chapter 10

As dawn broke over the citadel, Lith stirred awake in his chamber, feeling an unusual sense of relaxation and satisfaction. The cool light filtering in through the arched windows cast a soft glow over the grand bedroom, illuminating the intricate carvings on the stone walls. Turning to his side, he saw Hana sleeping peacefully beside him, her dark hair spilling over the pillow, her face softened in repose. Only a thin blanket lay across their bodies, providing a hint of modesty in the vast bed that had become their sanctuary during the night.

A small smile tugged at Lith's lips as he thought back on the night before. The bond between them felt both new and ancient, woven by shared survival and a connection that defied simple understanding. Sensing his gaze, Hana stirred, her eyelashes fluttering open. She blinked up at him with sleepy surprise, and Lith leaned over to plant a gentle kiss on her neck. Before she could respond, he wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against him in a protective embrace, his touch tender yet possessive.

Hours later, when afternoon light flooded the great hall, Lith was seated on the grand throne, his posture relaxed but his expression focused. He looked imposing and regal, his dark, cosmic armor shimmering faintly even in repose. Hana stood nearby, having donned a new kimono—deep crimson embroidered with delicate silver threads, a replacement for the one Lith had accidentally shredded the night before. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the previous night, but she composed herself, watching as Lith turned his attention to the three black spheres hovering before him, pulsing with raw, dark energy.

The three spheres were the remnants of Kazuki's gifts, now fully integrated with the citadel and enhanced by its primordial power. Lith felt the potential within them, their dark radiance promising unimaginable strength. Reaching out, he touched the first sphere, and instantly, the energy surged into him. Knowledge poured into his mind, filling him with an understanding of his newfound ability.

The 10,000-Fold Amplifier.

Lith could amplify anything he desired by up to 10,000 times—whether it was the number of his demon and undead minions, their strength, or even the abilities of those under his command. He experimented mentally, realizing he could control the amplification with precision. He could choose to increase an attribute by only 100 times, or push it to the full 10,000. The potential was boundless.

Lith's mind raced with ideas for how to wield this gift. He imagined his legions of undead multiplying ten-thousandfold, transforming a single demon into an unstoppable army, or enhancing Hana's strength so she could stand as his equal on the battlefield. The possibilities were intoxicating.

Then, he reached for the second sphere, feeling another wave of power surge into him. This was the Essence Devourer. With this ability, every enemy Lith killed would yield its full essence to him—not just their life force, but their abilities, skills, and knowledge. He would absorb everything that defined them, making their strengths his own. It was as if each fallen enemy became a stepping stone, elevating his own power to unprecedented heights. Lith grinned, feeling the thrill of this ability take root in him, a dark gift that would allow him to consume and transcend every enemy in his path.

Finally, the third sphere shifted, condensing into a thick, ancient tome. The cover was a deep black, marked with a symbol of infinity that glowed with a mysterious, ever-shifting light. The book was cold to the touch, radiating an energy both familiar and foreign. The moment his fingers brushed the cover, a chime resonated within his mind.

"Ding."

The sudden sound startled him, but he quickly realized what was happening.

"Ding. Host has been found."

"Ding. Host is being bound."

"Ding. Binding complete."

"Ding. Welcome, Lord of the Citadel. I am your personal system, the System of Infinity."

Lith felt a chuckle bubble up as he listened to the mechanical yet oddly sentient voice. Thanks to the memories he'd absorbed from Kazuki, he recognized the reference—this "system" was something straight out of the tales Kazuki had read, a creation that would guide and empower its host to achieve new heights.

"Well then," Lith said with a faint smile. "Tell me, System of Infinity, who created you? What is your purpose?"

"Ding. This system was forged by the Void itself. The previous host's life ended prematurely, which violated the threads of fate. In response, the Void granted him three wishes. You, my lord, are now the chosen successor of these gifts."

Lith raised an eyebrow, impressed by the grandiosity of the system's origins. "And what, exactly, is your role?"

"Ding. My purpose is to serve you in any endeavor. I am equipped with all capabilities of previous systems—enhanced, evolved, and perfected. The System Shop is now boundless; you may access anything for free. This system can devour other systems and gifts, assimilating them to strengthen itself. For now, I offer you the power to transform into the ultimate form of any creature you have slain. Additionally, I am integrated with the citadel's core, and can assist you in its operation."

At this, Lith's mouth opened in surprise before he broke into laughter. His power was already immense, but this—this was almost absurd. He truly had received the Gift of the Void. Calming himself, Lith decided to try out his newfound transformation ability, shifting into the ultimate form of a human.

His body began to morph, his celestial, starry complexion condensing into a more humanoid form. His hair darkened to a deep chestnut brown, cascading down to his shoulders with a slight wave, and his eyes—now a piercing onyx with iridescent golden irises—seemed to contain galaxies within them. His skin retained a faint luminescence, giving the impression of hidden, boundless power just beneath the surface. Even his muscles took on a refined perfection; his chest and arms displayed well-defined strength, and where his abdomen was bare, lines of golden light glowed softly along his eight-pack, resembling cracks in porcelain from which divine energy leaked.

Hana, who had been standing nearby, caught sight of his transformed appearance and nearly stumbled. The intensity of his aura, combined with the magnetic pull of his presence, was overwhelming. She clenched her hands, resisting the nearly uncontrollable urge to throw herself at him. She swallowed, feeling her cheeks flush, her heart racing.

At that moment, Lith heard the system speak again. "Ding. Master, you have transformed into the ultimate form of humanity. This form is called Celestial Ascendant, the pinnacle of human evolution."

Lith's smile widened, his gaze meeting Hana's as she watched him in awe.