"It's been a while, Reign," Asmodeus said, his voice smooth and resonant, carrying a neutral smile on his face that revealed little of his true intentions, his presence filling the opulent hall with an aura of ancient authority that made the air feel heavier and more charged.

"I wasn't expecting you, Lord Asmodeus," Reign responded, his tone laced with a mix of surprise and deference as he rose steadily from his ornate throne, the intricate carvings of cosmic conquests gleaming under the hall's ethereal lighting.

He bowed meekly to Asmodeus, his massive frame inclining with calculated respect, the gesture underscoring the hierarchy between them amid the vast chamber adorned with trophies from distant galaxies.

"Indeed.

I decided to visit out of the blue.

I hope I'm welcome despite my intrusion," Asmodeus remarked casually, his eyes scanning the room with a subtle intensity that missed nothing, his dark robes flowing like liquid shadows as he stood poised in the entrance.

"You will always be, my Lord," Reign assured him firmly, straightening up with a composed demeanor that masked the underlying tension simmering within him from recent events.

"So? Do you mind explaining what's with the activity within your galaxy?" Asmodeus inquired, his voice cutting through the silence like a finely honed blade, curiosity glinting in his timeless gaze.

"Some human from another galaxy killed my son.

I'm searching for the bastard to kill him," Reign explained tersely, his words heavy with barely contained rage, his fingers clenching as memories of the loss fueled his determination.

"Revenge, huh.

You have never been one to let go of a grudge," Asmodeus chuckled lightly, the sound echoing softly in the grand hall, a hint of amusement dancing in his otherwise inscrutable expression.

"While on your little search for revenge, I hope you haven't forgotten our main goal?" Asmodeus asked, his tone shifting abruptly.

All form of playfulness and nonchalance vanished in an instant, replaced by a grave seriousness that etched deep lines across his immortal features, his eyes narrowing with focused intent.

Replacing every trace of levity was the stern look on Asmodeus's face, an unyielding mask of command that brooked no excuses.

The pressure within the room increased palpably, the air thickening as if the very atmosphere responded to his shifted demeanor, pressing down on Reign like an invisible weight from the cosmos itself.

"Of course not, my Lord.

I'm fully aware of what is expected of me and continue to be diligent in fulfilling my path," Reign replied steadily, his voice firm despite the mounting intensity, his posture rigid as he met Asmodeus's gaze without flinching.

"Good.

You must continue to grow stronger, Reign.

Your inherent ability to control destruction is much needed if we are to retrieve his body from the void," Asmodeus emphasized, his words carrying the weight of ancient prophecies, his hand gesturing subtly as if invoking the chaotic energies of the abyss.

"Pardon me asking, my Lord.

But have we gotten the information yet on where the body might be?" Reign inquired cautiously, his brow furrowing slightly in curiosity, the question hanging in the charged air like a delicate thread.

"Not yet.

But I have others working on that part.

All you need to worry about is ensuring you get strong enough to withstand the chaotic energy of the void.

Your destruction energy is the best chance we get in retrieving him," Asmodeus explained methodically, his tone leaving no room for doubt, his eyes reflecting visions of swirling darkness and forbidden retrievals.

"In light of that, I come bearing a gift," Asmodeus said, his voice softening slightly as he reached into the folds of his robe, producing a stone-like object that pulsed faintly with contained power, tossing it casually to Reign.

"That's a concentrated mana core.

It has two galaxies' worth of mana.

Use it to refine yourself and rank up.

The next time I visit you, I want to see your rank to be 5-star galaxy rank, and not four-star galaxy rank as you are now," Asmodeus instructed firmly, his expectations clear and unyielding, the core glowing in Reign's hand like a captured star.

"Thank you, my Lord.

I won't disappoint you," Reign said gratefully, clutching the core tightly, his resolve hardening like forged steel under the promise of advancement.

Asmodeus waved him off dismissively, his gesture elegant yet authoritative, signaling the end of the exchange.

"That will be all for now.

I have duties to handle.

If I leave for too long, questions will be asked," Asmodeus explained matter-of-factly, turning toward the hall's grand entrance with purposeful strides, his robes whispering against the polished floors.

"Forgive me asking so much questions, my Lord.

