Ryuusei felt the energy coursing through his body as he put on the Yin-Yang Mask. His vision was distorted for an instant, and suddenly, a torrent of information flowed into his mind. He saw his own abilities, his powers of chaos and peace, manifesting in his mind as if they were inscriptions on an ancient sacred stone.

Powers of Chaos (Yin - Darkness, Destruction)

Touch of Entropy: Their "Hammers of War" could corrode anything they touched, breaking down structures, weapons, and even stopping the regeneration of their enemies.

-Abyss Vision: He could see the deepest fears of his enemies and make them hallucinate with them.

-Flames of the Sunset: A dark fire that could not be extinguished until the death of the victim or until he decided to do so.

-Distortion of Fate: Altered the probability in his favor for a short time.

-Painful Regeneration: He was cured, but with extreme suffering, as if his body were rebuilt with burning nails.

Powers of Peace (Yang - Light, Creation)

-Aura of Resistance: Reduced the impact of damage taken.

-Healing of others: He could heal others, but not himself.

-Balance Zone: Created an area where all abilities were reduced by half.

-Echo of Life: I saw glimpses of a person's past and future when I touched them.

But what surprised him even more was that he could also see the skills of his "peers." With each name he read, the sacred weapons that Death had bestowed upon them appeared in his mind:

Daichi - Spear of Judgment (Kuroyari - 黒槍)

Doom Impact: Any wound caused by the spear multiplied the enemy's pain.

Ghostly Thrust: The spear could pass through physical obstacles without losing its edge.

Unwavering Devotion: Made Daichi immune to mental manipulation and fear.

Kenta - Twin Scythes of the Eclipse (Getsurei - 月霊)

Ghostly Thrust: The spear could pass through physical obstacles without losing its edge.

Unwavering Devotion: Made Daichi immune to mental manipulation and fear.

Kenta - Twin Scythes of the Eclipse (Getsurei - 月霊)

Shadow Slash: Could attack from a distance using the shadows.

Dance of Death: Exponentially increased his speed in combat.

Soul Reaper: Each kill increased his stamina and energy.

Haru - Crimson Void Arc (Akakū - 赤空)

Infinite Arrows: He did not need quiver, because arrows were formed with his will.

Judgment Shot: Marked an enemy and its arrow chased them until it hit.

Crimson Rain: Fires multiple explosive arrows simultaneously.

Finally, he tried to see the information about Death. However, the only thing that appeared in his vision was endless question marks. It was as if his power was immeasurable, a mystery that even the Yin-Yang Mask couldn't decipher.

But at that moment, everything becomes a whirlwind of chaos. Instead of a figure, he sees only an absolute emptiness, a ???. There is no name, no form, no essence, as if Death were beyond what its power can comprehend.

Death realizes his audacity." Interesting... Are you trying to see me, kid?" he says in a cold voice. At that moment, Ryuusei feels an agonizing pain in his head, as if a thousand blades pierced his mind.

Ryuusei falls to his knees, panting, and Death laughs with amusement." You're not ready to look at me, but I'm glad to see that you've already understood something... You are still nothing before me."

With a shiver, Ryuusei removed the mask. He wasn't sure what else he might have discovered if he kept trying, but something inside him was telling him that certain things weren't meant to be understood by mortals.

Meanwhile, Death made his way to Daichi, Kenta, and Haru. With carefully chosen words, she began to sow doubts in their hearts, hinting that the relationship between Ryuusei and Aiko could be more than it seemed. At first, they hesitated, but gradually, Death's influence grew stronger. Daichi, in particular, felt a growing admiration for the entity, his loyalty beginning to lean more toward Death than toward his own companions.

In the world of the living, Ryuusei had other matters on his mind. He had decided to give the 'Black Herald's Sword' to Aiko as a gift. Having no formal combat training, he thought about teaching him how to use it, or at least looking for videos that would help him understand how to handle it. After all, he himself had been lucky to use his hammers and daggers without any real instruction. Now he wanted to make sure that Aiko had a better chance if she ever had to fight.

Upon leaving the Death Room, the atmosphere was charged with hostility. In front of them, dozens of common heralds

Upon leaving the Death Room, the atmosphere was charged with hostility. In front of them, dozens of common heralds

Among them, three stand out with an imposing presence: Daichi, Kenta and Haru, whom Death points to with a slow and deliberate gesture.

"You three... they will be the Supreme Heralds.

The title weighs in the air. The other common heralds murmur among themselves, some with envy, others with relief.

"The Supreme Heralds are my will made flesh. They carry weapons forged from the same material that nourishes my essence and represent the law of the Underworld. They are my order, my judgment, my execution.

The three kneel before their master, feeling the dark energy flow through their bodies.

"And what about them?" One of the common heralds asks, pointing to Ryuusei and Aiko.

Death is silent for a moment before letting out a guttural laugh.

"They... they are not part of my order. They don't follow my rules. They do not obey my designs.

Daichi, Kenta, and Haru's eyes are fixed on the two of them.

"The Bastard Heralds," he said in an icy voice. Two anomalies that should not exist. But even so, they remain under my dominion.

The title falls like a judgment.

"One wears a mask of the Ying Yan that does not belong to him, stealing the secrets of the universe. The other, a girl, was blessed with a weapon without receiving my grace. And yet... I still let them exist.

Daichi frowns.

"Why?"

"Because their destiny has not been written. And I want to see how far they will go before I wipe them out of existence.

Death turns, letting the words etch into everyone's mind. From that day on, the Supreme Heralds will be seen as the true champions of Death, while Ryuusei and Aiko will bear the contempt and suspicion of those around them.

Ryuusei and Aiko felt a chill run through their bodies. Although their status was inferior to that of the Supremes, they were still part of the Death structure. They would be granted the same benefits: wealth, resources, and even some authority over the lesser heralds. However, all this was accompanied by an implacable hatred.

"Don't think this is a favor," Death continued, his tone sharp as a dagger. They are obligated to serve me. With every fiber of his being, with every drop of his blood. My will is absolute.

The murmurs of the heralds intensified. To them, Ryuusei and Aiko were nothing more than mistakes that refused to go away. The tension was suffocating, but Ryuusei, without uttering a word, simply adjusted his mask, his expression hidden behind it.

Unwavering Loyalty

Later, when everything calmed down and they were away from the gaze of others, Aiko approached Ryuusei with a determination unusual for her age. He knelt deeply, bowing into a saikeirei (the most formal and submissive bow in Japanese culture).

"From this day on, I am loyal to Ryuusei-sama," he declared firmly. I will become your loyal servant.

Ryuusei looked at her in complete shock. A nine-year-old girl, with such a deep-seated sense of duty that she was willing to bow down to him, acknowledging him as her teacher.

"Are you sure?" He asked, unable to hide his surprise.

Aiko looked up, with burning determination in her eyes.

"Yes. Death hates us. The Supremes despise us. There's no place for me here... except by your side.

Ryuusei exhaled heavily, realizing that the girl understood much more than she appeared. There was no point in refusing it.

"Then..." I do.