The angel's sword released terrifying waves as Mark tanked the attack.

His left arm was cut clean off, but instantly, another one grew as he advanced.

This battle had gone on for too long.

It was time to put an end to it.

Bang…

Mark struck the Quasi Rank 4 angel's chest. Ribs shattered as his leg pierced through it.

The origin of chaos erupted, and the angel screamed in agony.

Finally, Mark grabbed the middle of the angel's head and ripped him apart.

Quickly, the angel burned away, turning into nothingness.

The battle was over.

But the war was still ongoing.

---

On the other side of the portal… 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Void played with the glowing orb that represented the Quasi Rank 4 angel's soul.

Another Quasi Rank 4 soul added to his collection.

Although the angel wasn't truly dead and would eventually reincarnate, there was nothing Void could do about that.

Still, with all this preparation, he was certain—

When he broke through to Rank 4, he would surpass that angel… and her curse would be erased.

Void took a deep breath as Mark appeared from the portal, which closed behind him.

"The battle is over, Master," Mark said, kneeling on one knee.

Void nodded.

"That is good. Well done."

"Yes, Master," Mark replied.

"What did you learn from the battle?" Void asked.

"Here it comes…" Mark thought before answering.

"Master, I tasted the power of another Quasi Rank 4, but I still feel lacking. I wasn't truly pressured, and I know it is because of my new bloodline. If I were still just a god, that angel would have won. The battle would have been far more difficult."

"That's correct," Void said. "But among my slaves, most are far stronger than you. Even Nephem would defeat you easily, so you wouldn't learn much from them."

"Yes, Master. I can only blame my weakness," Mark said with a wry smile.

The once number one on the Hans leaderboard was now nothing more than a weakling here.

What a change.

"Do not lose your courage. Soon enough, you will fight beings that will change your understanding. As long as you follow me, you will meet stronger and stronger opponents—and you will grow stronger as well," Void said.

"Thank you, Master. I look forward to it."

"Alright. You may leave."

With that, Mark disappeared.

Void sighed.

"Nyx, you're back. What is it?"

A soft hand rested on his shoulders, gently squeezing as she began to massage him.

Instantly, Void felt his body relax as waves of pleasure spread through him.

"Master, I have brought some news," Nyx said as she continued massaging him.

Seeing his silence as approval, she continued.

"After completing the mission the Commander sent me on, I discovered something… something you would find interesting."

"Hm…" Void's interest was piqued.

"As it turns out, in the second layer of the Abyss, there are bases that welcome other creatures."

"I could sense from the traces that these bases are backed by Rank 3 beings—or even Quasi Rank 4 and above."

"Regardless, it seems the Abyss has opened pathways for other creatures to enter. Demons are forming contracts with them, gaining souls and other benefits."

"Interesting…" Void muttered.

"Yes, Master. It creates a steady flow of souls for them. I feel that if we establish one as well, we would gain access to more souls and even more worlds," Nyx concluded.

Void felt impressed.

Her massage had improved again… was she training for him?

Regardless, what she said was an eye-opener.

So much had changed in the Abyss.

It seemed he had been away from home for too long.

But this…

This was a good change.

A very good one.

It would massively increase the strength and reach of demons.

"Master… that's not all," Nyx continued. "I also saw angels entering the Abyss."

Boom

Void's muscles tensed as a terrifying aura surged.

Nyx felt as though she had become prey in a cage, as something ancient and monstrous gazed into her very soul.

A chill ran through her entire body

Then suddenly, it vanished.

"Continue," Void said softly.

Nyx swallowed and went on.

"These angels are mostly at the peak of Rank 0, though I sensed some at Rank 1. They open portals from Heaven into the Abyss and remain there for a period before leaving."

"I don't know if it's a new ritual, but most are torn apart by demons. However… the ones who survive seem stronger than normal angels."

Boom…

Void felt his heart skip a beat.

"Ah, Nyx… thank you for this," Void said as she stopped the massage.

"Yes, Master."

Nyx stepped back and bowed.

"You may leave."

"Yes."

With that, Nyx left.

Void frowned and spoke to the system.

"System, what is happening in the Abyss? Why are angels entering our domain?" Void asked.

(Host, it is a new evolution path discovered by both angels and demons.)

"What do you mean? Demons discovered it too? How?" Void asked.

(Host, it is simple. Before breaking through to the next realm, powerful beings realized that if an angel enters the Abyss or a demon enters Heaven, they must survive the hostile environment.)

(They will be eroded by the divine brilliance of Heaven or the dark corrosion of the Abyss. If they survive, they become significantly stronger.)

(However, by entering enemy territory, they are isolated—and will be hunted by angels or demons alike.)

(Host, even if they die, their bodies are of massive benefit to their enemies, so it is a no-loss situation. Both races have agreed to this.)

"Even during the war?" Void asked as the system went quiet.

(Which war, Host?)

"Huh… what?"

Void frowned.

What exactly was the system talking about?

"The massive war between demons and angels—the one caused by that strange newborn angel the demons killed."

(Host, you should be more knowledgeable. That is merely an excuse for angels and demons to start another large-scale war.)

(Perhaps it is because you are still young by demon standards, but this happens from time to time. In simpler terms, it is a method for both races to reduce their population while increasing the number of elites among them.)

"This…"

Void fell silent.

(Host is fortunate to be among the elites. Your name is recorded in the Book of Life and Death, along with a few notable demons. The Abyss takes pride in you, which is why you will be hunted by angels.)

(The same applies to Heaven. There are talented angels you will soon become aware of—and hunt in return.)

(The relationship between demons and angels is not merely one of simple enmity.)