Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [142]

The rain grew heavier.

Every inch of Ren's skin felt the relentless, tearing pressure.

For the first time in a while, he felt genuine strain.

"Hehehe… That look in your eyes…"

The Doctor slowly raised his arms, laughing maniacally.

Amid the endless rain, he reveled in his own madness.

"This is the power of Osial, the Vortex God!"

His twisted grin distorted the face hidden beneath his mask, making it even more grotesque.

"Dreams and reality—two powers converge in my hands."

"Here, my experiment will soon succeed!"

"And then, I will wield true godly power!"

His scarlet pupils shrank sharply as he fixed his gaze on Ren.

Although the Doctor's original body could no longer be considered human,

The remnants of a demon god within him gave him strength surpassing ordinary demon gods.

But… that was merely physical.

Hailing from Sumeru, he harbored an obsession—

A fixation with the realm of divine knowledge.

It was the ultimate goal of his segments.

Using the lingering power of Osial from the real world, he had modified his experimental subject.

As long as he could construct its spiritual form and bring it back to reality,

He would truly control a creation imbued with godlike power.

The theory of creating gods would finally become possible!

"Takahashi Ren…"

This man had disrupted the experiment at its most critical moment.

There was an unbearable stench clinging to Ren—

One that reeked of the Harbingers, the Marionette and the Damselette,

And even the gods.

On top of that, the dream realm had been tampered with by the Damselette.

The Doctor's smile twisted coldly.

"Kill him. Leave the body intact."

Roar!

In the rain, the giant beast modified by the demon god's power let out a deafening roar.

The sound shattered the downpour around it, shaking the earth to its core.

The ground cracked beneath its massive step as its ferocious eyes locked onto one target.

A monstrous creature beyond human comprehension,

And its target was none other than the young man standing amidst the rain!

"A modified demon god, huh? Interesting," Ren muttered.

"I just wonder… how does it compare to a real one?"

Gripping the long spear of water in his hand, Ren pointed it at the colossal beast cloaked in black mist.

His gaze grew resolute as he took a deep breath.

He couldn't allow such a being to return to reality.

If its malice were to spread, the consequences would be catastrophic.

This had to end in a single strike.

To do so, he would need to unleash his strongest attack.

Boom!

The beast roared as it charged forward, slamming a massive palm down toward Ren with devastating force.

"Hah!"

Ren leapt, his steps carried by the wind, dodging the crushing blow at the last possible moment.

The oppressive aura of the demon god brushed past him, leaving a nauseating sensation.

"Swish!"

At the same time, water-elemental energy dispersed on the wind.

The strange power coursing through the giant beast began to wane.

"!"

The beast's eyes narrowed, and it let out an enraged roar.

The inexplicable feeling of being weakened drove it into a frenzy.

[System perk: Wind artifact set reduces water-elemental resistance!]

Boom!

Furious, the beast swung its massive fist with all its might toward Ren.

"Heh, it's not over yet," Ren smirked, as a brilliant red light engulfed his body.

Now was the perfect time to test the talent he had unlocked earlier.

Boom!

Amid the torrential rain, a field of flames erupted.

"Pyro energy…"

The Doctor's smile froze, his gaze turning icy.

This boy could wield multiple elements?!

[Elemental Burst: Fantastic Voyage]

[Provides significant attack power boost.]

[All you need to know: You've been buffed. Go get 'em!]

Indeed, it was Bennett's ultimate skill, combining attack buffs and healing.

A six-star talent—its value obvious to those who knew.

"?"

The Doctor realized something was off.

Within the fiery field, Ren no longer appeared burdened by the heavy rain.

He had shrugged off the demon god's suppression entirely?!

Sss—

Steam rose from Ren's body, obscuring him from view.

The pyro energy surrounding him was blindingly vivid.

The steam… it was evaporating the rain.

At that moment, nothing held him back.

Except for a certain girl still clinging to his back.

[Within the field, applied pyro energy purges water-elemental debuffs.]

In simple terms, Ren had imbued himself with pyro energy.

And this continual application countered the curses tied to water-elemental effects.

Roar!

Meanwhile, the beast swung its massive fist, its overwhelming strength capable of shattering the earth itself.

Ren merely smiled, making no effort to dodge.

He raised his head slightly, rolling his neck.

Being gripped by Sandrone all this time was starting to strain him.

Suddenly, he lifted his hand.

And threw a punch.

Boom!

In the rain-soaked battlefield, a terrifying shockwave erupted.

The ground cracked and shattered as the giant beast staggered backward, roaring in disbelief.

Its crazed eyes flashed with fear.

In pure strength, it had been outmatched.

And that inexplicable weakening…

"Subject! What are you doing?!"

The Doctor's face twisted with rage as he bellowed furiously.

The experimental beast he had poured his heart and soul into was faltering?!

"Trying to run?"

Ren's lips curled into a faint smile as his gaze turned icy.

Water-elemental energy gathered in his hand, reaching its peak.

Even the dream realm trembled, on the verge of collapse.

This strike combined attack buffs and reduced water resistance.

If it triggered a vapor reaction, the power would only grow.

But to deal with you… it's more than enough.

"Takahashi Ren… what are you?"

The blue radiance from Ren's spear illuminated the Doctor's mask.

Twisted and frantic emotions flashed in his eyes as he stared at Ren.

"Who am I?"

Ren chuckled softly, offering no response.

For this deranged segment of the Doctor, he had nothing to say.

In the next moment, the spear of water in his hand swept out.

The blue light cleaved the world in two.

The half-demon-god monstrosity disintegrated into ashes.

"I… will remember you."

Before the Doctor vanished, his contorted expression abruptly calmed.

He fixed his gaze on Ren, murmuring softly:

"Ren."

"This time, in the struggle with the Maiden and the Damselette, I have lost."

"But we will meet again in a new nation."

"To witness the birth of a god."

"…"

Ren's eyes gleamed with cold light, but he gave no reply.

Still, he had a feeling—

The true Doctor had just made an appearance.

Crack—

The world shattered.

The Doctor's experiment had failed.

...

Yet the dream didn't end.

The world before him transformed into a blank white space.

"This is…"

Ren murmured softly.

He stood in a solemn and elegant hall.

Sunlight streamed through the dome above, causing him to squint.

Sandrone, who had been clinging to his back, was gone.

It seemed this was another world, one where he was alone.

"You've arrived, Ren."

A serene voice spoke behind him.

"Columbina?"

Ren turned instinctively, surprised.

It was a tranquil girl in a white gown, her beauty ethereal.

Bathed in sunlight, she resembled a lotus untouched by the world.

Her elegance was breathtaking, almost unreal.

Holding a bouquet, she walked toward him.

"You seem surprised," Columbina said with a faint smile.

"…"

Ren's gaze carried a hint of confusion.

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.

"Are you… getting married to someone?"

The air fell silent.

Columbina: "?"