This mage's Origin Magic—
Was called 「Spell Rebirth」.
Even after a spell was cast, it could still be destroyed under certain conditions. For instance, a warrior might simply cleave a spell apart with raw force.
But his Origin Magic allowed destroyed spells to regenerate—again and again.
Combined with Anzheng's Origin Magic, it could make spells effectively eternal.
A synergy powerful enough to form an extremely potent combination.
The only regret was that learning Origin Magic required far too much time. Even a full day wasn't enough—let alone just a few hours.
There were still several hours before the operation.
From the morning's simulation, Kanzaki Rei had already outlined several tasks that had to be completed.
Retrieving the treasures of the major churches and keeping them in his own possession—to prevent their loss during the destruction of the Secret Sea—was an unavoidable main objective.
That alone was reason enough for his presence here.
Beyond that, this Root Mage's Origin Magic was something Kanzaki coveted deeply.
He reached into his inventory and took out the 「Inner Key」—a crimson stone.
A trophy obtained from Eltimi.
It could open a gateway into the Inner World.
After that battle, Kanzaki had explored the Inner World multiple times.
But entry points in the real world were limited. There was only one near Rijia, and every visit led to the same scenery. He had flown for hours inside without encountering anything truly noteworthy.
He had even attempted to summon a dungeon there—
But discovered it was impossible.
After that, he stopped exploring.
Instead, he treated it as an escape route.
If the outside world faced catastrophic destruction, the Inner World could serve as a refuge.
The two worlds were isolated. No matter how violent the outside conflict became, its aftershocks wouldn't reach inside.
Originally, Kanzaki had planned to let Izparut and Anzheng fight outside—
While he hid within the Inner World, avoiding collateral damage.
Then re-emerge afterward to regroup.
No need for random teleportation.
But now…
Even the Inner World might not be safe.
If the Secret Sea were destroyed entirely, would it affect the Inner World as well?
He would test it in the next simulation—March 31.
Holding the crimson stone, Kanzaki felt a pull.
He walked toward a spatial node.
Buzz—
As he approached, a red portal opened before him.
Its color gradually dimmed—cooling into black.
He stepped through.
Into the inner layer of the world.
This region corresponded to Peace City.
There were two entrances.
One lay beneath the city—within a labyrinth of winding underground paths.
That subterranean maze was infested with cults—thriving, flourishing in the shadows.
And strangely…
Because they existed within Peace City, they were still protected by its rules.
The Inner World entrance there was a hidden portal deep underground.
The other entrance—
Was the one Kanzaki had just opened with the crimson stone.
Buzz—
Passing through, he appeared in a dark alley.
His perception spread outward.
Crowds moved through the streets.
This place…
A city of cults.
Dark rituals traded in shadowy shops.
Death spellbooks sold openly.
Even—
Soul markets.
Slave markets.
Completely different from Rylan's Inner World.
There, only monsters existed.
Here, a full marketplace had formed.
But…
Almost everyone had the same remaining lifespan as those outside.
About one month.
Their death times aligned perfectly—down to the millisecond.
So even the Inner World couldn't escape the coming destruction.
Kanzaki walked the streets, inwardly reflecting.
Who would've thought—
That this city of cults perfectly mirrored Peace City above?
He had discovered it near the end of his simulation.
One day wasn't enough to explore an entire continent.
By the time he found it, there had been no time left.
So he tested the rules of Peace City instead—
Killed two random people.
The backlash nearly tore him apart.
His body had begun disintegrating uncontrollably.
That was when he ended the simulation.
It was said the God of Peace never harmed anyone.
But any who violated its rules would pay an immense price.
In the Inner World, however—
Those rules did not apply.
Slaves were traded.
Death Priests harvested souls.
Skinstealers hunted flesh in alleyways.
A chaotic, evil city.
Living Furnace, Shedding Rose, Metamorphosis and Evolution, Plague Source, True Secret Sect, Chaos Church…
"So many cults…"
There were eleven Moons.
Excluding the forgotten one—
Ten major organizations remained.
Life Church, White Tower, Light Church, Dark Church, Peace Church, Luck Church, Cold Church—
All recognized.
Especially the White Tower.
A purely academic institution.
Many members didn't even worship Yog.
The War Church was controversial.
Recognized by some nations, banned by others.
But in stateless regions, it still thrived.
Like here—Takuya.
Where it formed a dominant power.
The remaining—
Chaos Church, Death Church—
Were outright heretical.
And others…
Fringe beliefs.
"March 2nd, midnight…"
"The Death Church conducted a Death Inheritance Ritual."
"Dozens of elites gathered here to compete for the White Inheritance."
"They would emerge on March 3rd, 21:00."
"One survivor. The Gu King."
"Unfortunately… I arrived too late in the simulation."
"Missed it."
"By the time I learned of it—the Death Apostle had already left."
Flash—
Kanzaki appeared inside the Death Church.
Unlike their hidden bases in the outer world—
Here, their temple stood openly.
He walked through empty corridors.
Closed his eyes.
「Future Simulation」
In an instant—
Twenty-four hours passed.
When he opened them again—
His gaze had deepened.
"Corpse Substitution… Death's Visage… Embrace of Death…"
"…Interesting."
His perception focused on a sealed room.
Inside—
Black-robed figures surrounded a dark portal.
"The inheritance should be ending soon."
"Who do you think will win?"
