The darkness consumed everything.
Not like a shadow.
Not like night.
It was something far more terrifying.
It erased direction.
It erased distance.
It erased the very concept of space.
...
Kael opened his eyes.
Yet he couldn't tell whether they were truly open.
There was no light.
No wind.
No sound.
Even the beating of his own heart had disappeared.
For the first time since obtaining the God Slayer Blade...
He felt completely alone.
"...Where am I...?"
His voice echoed into nothingness.
No response came.
Not even an echo.
The silence itself felt alive.
Watching him.
Judging him.
Then—
A single ripple spread beneath his feet.
Kael instinctively looked down.
There was no ground.
Only an endless black surface resembling still water.
Every step created silver ripples that stretched infinitely before vanishing without a trace.
"...This isn't an illusion."
He knelt, touching the surface.
Cold.
Real.
Too real.
The voice inside the God Slayer Blade suddenly spoke.
"...Do not lower your guard."
Kael immediately stood.
"...You know this place?"
The blade remained silent for several moments.
When it finally answered—
Its tone had completely changed.
"...I hoped... this place no longer existed."
Kael frowned.
"...What do you mean?"
"...This..."
"...is the Border."
"The place between existence and nothingness."
"The place where abandoned worlds disappear."
Before Kael could ask another question—
A soft sound echoed through the darkness.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Calm.
Each step sent gentle ripples through the endless void.
Kael tightened his grip around the God Slayer Blade.
The footsteps stopped.
Then—
A figure emerged.
The same mysterious man from the academy battlefield.
His black cloak flowed without wind.
His silver hair remained perfectly still.
His golden eyes shone like distant stars.
He looked at Kael as though they had known each other for centuries.
"...Welcome."
Kael didn't lower his weapon.
"...Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly.
"...Names have little meaning here."
"...Answer my question first."
Kael remained silent.
The stranger continued.
"...Why do you seek the power to slay gods?"
Silence.
Kael thought carefully before answering.
"...I don't."
The man's eyebrow rose slightly.
"...Interesting."
Kael continued.
"...I seek the power to protect."
"...If gods stand in my way..."
His grip tightened.
"...Then I'll cut them down."
For several long seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then—
The stranger laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"...Very different."
"...From the others."
"...Others?"
Kael asked.
The man slowly turned away.
"...Every God Slayer before you desired revenge."
"...Power."
"...Hatred."
"...You..."
He looked back.
"...Desire none of those."
"...That makes you dangerous."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"...You're avoiding my question."
"...Who are you?"
The stranger ignored him.
Instead—
He raised one hand.
The darkness around them began moving.
No...
Not moving.
Changing.
The endless void transformed.
Mountains appeared.
Cities.
Kingdoms.
Oceans.
Entire civilizations.
Kael's eyes widened.
"...What..."
"...These are worlds."
The stranger spoke calmly.
"...Thousands of them."
"...Every one of them has already died."
One after another—
The worlds began crumbling.
Cities vanished.
Mountains turned to dust.
Stars fell from the heavens.
Entire universes collapsed into darkness.
Kael watched in silence.
"...Who destroyed them?"
The stranger finally answered.
"...The gods."
Silence.
"...Impossible."
Kael immediately rejected the idea.
"...Gods protect worlds."
The stranger looked at him.
"...Do they?"
He waved his hand.
Another vision appeared.
This time—
Kael saw countless people kneeling.
Praying.
Crying.
Begging for salvation.
Above them...
Gigantic divine beings watched without emotion.
Then—
One raised its hand.
Light descended.
The entire world disappeared.
No screams.
No resistance.
Just...
Erasure.
Kael unconsciously stepped backward.
"...No..."
"...That's impossible..."
The stranger's voice echoed quietly.
"...History is written by the victors."
"...Truth is buried with the defeated."
"...Everything you've been taught..."
"...Is only half the story."
The visions disappeared.
The endless darkness returned.
Kael remained silent.
His thoughts were in complete chaos.
The God Slayer Blade suddenly vibrated.
"...Do not believe everything you see."
The ancient voice warned.
"...He is manipulating your perception."
The stranger smiled.
"...Still stubborn..."
"...After all these years."
Kael's eyes widened.
"...You can hear the blade?"
The stranger slowly nodded.
"...I know every weapon ever forged."
"...Including the one you're holding."
For the first time—
The God Slayer Blade reacted violently.
Blue-black flames burst across its surface.
The ancient voice roared inside Kael's mind.
"...Enough!"
"...Do not speak another word!"
The stranger chuckled.
"...You still fear the truth."
Before anyone could move—
The darkness exploded.
BOOOOOOM!!
Dozens...
Hundreds...
Thousands of black chains erupted from every direction.
Each one aimed directly at Kael.
His instincts screamed.
Danger.
Real danger.
He vanished instantly.
Using every ounce of speed he possessed.
The chains followed.
Like living serpents.
They changed direction mid-air.
"...They're tracking me!"
Kael leaped high—
Slashing downward.
"God Slayer Art..."
"...First Form."
"Void Cleave."
A crescent of blue-black energy tore through the darkness.
CRASH!!
Hundreds of chains shattered instantly.
But—
Thousands more emerged.
The stranger hadn't moved.
Not even once.
He simply watched.
"...Your sword has become sharper."
"...But your heart..."
"...Still hesitates."
Kael landed several meters away.
Breathing slightly heavier.
"...Stop talking..."
"...And fight."
The stranger smiled.
"...Very well."
He finally took—
One step forward.
The Border itself trembled.
And Kael realized...
Everything until now...
Had only been the beginning.
**—End of Chapter 31, Part 1—**