With the Gate of Sins perfected, August's power rose by a minor realm.
But that wasn't the end. At the final moment, the Original Sins of Greed and Envy merged into his body—specifically, into two of his hearts.
Thus, August's seven hearts each fused with one of the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy, Greed, Lust, and Sloth.
In that instant, the seven hearts glowed with distinct lights, each tied to a sin.
Then, they melded together, forming a single, pitch-black heart—untainted by any other hue, a pure black core.
The Heart of Darkness. Long ago, it had fused with the Gate of Sins, channeling the power of the seven sins into August's hearts.
Today, with all seven united, his heart transformed into the Heart of Darkness.
From now on, August was the embodiment of the Seven Deadly Sins—the ultimate Demon King of Evil.
He gained an even stronger "immortality," with the power of the seven sins ascending into an "Authority."
An Authority equal to his Demon King Authority—the Authority of Original Sin.
No attack bearing "evil" could harm him—a privilege of the supreme Demon King, elevated beyond the Seven Sins.
Digesting it all, August exhaled a murky breath. The sensation was exhilarating.
Finally, he turned to the "Darkness Gift Pack" and opened it.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Oddity: Dark Circle!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Gatanothor Card!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Hyperion Card!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Basser Card!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Grand King Card!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Jappa Card!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Pandon Card!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Maga-Orochi Card!]
August froze, staring at the Dark Circle and six cards before him.
Good grief—this Darkness Gift Pack was straight out of Orb Ultraman. Jugglus's arsenal?
The Dark Circle and the six Maga-Beast cards.
What was this for? Flattening Earth?
August had no doubt these six cards—representing the six Maga-Beasts—could obliterate the planet.
Take Maga-Orochi alone. In Orb Ultraman, it was the supreme Maga-Beast, reigning atop the hierarchy, a star-destroying monster from the Beast Galaxy. In this world, it'd be an apocalypse-level threat.
But then, holding the Dark Circle, August was stunned to realize he couldn't use it. More precisely, he couldn't power it with magic.
His power stemmed from magic, but the Dark Circle required dark energy.
His darkness as the ultimate Demon King was just magic with a dark attribute—not the energy from the Ultraman universe.
That soured his mood. Great—he was sitting on a goldmine he couldn't tap.
It was like a warrior wielding a god-tier staff—devastating in a mage's hands, but a glorified stick in his.
Sighing, August stowed the Dark Circle and the six Maga-Beast cards.
Out of sight, out of mind. If he couldn't use them, they'd sit on the shelf.
Lastly, he eyed his remaining six high-tier draws. Without hesitation, he drew them.
Though he could save them for another super draw synthesis, his sour mood demanded a pick-me-up.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining System Item: Travel Card!]
…
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Item: Senzu Beans 100!]
…
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining Weapon: Serpent Heart Sword!]
August's expression turned odd. Good grief—what a haul.
The gift pack had just handed him Jugglus's gear, and now he'd drawn the guy's signature weapon. Really?
He took out the Serpent Heart Sword, feeling it. High quality—fitting for Jugglus's blade. It wasn't weak.
In human form, Jugglus had pierced the Nackle alien Nax's armor with it. Most of his offense and defense relied on this sword.
As a weapon from the Ultraman universe—and a key supporting character's at that—it couldn't be lackluster.
Buzz!
Suddenly, August sensed a massive upheaval in the small world.
In an instant, he entered it and saw a terrifying pressure building at the center.
The World Tree Sapling's location. August's eyes widened, and he rushed over.
A crowd had gathered—the commotion was too big to ignore.
August checked the sapling's panel. Perfect timing—the 99% jumped to 100%. Its growth was complete—it was about to evolve.
Under his gaze, the once-sprouting sapling began to grow.
Tiny buds turned into tender leaves, stems into a trunk and branches.
A small tree, barely a meter tall, stood before him.
Whoosh!
A white light rose from the sapling, and from it emerged a two- or three-year-old girl.
Green hair, delicate features like a porcelain doll—she was utterly adorable.
"Daddy~"
She leapt into August's arms, nuzzling him like a kitten begging for affection.
August knew this was the sapling's "spirit"—its incarnation.
"My baby's grown up."
"Hehe, I can finally hug Daddy for real!"
In his arms, her beaming smile melted his heart.
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