On the edge of death, Ryusei had only one thought—to become stronger. To change, just as he always had.
But… was that truly what he wanted?
No.
He craved power—power that would allow him to stay true to himself. Power that would crush his enemies without compromise.
Yes. He needed power.
His heart began to beat. Slowly, rhythmically, as he lay where the clear water met the dark.
It was ironic. He who was both a clear, innocent boy without malice… and a cold-blooded assassin.
That was when Ryusei realized—both of those versions were him. Why did he have to choose? Why not become both?
And the moment he accepted that truth, something inside him began to shift. Not only within… but outside as well.
His body began to crack. Thin fractures spread like wildfire, consuming him entirely. His form shattered like fragile glass.
White shards drifted in the water—until an unseen force pulled them together like magnets, forming a small orb.
It pulsed, expanding with each beat like a heart, growing until it resembled a cocoon. Pure white. Every part of it radiated waves of mana.
Then, all at once, the mana was sucked back in, like air into a vacuum. For a single instant, it felt as if time itself had stopped.
The cocoon began to pulse—white flashes flickering violently until—
Crack.
Crack. Crack.
Cracks slithered across the cocoon like snakes until—
Shatter.
The shell fell apart, revealing a humanoid figure—pure white—as the shards flowed into its being.
Then it spoke.
"...What happened? Didn't I die?"
It looked down at itself, at the body cloaked in light, inspecting every part. And then it exclaimed,
"Is this… me? Did I finally become a human?"
The voice was calm. Clear. Almost hypnotic.
"I didn't become a ghost… right?"
That's exactly what it resembled—a visible ghost.
And as if to answer that lingering doubt, the system activated.
—————
NOTIFICATION
< Ryusei Orochi, you have evolved into a Tyrant-ranked monster. >
< Due to reaching Tyrant rank without first evolving into a High King, you have been granted a title. >
< Title: One Who Defies Logic >
< Due to gaining the title 'One Who Defies Logic,' you have been granted a factor. >
< Factor: Immortality >
< Factor Description: You cannot die. You do not age. Only soul attacks can erase your existence. All wounds heal, no matter the injury. >
< Due to evolving into a Tyrant without choosing a singular ego, you have been granted another title. >
< Title: The Tyrant of Greed >
< As a named Tyrant, you have received a skill. >
< Skill: Skill Tree – Legendary >
< Skill Description: Your skills can now evolve over time. >
—————
"The system… So I really did evolve… A humanoid." Ryusei looked at his hands. "This doesn't feel much different from being human. Wait—why can I speak underwater? ...Eh, doesn't matter. I still need to clear this floor and return to Haku."
Using Fast Strike, Ryusei propelled himself toward the surface, his speed slicing through the water like a blade.
Vazrothvra, meanwhile, saw only a blur shoot out from the depths before it landed lightly on the water's surface.
A figure cloaked in light. He instinctively understood—the mana this being wielded was at least equal to his own… perhaps even greater.
Then the figure spoke with quiet confidence:
"Vazrothvra. This time, I won't lose."
That one sentence was enough. Vazrothvra grinned.
"Then come, young warrior. Show me what you've found on the brink of the end."
With a soft chuckle, Ryusei scanned the battlefield. He spotted a sword his size, picked it up with ease, and gave it a swing—the force sent a gust of wind through the area.
"This seems about right."
Clenching the sword tightly, he declared,
"Let's do this, Vazrothvra!"
Vazrothvra picked up his greatsword and assumed his stance.
Silence.
Then—Ryusei vanished, a splash left in his place.
In a blink, he was in front of Vazrothvra. His sword flashed in a horizontal arc, aiming for the neck.
Cling!
Sparks flew as Vazrothvra blocked with a slight raise of his blade, the clash releasing a shockwave through the air.
Ryusei continued his assault, his strikes relentless—but Vazrothvra blocked each one effortlessly.
Then—with one swing of his massive blade—Vazrothvra sent Ryusei flying.
Mid-air, Ryusei opened his mouth and fired a Black Hole.
Vazrothvra's eyes narrowed. That attack couldn't be blocked.
He dropped his sword and dodged left.
Right into Ryusei, who had appeared with another horizontal swing.
Clang!
Vazrothvra blocked with his arm, then drove a punch into Ryusei's gut, sending him crashing down. Blood flew from Ryusei's mouth as water shot up where he landed.
He coughed but quickly stood up, wiping his mouth.
A few ribs were broken. They healed in seconds—probably thanks to Immortality. But the light that enveloped his body was starting to fall apart, revealing his smooth white skin.
Ryusei remained calm. Something inside him had changed. He didn't know what it was—he just was. Whole. True.
He looked at the sword, picked it up, and raised it into the air. A golden orb formed at the tip.
"Adaptation: The End."
"Final End."
The orb flashed black and shot into the sky, dispersing.
Nothing happened.
Unlike Vazrothvra's skill, no weapons rained from the heavens.
Yet Vazrothvra took a defensive stance.
Then, Ryusei lowered his hand—and a spear dropped from the sky, piercing through Vazrothvra's greatsword.
A pitch-black spear, unlike any he'd ever seen.
Where did it come from?
Vazrothvra looked up.
Above the clouds, countless weapons—blacker than the void—hovered, awaiting Ryusei's command.
Ryusei grinned, voice alight with excitement.
"What do you think, Vazrothvra? This skill will bring about your End."
When was the last time Vazrothvra felt excitement?
He didn't know. But his heartbeat quickened for the first time in centuries.
He reached for the black spear—but his hand passed through it.
That only thrilled him more.
When had he last fought for his life?
Sitting on his throne like a statue… waiting… bored—until this faint light, in the form of a snake, reignited his world.
He took off his helmet, revealing a handsome face with black hair and dark eyes. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Ryusei blinked in surprise.
Then Vazrothvra spoke, his voice clear, no longer distorted:
"Once more—I am Vazrothvra, The End. And I acknowledge you… as my opponent."
Ryusei rubbed the back of his head and returned the smile.
"I am Ryusei Orochi, the Tyrant of Greed. I'll gladly be your opponent."
They picked up their weapons and charged—faces full of joy and thrill—as their blades collided mid-air, the shockwave splitting the water in two.
And so began the final clash between The End… and the new Tyrant of Greed.