The world around me faded once again, and I found myself standing on a transparent platform suspended in an endless expanse of white light. It was like being in a void, yet it wasn't empty. There was a strange sense of calm and warmth, as if this place were meant to soothe my soul.
I looked down, seeing nothing but light beneath my feet.
KouseiWhere am I?
I muttered, my voice echoing slightly in the space.
For a moment, there was no answer. Just the sound of my own breathing and the faint hum of the void. Then I turned, and my breath caught in my throat.
Ethan was standing there, the same boy I had just seen suffer through so much pain. He looked exactly as I remembered: the messy black hair, the tired gray eyes, the thin frame that seemed too fragile for this world.
But there was something different about him now.
His expression was soft, almost at peace. There was a hint of a smile on his lips, though it looked like it had taken him a lifetime to remember how to smile.
I stared at him, unsure of what to say.
Ethan:I... I don't know who I am anymore
I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan:Am I Ethan? Or am I… Kousei?
Ethan tilted his head, his gray eyes narrowing slightly.
Ethan:I died, right?
"Yeah," I replied, nodding slowly.
For a moment, silence hung between us. Then Ethan spoke again, his voice carrying an emotion I hadn't heard in it before—hope.
Ethan:So… did life actually work out for me? I mean…
He hesitated, as if afraid of the answer.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair
Kousei:I got reincarnated.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Kousei:In High School DxD. As Issei's twin brother
I continued, watching as the shock turned into something else excitement.
Ethan:YOU DID? NO WAY!
he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the void.
I nodded, unable to stop a small smile from forming on my lips.
Kousei:Yeah, and I have a cultivation system.
Ethan's jaw dropped. His tired eyes lit up with an energy I hadn't seen before, like a spark of life had returned to him.
Ethan:damn, your life seems awesome!
I chuckled.
Kousei:Well, we're basically the same person soul-wise, so your life is awesome too.
Ethan laughed, a sound that felt foreign yet comforting.
Ethan:So, tell me more. What's it like? What's Issei like?
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
Kousei:Well, Issei's still a pervert—
Ethan groaned, cutting me off.
Ethan:Ugh, of course he is.
"—but," I continued, smirking slightly,
Kousei:only toward his girlfriend.
His groan turned into a laugh.
Ethan:That's... kind of an improvement, I guess?
"And," I added, my smirk widening,
Kousei:I'm dating Akeno.
Ethan froze, his expression blank.
Kousei:And her mom, Shuri.
His jaw hit the metaphorical floor.
Ethan:OU LUCKY BASTARD!
he shouted, throwing his hands in the air.
I laughed at his reaction. It was refreshing to see him like this—alive, happy, even if it was only in this strange space.
Ethan crossed his arms, pretending to pout.
Ethan:Man, I suffered through all that crap, and now you're living the dream. That's just not fair.
"Hey," I teased, grinning.
Kousei:We're the same soul, remember? So technically, you're living the dream too.
He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile creeping onto his face.
Ethan:Fine, I'll take it. But seriously, what now? What's the plan?
I looked around at the endless void, my smile fading slightly.
Kousei:Honestly… I don't really know
I admitted.
Kousei:I'm supposed to find peace with myself both now and in my previous life so I can achieve a pure Nascent Soul.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Ethan:Woah, that sounds… intense. But hey, seeing how your life seems amazing now, I think I'm already at peace. What about you?
I hesitated, his words hitting me harder than I expected. Was I at peace? Had I truly let go of all the pain and suffering from my past life?
Ethan watched me carefully, his expression softening.
Ethan:Come on, man. Don't overthink it. Look at what you've accomplished. You've got a new life, a new chance. You've made something amazing out of the crap I had to deal with. If that's not peace, I don't know what is.
I smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck.
Kousei:I think you're right
I admitted.
Kousei:I think I did find peace. Eventually.
Ethan grinned, and for the first time, it looked genuine.
Ethan:Good. You deserve it. We deserve it.
For a moment, we just stood there, two versions of the same soul, connected across lifetimes.
"So," Ethan said, breaking the silence
Ethan:what happens now?
I shrugged.
Kousei:I guess… I move forward. And you… you get to rest.
Ethan's smile didn't falter, but his eyes softened, a hint of sadness in them.
Ethan:Yeah. I guess I do.
"Thank you," I said, my voice barely audible.
"For what?"
Kousei:For surviving. For enduring everything you did. I wouldn't be here without you.
Ethan chuckled softly.
Ethan:You're welcome, Kousei. Now go live that awesome life of ours.
