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!"

and from

questions, and so he didn't hesitate

was nothing left to

is your

just say he can do exactly what I can do and so much more." Ater's amused chuckle

this response only made Claudius all the more

simply transform into him and use

"…"

is that one of your

silence among the two who

Then—

limitation prevents me from turning into anyone with a

no

the opposite,

all the Skills in my target's Arsenal—though if it is higher than my Class, then the effects will be proportionally reduced." Ater continued

is one exception: The

lost,

humans, the highest realm that existed was the Absolute one—meant for heroes

then perhaps it would belong to wherever

sort of

was this Primeval

Master's power exists within that Primeval Skill, and I can't access it. Isn't

in delight and drowned in the pleasure

I can never touch—a

had given down,

to Master… I

now understand—at least to

worth nothing, weren't

the likes of this man and his Master… the humans of this

Claudius finally admitted as his face fell. 'I made too many assumptions from

something one had to sacrifice everything

It was a mandate.

you even… a Necromancer?" Claudius asked

the Chaos Art

"I… I see…"

but that's about it. I doubt I'll be permitted to use any advanced Ancient MajiK here… not that I have enough energy

"I… see…"

of everyone present, you were the most entertaining. At the very least, you managed to feed my pleasures for a while. You have my

to react towards being praised as a

only respond

"You're welcome."

moment, there was

now?" He asked

Ater didn't seem like the kind of

I already made sure you would die and come back to

widened as soon

"W-when…?"