| The Cyber Ascension Arc 5 — " The Founder of Phoenix " | Volume 5 | Chapter 46 : " The Ruthless Intelligent " |
Shinonu's voice softened, yet every word carried the weight of a legend.
Shinonu: "From that day on… Shimono truly became a Ruthless Intelligent. A man who refused to die, refused to kneel, refused to accept a world that chained him. His only goal turned into one thing—
'End Hell.'
Because the moment he fell into that mysterious abyss — after merging with that parasite — Shimono saw the entire past of Earth, the roots of creation itself. He learned the truth humans never should've known… that humans were nothing but beings bound by Fate."
---
Back in the present…
Queen Victoria Reona leaned forward, eyes shimmering with curiosity.
Queen Victoria Reona: "Then what happened to him? Did he ever gain true freedom?"
Jin Yuan rested his arm against the throne of steel, speaking calmly.
Jin Yuan: "If he knew Hell can kill him using Fate, then why fight? What's the point? Hell can easily erase a human."
Shinonu chuckled quietly — a knowing laugh.
Shinonu: "You misunderstand two things, man.
After the merge, Shimono was no longer bound by Fate. He was… almost immortal. Not fully — but close enough. He could split himself into multiple clones across alternate timelines, and his mind was sharp enough to find flaws in anything. Anything.
That was his talent — turning reality's rules against itself."
Jin Yuan's hollow eyes flickered with a moment of surprise, then returned to emptiness.
Jin Yuan: "Then what does he want? He's already nearly immortal. What does he keep fighting for?"
Shinonu: "Immortality was just a weapon. Not freedom.
As long as Hell existed… Shimono would never be free."
---
[ In the Past… ]
A dimly lit hut.
A single fire flickered in the corner, shadows trembling along the wooden walls.
Shimono walked in, silent, composed.
Shimono: "Hm… I'll get freedom. I'll fight for what I want."
He entered his small room and changed into a simple black kimono — the kind worn in ancient days. His hair, long and black, flowed to his waist. His nails were slightly long, but not monstrous. His skin was pale like untouched snow, and his eyes — cold blue, emotionless and clear.
He glanced at himself once.
Shimono: "Hm… now it's time for manipulations."
He stepped outside, beginning his search. He wandered across villages, temples, ruins — looking for anything about Hell or Heaven. Records, stories, traces… anything he could use.
But he found nothing.
Just as he turned to leave—
A young man stood before him.
Red hair. Black eyes. A twisted, confident smile.
Hell's armor wrapped around a muscular body.
???: "I'm Kaushik."
Shimono didn't flinch. His expression didn't change.
Shimono: "So?"
Kaushik: "I'm from Hell's Army — sent here to kill you, brat."
He rolled his shoulders, grinning.
Shimono stared blankly.
Then—
Shimono: "Oh. Nice. Then try all you want."
---
The fight erupted.
Kaushik launched forward, fist smashing toward Shimono's chest—
But the moment he touched Shimono's aura, purple lightning crackled like a divine shield.
Kaushik staggered back, sweat forming on his brow.
Kaushik: "You've got some tricks, kid…"
Shimono continued to stare — calm, hollow, silent.
Kaushik's frustration exploded.
Kaushik: "ATTACK ME! YOU LITTLE BRAT!!!"
He lunged again, throwing relentless punches.
But Shimono dodged with ghost-like speed, redirecting Kaushik's punches with slow, precise pushes — effortless, humiliating.
Kaushik: "WHY ARE YOU DODGING SO MUCH!?"
Roaring, Kaushik delivered a final, strongest punch — a strike meant to shatter boulders.
Shimono caught the fist with one hand.
Effortlessly.
Shimono: "Time to leave."
His other hand pierced Kaushik's chest.
Flesh tore.
Heart ruptured in his grip.
Kaushik's eyes widened — then dimmed.
Shimono tossed the corpse into the endless sea, lightning cracking behind him.
Shimono: "What a waste of time."
He turned, noticing a black rose resting near a tree.
He picked it up gently between two fingers and walked toward the sea.
He stepped onto the water — and stood on it.
The ocean glowed blue beneath him, the night sky above stretching endlessly.
The moon reflected across the waves like a broken mirror of silver light.
Holding the rose, Shimono whispered:
Shimono:
" No one is innocent in this world.
From newborn baby to old man — everyone harms others when they see a threat.
So what's the point in calling someone innocent?
No one is innocent.
Underestimating someone doesn't make you strong.
It makes you weak.
Because even the weakest can grow stronger…
Just like I did."