THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 781 The Throne Beyond Existence

Deep in the Eastern Nightmare Lands, close to the Shadow Sect…

The SSS-rank warriors of the Sect had mostly assembled, keeping watch and observing the breakthrough ceremony.

Fulghor and Gehrman were present among them, vigilantly monitoring for any potential issues.

Frey Starlight lay enclosed within a huge black cocoon that fully surrounded him.

Within its depths, he rested serenely like an innocent child, oblivious to everything outside.

His aura underwent transformation, as if his entire physique was undergoing reconstruction.

'Once he advances to SSS-rank, his strength will surge tremendously.

Paired with his unique skills, he'll turn into an unstoppable powerhouse,'

Gehrman remarked, while Fulghor agreed with a nod.

'He needs to become as mighty as he can. The upcoming clash will be pivotal… it will decide Earth's destiny,'

Fulghor's grave tone declared icily.

Right then, several humans neared Gehrman upon overhearing his statement.

They included fighters from the Shadow Sect and heads of the major families.

Spotting their expressions, Gehrman offered a subtle smile.

'I see you have words you'd like to share.'

Nova Starlight, the Starlight Family's founder and chief, responded.

'Sort of…'

Nova replied, casting a look at the shadowy cocoon.

'Back when you mentioned our sole chance rested in a far-off tomorrow…

I never dreamed that chance would be a lad just over twenty.

And moreover… he's my own bloodline.'

'He's far from an average young fellow,'

Evankhell, the woman with dark skin, added.

'He's the individual who led us through the total downfall.

Thanks to him, we've managed to rebound.'

'He's the author of those incredible tales… the very narratives that taught us to harness aura and battle.'

Nova released a soft sigh.

'I've heard this twice now, yet it remains hard to grasp.

Are we discussing reincarnation or something similar?'

A few days prior, the great families' leaders and heroes from the prior era had encountered Frey Starlight.

He had scarcely recognized them… as if they held no significance to him.

He and Snow Lionheart now stood as humanity's mightiest creations…

though doubts lingered about their full humanity.

Entrusting the world's future to two guys scarcely beyond twenty seemed ridiculous… but it was their sole remaining path.

'The straightforward reason demons overpower you is clear,'

Gehrman interjected into the discussion.

'It's due to the barriers capping your advancement.'

'You were humanity's initial heroes… potent enough to attain SSS-rank amid the demons' near-eradication of mankind.'

'However, your aptitudes have boundaries.

No matter the efforts, even the elite couldn't exceed Stage Two of SSS.'

This core flaw explained why the elder generation never matched the demons.

The Shadow Sect's original members… the first readers… had endured for ages, honing their might while awaiting Frey's coming.

Still, they remained stuck at Stage Two's apex… Chaos Pulse.

They simply didn't have the innate gifts to shatter that barrier.

'In contrast, Frey Starlight clashed with Amon, who had achieved Stage Six of SSS, even though Frey was merely SS+.'

The key disparity between Frey and past legends stemmed from his exceptional talent…

and his reality-shattering powers.

He owned six, and lately acquired a seventh.

'To claim victory… your only route is to trail behind him.'

The veterans offered no retort.

A hush descended as all anticipated Frey's exit from the cocoon.

Among documented humans, Abraham Starlight retained the peak attainment… Stage Four of SSS.

He now battled Thanatos's Dark Power, which sought to make him a host.

Abraham wasn't feeble… he defied Thanatos… but the pressure confined him to isolation far inside the Shadow Sect.

Ada alone stayed with him.

Frey had visited too… prior to departing for Beatrice's pursuit.

Thanatos differed from Gepetto.

Gepetto never swayed Abraham.

Yet Thanatos posed a genuine peril.

Even without dominating Abraham, he'd at least impede him during combat… blocking the Starlight leader from engaging unhindered.

In the worst case, Frey could face the task of slaying Thanatos personally to liberate his father completely.

