Death Descends

The battle ultimately ended with Ai’s defeat.

How could a mere mortal ever stand against an imperial princess favored by the heavens themselves?

“Take me to him,” said Bai Luoxia.

“Or this place… will become your grave.”

Her longsword was raised in one hand, the blade pressed against Ai’s neck.

Her tone remained cold and unchanging.

“I already said… if you want to pass—”

“Then step over my corpse!!!”

Suddenly, a massive wave of mana erupted from Ai’s frail body.

Bai Luoxia’s eyes narrowed.

He’s… trying to self-destruct?!

“Wait, you—!”

“See you in the Nether Sea, girl!”

Ai raised his middle finger at her and let out a bold laugh.

“Young master… I’ll still be your bodyguard in the next life…”

CRACK—

In an instant, all became still.

The world around him faded into silence and darkness.

---

“Don’t be in such a rush to check in at the Nether Sea.”

“Aren’t the living realms far more beautiful? Why not linger awhile?”

“Why throw yourself into a land where even freedom is scarce?”

Ai turned—and was stunned.

Standing beside him, somehow, was a black-haired girl.

Her amethyst eyes glowed eerily in the gloom, flickering with a bloody hue.

The metallic scent of blood clung to her presence—it was clear this girl was no harmless soul.

Her pitch-black hair cascaded to her waist, as dark as the deepest night.

A few faint white strands ran through it like scattered stars, adding a strange elegance.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

“My name is Ming Sheng, and I am… a Shinigami.”

“Shinigami? So that means I’m already… dead?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes.”

“You’ve died.”

“What’s wrong? Still clinging to the world? Regretful?”

“No… I mean, it’s just…”

“It’s about your young master, isn’t it?”

Ming Sheng’s voice was gentle, but her words cut to the truth.

Ai didn’t bother denying it.

“My master… he saved me.”

“I can’t just abandon him and leave alone. Even in death.”

He slumped to the ground and opened his hands, letting go of tension.

“…But I’m dead. Nothing matters now, does it?”

“Maybe you could tell me more about the Nether Sea—”

“Do you want to live?”

Ai turned sharply toward the smiling girl.

“I’ll give you a choice,” she said.

“Help me with something… and you’ll be revived.”

“Or follow the usual path and merge into the Nether Sea.”

“I pick the first one!” Ai blurted out before she could finish.

Then, realizing his rudeness, he went silent.

Ming Sheng chuckled.

“Since you’ve decided, I’ll explain.”

“First, resurrection isn’t free. I’ll trade fifty years of your lifespan for your life back.”

“But don’t worry—it’ll only change your appearance. All your body functions will remain intact.”

“You’ll just… look like an old man.”

Ai nodded.

He couldn’t care less about appearances.

And to come back from death? That was already a miracle.

“Second,” she continued.

“Deliver this ring… to your young master.”

“…And kill him.”

Ai’s expression darkened.

He looked at her seriously.

“If that’s your condition… then I’d rather take the second option.”

“But you no longer have a choice, do you?”

“There’s still a little princess outside eyeing your master like prey.”

“Who knows what she plans to do?”

“Dismember him? Kill him? Torture him?”

“Who can say?”

“And all of this… is the result of your decision.”

“Can you really ignore that guilt, Ai?”

“I believe you’re a man who understands the weight of things.”

“So… please, don’t make a choice you’ll regret. Thank you.”

Ai looked down at the pale violet ring in his hand, his heart torn with mixed emotions.

“…Fine. I get it. I’ll do it.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

A crack of purple light split the space open beside him.

“Seems like my time is up.”

“Farewell. I hope things go smoothly for you.”

“Oh—and I’ve dealt with that little girl for you.”

“No need to worry about her anymore.”

“That insolent brat who doesn’t know right from wrong… hmph.”

With that, the girl vanished into the void, leaving Ai stunned and speechless.

---

Shrrrip—

That was the sound of flesh being torn by a blade.

Sui Ming stared blankly at the dim sky above, his mind drifting back to the past.

A boy who stained his hands with blood just to survive…

One who destroyed others’ futures to preserve his own present.

In the end, no matter how he justified it, the truth was clear:

He was a predator.

Hunting others for his own tomorrows—what was that, if not predation?

Brutal. Cruel. Merciless.

Even after getting this second life… was this how it would end?

“…Heh. Guess this is my karma.”

His consciousness began to fade.

He had lost too much blood—his vision blurred, the world melting into shadows.

He wanted to rise. To fight.

But his body wouldn’t obey.

His legs gave out.

He collapsed, yet still instinctively assumed a combat stance, glaring at the muscular man before him.

“…You’ve got spirit. I respect that,” the man said, slightly impressed.

Even in his mercenary group, he’d never seen such unbreakable will.

If it weren’t for this job, he might’ve recruited Sui Ming on the spot.

But there were no ‘what-ifs’ in this line of work.

“Black One,” the man ordered, “Finish him.”

Black One sighed.

He pulled a greatsword from the belt at his waist.

“…Sorry, brother. It’s just part of the job.”

Shrrrip!

Flesh flew.

No divine miracle came.

No one arrived to save him.

There were no screams over the gash across his chest.

Only silence—and sorrow for his own helplessness.

“…Am I alone… again?”

Just like in his previous life—

Dying in a pool of blood, alone.

Completing missions by himself.

He thought he’d grown used to solitude.

But solitude still tore a jagged hole through his frozen heart.

He could feel it—

His life slipping away.

And there was nothing he could do.

Alone.

No one at his side.

Anger—

For his own powerlessness.

Regret—

For a chance that vanished so easily.

Grief—

For a promised land he could never reach.

Despair—

Crushed beneath overwhelming odds.

All those feelings churned in his heart—

And then…

The pale violet ring began to glow with a soft, purple light.

“If the world has forsaken you…

Then let me walk beside you.”