Deep within the dungeon.

Morgan, with a sweet smile on her face, completely ignored her surroundings as she read her husband's message. When monster roars echoed, she casually raised a hand, and instantly, a dozen Silverbacks—large, white-furred ape-like monsters with silver feathers at their core—were impaled by a barrage of massive ice spikes descending from the heavens.

The entire area where they were located became a landscape of ice spikes. Morgan clearly had no intention of holding back, unleashing an Area of Effect attack.

[Artoria: We've reached the 12th floor and eliminated every single monster. As Morgan mentioned, we've gained substantial experience points to enhance our stats... It almost feels like cheating.]

Just as Eiji expected from the honest King of Knights.

She even felt a twinge of guilt for becoming stronger so effortlessly. Still, they had managed to reach the 12th floor in under three hours?

This pace was remarkable, especially considering they meticulously cleared every monster on each floor they traversed to maximize experience gain.

Other adventuring parties typically required significantly more time to even reach double-digit floors.

[Scáthach: As one ascends through the floors, the available space expands considerably. Conquering an entire floor could potentially take more than a day, or even several days.]

[Medusa: I concur with Scáthach's assessment, Master.]

[Eiji: You have all performed admirably. There is no necessity to fully conquer every floor within the dungeon or to adhere strictly to the allotted time.]

Upon receiving their man's message, the women understood and resolved to follow his instructions.

Their primary objective was not rapid dungeon completion, but rather the enhancement of their own abilities.

In the course of their endeavors, they had undoubtedly encountered other adventurers, who were likely astonished by their displayed prowess.

When questioned about their affiliation, they consistently responded that they belonged to the Seiya Family.

Returning to the Colosseum.

Eiji was undeniably pleased with his women's accomplishments. This success would undoubtedly elevate their family name, making it far simpler to persuade other women to join his familia in the future.

[So, host, your intention behind all this is to more easily attract the women of this world?]

'Precisely, Miss System.'

He offered no denial.

Ganesha inquired if Eiji required a respite before commencing the subsequent match, given the tournament-style format of the event.

Eiji casually remarked, "There is no need. Kindly proceed with the match without delay."

"Hahahaha! That's Eiji for you! We'll soon witness his power once more!" Ganesha erupted in joyous laughter.

"Eiji! Eiji! Eiji!" The surrounding crowd erupted in fervent cheers, chanting his name.

Eiji found himself unexpectedly relishing the crowd's adoration, unable to resist a dramatic hair flip reminiscent of Aizen's signature move.

"Kyaaa!!! So incredibly handsome!"

"Eiji, I wish to bear your child!"

Among the female spectators, the Amazonesses were particularly vocal, their declarations shockingly bold.

However, he feigned ignorance, his gaze momentarily settling upon two familiar Amazonesses.

He registered their presence with a touch of surprise.

"Nee, Tione, did that incredibly handsome man just look at me? Is he smitten with me!?"

"Tiona, your narcissism is showing. He clearly admired my superior figure. Alas, my heart already belongs to our captain, Finn."

"You...! That's absurd; he was unmistakably looking at me, not you!"

These were the Hiryute Sisters, prominent members of the Loki Familia.

Seeking amusement and finding themselves with leisure time, the two women had decided to attend the spectacle organized by the Ganesha Familia.

However, they hadn't anticipated the event becoming significantly more captivating than usual, largely due to Eiji's unexpected appearance.

Tione observed her younger sister, who appeared utterly captivated, with a hint of exasperation.

While she had to concede that Finn did not yet hold dominion over her heart, she too felt a burgeoning desire to bear a child with a man as devastatingly handsome and powerful as Eiji.

Ganesha proclaimed Eiji's upcoming adversary: Hogra, a Level 4 adventurer hailing from the Agni Familia, renowned for his impenetrable 'Iron Wall' defense! Would Eiji's striking looks and formidable power shatter this formidable guard?!

Shortly after the announcement, a figure materialized on the opposing side of the arena, brandishing a massive shield reinforced with intricate magic.

"I don't know what kind of stratagem you employed earlier, but a Level 4 opponent operates on an entirely different plane. You cannot possibly breach my defenses!" Hogra declared, his voice resonating with certainty.

Eiji posed a series of questions laced with an almost logical, yet disarming, tone. "I hesitate to say this to someone like you, but... aren't you curious about my level? Why do you assume my level is lower than yours?"

Hogra, taken aback, let out a scoffing laugh. "It's due to my keen eyesight! A man with your appearance must possess less power than a rugged fellow like myself."

[Heh, I can hardly discern if this male NPC is mocking himself or me. Well, it's quite amusing.]

[You shall also become a stepping stone on my path.]

The heroines remained silent, their expressions unreadable.

It was evident that Eiji didn't perceive his current adversary as a fellow human being.

To those unfamiliar with him, his demeanor might appear arrogant; however, in this instance, such a perception would be entirely accurate.

"Very well... Then, let us ascertain the strength of your defenses," Eiji stated, his voice calm.

With deliberate steps that seemed to create dark ripples across the ground, Eiji advanced towards his opponent.

He invoked the power of his Voracity once more. One of his hands morphed into a shadowy claw, radiating dark energy. As Hogra raised his shield to intercept, Eiji merely grazed its metallic edge. Instantly, the strengthening magic imbued within the shield was siphoned away, followed by the metal itself, which began to fracture and disintegrate as if it were brittle, dried biscuit.

The colossal shield itself started to erode under the voracious energy of the attack, steadily being consumed.

