Despite this newly awakened power, it was far from invincible. Its single drawback was that Ren could only command an object to do what it was inherently capable of doing.

For example, a table or chair—he could make them float or move from place to place, but he couldn't make them walk on their own because they're inanimate objects with no capacity for independent motion.

If he were to command a living being, however, the possibilities would be far greater: controlling its body, manipulating its consciousness to turn it into a puppet or alter its thoughts, implant mind control, seize memories to learn everything he wanted or even modify those memories, shape emotions, rewire nerves, and so forth.

Of course, all of this hinged upon the ability's strength. His Zanpakutō likewise required no Reiatsu in the usual sense—its power derived from his personal essence, the very core energy of his being.

Having grasped the basics of his Zanpakuto's ability, the starry gleam in his eyes gradually faded. The blade reverted to his hand, then vanished into the void. Feeling relaxed, he opened the group chat to chat a bit.

…

Ren: "@March 7th, everything settled at your space station?"

March 7th: "Yup, all done! And Stelle is ready to join the Astral Express as a Nameless."

Ren: "That girl with the Stellaron inside her? She's quite special."

March 7th: "That's exactly what Uncle Yang and Himeko keep saying."

Nami: "@Ren, what's this Astral Express and what do you mean by Nameless?"

Ren: "Better to let March explain."

March 7th: "Uh, even I'm not too sure. All I know is we're riding the Astral Express for a cosmic trailblazing journey."

Saeko Busujima: "A train crossing the universe? Fascinating."

Nami: "Not sure I understand, but it sounds pretty amazing."

Exusiai: "Agreed."

Tushan Honghong: "It sounds so awesome!"

March 7th: "Hehehe, I'm awesome too!"

At that moment, the chat group's system abruptly interrupted:

[Ding! Detected that group member Shinobu Kocho is confronting a Future Apocalypse factor. Initiating Apocalypse Journey!]

[Apocalypse Journey]: Five-Person Team 2

[Duration]: 5 days

[Participants]: Shinobu Kocho, Ren, Exusiai, Aqua, Esdeath 3

[Mission]: Slay the demons.

But there was more—another apocalypse notice popped up:

[Apocalypse Journey]: Apocalypse Termination

[Duration]: Unlimited

[Participants]: Unlimited

[Mission]: Slay the Demon King for Apocalypse Points.

Seeing the text, Esdeath was the first to react, excitement playing across her messages.

Esdeath: "Apocalypse Journey! @Ren, how about coming to this world and fighting me? I'll be waiting."

Ren: "…"

What a brash one indeed.

Ren: "All right, but Shinobu Kocho hasn't said anything. She might've run into a demon. Let's just head over."

Exusiai: "Roger that!"

Aqua: "Hehe, finally time for this goddess to shine!"

…

Nighttime in a clearing deep in the woods.

A fierce battle raged between a man and a woman.

"Oh my, such a familiar look. You're quite similar of that lovely girl I once enjoyed," came the man's taunting voice. Wielding a folding fan, he fended off every strike of Shinobu Kocho's Nichirin Blade with ease. Clad in her butterfly-patterned haori, Shinobu's swift attacks failed to land so much as a scratch on him.

"You filthy demon!"

Ordinarily calm and composed, Shinobu's face now brimmed with rage. She'd recognize that demon's face anywhere: Upper Moon Two, Doma, the one who killed her sister.

Shinobu had taken to drinking wisteria-poisoned tea daily, transforming her own body into potent venom potent enough—she hoped—to slay an Upper Moon demon if she were devoured. That was her sole lifelong wish: see Doma dead. But now, faced with him in person, she realized how strong he truly was.

Killing him alone seemed all but impossible, and if she died here without poisoning him, he'd survive. Then her sister's revenge would be for naught.

"I recall now—your sister was called Kanae, right?" Doma's complacent grin only stoked Shinobu's fury further.

"Don't you dare speak her name!"

She lunged, thrusting her fine-tipped Nichirin Blade at his head. Her physical strength wasn't enough to sever an Upper Moon demon's neck, so instead she relied on her wisteria poison. Her sword, shaped like a needle, better injected toxins into demon flesh. But Doma's power exceeded her imagination. He merely waved his fan, conjuring a solid ice wall in front of him.

"!"

Shinobu's blade lodged in the ice, refusing to budge. She couldn't push in further, nor pull it free.

"Miss Shinobu… do let me devour you."

Appearing behind her with that same unsettling smile, Doma fanned the air, attempting to freeze her.

Crack, crack, crack!

The ground iced over in an instant; his mastery of the frigid Blood Demon Art was terrifying. But at that moment, he felt a sudden chill even colder than his own, compelling him to leap back defensively.

Shhht!

Multiple towering ice spikes erupted from the earth exactly where he'd been standing.