Facing Mikun's shock, bewilderment, and incomprehension, Kuize swept away the phantom staff-sword burning with silvery-white flames, then gave his answer in a voice as calm as still water.
"Just like your 'Godfall Furnace,' I too used my own 'Life Relic.'"
"Its name is—"
"'Time Source Soulheart.'"
At those words, Mikun's eyelids twitched even more violently. He murmured in disbelief:
"What?"
"'Life Relic'...?"
"You can summon one too?"
"You can requisition one too?"
"The reason I was able to reach this realm was the power and knowledge bestowed by a 'Divine Artifact.'"
"And now you're telling me that you stand on the same level as well?"
"When... did this happen?"
"When did you reach this realm?"
Kuize replied in an even tone:
"Three thousand years ago, when I was still the second seat of Apex Hunter, I was already capable of it."
"I simply chose to keep it secret, so none of you knew."
"It's that simple."
Upon hearing this, Mikun's breathing stopped.
"..."
Kuize continued:
"Of course, Serfoshe can do it too."
"And he was far earlier than I was."
"The reason all of you Apex Hunters were sent sprawling by him back then was precisely because he held a 'Life Relic' in his hand. That was why the gap between him and you seemed as vast as heaven and earth."
After a brief silence, vicious bloodshot veins gradually spread through Mikun's eyes. His breathing through his nose and mouth began to quicken, and his state of mind was clearly on the verge of collapse.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
Kuize rested both hands upon his black cane. He said nothing, his expression unruffled.
"..."
Mikun knelt where he was, his expression vacant. After breathing heavily for a while, he gave a mute laugh.
"Heh..."
"Hehehe..."
"Hehehehehe..."
This man had laughed many