The trio stopped before another massive gate, far larger and more imposing than the last. The surface of the barrier pulsed faintly, as if breathing.
Ashan narrowed his eyes.
'I can feel it… That thing is waiting for us. Too bad I can't see through walls.'
A thought struck him, and his gaze sharpened.
'The system store… right. I almost forgot.'
Another thought followed immediately, filled with hesitation.
'There was the Byakugan. But what if it overwrites my Sharingan? That would be a disaster. Still… the system never mentioned any risk.'
He exhaled slowly.
'Guess I'll gamble.'
Ashan opened the store and made the purchase. A system window appeared before him.
—-------------------------------------
..Eye Gallery unlocked..
All dojutsu obtained will be stored here. Switching between dojutsu will not erase existing eye abilities. Dojutsu can be changed at thought speed.
Currently stored:
- Mangekyou Sharingan (Itachi)
- Byakugan
—-------------------------------------
Ashan's lips curved upward.
'Sweet. That settles it. No more fear.'
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. His pupils turned pale white as veins bulged around them.
'Whoa… this feels strange. It really has 360 vision.'
His vision expanded instantly.
'I can see everything… behind me too.'
He glanced slightly to the side.
'I can see Sorin and Rowan at the same time. And their mana flows… so clearly.'
Sorin shivered for no reason and glanced around. "Did you feel that just now?"
Rowan frowned. "Yeah… like someone was staring straight through us."
Ashan ignored them and focused on the gate.
His vision pierced through the barrier, revealing a massive hall filled with glittering gold and scattered gems. At its center stood a throne. Sitting upon it was a humanoid monster with thin white skin, four arms resting calmly on its lap, and a scorpion-like tail swaying lazily above its head.
'Found you.'
A system window appeared.
—-------------------------------------
Name: Karakuna
Type: Mutated Scorpion Monster
Age: ???
[Power Rank: A]
[Strength: 160]
[Stamina: 105]
[Endurance: 150]
[Agility: 180]
[Other powers and skills]
<>1000 Poison Needling (A)
Can attack up to 1000 times within 30 seconds
<>Wild Wind (A)
Extreme movement speed
<>Cloning (A)
Creates two clones. Once every 24 hours
—-------------------------------------
Ashan's expression hardened.
'Fast, poisonous, and tricky. Definitely annoying.'
Another window appeared.
—-------------------------------------
..Sub-Mission..
Defeat the final boss using only Sharingan abilities
Reward: Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan (Itachi)
—-------------------------------------
Ashan's eyes widened slightly.
'Eternal Mangekyou… Itachi's version?'
He felt a spark of excitement.
'His normal Mangekyou is already terrifying. An eternal version? I have to see that.'
Ashan turned toward Sorin and Rowan.
"Thanks for sticking with me until now. But from here on, I will go alone."
Sorin's eyes widened. "What? Why all of a sudden? We came together. We're not staying behind."
Ashan sighed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you want to help. But what happens next… you really shouldn't see it."
She stiffened, sensing the seriousness in his tone.
"Stay here. Wait two hours. After that, you can come in. Alright?"
He looked at Rowan. "Take care of your sister. Don't let her follow me."
Rowan clicked his tongue. "Like I'd let her. Besides, if we can't even fight, there's no point. Just go already."
Ashan nodded. He deactivated Limitless and switched his eyes back to the Sharingan. With a sharp thrust, he smashed the lock using a Rasengan. The gate burst open.
In a flash, he slipped inside and sealed it shut behind him.
The hall inside was bright, almost sacred, like a grand church. The silence felt unnatural.
Ashan locked eyes with the monster on the throne. Karakuna's tail began to move faster, scraping softly against the stone. Its mouth and eyes resembled an ant's, emitting a strange insect noise.
Tic… tic… tic…
Ashan focused. Without hesitation, his Mangekyou activated.
Thud… thud…
He removed his mask and walked forward calmly. They stared at each other. Ten meters apart, Ashan stopped and smiled.
"How long are you planning to sit there? If you won't come, I will."
The ticking stopped.
Whoosh..
In a blink, Karakuna appeared before him, its tail needle striking like lightning. Ashan jumped back just in time.
[Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu]
The fireball roared forward. Karakuna dodged easily and closed the distance again. Ashan switched places instantly and slammed a Black Flash into its back.
The monster twisted away before the punch fully landed.
"Kreek…"
Black blood leaked from the wound. The tail snapped toward Ashan as claws extended.
"Oh?" Ashan grinned. "You should've gone all out from the start. Come on. Use everything."
Karakuna began circling him, afterimages forming as attacks came from every direction.
"Not bad," Ashan muttered. "But still incomplete."
He jumped, but Karakuna caught up midair and kicked him hard. Ashan barely raised the Gunbai in time.
Crash..
He slammed into the ground, shattering the floor. Dust rose. Ashan sprang back instantly.
"That's it? What a shame."
The monster's body vibrated. Two identical figures split off.
Ashan's grin widened. "There it is. I was waiting for that."
Without wasting a second, all three attacked at once.
Ashan switched places and crushed one clone's head with a Black Flash. The body ignited instantly.
"A clone? Good. That means one of you is real."
The remaining two pressed forward. Ashan blocked, spun, and punched one in the palm.
Crack..
The exoskeleton shattered. The arm tore off. Black blood sprayed.
"Blood?" Ashan's Mangekyou patterns started to rotate. "So you're the real one."
The clone lunged to shield it. Ashan slammed a Rasengan into the floor, blasting both away.
"I've already seen you. You can't hide."
He rushed the injured Karakuna. Venom fangs snapped forward. Ashan parried with the Gunbai and delivered a Black Flash kick to its head.
The monster dropped lifelessly.
"It's over, Karakuna."
The body began to rot and burn.
Ashan frowned. "It's burning… wait."
Before he could turn, four long claws pierced his heart.
"Bluh…"
Blood spilled from his mouth. He smiled faintly at the claws.
"So you used the clone to trick me. Cheap."
Karakuna laughed in an eerie insect-like sound, pulling its claws free and kicking Ashan away.
"You really are troublesome."
A calm voice echoed behind it.
"Yeah. And you're not very smart."
Karakuna froze and turned.
Ashan stood behind it, completely unharmed, Mangekyou patterns spinning calmly in his eyes.
Shock rippled through the hall.