In a flash, time itself reversed—Joseph's body moved as if untouched by the prior struggle, and the moment before the monster could rip the arc reactor free was undone. It was as though the very fabric of reality bent to his will, and the monster’s attack was reset. The monster, stunned and momentarily disoriented, found himself back in Joseph's grasp.

  With renewed determination, Joseph surged forward, taking the fight to the very edge of space itself. The universe stretched out before them as the battle raged on. The monster struggled again, desperate to escape, his eyes burning with an insatiable hunger for Joseph's power.

  But Joseph saw the signs. His XPT suit began to warn him—his energy was draining. The monster, realizing he couldn’t break free, had begun attempting to absorb Joseph’s energy, siphoning off his strength. The moment Joseph understood the threat, his expression hardened.

  “You want my power?!" Joseph's voice thundered, fury erupting within him. "You can have it all!” he roared, his voice full of defiance.

  His mind raced, and he barked an order to his suit. "Reverse the polarity and initiate self-destruct!" The suit obeyed without question. Joseph’s hands moved swiftly as he detached the arc reactor from his chest, tossing it aside with a single fluid motion.

  The final gambit had begun.

  At Joseph's command, his suit responded instantly. A brilliant light emanated from his body, growing in intensity until it enveloped the entire battlefield. The radiance collided with the monstrous boss in a blinding explosion. The detonation was catastrophic, its shockwave reverberating across vast distances. Even Joseph's allies on the moon felt the sheer force, forcing them to take cover in the shelter of towering lunar rocks.

  On the distant planet Himeji, the impact of the explosion surged through the atmosphere, obliterating the remaining monsters. The warriors stationed there reacted swiftly, uniting their auras to form a protective shield that safeguarded the planet's citizens. While the shield held strong, the destruction left by the monsters and the blast from space had ravaged the surroundings. Though lives were spared, many bore injuries from both the monstrous assault and the residual shockwave.

  Far away in the void of space, Joseph floated unconscious amidst the scattered remains of the monster. Slowly, he regained consciousness, jolted awake by fragments of the monster's remnants brushing against him. To his astonishment, he realized he had survived the devastating explosion intact, sparing himself the grueling ordeal of regenerating lost limbs. With a deep breath, he steadied himself and began navigating back toward his allies on the moon.

  On his way, Joseph spotted his arc reactor drifting among the debris. He retrieved the floating device before continuing his journey. Upon reaching the moon, he paused momentarily in space, sealing the crescent mark on his forehead before descending. His arrival was met with relief and elation as his allies gathered around him, their joy evident.

  “Well, that was unexpected,” Joseph remarked with a wry smile. “How are you all holding up?”

  “We’re recovering our auras, but it’ll take time,” one of them replied, their exhaustion evident.

  Joseph’s attention shifted to the split moon above them. Without hesitation, he held up his arc reactor and hurled it into the gap between the fractured halves. The reactor activated, releasing a reversed energy field that drew the moon's fragments together. Slowly and steadily, the celestial body was repaired, the fissures sealing as its energy mended the damage.

  As Joseph descended to the moon’s surface, his allies welcomed him warmly, some embracing him in gratitude. But their relief was short-lived as they noticed the destroyed state of their transportation. Joseph, ever resourceful, tapped the lunar ground twice with his feet. In response, his arc reactor emerged from the moon’s core, channeling its energy to construct a sleek spaceship.

  “Let’s head back to Himeji,” Joseph said, boarding the craft with his companions.

  Upon their arrival at Himeji, they were met with a heartbreaking scene. The planet's once-vibrant landscape lay in ruins, marred by the recent battle. Yoshinori and Yuki, along with a group of warriors, approached to deliver a report.

  The details were grim. Despite their combined efforts, the losses were substantial. Among the accounts was one that struck a deep chord: the city lord had fallen. In his final moments, he had sacrificed himself to save a group of children on the brink of being devoured by a monstrous beast.

