Neo’s thoughts swirled as he watched the Sphinx.

“Veldora told me the names of Grim Reaper.”

“The Tree of Tyranny is Typhaon’s title after he became the 81st ranked Grim Reaper.”

“From what the Sphinx said, Typhaon knows Daniel wanted to save me, but Typhaon never revealed this to the Sphinx.”

Was Typhaon hiding the news to protect Neo?

His train of thought fractured when the Sphinx clapped its hands once.

“Seems you are not him. It’s all water under the bridge then,” the Sphinx said. “Oh, and don’t worry, the matter of my task for you was real.”

Neo nodded.

Having received his confirmation, the Sphinx shifted its posture and returned to the subject for which it had summoned Neo.

“I want you to undertake a task for me, and I will answer three questions for you.”

“What is the task?”

“This,” the Sphinx replied, snapping its fingers.

A colossal hologram materialized between them.

Neo raised an eyebrow slightly as he surveyed the scene.

It depicted an apocalypse.

The sea surrounding the Luminera continent had turned crimson, consumed by the Blood Sea.

Waves of scarlet liquid crashed against the shores.

The Blood Sea had reached the land, and monstrous creatures emerged from its depths.

They invaded the continent.

Chaos unfolded on the hologram; cities burned. Smoke billowed into the sky, and the anguished cries of the people seemed almost audible.

The ground was littered with bodies, and rivers of blood flowed through the streets.

A war raged across every corner of the continent, with heavy casualties mounting.

Cities fell daily.

No matter how many monsters were vanquished, more emerged from the Blood Sea.

Their numbers seemed endless.

“All those monsters are at least Paragon-rank. It’s a sight that will occur in the near future.”

The Sphinx stared at the hologram.

“This is the era of the Blood Sea War. Soon the peace of our continent will shatter, and chaos will engulf everyone.”

It lowered its head and locked eyes with Neo.

A sly smile graced the Sphinx’s face, observing Neo’s composed demeanor.

“You seem quite calm. Have you witnessed a similar situation before, or did you know something like this was coming?”

“I’m quite shocked,” he lied.

The Sphinx’s smile widened.

Before it could attempt to detect any cracks in his lie, Neo changed the subject.

“What is the task? I doubt you wish to save the continent.

“If that were your goal, you would have informed the Senators, not me, an Empyrean Demigod,” Neo said.

“Oh, come now, both of us know you are far stronger than an Empyrean.

“And you are right and wrong about other things too.”

The Sphinx cleared its throat dramatically before continuing.

“Firstly, yes, my goal is not to save the continent.

“Secondly, no, even if my goal were to save the continent, I would have approached you before others,” the Sphinx explained.

“Why?” Neo questioned.

“Because others would demand something in return for saving the continent,” the Sphinx explained with a chuckle.

“Why should they save the continent? Unless I offer them a reward, I doubt they would act.

“You, however, are different.

“I mean, you want a reward too, but your ‘cost-effectiveness’ is superior to that of other Senators,” the Sphinx said.

“Cost-effectiveness?” Neo questioned.

“Think of it this way: I gain more by rewarding you than I would by rewarding other Senators.”

Neo was limitless potential personified.

By the time a normal Demigod reached Empyrean rank, they would have undergone two major evolutions.

Neo, however, had undergone four major evolutions, possessing two traits unlike others who only had one.

He was far stronger than any demigod of his rank.

Adding his strength as a Heavenbreaker to everything else, he was simply unfathomable.

“Your traits are at Empyrean rank and only slightly below Paragon-rank.

“When they evolve again, you will become as strong as a new Exalted Demigod.

“This is just the beginning for you.

“Your strength will surpass Exalted rank as your Ascension ranks increase.

“Furthermore, with your True Darkness Concept, you can gain more traits, and…

“Well, you get the gist.

“You have a higher chance of stopping the Blood Sea War than other Senators, as long as I provide you with sufficient materials to fuel your growth,” the Sphinx explained.

“But your goal is not to stop the Blood Sea War,” Neo pointed out. “What is the task you want me to undertake?”

“I cannot tell you that until you promise to accept it.”

“I cannot accept it without knowing what it is.”

“Fair enough,” the Sphinx nodded. “How about this? I will explain the basics of what I want, and I will give you one answer.

“After that, you must make a choice.”

Neo frowned.

The conditions seemed too generous, and he knew better than to trust the Sphinx at face value.

“Proceed. I’m listening.”

“Those monsters you saw in the hologram. I want you to go to their homeland and do something there for me.”

“I need to go inside the Blood Sea?” Neo asked.

“Not the Blood Sea. They are from another place.”

Neo’s mind raced as he considered the Sphinx’s words.

‘All the monsters that appeared during the Blood Sea War would be Paragon-rank at a minimum.’

‘That means their homeland is filled with powerful monsters.’

He had been searching for such a place to train.

Sphinx’s offer was a godsend.

Despite the favorable terms, Neo maintained his composure.

He remained calm instead of leaping at the offer.

“I will consider it if you provide me with an answer to one of my three questions.”

“I see. I see.” The Sphinx nodded repeatedly with a playful expression. “Which question do you wish to have answered?”

“I get to choose the question?”

“Of course not! Hahahaha!”

The Sphinx threw its head back and laughed.

Watching it like this reminded Neo why he never liked the Sphinx.

“Give me the answer already.”

“Alright.”

The Sphinx vanished.

“Your parents.”

Its voice echoed through the empty hall, bouncing off the ceilings and walls.

“Their reincarnations are alive, and you have already encountered them in the present.”

…

Senator Nicolas’ Mansion, Eryndale City, Eryndor Country

The mansion exuded an aura of wealth and power.

The drawing room was no less magnificent, with luxurious furnishings and a crackling fireplace casting a warm glow against the deep burgundy walls.

A crystal chandelier hung above, illuminating the space with a soft, golden light.

A man, seemingly in his twenties, sat on the plush sofa.

He had white hair and a thick beard.

A scar ran across his left eye, extending to his chin, leaving him partially blind.

His expression was stern, reflecting years of experience.

“Why are you here?” Senator Nicolas asked the ‘young man’ seated before him.

“To discuss the Inheritor of Death,” the young man replied with a smile.

Despite his carefree demeanor, the air around him seemed to tremble each time he spoke.

“Get to the point,” Nicolas scoffed.

He took a sip of tea and placed the cup on the table.

The steam from the tea curled into the air, slowly dissipating.

“What about him?”

“He insulted your disciple twice. Aren’t you going to do anything about it?” the young man asked, leaning slightly back.