[Death Speed – Increases speed twofold. Each second consumes one year of lifespan.]

Aron activated his talent. One side of his body twisted unnaturally as a ghostly leg and arm emerged.

In an instant, twelve clones surrounded D-One and Ana, their fists blurring through the air.

He knew he couldn't kill them that way, but it would be enough to keep them unconscious long enough to deal with the real nuisance.

Once that was done, he could figure out how to end them properly.

His cold eyes shifted toward Jergenmay, and with a burst of speed, he charged straight at her.

Lordmoonlight, who had been standing on a nearby building just moments ago, was nowhere to be found.

Only Jergenmay remained on the rooftop, her face now serious.

Despite the fury burning inside him, Aron stayed calm.

He had once been a trader, known for their ability to stay composed no matter the situation.

As soon as she entered his inspection range, he used it.

[Name: Jergenmay

Rank: Transcendent

Talent: Holy Queen (Absolute Authority): The law of purity is at your command. Power level rises in accordance with Rank.]

Aron frowned slightly at her status.

Her talent was unlike anything D-One or his crew possessed.

At first, he had assumed it was a healing-type ability, but after reading the description, he realized their version was merely a watered-down fragment of hers.

Either she wasn't the original owner of the shared talent, which seemed unlikely, or her power was so overwhelming that others could only inherit a single aspect of it.

Judging by her energy level, she was likely a Level 1 Transcendent.

While Aron was still analyzing her, Jergenmay's body began to radiate blinding white light, so bright even the distant spectators had to squint, despite the sun blazing overhead.

But Aron didn't blink.

When the light finally receded, she stood clad in pristine white armor that hugged her form perfectly.

Between the armor's gaps, thin white fabric covered every inch of skin except her eyes.

Even her gloved hands, gripping twin swords, shimmered faintly.

Aron could feel her energy tripling before his eyes.

But what truly shocked him was that, for the first time since gaining his inspection skill, the special mode failed to reveal her talent,no matter how many times he tried.

"Bring it on," Jergenmay said calmly, taking her stance.

Aron sprinted forward, summoning two samurai-like swords from his storage, blades that had once been mere decorations before the apocalypse.

Lightning crackled the moment their weapons met.

Clangg!

Sparks flew as their swords collided, both glaring into each other's eyes before pushing off and charging again.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The rhythm of battle echoed through the air.

Aron was shocked, and so was Jergenmay.

Though her face remained calm, her mind was in turmoil.

How is he blocking my sword? What kind of weapon is that? Is my blade malfunctioning?

She had expected to end the fight in one strike.

Yet this was their tenth clash, and the cheap-looking swords in his hands still hadn't broken.

Jergenmay's sword carried the attribute of Absolute Purity, capable of slicing through anything deemed impure.

No matter the defense or quality, it should have cut through effortlessly.

After all, nothing in this world was pure enough to resist her blade.

And yet… these trash swords refused to break.

Meanwhile, Aron was growing increasingly frustrated.

Every offensive talent he used was being neutralized the instant it touched her.

Lightning vanished on contact.

Water control had no effect within a meter of her.

Even the earth disobeyed him whenever it lay beneath her feet.

He tried launching sharpened rocks as projectiles, but the moment they neared her, they simply dropped lifelessly to the ground.

To make things worse, every time his sword met hers, his danger sense flared.

Each clash numbed his arms further.

Every swing felt like walking the edge of death.

Shung!

Aron twisted suddenly, redirecting the force of her swing into a nearby wall. Using that brief opening, he slashed at her stomach, only to watch his blade bounce off harmlessly.

Meanwhile, Jergenmay's sword slid into the wall as if it were water, cutting through it without resistance, total destruction.

Aron stared, wide-eyed in disbelief.

(What kind of freakish nonsense is this?)

Absolute Defense.

Ability Neutralization.

Self-Healing.

Unbelievably sharp swords.

And slightly stronger than him.

No wonder his danger sense was going berserk.

The only reason he was still standing was because she clearly lacked combat experience, and because of his Indestructor ability, which rendered not only his weapons but even his clothes unbreakable.

Still, Aron knew he couldn't keep this up forever.

He stepped back, watching her carefully. Jergenmay, breathing heavily, also paused.

"W-We should let bygones be bygones," she gasped, struggling for breath.

"Letting hate lead us… offers no salvation. Please, Saint, stop this."

He could see the exhaustion in her movements.

His own stamina, however, was endless. The only problem was time.

His Death Speed ability had already burned through his lifespan, down to seventy-six years remaining.

"It's either I die," Aron said coldly, thunder flashing in his eyes, "or he does."

"And if you stand in my way…" His tone dropped, low and dangerous. "I'll make sure you follow him."

Mana surged outward, draining from a two-mile radius into the sky.

Clouds blackened as earth and water spiraled upward.

The spectators, who had been holding their breath since the start, felt their hair stand on end. Terror rooted them in place.

None dared move.

None dared run.

To stand out now… was to die.

...

..

.

Author's Note:

THANK YOU for the Power Stones, Golden Tickets, and all the love, you absolute legends! 🔥

I know I disappeared for two days (don't worry, I fought the sickness boss and barely survived 🥲). Still not 100%, but seeing your support makes it all worth it! ❤️

This shameless author is now twerking in gratitude, yes, twerking. Don't question it. Just keep throwing those stones and tickets while I dance my way back to health! 💃😂

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