The situation has derailed.

I don't know what he just did, but that glowing blade... isn't good news.

After easily cutting down a dozen of the Backrooms' natives, Kyomu slowly but firmly takes a step forward, his ominous sword trailing on the ground.

''Did you know?''

The gloomy swordsman calmly opens his mouth as he walks.

''LONG, LONG BEFORE THE WORLD CAME TO BE WHAT WE KNOW OF IT TODAY—EONS BEFORE THE FIRST LIFE FORM HAD EVEN DREAMT OF BEING MANIFESTED... THERE WAS A GOD.''

''A BEING SHAPED BY A PURE DESIRE FOR ANNIHILATION.''

''THEY LONGED FOR THE UNIVERSE'S OBLITERATION. THEY LONGED FOR THE CEASE OF EVERYTHING IN EXISTENCE.''

''ONLY BECAUSE THEY LOVED ALL EXISTENCE.''

''WHAT THEY LONGED FOR... WAS AN UNOWNED, UNENDING—A DREAM OF ETERNITY.''

''IN THEIR WORDS, ONLY THROUGH ANNIHILATION SHOULD WE REACH ETERNITY. ONLY THEN SHOULD WE FIND ETERNAL PEACE.''

''OPEN YOUR EYES... AND WITNESS.''

''THE BLADE OF NIHILITY.''

I am caught in a daze.

Through those words, I finally understand.

The sensation that I am feeling right now... is primal fear. Fear for something I absolutely cannot overcome—death. Beyond that sword, a terrible aura awaits.

It seems as though everything in the world would cease to exist the moment they touch that white haze.

I want it.

I want that sword.

I want that power.

Without a single sign, the world around me slows down. I myself am not sure whether this is natural or not—just, the desire to claim that mesmerizing power dominates my psyche.

The next moment, a myriad of magic is shot at Kyomu. Spells that not even the sturdiest barrier can withstand easily. They are coming for him in every direction.

————————!!!

Yet, with the blade that signifies annihilation, he easily cuts through them all. Even magic, when it comes into contact with that haze, hurries to disappear as if scared.

''Those eyes... you are a true monarch, I see.''

The swordsman utters, his hollow eyes seemingly piercing my mask.

''However, everything is powerless before true annihilation.''

I can hear my heart beating loudly. Each second passes, and the tingling of my hand only gets worse. I am... excited. The mere sight of that blade harboring death causes a dopamine rush for me.

Undeterred, my mouth forms a grin under the mask.

''Do not forget... you are in my domain.''

''!!''

The instance I shoot myself forward, Kyomu hurries to swing his sword, yet what he doesn't expect is... for the floor beneath his feet to distort.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

His blade cuts the air, forming a clean curve as I dig into his side.

KENG—!

However, even with that surprise, he is still able to spin around and deflect my sword clad in freezing ice. The ice of absolute zero, one that I have pride in, easily dissipates once in contact with the white haze.

I know I am not nearly as good as he is in close-quarter combat. I can't control the ground to yield benefits when we are moving at such high speed, let alone manipulate it to suit the magical support from my subordinates. It will only hinder me.

So, I opt for randomness instead.

Ultimately, only he is affected by this, so only he will have to fight on a rigged floor.

Even then, his swordsmanship proves to be formidable. Even with all of my enhancement skills activated, I have not been able to graze him once. Under all kinds of disadvantages, he only maintains his composure while boldly counterattacking me.

''Tch.''

Kicking the floor, I swiftly retreat from his wide swing, simultaneously allowing magic to arrive. Still, the Blade of Nihility doesn't let them pass through.

Just how powerful is it?

To erase something's existence like that... so this is what they mean by 'altering causality.'

AUF—!

''Stay behind. Good boy.''

As I gently stroke Smiley's fur, I feel two more presences creeping up behind me. Mister Slen and 049.

''At this rate... even my creations might not survive against that.'' 049 grimaces. ''Let us work together, Miss Aurora. The damned Pestilence... must be eradicated.''

So, this guy apparently is infected with the disease. It works either way.

Turning to my tall friend, we briefly nod at each other before shooting forward again. All this time, Kyomu seems as though he is contemplating something, allowing us to talk at such a leisurely pace.

Nevertheless, his sword never stops glowing.

''Regretfully for you... I have already learned this environment.''

Following such ominous words, Kyomu's body and sword synchronize, and his every movement refines to perfection despite his footings changing erratically. Against Mister Slen's tentacles and my sword rushing toward him, he draws a graceful curve in the air with his sword, cutting through our bodies smoothly...

''?!''

...or so he thinks.

Hallucination.

One of the symptoms appearing when one stays in the Backrooms for too long. In reality, this function has been in place since the beginning. Yet, despite combining with Mister Slen and Smiley's mental invasion, it finally takes effect after all this time.

[Status Condition Nullification].

We conquered it today. If it had been [Status Condition Immunity], the evolved version of the previous skill, things might have been different.

Nevertheless, seizing the moment when Kyomu misses his broad swing, our attacks finally reach his body. Mister Slen's tentacles confidently dig into the swordsman's stomach while my sword cuts widely at his chest.

However, perhaps due to the stark difference in stats, only light wounds appear on his flesh.

Right at that moment—

''Caught you.''

''!!''

For the first time, a genuine expression of surprise covers Minamoto no Kyomu's face as he snaps his head to the side. Following the slightly hushed voice, a gloved hand has found its way onto the swordsman's shoulder.

''Ugh...!''

Not even a second later, the mighty man collapses helplessly.

As his body loses its strength, the sword in his hand slowly slips out.

But I know for a fact—it isn't the end.

I take a wide step forward, thrusting my densely infused sword toward his neck. Not betraying my expectations, Kyomu musters a final burst of strength and slams his left palm into his chest.

Accompanied by a dull 'thud,' a white aura gently spreads across his body, and before I know it, his Blade of Nihility is coming my way again, albeit with a fainter hue.

''...''

''...''

Since he stops it mid-air, am I correct to assume that it is over?

Even though our swords are mere centimeters away from each other's throats, I have many methods to escape, so this is not necessarily me risking my life.

After a long silence, the dangerous aura dwelling in Minamoto no Kyomu's sword finally ceases.

''Impressive.''

A comment sounding as though genuinely appreciative.

''I admit defeat.''

Sheathing his katana, the swordsman of annihilation neatly gets on his knees and raises his hands. On his face... is a strange look of satisfaction.

[Follower request sent]

[Kyomu has become your follower]

[A territorial skill has been detected from the entity: Kyomu]

[Automatically merge Kyomu's territory(s) with the user's territory]

[Automatically transfer Kyomu's follower ownerships to the user]

[Title: 'Queen of South Zircon' acquired]

...Hm? He doesn't have any followers...?

''...''

Whatever.

''Whew...''

As the tension eases, I let out an audible sigh and stare blankly at the flickering lights on the ceiling. Thankfully... it turns out quite well.