Akira flew slowly toward the massive being. Beneath its towering form, he appeared incredibly small.
Yet, even when Akira stood atop its flat, imposing head, the creature made no movement.
"So that's how it is, huh?" Akira nodded with satisfaction. This creature's strength far surpassed even the combined might of Asmoday and Istaroth.
If properly utilized, it would undoubtedly become a weapon of national defense-truly a guardian of unrivaled power!
Even the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles herself couldn't match it; ordinary gods were mere ants in comparison.
But before that, Akira needed to instill within it the mindset of a guardian.
Golden radiance blossomed from Akira's hand, his Authority penetrating the Imaginary Construct's mind, engraving within it a protective seal.
Only after finishing this did Akira breathe a sigh of relief. From now on, this Imaginary Construct would be the Divine Guardian Beast of Inazuma!
"Akira!" Seeing this, Asmoday and Istaroth flew to Akira's side, confusion evident on their faces.
"Relax," Akira smiled reassuringly, "From today onward, it's my pet-and also Inazuma's guardian."
"Oh?" Asmoday nodded thoughtfully. She no longer sensed any hostility or killing intent from the creature.
"To think you possess such incredible methods, even capable of subduing such a powerful being," Istaroth sighed in admiration.
"It's not actually a living being," Akira explained lightly, "but rather a conceptual entity born from Imaginary energy."
No one truly knew the exact origin of the Imaginary Construct. However, Akira knew its true purpose-it was an executioner sent by the Imaginary Tree to eliminate dying, useless branch universes.
And since he himself possessed a portion of the Imaginary Tree's power, controlling this creature was well within his capabilities.
"Shrink down a bit," Akira instructed, patting the giant's massive head.
Obediently, the Imaginary Construct rapidly shrank. In mere moments, its enormous body compressed into the size of a small child.
"Are your injuries healed now?" Akira asked gently, turning to the two women.
"Thanks to you, we've mostly recovered," Asmoday replied gratefully.
"Indeed. As promised, we'll stay by your side," Istaroth nodded firmly.
"Good," Akira smiled warmly.
Asmoday looked into the distance, her expression turning serious. "I still need to completely repair the world's boundary. Otherwise, more creatures from beyond this world will keep entering through the breach."
Instantly, Akira and the two women appeared beside a massive spatial rift.
"This is the breach? So, just beyond this lies the world beyond?" Akira curiously observed the enormous wormhole before him.
"Yes," Asmoday nodded solemnly. "However, we have no idea what exactly lies beyond. Phanes once told us that stepping outside our world isn't simple. Without a beacon, it's incredibly easy to get lost and drift endlessly in the void."
"System, is this 'outside' you're referring to the Imaginary Tree?" Akira asked silently.
"Yes, Master," the system answered. "However, the system doesn't recommend you venture out just yet. As Asmoday said, without a beacon or sufficient control over the Imaginary Tree's power, you'd easily become lost among its countless worlds."
"Well, I don't plan on leaving yet anyway-not when there are still so many beauties waiting for me here." Akira chuckled inwardly.
He laughed silently-there were still beauties from four other nations to conquer, and countless unresolved stories and regrets left to handle. Why would he rush off?
"That's good. Once you possess fifty percent of the Imaginary Tree's power, you'll be able to freely travel between any worlds within the Imaginary Tree," the system explained.
"Oh, by the way, Master-I forgot to mention. The Imaginary Tree we speak of isn't merely the version observed within a single universe," the system continued.
"The complete Imaginary Tree contains countless universes-it's a truly transcendent existence, incomprehensible in its entirety by beings within any single universe."
"Even the supposed 'authority over the Tree' obtained by a certain world's Overseer of Schicksal, or the Aeon of Elation, Aha, ascending the Tree-they were merely claiming control over a relatively stronger branch within the Tree," the system elaborated.
"So that's how it is?" Akira exclaimed in surprise. The Imaginary Tree was far vaster than he'd imagined.
"Then, compared to the Aeons from that universe, who's stronger-me or them?" Akira asked curiously.
"You, naturally," the system answered immediately. "Just the fraction of Imaginary Tree and Quantum Sea power you currently possess already places you far above the Aeons."
"With your current power, relative to these weak single universes, you're already classified as 'World-Destroyer Level," the system explained calmly.
"Hmm... then what about my Herrscher Authorities? Could they also be classified as 'World-Destroyer'?" Akira asked thoughtfully.
"Your Authorities don't originate from something as limited as the 'Cocoon of Finality,' but directly from the Imaginary Tree itself-representing the ultimate conceptual laws," the system clarified.
"I see," Akira nodded thoughtfully. Stronger than even Aeons-interesting. Perhaps one day he'd have the chance to enter the Star Rail universe; that would surely be exciting.
"Akira? Akira!" Asmoday's gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned toward her.
"What were you thinking about?" she asked curiously.
"Nothing much-just contemplating the world beyond," Akira shook his head with a gentle smile.
"I see," Asmoday nodded. "Akira, I'd like to borrow your strength for a moment, to help me repair this breach."
"Of course," Akira agreed readily. He carefully infused a tiny fraction of Imaginary Tree energy into Asmoday's body.
Just this small trace of energy was enough to elevate Asmoday's power to a completely new level.
"What terrifying power," Asmoday sighed in awe. She quickly channeled her newfound strength, causing the power of space in her hands to bloom brilliantly, slowly mending the massive wormhole.
"Such a creature... we've never seen anything like it before. Even Phanes never mentioned something similar in his legacy," Istaroth murmured, gazing curiously at the Imaginary Construct while Asmoday repaired the boundary.
"The Imaginary Construct is a conceptual entity born from Imaginary rules. This particular one is merely a juvenile form created from a small amount of Imaginary energy," Akira explained casually.
"Given enough Imaginary energy, it can easily grow into a being capable of casually annihilating worlds. It even possesses the power to control time, you know."
"It can also manipulate time?" Istaroth was genuinely startled. As the ruler of time herself, she knew better than anyone how difficult such power was to wield.
"Imaginary Construct, why don't you show Istaroth a demonstration?" Akira smiled.
Surprisingly human-like, the Imaginary Construct nodded obediently. Countless golden lights emerged around its body, interwoven with clock-like patterns.