【"...What a mess."】

【The group arrived at a marketplace. It was in total chaos; stalls were overturned, and not a single soul could be seen nearby.】

【"This is the Cloudstone Bazaar, an important settlement and living area of the Holy City. If we force a breakthrough, it will surely cause unnecessary losses... but our reinforcements have arrived."】

【"Lord Phainon. And... two guests."】

【An extremely ominous aura emanated from behind, making Dan Heng almost instinctively tighten his grip on the broken spear in his hand. He turned around and soon saw a young girl slowly walking toward them.】

【A purple "aura" permeated her body, so thick it looked like liquid, flowing from her shoulders, seeping from the folds of her clothes, and dripping from the tips of her hair... heavy, viscous, and carrying a suffocating sense of pressure.】

【However, the girl's expression was very gentle. Seeing that the three were safe, she gave a soft, faint smile: "Welcome to Okhema."】

【"These enemies... are they not moving?"】

【Dan Heng noticed that the enemies behind her all had their heads bowed, with no intention of attacking her at all.】

【Not only that, but purple flowers were constantly blooming on the Path she stepped on, opening in gorgeous clusters as if the earth were responding to her call. However, the bloom of these flowers lasted only an instant; at the very moment the petals fully unfurled, the withering had already begun.】

【Phainon joked: "When I heard your footsteps, I thought my heroic epic was about to have the word 'Finale' written by the Shinigami before it even began... Miss Castorice."】

【"If an epic stops abruptly at its opening, it might be quite astonishing. But today, Lord Phainon... Okhema needs you."】

——

One-Punch Man.

"This woman... what a terrifying aura."

A drop of cold sweat slid down Homeless Emperor's temple. Although he had seen countless powerful monsters and heroes after joining the Monster Association, none could control enemies simply through their "aura."

According to the Hero Association's current intelligence, it seemed only KING could do such a thing.

But this purple aura... even through the Celestial Screen, it felt as if a chilling sensation was washing over him, like falling into an ice cellar.

Is this... "Death"?

However, he saw that the other Dragon-level monsters around him showed no signs of abnormality; only he appeared the most nervous. Thinking of this, Homeless Emperor instinctively puffed out his chest, forcing himself to calm down.

"Is this woman also one of the Chrysos Heirs?" Black Sperm sized up Castorice. "Tribbie, Mydei, Phainon, Castorice... the current Chrysos Heirs all seem extraordinary. And hearing Phainon's words, this woman represents the Shinigami... she should be the strongest among these Chrysos Heirs."

"But she looks very kind. Could it be a disguise?"

Homeless Emperor had heard that there were similar existences in the Hero Association—the kind that looked harmless on the outside but had actually killed enough monsters to pile up into a small mountain.

Black Sperm said indifferently: "Probably. It's just unclear which Path these Chrysos Heirs walk. Each of them uses a different power. It's truly strange..."

——

【Phainon joked: "With even the Holy City's Mortician saying so, it seems I'll be able to survive this battle?"】

【"Hmm... that is not for me to decide. All I can do is clear the obstacles and lead you to the place where Nicadori descends." Castorice shifted her gaze. "You two guests, please come along as well. Follow behind me... please maintain a distance of five paces."】

【The three followed Castorice's footsteps forward. All the enemies they encountered along the way instinctively bowed their heads and ceased their attacks.】

【Dan Heng only felt it was incredible: "Their hostility has vanished?"】

【"In the face of Death, even Strife will hesitate. I... am the shadow of 'Death'."】

【Soon they reached two enemies blocking the way. These two monsters were clearly different from the other minions and were not suppressed by Castorice's aura.】

【"The scent of bloodstains... are you a Finger-Bearer of the Hand of Gloom (Titan of Death)?"】

【Castorice shook her head calmly: "...I am no one's attendant."】

【Seeing that these two monsters had no intention of backing down, Phainon didn't waste words with them either, pulling out his longsword and making them pass away on the spot. In this way, the Path to the center of the Holy City was clear.】

【Castorice: "...Lord Aglaea said your time is precious and should not be disturbed by pointless conflicts. I can let it rest in peace."】

【"That's what I was going to say. No need to use your power on these small fry." Phainon looked at the massive structure across the cliff. "Let's go. It's time to face 【Strife】. Ahead lies the Cloudstone Celestial Palace, the Spear of Divine Punishment, and Nicadori... is right there."】

【Suddenly, an earth-shaking war cry erupted from within the palace, piercing straight into the clouds.】

【"...A terrifying war cry. Is that a Nautilus?"】

【"That war cry once leveled battlefields, sweeping everything away, felling both my enemies and comrades to the ground. People were as fragile as reeds in a gale." Phainon lowered his head in guilt. "At that time, my limbs trembled, my weapon slipped from my hand, and only a frantic and shameful heartbeat remained in my ears..."】

【"Fear—that is why the Titan of Strife is revered. If a warrior can face its terror and still take a step forward, no trial thereafter can shake the weapon in his hand."】

【"You two, if you wish to turn back, this is your last chance."】

——

Aotu World.

"The Titan of Strife sounds less like a god and more like some kind of monster that dominates a region," Jin scratched his head. "Then can Dan Heng just go up, transform into the Imbibitor Lunae, and take care of it?"

"No." Grey leaned against the wall, quietly watching the backs of the three on the Celestial Screen. "Although the Imbibitor Lunae is powerful, one must also give respect to the local powerhouses during battle. You can't reveal your trump cards right at the start."

"Moreover, there are twelve Nautiluss in Amphoreus, and we don't yet know exactly which ones have fallen into madness. If Dan Heng can subdue the Titan of Strife alone, what about the Nautiluss after that? Will these Chrysos Heirs ask him to help deal with all of them? And will he encounter any dangers in the process?"

Although the Astral Express Crew had always been warm-hearted, if they stood out too much, they might be used as pawns by those with hidden motives. Phainon looked very sincere, but he wasn't the only Chrysos Heir after all. It was hard to say if the other Chrysos Heirs had different ideas.

"Take it one step at a time, play your cards one by one. Even if there truly is some insurmountable crisis in Amphoreus, Dan Heng and March 7th shouldn't be the ones to face it alone."