  The weight of the news hung heavy on them all. Joseph clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. As the devastation around them settled into quiet sorrow, the warriors prepared themselves for what lay ahead, determined to honor the sacrifices made and rebuild their world anew.

  The group bowed their heads in solemn grief, offering silent respect for the fallen city lord. Tomoya, his face etched with sorrow, broke the silence with a firm demand: “Take me to him.” Joseph and his remaining team followed closely behind, their own hearts heavy with the weight of the loss.

  When they arrived at the city lord’s chambers, the sight was overwhelming. The city lord lay motionless upon the bed, his once-commanding presence now reduced to lifeless stillness. Tomoya knelt beside him, unable to hold back his grief. His voice, raw with emotion, broke the silence. “Did you try to save him?”

  The warriors standing nearby answered softly, their own voices filled with regret. “The monster’s strike was too precise. No healing magic, no treatment could reach him. He was beyond saving.”

  Even when Joseph’s team had tried to channel their recovering auras to revive him, their efforts had been in vain. Their powers, still recovering from the previous battle, were not enough to defy the finality of death.

  Joseph stood to the side, his XPT system in recharging mode, unable to assist in any meaningful way. As Tomoya wept quietly, surrounded by the comforting presence of his comrades, an idea struck Joseph.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  He glanced at one of his comrades, who muttered to himself, “The city lord has gone to be with death itself.” The words seemed to hang in the air, stirring something within Joseph. His eyes flickered with realization.

  “Wait,” Joseph said, his voice steady. “I can summon someone who can help.”

  His team looked at him in surprise, unsure of what he meant, but when Joseph insisted, they reluctantly stepped back to give him space.

  Approaching the lifeless form of the city lord, Joseph took a deep breath and called upon the entity he knew could cross the boundary between life and death.

  “Lady Death, I need you,” Joseph said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight.

  The instant he spoke her name, a chilling presence filled the room. It was as if the very temperature dropped, the air thick with an unspoken dread. A shiver ran down the spines of everyone present, except for Joseph, who stood unmoving. The presence of Lady Death was overwhelming—an awe-inspiring, yet terrifying force that seemed to demand reverence and fear in equal measure.

  In the stillness, her presence grew more palpable, like a dark, cold shroud slowly enveloping the room. Her aura radiated power, an ancient and unfathomable force that stood apart from anything they had ever encountered.

  Joseph remained unfazed, his mind focused on the task at hand. The room was thick with tension, as everyone awaited what would happen next.

  Joseph stood before Lady Death, a familiar warmth creeping over him as memories of their past, those fleeting moments of tenderness, came rushing back. His voice softened, a playful glint in his eyes as he leaned in. "Come on, Death," he said, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "I can't let the city lord go just yet. You know he’s not ready to meet you."

  "Breaking the circle of death is no small task, Joseph," Lady Death said, her voice calm but laced with an ancient weight. She fixed her gaze on him, unwavering, as if reminding him of the grave consequences of his actions. "You altered the death of the prefectural mayor of Hyogo-Ken— a demon whose time had come. Not only that, you pleaded with me to spare the lives of all those fallen in Hyogo-Ken, many of whom were already destined for the afterlife."

  Joseph smirked, unfazed by her stern tone. "But you’re Death, and who really cares if you break the rules?" he asked, his voice playful, as he leaned against the dark stone wall.

  Lady Death raised an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "The balance of creation cares, Joseph. Even if I could break the rules, it doesn’t mean I should. These laws are in place to maintain equilibrium between life and death in the cosmos." She took a step closer, her presence almost suffocating in its power. "And besides, this isn’t the first time I’ve granted your request," she continued, her tone shifting to something more intimate, almost teasing. "Each time I assist you, our agreement... well, it’s piling up."

  Joseph chuckled, rolling his eyes in a mock exasperation. "Oh, so now you’re keeping score?" he quipped, a grin tugging at his lips.

  Lady Death’s lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze softening for a moment. "Perhaps," she said, her voice a whisper of eternity. "But that doesn’t mean I’m immune to a little persuasion. Come now, Joseph," she added, a playful glint in her eyes. "You and I— we’ve always been in sync, like five and six."

