Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!

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Everyone watched as Director Hall's power surged, as he began to "warm up," unleashing the strength he truly possessed. His Dream Weapon brimmed with power. He had yet to go all-out, but the Avatar of the Original Nightmare Curse was pushing him, forcing him to reveal his true might.

"That power… So the rumors were true. The Director is indeed one of those renowned Dream Warriors who participated in the Nightmare Demon Nest Raid years ago!" Hendrick said, speechless as he witnessed the spectacle.

"Wait, who?" Frederica asked, wielding her magic to bombard the incoming Nightmare Monsters.

"Back then, that man was known and feared as Hanzo, the Abyssal Blade!" Hendrick said, recalling what he knew about the person. "Hall must be an alias to conceal his true identity…"

"H-Hanzo? You mean the Japanese Dream Warrior ranked third worldwide?!" Frederica's eyes widened. "I cannot believe we've been working alongside such a man! And to think we didn't recognize him…"

"Well, he's worked hard to avoid recognition, but I suppose this isn't the time for him to hide who he truly is anymore…" Hendrick said, swinging his fists and using his Dream Weapon to incinerate his foes, shattering them into pieces.

Hanzo, the Abyssal Blade, a Japanese Dream Warrior, was celebrated worldwide for his great feats, such as rescuing people from Nightmare Realms and joining the Nightmare Demon Nest Raid years ago.

To the surprise of many, Director Hall, head of the Dream Heart Academy, was in fact Hanzo himself, having concealed his identity after retiring. Many had wondered why he vanished, especially since someone with his strength was always needed.

In this world, Dream Warriors were rarely permitted to retire. The reason was straightforward: their strength was vital and unique. Few could become Dream Warriors, and with so few, governments couldn't allow them to step away and weaken humanity by not using their rare powers to combat the Nightmare menace.

"YOU HUMANS…! YOU KEEP TRYING YOUR BEST…! YOU ALWAYS THINK YOU HAVE A CHANCE…!"

The voice of the Original Nightmare Curse echoed across the city as the Armored Giant, forged of glowing purple, blue, and red crystals, advanced toward Hanzo, brandishing its spectral Naginata.

"Hanzo…"

"…?!"

Director Hall glared at the monster, his eyes narrowing as he braced for any attack, but the creature halted its advance.

"Yes, I know who you are, and I know of your past. Of everything you've gone through… I am the Original of all Nightmares. Every nightmare you've suffered, every fear you've held, everything is part of me. I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR TRAUMATIC PAST!"

"Shut up, demon!"

Director Hall lost his temper, charging forward with his Katana's surging power. Clad in armor born from its flames and phantasmal swords, he became a powerhouse, unleashing a flurry of attacks as crimson and black flames engulfed his foe with each slashing strike.

"{Abyssal Sword Inferno}!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

A barrage of slashes struck the Avatar of the Original Nightmare Curse, driving it back into a nearby building, demolishing the structure as it collapsed atop it.

B O O O M!

Director Hall seized the moment, leaping toward the monster. His swords sliced through the falling rubble hundreds of times in a single stroke, reducing it to a cloud of ashes he dispersed with a shockwave of his Nightmare Intent.

T R U U U M!

Yet the Avatar stood, barely scratched. It gripped its naginata tightly, swinging it at Director Hall. The director smirked, recognizing the attack as basic and easy to evade. He leaped upward and dove down with his swords, aiming to behead the monster.

And yet…

"Oh, Hanzo, that won't work a second time against me… I know you very, very well after all."

"Ugh?!"

Director Hall's eyes widened as the naginata swiftly altered its path, surging upward to cleave him in two. He summoned his aura, barely managing to leap from the air to the ground below, but the Avatar of the Original Nightmare Curse laughed, kicking him in the stomach and punching him away, sending the Director crashing through another building.

C R A A A S H!

"Director!"

"Hall!"

Frederica and Hendrick rushed to his side, aiding him as best they could. Seeing the director vomiting blood, they watched him rise, halting them from approaching further.

"I'm fine… I've endured worse… Prioritize protecting the airport!"

He glanced back at them, smiling confidently, even though he faced a terrifying foe, stronger than any he had encountered before. His spirit remained unbroken.

"How endearing! So this is how you act now, after having slaughtered so many before, Abyssal Blade Hanzo?!"

The monster emerged from the cloud of ashes and dust, swinging its spectral naginata not at Director Hall, but at Frederica. Her eyes widened. Her magic couldn't react in time.

"Frederica, get out of the way!"

Director Hall lunged toward her, but a gigantic floating crystal palm slammed him into the ground. The monster's arm had detached, hovering in midair with spectral force.

The naginata reached Frederica in a second, her eyes wide with fear.

However…

"H A A A A A H H !"

Hendrick roared, his fists unleashing explosive flames shaped like mighty, roaring dragons, clashing against the spectral weapon as it dug into his gauntlets.

BOOOM!

"Hendrick!"

Frederica gasped as Hendrick barely saved her, but the weapon's strength pushed him back, cutting into his gauntlets.

"I won't let you harm them!"

As this happened, Director Hall roared. His armor reshaped around his body, forming giant, floating black shields of phantasmal steel. The crystal palm attempting to crush him was halted. He leaped toward the naginata, refining and layering his aura repeatedly.

"{Thousand-Fold Nightmare Blade}!"

SLAAAASH!

A single slash, infused with all his strength, merged his four swords into one, combining their power for his most devastating attack.

Crack, crack…!

CRASH!

The naginata shattered into fragments as the Avatar charged forward, kicking Director Hall, Hendrick, and Frederica away. Its floating hand swiftly rejoined its body.

"You think that'll do it? Breaking my weapon?!"

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