Hogra's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible... my shield just vanished!?"

"What will you do now?" Eiji inquired, now standing directly before his opponent, a faint smile gracing his handsome features.

From Hogra's perspective, that smile was undeniably chilling, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

He found himself utterly speechless, as if confronting a predator baring its fangs, poised to devour him at any moment.

Eiji then delivered a gentle push to Hogra's body with a single hand. The sheer physical force of the impact sent the man hurtling backward. The hulking figure flew at supersonic speeds, ultimately colliding with the arena wall and falling unconscious.

A hush fell over the spectators and Ganesha once more as the battle concluded with astonishing swiftness.

"A Level 4 was defeated so effortlessly!!! What is Eiji's true level? Someone strong enough, reveal his secret! BECAUSE I AM GANESHA!"

Ganesha struck an exaggerated pose as he delivered his dramatic declaration.

"OOOOOHHHHH!!" The crowd erupted in a loud chorus of astonishment.

Naturally, numerous voices also chanted Eiji's name, hailing him as their idol.

"Next," Eiji stated with an impassive expression, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Shakti and Demeter.

The former frequently found herself blushing under his attention, while the latter's interest in him intensified.

Some time passed.

The final round commenced.

"THIS IS IT! THE APEX OF ALL APEXES! THE CLIMACTIC BATTLE OF THE DAY! Eiji's final challenger is Goro, a formidable Level 5 adventurer from the Kahn Familia!"

Goro made his entrance into the arena, exuding a menacing aura. He bore a resemblance to Ottar, but with unkempt blonde hair and a physique of immense muscle.

He regarded Eiji with an expressionless face, speaking in a deep baritone. "You... you are exceedingly strong. I am aware of this, but I shall not yield."

"You possess a more commendable disposition than the preceding contestants. I shall grant you the courtesy of attacking first," Eiji offered.

Upon hearing Eiji's words, Goro did not take offense; instead, he readily accepted the offer. Gripping his colossal sword, he moved with the alacrity befitting a Level 5. He unleashed a powerful swing towards Eiji, but Eiji parried the blow using the Path of Voracity.

Goro's successive assaults came close but never managed to connect, thwarted by the dark aura surrounding Eiji. The relentless attacker found his own energy diminishing with each strike, as if the very space around Eiji acted as a colossal maw, inexorably absorbing his opponent's power.

Eiji then raised a hand towards the heavens. "Ouroboros Hunger."

A colossal black vortex materialized, engulfing the entire expanse of the sky above the arena.

The spectacle instilled a sense of profound dread in the assembled spectators, with some even succumbing to unconsciousness.

Goro strained with all his might to resist, yet he felt his very soul being forcibly ripped away. The descending pillar of dark energy from the celestial vortex only exacerbated his plight, pressing down upon his body with such force that the ground beneath his feet fractured into fragments.

Furthermore, every ounce of his energy was drained, causing his muscles to visibly shrink. He succumbed to unconsciousness, mirroring the fate of Eiji's earlier opponents.

"..." The crowd's collective silence was deafening.

Never before had anyone witnessed a Level 5 adventurer being so effortlessly vanquished by another.

From the outset, Eiji wielded his magic distinctively, diverging from the methods of other mages.

Many regarded Eiji with apprehension, as if observing a monster.

Once the sky cleared, Ganesh sprang to the arena's center. "WITH THIS... WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION! A MAN WHO IS NOT ONLY EXTREMELY HANDSOME, BUT ALSO EXTREMELY STRONG AND OF A MYSTERIOUS LEVEL! OUR CHAMPION IS... EIJI!"

A hush fell before the crowd erupted in cheers. "EIJI! EIJI! EIJI!"

"Yare-yare," Eiji murmured.

As a result, he realized that not just Shakti, but many other beautiful women from the original work, like those from Leme, found themselves inexplicably drawn to him.

Their admiration for him soared significantly.

After all, who in a fantasy world wouldn't be captivated by an exceptionally handsome and powerful man?

While not all, the reality is that such individuals are few.

"BY THE WAY!" Ganesh approached Eiji, striking a peculiar pose as he pointed. "FOR OUR CHAMPION THIS TIME, I HAVE ALSO DECIDED ON AN ALIAS! BECAUSE I AM GANESHA!"

An alias? Eiji raised an eyebrow; this was the first he'd heard of such a thing.

He was aware that adventurers in the Danmachi world typically received an official alias or nickname sanctioned by the Gods and Goddesses upon achieving significant milestones recognized by the Orario Guild, often coinciding with a level-up or following a notable act of heroism.

Could winning a tournament like this qualify?

"Eiji, your alias is..."

Ganesh declared, drawing out the reveal with a dramatic pause.

Eiji regarded the god with a subtle smile, hoping the moniker wouldn't be unsightly or absurd.

Otherwise, he might find himself compelled to alter everyone's memories of the event and bestow a suitable alias upon himself.

"THE EXECUTOR! THE WAY HE DEFEATS HIS OPPONENTS IN NO TIME AND HIS POWER THAT HAS NO KNOWN LIMITS... HE IS THE EXECUTOR!"

Upon hearing this, the spectators began to chant the alias Ganesh had bestowed upon Eiji.

Eiji blinked a few times.

Was the alias Ganesh had chosen for him an unfortunate one?

Actually, no. It wasn't too bad.

[Just admit that you quite like that alias, host.]

"Miss System, I'm not a tsundere."

[Really?]