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### **Tensura: Multiversal Shenanigans**
#### **Chapter 2: "The Endless Maze of Dimensions"**
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**\[Opening Scene: Back in Tempest – Rimuru's Office]**
*Rimuru is seated at his desk, trying to relax. The previous adventure has left him exhausted. Milim is still bouncing around the room, Veldora is lazily lying on a shelf, and Ramiris is holding an oddly shaped crystal, which is vibrating with energy.*
**Rimuru (sighing):** "That was *too* much chaos. I'm just going to spend the rest of the day getting reports done. Maybe I can get some peace for once…"
**Milim (grinning widely):** "Oh, come on, Rimuru! That was *so* much fun! The glitches were awesome, and the explosion was perfect! Now, I want to go find another world to break!"
**Veldora (stretching lazily):** "Hahaha, I agree! The destruction was glorious, and the fact that we got away unscathed makes it all the better. What's next, Rimuru?"
**Ramiris (giggling with mischief):** "You two are *so* predictable! But this crystal is showing some strange readings. I think it's time to jump to another world. One with more… puzzles!"
**Rimuru (glancing at the crystal, groaning inwardly):** "Not another *game world*. I just got back from one. We're going somewhere else, got it?"
**Ciel (materializing from Rimuru's consciousness):** "Rimuru, I believe the crystal is resonating with an interdimensional gateway. It is not like the previous world; this one seems to be connected to a labyrinthine realm."
**Rimuru (smiling and giving a small nod):** "You know what, Ciel? That sounds a lot better than a glitchy mess. But no more explosions this time, okay?"
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**\[Scene: The Portal Activates – A Dark, Endless Maze]**
*Ramiris, eager as ever, activates the crystal, and a swirling portal opens up. This time, the world beyond is nothing like the game-like one before. Instead, they are greeted with an endless maze that stretches in all directions, lit only by dim, eerie blue light. The walls are covered in intricate patterns, and the air is heavy with the sense of mystery.*
**Milim (eyes sparkling):** "Ooooh, I love mazes! Can we blow it up now?"
**Rimuru (sighing but grinning slightly):** "Not yet, Milim. We need to figure out where we're going first."
**Ramiris (flipping through the crystal's readings):** "There's something off about this place… Look! It's alive! These walls… they're shifting!"
**Ciel (within Rimuru's mind):** "Rimuru, this maze may not be a physical structure alone. There could be a deeper, mystical element to it. Be cautious. There are likely hidden mechanisms that could be dangerous."
**Rimuru (nodding to himself):** "Thanks, Ciel. I'll keep that in mind."
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**\[Scene: The Maze's First Challenge – A Trap, or an Invitation?]**
*The group begins to navigate the maze, with Rimuru using his sensing abilities to lead the way. The maze constantly shifts, walls closing behind them and new paths opening in front of them. Suddenly, a massive door appears, glowing with an ominous aura.*
**Veldora (grinning widely):** "Now this looks interesting! Let me try to break it down, Rimuru."
**Rimuru (raising his hand to stop him):** "Hold on, Veldora. This is probably more than it seems. Let's take a step back and assess first."
**Milim (impatiently):** "Don't tell me we're going to *think* our way through this. Let's just blast it open!"
**Ramiris (clapping her hands):** "Hold on, Milim! This place isn't just any regular dungeon. This maze seems to play with time, perception, and—"
*The door opens by itself before Ramiris can finish her sentence. Inside, they see a massive, shifting maze of platforms, where enemies start materializing.*
**Rimuru (calm, assessing):** "Seems like we've activated the challenge. The door was a test to see if we'd make it this far… but the maze is sending monsters at us now."
**Veldora (roaring with laughter):** "Perfect! A worthy challenge at last!"
**Milim (excitedly bouncing):** "Yay! I get to smash things! Here we go!"
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**\[Scene: The Battle – Monsters and Skills in Action]**
*The first wave of monsters emerges from the walls: serpent-like creatures, large armored knights, and shadow beasts. Milim charges forward immediately, launching herself into the fray with an excited shout.*
**Milim (grinning widely):** "Here I go, Rimuru!"
*She unleashes a barrage of energy blasts, obliterating monsters left and right with her usual reckless abandon.*
**Rimuru (internally):** *"I can't stop her... Oh well. At least she's having fun."*
**Rimuru (out loud, preparing his own abilities):** "Alright, let's handle this properly. Ciel, what's the best strategy?"
**Ciel (calmly, her voice echoing in Rimuru's mind):** "Rimuru, based on the readings, I recommend utilizing your **Predator** skill to absorb the enemies. We can learn their abilities and figure out the maze's mechanisms as we go."
**Rimuru (nodding, activating **Predator**):** "Good idea. I'll get started."
*Rimuru's **Predator** skill activates, and he starts absorbing the monsters, analyzing their patterns and abilities. Meanwhile, Veldora enjoys himself, creating massive explosions with each roar and blast of energy, completely ignoring the idea of subtlety.*
**Veldora (laughing):** "I'll show them what a real dragon is capable of!"
**Rimuru (internally, keeping an eye on his comrades):** *"If they keep this up, this maze might just collapse around us. But I can't really blame them. I'm the one who decided to let them lead the way."*
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**\[Scene: The Maze's True Nature – Unraveling the Mystery]**
*As they continue deeper into the maze, the monsters grow stronger, and the walls start shifting faster. A new enemy, a **Labyrinth Guardian**, materializes. This one is much larger and more powerful than the previous monsters, with glowing red eyes and armor forged from shifting walls.*
**Ramiris (excitedly):** "Ooh, this one's definitely the boss! But I bet it's guarding something important."
**Rimuru (focused):** "Alright, let's finish this up. Everyone, stay on guard. This one's going to be tough."
**Milim (grinning wildly, ready to charge):** "I'm going in!"
**Veldora (rolling his shoulders):** "Finally! A true test! I'll handle the big guy while you finish the rest."
**Rimuru (seriously, to himself):** *"We can't rush this. We need to understand how the maze works before we destroy everything."*
**Ciel (in Rimuru's mind, urging caution):** "Rimuru, the Guardian is likely a manifestation of the maze's will. If we defeat it too quickly, we may trigger a reset of the entire maze."
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**\[Final Scene: The Puzzle of the Labyrinth – Rimuru's Resolve]**
*Rimuru takes a deep breath and uses his **Gluttony** skill to absorb the Guardian, but this time he controls it carefully, ensuring the maze's energy is not disturbed. The maze seems to stabilize, and the platform they're standing on starts shifting into a new passage.*
**Rimuru (smiling, after the battle is over):** "I guess we did it. The maze is letting us pass now."
**Milim (giggling, bouncing around):** "We're done already? I wanted more fights!"
**Veldora (grinning):** "That was too easy. But I'm curious to see what comes next."
**Ramiris (clapping her hands):** "Yes! A victory! And look! A door just opened!"
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**\[Closing Scene – Rimuru's Monologue]**
*Rimuru stands at the entrance of the next stage of the maze, looking back at his friends.*
**Rimuru (thinking):** *"Each world seems to have its own rules… and this labyrinth is no exception. Ciel was right—if we had just rushed in, we would've been trapped in an endless loop. But with these guys, it's always a little bit of chaos and a lot of fun. Let's see what the next world holds."*
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### **End of Chapter 2: "The Endless Maze of Dimensions"**
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