"So I said it from the very beginning—we should have cut our losses and severed the Lower and Middle Levels entirely. And now look at this. Not only has 'Absolute Evil' broken through, we've got some never-before-seen 'Dual Trial Candidate' thrown into the mix."
"What's the point of saying that now? And can you truly guarantee that exiling the Lower and Middle Levels would have completely prevented 'Absolute Evil' from entering the Upper Three Levels?
"This is a Human Final Trial we're talking about. If crossing the boundary were that simple, the 'Decline of Humanity' wouldn't still stand undefeated to this day!"
The Upper Three Levels of the Little Garden had become a gathering place unlike any other.
Countless communities of gods and buddhas had assembled. Even several among the Seven Great Demon Kings were present.
A sight where demon kings and divine beings convened under the same roof was rare beyond rare—even in the Upper Three Levels.
Even the leader of Queen Halloween, the infamous Halloween Queen—who had long been at odds with the White Yaksha and who held six Sun Sovereignties in her grasp, placing her far above the norm even among three-digit beings—had appeared in person.
Among the Seven Great Demon Kings, figures such as the Peng Demon King and the Ox Demon King were present as well. And there too stood the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—Sun Wukong—who had since taken refuge in Buddhism and now existed as a half-stellar spirit ranked within the three digits.
To be frank, if one were to consider raw strength alone, whether it be the Halloween Queen, the White Yaksha, or Sun Wukong, any one of them individually possessed the power to utterly crush "Absolute Evil," Az Dakaaha.
But that wasn't the issue.
The reason the gods feared Az Dakaaha was not his three-digit demon king rank.
It was his "Simulated Star Creation Map — Avesta."
An ability that could replicate the powers of others and integrate them into himself was absurd beyond reason. And worse still, the ability was not limited to a single target.
No matter how powerful the Halloween Queen or the White Yaksha might be, in front of Az Dakaaha, they could only become bridal garments—fine additions to his growing strength.
If they stood before him together, the combined reflection of their powers within Avesta would render even their united selves hopelessly outmatched.
It was precisely because of this that the Upper Three Levels had remained helpless against Az Dakaaha for so long.
Even Taishakuten—center of an entire divine pantheon—had been forced to "descend to humanity," abandoning his divinity to oppose Az Dakaaha.
"Now that 'Absolute Evil' has already forced his way into the Upper Three Levels, everyone here should be prepared to show the necessary resolve.
"There are surely not a few among you who qualify to descend to humanity just as Taishakuten did. Why not settle this once and for all?
"I understand the cost of descending is steep. After the battle, the rest of our communities can compensate those willing to make the sacrifice appropriately. What say you?"
To descend to humanity meant abandoning one's godhood.
Though one's Gift could be retained, without a divine spirit rank, its potency would diminish significantly. That was the law of the Little Garden.
Even identical Gifts varied in strength depending on the spiritual rank of the bearer.
Thus, only those with immense resolve or towering ambition could bring themselves to relinquish divinity so completely.
"I'm afraid that won't work either."
The one who spoke in rebuttal was Taishakuten.
"You've all been focused solely on 'Absolute Evil,' but you've overlooked the other Human Final Trial.
"I can only tell you this—the one currently battling Az Dakaaha is equally troublesome.
"If 'Absolute Evil' is an existence that non-human races can never defeat, then the other Human Final Trial—'Final Evil'—is one that humanity can scarcely overcome."
He then explained what he knew of Ren Kuroda's ability: the "Simulated Star Creation Map — Seven Deadly Sins."
When he finished, a heavy silence settled over the assembly.
The expressions on the gathered gods' faces grew grave.
"How fascinating," a voice chimed in lightly.
"If one is invincible to non-humans, and the other is unconquerable by humans… then if the two join forces, wouldn't that make them even more unstoppable than the 'Decline of Humanity'?"
The speaker was a petite girl who looked no older than fourteen. She had golden hair like ripened rice and deep green eyes. With a casual bite into the peach in her hand, she wore an audacious grin entirely at odds with the dire circumstances.
"Elder Sister, this isn't the time for jokes," the Dragon King muttered. "If you have an idea, say it plainly."
Given that both the Dragon King and the Peng Demon King addressed the girl as "Elder Sister," and judging from her attire and bearing, her identity was obvious.
She was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—the leader of the Seven Great Demon Kings.
Sun Wukong.
"What idea could I possibly have?" she replied with a shrug. "If one can't be defeated by non-humans and the other can't be beaten by humans, and together they're unbeatable… then just separate them."
No one had expected much from one of the three great problem children of the Upper Levels.
And yet, her offhand remark caused the eyes of many gods to brighten at once.
Of course.
If the two Human Final Trials together were invincible, then separate them.
But how?
That was the headache.
Before they could reach an answer, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble violently.
Moments later, a messenger burst into the hall, bowing hurriedly before the assembled titans.
Ren Kuroda and Az Dakaaha had broken into the Third Level.
The protective barrier surrounding the Upper Three Levels—so formidable against lesser beings—was little more than a decorative curtain before entities ranked in the three digits.
Az Dakaaha hadn't even attacked it directly.
The shockwaves from his clash with Ren alone had shaken it to its limits before it finally shattered under the strain.
Two—
No.
Three Human Final Trials had now entered the Third Level.
"Hahahahaha!"
Az Dakaaha's laughter rolled across the skies.
"Though we're both Human Final Trials, if I remember correctly, your Simulated Star Creation Map isn't particularly effective against the gods of the Upper Levels, is it?
"Very well—let us oppose one another properly.
"Avesta—activate!"
He paid no heed to whether gods were nearby. In the Upper Three Levels, nearly everyone present was non-human anyway.
And after being driven from the Sixth Level to the Third by Ren's relentless pursuit, Az Dakaaha had long since grown frustrated.
This was his home ground now.
If he didn't reclaim some dignity here, what face would remain for an old-guard Human Final Trial?
Reality quickly proved his reasoning sound.
The moment he activated Avesta within the Third Level, Az Dakaaha felt it.
His power was rising.
Slowly.
Steadily.
The previous four-to-six disadvantage began to shift.
Five-to-five.
And as time passed—
The tide turned.
Az Dakaaha began pushing Ren back instead.
Neither of them showed the slightest concern that this was the Third Level of the Little Garden.
The shockwaves of their battle tore through the surroundings without restraint.
Countless divine community buildings collapsed in ruin beneath their clash.