Case 215: Realm of gods.
''...''
Just because I use the Sword of Nihility... it doesn't an I'll magically get better at swordsplay or techniques.
Evidently, even if my opponent has beco considerably cautious now, I can't get a aningful hit on her. Perhaps I'm too used to fighting large targets that are easy to hit and reckless idiots who only know how to charge forward.
If anything, fighting in this confined space is helping . Otherwise, this clever enemy of mine would definitely co up with so sort of guerrilla tactics against , which is annoying.
Either way, I seriously need to think of sothing fast.
A few more moves are exchanged as I run through the possibilities.
Having the power of Nihility on my side serves both offensive and defensive purposes, allowing my nerves to finally stabilize sowhat.
''I see why that phony goddess chose you. What an abundance of potential.''
Still keeping a calm countenance, Buezrith remarks, ''If you were there instead of her at that ti, perhaps things would have turned out differently.''
''That's a stretch,'' I reply.
As if truly contemplating my words, the woman ponders for a mont, even halting her attacks, ''I'm rather sure of it, though. Your approach is wholly distinct from that of Neveah. She chose retreat, while you would most likely choose to press forward, no?''
''You talk as if you know personally.''
''I don't, but I like to speculate—it's human curiosity in the end, isn't it?''
''What a pain to listen to.''
Don't claim humanity in front of ... with that kind of putrid magic around you.
Clutching my sword, I once again take a step forward. Since spatial interference is heavily restricted here, I cannot blink or teleport to build montum.
Raw speed and techniques it is.
As I close the distance, sharp bolts of dark magic rain on , yet their trajectories are rather simple, as if Buezrith is still playing with . Splitting through them is simple enough, but I can't shake off this ominous feeling when I approach her.
''Still naive.''
''...!''
And, with that comnt, a flurry of dark chains spontaneously materializes around , threatening to ensnare my movents.
But I even expected that trap.
With a wide swing, those chains crumble.
So... what is it? What is this still-looming pressure pushing at the back of my neck? After battling for so long, I finally have a vague answer to this unsettling foreboding.
It's her composure.
A feeling as though I am being read openly, yet I can't ever pry back. Those oozing blood-red eyes are analyzing constantly. This is definitely a first.
''...That's strange. Even at higher output...''
''...''
Suddenly, Buezrith's expression turns a notch colder, with a hint of annoyance as well, ''Is this all? From you, I an. How did you... how did you defeat Yggdrasil and Efil, then?''
...What?
Does she not know that the other intervened? Even the cosmic serpent that devoured the Heavenly Demon's moon?
The question of 'How is that possible?' briefly floats in my mind, but right after, I belatedly rember Aurora's casual remarks so ti ago... regarding her actions.
''Ti traveling is both dangerous and complicated. To avoid the attractor fields converging events of this world to those of mine, I had to prepare countless things. In those tis, I also had to avoid being 'noticed' by the universe and cause a ti paradox.''
I rember asking about the other effects of ti traveling at that point. She listed many theories with enthusiasm, so of which were confird, but one stands out in this mont.
''I already said it before—you and I will beco one independent entity at so point. That convergence is the universe's utmost effort to reinforce its laws, hence the flawless nature it possesses. Everything, and I an everything you and I are, will be, or did... will be attributed to just one person—Aurora Heathcliff.''
I am seeing the first consequence of Aurora's ti traveling.
This isn't just sothing trivial like Buezrith's so-called 'reality-altering' ability. That sort of ntal manipulation is nothing but re childplay before ti's vastness itself.
''...''
And the mont I acknowledge that fact, sothing boundless seems to already swirl inside my being—sothing so insatiable it might as well swallow reality whole.
Sothing familiar.
Is this... her power?
''You...''
Buezrith's trembling voice snaps out of it.
When I finally realize my surroundings again, a hazy figure has already knelt before , showing unequivocal solemness.
Goatman extends his arms, on which a single blade lies cautiously. Its slender and long figure perfectly matches my preference for a sword. Right off the bat, my instincts tell this isn't a real sword.
As I pick up the weapon, my conviction grows.
For a blade of this size, not a gram of weight acts on my arm. Glancing closer, the whole sword is made from a sowhat translucent, bleach white material. An acquainted hunger oozes from its edges.
''It seems I made the right decision.''
anwhile, powerful dark energy swells from the other side of the room. Buezrith, now visibly tense, continues to fuel more and more power into the whirls of magic around her,
''You truly need to die here.''
After uttering those spiteful words, the woman hurls everything she has at .
And in that split mont, the world seems to have cald down in my eyes. With unfounded composure and a heart as stable as clockwork, I take in the incoming threat and step forward.
If it's now, if it's this power I'm wielding, then...
I can split the heaven and earth.
''...''
In the sa stance, the sa trajectory, the sa technique... yet the force is so astronomically different. My blade cuts horizontally through the air, blasting a tide that resonates violently across the room. Every ounce of dark energy subsequently dissipates, returning to nothingness.
Suppose the Blade of Nihility is a hyper-concentrated, razor-sharp technique that helps with focused targeting. In that case, this feels as though I am wielding a literal black hole—unimaginably destructive and endlessly ravenous.
''Ugh...''
Buezrith, on the other hand, clutches her bloodied chest in astonishnt.
As I calmly stride forward, my opponent gradually stabilizes her ntal state. Dark red blood drips onto the wooden floor, yet her attention remains wholly on .
Clack.
Clack.
The sounds of my footsteps ring in the air. Buezrith slowly backs up toward the entrance, keeping her nerves tense.
Eventually, her body hits the wooden door dully. Her hands scramble to reach the knob...
''Are you trying to escape?'' I ask, raising my sword. ''One move, and you're dead.''
''...Hahah.''
But just as I prepare to fire off the power again, Buezrith unexpectedly reinforces the door with her own magic instead of fleeing. With an ambiguous expression on her face, she mutters, ''I guess there's no other choice.''
''Ah?!''
''?!''
In sync with a girl's yell behind , my reflexes run off. In half a mont, my body twists to the side, narrowly avoiding whatever it is that attempted to pierce through my back just earlier.
When my attention returns to Buezrith right after, I can't help but be stunned.
''Ti for round two, yeah?''
In Buezrith's hand is... the holy sword.
With Neveah's furious divinity burning through the blade, no less.
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