Chapter - 17

"It was my clone," Kaito said, his tone dripping with mockery. "A perfect replica, created using my curse energy. He looked like me, acted like me-hell, even felt like me. But he wasn't me."

Zis's grip on her sword tightened. "A clone? That's impossible. You never showed such power before!"

Kaito's smirk didn't waver. "You underestimate me, sister. I created him as a precaution, a failsafe. But there was a cost. The process drained my curse energy to a dangerously low level. So, while my clone played the part of me. I had to leave. I went on a little mission to replenish my energy, gathering power while you plotted my so-called demise."

Zis's breath hitched. "You... you planned this?"

Kaito shrugged casually. "Planned? No. Anticipated? Absolutely. I knew you'd betray me sooner or later, so I gave you exactly what you wanted-a chance to think you'd won."

Her mind raced, replaying every moment of her supposed victory. The triumphant strike, the blood, the lifeless body-was it all a lie?

"You bastard." she hissed. "You made me waste my strength and resources on a fake!"

Kaito's smile turned cold, his blue eyes glowing with a sinister light. "And now, Zis, you're standing here. exhausted and desperate, while I'm stronger than ever." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "Tell me, how does it feel to know you've been outplayed?"

Zis gritted her teeth, her fury boiling over. "I'll kill you for real this time!"

Kaito chuckled, his laugh sending shivers down her spine. "Oh, Zis... you're welcome to try. But I assure you, the result will be far more entertaining this time around."

With a flick of his hand, the air around them darkened. his cursed energy pulsing like a heartbeat. The kitchen walls seemed to close in, and the grotesque monsters he had created began to surround her, their grins widening in anticipation.

For the first time. Zis felt the weight of her mistake. She hadn't defeated her brother. She had merely unleashed him.

But how did you realize that I can kill you and you sent your clone to me? she asked.

Hmmm? My cute stepsister Just look at the sword in your hand.You know this and I also know that this is not an ordinary sword.

As soon as I was about to enter your room, my eyes were drawn to your sword. A faint, sinister aura surrounded it, and I could feel the unmistakable presence of cursed energy emanating from its blade. The energy was intense, almost suffocating, and it sent chills down my spine. It was clear that this was no ordinary sword. A weapon like this could only belong to someone extraordinary, someone who had been chosen—or perhaps cursed—to wield such immense power.

So, I decided it wasn't necessary to step into your room. The aura of cursed energy from your sword made it clear that you could attack me the moment I entered—and even kill me. I was at a disadvantage because my cursed energy level was too low to face you directly. That's why I created a clone of myself and sent it into your room instead. Meanwhile, I went out to recover and increase my curse energy level, preparing myself for whatever confrontation might come next. Kaito' replied

Yes, you deserve appreciation. You turned out to be smarter than I thought."But I want to know one thing," she said, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on me. "I am also a curse energy user, and I wield curse energy weapons. Yet, no matter how hard I've tried, my curse energy has never increased. So, how did you manage to increase yours?" Her tone was laced with both curiosity and suspicion, as if she sought a secret I had kept hidden.

"Because there is a difference between a god and a human," he replied, his voice filled with an unshakable confidence that sent chills down her spine. "You people are weak, fragile humans, confined by your limitations. But I am not like you. I am not human. I am God." His words resonated with an undeniable power, a declaration that left no room for argument, as if the very air around him bowed to his presence.

Zis stood firm, her blue eyes blazing with defiance as she confronted Kaito. Her voice was steady, but the weight of her words carried a mix of anger and frustration.

"Stay within your limits, Kaito," she said sharply. "On what basis are you calling yourself God? What divine qualities do you even possess? Do you even know who is called God?"

Kaito remained still, his light brownish hair falling slightly over his glowing blue eyes. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but he said nothing, letting her words echo in the room.

"God's job," she continued, stepping closer, "is to do good to everyone, to guide, to protect, to nurture. And you? You're not doing good. You're destroying everything and everyone in your path. How can you possibly claim to be God?"

Her words hung heavy in the air, but Kaito's expression didn't waver. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if amused by her audacity.

"God's job?" Kaito finally spoke, his voice low, smooth, and chillingly calm. He took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them. "Who decided what God's job is? You? Mortals who cower in fear, begging for scraps of mercy?"

Zis flinched slightly but held her ground. Kaito's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"You speak as though you understand divinity," he said, his tone darkening. "Do you think God is some saint who spends eternity catering to your whims? No. A God is absolute. A God creates, destroys, judges, and commands. To be a God is to wield power beyond comprehension. And that power, Zis, is mine."

He leaned closer, his voice a dangerous whisper. "You accuse me of destroying? Yes, I destroy. Because destruction is necessary for creation. I cleanse the rot, tear down the weak, and shape the world into what it should be. That is divine work. That is what it means to be God." I will destroy everything and create my own new world.

Zis clenched her fists, her voice trembling with fury. "That's not justice! That's tyranny!"

Kaito chuckled softly, straightening up. His aura seemed to grow heavier, pressing down on her like a storm.

"Tyranny? Justice? Those are mortal concepts," he said, his smirk widening. "I am not bound by your petty definitions. I decide what is just, what is fair, and what is necessary. You are free to hate me for it, Zis. But know this—your defiance means nothing in the face of a God."

"Ohhh, yes, sister," he drawled, his tone mocking yet strangely affectionate. "Have you met my creations... my little babies?"

Zis frowned, her glowing skin almost luminous in the dim light. "What twisted game are you playing now, Kaito?"

"Yes, these monsters are yours. I already had a hint about them. They must be yours," she replied.

"Oh, come on! Please don't call them disgusting. These are my little babies. They listen to all my words, and yes, they are dear to me too," he retorted.

He paused for a moment before adding with a sly smirk, "And if you weren't my sister, I might have even beaten you or kill you for saying that. But being the good brother I am, I'll let it slide this time."

"If I don't call them disgusting, then what should I say?" she snapped.

Kaito's smirk widened, but before he could respond, she fired back, her tone dripping with venom.

"And by what right are you calling yourself a good brother? Are you playing a trick on me? What kind of 'good brother' plays games like this? And as for killing me... that's beyond your power. Do you even know who I am and what I'm capable of?"

Kaito chuckled softly, the sound almost mocking. "You're right. I am playing a trick on you. And no, I can't kill you." He paused, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "But you… you can kill me. Just like you and your sisters planned to kill me and our father."

Her eyes widened, shock plastered across her face. For a moment, she stood frozen, her mind racing to comprehend how he could possibly know. Sweat began to bead on her forehead, dripping slowly as panic settled in.

Kaito stepped closer, his voice low and taunting. "Ah, seeing that nervousness on your face... it's giving me immense relief. Almost makes everything worth it," he said, flashing a cruel smile.

The air between them grew tense, her silence speaking louder than words.

"Cat got your tongue?" Kaito asked, tilting his head mockingly. "Or are you too busy wondering how I found out your little secret?"

She clenched her fists, but no words came.

"Don't worry," Kaito whispered, leaning in closer. "I'm not here to punish you. Not yet. I just wanted to see that look on your face."

Her breathing quickened, but she forced herself to maintain her composure, even as fear twisted in her gut.

The room seemed to grow colder as Kaito took a step back, his grin unwavering. "Now, why don't you go play with your little 'babies'? I'll be here… waiting."