(Warning: Photosensitive Epileptic Seizure / Optimized for PC)
The highest flyer, the lighthouse.
The strongest attuner of the Material Plane.
The benevolent guardian of light and covenant, who once led countless demons to destruction during the Demon Realm invasion and also protected numerous lives.
But a creature that transformed into a living nightmare, having fallen into corruption by those it trusted.
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In the face of the overwhelming will of this being, the feeble reality collapses, and time and space separate.
—–!!
A booming explosion, no. The term ‘sound’ would be a misnomer.
The screams born from the destruction of time and space cannot be heard by any entity belonging to the Material Plane.
To Luke, it was merely a shock.
Even perceiving it as ‘sound’ is simply a psychological factor inherent in the nature of living beings.
‘Crack.’
If translated into language and sound, the impact that felt like it shattered his mind would surely be that.
Unfathomable information disoriented Luke’s mind.
The insufficient power of the Circle, meant to protect him, was utterly unable to shield his existence.
“Guh…!”
The fragile reality had already been consumed long ago by this overwhelming transdimensional entity.
No, the term ‘long ago’ might not even be the right expression.
Longer than the time it would take for a massive rock to become a fine grain of sand, or as quick as an arrow reaching its target.
Darkness so impenetrable one cannot see even an inch ahead, and brightness so blinding it could blot out vision.
Skin-searing heat intertwined with a freezing cold that could cause everything to freeze.
Something so solid as to block all sound and yet so intangible its touch cannot be determined.
This bizarre space was no longer part of the Material Plane.
Space, time, matter—everything comprising this dimension shattered like broken candy.
The comparison of the dimension to candy was no exaggeration.
This solitary “matter” protruding through the cracks of the dimension.
Judging by the colossal form of this matter, it could very well be called the ‘teeth of Sigarmata.’
The more the overwhelming figure and will of this powerful entity strengthened, the more the magical sight began to bleed.
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Through the powerful and benevolent will, Luke’s head was effortlessly lifted.
And Luke saw countless eyes peering at him through the cracks of the shattered dimension.
Eyes, eyes, eyes.
“…Sigarmata…!”
An innumerable number of eyes, slipping through the cracks, observed him as though licking him.
Each time he met these eyes, blood erupted from his golden left eye.
His body, rejecting knowledge beyond its comprehension, resisted.
Thus, Luke’s magical sight could no longer perceive anything.
Still, Luke could not close his eyes.
The name of the being he addressed was ‘Parvati.’
Not ‘Luke Illushi.’
If his body couldn’t move under this powerful will, then he would move it with magic.
Hadn’t he wielded magic and his body countless times in the past?
Though his mastery couldn’t compare to the thousand-year world of the dragons, born with the authority of attuners, wasn’t Luke also someone who possessed authority beyond that?
With transcendent willpower, Luke raised his hand and shouted:
“Do you dare attempt to destroy my self?”
Crackkk.
Under Sigarmata’s will, the space shattered further, increasing pressure as if trying to swallow it all.
“Ggk…!”
One of Luke’s knees hit not the ground but a fragment of space.
The blood flowing down from his left eye soaked his collar, making it damp.
Since the moment Luke had first seen Sigarmata, his magical sight had urged him not to resist, but Luke did not heed it.
Understanding phenomena beyond his authority required ‘information,’ absolutely necessary.
And magical sight remained his most reliable sense, so he couldn’t let it rest.
Luke clenched his teeth hard enough to make them bleed slightly, but he had to endure Sigarmata’s will and enforce his own.
Losing his self was akin to losing his life.
“This interference is unjust! You are already a dead entity…!”
This will was unmistakably filled with anger.
The crack twisted once more.
“…!”
The throbbing in his head grew intense, the heart pounding violently.
All the Circles, knowledge, memories, and very selfhood that defined Luke Illushi were being obliterated.
Sigarmata was currently ‘destroying’ his self.
“Guhhh…!”
As Luke’s mind deteriorated, the dimensional rift intensified, suppressing him.
