Seiichi flipped through the book in front of him, murmuring softly to himself.
"If the other party is a reincarnator like me, then they absolutely won't ignore anything related to reincarnation inheritance."
"Even though I can't track their whereabouts right now…"
"If I can determine where they're bound to appear, then it's not impossible to find them."
"So what I need to do… is set up a trap that any reincarnator would inevitably walk into."
…
As he read, he simultaneously sketched and wrote on paper, sinking into deep concentration.
Kanzaki Rei observed the diagram he was drawing.
A forbidden killing formation designed for absolute execution—combined with chained level 7 mechanical constructs.
"The bait also needs to be somewhat genuine—at the very least, it must be attractive enough."
"Come to think of it… that Altar of Samsara might serve as perfect bait."
Every word of his muttering reached Kanzaki Rei's ears.
…Yeah.
From now on, better not talk to myself while thinking.
Wouldn't want someone overhearing.
Under normal circumstances, the space Seiichi was in was completely sealed, layered with restrictions… even the entire room was constructed from special materials.
Even an 8th-tier powerhouse wouldn't be able to send their perception through without triggering the barriers.
The moment anyone's senses touched the restrictions, Seiichi would detect it.
How could he possibly imagine that there was a complete anomaly hovering right above him—someone who could perfectly manipulate restrictions without triggering a single effect?
As for the special materials that blocked perception without relying on formations—
They were effortlessly penetrated by "God-Tier · Absolute Perception."
His senses could not be obstructed by any means.
In such an environment, even muttering to himself could be overheard…
At that point, there was simply no helping it.
Kanzaki Rei could feel the man's resolve.
If they ever truly confronted each other, even if they admired one another, Seiichi would still kill him without hesitation.
That was his determination.
At the same time, Kanzaki Rei had already mapped out the entire underground structure.
Above ground, the streets of Atlant City bustled with endless traffic.
A picture of prosperity.
But beneath the surface, it was anything but peaceful.
Entering through the sewers, winding through vast, twisting tunnels, there was a place known as the "Thieves' Den." Deeper still, a hidden passage led to a black-market trading hub.
Beyond heaps of tightly packed refuse, one could find a secret alchemical workshop.
The underground was a sprawling network—filled with things that couldn't see the light of day.
And yet, these regions were sharply divided.
For example, the "Sanctum of Hidden Knowledge" and the "Coreforge Furnace" were separated by barely ten meters.
But that thin layer of earth and stone created an absolute boundary.
Traveling between them via normal surface routes would take dozens of kilometers—
And along the way, one would have to pass through at least four different faction territories.
A truly labyrinthine underground world.
In such a chaotic mix of forces, Seiichi's small cellar was completely unremarkable.
Countless houses in Atlant City had basements just like it.
"Xiao Leng."
Kanzaki Rei thought for a moment, and a vial of colorless liquid appeared in his hand.
Reina Kuroyuki glanced at it.
"…What's that?"
"Water."
"…Are you sure?"
For some reason, anything this guy pulled out felt inherently suspicious.
Kanzaki Rei grinned brightly.
"Just kidding. It's actually a deadly poison."
Reina looked at him with a completely unsurprised expression.
At this point, nothing he produced could shock her anymore.
"So… who exactly are you planning to kill?"
Kanzaki Rei paused slightly.
"What if… the person I want to kill isn't actually a bad person?"
Reina replied without hesitation,
"I don't need to know that."
"Whoever you want me to kill, I'll kill them. I don't care who they are—even if they're a good person."
Kanzaki Rei's lips twitched.
Xiao Leng…
That way of putting it sounds extremely dangerous.
After a moment's thought, he replied seriously,
"I think… when it comes to killing, it's better to have your own judgment."
Reina's expression turned slightly displeased, her cheeks puffing faintly.
"I'm not helping just anyone. I only help you and Kumironi."
"And it's not like I just met you. If you want someone dead, there's definitely a reason."
"If you told me to kill Kumironi, I wouldn't do it."
"But for anyone else… what does their morality have to do with me? I promised to help you kill, so I will."
…So that's how it is.
In truth, Kanzaki Rei hadn't interacted with her all that much.
Most of the time, they only sparred occasionally, with little conversation.
So his understanding of her had been limited to a competitive girl who liked killing.
"…Yeah. Then I misjudged you."
Kanzaki Rei smiled gently.
He reached out and placed a hand on her head, lightly patting it.
"Not bad. You're an assassin who thinks for herself."
Children needed recognition.
After what he'd said earlier, she'd probably felt like she was being lectured.
His feelings toward these kids were… complicated.
On one hand, they were his peers.
On the other, he couldn't help but look at them from an adult perspective.
"…What's with you all of a sudden?"
Kanzaki Rei continued,
"Anyway, the person I want you to kill is…"
With a thought, he shared his perception with her.
Though he wasn't an Observer, that didn't mean perception-sharing was impossible.
It just lacked the depth and duration of an Observer's abilities.
And it only transmitted what Kanzaki Rei himself focused on.
The moment Reina connected to his senses, she immediately saw the underground chamber below.
Inside the room—
A child sat quietly, reading a book while jotting notes.
"That's your target?"
"No wonder you felt the need to explain… you're really planning to kill a kid. That's downright evil."
Kanzaki Rei replied flatly,
"He's not actually a child."
Reina shrugged.
"No need to explain. I don't care."
…No, you really should care.
Otherwise, I feel like I'm being misunderstood.
