Hiro POV*
'Finally, I made it to Wall Rose.' Hiro had just arrived after spending some time with Mikasa's family. His visit had started off awkwardly, as Mikasa's father assumed Hiro came with harmful intentions. After reading his soul—an ability Hiro mastered—he quickly understood why: her father felt like one of those characters in a story doomed for a tragic end to further the plot. He chose to ignore the man's anxiety and instead focused on Mikasa and her mother, Yuka, who welcomed him warmly. They seemed to have recovered well from that fateful day, and Hiro was relieved to see that Mikasa was still her kind and strong-willed self.
Mikasa had grown protective of her mother and the unborn sibling, spending most of her time taking care of Yuka and helping her father hunt. Hiro was glad to see her resolve remained, especially when it came to protecting her loved ones. She had matured but still retained that same strength he remembered. During their conversation, she mentioned that they planned to move to Shiganshina, and Hiro felt satisfied that they would be safer there.
Mikasa also revealed her newfound dream—to become strong enough to protect innocent people. It was a shift that surprised Hiro, but he couldn't help but feel responsible for that change. It was clear his presence had influenced her growth. When they told him they had decided to name their unborn child after him—Hiro Ackerman—he couldn't help but smile, though he felt a bit embarrassed at the honor.
A few hours later, Hiro bid them farewell and continued his journey to Wall Rose, wishing them luck.
Now, Hiro stood in a quiet forest near Ragako Village, close to a peaceful lake. It seemed like the perfect spot to rest.
'Time to create a new skill.' Hiro thought back to the many anime he'd watched and began listing abilities that could aid in his growth. Though he couldn't create *ultimate* skills yet, he knew his soul was strong enough to handle another *unique* skill.
His biggest challenge so far had been controlling his Ghost Rider powers. He needed a skill that could help regulate his abilities, something intelligent that could act as an advisor and guide him in mastering his full potential.
"Create Unique Skill: *Great Sage," he said aloud.
[Checking skill status... Permission granted.]
[Do you want to create Great Sage? Y/N]
"Yes."
{Skill: *Great Sage* has been acquired!}
{Sub-Skills: Thought Acceleration, Analytical Appraisal, Parallel Operation, Chant Annulment, and All of Creation have been acquired!}
{Report! Fusing Unique Skill *Great Sage* with system...}
~[Fusing...]~
{Failed... Re-executing...Failed... Re-executing...Failed.}
[Report! Individual ROB has intervened with the fusion.]
{Fusing *Great Sage* and system... Successful.}
"What the hell just happened?" Hiro was stunned. He thought he was simply getting a skill to help him, but instead, it seemed to have merged with his system, becoming something even more powerful.
He noticed changes within his body.
{Report! Due to a lack of Magicules, individual Hiro Tekaru cannot use magic properly.}
{Report! Hellfire cannot be used for magic energy. Searching for solution… Found.}
{Report! Converting Hellfire into Magicules. Synthesizing skill *Energy Converter*... Completed!}
"This skill converts energy... Looks like I don't have to worry about Magicules anymore," Hiro muttered.
"Sage, are you there?"
{"Answer: Unique Skill *Great Sage* at your service."}
"Hi, nice to meet you."
"Damn, this isn't *Raphael*. I guess it won't answer silly questions like that."
"Sage, can you show me my abilities?"
{"Answer: Displaying status."}
Status*
Name: Hiro Tekaru
Host of Lord Zarathos
Ultimate Skill: Skill Creation (Locked)
Unique Skill: *Great Sage*
Sub-Skills*
- Thought Acceleration
- Analytical Appraisal
- Parallel Operation
- Chant Annulment
- All of Creation
- Analysis
- God-like Capabilities
- Strength, Stamina, Endurance, Speed, Agility, Reflexes, Durability, Hearing
Hellfire Manipulation*
- Hellfire Infusion
- Hellfire Projection
- Hellfire Constructs
- Hellfire Telekinesis
- Hell Firestorm
- Hellfire Weather
Sin Manipulation*
- Sin Perception
- Sin Eating
Soul Manipulation*
- Soul Consumption
- Soul Reading
- Soul Cleansing
- Soul Mutilation
- Penance Stare
- Damnation Stare
Other Powers*
- Enhanced Hellfire Chains
- Supernatural Awareness
- Energy Converter
- Pyrokinesis
- Size Manipulation
- Magic Manipulation
...and more.
"Sage, what do I need to do to evolve?" Hiro asked.
{Answer: The individual Hiro Tekaru has already obtained evolution seeds.}
'When did that happen?' Hiro thought, surprised.
{Answer: Using the *Great Sage* skill's Parallel Operation, over 164,844 souls were consumed, allowing the individual to qualify for evolution into the King of Hell.}
"Wait… what?!"
{Answer: You possess multiple evolution seeds—King of Hell, Phoenix Ghost Rider, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Celestial Ghost Rider, and True Ghost Rider.}
"I get it, I get it. How do I evolve?" Hiro asked.
{Answer: To evolve, you must collect nutrients—specifically human souls. Over two billion souls are required to germinate the King of Hell seed.}
╭( ๐_๐)╮
"Two billion… Alright," Hiro sighed, realizing the journey ahead of him. "Sage, from now on, collect the souls I absorb. I'll need them for evolution, don't use them."
For now, Hiro was content to rest. With so much ahead, he needed his strength.
'After evolving, I'll be able to give Zarathos a body of his own—that might be something for the future. But before that, I'll need to have a long talk with him. For now, though, I've done enough for the day. I think it's time I take a break and get some rest.'
To be continued...*