Void…

That name carried so much meaning.

The sole one who had created a clone to fight Mark.

The demon at Rank 1 of the hans ranking?

The one so terrifying that even the system refused to invite him to the meetings the Hans usually held?

The same one no one could tag in the chat to speak?

The terrifying one?

The monster among monsters, gods among gods, the demon among demons.

Devil, god, demon, evil, cursed…

No one could stand against him, yet through Mark, they were now face to face with him and this time, not a clone, but Void himself. Stronger. Faster. More terrifying.

A true Quasi Rank 4 being.

Even among the Quasi Rank 4 beings they had met, none—none, I repeat—held a candle to him. He was simply that strong.

"I… I am Kira…"

"Marcule…"

Both replied as they gulped. Void was putting immense pressure on them.

Of course, all this didn't escape Void's sight, but well, let's just say that was the effect a supreme being had on those below.

"Alright, nice to meet the top of the Hans ranking," Void said.

"Thank you," both Kira and Marcule replied.

"The God Realm is nice," Void added, enjoying the soft touch of divinity clinging to his demon form.

Yes, Void was in his demon form. That was why the pressure on Kira and Marcule was so overwhelming.

"Hahaha, yes," Mark laughed lightly as the four of them went to sit at a table.

"But apart from that, Void, I wanted to ask you something," Mark said. Just as everyone seemed to relax a little, he dropped the shell.

"Eh? Ask away," Void said, thinking Mark would ask about his adventures or other worlds.

After all, unlike Void who could travel to any world, universe, or Omniverse, Mark and the rest were stuck in this Omniverse.

"Well… it's like this… how are you so strong?" Mark asked.

.

.

.

Silence.

Kira and Marcule opened their mouths in shock. Was that what Mark wanted to ask Void? It felt both public and personal. After all, everyone had their secrets.

But still, what if Void answered? Maybe they could learn something and grow stronger.

Kira and Marcule sat upright, listening carefully.

"My race," Void replied casually, as if it were common knowledge.

His race?

Wait, his race?

That was it? The reason Void was this strong was because of his race? Not an opportunity, not a unique artifact, not training?

"Really?" Mark asked, even he confused.

He had expected more.

"Really. There's a lot you don't know because you're stuck in this Omniverse. Let me enlighten you a bit," Void began.

"A lot of things can make one stronger. The most common are artifacts, equipment, training, and terrifying resources like the World Tree, the River of Styx, and more. But even so, most beings forget something just as common..., bloodline. To be honest, your bloodline determines your starting point in existence."

"Those with stronger bloodlines start higher than everyone else. Talent can only get you so far. Hard work too. Only skill truly changes things. Even if they don't work hard and you do, how are you sure you'll catch up? They have Rank 3 beings as guards. They can easily obtain a universe as a resource even if they're lazy."

"While you, born with a low bloodline as a mortal no matter how fast you grow, the highest you may reach could only be their starting point. Talent helps a little, but it's like multiplication. Two times one million will always be greater than fifty thousand times two."

"That's the difference. Having fifty thousand talent on a bloodline of two gives you one hundred thousand power. But someone with a one-million bloodline and only two talent has two million. That's the gap."

"The only thing that truly matters in the end is skill and ability. At the same realm, same level regardless of starting points,

skill determines the winner… and the loser."

Void finished speaking, and the three of them froze.

Their minds raced, breaking his words into understandable fragments at speeds surpassing light, time, and distance.

"So yes, bloodline matters. And for you all… maybe you'll never leave Rank 3, or at best reach Quasi

Rank 4. You possess a common High God bloodline," Void dropped the bomb.

A chill ran through Kira and Marcule.

Was this the truth of existence?

Was it Void's bloodline, skills, and abilities that placed him at Quasi Rank 4?

Was that why he felt so much stronger than the other Quasi Rank 4 gods they had met?

Confusion. Doubt. Sighs.

A storm of emotions passed through them, but while Kira and Marcule sighed at fate, one being thought differently.

"What if I change my bloodline?" Mark asked, snapping them out of their thoughts.

Hearing this, Void smiled.

Haha… no wonder Mark was already this strong. A peak Rank 3 being. He was always hungry for more.

"I've seen mortals do it though we are stronger and basically gods and I know it might be hard especially in this Omniverse but what if? You've seen more than I have… there should be a way, right?" Mark asked.

His eyes were filled with hope.

Kira and Marcule might not know it, but Mark could feel it. He was at his limit. Even if he broke through, he would only ever reach Quasi Rank 4 in his lifetime.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

As the second-ranked human, he had seen it clearly. Outside the Top 10, most had already hit their limits,some stuck at Rank 0, others Rank 1, and a few at Rank 2.

Even within the Top 10, only the Top 5 were still progressing… slowly.

Haha… it was over for them.

And likely for him too.

"Oh?" Void grinned when he heard this.

He rested his chin on his arms atop the table, his arms barely covering his nose, only his eyes visible.

"There is a way," Void said with a laugh, "but I'm not sure you'll like it."

Seeing the look Void gave them, Kira and Marcule backed away instinctively. Their skin crawled, their divine bodies screaming danger.

…but Mark didn't back down.

"And what is it?" Mark asked, his eyes burning with desire for power, for strength.

"Be my slave."