Black Genesis

The arrival of Saidy changed everything.

John hadn't expected him to appear so soon.

Without a word, Saidy unleashed a blast of dark aura, aiming to kill both Hayashi and Kosei on the spot. But John reacted immediately—he rushed forward and cast an A-rank barrier, shielding them from the impact.

"Hoooh? A blond guy?"

Saidy's voice slithered through the air like venom.

"You look familiar. You actually survived my B+ aura blast. You're not ordinary… You must be an above-average A-rank Eternal.

So you're the puppet master behind these two? I remember them—they dared insult me in my own palace.

Were you the one who sent them?

Unforgivable.

You killed my men… stepped into my domain… and now you stand before me with pride?

Who do you think you are?"

He paused, then added with a mocking grin.

"You're awfully quiet. Came here to impress me, perhaps?

Want to join my army or something?"

John chuckled.

"Oh, I do enjoy talking. It's just been so long since I saw you—I was letting you amuse me.

Join your army? Above-A rank?

You're funnier than I thought.

Why don't you close that garbage bag of yours?

…I mean your mouth."

Saidy's expression hardened.

"Big mouth for someone so close to death. I was thinking of sparing you—even after your crimes. Your power is insane, you'd have been a great addition.

Have we met before? You feel familiar, but I can't place it.

I'll ask one last time—bow before me, or die."

John grinned.

"Still haven't figured it out, huh?

Want to hear a joke?"

"…I don't remember pigs. Sure, go ahead."

"Knock knock."

"…Eh? Who is it?"

"Your son's murderer."

Saidy froze.

"Wh-what? What did you just say?

You can't be serious…

You're… JOHN?"

"Finally recognized me, huh?

You're dumber than I thought.

Yes—I am John I Tzimiske.

Your death has arrived, Saidy.

I've changed my appearance quite a bit, so I get the confusion. But you didn't even bother reading my aura.

You've grown too arrogant. That arrogance will be your downfall."

Saidy's voice cracked with disbelief.

"Why are you here? Why attack my men? The Angelic Authority will come for you!"

"Come for me? They're the ones who sent me.

My mission is to eliminate you.

Your men would've slowed things down, so I cleared them out.

You're lucky you still have four A-rank Eternals left.

Don't worry. I'll deal with them too."

John, Kosei, and Hayashi all shared one lingering worry—Soske. He was still inside. But John's immediate concern was protecting the other two. Saidy's remaining four subordinates—all A-rank Eternals—posed a serious threat.

Saidy sneered.

"Get rid of me? You think I'm still the same man from back then?

The last few decades changed me—physically and mentally.

I've done so much for the angels. Why betray me?

Not even Diabolos warned me about this.

It must've been Azazel.

So… even he believes normal S-ranks couldn't kill me.

They sent you.

What a joke.

I'll exterminate you—and those two pets of yours.

I'll feed your corpses to my dogs. That's as if—"

—WHAM!

A clean punch crashed into Saidy's face. He slammed to the ground, stunned.

His four subordinates roared in fury and rushed John all at once.

"How dare you strike me after all these years?!"

Saidy howled.

"I let you live—even after you murdered my eldest son!

You won't escape this time!

BRING OUT THE BEAST!"

John, unfazed, knocked out two attackers in a blink. He then rushed to Kosei and pressed his hand to his chest.

"Take this—it's some of my power. Temporary.

I can't directly interfere with you two anymore.

I'll handle Saidy and his goons.

Just survive—and protect Hayashi."

"ARGHHH! You dare attack me from behind?!"

As John battled, a strange human-shaped creature emerged before Kosei and Hayashi. It stood unnaturally still, its skin pale, its eyes void of life.

"What… what is that?" Hayashi asked.

The monster didn't move. Yet a chill ran down both their spines.

Suddenly—Hayashi screamed.

"Aghhhhh!"

"Hayashi! What happened? Calm down!" Kosei shouted.

"That necklace—it's Soske's!

It was a gift from his mother. I'm sure of it!"

"Saidy probably stole it and put it on that thing."

"No… That's too convenient.

Shit! It's moving, Kosei!"

Kosei's body glowed faintly with borrowed power.

"I can feel something… I can move faster now. I'll take care of it."

The creature lunged.

BITE! BITE!

Kosei grabbed Hayashi and leapt, dodging the strikes. He landed Hayashi away from the fight and dashed forward.

With all his might, he smashed the creature in the face.

It hit the ground, blood pouring from its mouth. It struggled to rise—but collapsed.

Kosei grinned faintly, blood dripping from his lips.

"Guess I overdid it… Master John's power is too much for my body to handle."

"Kosei! Are you okay?"

"I'll live. Just stay back, Hayashi."

Saidy growled.

"Even that kid is a failure…"

Another gut punch from John shut him up.

"You got guts turning your back on me."

Hayashi's eyes widened.

"Kosei… Did you hear that?

What did he mean by 'even that kid is a failure'?"

"Let's just stay positive, Hayashi."

"No, I can't!

What if that thing was Soske?

Don't kill him, Kosei!"

"Okay. I won't."

"JOHN!!!

You stubborn bastard!

Why won't you die?!"

"I'll die once you're eradicated."

"Hah… Your men are exhausted—even you are tiring.

It won't be long before you all fall!"

Saidy was losing control. His attacks grew erratic. Rage consumed him.

"DIOBALOS, YOU USELESS BASTARD!

HELP ME!"

One of his subordinates tried to flank John, but John swiftly switched places using lightning speed. The attacker accidentally stabbed his own ally.

"Not even sneak attacks work on him…"

One whispered.

"Master never warned us how powerful this guy really is…

We don't stand a chance."

Saidy began chanting.

John narrowed his eyes.

"No… you wouldn't.

You monster… you're going to sacrifice them?!"

Saidy's men realized what was happening.

They didn't run.

They smiled.

"This is our final goodbye.

At least we were useful to him… till the end."

Saidy absorbed his men. Their bodies turned to ash, their souls merged into his.

John didn't stop him.

He simply said:

"Go ahead.

Fuse with them.

I'd rather face one monster than a team.

Take all the power you want—beating me will still be a dream."

The sky turned black.

Thunderstorms ripped through the heavens.

Hayashi trembled.

"What is this… what's coming?"

Kosei's voice barely rose above a whisper.

"It's the birth…

of an SS-rank Eternal.

Saidy Pandrit."