No one's stupid—everyone can see Sumi's off right now.
After pursuing this for so many years, why would Sumi suddenly concede now?
Remember, destroying this world would cripple Al's combat power even if he survived. It's the backlash from the world's will.
Al can't handle that kind of loss. As long as he fights within this world, he'll inevitably hold back to preserve everything possible.
But now Sumi claims she can leave this battle? That's like a knight without a horse, a warrior without three wolves—a useless man charging a tree guardian. Abandoning her advantage, single-mindedly courting death...
So everyone guessed the reason behind this must be connected to that Rope fellow, though no one knew exactly how.
Rope himself didn't know. Having never truly entered the Void, his perspective remained limited. He couldn't fathom why this 'Bone Lady' before him would show him mercy.
Yet the bizarre turn of events unfolded. And nothing in Sumi's gaze suggested ulterior motives. It seemed like a sudden whim, a moment of kindness.
Still, Rope shook his head. "My duty to the company is to protect this world. Al is part of it. As long as I stand, I won't let you inflict incalculable damage."
Sumi fell silent after hearing his words, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes. But it quickly shifted to regret.
It seemed she pitied Rope for his overreach.
But this time, her subtle expression didn't escape the one person watching them intently.
Everyone noticed the hesitation in her eyes. And the meaning behind that hesitation was clear.
Sumi was actually considering abandoning this fight.
"Seems that inexplicable reason still doesn't outweigh her hatred for her son."
Year remarked thoughtfully.
"But that's a heavy burden. Remember, Sumi has at least her spirit form and most of her power manifested now. If someone were to ambush her true body, it would be effortless."
The female secretary replied earnestly, "Yet even under these circumstances, she's considering giving up. Even if only for an instant, she's seriously contemplating abandoning the fight. That alone is utterly absurd."
Year understood this logic perfectly well.
Yet, glancing at Rope, then at Sumi, and finally checking himself, he seemed to sense something. His brow furrowed deeply.
His female secretary noticed his expression.
"What are you thinking?"
"Just a hunch. One I hope doesn't come true. Otherwise, I'll have to get personally involved..."
Year rubbed his temples with a look of frustration.
Though he said "hopefully not," Year felt there was little else that could be the case besides his own suspicion.
"What suspicion?"
The secretary asked curiously.
"You're better off not knowing. Unless you want to be hunted down by a lot of people."
Year warned the girl beside him solemnly.
"If I end up having to handle this personally, Rope's treatment will be upgraded by one tier."
Year's words were cryptic, but the secretary dared not take them lightly.
Although the company appears to operate under a modern management model, in reality, the chairman wields near-absolute power. After all, it's the same everywhere, in every era. Might makes right.
Year had his suspicions, and so did Rope. Only, compared to Year, he was a bit more uncertain.
Rope looked at Bone Lady across from him, furrowing his brow in thought for a moment before smoothing it out. He said nothing, though.
Since Bone Lady remained tight-lipped, he felt it best not to reveal any divergence of opinion. He believed that as long as Year was watching this battle unfold, his questions would be answered later.
More crucially, he could see that Bone Lady showed no sign of abandoning her quest for vengeance. Even if she had seriously considered the matter, the answer to that question would be...
No. Impossible.
So Rope understood: this fight was inevitable.
"Do you think you can beat me?"
Bone Lady didn't rush to attack, asking instead with a hint of puzzlement. She could understand pointless stubbornness. After all, over the years, she herself had been the epitome of such futile persistence.
But that didn't mean she could understand Rope.
Because Rope had many things he cared about. The future stretched far ahead, the path still long.
So why would Rope rush to his death?
Yet the look in her eyes as she watched him suggested she knew Rope must have some plan—though for the moment, she couldn't fathom what it was.
Truthfully, this question was shared by everyone watching this battle.
Except Rope and Year.
"Because of the world barrier, I can't call for reinforcements."
Rope understood he was already nearing this world's power ceiling. And now, there were seven others matching his strength.
Breaking the world barrier would be like Rope tearing down his own walls.
So...
"My plan isn't too different from yours."
Rope shook his head helplessly. "After all, against absolute power, all my preparations amount to nothing."
At Rope's words, the gathered divine beasts paused in unison. They could only silently release the energy spheres they had already formed.
Originally, this move had been Rope's pre-planned strategy, intended to deliver a devastating blow to Halley. But since Rope had managed to handle Halley earlier, the tactic had become unnecessary.
After Halley played her trump card and summoned Bone Lady, the tactic lost its purpose. It might not inflict any damage at all. More likely, it wouldn't cause a scratch.
Upon closer inspection, the attack's peak power wouldn't surpass much what Bone Lady had casually hurled earlier—a mere skull.
At Rope's words, Bone Lady's brows furrowed deeply.
"This is reckless. How can you entrust your body to another's control? It's like drinking poison to quench your thirst!"
Her tone carried an odd, almost parental admonishment.
Rope paid it no mind.
"I only want power. I'd never hand over my body to anyone else."