THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 781 The Throne Beyond Existence

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

Nearly all the SSS-rank experts of the Sect had assembled, standing vigilant and observing the breakthrough ceremony.

Fulghor and Gehrman were part of that group, keeping a sharp eye out for any potential issues.

Frey Starlight now rested within a huge black cocoon that fully encased his form.

Within its confines, he slumbered serenely like an innocent child, oblivious to the surroundings.

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

"Upon reaching SSS-rank, his strength will surge immensely.

With his unique powers added, he'll turn into an unstoppable presence,"

Gehrman remarked, while Fulghor gave a nod of concurrence.

"We need him to become as mighty as he can. The upcoming clash will be pivotal… it'll decide Earth's destiny,"

Fulghor's grave tone declared icily.

Just then, several humans drew near to Gehrman upon catching his statement.

The group included Shadow Sect members and heads of prominent families.

Spotting their expressions, Gehrman offered a subtle smile.

"I see you've got words on your mind."

Nova Starlight, founder and head of the Starlight Family, responded.

"Sort of…"

Nova replied, casting a look at the shadowy cocoon.

"Back when you mentioned our sole chance rested in a far-off era…

I couldn't fathom that chance would be a youth just over twenty.

And moreover… he's my own kin."

"He's far from an average lad,"

the woman with dark skin, Evankhell, added.

"He's the one who led us through the total downfall.

Thanks to him, we managed to rebound."

"He's the author of those astonishing 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's still hard to grasp.

Is this akin to reincarnation or something?"

A few days prior, the family leaders and past-era heroes had encountered Frey Starlight.

He had scarcely noticed them… as if they held no significance in his world.

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

though their humanity could be debated.

Entrusting the world's future to two young men in their early twenties seemed ridiculous… but it was their last resort.

"The simple reason demons overpower you is…"

Gehrman interjected into the discussion.

"…the barriers capping your advancement."

"You were humanity's initial heroes… potent enough to attain SSS-rank amid the demons' near-extinction of our kind."

"However, your aptitudes have boundaries.

Despite every effort, none of the elite even exceeded Stage Two of SSS."

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

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

Still, they lingered at Stage Two's summit… Chaos Pulse.

They simply didn't have the innate gift or promise to shatter that barrier.

"In contrast, Frey Starlight clashed with Amon at Stage Six of SSS, even though he was merely SS+."

What truly set Frey apart from former heroes was his exceptional talent…

and his reality-shattering skills.

He owned six of them, and lately acquired a seventh.

"To claim victory… you must trail behind him without question."

The previous generation stayed silent.

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

Amongst all documented humans, Abraham Starlight retained the top achievement… Stage Four of SSS.

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

Abraham held his ground against Thanatos… for he wasn't feeble… yet the burden consigned him to isolation in the Shadow Sect's depths.

Only Ada stayed with him.

Frey had visited too… before departing to pursue Beatrice.

Thanatos differed from Gepetto.

Gepetto could never sway Abraham.

Thanatos posed a genuine danger.

Even without full dominion over Abraham, he'd at least hamper him in combat… restricting the Starlight leader's free action.

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

Yet the dilemma persisted…

How exactly?

Not even Agaroth managed to eliminate Thanatos… mere sealing was the alternative.

Gehrman opposed any clash with Thanatos outright.

As a sworn foe of the demons, he proved far too crucial to lose hastily.

That counsel he'd imparted to Frey.

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

"There's a shift in him… something different."

Gehrman pondered the exact changes in Frey Starlight.

Others might overlook it for now…

but his keen senses detected it right away.

"The manner he holds himself these days… it evokes memories of my master…"

"…Nameless."

Fulghor glanced his way.

"What was that, Gehrman?"

Gehrman gave a light smile and denied it.

"Nothing… just mumbling to myself, old companion."

Gehrman bowed his head, lifting his hands into view.

One appeared pallid and fractured.

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

Gehrman had hit his ceiling.

Proper combat seemed unlikely without mending his damaged form.

And only Nameless could achieve that… via supreme command of the Law of Life and Death, a prowess from his zenith.

Frey lacked such ability.

Nor would he gain it shortly.

Still, Gehrman remained indifferent.

To his physical state.

To his own life.

His weary gaze approached exhaustion… but the conclusion neared.

The journey spanning millennia…

The vast scheme woven across eternities…

Everything neared closure.

"Hold on just a bit more…"

Gehrman sat upright, eyes locked on the dark cocoon.

"I merely have to persist a while longer… and this torment concludes at last."

His features stayed icy and impassive… yet those pale blue eyes held the tale of one wholly committed to one goal.

To the point his inner spark had faded, distant from his saintly past.

As Gehrman delved into reflection, Fulghor advanced abruptly, his helmeted eyes flaring.

"It's starting."

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

Initially, all appeared normal.

Then…

An odd aura pulse rippled across the terrain.

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

The onlookers retreated swiftly.

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

At the same time, the Shadow Sect fighters and human legends felt alarm rising.

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

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

The other humans mirrored his fear.

They'd all attained SSS-rank previously… but never beheld such a spectacle.

Gehrman and Fulghor alone kept their composure.

"Failure isn't the case," Fulghor assured.

"Success is imminent."

Gehrman agreed 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 scope."

He faced the veteran heroes.

"His authentic potential vastly exceeds.

Hence the ferocity of his ascension."

All were SSS-rank…

Yet the divide from Frey was vast beyond measure.

In raw potential, the elder legends resembled minnows beside a colossal predator.

The shadowy force intensified relentlessly.

Suddenly… It burst forth.

A massive ebony spire pierced the heavens, dispersing clouds and quaking the realms.

From its core…

A silhouette gradually appeared.

The murky aura dissipated, revealing Frey Starlight as he emerged… eyes shut.

His pale locks floated gently.

A fearsome, contained might emanated from his frame.

No showy aura displayed… still, the nearby space quivered.

That sufficed as evidence.

Success was his.

Frey's visage stayed stoic and blank…

Though now tinged with subtle regret.

He gradually unveiled his ebony eyes… V-shaped marks shining in each.

"You pulled it off…"

Gehrman's voice echoed.