The Author's POV

"hmmm…"

Jezebeth scowled as he fixed his gaze on Ren, who appeared to have lost his soul.

'…Is this really how he used to be?'

Overlapping his image with the image of the man he knew, Jezebeth only felt disgust.

"To think that the death of someone so insignificant was all it took to reduce you into this state…"

In reality, it most likely wasn't just that. He was currently in this mental condition as a result of discovering the genuine facts about his existence and the death of one his comrades.

The man he knew was someone that closely resembled him. Someone that would do anything to achieve his goals.

It was exactly because he was like this that Jezebeth liked him.

Unfortunately, this version of him that was before him was a far cry from the figure he remembered.

In any case, this didn't concern Jezebeth.

'Should I just kill him?'

In that split moment, he had the sudden urge to end him right here and there. In the first place, the only reason he was keeping him alive was to save himself some trouble as well as time, but it wasn't really necessary.

He had already won. All he needed to do was just wait six years and the Akashic records would be his.

...Just six years.

'No, now is not a good idea.'

It took quite a bit of willpower to stop himself from killing him.

Calming himself down, Jezebeth suddenly noticed that Ren was now glaring in his direction. A powerful and chilling pressure started to expand from out of his body. One that even made Jezebeth's spine tingle.

"Oh?"

His head tilted a little as the edges of his lips curled a little.

"Someone looks a little displeased."

A little would be an exaggeration. Currently, it looked as though wanted to eat him alive. That look…it was not bad.

'Too bad now is not the right time.'

Jezebeth thought while he shook his head.

Focusing his attention toward the portal in the distance, he motioned in the air with his fingers and Ren's figure slowly floated in the air. The previous pressure that was coming out from his body disappeared just like that.

The current Ren was nothing but a bug in his eyes.

"Regrettably, I don't have time to entertain your rage."

Motioning with his finger, Ren's body slowly headed in his direction. Coming to a stop in front of him, Jezebeth scratched his neck a little before his eyes squinted.

"Don't forget the advice I gave you earlier. Everything will vanish if you kill "him." You will have the option of either dying or living, depending on which of you chooses."

He spoke with a hushed voice and an icy tone. One that sounded like a thousands snakes were hissing at the same time in Ren's ears.

Extending his hand, he pressed it against Ren's forehead. A gentle glow enveloped the room.

Feeling Ren's soul, he mumbled.

"Four years."

Removing the palm of his hand away from Ren, Jezebeth took a step back.

Then, staring straight into Ren's eyes, he began to mutter.

self. If by that time the current you has still not

ripple spread over the vicinity as Jezebeth extended his hand and tapped Ren's

black tattoo resembling a crown began to form on Ren's wrist. His face twisted in pain, but no sound escaped from

something does occur and 'he' refuses to take control of your body or you two come to an agreement. When four

wasn't someone that believed all his plans

understood just how much of a potential problem he could pose to him in

he would

his nature to be that

stop him from achieving

us to part. Don't forget about

body floated slowly towards the direction of the portal in the distance. Throughout the entire time, the only thing he could do was glare in his direction with an undisguisable

when

ticking and you don't have much time left. Whether you live or die, all will depend on your next course

Ren's body shot toward the portal that was already set

completely disappeared. The last thing that Jezebeth saw was his terrifying glare that was filled with bloodlust. After

after a couple of seconds passed that the

have just killed

Jezebeth started to have

at the glare,

himself a little. I mean, how could he not? He knew just how

who could stand on an equal level with him. There was no way he would treat him the

stop to think about it, my strategy ought to be foolproof." If he rejects my offer, "he" will seize control and commit suicide in four years. If, however, he does not commit suicide, the curse I cast upon him should finish the job for me. Additionally, as the akashic holder is the only person capable

This feeling…

his

'I don't like this.'

of his caliber to feel this type of emotion, it felt

unnoticed was unsettling, and right now even his backup plan didn't seem as secure as he had

"I need something else.."

murmured

something else to completely feel

would truly be able to turn the tides of the events

"Hmm…"

room, while deeply contemplating the matter, Jezebeth scanned the

paused in a certain direction. At that moment, a startling notion crossed his mind as his eyes shone

"What if…"

***

him so

a vast room full of scars and broken equipment, an immature, borderline childish voice resounded

around the room, Ryan looked at

while since he had left the

damaged, and Ryan believed that the entire warehouse would have been lost in the annals of history if it weren't

who was back as everyone else was also back. Everyone apart

and Ren were also still

that Smallsnake was waiting

distinct voice resounded across the space. Angelica, who was speaking, turned to face Amanda who nodded in response to her query. She seemed rather uncomfortable talking

seeing Smallsnake. I told him to keep the portal open for

"I see…"

Angelica nodded her head.

couple of seconds, she frowned and

Ren. Why didn't you go back

lips when she heard the

her head a little,

want to hold

able to help him get to the top level more quickly, but she soon realized that she would only be getting in the way from that point

conversation she had with him, she couldn't stand to stay

too suffocating

"The portal is reacting!"

was abruptly startled out of her thoughts by Ryan's yell

turned to focus their attention

excited as he looked toward

they've made