Satisfied as if in divine ecstasy, Sigarmata resonated throughout the dimension.
-So, Parvati! Break free from that thick shell and come to me…
At that moment, a smile began to spread across Luke’s lips.
“Ahh… Very well. I shall do as you say.”
-What? How can you still maintain your self?
Sigarmata’s perplexed will resonated in the space.
But her will was no longer where it once was.
“I will personally fulfill the price of our deal.”
-What?
Sigarmata revealed a moment of confusion.
Then, she was alarmed by the actions Luke Illushi was undertaking.
“Crack-.”
This time, a distinct sound echoed.
-Falsehood! What have you done?!
Sigarmata raged.
But her will could no longer reach Luke.
The broken dimension was beginning to restore itself, isolating her will by the force of the dimensions.
Watching this, Luke serenely declared:
“Sigarmata, your scales have been balanced.”
Lowering the hand he had been raising, Luke smiled.
“So, it’s time for you to return to your dimension.”
-You dirty trickster…!
Sigarmata roared with will.
But her wild will couldn’t even traverse the gap.
Instead, it seemed she was retreating further into her dimension, as the many eyes and teeth piercing through space started returning to their original dimension.
When the last eye disappeared into the darkness beyond the dimension…
Slurp.
It was as if time rewound, the broken fragments sewing the tear back together.
“It’s over.”
—
The body of the man lying on the ground, eyes closed, started trembling.
“Guh… Kek, cough!!”
Blood pooled in his mouth burst forth, staining the ground.
“What… just happened?”
He seemed to have blacks out momentarily…
Opening his eyes with great effort and looking around, the place was a ‘flatland’.
To be precise, it was an empty plane, where everything had vanished.
Just moments ago, it had been the Rienne forest. What…?
What happened to my facility? Could this be… teleportation?
“Guhh…! Haaack!!”
A crushing pain gripped his heart.
Glancing down at his chest, the brooch was completely shattered, its pieces falling to the ground.
If only that old man had done a proper safety check on this junk…
Clutching his agonizing chest, he rolled on the ground.
“Guh…! Help! Please!! Is anyone there?!”
Desperate like a man clutching at straws, he called out.
At that moment.
Tak, tak.
The sound of someone’s dress shoes echoed.
It seemed someone mercifully passed through this desolate place.
He called out with renewed hope.
“Hey! Help! I feel like I’m dying! Please call an ambulance…!”
Suddenly, an intense pressure tightened his throat, making him gasp for air.
The sensation in his neck revealed that a ‘small shoe sole’ was pressing against it.
“Wh- What are you…!”
How could someone stepping on his neck ignore his cries for help? Who was this senseless person? He tried to focus his blurred vision.
“…!”
And then he was stricken with horror.
It was none other than the child whom he had just attempted to kill.
Despite facing an overwhelming blast of magic, she stood there seemingly unscathed.
He couldn’t believe his own eyes.
Her tranquil appearance, with blood on her face and slightly shortened hair, was almost the same as ever – so incomparably different from his nearly lifeless state.
A while later, the girl began to speak expressionlessly.
“Black magic, human sacrifice, destruction, kidnapping, human trafficking, intimidation, unauthorized use of magic… .”
He understood these words were directed at him.
She murmured coldly.
“Congratulations.”
“Huh… What…?”
“You have shown suitability for decapitation. Consider it an honor.”
Decapitation? Was she mad?
He shouted back as if spitting it out.
“Black magic and human sacrifice? I never did that!!”
“You did. You offered both me and Yerna, along with the entire facility, as sacrifices to summon a transdimensional being. Look around you.”
“What…?”
Shocked, he glanced around and immediately noticed the remnants of what appeared to be his facility.
“I didn’t know, I didn’t know!!”
He howled in denial.
But the girl shook her head firmly and said:
“Ignorance is an unforgivable felony when handling black magic. Your punishment remains unchanged.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? What punishment are you talking about?!”
Her ears were deaf to his wrongful cries.
