Chapter 144

How long will this continue? This disgusting scene where something tainted with the foulness that dwells in me, which even that transcendent entity vomits out, will it ever end?

The nausea I held back was nothing compared to the slimy foulness that made approaching the creature truly arduous.

If getting close was difficult, retreating or maintaining my position could also be a strategy.

From appearances, it wasn’t hard to imagine the transcendent entity inside Dominus’s collapsing form, due to his inability to overcome his immense power, leading to its self-destruction.

I wasn’t entirely without hope that the situation might resolve itself without much effort on my part.

But the warning from Failord, who described the breaking of a vessel as causing what was inside to spill out unprotected into the world, leading to the world’s destruction, still echoed in my mind.

So instead of hoping for a positive outcome, I poured my hostility into Failord, preparing myself for any eventuality.

I never considered fleeing or passively waiting for the creature’s self-destruction.

“Kwah… Why… why… Uweeeek!!”

Approaching a creature so dangerous that it wouldn’t even allow me to approach despite my own confusion and nausea was an incredibly arduous task requiring great courage.

To leave the creature unchecked, allowing it to cause havoc as the vessel shattered, would mean the end of the world I lived in.

“Master, you…”

‘To stand by and watch when there’s work to be done in front of your eyes is not the act of a person.’

Ignoring Failord’s attempts to dissuade me, I prepared to approach the creature, pouring all my hostility into it.

Of course, this was something I had to do.

Though I had few good memories from my childhood, having spent it with the entity that lent its body to this transcendent being, the fact that the one I loved and the world they lived in were in danger, and that I had the power to help, left no room for hesitation.

For the sake of the world my beloved lived in…

Muttering these thoughts, I glanced at where Asulin was.

If there was an opening, I was ready to jump in immediately, mirroring Asulin’s determined stance, filled with the intent to rush forward.

Even though the situation clearly spelled death or severe injury, Asulin showed an equally strong determination to break through the danger.

I had no intention of watching Asulin approach this creature with my eyes open.

*Sigh*

Even Failord, who had been desperately trying to stop me, let out a deep sigh and burst into a bitter laugh, as if he understood my thoughts.

My motivation to approach the creature wasn’t purely altruistic; it wasn’t just about doing what was right for the world.

“I won’t be late because I’m older than my sister. I have no intention of reaching that place later than my sibling.”

This seemed to mirror Failord’s own words, even though his voice still carried a hint of bitterness.

It seemed he was trying to cover up his embarrassment by mentioning his status as a sister.

Given the circumstances, the presence of such a supportive colleague was indeed heartening. It felt like everything would be over once I thrust Failord into the creature’s neck.

However, whether this was fortunate or unfortunate, the creature’s actions didn’t result in the vessel shattering but ended in another form.

In an instant, the space filled with corruption and distortion found a moment of silence.

The disgusting behavior of the creature, who had been relentlessly nauseating, ceased.

“…”

The transcendent entity, having thrown up everything, lifted its body again, gazing around with empty eyes, only color remaining.

Its attitude, as if seeing this place for the first time despite having just moved through it, emphasized its confusion and panic.

Even though the crimson glow from its remaining eye remained, the desire to achieve anything had waned, leaving the eyes almost colorless.

‘I can no longer feel the oppressive presence…’

The overwhelming pressure that had made it difficult to look directly at the creature when it first appeared had vanished completely.

No, perhaps I should say that the oppressive presence had gone, but the feeling of presence had faded significantly.

“…”

As the creature’s presence grew fainter, it observed its surroundings dryly, and the tension in the air grew.

Compared to earlier, when the creature exuded a strong aura and powerful energy, now it felt like I alone could confront it.

“Hoo…”

With a light sigh, the purified space was filled with distortion once more.

“How shameful it is that a mere human body lowers itself. You have earned the right to speak of the divine body…”

The transcendent entity praised Dominus’s physical form with a strange admiration, showing that its reduced presence did not mean a loss of power.

“Rather, it would be better if it shattered…”

Failord’s deep sigh indicated that things weren’t going well.

The weakened presence, the extinguished desire, and the red glow—despite this, the force that twisted the area around it remained powerful enough to counteract the weakening presence.

The creature’s imbalanced appearance, clearly at odds with harmony, stirred unease in my instincts.

I was tense, beyond mere psychological stress. It was a reaction to the negligence that allowed me to finally sense the true nature of the creature.

I wondered if my nerves and muscles had ever been this tense before, sharpening my mind.

When should I intervene? Should I take the initiative or wait for the opponent to move first? I couldn’t decide clearly.

The creature, admiring its own flesh, seemed unable to gauge its current psychological state or predict what it might do next.

“到底想做什么呢…”

Failord’s cautious voice, filled with suspicion, further hardened my already passive stance.

Despite the immense power the transcendent entity possessed, capable of wiping out the world with trivial actions, I watched it closely, never taking my eyes off it.

Even though I monitored it carefully, the creature spoke in a calm tone.

“Pathetic sword, and the woman holding it. I clearly said I wouldn’t forgive you.”

The transcendent entity, whose movements belied the distance between us, approached Asulin and swung its free hand.

In an instant, before I could blink, a sharp sound rang out.

“…”

The impact of the blow reached my ears, and Asulin, who had been struck, barely suppressed her pain with a low groan.

Seeing Asulin so defenselessly accept the attack, and realizing that the presence I thought I could control had grown too far away, I felt a sense of helplessness.

Yet, I also felt relief knowing the creature only slapped Asulin’s cheek.

But this relief turned to shock as I saw the sword, which had been in the creature’s hand, raised.

“Asulin!!”

Crying out, I rushed forward to stop the blade.

I had to stop it. No matter what, I had to reach her before the blade came down.

Driven by instinct and reason, I moved faster than ever, determined to intercept the blade before it could strike.

*Creak*

The transcendent entity, smiling corruptly at me, mocked my efforts.

“Quick…”

It offered a noncommittal comment as I approached.

“But…”

With a flip of its hand, it revealed its intention to reverse the situation.

“Still, you’re too slow to stop what I intend to do…”

The creature brought the sword down, intending to cleave everything in its path.

At the end of its trajectory stood Asulin, who had just turned her head back.

Even Asulin, despite her exceptional abilities, couldn’t defend against such a deadly blow.

“Asulin!!!”

All I could do was call out to her, hoping she could escape this situation unscathed.

The blade descended. It moved with the cold precision of a guillotine, cutting down countless lives.

It continued to descend. As the blade’s path moved downward, Asulin tried her best to intercept or avoid it, but…

Even though Asulin’s movements were extraordinary, capable of splitting moments infinitely, the transcendent entity’s actions ignored time itself.

Just as Asulin struggled, the inevitable death became clear to me.

“…You, child of man.”

The unreal voice of the creature called out, and the distorted energy that had subsided surged, engulfing my vision in darkness.

I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them again, the space before me was filled with an eerie new reality.