An Extra’s POV

"God is strong. Humans are weak. Angels are somewhere in-between."

As Claudius heard these words, he shuddered in ignorance.

"No matter how powerful a human tries to become, sacrificing all he can to attain strength, it will all fall under the allocated strength he is allowed to possess." Ater's words echoed coldly in the night.

"Ultimately, it will fall under weakness."

"S-so… all my attempts at strength… were in vain…?"

"Maybe it had some worth against fellow humans, but your luck ran out when you faced me. You see, I know I'm not weak… because I'm not human."

'N-not… human?' Claudius' eyes widened as he heard this deep revelation.

"I can take on whatever shape I want, while also possessing the abilities of those whose form I take. In essence…"

A flash of light sparked around Ater, and his form came into light as he crouched so he could somewhat be on the same level as Claudius.

The latter's eyes bulged as he looked at his reflection—the miserable old man he had become.

"… I can become you."

Ater had transformed into Claudius in every sense of the word, and upon seeing this, the old man felt his heart ache.

He truly… had sacrificed everything for nothing.

"I can also use all your abilities. There are a few limitations placed on my power, but that's how it works in simple terms."

Ater rose to his feet, transforming back into the handsome man he once was.

"You're… invincible…" Claudius croaked.

With such a power, Ater was at least in the realm of the Absolute.

There was no doubt about it in Claudius' mind.

"Am I really? Perhaps in some worlds, that would ring true. Even in this world, maybe…" Ater smirked, shaking his head as he circled around the despairing one.

"However, there exist beings who far transcend my current state."

"T-the Dragons…?"

"Yeah. I'll admit that there exist some that I can't beat right now. But all of it is only a matter of time."

"T-then—!"

"However, there is one that I couldn't possibly hope to beat no matter the passage of time."

Claudius could only make a guess at this point, but he muttered a response.

"Your… Master?"

"Precisely!"

couldn't see Ater's face, but the way his eyes narrowed and from the sound of his tone, Claudius knew he was

and so he

was nothing left to

strong… is your

do exactly what I can do and so much more." Ater's amused chuckle echoed in the

only made Claudius

not simply transform into him and use his

"…"

is that one of

silence among the

Then—

prevents me from turning

saying this, there was no tone of triumph in

was the

normally use all the Skills in my target's Arsenal—though if it is higher than

is one exception: The Primeval

was lost,

highest realm that existed was the Absolute one—meant

perhaps it would belong to wherever designed reality and existence

of Divine

what was this Primeval

I can't access it. Isn't it amazing?!"

and drowned in the

is something I can never touch—a

earlier definition Ater had given down, it

Master… I

Ater, he could now understand—at least to

were really worth nothing, weren't

and his Master… the humans of this world

mistake.' Claudius finally admitted as his face fell. 'I made

wasn't something one had to sacrifice everything to

It was a mandate.

a Necromancer?" Claudius asked

I am a being of Chaos, so I can use the Chaos

"I… I see…"

the Undead in my stockpile, but that's about it. I doubt I'll be

"I… see…"

were the most entertaining. At the very least, you managed to feed my pleasures

how to react towards being praised as a

could only respond as he normally

"You're welcome."

there was a lull in the

will happen to me now?" He asked with

already knew he wouldn't be spared. Ater didn't seem like the kind of

you would die and come back to me as an Undead. The effects should be taking

as soon

"W-when…?"