You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

She hoped that I could take her place and be loved by this beautiful yet cold world...

Unfortunately, I'm not a lovable character, and I don't care whether people accept me. All I want to do is fight against the world for that lonely girl who died. This is contrary to Setsuna's original intention.

Do you still hate this world?

"No, nothing has changed. My disgust, hatred, and rejection have remained unchanged from beginning to end."

Admittedly, this world is beautiful, almost too beautiful. But why is it that such a beautiful world has never shown kindness to my initial ally?!

If I cannot be treated gently by this world for even a moment, then I have no reason to treat this world gently!

After saying that, the princess in military uniform paused slightly, then smiled as if she had given up.

"However, even my revenge must end here."

If it could save her, I wouldn't mind giving up this hatred, even if it caused this body to collapse, because...

Because she is Setsuna, the girl who gave me birth with her own longing.

I was unable to help her when she needed support the most, but now I am here in reality, with the power to change everything.

Given this situation, how could I possibly abandon her at a time like this...

I am not afraid. Born from nothingness, returning to nothingness is the perfect ending.

As she spoke, two objects appeared in her hands.

Unlike the cold, metallic objects he had seen before, what Altair held this time was a real violin and bow.

With an elegant gesture, Altair placed the violin on his shoulder, nodded slightly, and opened his eyes to look at the sleeping girl.

"My ally, let me offer you my final melody in this irreversible time."

With Shimagi Setsuna's sleeping face etched deeply into her mind, the princess in military uniform began to slowly draw the bow in her hand—

"Let me offer you my first and last song."

As the melodious piano music filled the air, twinkling lights appeared around the princess in her military uniform and Shimagi Setsuna, slowly fluttering like fireflies in summer, enveloping the two girls in a softly glowing veil.

"I'm sorry, Setsuna."

Altair slowly closed his eyes: "I still couldn't see you one last time to thank you. Thank you—for loving me so much."

Time passes slowly...

Altair suddenly opened his eyes and looked at his hands: "Why... me?"

"Altaïr."

A gentle voice reached Junji's ears, causing her to tremble and drop her violin.

"Could it be that……"

She looked up and saw Setsuna Shimazaki standing there quietly, gazing at her with loving eyes.

"moment!"

At that moment, Altair reconciled with the world, and an unprecedented, unparalleled happiness filled her heart—

puff!

The katana pierced Altair's chest from behind, and Shimazaki Setsuna's figure disappeared with it, the silver-haired girl's face freezing instantly.

"This... Iori... Aizen Iori—you!"

Why... even though I already... believed you!

What a look of utter despair!

But you see, only those who are trusted can betray; that's the way of the world, Altair.

Iori drew her sword, letting Altair fall, then watched as Altair slowly rose from the ground, his eyes devoid of any light, and a pleased smile appeared on her face.

It's different now... completely different from when it "appeared" last time!

The power of recognition gathered from all over the world will naturally be utilized by the collective subconscious of humanity, making her undoubtedly the most powerful being in the world right now!

And this Altair, who was originally devoid of emotion, now possesses a hatred akin to that of a human, thinking only of how to kill herself—how terrifying!

"Come on, human subconscious... hate me!"

This despair! This hatred!

Let it be forever etched in the collective subconscious of humanity!

Chapter 474 Say, My Name!

The power of recognition and existence is truly a wonderful power. Theoretically, the two combined can provide Iori with a maximum of 200 art style points, which is already a great gain, not to mention the conceptual buffs they come with.

Iori's combat ability is impeccable, and she is fearless in head-on battles. However, those monsters and demons in the multiverse are often masters of manipulating cause and effect and time and space, just like the powerful beings in cultivation novels.

The effect of [Presence] can enhance Iori's resistance to these strange methods. If it can reach the maximum value (100), it may have the effect of "unaffected by all laws" and "transcending the three realms". This makes Iori determined to get it!

That's why he's put so much effort into understanding the world, showing unprecedented patience. In return, he's successfully leveraged internet technology to create a global subculture, gaining immense recognition and a sense of presence.

--but!

There are limits to these conventional methods!

Simply relying on media promotion can only achieve the best of "deeply rooted in people's hearts." Reaching the level of a famous historical figure or mythological hero would be considered quite good, with a score around "sixty."

Beyond that, it's no longer something that can be achieved through information dissemination. Moreover, ACG isn't exactly a mainstream community, so its influence is limited, and many people subconsciously consider it a "trendy little thing" and don't take it seriously.

Mickey Mouse, Pikachu, Kakarot—that's the limit.

But Iori was clearly not satisfied with this!

To gain further recognition from "humanity," one cannot remain merely in the virtual realm; one must personally drive some kind of change in the world, and make it tangible for the majority of people.

For example, the public's awareness of a leader might be as high as 80% or more, and it would have been even higher in the last century... but that would be a bit extreme.

