Luther is very surprised after hearing all of this, and finally, John's legs start to work normally again after the monster disappears. Luther looks at him and asks, "John, why can't we summon creatures like that?"
John replies, "I already told you before—you need to reach Level A to summon anything like a monster or beast for your own use. Until you reach that level and gain full control over your powers, you can't use this technique. But I believe one day, you will."
Luther smiles faintly. "I hope so. When I become a Lord, I'll summon my own army."
John gives a small laugh. "Yeah, my friend. I believe in you. But did you notice something, Luther? When I came into the jungle, the wind wasn't normal. It was cold, and the air felt different, but outside everything was fine."
"Yes, I noticed, but I didn't say anything. I thought it was normal," Luther admits.
John shakes his head. "No, it wasn't normal. It was a loop created to affect our minds—someone used their power to make it. When someone is trapped in a loop, their mind becomes too calm, and they can't think properly or use their full strength. It's a clever trick by the enemy to weaken us without fighting directly."
Luther understands and feels a chill. "Then we should leave. This place isn't safe."
"Yes," John agrees. "We must get out before the loop resets again."
Both boys, exhausted and still wounded, leave the jungle and walk to the riverside near the hill where they once saved a baby deer. They sit there, catching their breath. Luther suddenly remembers something he had forgotten completely.
He turns to John. "There's something I want to tell you… something important."
John looks at him calmly. "Tell me. I'm listening."
Luther hesitates for a moment. "I had a dream. No... a bad dream last night."
John laughs. "A bad dream? Alright then, tell me what scared our little hero."
Luther starts explaining everything from the beginning—what he saw, the strange place, and the people in the dream. But when he mentions that the other man looked like John—not like he is now, but like his future self—John keeps smiling, but his eyes show a slight change.
Luther gets annoyed. "I'm serious! I really saw someone who looked like you. Everything about him matched you."
John smirks. "Maybe you think too much about me, that's why I visit your dreams."
Luther ignores his teasing and continues, this time speaking about the monster named Akuma, describing his appearance, especially the terrifying red eyes. When he says "red eyes like a demon," John suddenly stops him.
His expression shifts. "Red eyes… I've heard something about that. My father told me once."
Luther leans forward. "What did he say? Tell me."
John speaks seriously now. "It's a technique called Izanami."
Luther frowns. "No, I heard about Izanagi from my dad."
"Both are different," John explains. "Let me tell you…"
---
About Izanagi & Izanami (as John explains)
Izanagi – A technique where the user traps the victim in a repeating mental loop of their own actions, creating an endless cycle of experiences. It is an S-Rank visual prowess ability.
Purpose: Created to counter the abuse of powers that rewrite fate.
Effect: The victim stays fully aware but cannot move, repeating the same events again and again. They remain trapped until they accept their true fate.
Cost: This technique is extremely dangerous. If the user doesn't have enough spiritual control, they also get trapped in their own loop, suffering endlessly like the victim.
---
Back to the story:
John continues, "When enemies outnumber you, you can use Izanami to trap them. Their minds will keep reliving the same scene until they break inside. That's when you strike. But remember—if your mind and body aren't strong enough, you will fall into your own loop."
Luther listens in silence, amazed. "This is incredible… and dangerous. But it's powerful."
John nods. "It's a technique used only by those with strong visual prowess. Not just mental power—you need a strong body too. Only then can you maintain the loop and trap your enemies."
Luther smiles with excitement. "I understand now. And I'm surprised… I mastered the shuriken so fast too."
John chuckles. "Oh yes! I noticed that. You copied my technique just by seeing it once—you even threw it better than me. I'm impressed. So here… take this."
He takes out one of his shuriken and places it in Luther's hand.
Luther's eyes widen. "Really?"
"Yes," John says with a proud smile. "Consider it a gift… my first gift to my strongest friend."
And then....