Ren stared at Otto, his expression cold, while Otto maintained his infuriatingly smug smile. He spread his arms as if offering a warm embrace to a long-lost friend.
But before he could get close, golden threads materialized in Ren's hand, forming a sharp sword pointed directly at Otto's throat.
Otto had anticipated Ren's hostility. He obediently stopped, his tone apologetic. "Oh, my apologies. Please forgive my excessive enthusiasm, my friend."
"Ever since our parting in Nagazora City, I haven't had any news of you, and I've been quite worried. Now that I can confirm you're safe and sound, it's truly hard to contain my excitement."
Otto's acting was impeccable. His tone and expression were that of a close friend reunited after years of separation. A naive girl like Durandal might actually believe he and Ren were close partners.
Unfortunately, Ren wasn't interested in playing along. Otto's machinations in ARC City had disrupted his plans, forcing him to adopt a riskier strategy, the illusionary world operation.
Ren wasn't one to hold grudges, but that didn't mean he'd tolerate being manipulated.
Before he could confront Otto, the Overseer had appeared again, disrupting his plans once more. Ren's gaze sharpened. His sword flashed across Otto's throat, drawing a thin line of crimson blood.
Despite the blood, Otto's body, forged from Soulium, wasn't easily damaged. His neck wasn't a vital area.
"Well, it seems you harbor quite a bit of resentment towards me." His smile faltered slightly. He quickly retreated, gently touching the wound. The cut on his neck instantly healed.
"Enough, Otto. Drop the charade. For the Overseer of Schicksal to personally appear on the battlefield… I hardly think I warrant such a risk."
His voice ice-cold, Ren kept his sword pointed at Otto, his gaze sweeping across Coral Island. The two Herrscher cores, after colliding with Void Archives and being delayed by Otto, had vanished.
He wasn't concerned. There was a faint resonance between Herrschers. The cores were still within Coral Island's range and hadn't been taken.
Besides, Otto was a far more pressing concern than the cores.
"Very well, very well." Otto sighed dramatically, spreading his hands. "I had hoped to reminisce with you."
"I have no intention of prying into your secrets. I simply wish to propose another transaction. Speaking of which, were you satisfied with the results of our last agreement?"
The "last agreement" referred to the events in Changkong City. Though reluctant to admit it, Otto had been a reliable partner, providing Kiana with the opportunity to confront Ren and even entrusting her with Void Archives, ensuring the success of Ren's plan.
However, dealing with a cunning fox like Otto came with a price. There was no guarantee he wouldn't plant hidden dangers.
Like Void Archives itself. Even Ren hadn't anticipated Otto hiding it within Kiana's star bracelet.
Of course, Ren had also left Otto a little "gift." It simply wasn't time for it to be unveiled.
"A transaction is certainly possible, but Overseer, littering isn't a good habit." Ren glanced pointedly at Void Archives floating beside Otto. The sentient Divine Key paused, then obediently returned to Otto's hand.
"My apologies. A slight oversight on my part." Despite his words, Otto clearly wasn't remorseful. Since Ren wasn't playing along, he dropped the pretense, his probing intent clear. "However, with your abilities, I doubt this qualifies as even a minor inconvenience."
During the brief seconds Void Archives had bought him, Ren's combat prowess had far exceeded anything in Schicksal's records. Even the simulated Judah, specifically designed to counter Honkai energy, hadn't lasted five seconds, suggesting Ren possessed power beyond the Herrscher of Flamescion's.
Moreover, the method he'd used to neutralize Void Archives wasn't related to fire, but closer to a control-type authority. Yet, no such Herrscher was recorded in the Previous Era's archives, much less one capable of shifting authorities.
Otto's gaze fell on Ren's sword. To conjure a blade from thin air… could it be the power of Creation?
The First Herrscher's identity remained a mystery. Otto had initially suspected Welt, the leader of Anti-Entropy. But Ren's display of power made him reconsider.
Ren shook his head, tired of the charade. "If you want a transaction, we need to establish that we have equal standing. That's the foundation of any agreement."
Whether manipulation or negotiation, it wasn't charity from the strong to the weak. Only equals could bargain.
Of course, Ren didn't doubt Otto's value. He simply wanted to gauge the Overseer's true strength, and, incidentally, give him a beating on Kiana's behalf.
Otto knew words alone wouldn't sway Ren. He also wanted to test the Herrscher's true power. Without further ado, he gripped Void Archives.
The Divine Key transformed into twin golden pistols, mirroring the form of the Divine Key Judgment of Shamash. Before Ren could attack, Otto fired.
Ding.
The supersonic bullets were intercepted by Ren's sword, cleanly bisected.
Having mastered Taixu Sword Qi, Ren was no slouch with a blade. The slender sword offered greater agility than the flaming greatsword.
With a flicker of his blade, not a single bullet touched Ren. Seeing ranged attacks were ineffective, Otto shifted Void Archives into a greatsword.
Clang.
Blades clashed, sparks flying. Ren stood firm, while Otto was pushed back half a meter.
However, a sword woven from threads couldn't match a Divine Key. Cracks appeared on Ren's blade. Unfazed, he dissipated the sword, the threads reforming into a new weapon.
Otto's eyes narrowed as Ren shifted weapons. Void Archives could mimic Divine Keys, but Ren shouldn't possess that ability. Yet, he was displaying something similar.
Was it Creation?
With a flicker of doubt in his eyes, Otto clashed blades with Ren again. This time, at the moment of impact, the simulated Judgment of Shamash transformed into Judah, its chains ensnaring Ren's weapon, briefly restraining it.
But before Otto could capitalize, Ren simply discarded the sword, his right fist connecting squarely with Otto's left cheek.
"…"
This guy fights dirty.