Chapter 23
Wang Chi stepped forward, his presence calm yet commanding as the echo of Lily's earlier aura still lingered in the vast summit hall.
"The Hunter Summit is officially concluded," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly. "All SS-ranked hunters are to return to their respective districts and guilds. Reports will be submitted within three days. Rest, recover, and prepare yourselves what comes next will demand everything from you."
Chairs scraped softly against the marble floor.
One by one, the SS-ranked hunters rose and began to leave. Some glanced back nervously, others with awe, but none dared to speak. Soon, the massive summit room emptied.
Are you also going genzo? Hiroto asked
Genzo smiled yes but I'm not leaving the country yet I don't think I will anytime soon either
Be safe hiroto... he said casually as he prepared to leave " the world is a dangerous place
Now everyone had left and all that remained were the Pillars.
Renji Kurogane.
Lily.
Sakura.
Arisa.
Hiroto.
And Wang Chi himself.
For a brief moment, silence ruled.
Renji stared at Lily.
He didn't even realize he was doing it.
Lily shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks slowly turning red.
"E-eh…?" she said awkwardly. "Aren't you going to say something, big brother? You staring like that is making it weird."
She crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Didn't you miss me?"
Renji blinked, then stuttered.
"Eh—no! I mean—I did miss you! It's just…"
Before he could finish....
"LILY-SAMAAAAAA!"
The scream came like a missile.
"EHHHHH—?!" Lily yelped. "S-Sakura-san!
Too late.
Sakura came crashing down on her, wrapping her arms tightly around Lily and knocking them both to the floor.
"Waaah!" Sakura cried exaggerated tears. "It really felt like you were gone for two whole years! Even though it's only been two days!"
She pulled back suddenly, eyes sparkling as she scanned Lily from head to toe.
"But wow Lily sama … look at your bodyyyy~! You've really grown! And I mean a looottt."
Lily's face drained of color.
"EHHHHH?!"
"S-Sakura-san, that's inappropriate!W-W W-What… what… what do you mean?!"
Before Sakura could respond, a familiar, gentle voice spoke from behind.
"…Lily? Is that really you?"
Lily froze.
She turned slowly.
Her eyes widened—and instantly filled with tears.
"Hiroto-san…!"
It felt like she hadn't seen him in millions of years.
She ran forward and jumped straight into his arms.
Hiroto stiffened as her soft body pressed against his chest.
EHHHH—WOW!!
He screamed internally, completely overwhelmed.
Lily clutched his coat tightly, crying.
"I really missed you… a lot…!"
Of course she did. The last time she had seen Hiroto, was under dire circumstances .
From behind them, Renji watched the scene unfold.
He smiled.
…What a relief.
I'm such an idiot.
She's still the same.
I thought she actually changed because of her appearance.
Then..
"…Renji."
Renji turned sharply, his eyes widening.
"Arisa…!" you .. you are still here
Arisa stood there, her head lowered. Her usual confidence was gone.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I've been busy… and I barely even had time to come see you."
Her voice trembled.
"But… but…" Tears flowed freely now.
"I missed you."
Before she could say anything else,renji pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay, Arisa," he said gently. "I'm just glad you're safe."
Arisa froze.
Eh…?
Her mind raced.
"…Wait..Y-you're not mad at me?" she asked softly.
Renji pulled back slightly and smiled.
"Why would I be?"
Then, more quietly,
"But I really wished you had come home sooner. I… missed you too."
Arisa's face turned bright red.
She looked away and muttered,
"shut up moron y..you know… if you say things like that… I really can't do anything, you know."
Renji chuckled.
"…Sorry."
At that moment, the other Pillars stepped forward.
Takeda moved ahead, his expression serious yet emotional.
"Lily… is that really you?" he asked.
"Ehh..Takeda-sensei!" Lily exclaimed, rushing forward and hugging him.
Takeda laughed softly but quickly grew serious.
"How are you? And that pressure earlier what was that? It didn't feel like mana."
He frowned.
"I don't understand what's going on."
Lily smiled gently.
Before she could speak, Wang Chi stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.
"I'm really happy we've cleared some misunderstandings," he said calmly. "But this is not the place for such discussions."
He turned toward the corridor.
"Come. My office. Away from prying eyes. We can talk properly there."
Everyone nodded.
Without another word, they moved in unison toward Commander Wang Chi's office.
Commander Wang Chi's Office
The room was quiet and heavily reinforced. Everyone took their seats.
Takeda spoke first.
"So, Lily… would you like to explain?"
He glanced at Renji.
"Or perhaps Renji will?"
Renji leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes fixed on Takeda.
"No."
The word echoed.
Tch....
Marcus Steel slammed his hand against the desk.
"What do you mean no?"
He glared at Renji.
