The Sky War Erupts

(Henry's POV)

The moment my Celestial Overdrive flared, the entire sky shifted.

The floating platforms trembled, the air crackling with divine energy. The celestial warriors surrounding me hesitated—only for a moment—before charging forward.

"You asked for it."

I vanished.

Celestial Blink – Godspeed Mode.

One second, I was standing in place—

The next?

I was behind the first warrior, sword already swinging.

SLASH!

A crescent arc of golden lightning tore through his body, sending him spiraling through the sky, his divine armor shattering upon impact.

The second warrior lunged from above, thrusting his spear downward, aiming for my skull—

I tilted my head, dodging by an inch before grabbing the spear midair, twisting it out of his grip—

And rammed it straight through his chest.

"Two down."

The third warrior teleported, reappearing right next to me, chanting in an ancient celestial tongue.

The air compressed violently.

"Oh? Magic?"

A divine sigil flared around me, chains of pure golden energy shooting out, wrapping around my arms and legs, trying to bind me.

A sealing spell.

I clicked my tongue.

"That won't work."

Celestial Overdrive – Limit Break Mode.

I flexed, and the chains shattered instantly, the entire spell collapsing on itself as my golden flames burned through the restriction.

The celestial warrior's eyes widened in shock.

"Impossible—!"

I drove my fist into his face before he could finish speaking, sending him rocketing downward, crashing through five floating platforms before disappearing into the abyss below.

The rest of the warriors staggered, hesitation creeping into their stances.

I grinned.

"What's wrong? I thought you guys were gonna judge me?"

Their leader—the one who had first spoken to me—remained still. His silver wings spread wide, his eyes glowing with a level of power that the others lacked.

He exhaled slowly.

"Your strength is undeniable," he admitted. "But raw power alone will not grant you entry into the Grand Sky Citadel."

He raised his hand, and the sky rippled.

The sun above us dimmed, and suddenly, massive divine constructs formed in the air—twelve colossal golden blades, each radiating an aura of absolute authority.

"Shit," I muttered.

I had seen techniques like this before.

This wasn't just a battle.

This was a divine trial.

"Fine," I exhaled, tightening my grip on my sword. "You wanna make this serious?"

Golden lightning surged around my body, my aura expanding even further.

"Then I'll show you why you can't stop me."

---

Final Trial – The Twelve Blades of Celestial Judgment

The twelve golden blades descended, each one carrying the force of a divine execution.

The lead celestial warrior spoke, his voice resonating through the battlefield.

"This is your final warning, outsider. If you cannot overcome this, you will be erased from the New World."

I grinned, heart pounding with excitement.

"Try me."

Then—they attacked.

The twelve blades shot toward me at once, each moving at impossible speeds, weaving through the air like living weapons.

I moved instantly.

Celestial Blink – Limitless Activation.

I vanished, dodging the first three strikes by a hair's breadth.

The fourth blade adjusted its trajectory, slashing toward my side—

I twisted midair, parrying it with my own sword, sparks of golden energy exploding upon impact.

The fifth and sixth blades came from above—

Too fast to dodge.

So I blocked them head-on.

CLAAAAANG!!!

The force of the impact sent a shockwave through my body, but I gritted my teeth, holding my ground.

Then, the seventh blade shot straight for my heart.

"Tch—!"

I had no time to dodge—

So I caught it.

I grabbed the massive divine blade with my bare hand, the energy burning into my palm, but I held on, stopping its momentum completely.

The celestial warrior's eyes widened in shock.

"That's—impossible!"

I grinned, blood dripping from my hand.

"Hate to break it to you… but I don't give a fuck about your rules."

Then, I crushed the blade in my grip, shattering it.

The remaining five blades hesitated, as if sensing that the balance had shifted.

I lifted my sword one last time.

"CELESTIAL FINAL STRIKE!"

A massive golden pillar of light erupted from my blade, expanding outward in a wave of divine destruction.

The remaining blades shattered instantly.

The lead warrior staggered, the glow in his eyes flickering.

The battle was over.

I lowered my sword, rolling my shoulders.

"So, do I pass?"

The warrior was silent for a long moment.

Then—he smiled.

"You are unlike any being we have encountered before," he admitted.

He stepped aside, extending his arm toward the sky.

A path of golden light appeared before me—leading directly to the Grand Sky Citadel.

"The Celestial Rulers will see you now."

I smirked, sheathing my sword.

"Damn right they will."

Without hesitation, I stepped onto the path—ready to uncover the secrets of Project Hades.