"I found her talking with her master, who was an Original Sin. Their bloodline matches ours, but aside from the Original Sins, the rest are merely Aerons. I don't know how many Original Sins there are, but the one I saw is at least Rank 5 or higher—and it felt like he was just a clone."
"I investigated the servant of the Original Sin demon I mentioned. His name is Asmodeus. He has many powerful clones spread across multiple Omniverses. Their full strength only manifests when all the clones unite. When combined, they are at least Rank 6. And we all know beings at that realm are completely different… even compared to the Lords among us. Killing us would be easy for them." The demon finished speaking and bowed.
"Well, you've heard from my servant. Now let's discuss… what's next?" said the demon seated at the highest position, as everyone exchanged glances and began proposing ideas. The battle with this other Abyss could happen at any moment. Many of their clones are already out there, making it difficult to tell which is the original. Even those present might be clones. Demons truly belong to a terrifying lineage of existence.
"Hmm, you're good, honestly. But all things must come to an end," Caius said indifferently. In front of him knelt a bloodied enemy. Half of her face had been blown off, her body scarred and missing limbs. She was the same female who had attacked him earlier.
She struggled to lift her head and look at Caius.
The sound of a sword echoed as blood splattered.
Her head flew in a graceful arc before landing nearby. She was dead.
Caius exhaled a hot breath and looked around the arena.
The thick, pungent stench of blood hit him as he bent slightly.
Corpses were everywhere. Out of a hundred men, at least twenty were dead—five of them having reached the legendary realm or just below it.
"Cruel," Caius thought, shaking his head.
Some distance away, Liya smiled. Based on his fighting style and strength, Caius would survive—at least, that's what she believed. The rest were weaker… or so she hoped. Regardless, her man would live, and that's all that mattered. Why doubt it?
If she didn't support her man, who else would?
Liya stood up and looked over the chaotic scene in her arena.
"Well, it's time for me to survive and wait for him. For those who fought beside me—I bid you farewell. It was good knowing you. And to the unknown foes... fate has chosen death for you."
Liya's voice echoed, and the ongoing battle slowed—some even stopped to listen.
These weak beings, mostly at low to mid planetary level, knew they were no match. Even those at high planetary level couldn't stand against someone like Liya—at the peak.
She wasn't the only one. A few others radiating the same peak planetary aura also made their move—as if waiting for her.
Liya smiled beautifully. Normally, such a smile would leave men breathless—but now, everyone frowned. Except the other peak-level fighters.
They all split up to face their respective opponents. Liya's foe was a rough-haired young man, wild-looking and barbaric.
"I didn't expect the son of the Barbarian King to come here," Liya said softly, eyeing the two-meter-tall man with bulging muscles. He wore only trousers, his bare chest exposing his chiseled form.
"Likewise, I didn't expect the Duke's daughter to show up for the eldest prince," a deep voice replied as the man smiled, showing perfect teeth—and longer canines.
"Lai, you shouldn't have come," Liya said, shaking her head.
Lai laughed. "And why's that?"
"Because you'll die. I pity your father."
"Likewise," Lai said, just before Liya lunged forward.
Two sounds rang out at once—one from Liya moving so fast that space itself fractured, and the other from time and space shattering under Lai's brute force.
Their collision followed, forcing others to retreat from the shockwaves.
Liya's sword met Lai's arm. The force of their clash caused space to crumble around them.
Everyone watching was stunned. The two were terrifying.
Liya smiled slightly, her eyes sharp. She didn't want to waste time—he would die now.
A throat was sliced. Blood gushed, and a tall, muscular body hit the ground.
The crowd was stunned—especially the other peak planetary beings. She had killed one of the strongest among them in a single move.
What hope did they have?
What Liya did was both simple and swift.
She had increased her strength—and Lai, confident, did the same. But then she vanished. He felt no resistance and staggered slightly.
He fell forward—and then came the attack.
Defenseless, he watched the sword slash his throat.
A rookie mistake had cost him his life.
"Wake up…" "Wake up…"
"I can't die now… not when I've found the right organization. I must join… become strong. That's my goal…"
A pair of eyes opened. Dared looked around and saw corpses, dismembered limbs, and chaos everywhere. From his position on the ground, he could see legs walking past.
Dared slowly stood, clutching his wounded side.
"How am I still alive?" he thought, bewildered.
"Because of me. Can't believe I woke up after all those mythological years… in this body."
A voice echoed, and Dared froze.
Who? What's going on?
"Listen, boy… give me control of this body," the voice said again. Dared's frown deepened.
"What?!" he exclaimed.
"Do you want to survive? Join this foolish organization?" the voice asked mockingly.
Wait… how does it know…?
"Now," the voice said firmly.
Dared hesitated. He was dead, or should have been. Yet this being brought him back—and it was asking for permission?
Still, something told him this being was terrifying.
Dared closed his eyes. He felt his body grow lighter. His consciousness slipped backward—something monstrous took over.
"Hahahaha! Azerak is back! You think you can seal me? No… I'll break through the Taboo Realm!"
A deep, chilling voice echoed as Dared's body transformed.
His clothes were torn, revealing a hole in his side—and stone-hard abs beneath.
His eyes burned bright white, and a soft grin curled his lips.
"So… where should I begin?" Azerak muttered, looking around. No one paid him attention—he still looked like a low-level planetary being.
"Quiet," he said with a smile.
Everyone in the arena stopped. Their bodies froze.
They were still three-dimensional beings—bound by time and space.
"Die," Azerak said, pointing casually at someone.
An explosion. The targeted being died instantly—still frozen, their eyes watching in horror.
"This will be entertaining," Azerak whispered.
***************†*****************†*****************