Yet the dilemma persisted…

How?

Even Agaroth couldn't eliminate Thanatos… imprisonment was the sole recourse.

Gehrman opposed battling Thanatos outright.

As a staunch foe of the demons, he proved too crucial to squander early.

That was the counsel he'd provided Frey.

While Gehrman waited with the Shadow Sect, his mind wandered.

'There's a shift in him… something altered.'

Gehrman pondered the exact changes in Frey Starlight.

Others might overlook it for now…

but his keen senses detected it right away.

'His demeanor now… it evokes memories of my master…'

'…Nameless.'

Fulghor glanced his way.

'Did you utter something, Gehrman?'

Gehrman gave a light smile and shook his head.

'Nothing at all, old companion.'

Gehrman bowed his head, lifting both hands to his view.

One appeared pale and fractured.

The other consisted of solid aura… a replacement for a limb utterly destroyed in war and reformed inadequately.

Gehrman had hit his ceiling.

He'd probably never battle effectively again without mending his damaged form.

And only Nameless could manage that… via his supreme command of the Law of Life and Death, a proficiency unique to his zenith.

Frey lacked it.

And wouldn't gain it shortly.

Nevertheless, Gehrman remained unconcerned.

Not regarding his frame.

Not about his life.

His weary gaze approached exhaustion… yet the conclusion neared.

The journey spanning millennia…

The vast scheme he'd meticulously crafted across eons…

All neared completion.

'Just hold on a bit more…'

Gehrman composed himself, eyes locked on the dark cocoon.

'I merely need to persist a short while… and this ordeal will conclude at last.'

His visage stayed icy and blank… but his pale blue eyes reflected a lifetime dedicated to one goal.

To the extent that his inner spark had faded, distant from the era when he earned saintly renown.

As Gehrman delved into reflections, Fulghor abruptly advanced, his helmet-shielded eyes alight.

'It's starting.'

The Shadow Sect's War General announced, pulling all stares… including Gehrman's… to the cocoon.

Initially, all appeared normal.

But soon…

An odd aura pulse swept across the terrain.

The ebony cocoon abruptly swelled, devouring the earth as it ballooned.

All recoiled swiftly.

Gehrman leaped to Fulghor's shoulder while the colossal figure surged ahead, positioning himself before the burgeoning dark sphere… prepared for whatever came.

Meantime, the Shadow Sect fighters and human legends felt rising alarm.

'What's going on?! Has the breakthrough failed?!'

Inver, head of the Sunlight Family, yelled while eyeing the turbulent dark aura tempest.

The other humans mirrored his fear.

They'd all attained SSS-rank previously… but none had seen anything akin.

Just Gehrman and Fulghor stayed composed.

'It hasn't failed,' Fulghor assured.

'He's on the verge of triumph.'

Gehrman concurred with a nod.

'SSS's initial phase… The Throne Beyond Existence… marks the onset of one's supreme capability.

It appears uniquely for each, based on their inherent might.'

He faced the veteran heroes.

'His authentic capacity is overwhelmingly vast.

Hence, his advancement unleashes such fury.'

They all held SSS-rank…

But the chasm separating them from Frey was vast beyond measure.

In terms of raw potential, the elder icons resembled minnows beside a colossal leviathan.

The shadowy force intensified relentlessly.

Then… It burst forth.

A massive ebony column pierced the heavens, dispersing clouds while quaking the realm.

From its core…

A human silhouette gradually appeared.

The murky aura dissipated, and Frey Starlight emerged… eyes shut.

His silver locks floated gently.

His form emanated a fearsome, contained might.

No showy aura displayed… still, the surrounding void quivered.

That sufficed as evidence.

He'd achieved it.

Frey's expression stayed frosty and impassive…

Though now tinged with subtle regret.

He gradually unveiled his obsidian eyes… the V-shaped emblem shining in each.

'You pulled it off…'

Gehrman's words echoed.