"Does that mean you're a demon now?"

That question hung in the air, and silence spread around them.

Mark's form grew imposing, and space itself seemed to warp and twist around him.

"Yes… I am," Mark replied, and Kira instinctively closed her eyes.

"Did you forget what we talked about, about demons, their danger? About the precautions we should take against Void?" Kira asked, opening her eyes.

Her voice was stern but struggled to remain stable.

To be honest, it felt like losing one's best friend.

Kira knew it. Just from the change in his voice, the way Mark looked, and what he had said before swallowing Void's blood , he would change, or perhaps he had already changed.

"Probably. But, Kira… grow up and learn to let go of some things. The past is the past; this is the present. I have chosen my path, and I will work on it. Choose yours. And I don't want to entertain your chatter anymore. Marcule, choose your path too. You can never walk Kira's path," Mark replied indifferently.

Hearing this, Kira finally gave up.

She slowly backed away, passing by Marcule.

"Right or wrong, you choose," Kira whispered coldly as she passed, leaving Marcule shaken.

"Demons and Gods can't live together or even stay together. That much I am aware. Leave," Kira's voice traveled to them, cold and chilling, as Marcule looked back at her.

"No… she won't, Kira. Mark… are you guys falling out?" Marcule thought, stunned.

He had always been the third wheel, so he could see it clearly. Kira had fallen for Mark a long time ago, yet Mark had never considered her as more than a friend. When she confessed, he had only said that if they still hung out in the future, he would consider it.

This wasn't simple. As a demon and Void's slave, Mark would follow Void back to wherever he came from.

Kira and Mark would be separated. Their love story, such as it was, would wither and die.

Marcule could feel what Kira was fighting for not just friendship, but love.

But how naive was she? How much did she believe in love?

Basically, she was in love with a man who didn't even see her as a love interest. Mark was obsessed with strength, and this was proof.

But alas, Marcule couldn't speak.

Immediately, Kira disappeared from their sight. Multiple terrifying auras appeared, each at Quasi Rank 4, all targeted at Void and Mark.

It didn't take a genius to realize they had all come for Void and Mark, signaling them to leave.

"Let's go," Void replied calmly. Mark nodded.

Marcule watched as a portal opened and Void stepped into it.

He didn't know where it led, but he knew once Mark left, he would never be the same. Their worlds would change forever.

"Bye, Mark," Marcule finally said as Mark was about to enter the portal.

"Bye, old friend," Mark replied, surprising Marcule, who smiled faintly.

Maybe he had overthought it.

Mark stepped in, and he and Void disappeared.

Immediately, the auras vanished, and Marcule sighed.

Mark's breakthrough. Kira getting stronger. Even he… today was supposed to be a fun day, a day for celebration. But now, it was the day three friends scattered.

"Choose my path?" Marcule muttered as he looked back at the God Kingdom.

Crack…

The divine world shattered, and a path opened.

"I will choose my path," Marcule said as he walked forward. Immediately, by daring to open a path in the divine realm, countless auras and Quasi Rank 4 eyes settled on him.

"How dare you?" a Quasi Rank 4 god shouted, his voice shaking the plane.

Marcule chuckled. Mark was right, he needed to figure out his path. Mark already had, and Kira had a path to greatness. But he? Did he want to waste his life lingering around Kira?

No. He wouldn't.

"Leave him," a voice commanded just as Marcule prepared to fight the Quasi Rank 4 beings.

It was Kira's voice. Even though the gods were furious, they obeyed her and retreated.

"I won't stay under you. I apologize, Kira," Mark said into the empty space, but there was no reply.

Marcule gave a wary smile his

chest tightened. He knew today that friendship wasn't enough. He had to choose himself, no matter the cost

Yes, officially, their friendship was over.

But Marcule chose himself first as he crossed over. The shattered divine realm repaired itself behind him.

---

In a terrifying throne room…

Godly auras filled the place, with artifacts and unique designs scattered throughout.

"I told you, didn't I?" a short being appeared beside Kira, cloaked in dark garments.

"Now the two beings you poured all your resources into have left you. You've not only weakened the godly power by raising two Rank 3 beings, but you've also lost them. Your father…"

"Aaaaaah!" the creature screamed as it was disintegrated.

This creature had been wise and almost all gods respected it and kept such beings as advisors. Rare and weak, unable to grow past Rank 0, it was the perfect choice for a special subordinate. Even Kira's father had kept one of the best, chosen for her foresight, to help build her into a proper leader.

But now, Kira had killed it.

Countless Quasi Rank 4 gods appeared in the throne hall immediately, coming to challenge Kira for what had happened, especially for letting Mark and Marcule live and leave.

"Princess…"

"I am sorry, but what you did..." a Quasi Rank 4 god said.

"It was irrational..." another added.

"Wasted resources… if we had…"

"Even your father wouldn't dare…"

Multiple complaints echoed as the Quasi Rank 4 gods fumed, but Kira ignored them and walked toward the throne.

"Princess, are you listening? Why are you walking to the throne?" a Quasi Rank 4 god shouted, spreading his aura wildly. Of course, it didn't harm Kira.

Then…

A gasp escaped as all the gods opened their mouths in shock. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Princess is in the past. Welcome your new God King and your new Queen," Kira finally said, cold and terrifying as she sat on the throne.

Immediately, a blinding light covered the God Realm, awakening a few Rank 4 gods.

Their eyes traveled to the throne room, finding a weak Rank 3 god as the God King. They were furious.

The Quasi Rank 4 gods watched in shock as multiple beings, young and old in appearance, appeared with fury.

"How dare you?" a Rank 4 god demanded, but Kira merely looked at him, indifferent.

"Is that the way to speak to your Queen?"