"Don't you think we deserve answers? What's your ploy? Because you have power, you think you're untouchable?"
His voice rose.
"There are rules! Strength doesn't give you freedom!"
Sakura's eyes flared with rage.
"Shut up, Marcus!"
Her aura surged.
"If you have the mouth to insult my king, then you must have the strength to back it up!"
"Enough, Sakura," Renji said calmly.
She glared at him ...but
..." Its okay
Renji stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Marcus.
"Understand something Marcus," he said coldly. " I owe you nothing And nither do I abide by your rules."
The room grew heavy.
"you speak like you understand my worth, you think power makes me untouchable?" Renji continued.
"There are many things I can do. I've been holding back my essence this entire time."
His voice softened—but became far more terrifying.
"Because I don't want power. I've had power and I've tasted what true power is."
His eyes darkened.
"It's not strength. It's loneliness. And death."
He clenched his fist.
"You can have unlimited power… and still fail to save the things and people you care about."
You can have power and live out your loved ones
Silence.
"So don't you dare bring your fallacy ideologies into my world," he finished.
"I do not crave power."
He straightened.
"I said no because I have no right to explain anything. The only one who will speak is my little sister."
He turned slightly toward Lily.
"She will tell you why she is different. Not me."
His gaze snapped back to Marcus.
"So know your place."
The room fell completely silent.
Wang Chi sighed deeply.
"Enough."
"Enough, big brother," Lily said gently, cutting through the tension.
She smiled at everyone.
"There's no need to fight. We have a common enemy."
She paused.
"…Or rather, two."
We need to be united as one not divide and conquer it's strength in unity
Renji smiled faintly.
"You've really grown."
Lily nodded. She starred towards the direction of the pillars
"now I know you have questions. And I'll gladly answer them."
She turned to Takeda.
"Takeda-sensei… I'm sure you've heard of the god Arin from Dracan."
Takeda's eyes widened.
"Yes. The Mother of All Creation. The one who created everything."
He paused.
"And Januza and Azerin… the creators of all mana in the universe…"
Suddenly, realization struck him.
"…Wait."
The other Pillars froze.
"…Why didn't I think of it?" Takeda whispered.
He looked at Renji.
"Renji… Arin is your mother."
The room shook with shock. Elena Warwick gasped.
Who also has the privilege of meeting her in person didn't also realize
"Wait—then that means…"
"You and Azerin," Wang Chi said slowly, "are the creators of all mana."
Even Hiroto..who already knew Renji was Januza felt his mind go blank.
Elena spoke again, her voice trembling.
"Meaning the source of all mana flows through you… Renji Kurogane."
Silence.
Lily broke it.
"Now, to your question, Takeda-sensei."
She smiled softly.
"I met the Mother of All Creation." and she became my mentor
Takeda's eyes widened.
"Seriously?!"
Sakura crossed her arms.
"There are many things you don't know about this world and its laws."
Elena frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Lily took a breath.
"In this world, there are two types of power," she said calmly.
"Mana which is magic, however you want to call it."
She raised one finger.
"And the second… is Spirit Art."
The Pillars exchanged confused looks.
"…Spirit… Art?" Marcus muttered.
Lily nodded.
"It's not a power you can wield freely. You have to be chosen."
She looked down at her hands.
"With my appearance… I was taken to another realm."
The room leaned in.
"A realm where time itself is meaningless," Lily continued.
"A minute can feel like centuries. An hour can feel like millions of years."
So a day could feel like I don't know million and millions of years
Their eyes widened.
"So right now," she said quietly, "I could be over ten million years old."
That's why my appearance seems a little off right now sl
"…Ehh?"
"…That's impossible."
"…How can such a realm exist?"
Confusion filled the room.
Another Pillar finally asked,
"Then… what really is Spirit Art?"
Lily smiled.
"…It's not a power I can explain."
Her eyes gleamed softly.
"It's something I'll have to show you."The air in the grand hall was thick with tension. Elena Warwick's brow furrowed as she stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"What do you mean you'll show us?" she asked, voice laced with curiosity and caution. "Are you planning on doing it… here?"
Lily's lips curved into a faint smile. "No," she said softly, almost teasingly. Her gaze drifted to the towering pillars behind them, and her eyes glinted with an unreadable light.
I'll take three of you on, she declared.
If you really want to know it's more easier to show you during combat
The room went silent for a heartbeat before a ripple of shock spread through the crowd.
Renji scoffed, a proud, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Marcus Steel, never one to hold back, laughed loudly, the sound echoing against the walls, arrogant as usual
"You might have a powerful aura," Marcus said, his voice tinged with amusement, "but that doesn't mean you're stronger than three Pillars combined."