"But if it's just one person, you should be able to handle it yourself, right?"
Kanzaki Rei sighed.
"It's because normal methods won't reliably kill him…"
If a battle of that level broke out in the city, it would cause huge problems.
And if he failed to kill him, Seiichi would escape.
As a mage, Seiichi could use random teleportation.
And not just any mage—
A former peak 8th-tier mage.
Kanzaki Rei couldn't guarantee his own magic could completely lock down space and prevent escape.
On top of that, once combat started, Seiichi could call reinforcements.
And fighting within the city risked harming civilians.
Kanzaki Rei wasn't cold-blooded enough to ignore innocent casualties just to secure a kill.
What he sought wasn't battle—
But a guaranteed kill.
A method with a 100% success rate.
Reina narrowed her eyes.
"He's that strong?"
"Not necessarily stronger than me. But if he escapes, it'll be troublesome."
"Based on what I know, he's currently a level 6 Scholar, level 6 Mage, and level 6 Mechanist."
All knowledge-based classes.
As long as the knowledge remained, leveling back up after reincarnation was trivial—almost like inheriting previous levels.
Especially Mechanist.
At level 6, he was already close to his former peak at level 7.
Reina tilted her head.
"…That's just three level 6 classes."
Kanzaki Rei stared at her.
Reina… you've gotten way too confident.
You're only level 4, and you're dismissing three level 6 classes like that?
Anyone overhearing would think you're some ancient powerhouse.
"That's not an ordinary level 6."
Reina nodded.
"So… you want me to poison him?"
"…Yeah."
"With your spatial magic, couldn't you just swap his drink with poison directly?"
Kanzaki Rei sighed.
"I'd rather not use magic."
He was thinking of Iz.
Iz had extremely sharp sensitivity to magic.
And Seiichi, as a former 8th-tier mage, likely had similar perception.
During simulations, Kanzaki Rei had already felt how keen Seiichi's magical awareness was.
If he used origin magic to tamper with the drink—
There was a high chance it would be detected.
Using Reina's abilities would be safer.
"Oh…"
"So all I have to do is poison him? No fighting?"
Kanzaki Rei tilted his head.
"I can't even guarantee I can kill him. And you want to fight him?"
Reina clenched her fists on her thighs.
This guy…
Was insulting her.
She exhaled slowly.
"So I strike after he leaves the room?"
"No… I want to observe a bit longer."
"Let's wait for the right opportunity."
Seiichi was being extremely cautious in his attempt to kill him.
Kanzaki Rei had no intention of alerting him prematurely.
And—
He glanced at the vial in his hand.
…Was this poison even strong enough?
…
Unknowingly, midnight passed.
It was now March 26.
Kanzaki Rei's four simulation attempts had refreshed.
Whoosh—
In his first simulation, he directly tested the outcome of poisoning Seiichi himself.
During the day, after Seiichi left the chamber, Kanzaki Rei activated the restrictions—
But turned them to his own use.
He blocked Seiichi's perception of the room.
In the next instant, Kanzaki Rei used spatial magic to enter the chamber.
And stood there safely.
…So his concerns had been unnecessary?
No.
There was no such thing as being too cautious.
After poisoning the drink, he left.
Then he followed Seiichi throughout the day.
In the morning, Seiichi went to the headquarters of Reincarnation…
There, he listened to reports—matters concerning the Sea of Moons, intercontinental conflicts, internal faction disputes, resource allocation…
By noon, he visited several schools in Misril.
At the center of one stood a statue of Seiichi himself—modeled after his current childlike form.
…His school?
Kanzaki Rei checked the archives.
It really was.
Established to provide structured education for those with average talent—mages, mechanists…
And within that education, the history of the Reincarnation faction was embedded.
These students would become future reserves.
Though they didn't worship a god, their faith centered on a being who walked the world and could never truly perish.
In influence… it rivaled religion.
In the afternoon, Seiichi went to the slums—
Together with major orthodox churches, setting up food distribution.
Atlant City had slums too.
But conditions were far better than in Knoloya.
Even here, the "slums" were low-rise buildings.
Churches provided aid—food, clothing…
As long as one was a believer, they could receive assistance.
Most residents were disabled, orphans, or otherwise unable to work.
Because any normal class-holder—even level 1—could find some kind of job.
Repairing schools. Feeding the poor.
This wasn't just "not evil"—
He was practically a righteous figure.
Kanzaki Rei sat quietly in a corner, observing.
…Then shook his head faintly.
Night—
After a full day outside, Seiichi returned to the dark, narrow cellar.
In the corridor, two cloaked confidants—one in black, one in white—reported confidential matters.
After issuing decisions, he returned to the cramped chamber.
Kanzaki Rei could feel his exhaustion.
Only here…
Did he finally relax.
…You've had a hard life too, Seiichi.
Seiichi reached out, picked up the wine flask, and poured himself a cup—just like every night.
He seemed accustomed to drinking before bed.
Above, Kanzaki Rei waited silently…
For him to drink.
But—
Seiichi glanced at the cup.
Then set it down.
"…Sigh."
"Never thought… even my final place of rest could be infiltrated without a sound…"
He slowly stood from the stone stool.
Hands behind his back, he scanned the room.
"My friend… are you still watching?"
"Since you already know you've been discovered, there's no need to keep hiding…"
"To harbor killing intent toward me, even knowing who I am…"
"…You must be the one who took my reincarnation."