In an instant, an even greater sense of oppression surged toward me like a tsunami. My body slowly sank lower under its weight.
"You dare stand before me and not kneel? Little ghost, if you kneel and beg, perhaps I'll let you pass—if I'm in a good mood."
Anger surged within me. This beast, covered in dazzling gold, watched me with a mocking expression, as if toying with me.
"Remember that strike you landed on Yixue Han."
Spirit Snake shouted. I slowly closed my eyes and nodded. In truth, I didn’t need to recall it—I already knew how to respond. Yet I hesitated, but then a cold smile crept across my face.
"It’s precisely because I fear it that I’m worthy of this power."
I spoke slowly. The beast leapt down from the stone platform with a thud, landing on the ground. Instantly, golden barriers rose up all around us.
"Kid, there’s something inside you that I absolutely despise. Long ago, I was the same. Heh, interesting. Let me see for myself."
With a metallic clang, I gripped the Ghost Soldier and drove it into the ground. Instantly, a surge of Deathbane Aura erupted around me. Here, I had no need to hide anything. My eyes snapped open, and in that moment, darkness engulfed my back.
It was killing intent—the coldest, darkest part of me unleashed. This was the side I least wanted to use. In an instant, the trembling stopped. With a bang, darkness swallowed my surroundings, while before me shone a field of gold.