Although the battle had been won and the enemies lay dead, a stifling silence pervaded the area. There were only five beings present: Elian, Bianca, Silent, Bastion, and the interloper known as Alfred Valestra.

Despite being in Frigid, Bianca quickly approached Elian and took his hand in hers. Like a lifeline, she grabbed it tight and interlocked their fingers. Her husband would have felt pleased at the act if not for the current problem in front of them.

"Now, now, don't look at me like that. I am not your enemy. I wish you two no harm. But I have no interest in anyone else. Let's send them home, shall we?"

At once, the human figures of Silent and Bastion dissolved into light and vanished, leaving only three. His demonstration caused Elian to raise his brow. The fact that he could control the system meant this Alfred was no simple being.

Elian shifted his appearance back to his human Tyrant form. If Alfred only wanted to talk, he could just kill him afterwards; the information he could provide might help the Weapons in the future.

Alfred Valestra nodded in appreciation and smiled.

"Thanks. The stuff I wanted to discuss concerned only the two of you. No need to stand at attention, let's make this an amicable discussion. Do either of you like tea or coffee? I also have some snacks and chocolates."

Bianca barely managed to squeeze out a soft whisper, "I'm fine, thank you."

Alfred Valestra frowned, "Shame. What about you, Elian?"

"I can't taste anything. Get to the point."

As if annoyed at the cold reception, Alfred threw his arms back and rested his head on them like a pillow. "Man, as always, your social skills suck. Is that like the payment you get for being the Weapon? Even after all this time, you still treat me like trash."

Elian didn't know why, but his gut told him that the man in front of him was bad news. If he had his way, he would have already sent a bullet or a blade into his head. But as he didn't know how strong he was, the Tyrant opted to wait and see.

Before he could resume his questioning, Alfred smiled, "Oya? Normally you would have already blown my head right off by now. This version of you is really careful; is it because Bianca Valestra is still alive?"

The Weapon flinched; for all the flamboyant exaggerated acts Alfred Valestra did, he somehow knew Elian's intentions. It was a trait only hunters and assassins had. Immediately, Elian moved his body to cover his lover.

This bastard is no idiot.

"Elian, do not agitate him. I feel he is very powerful," Bianca replied in his mind.

Yeah, I know. Do not worry, Bianca. He will not touch a hair on your head.

At his declaration, Bianca's lips curled into a smile, and she nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder.

"Sigh, thank you, Elian. Hearing that calmed me down."

Feeling her body rest against his, he squeezed her hand. She squeezed back as if to reaffirm that she was still there beside him.

Golem Lake, which served as the floor, began to swirl, specifically the part that Bianca stood on. Infusing Living Metal into the air, Elian intended to create an invisible shield for his wife. Her body was still trembling, but at least her face was no longer as pale.

"Hmm. So it really is her, huh? It seems Mags was right. Who would have thought that that Villainess could act like a love-struck puppy. Or that the most uncivilized butcher of the Crucible would behave like a doting husband."

Hearing the name Mags, both Elian and Bianca gasped in shock. Bianca shared that Mags was the nickname of her teacher and benefactor. Although hardly any people actually used it.

"Are you referring to Magnolia Dawson?" she croaked nervously.

Looking extremely bored, Alfred nodded, "Yep, the one and only Mags, my sister. We had completely different approaches to the same problem you see. And it looks like parts of her plan worked at least."

Seeing that the conversation was going nowhere, Elian slammed his foot on the ground and roared.

"ENOUGH WITH YOUR GAMES! Her husband is Chad Dawson; who the hell are you supposed to be? What are you here for, you bastard?!"

Only rather than getting angry at his show of force, Alfred began to snicker like a mischievous teenager.

"Hahaha! There it is! There's the blood-drunk savage I know and love."

Alfred's voice had warmth and affection as he gazed at Elian's glaring form. He looked like a lover-struck maiden who sorely wanted to embrace her partner.

Seeing as his attempt to be intimidating failed, Elian rubbed his temples as he spoke in a calm voice.

"I grow tired of this. Say your piece and go home. I have had a long day."

"Oh, I do not doubt that. The rate at which you amassed power in this world is many times greater than the last. It hasn't been a decade since you were born, and the legions of Weapons had already come into reality."

It didn't take a genius to understand the relationship Alfred and Elian had. After all, he had been dropping hints like crazy; words such as "reality," "this world," and his overly familiar attitude all spoke of only one possibility.

"You... You have the power to jump or see between worlds, don't you? And you know an alternate me from them." Elian grunted in displeasure.

"Yep. As always, you are quick on the uptake, my friend. I can be considered the one who knows you best."

Smiling as if he had won the lottery, Alfred continued to nod and even began to skip in place. It looked disturbing considering he had the appearance of a middle-aged man.

"Why are you here, Alfred? I don't know what our relationship was in the other world, but I have no intention of messing with you."

All of a sudden, a violent bloodlust filled the air. A suffocating pressure suddenly began to envelop Elian and Bianca; they tensed their bodies toto fight it off. But just as abruptly, it vanished.

Elian squeezed Bianca's hand in worry.

Are you okay?

She squeezed back.

I'm fine.

Even without words, they could feel each other's heart. It was obvious that the system was right. The bastard in front of them was an enemy. And from the system's words, they had to beat him before they could leave.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. My bad. I let my temper get the best of me. That was your fault though, Elian. You shouldn't spout out such crap when you obviously are going against me."

Fearing a sudden sneak attack, Elian stopped replying. Instead, he watched his opponent like a hawk.

"…"

"Right, then let me introduce myself. This form is Alfred Valestra. That was the mask I chose in this world."

All at once, Alfred Valestra shed off his skin and hair like a pajama. The being who remained was a humanoid that had a body of white. He did not have a face nor did he have hair. He looked like a blank cartoon.

"I don't have a name. But you used to call me Origin. So I ended up using that. It's nice to see you again, my friend. Or would enemy be more apt?"

Despite being on high alert, Elian scoffed in annoyance.

"Anyone told you that you talk way too much?"

Origin then leaned his head back as if to laugh, but as he didn't have a mouth or eyes it just looked like he got off balance.

"Hardly. Because I killed them all. Only you have the audacity to say such things to me Weapon."

At that moment, Elian let go of Bianca's hand. He then shifted his appearance to one of battle.

"Charade, Hunter."

In an instant, he donned silver armor and his entire body grew chainsaws that all began to rev like an engine.

"Guess I don't need to know. You ready?"

But Origin shook his head, "I told you before, I have no intention of fighting you. I came only to ask one thing."

The blank faced being waved his hand. And all of a sudden, Elian's Hunter form was dispelled. He reverted back to his default Tyrant form. Puzzled at how his opponent could control his skill, Elian gritted his teeth but listened to Origin.

"Can you please back off?"

The question took Elian off guard. Even Bianca was rendered speechless. Back off? That term was used for the aggressor. And somehow Elian, a Tyrant who had been invaded by so many, was now asked to back off.

"Ha?"

"I said stop fighting the crucible. You have gained a wife and a future to live happily ever after. I will ensure no other world comes for Earth. So can you please back off?"

Although Origin's proposal was immensely attractive, it begged the question of how and why. There was only one person who could promise things like that. It would have to be the one who held power over the entire battle royale.

Probably noticing his gaze, Origin stretched out his hands and sighed.

"You guessed it right. I am the one who created the Crucible. You wanting to end it is a problem for me. So I came here to negotiate. Call off the Weapons, and I will let you live in peace for all eternity."

"…"

All of a sudden the road before Elian began to blur. For the first time since he gained his power, he no longer knew what to do.

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