Chapter 790

Void Beings.

Unlike the other two types of monsters that retain their biological forms despite being twisted and distorted, these beings seem as if a part of the cosmos itself has been carved out and placed here.

It’s doubtful whether they even possess individual consciousness, and it’s unclear if they can even be considered living beings. They are, quite literally, unknown monsters.

Even in the academy’s lectures, Void Beings are only briefly touched upon, with only their external features and points of caution mentioned.

After all, the descent of Void Beings has only occurred six times in the Empire’s 800-year history, making it an extremely rare event. So, it’s only natural that there’s little information about them.

There are only two things known about Void Beings.

First, once they descend, they cannot be harmed by any means. Second, even if you don’t kill them, they will disappear on their own if you just buy time.

The problem is, that “time” isn’t just a day or two.

—

– Kwaaaaang!

Durandal, swung like a lightning strike, collides with the monster’s forehead, unleashing a deafening explosion.

It wasn’t the sound of cutting or tearing flesh, but rather the sound of a battering ram smashing through a castle gate.

In other words, it meant that not even a scratch was left on the monster’s body.

…As expected, even Durandal isn’t enough.

Clicking my tongue in disappointment, I leaped to the side to avoid the monster’s counterattack.

– Fwoooosh!

A moment later, a tail made of hundreds of tentacles swept through the spot where I had just been, creating a small storm.

“Kyaaaah!”

After dodging the tail, I charged forward again and swung Durandal.

– Kwaaaang!

Once again, all I managed to do was push the Starry Whale’s massive body back slightly, failing to cut through its skin.

If I could use the power of Spatial Severance to cut through the world itself, I might be able to slice it, but with just a simple sword strike, the best I could do was halt its charge. I couldn’t land a meaningful blow.

It felt similar to Or-han’s Indestructible Body, but also different.

If Indestructible Body turns the body into an unbreakable metal, this felt more like hitting a water balloon that just wouldn’t pop.

‘The impact itself isn’t nullified. The attack lands, but the result of “taking damage” is removed. It’s as if the entire species has some kind of blessing or power.’

The habit of asking Hersela for her opinion whenever I faced a new powerful enemy came out as a low mutter.

[ Hmm… ]

The response I got back was utterly useless.

Well, not entirely useless. I could probably tease her about this for the next thirty years.

“――.”

But first, I need to figure out how to take down this Starry Whale. Or at least hold it off until Damien awakens the Holy Sword.

So, how should I fight this thing…?

As I swam through the black lake created by the collapsing ground, I glared at the Starry Whale charging toward me, pondering how to bring it down.

I, too, knew little about Void Beings.

Even after reading the descriptions, all I found were vague phrases like “fragments of reason scattered in the void, born from the stillborn child of death.”

Nonsense like that. What the hell does that even mean?

It’s like describing a baguette baked in an oven as “the child of earth and the grace of the sea, reborn through the trial of fire. The scorch marks add to its beauty.” Who the hell would understand that?

At least, I wouldn’t.

So, aside from what’s already known, there are only two things I know about Void Beings.

First, even if Durandal is swung with full force, it can’t leave a scratch on their bodies, but the Holy Sword’s blade cuts through them like tofu.

Second, when they start glowing with the strange constellations inside their bodies, like now—

– Kwaaaaaang!

—magic will come flying, so you better dodge.

—

The moment the nebulae inside the Starry Whale’s skin exploded like a supernova, the ground where I had just been standing was obliterated.

Thanks to my instinctive sense of danger, I managed to throw myself out of the way, but seeing the hem of my clothes disintegrate from the explosion made me shudder at what would’ve happened if I hadn’t moved.

“―――!”

“You little brat, getting all excited…!”

The repeated explosions. Their activation speed was faster than I thought, making it difficult for anyone but me or Damien to dodge.

“Let’s see how long you can keep this up!”

In short, for me, it’s an attack I can dodge as long as I want to.

I unleashed Up-hwa, kicking off the air like a spring, and dodged the chain of magical explosions. Walls and the ground burst like fountains, and the explosions shook the sky.

Of course, dodging alone won’t lead to victory.

As I watched the Starry Whale swim toward Damien while keeping me tied down with chain explosions, I realized that just dodging wouldn’t achieve anything.

“You little brat, where do you think you’re going!”

I unleashed Up-hwa upward, landing as if falling, and immediately kicked off the ground to charge at the monster.

“―――.”

At that moment, the Starry Whale turned to face me. Then, countless starlights rained down in front of me as I charged straight at it.

A simple trap.

Its goal wasn’t to tie me down and kill Damien first, but to lure me in by pretending to target Damien, and then eliminate me for sure.

Like luring a wolf into a net to capture it.

“…Ha.”

Did it think I wouldn’t notice?

I smirked and glared at it.

No matter what, there’s no way I’d be outsmarted by a little whale brat, right?

I had already anticipated this kind of trap. And I had a way to counter it.

This kind of thing.

Just pass through before it explodes.

I ignited the Power of Feats spread throughout my body, pouring my soul into it, and unleashed it toward the world.

【 Reversed Heaven 】

The monochrome world rippled, welcoming its master’s arrival.