"Only one survives."
"I'd say… Zetsumu has the highest chance."
"Zetsumu?"
"I disagree."
"The strongest is that young one—just nineteen—already a Death Bishop of Tarabella. Zosh."
"Zosh has potential—but lacks experience."
"Strength alone isn't enough…"
Their voices remained sealed.
Until—
A new voice.
"Don't you think… I'm the most likely?"
"…You?"
They turned—
A smiling child stood behind them.
"You—!"
"Kyoya!"
"You're supposed to be inside!"
"Why are you here?!"
They couldn't understand.
Kyoya clasped his hands behind his back, smiling brightly.
"Hmm~"
"Why?"
"Because… I've already completed it."
Smile.
Then—
Pfft!
Blood spikes pierced five men simultaneously!
Boom!
Ten heads exploded instantly.
No warning.
「Soul Collapse Detonation (Fifth Tier) (LV: 401)」「Bloodvine Devour Piercing (Fifth Tier) (LV: 401)」「Soul Rend (Fifth Tier) (LV: 401)」
In a single exchange—
Only one remained.
A Level 6 Death Priest.
But even he—
Was impaled, suspended midair.
Dozens of crimson spears pinned him to the wall.
"Kyoya!"
His eyes were bloodshot.
"You traitor!"
"We raised you!"
"Do you know what you're doing?!"
Kyoya looked up innocently.
"Of course."
"I'm fulfilling Death's doctrine."
"Returning you to purity."
"Isn't that an honor?"
Boom!
The wall shattered—
A massive maw burst forth—
And devoured him whole.
「Bloodfiend Devour (Fifth Tier) (LV: 401)」
Silence.
All elders—dead.
Kanzaki stood before the trial portal.
It hadn't ended yet.
The participants were still inside.
In his simulation, he had learned many Death spells.
Fourth-tier spells—
Perfectly suited for him.
Even the so-called Death Apostle likely didn't know as many as he did now.
"Death Apostle—Kyoya."
Only two years older than him.
Same age as Kiyomi.
Awakened at eight.
Early awakening wasn't forbidden—
Only regulated by nations.
Cults didn't follow rules.
They killed freely.
Naturally—
They awakened early.
Fewer in number.
But stronger.
Because of higher awakening quality.
Still—
Most were raised from childhood.
Late joiners rarely qualified.
"Next…"
Kanzaki scattered materials.
Drew a ritual.
Then—
His hand lit up.
Buzz—
Dozens of magic circles formed.
Layer upon layer—
Engraved into the ground.
At Level 4 Mage—
He could finally use structured magic arrays.
They enhanced spell power.
Even identical spells—
Would differ due to arrays.
Proficiency determined complexity.
Whoosh!
Dozens became hundreds—
Then thousands—
Then tens of thousands.
Under Multi-Casting—
Each spell became five arrays.
Under 「Origin Magic: Immutable Eternal Technique」—
They required no maintenance.
They remained forever.
Thirty seconds—
Two hundred thousand arrays.
"This should be enough."
Flash—
He appeared in a corpse-filled room.
Collected them all.
Flash—
Another alley.
More bodies.
Kyoya had hidden corpses everywhere.
Prepared for substitution.
A cautious one.
Level 5 Death Priest.
Awakened at eight.
Terrifying spiritual capacity.
Kanzaki collected nearly all.
Left only a few—
Rigged with two hundred thousand arrays.
Then—
He rose to the sky.
Took control of the city's barrier.
Checked his watch.
Tick—
12:00.
Kyoya stepped out of the trial portal.
Aura of absolute death.
But—
Boom!!!
A massive soul explosion erupted!
"AAAAAA—!"
Instantly—
Corpse Substitution activated!
He teleported—
To a remaining corpse.
He didn't have time to think—
Why so few remained.
Boom!!!
Magic surged everywhere—
Walls, floor, space—
Hundreds of thousands of spells detonated simultaneously!
He was incinerated instantly.
Reduced to ash.
At that same moment—
Kanzaki reached out—
Whoosh!
Five storage bags.
One ring.
One bracelet.
All taken.
Crack—
Restrictions broken instantly.
No rule said he had to kill first.
Boom!!!
Another soul explosion!
Kyoya regenerated—
Then died again.
Each revival—
Consumed exponentially more souls.
Tenfold each time.
Three times already.
Boom!!!
"I won't—! Why—?!"
"I am Death's Apostle!"
"I shouldn't die!"
Despair.
He had obtained the inheritance.
Chosen by White.
He could've become a Level 9 Death Priest.
He was only ten.
But now—
Why?
His storage items—
Gone.
He could've lasted longer.
This was a perfect ambush.
Who?!
His perception searched—
Nothing.
Just air.
"No…!"
Boom!!!
Silence.
A child—
With Kyoya's face—
Stood where he died.
Kanzaki collected his soul.
Picked up a black bead.
"The Death Inheritance…"
"I'll take it."
Whoosh—
A black token appeared.
From Kyoya's storage.
「Death Apostle — Kyoya」
Identity.
Crack—
Broken.
A pure soul infused.
It activated.
"…Not bad."
A perfect disguise.
As for the real Kyoya—
No one cared.
...
Want to unlock up to 60+ early-access chapters and exclusive novels and NFSW CONTENT ALSO? Join my Patreon today and dive deeper into the adventure!
patreon.com/denji21