But why do you want to resurrect him that badly?" Reign asked hesitantly, his curiosity overriding caution one final time.

"He left an everlasting impression in my mind the last time I had a conversation with him," Asmodeus answered cryptically, his voice trailing off as he walked out of the hall afterward, leaving Reign in contemplative silence amid the echoing vastness.

----

[Aaron Highborn]

Race: NIGHT

Rank: ETERNAL (600 ★)

Strength: 600 ★

Agility: 600★

Vitality: ∞

Stamina: ∞

Mana: ∞

Luck: 800 ★

Charm: 700 ★

Soul Strength: 600 ★

Talents: God-rank Crown of Luck, SSS Swordsmanship, SSS Charm, SS Lightning King.

Primordial rank Time manipulation.

Primordial rank Space manipulation.

"That wasn't so bad.

Now I'm halfway through in reaching the nebula rank," Aaron chuckled to himself, his voice light and self-satisfied as he floated effortlessly in the infinite expanse of space, the remnants of devoured solar systems swirling faintly around him like cosmic dust.

Since the first solar system he had merged and consumed, Aaron had since integrated and devoured other solar systems, each one adding to his growing power, bringing his tally of merged solar systems to an impressive 600, a milestone that thrummed through his eternal form with invigorating energy.

"Hmm?" Aaron muttered curiously, his refined senses picking up on a subtle disturbance in the void ahead.

He noticed a little spaceship flying toward him, its sleek hull cutting through the darkness with desperate urgency, engines humming faintly against the silent backdrop of stars.

Behind the spaceship were others, larger and more imposing vessels, their formations aggressive and unyielding, painting a clear picture of the smaller spaceship being relentlessly pursued across the interstellar expanse.

One of the larger spaceships released a powerful blast, a streak of concentrated energy lancing through the void, damaging the smaller spaceship heavily, sparks and debris trailing from its wounded side like a comet's tail.

With the small spaceship sabotaged, its hull breached and systems failing, the ones inside had no choice but to abandon the vessel, ejecting into the cold vacuum before it could fully succumb to destruction.

From the small spaceship, an old man and a little girl exited, their figures silhouetted against the starry canvas, the man clutching protective gear around them both.

The old man carried the young girl securely in his arms, his weathered face set in grim determination as he propelled himself through space, trying his best to outrun his pursuers amid the endless black.

Despite trying his best, exerting every ounce of his aging strength and cunning, the old man was unable to evade the pursuit of the spaceships, which were faster and more maneuverable, closing in like predators on weakened prey.

In the end the old man was caught, every route of escape blocked by spaceships threatening to release a blast at any moment.

"You are surrounded.

Hand her over while I'm still asking nicely," a young man wearing a pristine white robe demanded, stepping out of the lead spaceship with an air of entitled authority, his voice amplified through external speakers to carry across the void.

The young man had long black hair that flowed like ink in zero gravity, contrasting sharply with his pale skin that gleamed almost ethereally under the distant starlight.

Behind him were a group of men, dressed like disciplined protectors in matching armored suits, their postures rigid and vigilant.

They held advanced weapons at the ready, energy rifles humming with charged power, standing on guard like silent sentinels prepared for any resistance.

"She is just a little child.

You can't hurt her.

Please let her go," the old man pleaded desperately, his voice cracking with emotion as he stared at the young man with pleading eyes, clutching the girl tighter against his chest.

"Come now.

Don't mistake me for an unreasonable man.

Just hand her over.

That's all I ask," the young man said smoothly, stretching his hand outward in a gesture of false benevolence, seeking custody over the child with insistent patience.

"I can't.

I fear what you may do to her," the old man stood his ground resolutely, his voice firm despite the tremor of fear, knowing full well he was teetering on the doorstep of death in this vast, unforgiving space.

"Hah.

I thought you were smart enough to know the right choice," the young man said mockingly, his pale features twisting into a sneer as he unsheathed his sword with a metallic whisper.

The old man closed his eyes tightly, steeling himself for his impending end, his body tensing in anticipation of the fatal strike.

"Anyone mind telling me what's going on here?" The calm voice of Aaron caught every party member present by surprise, his sudden appearance in the midst of the confrontation sending ripples of shock through the group.

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