Celebration

Right behind the massive door in front of me, there was a man who was probably busy with "business."

I was still surprised that Kane had managed to establish a kingdom on this planet.

I always used to tease him by calling him the "palace prostitute," but I never imagined he would actually create a prostitute kingdom one day.

I opened the door with a single touch.

The moment I stepped inside, a strong, dizzying scent surrounded me.

Even the air here had an aphrodisiac effect. Expecting anything different in Kane's palace would be a mistake.

In the middle of a luxurious room dominated by shades of pink and purple, the man sitting on his throne was staring at me and grinning.

I rolled my eyes and moved forward toward the throne. Kane was lounging on his throne, holding a goblet in one hand while playing with his hair with the other.

As I approached, he suddenly jumped to his feet.

His yellow hair fell to the left, long on the left and short on the right. His eyes, a combination of yellow and white, were shining brightly. He was wearing a nearly bare black leather jacket.

From the openness of his jacket around his stomach and chest, it was clear that his right side was fully covered in tattoos. I was surprised he even bothered wearing clothes.

He had three earrings in his right ear, creating an aesthetic design of his own.

He was holding a goblet with a blood-red liquid inside.

"Ah, ah… Who do I see? The universe's biggest troublemaker, the most arrogant Transcendent being, and the toughest-tempered man… Kylin, my one and only friend, what brings you here?"

As usual, there was a hint of mockery in his voice.

I rolled my eyes. "If you're done, stop with the unnecessary show, Kane. Or did I come at a slightly 'intense' moment?"

He smiled and downed the liquid in his goblet in one go. With a wave of his hand, he sent the other women in the room away.

"I always have time for you, my friend."

I took a step forward and sat on the couch just in front of his throne. Kane walked over to me and sat on the couch across from me.

He scrutinized me, and a devilish smile spread across his face.

"God damn it, same outfit again? My friend."

"At least I'm wearing something."

He winked. "I am too. I just… don't try too hard."

I shook my head. "More unnecessary showing off? Kane, stop with the pointless theatrics."

"Me and theatrics? Kylin, my friend. If I'm putting on a show, you're the most boring being in the universe!"

I couldn't be bothered to get into another argument.

I pulled a cigarette from my bag. "Rias is starting to wake up."

Kane paused for a moment, then his face turned pale.

"For God's sake... Friend, you should tell me when I need to arrange a funeral!"

I furrowed my brows. "What?"

He shrugged. "You're dying anyway! Kylin… a point of no return. How would you like me to send you off? A flowery grave, or should we launch you into the stars?"

I froze for a few seconds at Kane's seriousness.

Then he laughed.

"I'm kidding. But seriously, my friend, should I arrange a funeral?"

I crossed my arms. "I've become Transcendent."

Kane's laughter suddenly stopped. The mischievous expression on his face disappeared for a moment. Then his eyes widened, and he panicked as he turned to me.

"Are you serious?! Let's have a celebration right before you die!"

I took a deep breath and shook my head. "I keep forgetting how hard it is to talk to you."

Kane winked. "But it's fun, right?"

Let's speak in a language he'd understand.

"Flirting with death? Well, it's not that bad. After all, she was a beautiful woman."

He started looking at me with a stupid expression on his face.

"Kylin. Can't you... not joke around?"

"Why?"

He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Then, as if remembering something, he said, "I mean, you've become Transcendent. Big news. But why do you look so sad? As long as I don't need to send you off to infinity, we should be celebrating!"

I took a deep breath. "Because Rias is waking up."

Kane paused for a moment. "Kylin, my friend, I know you. You... I mean... Why do you feel bad just because Rias is waking up? Or... have you still not gotten over Rias?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, that's not it."

Kane raised an eyebrow. "But we're talking about the woman who trained you for so long, the one who made your life hell, the one who fought to the death with you, the one who dragged you to the very bottom and then brought you to the top. You can't fool me."

"Rias is really mad because of what I did," I said, crossing my arms. "And I've become Transcendent. So…"

Kane, his eyes wide open, moved closer to me. "So?"

"So, when she wakes up, she's going to feel something."

Kane shut his mouth, squinted his eyes, then suddenly leaned back and burst out laughing.

"Hah! Amazing! We should feel sorry for Rias! Poor woman, when she wakes up, she'll see a Transcendent Kylin! My condolences to her heart in advance!"

I furrowed my brows. "Why do you find this so amusing?"

Kane composed himself and shrugged. "Because, my friend, seeing you in your Transcendent state is as absurd as a black hole eating cotton candy!"

I took a deep breath. "And your nonsense never changes."

Kane winked. "And your boring self doesn't either. But I still love you, my friend. Now, come on, let's talk about that funeral thing again—"

"KANE!"

"Okay, okay! But I still think we should have a celebration!"

