"Running into a kid here of all places… are your parents senior staff of the White Tower?"
Kanzaki Rei hesitated for a brief moment, then put on a timid expression and gave a small nod.
Children of high-ranking scholars within the White Tower could freely move through its upper levels.
Just like Yuna.
Even before Yuna became a scholar herself, she had been able to come and go within the White Tower.
However, access to the resources and privileges corresponding to a scholar still required proper evaluation.
And even then, the only White Tower they could enter freely was the one managed by their parents.
If you really talked about privilege tied to status, there wasn't much more than that.
After all, high-ranking members of the White Tower could already take books out with them.
And since they spent their entire days inside the Tower, it would be unreasonable to restrict their children from visiting them because of such rules.
So this access was simply a matter of humane consideration.
The White Tower didn't allow backdoor methods to gain scholar privileges—but it still maintained certain rules grounded in practicality and human nature.
So, when a child appeared inside the White Tower, the only logical explanation was that they were the child of a high-ranking figure.
"Are you interested in reincarnation too?"
Seiichi sat down across from Kanzaki Rei.
It seemed… he had already forgotten him.
Well… that made sense.
Everything about Kanzaki Rei had become an unsolvable mystery. The current Seiichi wouldn't know who had taken his Reincarnation Mark, nor would he recognize his appearance.
So, to Seiichi, Kanzaki Rei was nothing more than an ordinary child.
Kanzaki Rei thought for a moment, slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again.
Finally, with a bright, cheerful smile, he said,
"Yeah, I really like this novel."
Seiichi returned a warm, open smile.
"Haha, I'm interested in reincarnation too."
"Is this book really that interesting?"
Kanzaki Rei responded with excited enthusiasm,
"Yeah! It's super interesting! Watching the protagonist go through reincarnation again and again, growing from weak to strong, gradually learning everything and changing everything—it's just so satisfying!"
Seiichi chuckled.
"Haha, is it really that satisfying?"
"Sounds like it must be pretty interesting."
His tone shifted, tinged with nostalgia.
"Reincarnation… it allows one to live forever."
"It's like becoming a god—able to overlook thousands of years, to remain evergreen through eternity."
"As long as you continue reincarnating endlessly, sooner or later, you'll reach the very peak of the world."
A look of awe and admiration filled Kanzaki Rei's eyes, as though he were completely captivated by the idea of reincarnation.
"Yeah! That's amazing! Does reincarnation really exist in this world?"
Seiichi smiled.
"It does."
Kanzaki Rei leaned forward slightly.
"Where?"
A trace of helplessness appeared on Seiichi's face.
"Well… that, I don't know."
"I'm actually searching for it right now. I used to know… but now I've lost it."
"Searching?" Kanzaki Rei tilted his head.
"Is it… some kind of object?"
Seiichi replied,
"It's a kind of inheritance. Though now, rather than calling it an inheritance, it's more like a specific person."
Kanzaki Rei's eyes widened.
"Big brother, you know so much about reincarnation… that's amazing. I want to become a reincarnator too. Can I find it as well?"
Seiichi gave a soft laugh and shook his head.
"There can only be one owner of reincarnation. If you obtain it, then I won't."
Kanzaki Rei blinked.
"So that means… there's already a reincarnator right now?"
"Who is it?"
Seiichi shrugged.
"I don't know. That's exactly who I'm looking for…"
"And once you find them, you can become a reincarnator?"
Seiichi paused briefly.
"Finding them alone isn't enough. You'd have to—"
He glanced at the innocent, harmless-looking child sitting in front of him.
"…you'd have to have a proper conversation with them and get them to return the Reincarnation Mark to me."
Oh?
Just a conversation?
But that flash of killing intent just now… it couldn't have been clearer.
"You finished reading these books—can you lend them to me?"
This guy… really had no idea he was talking to Kanzaki Rei.
The moment Seiichi sat down earlier, Kanzaki Rei had already run a pre-simulation.
Confirming whether the other party was pretending or genuinely unaware was simple.
He made a wish:
"No one knows that I possess the Reincarnation inheritance."
And the wish was fulfilled.
That alone proved that no one in this world knew he was the reincarnator.
And it also confirmed that Seiichi had absolutely no idea about it.
"Yeah, of course!" Kanzaki Rei replied cheerfully.
Now, the only thing left to consider… was how to kill him.
The other party's goal was undoubtedly the same—to kill him.
Kanzaki Rei wouldn't go soft just because of a few words exchanged here.
Seiichi wasn't truly an eight-year-old child—he was an ancient monster who had lived for thousands of years.
If outward appearance alone could grant mercy…
Then if Aelthymis disguised herself as a child, would that mean he couldn't attack her either?
Acting directly within the city…
Kanzaki Rei had already attempted that in his pre-simulations.
At this very moment, Seiichi was equipped with numerous level 7 and even level 8 defensive items.
Killing him wouldn't be easy.
Moreover, this was the real world. If given even a moment to recover, Seiichi could use random teleportation to escape.
However—
Right now, Kanzaki Rei existed in an untargetable state.
Even standing right in front of him, Seiichi had no idea he was his enemy.
With the absurd, unsolvable nature of his "God-Tier · Unsolvable Mystery"…
Even if Seiichi racked his brain, he would never figure out how to track down the reincarnator.
An opportunity to strike…
Poison.
He needed to find a way to break him from within.
"Oh, right—I don't even know your name yet, big brother."
"Have you already taken your class? You feel… different from other people."
