The battle had finally ended.
And with it, Ais stood just one step away from reaching Level 6.
Had Udaeus already reincarnated, she would've likely leveled up right after their last expedition. But even without that breakthrough, it was clear—Ais had surpassed Phryne.
The massive, bloated body collapsed with a heavy thud. Dozens of slashes covered her flesh, and her entire outfit was soaked in fresh blood.
"Damn it... You cursed Sword Princess... again...!"
This defeat etched yet another deep scar of humiliation into Phryne's heart. If she'd had excuses for losing to Ais in the past, this ti there were none. The truth was undeniable—Ais had grown far stronger than her.
"Phryne," Akira stepped forward, his tone cold, "why were you looking for ?"
"Why? You bastard! You turned down our friendship offer and even tried to steal our precious tool! You insulted our Goddess! What else could you expect besides this?!"
"Tool...?"
Everyone looked puzzled—everyone except Akira.
He instantly understood.
From the very beginning, Ishtar never planned to hand Haruhi over. She had simply used him as a pawn in her ga.
"So that's how it is… You were the ones who broke the alliance. And now, you're here to attack . That makes your intentions clear—you've chosen to beco my enemy."
"And so what if we have? Listen closely, Shin Akira. The world is vast. Don't think that just because you've got a little power, you can act all high and mighty!"
"High and mighty?" Akira tilted his head with a faint smirk. "Says the defeated warrior lying in her own blood?"
The irony was laughable. Even in utter defeat, Phryne still dared to speak arrogantly.
Truth be told, Akira had already anticipated this betrayal. He had prepared himself for a scenario where he'd have to kill a goddess.
What surprised him wasn't the betrayal—only the fact that Ishtar had been arrogant enough to send just one person: Phryne.
"Ais," Akira said calmly, "may I take care of this one?"
"Go ahead."
She nodded and sheathed her Desperate.
"Thanks~"
With a gentle wave of his hand, a blade erged from within his own shadow.
A wave of killing intent spread across the area like a sudden drop in temperature. Phryne's eyes widened in panic.
"W-Wait! What are you doing?!"
"What do you think? Tying up loose ends. Don't worry—you're not the first."
"W-Wait! I beg you! I can be yours! You can have ! My whole body—everything is yours——!"
A sharp whistle tore through the air.
Before Phryne could finish her desperate plea, a clean arc of steel swept across her neck. Her frog-like head was severed in one swift motion, flying through the air before crashing to the ground with a sickening thump.
Even in her final mont, she never imagined she would die like this.
Ais and Lefiya froze in shock. They hadn't expected Akira to actually go through with it.
Bell, on the other hand, remained calm. He had already witnessed Akira slay four powerful warriors without hesitation. Compared to them, cutting down a grotesque monster like Phryne was nothing unusual.
"Ishtar…" Akira murmured, looking down at the corpse. "You made your move first. Now it's only fair I return the favor."
He smiled—but it wasn't the kind of smile that brought warmth.
It was a killer's grin.
"Shin-san," Lefiya stepped forward, a little pale, "you shouldn't have killed her. She was the captain of the Ishtar Familia. This could spark a conflict with the Hephaestus Familia… maybe even trigger a War Ga."
"A War Ga? That won't happen. This whole ss will be over soon. After tonight, there won't be an Ishtar Familia left in Orario."
"…What?"
"I ant that literally."
Akira didn't bother hiding his intent. He was going to wipe them out.
If even the threat of Freya hadn't scared him, then the Ishtar Familia certainly wouldn't. Especially not after their strongest mber had just been decapitated.
All they had left were a few mid-level fighters. At best, even with Haruhi's boost, they might reach the power of a Level 5.
"Ais, can you relay a ssage to Finn?" Akira said, his voice casual. "Tell him to prepare. If he moves fast, he might get to take a bite out of the Ishtar Familia when they collapse."
"…Huh?"
"Just tell him. Consider it a friendly tip."
"…Alright."
Ais didn't fully understand the political gas between Familia. But even she knew this: the Ishtar Familia ruled the Entertainnt District—and that ant big money.
If they were to fall, that whole territory would beco a battlefield. And whoever claid it first would feast.
With nothing else to do in the Dungeon, the group returned to the surface. Bell's training and adventure had reached its climax for the day.
Akira also wanted to return to Hephaestus as soon as possible, and Ais and Lefiya accompanied him.
Once back at the top floor of Babel Tower, Akira explained the situation to Hephaestus.
"So, you plan to attack Ishtar tonight?"
"That's right. She's the kind of goddess who'll do anything to get what she wants. If we're enemies now, there's no reason to wait."
"I see. Is there anything I can help with?"
"Not really… unless you're interested in a huge slice of the Entertainnt District?"
"No thanks. I don't need that kind of money."
That was what it ant to be truly rich. And Hephaestus lived up to the title.
"Need to update your Falna?"
"Hm? Not yet. I haven't accomplished anything big enough for it to matter. Let's wait for the right mont."
"Got it. We'll hold off, then."
Tonight, Shin Akira would break the chains holding him back.
He would go to war with a goddess.
It was dangerous. It would be bloody.
And yet, his blood ran hot with excitent.
As ti passed, the sun dipped below the horizon. Night blanketed Orario.
Evening… night… then midnight.
The bell's echo rang out across the city.
Akira slowly opened his eyes.
Night was his domain. As the King of the Shadowkhan, he ruled in the darkness that cloaked the city.
A sharp gust of wind howled.
Akira leapt from the window of Babel Tower, soaring through the air, gliding with the aid of his psychic power.
His destination—the Entertainnt District.
The heart of Orario's nightlife glimred beneath him, bursting with neon lights and indulgent pleasures. Houses of courtesans illuminated every corner, as the desires of n and won intertwined in the seductive midnight air.
But tonight, Akira ca not for pleasure.
He had one goal.
To face the goddess who ruled this district.
"Limiters, release."
[Ding!]
[Power limiters have been released. The progression of inheritance: {King of the Shadowkhan} has been frozen!]
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