"How did you discover me? I'm curious."
Kanzaki Rei appeared before Seiichi—wearing Sora's appearance.
Seiichi calmly held up the wine cup in his hand.
"Whenever magic is used, it inevitably leaves behind residual fluctuations."
"If I'm not mistaken, you entered my room this morning…"
"Even if I can't trace where the magic originated from, the fact that it existed here… that trace cannot be erased."
He couldn't detect the origin of the magic.
Most likely because of "Unsolvable Mystery."
But still… that level of magical perception was no joke.
On a busy street, where magic was being used everywhere, those traces would blend into the noise—impossible to distinguish.
But inside his sealed chamber?
Even the faintest trace stood out like a glaring anomaly.
Like tire tracks on a highway… versus tire tracks in a bedroom.
The difference in visibility was absolute.
And yet, to detect it after such a long time…
That kind of absurd sensitivity—Kanzaki Rei had only ever seen it in Iz.
"Is that all?" Kanzaki Rei asked.
Seiichi smiled faintly, ignoring the question.
"I get the feeling… you're trying to extract information from me."
Kanzaki Rei's expression remained calm.
"No. I'm just worried you won't have time to finish your last words before you die."
Seiichi chuckled softly.
"The Land of Oblivion can only be entered by those level 5 and below."
"My Reincarnation Mark disappeared on January 1st."
"It's been nearly three months since then."
"I may not remember your exact level, but I remember our fight back then—I only had level 3 classes at the time…"
"I imagine you haven't grown much stronger in such a short period."
As he spoke—
Kanzaki Rei could already sense it.
One by one, powerful figures from the Reincarnation faction rose into the air, sealing off the entire area.
At the same time, nearby civilians, sensing the disturbance, began to flee.
A massive barrier descended over the city—
And along with it, countless rising fortresses!
He wasn't talking just to provide information.
He was stalling.
Stalling until his preparations were complete.
Stalling until the encirclement was fully formed.
Kanzaki Rei knew this—
But didn't act immediately.
This was a simulation.
He wanted to see just how many trump cards Seiichi had.
Buzz—
The entirety of Atlant City was now completely sealed.
At the same time, a swarm of mist-like micro-machines spread out around Seiichi.
A level 6 Mechanist—
But equipped with a host of level 7 mechanical constructs.
The two locked eyes.
BOOM!
In an instant, Kanzaki Rei's spear thrust forward, piercing toward Seiichi!
"Heavenly Vault Style — Sixth Form: Extreme · Purge (Sacrifice 10,000,000 souls)""Purge (Tier 5) (LV: 401)"
Now that he had reached level 4 Mage, his previous skill Condensed Soul Burst had been replaced—
By something far more terrifying:
Purge.
All power compressed into a single point—
The spear tip struck his body!
Seiichi's expression twisted in shock!
Too fast—
So fast he couldn't even react!
BOOM!
Seiichi was blasted away like a projectile, smashing through countless walls!
Beneath his durable clothing, necklaces and rings shattered one after another.
Tch. So many life-saving items.
What kind of shameless setup was this—just refusing to die?
BOOM!
At the same moment, Kanzaki Rei sensed countless powerful presences gathering in the sky!
A Seventh-Tier Origin Spell was forming.
And simultaneously—
Countless attacks rained down toward the ground!
BANG!
Civilians fleeing the streets were instantly reduced to blood mist by the shockwaves!
Seiichi…!
Decisive.
Utterly ruthless.
If he had the chance to kill a reincarnator, he wouldn't hesitate—
He didn't care about collateral damage.
Didn't care about innocent lives.
His intent to kill was absolute.
Unhindered by morality.
Unburdened by guilt.
Kanzaki Rei could feel it completely—
This man would stop at nothing to kill him.
As he pressed the attack, Kanzaki Rei unleashed his undead army!
ROAR!
A tidal wave of Abyssal-tier monsters surged forth like a mountain range collapsing!
And at that moment—
The Seventh-Tier Origin Spell descended!
"Seventh-Tier Origin Spell: Soul Replacement"
Buzz—
Kanzaki Rei felt his soul tremble—
As if it were about to be replaced!
But—
Just a tremor.
His soul and body were perfectly fused.
As long as his body remained intact—
His soul could not be affected!
The spell attempted to swap his soul with that of the caster—
To seize control.
But instead—
Kanzaki Rei only felt a tearing sensation before his body rapidly regenerated.
Restored instantly to peak condition!
Nothing happened.
A Seventh-Tier Origin Spell—
Rendered completely ineffective.