Iori is a peace-loving and kind person!

But if we can't influence all of humanity in a rush, then we should find an individual who can do it and then influence her specifically.

This object is [Altair]!

As an intellectual being born from the collective unconscious of humanity, she has infinitely grasped the concept of "Alaya". If she imbues it with a certain emotion, it carries the same "weight" as directly engaging with all of humanity.

Love, hate, loathing, evil... Iori chose "hate" and "despair" because only these two can reach their highest value in an instant!

"The story is set against the backdrop of a goddess of goodness, who symbolizes a beautiful vision, and a male god born from human malice, who fight to protect and destroy humanity."

High school student Setsuna Shimazaki committed suicide due to bullying. Her unfinished work, Altair, was miraculously chosen to become the vessel of the goddess's power and walk the world as an apostle.

However, the evil god manipulated her feelings for Shimazaki Setsuna, successfully turning her thoughts inward to hatred of humanity. With her goodness sealed, [Altair] continued to summon characters, attempting to overturn the world, and thus the series of events already familiar to the public unfolded…

but!

The evil god doesn't want to engage in this kind of childish faction war!

His true goal was to make Altair utterly despair of the world, thereby weakening the power of the goddess who was one with her, and ultimately erasing the goddess's existence completely!

Iori smiled with satisfaction: "Are you satisfied with this story?"

"..."

[Alter] stared silently at Iori. His body, which had been pierced by the Zanpakuto, had returned to normal. Golden-purple rainbows flashed in his square pupils, and an unusual pressure, similar to but different from divinity, expanded outwards, causing the entire space to shake.

But as soon as Iori had a thought, pale golden ripples swept across the entire world, as if enveloping the two of them in an enormous "egg," and spacetime stabilized as a result.

——[World Throne]!

This was the first time Iori had seriously used his powers since coming to this world.

However, since the opponent is the Lesser Alaya, we must be serious; this level of seriousness is still insufficient!

"How does it feel to be deceived and betrayed for the first time?"

"...Was this your plan from the very beginning?"

The light and shadow around Altair rippled like boiling water, revealing her extremely unstable emotions, though her voice remained largely unchanged.

"I don't understand, what's the point?"

"Ok?"

"I can satisfy most of human desires: power, strength, money, life, love, faith... these should be readily available to you."

Even if one wants to control human thought, or reshape the entire world according to one's own will, it can be done by using the "Power of Recognition".

I don't think there's any conflict between us, because I won't stop you from fulfilling your wishes, even if it harms all of humanity, as long as it brings happiness to this child (Alter).

But... I don't understand why you did this?

What is the point of letting this child experience despair, of letting this muddy, murky emotion... of filling my chest with hatred?

What does this mean to you?

"Forehead……"

Altair was clearly very confused. She had no idea what Iori was trying to achieve by going to such lengths. She had previously thought that Iori was going to use "Shimazaki Setsuna" to control Altair and use her abilities to accomplish her own goals.

But now Altair hates him to the core... It's hard to understand Iori's logic.

Iori scratched his head, seemingly unsure how to answer, then blinked and gave an answer that made Altair's eyes widen.

"Fun?"

"..."

hum! ! !

The space was covered with cracks that looked like glass, so dense that it seemed like it could collapse at any moment.

"It's astonishing... This is the first time I've realized... that human malice can be so terrifying!"

【Ding! 】

[Acknowledgment power +1, +2, +1...]

[Presence +2, +1, +1...]

Hearing the notification in her mind, Iori happily picked up her Zanpakuto, pointing the tip at the goddess.

"Come on, don't hold back, let your anger consume you, Altair!"

"Then let me show you what the true... [Power of All Things] is!"

With a wave of her hand, the goddess conjured countless military swords in the sky, scattered like stars in the Milky Way.

"No matter how powerful you are, it's meaningless in the face of this power!"

"Not necessarily."

Iori coldly raised her head, her right hand gripping her Zanpakuto, while her left hand had somehow drawn another weapon.

It was a broad blade gleaming with platinum, with a pure and ultimate divine aura of steel flowing across it.

"Let us firmly remember the shame of defeat, and then etch this despair into the collective memory of mankind!"

I will become the nightmare of all mankind, or perhaps a synonym for that ancient darkness... Even if they don't know it, what they fear is my very embodiment!

……

【Ding! 】

[Acknowledgment power & existence power total over 180, meeting the sublimation requirements. The realm record is being modified...]

[CGs have been collected]

Praise be to my name!

Type: Special.

Quality: Myth.

Grade: EX.

Rewards Overview:

Inherent skill: Praise My Name EX.

By imprinting one's true name on the boundary record tape (or an entity of the same nature), it is recognized by the world consciousness and becomes immune to "concept erasure".

Her real name, "Aizen Iori," has become a conceptualized form of incantation. No matter where she is, she will feel something whenever it is mentioned (can be ignored).