[ Rank: Grade 4 Mythic ]
[ Divine Energy Purity: Grade 5 Empyrean ]
﹂ Death, Shadow, Darkness, Void, Water, Time
﹂ Necrotic Touch, Ocean's Embrace, Essence Breath, Rewind Enchantment, Black Dawn of Despair
﹂ O Death, Be My Hands, Crush My Enemies
﹂ O Death, Become My Blade
﹂ Bloodline Trait: Monarch of Death
﹂ Fragmented Trait: Mind Invasion
﹂ Complete Barbatos' Training (Part 1), Completed 4/5
﹂ Find a way to assimilate the Mind Invasion Trait (Fragmented) into yourself permanently
﹂ End of the World Questline
"My Divine Energy Purity jumped to Empyrean rank," Neo muttered. "It must've been because both of my traits ranked up at once."
[Mind Invasion, Grade 4 Awakened]
[Eternal, Grade 4 Mythic]
Neo checked the changes in his status.
Mastery: Expert (Lowest)
Concept: Eternal Sleep
Mastery: Adept (Peak)
Concept Progress: 60%
Mastery: Apprentice (High)
Mastery: Apprentice (Peak)
Mastery: Apprentice (High)
"These masteries are more or less as I expected," Neo muttered.
HIs understanding of Shadow element had been high, especially because he was living in a 100% synchronization Shadow World for past 9 months.
As soon as he awakened Shadow element, his mastery jumped to High Apprentice instantly.
Neo was analyzing his status when a sudden presence disrupted his focus. .
Peeking out of the hollow, his eyes widened.
Familiar figures emerged from the shadows. Their movements were stiff yet menacing.
"You saw my face! You saw my face! I'll kill you!" one of them shrieked.
"…They followed me into the Underworld?" Neo muttered, unsure whether to be impressed or frustrated.
The army of statue-like monsters advanced toward him, their stone forms grinding ominously.
Neo sighed, raising his hand lazily.
Before they could take another step, he snapped his fingers.
A wave of Death energy rippled outward, spreading like a dark tide.
The oppressive silence of the Underworld deepened as the wave consumed everything in its path.
The statue monsters crumbled into dust a split second later.
Their stone forms disintegrated under the wave of Neo's Death energy without being able to put up any resistance.
Neo exhaled slowly, glancing at the remains before walking away.
After wandering for hours, Neo encountered several intelligent monsters—denizens of the Underworld.
These beings, unlike the mindless monsters, possessed awareness and were capable of communication.
Talking with them confirmed Neo's suspicions: he was indeed in the Underworld of the past.
"This is weird… gods appeared after the Apocalypse, and Dad hasn't shown up yet," Neo murmured to himself, his voice carrying through the still air.
"Then who's managing the Underworld?"
Eventually, Neo entered a town—a grim, shadowed place filled with spectral figures and gothic architecture.
The streets were dimly lit by flickering green torches, and whispers filled the air, blending with the mournful wails of the damned.
The oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating, but to Neo it was refreshing.
His first destination was the Soul Hunter building, a tall, foreboding structure with jagged spires piercing the ever-dark sky.
Inside, the place was bustling with activity.
Transparent souls floated through the hall and monsters formed lines before the reception.
Neo approached the reception desk, where a small, floating skull hovered behind a ledger.
The skull turned to face him, its hollow eyes glowing faintly.
"You are a new face," it said.
"Yeah, I came from the eastern side," Neo spouted the first random bullshit that came to his mind.
He took out his Soul Hunter badge and showed it to the skull.
It confirmed the badge was real and opened its mouth.
"You're here for information, I assume?" it rasped.
After a brief exchange, Neo learned the requirements for becoming a Grim Reaper.
"You have to reach highest Soul Hunter rank, capture 100,000 souls, and reach Expert mastery in Death, Darkness, Shadow, Holy, Light, or Life element.
"You'll also need a recommendation letter from a Grim Reaper," the skull said with an unnerving cackle.
Neo froze, his expression blank.
"…What?" he muttered, his voice barely audible.
What the fuck did he mean Neo had to capture 100,000 souls!?
That was six too many zeroes!
These requirements were too much!
His frustration was clear as he massaged his brows.
"These requirements are ridiculous," he grumbled under his breath. "The fifth trial might be easy in theory, but it's going to take forever."
Before leaving, Neo asked another question.
"Who is the current ruler of the Underworld?"
The skull paused, then tilted slightly—somehow managing to raise its nonexistent brows.
"Our ruler is the Great Monarch Hades. Why are you asking such an obvious question?"
Neo maintained his composure.
Outside, Neo walked through the shadowy streets, his expression calm, though his thoughts were anything but.
'So Dad is the current ruler of the Underworld? Was he a god even before the Apocalypse arrived?'
Lost in thought, Neo didn't notice the boy blocking his path until he nearly bumped into him.
"Please wait," the boy said.
Neo stopped, his eyes narrowing as he took in the boy's appearance.
His face was bruised, his clothes torn and dirtied.
Judging by his uncorrupted aura, he was likely a human who had recently arrived in the Underworld.
"Master is calling for you," the boy continued.
"Master?" Neo asked with a sharp gaze.
"Yes, she sensed your breakthrough."
"Who is your master?"
"Grand Duchess of the Underworld, Paimon le Noir, the 3rd ranked Grim Reaper and Mistress of Darkness," the boy replied with a proud smile, clearly pleased to brag about his master.
Neo's thoughts immediately turned to Barbatos' earlier instructions.
'Barbatos told me to meet Paimon. I guess I should follow this kid.'
"Who are you?" Neo asked in a cautious tone.
"Barbatos," the boy answered with the same smile. "I recently became a Grim Reaper and received this name."
Neo's eyes widened slightly before he masked his reaction.
Inside, Neo wanted to sigh.
'So this is how Barbatos' Intent knew I was in the past.'
'Because the past Barbatos met me here.'
He glanced at the boy again.
'Looks like paradoxes are starting to appear.'
'Messing with time too much is always a headache.'
With a resigned shake of his head, Neo gestured for the boy to lead the way.
"Take me to your master."