And with that, he faded away, leaving me alone on the platform. The light around me grew brighter, and for the first time in both my lives, I felt truly free.
I woke up to the cold, damp air of the dungeon, my body burning as if it had been set ablaze from within. My head throbbed, and my veins pulsed with an intense rhythm that felt foreign yet somehow natural.
Kousei:What the hell…?
I muttered, sitting up slowly, my muscles aching as if I had just fought a hundred battles.
Then I heard it—the familiar, monotone voice of the system, its words echoing directly into my mind.
System:"Due to the host's special physique, some restraint has been lifted. Achievement of the Nascent Soul has resulted in a vast amount of spiritual energy being generated by your body."
Before I could even process what it meant, I felt an explosion deep within me—a BOOMING shockwave that resonated through my entire being.
I clutched my chest, gasping as I felt something inside me shift, twist, and fuse. My dantian, the core of my cultivation, was merging with my inner soul, creating something entirely new. The sensation was indescribable. My soul, which once felt like an intangible presence, now burned with power, a luminous flame seated firmly in my core.
The system's voice cut through the chaos.
System:"Congratulations, Kousei, for achieving the Nascent Soul Realm."
The air around me vibrated, the sheer force of my breakthrough shaking the dungeon walls. A glowing, translucent projection of my nascent soul appeared before me—a miniature version of myself, seated in meditation, glowing with an ethereal light.
Kousei:What… what is this…?
I breathed, staring in awe.
The system's voice returned, now carrying a hint of pride.
System:"You have entered the Nascent Soul Realm. The fusion of your dantian and inner soul has birthed this form—a physical manifestation of your spiritual power. Your body and soul are now perfectly aligned, allowing for unprecedented growth and potential."
I felt my body surge with energy, every cell screaming with newfound vitality. My hair flowed past my shoulders, shimmering with a faint golden hue. My muscles felt denser, my senses sharper.
Kousei:What the hell
I muttered again, my voice shaking.
Kousei:Why do I feel so… strong?
"Updated character stats have been generated," the system announced.
And then it began listing them.
---
Physical Stats:
Strength: 20,500
Agility: 19,500
Endurance: 20,000
---
Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul (3rd Stage)
Cultivation Physique: Divine Ascendant Body
Elemental Affinity: All Elements (Flawless Harmony Achieved)
---
Skills and Techniques:
The system went on, detailing my abilities, skills, and even my equipment. By the time it finished, I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
Kousei:I'm fifty times stronger than before?
I exclaimed, staring at my hands as the raw power coursed through me.
"Indeed," the system replied.
System:"Your perfect alignment with your past life, combined with your unique physique, has facilitated this transformation. Such an outcome is not surprising. You have read several cultivation novels and xianxia stories, correct? You are aware of the strength one achieves upon awakening their Nascent Soul."
I groaned, shaking my head
Kousei:Yeah, but that's fiction! I didn't think it'd actually be this ridiculous!
I ran my hands through my hair, only to realize how long it had gotten. The strands fell past my shoulders, shining unnaturally. I scowled.
Kousei:There's no way I'm keeping this
I muttered, summoning a blade of pure Qi and slicing the excess length off in one swift motion. The cut hair disintegrated into particles of light, leaving me with my usual short style.
Kousei:I refuse to look like one of those arrogant, face-slapping, jade-beauty-collecting Chinese protagonists.
You're courting death...such bullshit
The system remained silent, likely processing my outburst.
I sat down on the cold ground, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The overwhelming energy in my body made it hard to focus. "Alright, system," I said finally.
Kousei:Tell me exactly what I can do now. And don't hold back—I want the full details.
"Understood," the system replied
System:"With your current cultivation level, you are capable of harnessing all elemental energies in flawless harmony. Your physical stats exceed that of most beings at your level, granting you unparalleled strength, speed, and endurance. Additionally, your Divine Ascendant Body ensures rapid recovery and near-immunity to weaker attacks."
Kousei:Near-immunity, huh?
I muttered.
Kousei:Good to know I'm not completely invincible.
System:"Correct. While you are resistant to most celestial and elemental attacks, you remain vulnerable to techniques above your cultivation level."
I nodded slowly, digesting the information.
Kousei:and the Nascent Soul itself? What does it actually do?"
System:"The Nascent Soul is the stepping stone into the true path of immortality and of spiritual cultivation. It allows for seamless integration of body, mind, and soul. Your combat efficiency is now maximized, and you can draw upon your inner soul for devastating attacks. Additionally, your nascent soul can serve as a separate entity, acting autonomously to assist in battle or meditation."
