"Mio… how did you end up like this?"
Watching The Beast trapped within the infinite dream world, Yuki shook his head in regret. At the same time, Kurumi Tokisaki and Mukuro Hoshimiya stepped out of the portal, transferring their energy to Nia Honjou and Natsumi Kyouno.
Mio was still as naïve as ever. Believing that, with Isaac Westcott's help, she could bring Shinji Takamiya back was a mistake. Trying to reverse it was pointless unless Yuki allowed it—it was nearly impossible. After all, Yuki had already overcome his traumas…
But that was to be expected of a woman in love. Love had blinded her, pushing her to do the impossible just to bring back the man she loved.
(I am Shinji… why couldn't you at least listen to me?)
If they had talked, Yuki was confident he could have convinced her. After all, he was the closest thing to Shinji that existed. Even if his personality was different, there was no doubt they shared the same soul.
(Still, this is a gain as well…)
Looking at Natsumi, who had copied the Domain of a Champion, Yuki couldn't help but smile with pride and satisfaction.
This was a powerful trump card. If Natsumi could observe other Champions and copy their Domain, how strong could they become? The possibilities were endless…
"Yuki… can you stop her?"
Natsumi was the one who asked. She had asked the same question earlier to his clone, and he had claimed that his Original could win.
That answer had brought her some peace of mind, and feeling the immense power Yuki now possessed, she believed he could do it. But after a brief inspection, the senses of the Champion of Dreams confirmed it—Yuki's current power was still inferior to The Beast's…
It had to be understood that each rank carried a massive difference in power, especially at lower tiers. For example, a High Destroyer couldn't be compared to a Stellar.
The difference between a planet and a star was immense. To be honest, only Champions and Overlords could ignore ranks, because they possessed no destiny. They could crush souls and fates at will. Meanwhile, a Rank 9 could still fight and kill a Rank 8, since the gap wasn't overwhelming and victory could be achieved with luck or a twist of fate.
That was why, when an Overlord and a Champion clashed, the biggest issue was energy. Champions were limited because they tended to protect the world, while Overlords were limitless.
Even though Order was absolute and Champions were stronger than an Overlord, there was always a limit.
For example, when the Monarch of Shadows fell, he fought two High Destroyers by himself along with his army without issue. He only panicked when he faced a Low Stellar—especially since they struck at his weakness.
Yuki was facing the same problem now. The Beast was a Mid Stellar, while Yuki was a Low Stellar.
There was a massive difference in strength. That worried her. Both were Champions and Overlords, and on top of that, the Overlord had looted her Weapon—Requiem, the nemesis of all Spirits.
Because while The Beast herself was terrifying, what truly inspired fear was the Arms Coffin, which had now turned into armor.
That thing suppressed them and tried to bind them. If it weren't for the protection of their respective Thrones, the Arms Coffin might have already devoured them. That was also why Yuki had prevented the girls who didn't yet have Thrones from approaching the warships or leaving his World—they were vulnerable…
Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying…
"Absolutely. I'll stop her…"
Yuki replied firmly. There wasn't the slightest doubt in his victory. He would win no matter what. The story had already been written by his own hand—he couldn't lose.
"…"
Natsumi narrowed her eyes but said nothing. She had no choice but to trust Yuki. As a copy of the Champion of Dreams, she could see more than any Spirit of Order. Even so, she clenched her fists…
"I know you're unsure, but don't worry. The worst is already over. Besides, I won't be doing this alone… right, Reine?"
"…"
As Yuki finished speaking, he raised his hand toward the portal. Another hand grasped his, and a woman stepped out of the still-open gateway.
She was mature and alluring—especially her Astral Dress, translucent like droplets of water, with a bold slit that revealed her left leg. It was dangerously attractive, fatal to any man. Reine Murasame was elegant, never vulgar, like a refined married lady of high society.
But Yuki wasn't there to admire the view. He guided her to his side instead…
""Ohhh…""
Nia and Natsumi opened their mouths at the same time, stunned. How could they not be? Not long ago, Reine had been considered an enemy. They swallowed hard and looked at Yuki differently now. Whatever he had done, they had to admit their boyfriend was terrifyingly capable…
And it made sense they thought that way. Aside from Eggy and Kurumi Tokisaki, all the other girls were just as shocked…
"…"
Reine ignored them all and looked toward the incomplete Domain, where her Original was trying to break free. Her eyes were warm—and resentful.
Unlike Mio Takamiya, Reine wasn't so easily deceived. She had known something would go wrong if Pandora's box were opened. Unfortunately, her Original hadn't listened, and she ended up in such a miserable state.
"Are you okay? Do you think you can do it?"
To Yuki, Reine's mental state was crucial. She was the key to stopping The Beast. If she hesitated, everything would go to hell.
"No problem. You created a miracle before. I'll trust you and keep my promise…"
"Thank you for that…"
"…"
Thankfully, Reine didn't disappoint him. For an impostor like her, it meant everything that her commander, Kotori Itsuka, had returned to the Spirits instead of being consumed by hatred…
"Then let's begin…"
"Alright…"
Without any further delay, Yuki and Reine leaped toward the Crown and entered the Dream Domain…
"AAAHH!!"
The moment they did, The Beast detected them instantly…
Bam…
Belial's branches pierced through the mist of the infinite dream world, lashing toward them like whips.
The attack constantly rewrote reality, eroding the world inside the Crown with massive roots. Fortunately, with four Spirits working within the incomplete Domain, even for Belial it would take time to break through.
"Sandalphon!"
Before Reine could use her own tree to stop Belial, a Throne of Annihilation appeared beside Yuki. He pulled the sword embedded at its base.
"HALVANHELEV!!"
As if that weren't enough, the Throne shattered and fused with the sword, creating an even larger blade…
Shiiii—
With the great sword, Yuki gathered immense energy and released it in the form of a sweeping slash.
The Crown rotated, and Belial's branches were severed cleanly in half…
At the sight, Reine couldn't help but widen her eyes. Cutting Belial wasn't as simple as cutting Ain Soph. Though both trees shared the same power and origin, Belial in The Beast's hands was a weapon on a system-destroying scale.
It should have been impossible for Halvanhelev to cut it, even if Yuki was now using the power of all the Spirits.
(I see… so that's how it is…)
After observing the Crown alongside the Dream Domain, Reine understood.
It wasn't just Halvanhelev. Behind Yuki—or more precisely, within Halvanhelev—the phantom of Black Rock Shooter's sword had formed. It was also the sword of the Champion of Dreams…
"Let's go! I'll open the path—don't stop for anything!"
"…Alright."
"AAAAHHH!!"
When the attack failed this time, Belial's roots burst from the ground and charged violently. At the same time, a black flower bloomed in her hand…
"Ha! Ha!"
Cutting through them, Yuki found himself unable to advance further, forcing him to rely on another Angel…
"METATRON!!"
Pillars appeared around him, along with the phantom of Black Rock Shooter's particle cannon. They spun like a helix—and surged forward again…
====
Note: Ah been a year already...
Merry Christmas