"Lord Meruem, as you predicted, the Specters have already engaged Mu and the others and are almost here. Hmph, if you hadn't told us to hold back, those second–rate fighters would never have gotten past the First Temple." Having left the Pope's Hall, Kanon knelt on one knee before Meruem with respectful formality, though his tone was thick with resentment when he mentioned the Specters.
"No matter, Kanon. Let them grow a bit more arrogant. When we truly clash with the Underworld, we can give them a proper surprise." Meruem toyed with the small box that had been used to seal Hades.
By now, all of Hades's soul had been drawn out and sealed inside. Even the Twin Gods of Sleep and Death would never have expected the Sanctuary to move so quickly.
They had no idea that within the Sanctuary there was someone stronger than the Twelve Olympians themselves. With Saori assisting him, speed was guaranteed.
"Oh, right—take Shun down and see to his recovery. I've removed Hades's soul, but I left part of his Cosmo in Shun's body. How far he goes from here will depend on his own fortune." Shun still lay unconscious on the stone bier, yet faint traces of overwhelming Cosmo still leaked from him.
If, in time, Shun could master that power, his strength would rise to a whole new level.
Even Kanon, formidable as he already was, could not help glancing at Shun with a flicker of envy.
After Kanon carried Shun away, Meruem and Saori sat quietly in the temple, calmly waiting for the Specters to arrive.
"So you're Athena? And you're the Pope of this Sanctuary?" Several Cosmos, far stronger than those of ordinary Specters, soon appeared inside the hall. One spoke in an extremely arrogant tone; clearly, their easy passage through the Twelve Temples had made them contemptuous.
"Insolent." Meruem did not even think before pointing a finger. A white flash streaked out; the boastful Specter's body was pierced through and he collapsed on the floor of the hall.
Dead beyond doubt.
They were supposed to feign weakness, but that did not mean inviting abuse. Besides, Meruem had never planned to appear weak himself. Without a clear display of strength, negotiations would go nowhere.
"What?" The Specters were shocked. Five figures whose attire clearly differed from the others took a few subtle steps to surround Meruem. One of them was especially strange, wearing a helm shaped like a dog's head.
The legendary dog‑headed man—or man‑headed dog? This was Anubis, death god under Thanatos.
"Shinra Tensei." A massive repulsive force erupted from Meruem, blasting the five who had closed in on him away in an instant.
"Impressive… but I don't believe he can catch me!" The beast‑like man among the five fixed his gaze on Meruem.
His form faded until he vanished from everyone's sight.
In the next instant, his body reappeared behind Meruem as if teleporting. "Now witness my power—Icarus!"
"He's dead," all five thought as one.
The next moment left their jaws hanging. Without even looking back, Meruem threw a punch over his shoulder; Icarus's body flew off like a kite with its string cut.
"How did he know where Icarus would appear?" rumbled the largest of the five.
"Impossible. A coincidence—it has to be a coincidence! To actually hurt me… I won't forgive you." Wiping the blood from his lips, Icarus glared at Meruem. "Next time, I'll tear off one of your arms."
He vanished again.
This time, before Icarus's form had even reappeared, Meruem swung his fist into the empty air to his left.
With a heavy thud, Icarus's body materialized and was smashed out of the "invisible space" he had cloaked himself in, sent flying once more. Cracks and damage now marred his divine Surplice.
At last, the arrogant Dream Gods and Anubis abandoned their contempt, staring at Meruem with solemn expressions.
"Thanatos and Hypnos, Hades's closest twin gods—have you two had enough fun watching? If so, come out." Ignoring the wary Specters, Meruem spoke toward an empty patch of air.
No one answered.
"Very well. If you won't come out, I'll make you."
He lifted the small box that held Hades's soul, tossing it lightly from hand to hand. "Or is it that you don't want this back?"
"Impudent mortal!" "You court death!" With twin shouts, the Twin Gods appeared before Meruem, clad in ornate divine Surplices.
If not for the soul sealed in Meruem's hand, they would already have attacked him.
"Mortal, hand him over to us, and we may consider forgiving your crimes." Taking a deep breath, Hypnos spoke first.
This self‑important attitude was exactly why Meruem despised gods.
"And why, exactly, should I hand it to you?" Meruem looked at Hypnos like he was an idiot. Hypnos nearly struck him then and there, and only Thanatos grabbing his arm stopped him.
Forcing his anger down, Hypnos tried again. "Mortal, what will it take for you to give him back? Eternal life? A perfect body?"
Eternal life? Who was he kidding? The gods were not eternal themselves; how could they grant it to others? As for a perfect body—thanks, but Meruem already had one.
Stroking his chin, Meruem pretended to ponder for a moment. "I hear there's a Cocytus, a deepest frozen hell in your Underworld. The souls imprisoned there are all past Saints of the Sanctuary. You've seen the Sanctuary's condition—you know how thin our ranks are. If you're willing to trade those past Gold Saints' souls for this, I might consider returning it to you."
"That's impossible!"
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