"Separate entity?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
System:"Correct. For example…"
The projection of my nascent soul reappeared, floating in front of me. It bowed slightly before moving to stand beside me, mimicking my stance.
"That's… creepy," I admitted, watching it closely.
The nascent soul tilted its head, almost as if offended.
Kousei:Okay, maybe not creepy
I said quickly.
Kousei:But definitely weird.
The nascent soul seemed satisfied with that response and disappeared again.
So it liked being called weird
I sighed, leaning back against the wall.
Kousei:So what now, system? I've achieved the Nascent Soul Realm. What's next?
System:"Your path forward is entirely your choice"
the system replied.
System:"However, I recommend consolidating your newfound power before seeking further breakthroughs. Remember, while you are strong, there will always be stronger opponents."
I smirked.
Kousei:Stronger opponents, huh? Sounds like fun.
"Additionally," the system continued, ignoring my comment,
System:"your title, Horizon Avenger, has leveled up. The perks of the title have been enhanced significantly."
I listened as it listed the updated perks, my grin widening with each one.
"Not bad," I said when it finished.
Kousei:Not bad at all.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt truly alive. The power coursing through me was intoxicating, but I knew better than to let it consume me.
"Alright," I said, standing up and cracking my knuckles.
Kousei:Let's see what this new power can do.
Spirit Domain: Horizon's Wrath
Upon reaching the Nascent Soul (3rd Stage), the character unlocks a Spirit Domain, a manifestation of their soul's essence and ultimate authority. Their Spirit Domain, Horizon's Wrath, reflects their Avenger Title and their deep connection with the cosmos, making it a fearsome and awe-inspiring domain.
Horizon's Wrath (Spirit Domain)
Description:
Horizon's Wrath manifests as an endless cosmic battlefield where the skies are filled with swirling constellations, radiant celestial bodies, and an ominous, vengeful aura that saturates the domain. Enemies are dragged into this domain, which bends the fabric of reality to reflect the avenger's will. It channels the vast power of the cosmos and instills dread in all who stand against its wielder.
Key Effects and Abilities of Horizon's Wrath:
1. Vengeful Retribution (Core Power):
Within the domain, all damage dealt to the user is reflected back at their enemies with magnified force. Additionally, opponents who have wronged the user are directly weakened, losing up to 50% of their strength, agility, and endurance.
2. Cosmic Judgment:
The domain generates Qi energy beams that rain down continuously, seeking out enemies and obliterating them. These beams are guided by the user's will and cannot be dodged unless the opponent has superior dimensional abilities.
3. Avenger's Grasp:
Time and space are under the user's control within the domain. The user can freeze time momentarily or warp the battlefield, disorienting enemies and ensuring their strikes land with perfect accuracy.
4. Celestial Convergence:
The user can summon star-like constructs that explode upon contact, causing devastating area-of-effect damage. These constructs can also form shields, protecting allies or amplifying the user's defenses.
5. Dreadful Presence:
The oppressive aura of the domain reduces enemies' morale, inducing fear and hesitation. Enemies below the Nascent Soul realm may even lose the will to fight entirely or collapse from the sheer pressure.
6. Cosmic Rebirth:
If the user sustains heavy damage or depletes their energy within the domain, the Spirit Domain can absorb cosmic energy to restore their vitality and power, making them nearly unkillable while inside but unfortunately drains their life force as substitute
Visual Representation:
The domain's ground appears as an endless, reflective surface of starlight, while the sky roars with cosmic storms and vibrant nebulae. Celestial bodies orbit around the user like loyal guardians, pulsating with energy and responding to their every command
Domain Suppression Range:
At the Nascent Soul 3rd Stage, Horizon's Wrath can encompass a radius of 5 kilometers. As the user grows stronger, the domain's range and potency will expand exponentially
I stared at the screen, utterly dumbfounded as the information about my Spirit Domain, Horizon's Wrath, flooded my senses. Every word felt like a revelation, a surge of unimaginable power that I hadn't even begun to comprehend fully. My mind raced as I took in the sheer scope of it all—the cosmic battlefield, the vengeful retribution, the manipulation of time and space, the destructive beams, and the star-like constructs. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
I rubbed my temples, trying to process everything.
Kousei:Holy shit. This is insane
I muttered, pacing back and forth in the dimly lit dungeon.
Kousei:A Spirit Domain? This is on another level. No, it's beyond anything I've ever read about in cultivation novels.
The system's calm, monotone voice broke through my thoughts.
"System:The Spirit Domain: Horizon's Wrath reflects the essence of your soul and the unique harmony achieved through your Divine Ascendant Body and Avenger Title."