  Joseph’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of affection and mischief. "Exactly," he said with a wink. "So what do you say, Death? One more favor?"

  Lady Death raised an eyebrow, her ethereal form exuding both grace and power, yet her lips curled into a smile that hinted at old, sweet memories between them. "You always did know how to charm me, Joseph," she replied, her tone light but with an undertone of affection. "Very well, I will grant your wish. The city lord will live to die a perfect age, at the peak of glory, as all mortals should."

  Joseph’s smile grew wider, relief washing over him. "You're a lifesaver, as always," he said, his voice a little softer now, the playful banter giving way to something deeper.

  "But," Lady Death continued, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes as she reminded him of her words from before, "don’t think this means you’re off the hook entirely." She took a step closer, her presence surrounding him with an unsettling yet oddly comforting weight. "You’ll be summoned when I need you, Joseph. For our little... arrangement," she purred, her voice lowering to a teasing whisper.

  Joseph chuckled, leaning back slightly as the old familiarity between them returned. "Always a catch," he said with a wink. "But I wouldn’t have it any other way."

  Lady Death gave a soft, amused laugh, her figure beginning to fade into the shadows. "Until next time, Joseph," she said, her voice lingering in the air. "And don’t keep me waiting too long."

  In that instant, the city lord was revived, all thanks to Joseph, who had convinced Death to restore the life of the lord, a gesture that left the man forever grateful. Tomoya, along with a few of his warriors and some of Joseph's team who were present, stood in stunned silence. They watched in awe, still struggling to believe what they had just witnessed—Joseph and Death, a bond so close, so personal, that it defied all logic. It was physically and spiritually impossible for anyone—monsters or supernaturals alike—to form such a connection with Death herself.

  Joseph remained an enigma. Even his closest comrades, who thought they had begun to understand him, now realized they had only scratched the surface. There was so much more to their leader than they had ever imagined. To not only befriend a supernatural entity like Death, who maintained the delicate balance between life and death, but to also share an intimate, profound relationship with her—this was beyond anyone’s comprehension.

  They stood in awe, speechless, for Joseph had done what no mortal—or even immortal—dared: he had challenged Death, that eternal force who held dominion over all life. Her presence was revered by the highest beings, and her respect was demanded by even those who transcended her cosmic concept. Yet Joseph had faced her, and not only survived but had earned her trust. That, in itself, was unimaginable.

  From that moment onward, their respect for Joseph deepened. He was no longer just their comrade or leader. To them, he was something beyond—a figure deserving of reverence and awe.

  After the quiet reverence, Tomoya turned to Joseph, still taken aback by the impossible bond he had witnessed. "Thank you again, Joseph," he said, though the mystery of how Joseph had maintained such a close relationship with Lady Death lingered in his mind. He didn’t voice the question, but his expression spoke volumes as they shook hands.

  "I insist," Tomoya continued, a little sheepishly, "Stay and rest in our city before you depart tomorrow." Joseph and his team graciously accepted the offer, and Tomoya personally escorted them to their luxurious guest rooms.

  Meanwhile, the city began its recovery. Construction teams worked tirelessly to repair the damage, while medics and search parties scoured the ruins, still hoping to find any survivors caught in the chaos of the aftermath.

  The following morning, Joseph and his team prepared to leave Planet Himeji. They informed Tomoya of their departure, and he escorted them to meet the city Lord once more. The Lord expressed his deep gratitude, thanking Joseph for his invaluable help and the assistance his team had provided to their planet.

  Before they stepped out, Tomoya presented Joseph and his team with new, high-tech vehicles—upgraded with magic for enhanced performance. The team thanked him warmly for the thoughtful gesture, knowing it would aid them on their journey ahead.

  As the gateway portal opened before them, they exchanged final goodbyes with Tomoya and the city Lord. With a nod, Joseph led his team through the shimmering portal, and as they entered, the gateway closed behind them, sealing their departure as they ventured toward the next regional planet.