Chapter 456 - 455: Dead?

Shura’s body lay split in two, motionless upon the ground.

Nearby, Uvall and Adam chatted and laughed as though nothing had happened.

The countless Samsaras present could only stare in shock, unable to recover from what they had just witnessed.

They couldn’t accept this reality.

Everyone knew of Shura’s talent. Given enough time, it was inevitable he would rise to become the world’s number one master.

In the Samsara Tower, this man had performed miracles time and again, achieving feats no one had dared dream possible. After clearing the sixteenth floor, his overall strength had broken through into the S-rank, earning him a place among the world’s true top masters.

Yet this legend—this genius who had rewritten history—had fallen here today.

"Shura... Shura is dead?"

"He’s dead. Adam’s weapon isn’t simple. I could feel a power I can’t even begin to understand."

"Heavens... it’s unbelievable. A genius like Shura, gone here of all places—!"

"Hell! So this was all a conspiracy?! Damn Adam—damn that bastard—!"

"A disaster... This is a disaster! With Shura’s death, Jadeveil’s hard-won rise will collapse overnight!"

"Forget Jadeveil Nation—think about ourselves! Didn’t you hear Adam? He plans to join forces with Uvall to slaughter every Samsara here tonight!"

"Run! Get out of here before it’s too late!"

The Samsaras who had originally gathered out of curiosity finally snapped out of their daze. Realization struck: this had been a trap from the very beginning. Terror took hold, and they scattered in all directions.

No one dared remain. To stay was to die.

Together, Adam and Uvall were monsters beyond reason—monsters capable of annihilating everyone present.

The first to flee was none other than Winterveil’s number one master, Sventovite.

Kimir, watching Shura’s body split in two, broke into a cold sweat. Just moments ago, he too had been ready to strike Uvall for the million Samsara points reward. Had his speed been just a little faster, he might have shared Shura’s fate.

Realizing he had been thoroughly deceived by Adam, Kimir didn’t hesitate. Without a word, he turned and bolted into the night.

—---

Jadeveil Nation – The Capital, Center of Power

In a vast conference room, Jadeveil’s top officials and leaders stared grimly at the enormous screen on the wall.

The feed came from an A-rank Samsara who had risked his life to broadcast Thousand Lanterns Island Nation’s events live.

When the screen showed Shura being bisected by Adam’s blade, gasps rippled through the room. The supreme officer even shot to his feet, unable to control himself.

Though Shura had never officially joined the government, he was still Jadeveil’s son. His existence alone was a source of national pride. A genius of his caliber in Jadeveil Nation meant deterrence on the global stage—even if he acted independently.

An A-rank Samsara was already equivalent to a strategic intercontinental missile. But an S-rank Samsara? That was nothing less than a mobile nuclear weapon. In a sense, an S-rank was a god in human form.

And now, Shura—Jadeveil’s freshly ascended S-rank—was dead.

The officials’ faces were pale and ugly with shock.

Only one old man allowed himself the faintest flicker of joy. His family was allied by blood and politics with the powerful Armand clan, who had long been at odds with Shura. With Shura’s death, the Armand family’s crisis had evaporated overnight.

Good riddance, the old man thought.

"This is a trap!" another elder suddenly barked. "Recall Vivienne immediately! Shura’s loss is already a heavy blow—we can’t afford to lose her too!"

His words drew nods of agreement from around the table.

The supreme officer clenched his fists but finally gave a stiff nod. "Send the order. Recall Vivienne Song. She is not to engage recklessly with the enemy."

—--

Over Saka Guchi

Vivienne hovered in the skies, grief written across her face.

When she had failed to destroy the Gate of Heaven, she had urged Shura to strike Uvall instead. She had hoped to see Shura claim the million Samsara point reward. But no matter her intention, Shura had followed her suggestion... and paid with his life.

In her heart, Vivienne felt his death lay partly on her shoulders.

Watching Adam’s sword carve Shura into two, her chest tightened painfully. Her eyes burned with sorrow and guilt.

It wasn’t love—her relationship with Shura had been one of mutual respect, of friendship. But friendship, too, was a bond of the heart.

And beyond that—how could she ever face her cousin, Yuhan? The girl had finally found her destined partner, only for Vivienne to drag him into danger and watch him fall.

"Adam... Uvall...!"

Vivienne’s teeth ground together as she whispered their names, her gaze brimming with murderous resolve.

—---

On the ground, Uvall watched the last of the Samsaras fleeing into the distance. "Hey, Adam, looks like they’ve all scattered."

Adam chuckled. "It doesn’t matter. They’re just rats—we can crush them any time. Only one here is truly worth our attention."

His eyes lifted to the sky, locking on Vivienne. A cruel smile spread across his face.

"Aurora," Adam called, voice echoing through the battlefield, "you have only two choices: join us, or die!"

His grin widened, mocking, arrogant. "If you’re willing to side with us, I might even consider marrying you. You’d become my queen, revered by millions, once I establish my empire."

Vivienne’s eyes blazed with fury at his words.

But then—something caught her attention.

She froze, staring downward.

Shura’s corpse.

It had moved!