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My father handed a long, elegant silk box, its deep purple hue radiating a mysterious Aura. When I lifted the lid, it revealed a sleek black and red rapier, pulsing with a potent Essence.
This Essence was unmistakable—the powerful, distinctive Aura that Wasp exudes when he fights in his true form.
"He said this is a special rapier crafted from fragnts of his own body that you tore apart back then," my father explained.
"It was a task you should've undertaken, but you didn't claim your spoils," Wasp said. "In my tribe, the victor takes a piece of the defeated and forges it into their weapon."
"Y-You turned a piece of yourself into a weapon?!" I exclaid, utterly astonished. "What piece is this?"
"My antennae and claws," he replied. "I blended them with other high-quality materials to complent their strength, and the form of a rapier ca to mind… I recalled a mont when I saw you briefly practicing swordsmanship."
"I was just playing with a stick back then, Wasp," I laughed. "That was when I was, like, six… were you spying on ?"
"I was tasked with watching over you…" he sighed, averting his gaze. He wasn't adept at these heartfelt conversations. "I just thought you could pursue mastering a weapon. Your strength could be greatly refined through such discipline. I've also noticed you wield other weapons, but you don't invest much effort in them. A rapier is lightweight, sharp, and perfectly suited for your agility."
"Thank you," I said with a warm smile. "I'll wield it. It seems to resonate deeply with my own powers. What's the na of this rapier?"
"It has no na," he said.
"Okay, we'll call it the Wasp Rapier," I chuckled.
"What?! Please choose another na…" he groaned.
"Hahaha!" dea burst into laughter. "I had no idea you were this soft for the young lady, Wasp!"
"I'm not!" Wasp hissed, his voice sharp with indignation.
"You can't lie to yourself," Frankenstein chuckled, joining in the mirth.
"…Tsk," Wasp muttered, crossing his arms and closing his eyes, ignoring our laughter.
"Hahaha, since my daughter was born, our lives have only grown rrier, don't you all agree?" my father mused, his smile warm as he looked at . "Sohow, it feels like… we've beco more of a family than ever before. Thank you, Kireina, for being here for , for all of us."
"…Dad," I said, my voice catching with emotion. "You don't have to thank …"
I touched the ring and then gripped the rapier's hilt. Normally, I fought with weapons I conjured using my skills, magic, or even my own body, alongside my Egos—Mammon, Chadrach, and now Silva, who might soon join the fray.
But this rapier was special, I suppose. It revealed that Wasp, despite his gruff deanor, was far more complex than I'd imagined… No, all these people were.
They were far more than the versions of themselves from their original tilines, their original worlds.
In those realities, I was never there, so they never fully realized their potential, I suppose. My father was once a ruthless monster, devoid of any shred of emotion. He likely never t my mother, nor had a daughter to care for.
Without those connections, he grew colder, unable to form aningful bonds with those around him.
It was a tragic fate for them; one they ultimately brought upon themselves through their choices.
To think all they needed was ?
…
No, it wasn't just .
They needed my mother.
She taught my father countless lessons.
About emotions, feelings, and so much more.
Over ti, he gained a faint spark of humanity—a transformative gift for a monster of his caliber, altering him irrevocably.
He gradually beca more considerate toward those who served him. Though still ruthless, he developed a subtle warmth.
He no longer treated everyone as disposable. Only those outside his clan were deed unworthy.
He guarded his clan more fiercely than ever, each mber precious to him, though he'd never admit it aloud.
My mother may be gone, but she left here as her gift to him—a companion to share eternity by his side.
A living, enduring reminder that Mom existed, that she loved him, and that he loved her in return.
Even a thousand years from now, two thousand years, ten thousand years, a million years into the future.
Far, far into the distant future, I will still be here, and he will rember.
"Yes, I once had a wife who I loved, and who loved back."
And so, he would never revert to the monster he once was.
Though he remains a criminal, a ruthless man driven to expand his dominion and influence.
He's still a little more considerate and is not seeking to destroy and invade everything unlike his chaotic original his original self once did, according to what I learned from Frank.
A "criminal with morals," akin to the glorified Yakuza portrayed in Japanese ani and films, where they're depicted with honor, pride, and occasionally heroic traits.
"Alright, so how many points did I earn?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"Check the Chaos Gate Rune on your left hand," he replied.
"Huh? Wait a second, when did I get this?" I gasped, utterly flabbergasted.
"Hahah, I placed it on you before you embarked on the mission with the trio, but you never noticed," my father laughed. "See? Your old man still got so tricks up his sleeve."
"I guess you do!" I laughed, my voice bright with amusent.
I laughed cheerfully, but deep down, I was stunned once more.
There was no doubt now—my father was undeniably stronger than I was.
I had initially believed he was around my level, perhaps slightly weaker.
Or at most, my equal.
But now I realized… he was far stronger.
By a significant margin! At least two or three Realms ahead.
While I lingered in the Star Eater Realm, he was at least a Black Hole Forger.
The Realms I currently know are these:
World Devourer Realm.
Star Eater Realm.
Nebula Assimilator Realm.
Black Hole Forger Realm.
Galaxy Ruler Realm.
Universal Hegemony Realm.
I don't know what lies beyond, but each Realm contains nurous interdiate Ranks.
By raw power alone, I'm technically a Quasi-Nebula Assimilator.
My father, however, is at least a Black Hole Forger, likely at the pinnacle of that Realm.
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