"Ultimate Mu Shiki—Soul Annihilation!"
A strike of "Void" intent that seemed to concentrate the brilliance of the entire universe transformed into a world-cleaving giant sword, slashing down at the eight-headed serpent!
There was no earth-shaking explosion—only silent obliteration.
Before Ultimate Power, even Orochi's will fragment was torn apart like paper, shattered and scattered throughout the mental landscape.
When the final "virus" was thoroughly purged, the blood-red world began to fade, returning to its original pure white state.
Cloud slowly walked to the little girl still trembling in the corner and crouched down, using the gentlest voice possible.
"Don't be afraid. It's all over."
Little Leona raised her head. Those large eyes brimming with tears looked timidly at this "person" radiating warm light.
"Who... who are you?"
"Me?" Cloud smiled. "I'm just a handsome psychologist passing through. Specializing in rescuing lost kittens."
He reached out and gently patted her head.
"Child, you did nothing wrong."
"What's wrong isn't you, and it isn't the power inside you either. What's wrong are the people who exploited that power."
"That power isn't a curse, and it isn't evil. It's like a knife—in a villain's hands, it can hurt people. But in your hands, it can also... protect the people you cherish."
Cloud's voice was like spring rain, gradually melting the glacier of fear and self-blame in little Leona's heart.
He didn't choose to forcibly "suppress" her berserk power like before.
Because he knew—blocking is worse than guiding. Constantly suppressing would only make that power rebound more violently.
What he needed to do was teach her how to "accept," how to "channel," how to turn this wild horse into her most loyal companion.
He took little Leona's hand and led her to the ocean of pure energy left behind after the serpent fragment dispersed.
"Go on, feel it, embrace it." Cloud encouraged. "Tell it that from today forward, you are its only master."
Little Leona looked at the energy ocean before her—wild yet no longer evil—then back at Cloud's eyes, full of trust and encouragement.
She hesitated a moment, then finally gathered her courage. Slowly, she extended her small hand toward the energy.
The instant she touched it, the wild ocean miraculously calmed.
Then it transformed into gentle streams, actively flowing into her body.
A metamorphosis of rebirth began.
When Cloud's divine soul returned to his body, the Leona in his arms slowly opened her eyes.
The crimson had faded from her gaze, restored to their original clear blue.
But in those eyes, instead of the previous cold melancholy, there was now a newfound determination and... dependence.
She looked at this man who had pulled her from the endless nightmare, who had taught her how to face herself, who had lit a lamp in her darkest world.
She knew that from this moment forward, this man had become an irreplaceable existence in her life.
She said nothing. She simply sat up slowly from Cloud's embrace and bowed deeply to him.
[DING! Congratulations, Host, on successfully completing deep psychological counseling for Leona! Target has completely overcome childhood trauma and preliminarily mastered control over the Orochi Blood!]
[Leona's affection for Host has greatly increased! Current affection: +40 (Trust) +60 (Dependence and Admiration)!]
Cloud looked at this blue-haired girl who had found herself again, a gratified smile spreading across his face.
Another lost girl had been successfully guided back to the right path.
And he hadn't come away empty-handed from this "mental world adventure" either.
Destroying Goenitz and Orochi's will fragments had deepened his understanding of "divine" power, and his own "Ultimate Power" had been further consolidated.
Another crisis, resolved perfectly through his efforts.
And his bond with this "emotionless" girl had become even more unbreakable.
After successfully performing "system reinstall" and "mental spa" treatments for Leona, Cloud felt he was rapidly transitioning from "Final Boss" to "Friend of Women" and "Gold Medal Psychological Counselor."
"Sigh, with great power comes great responsibility. This damned irresistible charm of mine." He narcissistically fixed his hair while issuing new instructions to the system.
"System, locate the next troubled girl. Target: Shermie."
[Command received. Initiating fuzzy location via global network and causality web... Target locked! Current location: France, Paris, Champs-Élysées, VIP fitting room of a luxury fashion boutique.]
"Paris? Fashion boutique?" Cloud blinked. "Shouldn't she be in some dark corner plotting world destruction? Why's she out shopping?"
[System Analysis: According to target personality profile, prior to awakening as Hakkesshu, Shermie's human identity is a top fashion designer and model. She has an extremely high pursuit of fashion and beauty. Conclusion: Even villain bosses have the right to pursue poetry and distant horizons, as well as the urge to "treat themselves."]
"Fair point." Cloud stroked his chin, a "sly fox" gleam appearing in his eyes. "Since she likes fashion, I'll give her... the trendiest damsel-in-distress rescue, shall I?"
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