Lily's smile widened, her confidence unshakable. Then, something strange happened...her voice shifted. It was no longer just hers; it was as if two souls were speaking in perfect harmony. One voice dark, resonant, and commanding, the other unmistakably Lily's, light and playful.
"In that case," she said, amusement dancing through both tones, " come we will take all of you on."
Marcus's grin faltered, replaced by a flicker of caution. Sakura's eyes widened, pupils dilating as a realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.
She stared, frozen, at the energy emanating from Lily. And then she saw it—Lily's soul, intertwined with Rajah's, two beings merging seamlessly into one.
"Impossible…" Sakura breathed, unable to tear her gaze away.
Renji, sensing something was off, stepped closer. "What's wrong, Sakura?" he asked, his voice edged with concern.
For a moment, she didn't respond. Her mind was captivated by the sight before her the way Lily had mastered Kurogane control alongside Rajah, the impossible synchronization between them.
For a concept known never to bond with a human
Lily had done the impossible
Renji repeated his question, sharper this time. "Sakura, tell me. What is it?"
Her eyes, wide with awe, met his. "Januza-sama… I don't think even you or I could match her strength and speed right now."
Renji's eyes narrowed, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. "You mean..?"
"Yes," Sakura interrupted, solemn and unwavering. "She could dispatch the Pillars easily, just with the power radiating from her body."
Strangely, Renji wasn't angry. Instead, a thrill coursed through him, an unfamiliar sensation he hadn't felt in years.
I see... interesting ..His lips curled into a grin.
"What… is this feeling? Ah… I'm… amused! I haven't felt this way for so long."
Meanwhile, Marcus Steel's sharp gaze never left Lily. He bared his teeth in a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Just because you suddenly became strong doesn't mean you can be arrogant," he warned, his aura flaring a brilliant blue. "Kid… don't be arrogant. Very well… come. Let me show you what true resolve is."
Takeda's eyes flicked to Marcus, his tone clipped. "Shut up, Marcus you never learn how many times do you want to be caution by the kurogane family."
But Lily's smile remained, a mixture of sarcasm and amusement. "It's okay, Takeda-sensei," she said lightly, stepping back, each movement measured.
Step… step… step…
Then she laughed a light, lilting sound that carried a dangerous undertone. Her voice shifted again, dual-toned and harmonious.
"Resolves… you've got to be kidding me. Very well… let's test your resolve… if you can land a single strike on us."
Hiroto's jaw dropped. "Oi, Arisa… did you see that? She's doing it again the dual voice thing, like two souls speaking as one."
Marcus Steel's smile hardened. "You mock me?" he demanded.
Lily remained silent, letting her intent speak for her.
Marcus didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, he lunged, a punch aimed to strike before she could react.
But Lily moved effortlessly, a blur to the human eye, dodging to his side with the grace of a predator. She activated her skill: Predator Instinct -Hunting Reflex, micro-adjustments allowing her to dodge and counter with perfection, making his attacks seem sluggish.
With a single, precise punch infused with Spirit Art, she sent Marcus Steel crashing into the wall. Blood splattered from his mouth as he groaned in pain.
From the back, Renji's eyes shone with excitement. "Now… now I'm getting fired up."
Takeda and the other Pillars laughed at Marcus's misfortune, while Elena Warwick shook her head in disbelief. "Looks like you got humbled real bad," she said.
Marcus staggered to his feet, his expression a mix of pride and frustration. Something was off he couldn't sense his mana properly.
"What… did you do to me?" he growled.
Lily approached, her steps calm and deliberate. "I told you I'd show you… and I did. That is one of the skills of Spirit Art: Spirit Flow Interference [Foxstrike Desync]. Every strike I land disrupts your mana flow temporarily. Continuous strikes will prevent you from using mana at all."
Arisa stepped forward, eyes wide. "How did you learn such a skill? I've never heard of it before."
Rarvi Surya nodded in agreement. "Spirit Art… I've never seen or heard of it."
Lily's smile turned contemplative. "It's not a skill anyone can simply use. You must be chosen by a Spirit Beast. And… I was fortunate enough to be chosen by the strongest of them all."
Commander Wang Chi's brow furrowed. "Spirit Beasts? What are they?"
Lily's expression faltered slightly. "Eh… I don't really know how to explain it…"
Renji cut in, holding up a hand. "Wait he smiled as he approached lily .. you've become stronger, just as you promised.
Lily… well, I had the best teacher and mentor.
Renji smiled good job , he starred at wang chi I will explain everything you need to know today. But for now… we have become one a unity against the forces of the universe. No more arguing. No more worrying about hierarchy or strength."
He turned toward Lily, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But… before we begin, test your might against me."
Lily's eyes widened. "Eh… you mean I should fight you… big brother?"
No no no you are..
Renji's grin widened, full of anticipation. "Yes. Let's see who triumphs."