Seiichi's tone carried a hint of composure. He gave an awkward laugh.
"Haha, my name is Seiichi."
"…Actually, I'm the reincarnator you were talking about."
Kanzaki Rei's eyes lit up, believing it without hesitation.
"Really?! Can you tell me your story?"
This Seiichi…
He really did enjoy showing off in front of children.
Revealing something like being a reincarnator so casually?
If he truly were one, it wouldn't matter much—after all, death would only lead to another reincarnation. Killing him would be meaningless.
All it would do was send him into his next life, where he'd grow again…
And who knew when he'd rise back to the peak and return for revenge?
Because of that, even if Seiichi exposed his identity, no one would dare target him.
Killing him would bring no benefit—only enmity with someone destined to become an 8th-tier class holder.
In this world, how many would dare provoke such a person?
But now…
Seiichi no longer had the power of reincarnation.
If he died, he would truly die.
…
Seiichi had lived through countless experiences.
Some classes required nothing more than knowledge to advance.
Such as Scholar, Mage, and Formation Master—most magic-type classes were knowledge-based.
And now, Seiichi was already a level 6 Scholar.
That alone allowed him access to the sixth floor of the White Tower.
As for the Mage class…
He was also already a level 6 Mage.
But that made sense—he had once been an 8th-tier Mage.
With that experience, reaching level 6 again was trivial.
"So, Seiichi… why do you only reach level 8 every life? Why not advance your class to level 9?"
Seiichi shook his head, meeting Kanzaki Rei's clear, curious gaze.
He seemed to want to explain, but felt it would be wasted on a child.
In the end, he sighed helplessly.
"The path from level 8 to level 9 for every class… is a broken road."
"A level 8 Observer must perceive the entirety of the world—but there will always be a missing place that cannot be observed."
"A level 8 Mage must prove the complete root—but the root itself is incomplete. It cannot be proven."
"A level 8 Destroyer must accomplish at least four great destructions—each one on the scale of annihilating something like the Sea of Moons. And then… they must destroy an eternal substance that cannot be destroyed."
"A level 8 Sword Saint must comprehend a single, ultimate sword path. This path… sigh, even if I explain, you wouldn't understand."
Kanzaki Rei's lips twitched slightly.
How would you know I don't understand if you don't explain?
"Come on, Seiichi. Didn't you say Sword Saint is your strongest class? I want to know how hard it is to reach level 9."
Seiichi sighed again, then spoke slowly.
"This sword path must encompass everything in the world."
"And yet, it is not merely a technique—it is the root itself. It is battle intent. It is the ultimate form of invisible assassination. It is a healing art that can restore the dead to flesh and bone."
"It is absolute defense."
"And it is a soul-chasing strike that can traverse countless worlds to reach its target…"
Kanzaki Rei blinked.
That ridiculous?
Yeah… no wonder it was difficult.
Reaching level 9 from level 8 truly wasn't something ordinary.
"But with infinite reincarnation, if you focused on just one path, couldn't you eventually break through to level 9?"
Seiichi smiled faintly.
"Of course. If I focused on a single path, I might have a chance."
"But I want to carve out a path that belongs solely to me."
"I'm not satisfied with merely reaching level 9."
"I want to become the strongest being in this world."
"I want transcendence—to become a supreme existence with multiple classes at level 9… no, even beyond level 9."
"That's why I must experience the myriad states of life. I must experience the mysteries of different classes…"
"Only by walking other paths can I broaden my thinking and glimpse higher scenery."
That much… was true.
Kanzaki Rei himself was walking multiple class paths simultaneously.
Different classes inspired each other.
It was like interdisciplinary research—breakthroughs often came from crossing boundaries, observing phenomena no one else in the field could see.
…
Time slipped into the depths of night.
Seiichi glanced at the time and finally stood.
"Haha, I didn't realize how long we've been talking."
"Didn't expect to meet a kid here who's interested in reincarnation…"
"It reminds me of my younger self."
He let out a soft sigh.
"Sora, I should get going. Maybe we'll meet again."
Kanzaki Rei nodded lightly.
"Yeah… see you, Seiichi."
Whoosh—
Like a gust of wind, Seiichi vanished from Kanzaki Rei's sight.
Kanzaki Rei stared at the empty space for a moment.
Then exhaled softly.
Hands in his pockets, his perception spread outward—
Instantly locking onto Seiichi's presence.
At this very moment, Seiichi had already reached the base level of the White Tower.
Fast.
Very fast.
"Seiichi… never thought I'd run into you here."
He hadn't seen this in his pre-simulations.
And yet, it happened in reality.
Whoosh—
In the next instant, Kanzaki Rei appeared outside the White Tower.
Yuna was still inside, but there was no need to worry about her for now.
Seiichi…
You really are a decent person.
If not for the conflict over reincarnation, perhaps we could have been friends.
But because of it…
This was a fight to the death.
He wanted to kill Kanzaki Rei to reclaim reincarnation.
And for that very reason, Kanzaki Rei had to kill him first—before leaving behind any fatal weakness.
Reconciliation?
Heh. That would be a gamble.
And Kanzaki Rei had no shortage of friends.
At the very least, he didn't need one who could kill him at any moment.
Seiichi entered a dark cellar.
Kanzaki Rei followed, walking openly along the wide road.
His perception extended downward, tightly tracking every movement.
At the same time, Kanzaki Rei connected his senses to Leng Qingying.
"Xiao Leng… want to put an assassin's creed into practice?"