"Death... huh?" Yue Ge silently watched the crow, making no move.

He sensed a killing intent from it—genuine and heavy. Only someone who’d personally stained their hands with countless lives could carry such an aura. Feeling it, Yue Ge understood this wasn’t child’s play. It was a real, life-or-death fight. This person truly wanted him dead.

Victor lived; loser died. Winner ruled; loser fell. Since ancient times, all battles were just this. Including his fight with the Reaper, his battles with monsters, and now... against a human.

He didn’t fear combat. Yue Ge realized he might even enjoy it. Only in the most dangerous, thrilling fights would his dead heart stir. Then it would ignite fully. The joy he sought, the most exciting life he craved—both were born in battle.

This wasn’t that peaceful era anymore. Here, death was routine. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t avoid killing. To not be an outcast, he had to slowly blend in.

He still didn’t fit this world. He felt no bond to this land. The only one he trusted was the girl who’d saved him—Bai Ya. Without her here, Yue Ge wouldn’t have bothered with this assessment test.

Yue Ge knew nothing of schemes. But he knew nothing happened without cause. With Bai Ya, they trusted yet used each other. That wasn’t twisted. The Organization had ignored him too—likely waiting for this moment.

He had one choice: prove his worth and survive.

Live or die. Only survivors could judge the defeated. Yue Ge believed if he won, even killing the crow now would bring no trouble. Bai Ya would handle all consequences.

He understood her. That seemingly harmless girl thought like a ruler. To her, death was first about "value," then death itself. Her choice was obvious.

"If you’re not ready, let’s start." The crow looked down. He flicked his hand. A crow feather turned into black light—a pitch-black lightning bolt shooting at Yue Ge.

It struck suddenly, piercing through Yue Ge’s body into the mud. Only a bottomless pit remained.

The crow almost sighed in disappointment. But Yue Ge didn’t fall. No blood spilled. The probe had done nothing.

The feather had pierced him. Yet when it left, black aura from Yue Ge sealed the hole instantly. No blood. No tearing sound. Like nothing happened. Only the pit proved it real. The crow realized what he faced—he was the same.

"Come on." Yue Ge slowly spread his hands. His vision turned grayish-white. Black aura coiled around him but didn’t solidify. "Kill me."

He laughed inexplicably. Then louder, unable to stop.

"What’s so funny?" The crow felt a flash of anger. He felt mocked.

"Nothing. Just... too excited." Yue Ge wiped his eye corner. "You’ll let me enjoy this, right?"

How sweet this feeling was. No overthinking needed. His dead heart stirred again. His body trembled. His blood boiled. He’d dreamed of this—placing his life on the gambling table, treating it as a reckless bet.

Not waiting quietly for death on some hospital bed.

Death was just this.

He knew he wouldn’t lose. He understood Death. Death bowed to him. The aura around him proved it. Yue Ge sensed more deaths in this building awaiting his call. As long as this aura lasted, he wouldn’t die.

The world would never grasp Death. So they’d never comprehend Yue Ge’s power as the Reaper’s inheritor. Without strength, causing death was empty talk.

He had no flashy skills. No Bai Ya’s absolute destruction. Only this overwhelming power—Death’s true might. With a thought, he could sever any monster’s head.

"Don’t get cocky!" The crow growled. He waved his hand. Black light from countless feathers fell like a waterfall.

Yue Ge stepped forward. Death coalesced in his grip—a massive Reaper Scythe larger than his body. He swept it upward.

Clang!

The feathers that had pierced earth shattered midair. Not a trace remained.

The crow didn’t close in. He rose slightly. His wings suddenly spread—ten meters wide. He waved again. The black wings scattered into a storm of feathers.

"Scatter."

The feathers engulfed Yue Ge. Earlier, even a tenth hitting would flay flesh.

Yue Ge dropped the scythe. It dissolved into black aura. He clasped his hands, then pulled them apart. The aura stretched into a spear. He hurled it upward—his "foolish method" to ground a flyer.

The spear pierced the feather curtain. Feathers collapsed on contact. It flew on, unslowed.

The crow tried to disperse his body. But as the spear struck, his Essence froze. No reaction.

The spear impaled him, pinning him into the wall.

"Damn..." The crow spat blood—his first in years. He gripped the spear embedded in his chest and yanked it out. Agony nearly dropped him. But after falling a few meters, his Essence reawoke. Black wings spread, suspending him midair.

Even a fool would realize now: Yue Ge’s attack sealed Essence. Hit by that black substance, his power stalled. Not permanently—just blocked, like clogged channels. The damage was done.

The densest feathers were already scattered. The rest bounced off Yue Ge’s aura.

Yue Ge could’ve finished him easily. But he didn’t. He reformed the black aura around himself. "Is that all?"

He loved the fight, not the kill. Slaying the crow meant nothing. He wanted the thrill. Only this way, if he died again, he’d never beg the Deity for another life.

He could say without hesitation: he lived more brilliantly than anyone. His life held no regrets.

That was all he wanted.

"Come on. I’m waiting." Yue Ge tilted his head, gripping the Reaper Scythe again. He smiled casually.

When pushed to the extreme, things reverse. He’d been suppressed too long.