Journey to Become the Zenith

The Gathering of Incarnations

An isolation domain quietly enveloped the entire riverside.

Anyone approaching the area would immediately trigger the barrier, giving Victor more than enough time to react.

Only after confirming every detail did he finally nod in satisfaction.

”That should be enough.”

Planting the butt of the scythe firmly into the ground, Victor crossed his legs beneath the shade of a massive tree.

He slowly closed his eyes.

His breathing became slower.

Steadier.

His consciousness gradually sank inward.

The sounds of flowing water...

The whispering wind...

Even the warmth of the afternoon sun...

Everything slowly faded away.

...

When Victor opened his eyes once again...

He stood inside the boundless spiritual world within his soul.

Golden mist drifted endlessly across the horizon while countless stars floated above like eternal lanterns.

The spiritual domain felt even larger than before.

It radiated an indescribable majesty.

Waiting for him not far away stood two familiar figures.

The first leaned casually against a stone pillar with his arms folded.

Long black hair.

Crimson eyes.

A confident smile.

Azriel Runious.

The Vampire Emperor.

The Blood Monarch.

Standing beside him was another man.

Unlike Azriel’s relaxed demeanor, this man carried himself with quiet dignity.

He appeared to be in his middle years.

His black hair was neatly tied behind his back, while equally dark eyes calmly observed Victor.

His weathered hands were covered with countless scars.

Across his face lay three distinct scars arranged in the shape of a clover.

Even standing still...

He gave the impression of a veteran who had experienced countless battles.

Victor immediately understood.

This had to be Hudson.

Hudson stepped forward first.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he offered Victor a respectful nod.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Victor.”

Victor returned the gesture.

”The pleasure is mine.”

Although this was their first proper meeting...

There was no awkwardness between them.

Perhaps it was because both souls already existed within the same spiritual domain.

Perhaps it was because Victor had already heard Hudson speak several times.

Whatever the reason...

The atmosphere remained surprisingly comfortable.

Azriel glanced between them before breaking into a grin.

”So...”

His crimson eyes sparkled mischievously.

”What brings you here this time?”

He crossed his arms behind his head.

”Don’t tell me...”

”You’re planning to challenge another incarnation already?”

His tone was clearly teasing.

Victor simply smiled.

”You already know why I’m here.”

The smile gradually disappeared from his face.

His expression turned serious.

”I want answers.”

He looked directly at Azriel.

”Tell me...”

”How many of my past incarnations have existed in this world?”

For once...

Azriel didn’t joke.

His playful expression slowly faded.

After a brief moment of silence, he answered honestly.

”In this particular world...”

He raised five fingers.

”Excluding your current life...”

”And excluding your past life as Demon Lord Anos...”

”There have been five other incarnations who walked these lands.”

Victor’s golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Five.

Far more than he had expected.

Each one had lived during a different era.

Each one had undoubtedly left behind their own legends.

Each one possessed people they cared about...

Allies...

Friends...

Perhaps even family.

A new thought immediately surfaced.

If Ruby and Natalia’s Goddesses had once been acquaintances of Azriel and Hudson...

Then perhaps the remaining incarnations also knew important figures who still lived somewhere in this world.

Victor shifted his gaze toward Hudson.

”Who are these incarnations?”

He paused briefly before continuing.

”Can I speak with them...”

”...about the people they knew during their lifetimes?”

The moment those words left his mouth...

Azriel stared blankly at Victor.

Then he pointed at himself in exaggerated disbelief.

”Hold on.”

His eyebrows twitched.

”Why are you asking him instead of me?”

He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

”In terms of seniority...”

”I’m older than him by several millennia!”

Hudson merely smiled without saying a word.

Victor answered without the slightest hesitation.

”Because...”

He looked Azriel up and down.

”He seems much more mature than you.”

Azriel froze.

Victor continued calmly.

”And...”

He glanced toward Hudson.

”In terms of appearance...”

”He even looks older than you.”

Silence.

Hudson quietly looked away, seemingly trying not to laugh.

Azriel remained rooted in place.

His mouth opened slightly.

His proud expression slowly cracked.

”...”

”...That actually hurt.”

Victor simply shrugged.

”I only answered honestly.”

Azriel let out a long sigh before rubbing his forehead.

”Fine.”

”I won’t argue.”

He straightened his posture and tried his best to appear dignified.

”I’ll be the one calling everyone else.”

He turned away while waving one hand dismissively.

”Just wait here.”

Without another word, Azriel began walking deeper into the endless spiritual domain, his figure gradually disappearing into the golden mist.

---------------------

While Azriel was contacting the other incarnations inside Victor’s soul...

Far away in the outside world, the quiet forest remained undisturbed.

The afternoon breeze gently stirred the emerald leaves overhead, carrying the refreshing scent of the nearby river through the tranquil clearing. Sunlight filtered through the branches, scattering countless golden rays across the soft grass.

Victor remained seated beneath the ancient tree.

His posture was perfectly straight, his legs crossed in a lotus position.

His breathing was slow and rhythmic.

The invisible barrier surrounding the area continued to shimmer faintly beneath the surface, silently watching over its master.

Not a single beast dared approach.

The only sound was the gentle murmur of flowing water.

A few moments later...

The black scythe tattoo on Victor’s right arm suddenly emitted a faint crimson glow.

Ripples of spiritual energy spread across his skin.

The next instant...

A graceful figure slowly emerged from the tattoo as though stepping through a veil between worlds.

Long black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

Crimson eyes slowly opened.

She wore a sleeveless black robe with a long slit that revealed her elegant, toned legs. The robe swayed gently in the breeze as she stretched her arms above her head.

Diana...

The spirit of Victor’s scythe.

She blinked a few times, still looking slightly sleepy.

A soft yawn escaped her lips.

”So... I finally woke up...”