Kousei:Yeah, yeah, I get that
I interrupted, waving my hand dismissively.
Kousei:But are you seriously telling me I can bend time and space? That I can summon cosmic storms and obliterate enemies with unavoidable energy beams? And what's this about reflecting damage and weakening enemies who've wronged me? That's… that's broken as hell!
"System:Correct. However, such power comes at a cost"
the system replied evenly.
The holographic screen shifted, displaying a new set of information. My eyes zeroed in on the bottom, where the activation cost was listed.
Kousei:Wait, wait, wait. What's this? Activation cost: 10000 Qi per activation?
I gawked at the screen, my voice rising in disbelief.
Kousei;I only have 30000 Qi! That means I can only use this 3 times and I have to a full qi capacity
"System:That is accurate,"
the system confirmed.
"system:The immense power of a Spirit Domain requires an equally immense amount of spiritual energy to maintain. At your current cultivation level, prolonged use of Horizon's Wrath is not advised unless absolutely necessary."
I let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through my hair.
Kousei:So, I'm basically a god, and then I'm a sitting duck. Great. Just great. What's the point of all this power if I can't even use it without passing out?
System:"The Spirit Domain is a trump card,"
the system explained.
System :"It is not meant for prolonged use but rather for decisive moments where overwhelming power is required to turn the tide of battle."
I sighed, sinking to the cold, stone floor.
Kousei:Trump card, huh? I guess that makes sense. Still, it feels like I've been handed the keys to a Ferrari but only enough gas to drive it around the block.
The system remained silent, as if waiting for me to continue my rant. I leaned back against the wall, staring at the swirling lights of the holographic screen.
Kousei:Okay, let's break this down. Vengeful Retribution. It reflects damage and weakens enemies who've wronged me. How does the system even know who's wronged me? Is it some kind of cosmic karma tracker?
System:"The Spirit Domain is an extension of your soul"
the system explained.
System: "It is inherently aware of your emotional and spiritual connections to others. Those who have caused you harm or betrayed your trust will be directly impacted by this ability."
I nodded slowly, my mind racing.
Kousei:So, if I dragged someone like Grayfia into this domain… she'd lose half her strength, agility, and endurance? And any attacks she landed on me would be reflected back at her with magnified force?
System:"Correct. Additionally, the oppressive aura of the domain would further suppress her combat effectiveness, potentially rendering her unable to fight."
I couldn't help but let out a low whistle.
Kousei:Damn. And then there's Cosmic Judgment. Those energy beams… they can't be dodged unless the opponent has superior dimensional abilities? That's just unfair.
System:"The beams are guided by your will,"
the system confirmed
System:"They are designed to ensure the elimination of threats within the domain."
I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing.
Kousei:What about Avenger's Grasp? Freezing time and warping space… that sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. How does it work?
System:"The time freeze is momentary, lasting only a few seconds,"
the system explained.
System:"It is intended to create openings for critical attacks or to evade otherwise unavoidable strikes. The spatial warping allows you to manipulate the battlefield, ensuring your attacks connect while disorienting your enemies."
I tapped my fingers against the stone floor, considering the implications.
Kousei;So, it's not just about raw power. There's a lot of strategy involved in using this domain effectively.
System:"Precisely. The Spirit Domain is a manifestation of your will and intelligence as much as your strength."
I shifted my focus to Divine Convergence.
Kousei:And these star-like constructs… they explode on contact and can also form shields? That's pretty versatile.
System:"They are an extension of your celestial energy,"
the system said
System: "They can be used offensively or defensively, depending on your intent."
Kousei:And then there's Cosmic Rebirth
I muttered, my eyes narrowing.
Kousei:Restoring vitality and power by absorbing cosmic energy… does that mean I can keep fighting even if I'm on the brink of death?
System:"As long as the Spirit Domain remains active, you will continue to regenerate. However, the cost of maintaining the domain increases with prolonged use."
I let out another sigh, running a hand through my hair.
Kousei:So, I really have to pick my battles carefully. This isn't something I can just spam whenever I feel like it.
"That is correct."
I stared at the screen for a long moment, my mind spinning. Despite the limitations, the sheer potential of Horizon's Wrath was staggering. This wasn't just a power boost it was a game-changer. But it also came with immense responsibility.
I stood up, brushing the dust off my clothes.
Kousei:Alright, system. I get it. This is my ace in the hole. My domain expansion. I'll use it wisely.
The system remained silent, but I could feel its approval. The screen flickered and disappeared, leaving me alone in the dim dungeon.