Mystery road

Same: Macro, are you okay? Pull yourself together.

Macro: Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought... Honestly, I don't know if we can handle this.

Same: I believe in you. You're incredibly strong. But if you don't help the others now, they might die.

Macro: You're right. You should come too. You'll be able to control your power more effectively during the battle.

Mike: Hurry up, damn it! That guy just slapped us around with one hand!

Same and Macro rush to the scene, but Same succumbs to Zabu's spiritual power and begins to lose consciousness.

Wan: Damn it! We should have thought this through. Why did we even call him?

Zabu: Oh? It seems I have someone before me who wields the power of the Path of Mystery.

Zabu approaches Same and whispers into his ear, "Aura of Reality." (Aura of Reality allows Zabu to seize and control a person's true self, but only if their spiritual power is weaker than his own.)

Macro, in shock: W-we couldn't even see him move... Such incredible speed.

Under Zabu's command, Same attacks Wan.

Same: What is this? My skin is turning black... It's like I'm transforming into someone else.

Zabu: This is his true form. Everyone who possesses the power of the Path of Mystery has a hidden true self.

Wan, though able to fight Same evenly at first, realizes he would eventually tire if the battle drags on. Without hesitation, he counterattacks, beating Same to the point where he can no longer stand. Mike then seals him with dark magic.

Zabu: Ah, so your little performance ends here. What a pity. A hundred years ago, Garon cast me into the void of space—right before your very eyes. Because of you. I cannot risk another hundred years of punishment. I haven't been given the order to fight... but someone else can fight in my place.

Zabu calls out: Hyper, come forth!

A monstrous aura fills the air. A terrifying figure emerges.

Macro: This... This is the same power we sensed on the ship.

Mike: Yeah... So you, too, wield the power of the Path of Mystery, Hyper.

Hyper: Silence! Do not dare utter my name, you pathetic insects.

Same, overwhelmed by Hyper's aura, begins to change even more. It's as if a lifeless body is moving on its own. He effortlessly breaks Mike's seal and mutters:

Same: Y-you... It's you... It's you...

Hyper, suddenly uneasy: What is this ominous feeling? You... You've caught my interest.

Same lets out a terrifying laugh before piercing Hyper's stomach.

Hyper: What... What was that? I couldn't even see him move...

Hyper loses consciousness and is drawn into the abyss within himself. It feels as though someone is calling him. Against his will, he drifts through the void, eventually coming upon a massive door bound in chains and engulfed in flames. That room was calling to him...

Hyper: This place is calm and peaceful... but that room is calling me, as if it seeks my help.

Hyper opens the door, and the essence of the Path of Mystery merges with his soul. He loses control, his spiritual power hardens, and he can no longer contain himself.

Wan, with a broken voice: W-what is this? He's turning into a monster!

Macro: I think this is his true form. Just as Zabu said, they have changed. They are now under the control of the Path of Mystery.

Hitogami: So, it's you! Hahaha! You defied the Divine Creator, my dearest friend! Hahahaha!

(The entity known as Hitogami is the manifestation of Same's inner Path of Mystery. Every Path of Mystery has its own unique consciousness, and once every 10,000 years, they choose a vessel for themselves.)

Hyper's Path of Mystery is called "Monster."

Monster: Hitogami, you know nothing. Get out of my way, or I'll crush you. That so-called god you worship—I must kill him. That is the mission entrusted to me.

Hitogami is stunned. It feels as if time itself has stopped; no one moves.

Hitogami: Y-you dare say that so boldly?

Enraged, Hitogami lunges at Monster.

Monster effortlessly counters Hitogami's attacks.

Wan and the others cannot even follow the battle with their eyes.

Each Path of Mystery possesses only a single ability, but aside from that, their raw strength is so immense that a mere punch could annihilate multiple planets.

Monster: Don't challenge me. I am no longer the being I once was. The Monster of 10,000 years ago is gone.

With that, he lands a devastating punch on Hitogami.

The impact hurls Macro and the others hundreds of kilometers away, obliterating planets in the process.

(This is Monster's ability—he emits devastating shockwaves. These waves first displace all organs and nerves within a target's body and can even cause them to rupture. No matter who the opponent is, the power granted to him by the Divine Creator is limitless.)

Hitogami is sent hurtling toward the fifth layer of the universe, but he can endure it. His true essence lies within the Fourth Universe Goddess, granting him infinite strength and immortality.

Suddenly, Same regains his senses and stands against Hitogami.

Same: I will not let you take control of me!

His color returns to normal, and he reverts to his human form.

Hitogami: I never intended to take control of you. I was wrong... I deeply apologize, Captain.

Same, surprised: So you respect me... Who are you? What are you?

Hitogami explains everything—his identity, his purpose.

With this, Same gains the ability to control half of his power.

Wan rises to his feet and speaks:

Wan: This situation is dire. If this continues, the Creator of the Universe will come to prevent universal annihilation. To stop the cosmic apocalypse, I need all of your power. My sacred seeds...

.

Comment for support 🙏🔥