A full month had passed since Saruto and Void entered the Illusion Realm. In that vast white world, Hades still stood, silently gazing at a giant crystal ball floating before her. Inside, scenes of pain and heartbreak replayed relentlessly. "At first, Void energy level rose rapidly… but once it reached 75%, the rise slowed," Hades murmured to herself.
She moved her hand over the ball, and the scene shifted to Saruto, whose Dark Energy level had reached 98%. Hades narrowed her eyes. "I placed them in every scene they've experienced in their lives… and even created new ones of my own. Yet, there's still something missing to reach 100%."
There was a moment of silence, then a faint smile touched her face, as if a dangerous idea had occurred to her. "They both hate Umbra…"
Then she added, "Why don't I use it?"
Time suddenly stopped within the illusionary world. Then everything changed. Saruto was fighting a mysterious figure, its features invisible. "You'll meet your end at my hands!" Saruto roared angrily.
Before he could finish his attack, he received a crushing blow that sent him crashing to the ground. Dust swirled, silence fell, and then his opponent vanished. Gasping for breath, Saruto slowly raised his head to see Umbra hovering above him.
Saruto blood ran cold. Umbra was holding Saruto fiancée and all his friends, his grip tightening. "Let them go!" Saruto cried, lunging at him.
But his body betrayed him. He looked down and saw shadows swirling around him, binding him. "It's no use... trying, Saruto," Umbra said in a low, mocking voice.
Umbra pulled Star and Emilia forward. "What do you intend to do...?" Saruto asked, his voice trembling.
Umbra smiled, formed two swords of darkness, and in an instant, pierced the hearts of Star and Emilia. Time froze before Saruto's eyes. Then he screamed, and with him, the darkness erupted from his body. "What have I done…?!"
But Umbra didn't stop. He brought Saruto friends one by one and repeated the same scene. Saruto screamed, tried to break free, his soul torn apart as he watched them all fall before him. Then another person appeared. Ethan. Before Saruto could say a word, he too was killed.
Then his parents were brought in. Saruto knelt, tears streaming down his face: "Please… enough… no more of this… please stop…"
Umbra approached him and said in a terrifyingly calm voice, "Do you think it's your turn now?"
But instead of killing him, he placed his hand on Saruto head and separated Void from him. Saruto screamed in anger and terror, "No! Stop! Don't!"
But Void was already in Umbra grasp. Umbra drew his sword and pierced Void heart. At that moment, Saruto dark energy erupted with unprecedented force. The restraints shattered, and he broke free from Umbra shadow. He screamed, "You villain… I'll never forgive you!"
But Umbra, expressionless, hurled Void lifeless body toward Saruto. He caught him in his arms, gazing at his face, tears streaming down his face. Suddenly, Umbra appeared before him and pierced Saruto heart with his sword. He fell and died.
In the real world, Hades said coldly, "Good… the dark energy has reached 99%."
Then she glanced at the other crystal ball. "And Void… his energy has also increased."
There, Void was experiencing the same scene, but this time from his perspective. He watched Saruto die before his eyes, powerless to save him, drowning in helplessness and hatred. Hades replayed this illusion for both of them, time and time again. A whole week of repeated deaths, of utter loss. Finally, she said, "At last… their power level has reached 100%."
Inside the crystal ball stood Saruto and Void, each having killed Umbra, but only after losing everyone they loved. Hades said, "The training is over."
She snapped her fingers, two portals appeared, and she pulled them both out. Saruto and Void emerged with cold, emotionless expressions. Hades congratulated them. "What was the point of all this… after I lost everyone I loved?" Saruto whispered.
"Don't worry," Hades replied calmly. "Everything you went through… was an illusion."
Then she gestured toward Void. Saruto turned and saw him. At the same moment, Void saw him too. They rushed toward each other, embraced tightly, and broke down in tears. Each recounted what they had experienced: the pain, the loss, and the repeated deaths. Saruto finally stood up, his voice a mixture of anger and exhaustion. "How could you do this to us...?"
"Hades," she said. "Have you forgotten our agreement? I helped you meet your parents in exchange for you letting me train you."
Saruto fell silent, remembering his promise. He bowed his head. "I... I apologize."
Hades smiled faintly. "I accept your apology."
Then, in a firm voice, she added, "Now rest... because the next training... will be much tougher than this."