Samuel's POV
The canyon trembled beneath our feet, the cracked ground steaming from the force of our clash. Dust and mana swirled like a storm, and even the sky had darkened—clouds spiraling above like some ancient god was watching.
"You're holding back," I snarled, charging forward again.
"You wish!" Owen roared.
His King's Maul met my Crimson Burst fist mid-air— BOOM! —the shockwave split the rock beneath us, a canyon-wide crater forming from the impact. Pebbles turned to dust. Trees on nearby ridges snapped like twigs.
I skidded back, the stone beneath my boots molten from friction. My knuckles throbbed, but I grinned anyway. "C'mon, Beast King. That all you got?"
"Don't tempt me," Owen growled.
In an instant, he activated Stormclaw Manifest. His fists crackled with lightning as he blurred toward me in a flash. I triggered Phantom Step, vanishing right before impact.
Behind him.
I reappeared with a roar— "Dragon Fang Fist!" —slamming my burning fist into his back.
He staggered… then twisted his torso unnaturally, grabbing my arm mid-strike.
"Too slow."
CRACK!
His elbow slammed into my ribs, sending me flying into a jagged cliff wall. My back hit the stone, but before I could move, he was already above me, hammer raised.
"EARTHSPLITTER—!"
I raised Mana Fortress just in time. The moment the maul came down— KABOOOM!! —my shield cracked, shattered, and I was driven into the earth like a meteor. The terrain collapsed. Dust rose into the heavens.
Cough. Blood. Pain.
Still smirking.
I stood, brushing off the debris. "You're getting sloppy, old friend."
He laughed. "Says the guy bleeding from the mouth."
"Good. That means we're even."
We both took a stance, blood dripping, mana flaring—our auras clashing in the air like wild beasts fighting for dominance.
I activated Fury Overdrive.
He went into Ironhide Burst.
The world shivered under the weight of our power.
We both spoke in unison—
"Let's end this."
I unleashed Heaven's Execution. A crimson blade of raw energy extended from my arm, vibrating with enough force to split mountains. Owen roared, channeling Heavenbreaker Fang into his hammer, lightning coiling around it like a storm serpent.
We launched forward.
Two titans.
One clash.
No holding back.
And just as we were about to connect—
CLANG!!!
A blinding flash. A wave of golden energy rippled through the canyon.
Our attacks—stopped.
Not deflected.
Canceled.
I stumbled back, eyes wide. Owen was panting, confused.
And standing between us, holding both of our attacks at bay with a single hand each…
…was Henry.
He looked… terrifyingly calm.
White cloak fluttering.
Eyes like burning silver.
And that stupid smug grin.
"Tch tch tch," Henry smirked. "Starting without me? That's rude."
My jaw dropped. "You—how long have you—?!"
"Long enough to watch you two try to kill each other over who's more badass," he said, letting go of our attacks like they were toys.
Owen growled. "Still deflecting attacks like you're made of goddamn mythril, huh?"
Henry cracked his neck. "Please. I am the myth now."
I couldn't help but grin wide. "Welcome back, Henry."
Henry raised a brow. "Miss me?"
I chuckled. "Like hell."
Owen smirked. "Now it's a party."
The three of us stood at the center of the shattered battlefield—Harbinger, Beast King, and Divine Executioner.
The world had no idea what was coming next.
________________________________________
I stood there, grinning like a devil who just found his favorite blade.
Henry stood between us, still holding the air as if it belonged to him. Calm. Unbothered. That same cocky look in his eyes, like he hadn't missed a beat since the Second Life.
"Still dramatic as ever," I said, wiping the blood off my lip. "Nice entrance, Divine Executioner."
Owen blinked. "...Wait. Divine what now?"
Henry's smirk deepened. His fingers snapped, and in a pulse of golden light, his Status Window materialized in the air like a sacred scripture.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Henry Hans
Title: Divine Executioner
Race: Celestial-Blooded Human
Level: 181
HP: 170,000 / 170,000
Mana: 95,000 / 95,000
Strength: 670
Agility: 560
Endurance: 620
Intelligence: 680
Divine Affinity: MAX
---
Combat Techniques:
1. Judgement Slash – Condensed energy sword technique that slices through space-time barriers.
2. Heavenfall Descent – An aerial blitz technique where he crashes down like a divine meteor.
3. Astral Sever – Teleports behind a target mid-strike to guarantee a clean kill.
4. Luminous Fang – Creates a blade of pure celestial energy that eats away at corrupted mana.
5. Phantom Mirror – Predicts and reflects a single incoming technique back at its user.
---
Magical Abilities:
6. Sanctuary Domain – Forms a divine field that nullifies low-tier magic and suppresses demonic forces.
7. Ethereal Chains – Summons celestial chains that bind even spiritual entities.
8. Heaven's Resurgence – Rapid healing spell that activates only when HP falls below 15%.
9. Divine Pulse – A wave of pure mana that clears illusions, curses, and darkness-based abilities.
10. Blade of Virtue – Summons a greatsword bound to his soul; its damage increases with righteousness of cause.
---
Unique Skills:
11. Executioner's Verdict – Marks a target with divine judgment; the next strike bypasses all defense.
12. Lightwalker – Immunity to darkness-based attacks and passive speed boost in light-filled zones.
13. Will of the Heavens – Grants divine intervention once per day, turning certain death into radiant comeback.
14. Sword Archive – Access to over 1,000 divine sword techniques from past wielders of the Blade of Virtue.
15. Radiant Soul Ascension – Transcends mortal limits temporarily, turning him into a being of pure celestial energy.
---
Owen just stared. Mouth open. "What in the seven hells..."
"Damn," Owen finally muttered. "You got all holy on us and didn't even text back?"
Henry chuckled, slowly letting the glowing status fade. "Well, I figured I'd let you two smash each other a bit before I reminded you who's the smartest and the most dangerous of the trio."
I smirked. "Still can't beat me in raw strength."
"Or me in primal power," Owen added, still eyeing Henry's stats like they offended his pride.
Henry crossed his arms. **"Maybe. But remind me again who stopped both your ultimate moves at the same time?"
Silence.
He had a point.
Owen grumbled. "I'm gonna punch you anyway."
Henry grinned. "You can try."
And just like that, the three of us were back—troublemakers from the first life, legends from the second, and now monsters of the third.
Only this time, the world wouldn't be ready.