Kane sat back on the couch and snapped his fingers, signaling to his servants. Suddenly, a festive atmosphere began to swirl around us. Exotic drinks were carried on golden trays, and soft music echoed through the air.

I shook my head. "Really? Rias is waking up, and you're throwing a party?"

Kane shrugged. "Kylin, my friend, big news should be celebrated. One: You've become Transcendent, which is incredible. Two: Rias is waking up, which is tragic but also entertaining. Three: If Rias doesn't kill you, it'll be a miracle, and we'll need to celebrate twice!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm trying to seriously tell you something."

Kane raised his hand. "Okay, okay. Now let's think logically." He paused for a moment. "Ah, no, thinking isn't really your thing."

I furrowed my brows. "Really?"

"Just kidding. Look, Rias is going to wake up, okay? But the first thing she'll do is probably punch you. I mean, a big fight is coming. But you've become Transcendent. So, maybe this time her anger will come out in a... different way?"

I paused for a few seconds, then realized what he meant.

"Oh God, Kane!"

Kane burst out laughing. "Dude, Rias won't just be angry, her mind will be all messed up. Now think about it—will a woman attack a man who's become Transcendent?"

"She will."

"Right, she will." Kane nodded. "But then maybe... she'll feel something much more different. Come on, a little romance!"

I gave him a sharp look. "That was the weirdest definition of romance I've ever heard."

Kane raised his glass. "And you're the most romance-deprived being in the universe. Ah, Kylin, sometimes I really feel sorry for you."

I brought my hand to my face and took a deep breath. "Talking to you is a waste of time."

Kane jumped up. "Dude, every time you try to avoid something, you always say that! But this time, there's no escape! Come here, join the celebration!"

He tried to grab me by the wrist and pull me, but I didn't move an inch. Realizing his failed attempt, Kane gave up and squinted at me.

"So, you're Transcendent, but you're still not as fun as me. Big disappointment."

I shook my head. "Not being like you is my greatest victory."

Kane paused for a moment, then snickered. "Maybe you're right."

Just then, in the dim light of the room, Kane's eyes suddenly flickered. He tilted his head slightly and looked at me.

"Kylin, I have a serious question."

I turned to him in surprise. Kane being serious was a rare occurrence.

"You've become Transcendent, right?"

"I told you."

"Do you think... I could be too?"

I thought for a few seconds. Then Kane's grin returned.

"Just kidding! Come on, if I were Transcendent, do you know what I'd do? I'd turn the universe into an empire of pleasure!"

I shook my head. "We definitely don't need that."

Kane raised his glass. "Well then, my friend, let's drink to your survival! If Rias doesn't kill you, I'll throw the next party for her!"

As Kane raised his glass, I took a deep breath and said seriously:

"Also... I have a soulmate."

Kane's face immediately dropped. He almost dropped the glass he was holding. He blinked rapidly, then quickly turned to me.

"What?"

He narrowed his eyes, looking at me with an expression of disbelief.

"Yes, you heard it right. I've become Transcendent and... I have a soulmate."

Kane froze for a moment. Then, in shock, he jumped to his feet.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

I wasn't prepared for such a strong reaction from him.

"Kane, stop screaming."

"STOP SCREAMING?! Dude, are you aware of what you just said? A soulmate is a one-in-a-billion thing! And you?! You have a soulmate?!"

I shrugged. "Looks like it."

Kane ran his hands through his hair, pacing around the room for a few steps, then quickly turned to face me.

"Well, who?! Who's this unlucky person?! Who could possibly be the soulmate of the most boring, arrogant man in the universe?!"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

Kane squinted at me. "You don't know?"

"No, I've never met them. I tried to feel them out, but couldn't find anything."

Kane stared at me for a second, then... he burst out laughing.

He laughed so hard that he nearly tumbled off the couch. He threw his glass aside, slapped his knees, and laughed until he was almost out of breath.

"Ah... ah, damn... this... this is so good!"

I waited patiently.

Finally, Kane wiped the tears from his eyes and spoke.

"You... you have a soulmate, but you can't find them! Ha! The universe is punishing you, my friend! You found the legendary love, but at the same time, you lost it!"

I shrugged. "Where's the funny part?"

Kane was still laughing but suddenly paused. A strange expression crossed his face.

For a moment, it seemed like... he remembered something. Then his eyes went wide.

"Wait..."

He slowly sat back down on the couch. The mocking smile faded from his face.

"Rias... loves you."

I frowned. "What?"

Kane raised his eyebrows.

"Kylin, my friend... Rias loves you. It might have been a long time, but don't forget, she gave you everything. She's the one who made you who you are. And she's not a transcendent being. But you are. You don't know who your soulmate is, but... I can guarantee one thing."

He took a deep breath.

"Rias is definitely going to kill you."