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.

other self to completely fuse with your current self. If by that time the current you has still not killed the Akashic holder, the other part of you will take over and end

the vicinity as Jezebeth extended his hand and tapped Ren's forehead

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

come to an agreement. When four years have gone and

someone that believed all

he was setting Ren free, he understood just how much of a potential

then he

nature to

stop him from achieving his

part. Don't forget about what we've

of the portal in the distance. Throughout the entire time, the only thing he could

smiled when he

Whether you live or die, all

shot toward the portal that

that, his body completely disappeared. The last thing that Jezebeth saw was his terrifying glare that was filled with bloodlust. After that, a deep silence enveloped the

of seconds passed

have

again, Jezebeth started to have

glare, Jezebeth had an unsettling

mean, how could he not? He knew just how

on an equal level with him. There was no way he would treat him the same

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 of killing me, there is no need to worry about him harming me

This feeling…

clenched his fists

'I don't like this.'

his caliber

even his backup plan didn't seem as secure as he had

"I need something else.."

quietly murmured

something else to completely feel

the events on the off-chance that something

"Hmm…"

middle of the room, while deeply contemplating

notion crossed his mind as his eyes shone a bright red hue. After a while, wearing a

"What if…"

***

him so

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

around the room, Ryan looked at

quite a while since he had left the planet and he had returned

mercenary headquarters in a deplorable state. Nearly everything was damaged, and Ryan believed that the entire warehouse would have been lost in the

else was also back. Everyone apart from

only that, Smallsnake, and Ren were also still not

you say that Smallsnake was waiting at the portal when

face Amanda who

I left, I remember seeing Smallsnake. I told him to keep the portal open for when

"I see…"

Angelica nodded her head.

after a couple of seconds, she

were with Ren.

lips when she

a little, she softly

because I didn't want to hold

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

the conversation she had with him, she

too suffocating

"The portal is reacting!"

of her thoughts by Ryan's yell as ripples started to develop on the portal

room instantly turned to focus

as

made it in