Thanks to my enhanced physical abilities, the world seemed several times slower than before. It felt as if time had stopped.

Even the explosions that could obliterate space were swelling up slowly, like a balloon being inflated by a child.

And so, in a world where only gray, black, and white remained.

I kicked off the ground with both legs, leaping low, and threw myself through the gaps between the slowly expanding explosions, slipping through easily and continuing my charge.

Until my body reached the monster’s vicinity.

Five seconds.

– Kwa-chaaaaang!

The moment the compressed time world shattered like glass,

– Kwaaaaaaaang!

A thunderous explosion and shockwave echoed behind me.

“――?!”

The Starry Whale, as if surprised that I had escaped the explosion, opened its mouth wide.

Whether it was genuinely surprised or I just thought so, I didn’t know.

But it didn’t matter either way. What mattered was that I was now within striking distance.

I grinned, baring my teeth, and instead of Durandal, which I had confirmed to be ineffective, I reached out with my right arm and grabbed the area near the monster’s tail.

“――?”

“If slashing doesn’t work, how about this?”

Even if it doesn’t take damage, the fact that it gets pushed back means its physical form exists. So, I should target that.

I confirmed that the tail was firmly gripped between my side and arm, then wedged my left arm, which had a blunt end, between the monster’s belly and the ground of Magi—

“Kryaaaaaaah!”

With all the air in my lungs, I summoned every ounce of strength I had and lifted the massive body of the Starry Whale.

– Kugugugung!

Creating a black spray, the massive body of the Starry Whale slowly rose into the air.

…Wow, this actually worked.

The sight of a ten-meter-long body being lifted by a human less than two meters tall. Even I was impressed.

From the side, it must look like a scene straight out of mythology.

“――? ―, ――?!”

Perhaps because it was the first time it had ever been lifted by someone else, the Starry Whale was so panicked that it couldn’t even think of proper resistance, only thrashing wildly.

Of course, with a body weighing several tons thrashing like that, even I was struggling to hold on.

“Ugh…! Stay still, I’ll put you down soon…!”

Gritting my teeth against the immense weight, I twisted my waist and turned my body—

“Kyaaaaaah!”

—and slammed the Starry Whale down onto the ground like throwing it.

– Kwaaaaaaaang!

The entire ground shook as if an earthquake had struck, and shattered rocks and crystal fragments shot into the sky.

“―――!!”

The Starry Whale, having slammed its back into the ground, let out a roar and thrashed wildly.

Did I manage to hurt it…? Unfortunately, it didn’t seem so.

It was just flailing in shock at the upside-down world, not bleeding or losing chunks of flesh.

Well, it’s disappointing, but not a big deal. The primary goal of keeping it away from Damien was achieved. That’s enough.

I cracked my stiff shoulders and back, mocking the Starry Whale as it thrashed, crushing the ground beneath it.

“Throwing quite the tantrum, huh? Never been thrown around before?”

“―――!”

A roar filled with clear anger echoed, and the Lake of Magi began to rise beneath the Starry Whale’s back.

Half-submerged in the lake, the Starry Whale spun like it was splashing in water, righting itself.

“If it’s your first time, I’ll cut you some slack. First experiences are always painful.”

I smirked at the Starry Whale, which let out another roar, then turned my head to look at Damien.

Clutching the Holy Sword, glowing pure white, and wrapped in Chains of Light, Damien stood with his head bowed as if asleep.

He still seemed far from awakening.

“Ha…”

I let out a soft sigh and shook my head.

I guess there’s no other choice.

Sorry, Milia.

I really didn’t want to use this method, but… since this brat won’t wake up, I have no choice.

So, forgive me just this once.

After silently apologizing to someone who couldn’t hear me, I reached out toward the sleeping Damien—

– Thud!

—and hoisted him over my shoulder like a sack.

Thanks to the Chains of Light wrapped around him, his limbs didn’t dangle but stayed firmly in place, making him easy to carry.

“I need your help, Damien. You’ll cooperate, right?”

No answer came.

I’ll take that as a yes. Silence means consent, after all.

You’re such a good friend.

After securing Damien’s cooperation, I quickly summoned Cascador and mounted it before the Starry Whale could counterattack.

“Grrrrr!”

Cascador growled, baring its teeth as if protesting carrying a man on its back—typical unicorn behavior.

“Calm down, girl. Think of it as carrying your master who’s holding a sack, not a man.”

I grabbed its horn and lifted its head to meet its eyes, explaining. It reluctantly obeyed, though its eyes screamed, “I’ve never seen a crazy woman like you.”

But that’s a problem for later. Right now, taking down this monster is the priority.

And this method might just work.

I looked at the Starry Whale, which for some reason wasn’t counterattacking but just staring at me blankly, and shouted in the most confident voice I could muster.

“Behold! This is my ultimate weapon to end you!”

As I firmly secured Damien, who was slung over my shoulder, to my side.

Like a lance-wielding cavalry charging at the enemy, I aimed the tip of the Holy Sword straight ahead.

“The Damien Lance!”

“―――?”

Perhaps stunned by the spectacle, the Starry Whale opened its mouth wide and let out a strange groan.