The caster in the sky froze in shock.
And in that instant—
Kanzaki Rei struck again!
"Heavenly Vault Style — Seventh Form: Phantasm"
In a flash—
Five identical figures of Kanzaki Rei appeared around him, each shimmering with faint prismatic light!
All wielding the Astral Halo War Spear—
Within a single breath—
Dozens of attacks were unleashed upon Seiichi!
WOOO—
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—
A spherical shockwave exploded outward from their clash!
Everything below level 6 was instantly annihilated!
At the same time—
"Origin · Reflection of Past Manifestation" activated!
BOOM BOOM BOOM—
It was as if dozens of Kanzaki Reis attacked simultaneously—
Each strike sending out thunderous waves of destruction!
Only a handful of level 7 experts could remain standing within the blast radius.
Seiichi—
Under the relentless barrage—
His clothes shredded—
His items shattered one after another!
The first strike destroyed his ring.
The second shattered his necklace.
The third tore his garments.
The fourth crushed his bracelet—
BANG BANG BANG BANG—
Life-saving items broke nonstop!
Kanzaki Rei's attacks were landing—
But it only made him more irritated.
What the hell—
How many does this guy have?!
Hundreds?!
If you're that afraid of dying, why not just hide forever?!
Meanwhile—
Seiichi was in complete shock.
He never imagined—
He would be utterly helpless, forced into a one-sided beating.
This wasn't within reincarnation—
He didn't have all his previous classes.
Only three level 6 classes.
But—
He had far more equipment now.
Far more survival tools.
By all logic—
He should have had the advantage.
So why—
Was he the one being crushed?
He vaguely remembered their past clash—
He had only lost by a narrow margin.
Not like this.
Not this overwhelming.
…But this guy can't kill me quickly either.
CLICK CLICK CLICK—
Above them—
Countless mechanical components rose into the sky, glowing faint gold as they assembled!
"Orbital System · Sacred Sky Citadel"
A colossal mechanical fortress formed high above Misril Continent!
Massive cannons aimed downward—
And Kanzaki Rei felt it instantly—
Extreme danger.
This fight—
Was different from the last simulation.
"Divine Core · World-Annihilation Cannon"
A brilliant blue energy gathered at the cannon's mouth.
Kanzaki Rei could feel it—
A higher-tier energy source.
A Mechanist's strength came from construction—
From materials—
From energy sources.
A weak energy source couldn't even activate machinery.
But a powerful one—
Could destroy the world.
Kanzaki Rei's instincts screamed—
There was no way to dodge.
Flash—
He instantly phased out!
"Oblivion · Void Form"
He vanished into nothingness!
BOOM—
A beam of pure radiance descended!
In an instant—
The world turned into blinding white.
One second passed—
Kanzaki Rei reappeared—
Directly within the blast.
His body shattered repeatedly!
Layer upon layer of cores stacked—
Thousands of shields overlapping to protect him!
In the distance—
Seiichi watched—
As Kanzaki Rei was reduced to ashes—
Only to reform—
Then shatter again—
"Heavenly Vault Style — First Form: Release · Life · Body Tempering Source"
Two concepts—
Dissolution and Life.
Dissolution pushed his limits beyond limits—
Breaking his body again and again—
While Life granted endless regeneration.
Combined with:
"God-Tier · Physical Limit"—100x tempering efficiency—1000x physical cap—1000x breakthrough potential
His body was already tens of thousands of times stronger than a normal level 4 warrior.
Plus regenerative enhancements—
Plus multiple body-refinement techniques at LV: 401—
Plus:
"God-Tier · Absolute War Body"
He would not die.
No matter what—
He would not die.
…
Seiichi's pupils shrank.
What kind of monster was this?
Why wouldn't he die?!
Even after that—
Still regenerating?!
That attack—
Contained a fragment of Divine Core energy!
In his sixth life, he had been both a level 7 Mechanist and an 8th-tier Destroyer—
This cannon carried not only level 7 power—
But also insights from level 8 destruction.
It could annihilate the entire continent—
Kill any level 7 instantly.
And yet—
This thing—
What was it?!
Destroyed—
Then reborn—
Even reduced to ash—
Still regenerating?!
Was he immortal?!
How do you kill something like this?!
BOOM—
Kanzaki Rei felt cores shatter and reform—
Again and again—
But—
This destruction was too much.
He couldn't hold out.
Finally—
At the fifth second—
He phased again.
…
Kanzaki Rei opened his eyes.
