"Surprised I’m still alive? Shocked I’d wait five years just to take my revenge on you?!"

The woman cackled wildly. She dared laugh like this in front of Empty City because she held an absolute trump card.

After observing him for a day—or longer—she’d noticed his younger sister from five years ago was gone. But now he had another girl to protect. That was all she needed.

This pawn alone would chain Empty City’s movements. Knowing brute force couldn’t defeat him, she’d weaponized cunning instead.

Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, Night Zero ate lunch with her best friend. Though she missed Empty City’s company, sharing the meal wasn’t so bad.

Unseen by them, the heroes who’d arrived with Mira slipped inside. Their eyes were dull and lifeless, moving like puppets mimicking human actions.

This was her backup plan: the moment Michelle was attacked, her clones would strike simultaneously.

Kill Night Zero. Then slaughter the students. That was her strategy. Her insurance.

Just like five years ago—using what Empty City cherished most. Her existence proved Apostles possessed intelligence too. By strength alone, she’d likely rank A-Rank… or higher.

"So…" Michelle sneered. "Will you kill me? Or savor the thrill of being crushed by me?"

Her laughter reeked of certainty.

And truthfully—she *was* certain.

Even the world’s strongest human had tender spots in his heart. Five years ago, it was his sister. Now, it was the woman he loved. Nothing had changed. True power demanded coldness. No emotional chains. But Empty City? He’d never master that.

"Time to break you," she taunted.

Her massive form shrank abruptly, mocking him. Before his stunned eyes, it reshaped into another’s body.

Silvery hair, smooth as silk, brushed her shoulders. Flawless skin like fresh snow. A gentle smile graced her delicate face. Her height matched Mira’s. A voice like silver bells chimed:

"I’ve missed you so much… *Bro*."

She lunged into a tender embrace. The shock of it made Michelle’s lips curl in triumph.

*Sigh.*

Empty City’s heart sank.

*This thing I failed to kill five years ago… hasn’t grown an inch in five years?*

He cursed his past self’s stupidity—falling for such a crude trick.

A cold snort escaped him. The shock in his eyes vanished, replaced by pitch-black pupils radiating suffocating malice.

An abyssal aura froze Michelle mid-step.

"What—? What are you doing?! Think of the consequences! Your precious woman will *die* because of this! Don’t you—?"

"Don’t *what*?" Empty City cut in, voice icy. "Hesitate? Protect her? Let me finish your yapping. Are you my pet stray dog? Shut your yap. Is impersonating others fun? Does wearing my sister’s face amuse you?"

Rage boiled over. His killing intent erupted like a storm.

"Stop! If you don’t stop, your woman will—"

"Five years…" Empty City’s voice dropped to a whisper. "And you learned *nothing*. Did you think the same trick would work twice?"

Lure him away. Harm those he loved. Then wear their faces to force his hand.

He wouldn’t repeat that failure. Not ever.

*Whoosh!*

A blur of impossible speed.

As Michelle triggered her clones in the cafeteria—

Empty City didn’t flinch.

His fist—just a fist—punched straight through her abdomen.

She crumpled, wearing his sister’s face.

"You’ll regret this! You *will*! That woman… your students… they’ll all die screaming!" Blood flecked her lips, betraying her weakness.

"Been playing Mira too long? Even your speech mimics hers…" Empty City tilted his head. "Ever wonder why I haven’t killed you yet?"

His blood-smeared hand held nothing unusual.

Michelle’s pained expression twisted into realization.

Her clones in the cafeteria… had stopped. Vanished.

*How?! What happened?!*

"Curious?" Empty City crouched before her, a devilish smirk playing on his lips. "I’d *hate* to spoil it."

"Don’t—don’t come closer! Karma will get you!!"

He didn’t wait for more noise.

A shadowy blade materialized—piercing Michelle’s chest. A thousand cuts couldn’t have been cleaner.

Five years ago, he’d sworn to make her suffer. To tear her apart slowly…

But now? Suffering felt pointless. Even killing her bored him. Only her repeated taunts—using his sister’s face, threatening Night Zero’s life—had drawn this cruelty from him.

At least… what lay there now wasn’t minced meat.

Just a complete corpse.