The sixth ring of Kurogai's Ring had reached perfection. Because of his previous experiences, this transformation was unusually calm. There was no trace of panic—only a composed awareness as the sixth ring manifested within his ultimate eye.
Moments later, the sixth pupil ring stabilized completely. The totem glowing faintly above Kurogai's forehead shimmered with four luminous rings, and divine energy radiated from his body—so potent that it nearly pierced through his physical form.
To any ordinary person, Kurogai would have seemed like a higher deity descending upon the world. The sheer density of divinity surrounding him was overwhelming.
"The second ring, the third, the fourth... and now the sixth," Kurogai murmured, his tone thoughtful. "Out of twelve rings, I've completed four. One-third of the entire Ultimate Eye. No wonder the divinity in my body grows thicker with each Ascension—it's becoming nearly inseparable from me."
He took a long breath. The realization brought satisfaction but not arrogance. Only the fourth ring had been completed years ago in deep space; the rest had taken shape recently. It wasn't luck—it was accumulation, the result of relentless preparation and patience.
Kurogai understood that perfectly. He didn't feel inflated or self-satisfied. These powers were earned, not gifted, and that knowledge grounded him.
"First, I'll get used to this new ability," he muttered, "then I'll begin studying the Tesseract."
Instead of rushing into experimentation, Kurogai decided to stabilize his current power. His growth had accelerated drastically—too fast, even for him. Taking time to adapt was essential.
He focused his gaze, and in an instant, his eyes blazed with scarlet energy. A crimson beam shot forward, tearing through the manor like a blade of light and splitting it cleanly in half. The destructive force echoed through the mirror dimension, leaving devastation in its wake.
"Crimson Beam," Kurogai whispered, examining the trail of devastation left behind. The attack was precise, beautiful, and deadly.
He continued refining it—adjusting focus, output, and control—until the once-grand reflection of New York was reduced to ruins. Yet, within this mirrored space, none of it mattered. There were no living beings, no civilians to harm, no panic. He could unleash his power without restraint.
When the air finally stilled, Kurogai exhaled slowly. "Good. The new ability is under control. Now, the Tesseract."
He extended his hand, and a swirling distortion appeared beside him—the entrance to his personal dimensional vault. From within, he drew out a glowing cube that pulsed with cerulean light. The Tesseract radiated with cosmic brilliance, leaking pure energy that felt alive, divine even.
But it wasn't the cube itself that captured Kurogai's focus. It was what lay within—the Space Stone.
With a firm squeeze, the Tesseract shattered into fragments, revealing a radiant blue gem that floated above his palm. Its light was pure, endless, and incomprehensibly powerful.
"There it is," he said softly, eyes reflecting its glow. "The Space Stone... one of the Infinity Stones."
A flicker of excitement crossed his usually calm expression. He remembered the overwhelming surge he'd experienced when he had absorbed the Power Stone before—how his strength had multiplied countless times over. The temptation was undeniable.
He could feel it again now—his body yearning instinctively to consume the gem's energy, as if drawn by fate.
"The Power Stone gave me strength," he whispered. "Then this one... will let me master space itself."
Though, I can already manipulate space using Kamui, but it's different.
Without hesitation, Kurogai pressed the Space Stone to his chest.
The moment it touched him, blinding energy surged through his veins. His entire being trembled as the stone's raw power flooded into him, burning through every fiber of his existence.
"What... incredible power!" he gasped, feeling the might of a cosmic force trying to tear him apart from within. His body, reforged countless times through past trials, still strained under the weight of it.
Space itself bent and warped around him. Energy waves rippled outward like a storm, engulfing the mirror version of New York in chaos. Had this not been a pocket dimension, the real city would have been obliterated.
Kurogai gritted his teeth, enduring the torrent of cosmic energy as it merged with his essence. His aura expanded, and his surroundings quaked violently. The world twisted, folded, and finally—stilled.
When it was over, silence fell.
The Space Stone had vanished, absorbed completely into his being.
Kurogai opened his eyes—now shimmering with deep cerulean light interwoven with crimson rings. Space itself seemed to bend subtly around him as if acknowledging its new master.
He smiled faintly. "The power of space... is mine."
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