He turned—
Reina was beside him.
A trace of cold sweat formed.
"…Good thing I didn't act recklessly."
His restraint wasn't just caution—
It was instinct.
Precognition.
Avoiding danger.
All of it combined.
Now—
He knew.
Seiichi had a trump card capable of killing him.
And if they fought for real—
The entire Misril Continent would be destroyed.
Not acceptable.
Kanzaki Rei thought carefully.
Seiichi's body—
Was entirely mechanical.
At least level 7 craftsmanship.
To destroy it instantly…
He might need to sacrifice all souls at once.
But that level of destruction—
Would take the continent with it.
…Machines.
Do they fear poison?
There were specialized toxins for machines.
And that sky fortress—
It was assembled from scattered components across the city.
Meaning—
It could be sabotaged in advance.
…If his body was mechanical—
Then he needed to analyze it completely.
Find the weakness.
Kanzaki Rei glanced at Reina.
Then initiated the next simulation.
…
Second simulation—
Reina infiltrated without magic.
Undetected.
As expected—
Seiichi was only sensitive to magic.
As an assassin, Reina left no trace.
…Professional work.
Kanzaki Rei's abilities were powerful—
But none were truly suited for assassination.
Stealth required silence.
Not power.
Reina poisoned the drink—
Seiichi drank it.
He frowned—
Clearly affected—
Flash!
Both Kanzaki Rei and Reina attacked instantly!
BOOM!
CLANG!
Seiichi's body erupted with fragments!
Kanzaki Rei couldn't isolate the rings or necklace—
Spatial cutting required continuous solid structures.
He'd have to sever limbs.
But his magic couldn't split living bodies.
Otherwise—
He'd just bisect enemies instantly.
BANG!
Seiichi recovered quickly—
Sending a signal—
To summon the sky fortress—
But—
Nothing happened.
In this simulation—
Kanzaki Rei had already sabotaged the components.
No fortress.
Seiichi—
Now poisoned—
Now attacked—
Yet still endured.
His resistance was terrifying.
Reinforcements arrived.
Annoying.
BOOM—
Kanzaki Rei drove him underground—
Piercing his throat—
But—
Metal.
His body—
What was it made of?
Through contact—
Kanzaki Rei scanned everything.
A mechanical body—
Powered by a Divine Core Reactor.
Material:
Eternal Marsh Crystal—
Absorbing 99% of impact—
Converting it into energy.
Plus:
Memory-forged metal—
Self-repairing.
Flesh and machine fused—
Even storage integrated internally.
…No weak points.
Tough.
Extremely tough.
Despite his experience—
Without combat classes—
Seiichi was suppressed in melee.
But—
Flash—
He tanked the hit—
Then vanished.
Escape.
Again.
…
Third simulation—
More poison.
Higher dosage.
Entire bottle replaced.
He drank it—
Still unaware—
Spear—
Impaled from behind—
Extreme · Purge (100 million souls)
Phantasm activated—
Items shattered—
He survived—
Then escaped.
Again.
…
Kanzaki Rei exhaled deeply.
…Not easy.
But—
The advantage was his.
Enemy in the open—
Him in the shadows.
One simulation left.
Reserved.
Always.
"…That's enough for today."
Reina blinked.
"That's it?"
"Yeah. We'll come back tomorrow."
Then he asked,
"If your target had endless escape methods… how would you guarantee the kill?"
Reina's eyes lit up.
"Hah. You're asking the right person."
She crossed her arms proudly.
…Why are you so excited about this?
"Our teacher says—an assassin's greatest virtue is patience."
…Could've fooled me.
"No matter how cautious a target is—there will come a moment they let their guard down."
"If their defenses are too strong—then you peel them away layer by layer."
"A true assassin doesn't just kill in battle—"
"They manipulate life itself."
"Make the enemy lower their guard."
"Expose their weakness."
"Or better—grip them completely."
"Like holding a man's most vital part in your hand—once you have it, he can only submit."
…?
Wait.
What did you just say?
That's what your teacher taught you?
Kumironi—
What kind of school did you send her to?
And that teacher—
I might need to report you.
Kanzaki Rei walked back slowly with Reina.
Her logic was absurd—
Yet strangely enlightening.
…He had underestimated assassination.
Without proper knowledge—
Trying to kill someone like Seiichi—
Was arrogance.
But still—
Seiichi.
Let's see—
How many times you can escape death.
At this point—
Kanzaki Rei felt no hesitation.
No guilt.
Because Seiichi—
Was just as determined—
To kill him.