Chapter 308

Kanzaki Rei’s body twisted under a series of grotesque mutations.

Yet a faint, pale green light flowed gently across the surface of his skin.

The aberrations that had begun to erupt from his flesh... were quietly suppressed.

Pff—!

The sky itself seemed to crease and warp.

Lomo, still expanding, unfolded an even larger form. The wings behind it split further—becoming six vast, moth-like appendages.

Its body was no longer humanoid.

It now resembled a colossal, six-winged moth spreading itself across the heavens.

The golden, sacred-flame-covered body it had just shed fell like a discarded cocoon—plummeting toward the sea below.

Whoosh—!

The remains struck the ocean.

In that instant—

The seas of Earth ignited with blazing golden holy fire.

[Time of Death: 1506 years]

Kanzaki Rei stared at the floating countdown hovering in the void before him.

This time, as his gaze locked onto the target, the reduction remained steady—

One second.

One day.

His Death Priest level had already reached Level 5.

The rate of reduction had increased dramatically. Previously, against a Level 7 classed individual, one second of observation would only shave off one to two days.

Now...

Against a Level 7 target, a single second could likely reduce ten days of their remaining lifespan.

Kanzaki Rei stood in front of Kumironi.

That first strike had already granted him crucial information.

Now, within his sea of consciousness—

Another Kanzaki Rei had appeared.

Inside the mental arena, simulations had already begun.

He was fighting Lomo... over and over again in predictive combat modeling.

"I was just about to discuss the mysteries of life with this beautiful lady."

"Why are you interfering?"

Lomo examined the aura emanating from Kanzaki Rei.

A Level 5 warrior?

Kanzaki Rei had only revealed the aura of a Level 5 warrior—his mage class remained completely concealed.

Revealing partial information could mislead the enemy.

Let them underestimate him.

If a battle broke out here—

Earth likely wouldn’t survive it.

And besides...

There might still be secrets hidden on this planet.

More importantly—

Kanzaki Rei had no intention of destroying Earth like this.

Stay calm.

Don’t let anger take control.

Use strategy. Lure it into an irreversible deathtrap.

And protect Earth as much as possible.

That first strike had already proven something:

This divine weapon could still sever its body.

"To cut all things below Tier 9"... it truly lived up to its name.

"Hive Master."

Kanzaki Rei let out a cold chuckle.

"That was just a greeting."

He lifted his gaze, meeting the massive, sky-blanketing form—like a giant radiating moth.

"...You’re far stronger than I expected."

[Time of Death: -1 day, -1 day, -1 day]

At the same time, the strength of his physical body continued to rise.

"Lomo... you’ve been watching us from the very beginning, haven’t you?"

"...Interesting."

"That’s right. From the moment you arrived in this layer of the Sea Abyss, I’ve been observing you."

"I don’t know why you came—but you are certainly... interesting."

"Especially this human girl."

"Your physical body emits the aura of immortality."

"You may very well be the most valuable material I’ve ever encountered..."

From Lomo’s six wings, numerous elongated limbs dropped down—like arms.

Their nails were sharp, curved like blades.

From those blades, barbed spikes continued to grow outward.

Its entire body was expanding, extending—changing with every passing second.

It was constantly mutating.

Kanzaki Rei suppressed the fury boiling within him.

His expression gradually shifted—into one of forced respect... even fear.

As if barely holding himself together, he spoke in a steady voice:

"Lomo."

"There may be something on me... that interests you as well."

He raised his hand.

A crystalline vial appeared in his palm.

"This is a potion that grants monsters intelligence."

"In this entire world, I alone know how to create it."

"Since you can communicate with me, you should understand just how valuable this is."

Lomo’s movement halted.

For a brief moment—

Its expansion stopped.

"After that exchange just now, I know we’re no match for you."

"So... I hope you’ll spare us."

"As long as you let me go, I’ll give you the potion... and the full formula."

There was even a trace of fear in Kanzaki Rei’s voice.

Kumironi stared at him in disbelief.

"Heh..."

"It seems you truly understand the gap between us."

"But... a potion that grants intelligence to monsters?"

"How fascinating."

"To think you possess such a thing... A mere Level 5 warrior—letting you live would cost us nothing."

Whoosh—!

In the very next instant—

A shadow appeared directly in front of Kanzaki Rei.

A humanoid silhouette.

Pitch-black.

Only the vaguest outline of a face could be seen.

Upon closer inspection—

It wasn’t a separate entity.

It was an extension of Lomo’s body—stretching down from the sky itself.

Its form could proliferate endlessly.

Mutate at will.

Its abilities were vast. Complex.

Unpredictable.

"But what if... I refuse?"

Fear flickered in Kanzaki Rei’s eyes.

Yet he held his ground.

"If you refuse... you’ll never get the formula."

Lomo leaned in, face to face.

A dark, distorted smile spread across its form.

"A Level 5 warrior... able to unleash such speed in an instant. That surprised me."

"And you even dare to negotiate with me."

"Do you know how many Level 8 classed individuals have died at my hands?"

Kanzaki Rei replied cautiously:

"How... many?"

"Two!"

...

Only two?

That number was supposed to indicate its strength.

He had expected dozens.

Hundreds.

And yet—

Two?

"If you don’t give me the formula, there’s only one outcome for you—death."

"Do you really think your formula is that valuable to me?"

"Hand it over now, and I might spare your life!"

Kanzaki Rei answered without hesitation:

"No."

"If you don’t let me leave first... then even if I die, I won’t tell you."

Pff—!

A black spike pierced straight through his abdomen.

Blood spilled.

His body weakened instantly.

"You..."

Lomo carefully assessed him.

No matter how it looked—

He was nothing more than a standard Level 5 warrior.

The only anomaly... was the divine weapon in his hand.

That weapon...

It likely originated from the Church of Light—Jua.

The great Hive Lords had certain... private dealings with them.

And the Church of Light was known for being vindictive.

If it killed him...

Lomo studied Kanzaki Rei more closely.

"...Very well."

"I’ll let you go."

"You may leave now."

"Tell me the formula."

Kanzaki Rei shook his head weakly.

"No... Who would trust a verbal promise like that?"

"I want you to personally escort me to the exit of this Sea Abyss."

"Before I leave, I’ll naturally give you the complete formula."

With that—

He hurled the potion in his hand toward a distant monster!

Crash!

The vial shattered against the creature’s head.

Lomo’s perception locked onto it.

Faintly—

It could sense something gathering.

Spirituality.

The monster’s gaze slowly shifted—

From dull confusion...

To clarity.

It looked around, dazed.

As though it had regained human awareness.

The potion...

Was real.

Lomo burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Good! I’ll take you out of here!"

"Come to think of it, Jua does have quite a few ties with our Aberrant Nest."

"My Lord has had many dealings with Jua as well."

"Many of the planets within this Sea Abyss... were brought here from the Astral Realm with the help of the Church of Light."

"Little one... carrying a divine weapon, and possessing such a miraculous potion..."

"Could it be that Jua personally issued a divine decree... for you to deliver this to me?"

"Don’t worry. Even if you’re unaware, you and I are now in a cooperative relationship."

"I naturally won’t harm you."

Inside—

Kanzaki Rei’s thoughts turned cold.

So that was it.

He hadn’t expected such connections to exist.

The Church of Light...

Was secretly colluding with the Nest.

Just how many hidden truths still remained?

Since arriving in the Sea Abyss—

Kanzaki Rei felt like his progress as a Seeker of Truths had skyrocketed.

Bit by bit—

He was uncovering the shadows lurking behind the world.