"Why are you fighting for those cowardly companions? They can't even face their own fear."
But Scorpio's true nature began to take effect. His insight not only allowed Scobio to see through his enemies, but also to see the parasites' true faces.
Through layer upon layer of conceptual disguise, Scobio saw the parasites' original form. They were not evil predators, but a group of shattered souls.
"You... you were guardians once." Scobio's voice was filled with shock.
The parasites' disguises were instantly torn apart, revealing their true history.
During the zeroth universal cycle, these beings had once been the bravest conceptual warriors. Faced with conceptual pollution sweeping across the universe, they chose the most radical solution: fusing themselves with the pollution in an attempt to cleanse it from within.
But they failed. The pollution's power exceeded their expectations, and their consciousness was completely twisted, turning them into tools for spreading contamination.
"We only wanted to save our own universe..." A faint voice came from deep within the parasites. "But we failed... Now we can only keep infecting others... It is the only way we can exist..."
Scobio understood their pain. These parasites were not purely evil; they were victims trapped in an eternal curse.
"Then let this all end." Scobio made a dangerous decision.
He began activating Scorpio's deepest ability—Death and Rebirth. The process required him to voluntarily let his consciousness "die," then rebuild a new existence upon the ruins.
"What are you doing?" The parasites panicked. "Stop! This will kill all of us!"
"Exactly." Scobio spoke calmly. "You have suffered for too long. It is time to gain true release."
The Scorpio Mark began to radiate a profound black light. It was not the darkness of death, but the depth that nurtured new life.
Scobio felt his consciousness begin