"So… I have to face him?" Daniel asked, already knowing the answer he didn't want. Facing monsters was one thing. Facing a god of death? Absolutely not. He knew his limits.
Luke shook his head immediately. "No. Leave that guy to me. I'll deal with him myself. Anyone who tries to mess with my nephew can get a personal beating."
Daniel let out a quiet breath of relief—until Luke continued.
"But listen carefully. This is the last time I can help you. After this, I won't appear again."
Daniel's relief evaporated.
Luke went on, "And once this fragment settles, your system will unlock another function — world travel."
Daniel blinked slowly. "Okay," he said, absolutely flat.
Luke stared at him. "…That is a very bland reaction."
"You said it yourself earlier," Daniel replied with a shrug. "So… how excited do you expect me to be?"
Luke clicked his tongue, annoyed but unwilling to admit Daniel had a point. His glowing form flickered, the edges of his projection breaking apart like smoke in the wind. His time was almost up.
"It seems this is goodbye, Daniel."
For once, Luke's voice softened. The usual chaotic sharpness melted away, replaced by something almost… gentle. "And remember—if you don't want this life, you can return to your old one. You'll forget everything that happened here."
He smiled quietly. A real smile.
"I only wanted you to be happy. Our family… well, you know how it was. Happiness wasn't something we ever really had. So when I got my second chance, I wanted you to have yours too."
Daniel didn't speak.
Because for the first time today, Luke wasn't being loud, dramatic, or irritating.
He was being honest.
"I gave you this path so you could live the life you wanted," Luke continued. "A dream life. Adventure. Power. Freedom to be more than what the world ever expected from you."
He reached out, placing a glowing hand on Daniel's head and ruffling his hair.
"So enjoy your life, Daniel. Whatever world you choose, whatever path you walk… make it yours."
Then Luke paused.
His fading projection tilted its head, a sly smile creeping onto his face.
"And I can see what's happening," he added, voice dropping into a teasing tone.
Daniel's eye twitched. "No you can't."
"Just keep it under control, alright? Too many women will give you a headache. Trust me—I learned that part the hard way."
Daniel muttered, "I didn't ask for life advice."
"You never do," Luke said cheerfully, "but I give it anyway."
His form flickered once more—brighter, then rapidly fading.
"Take care, Daniel," he said softly. "Live well."
Luke's form finally shattered, breaking apart into countless specks of blue light.
Silence settled.
Then a translucent system screen flickered into existence before Daniel.
[Do you wish to forget everything and return to your previous world?]
[Yes] [No]
Daniel let out a short laugh, shaking his head.
"Uncle… you knew me too well. Did you even need to ask?"
Without a moment of hesitation, he tapped No.
There was no chance in hell he was going back to that miserable old life. Not after everything he had here—strength, purpose, adventure, people who actually mattered.
The system responded immediately.
[As expected of my Nephew.]
[System Administrator Permission: UNLOCKED]
[World Travel Function: UNLOCKED]
[Recovering Fragment…]
A brief pause.
[Obstacle Detected]
[Devouring Obstacle…]
A soundless rupture formed in the air before him—just a pinprick of darkness at first, small enough to overlook. But the moment Daniel focused on it, the thing widened. Spiraled. Expanded with unnatural speed.
A black hole.
Not a dramatic metaphor.
A literal gravitational singularity.
It spun in absolute silence, yet the pull it generated was monstrous. The black mist still lingering in the chamber shot toward it instantly, ripped from the floor like smoke in a hurricane.
Daniel braced himself, the pressure whipping at his clothes, hair, and cloak—yet the force never touched him. It curved around him, avoiding him completely.
The black hole collapsed in on itself with a sharp thump, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
The system chimed again.
[Recovery Complete]
[You have gained: Authority of Death]
[Under the Authority of Death, the Sword of Death is now bound to the host permanently.]
[Under the Authority of Death, all blood energy is converted into pure death energy.]
The screen expanded, listing the abilities in glowing text.
Authority of Death — Integrated Abilities
[Death Perception: You can see the death lines and weak points of any living or non-living target. Striking them guarantees critical damage or instant destruction.]
[Life-Severing Slash: A strike that cuts the concept of life from any target. Works on living beings, undead, curses, spirits, and constructs.]
[Death Immunity: You cannot die by conventional means. Fatal wounds, diseases, poisons, aging, and death-type attacks are nullified.]
[Death Aura: Emits an aura that weakens enemies. Strong foes suffer stamina drain; weak ones collapse or suffocate.]
[Soul Harvest: Absorbs fragments of essence from defeated enemies, increasing your strength.]
[Command Over Lesser Death Entities: Undead and death-aligned beings instinctively obey or fear you.]
[Immortality Dominion: Grants chosen individuals an extended lifespan. They cannot die naturally or from non-permitted causes as long as you live.]
[Resurrection Claim: Marked individuals can be resurrected regardless of distance or cause of death. As long as you live, they can always be brought back.]