"You did well," the leader said, his tone deceptively soft. "But this is where you die." His confidence was absolute, suggesting he possessed a power that Hazel couldn't yet comprehend.
"We will see about that," Hazel retorted, his grip tightening on his scythes, a knot of unease in his stomach.
Without wasting a precious second, Hazel unleashed a barrage of skills. He cast Necromancy, summoning more zombies, and layered an illusion over the leader. But the leader's mental fortitude was immense; he simply waved his hand, dispelling the illusion as if it were a mere annoyance. The zombies fared no better, his sword slicing through them with effortless precision, his movements almost languid.
Hazel charged forward, his movements a blur, but every attack he launched was met with an almost casual flick of the leader's blade, deflected as if it were nothing. The leader's eyes held a knowing glint, his expression unperturbed.
"Tell me," the leader said, his voice now laced with a chilling confidence and a monstrous undertone, "how do you intend to defeat me when I can see ten seconds into the future? All your attacks are pointless when I already know your next move."
Is it possible? Can he really see into the future? Hazel thought frantically as he pressed his attack, a growing sense of dread washing over him.
Just as Hazel lunged, an attack that seemed unavoidable, a searing, agonizing pain ripped through his chest. He gasped, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
The leader's sword protruded from Hazel's chest, piercing his heart. The leader's calm expression didn't waver.
"I told you," the leader said, his voice cold and final. "You die here."
Hazel's eyes glazed over. His grip on his scythes loosened, and with a final, shuddering breath, he died...
Inside the black void within Hazel's consciousness...
"You are finally here," a strange voice echoed, breaking the silence.
"Who are you? Who is speaking?" Hazel asked, a tremor of unease in his voice, though fear was surprisingly absent.
A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into Hazel's view.
"You!" A surge of anger coursed through Hazel as he recognized the figure. It was the Grim Reaper who had pursued Ivy.
"Why are you here?" Hazel demanded, his hatred for the reaper palpable.
"Oh, nothing much," the reaper replied with a playful shrug. "Just decided to tag along with the one who so rudely relieved me of my existence."
"Why were you after Ivy's life? What did she ever do to you?" Hazel pressed, his anger hardening into a burning resolve.
"Well, it's not exactly my fault she stumbled into this dimension. It's forbidden, you see," the reaper explained casually.
"What do you mean, 'this dimension'?" Hazel asked, his confusion growing.
"You think this is the only one?" the reaper chuckled, a hint of amusement in his tone. "There are countless dimensions out there. Your dimension was the last one to be visited by the System. That's why it's forbidden for beings from other dimensions to come here before the System's arrival."
"Wait," Hazel interjected, trying to process the information. "You said you were forbidden from coming before the System visited. So, in other words, you're saying people from other dimensions will be coming here now that the System is here?"
"Bingo," the reaper confirmed with a nod. "That's precisely what I mean."
"Well, forget all that for now," the reaper said, his playful demeanor shifting slightly as he summoned his scythe. "The main reason I'm here is to give you this."
"What do you mean? I have mine," Hazel said, gesturing to his spectral dual scythes.
"Oh, come on," the reaper scoffed. "Did you really think that was the real deal?"
"Luckily for you," the reaper continued, a grin spreading across his face, "you actually managed to fill your soul points before you kicked the bucket. Otherwise, you'd be genuinely dead." He chuckled again.
"What are you talking about?" Hazel asked, his disbelief growing.
"The requirement to use soul points," the reaper explained, his eyes twinkling, "is to die."
"Wait... what? How is that even possible?" Hazel stammered, utterly bewildered.