It had already been a few days since we left the scene of our massacre. Next to my apostle was our new traveling companion, Nalys. Who knew how much we could trust her. So far, our new companion had promised to keep it a secret in the future, but I could see from the looks she gave us that she was a little scared of us.

And who could blame her? Being terrorized by presenting such a particular power with such atypical effects was normal. The opposite would be surprising and only indicate that the person was not in her right mind. At least, that was the likely opinion of others on the matter, not myself.

And the future would prove me right on this point, as people almost all seemed instinctively afraid of the effects of Our Will, of exposure to the Void. Perhaps I was the odd one not to be frightened even by seeing those exposed to my Void go mad. After all, the Void was an integral part of my Identity, I was sure. The only unknown was where the Void played a part in my Identity.

Why did seeing my enemies go mad give me endless pleasure? How was I supposed to know? I hadn't yet fought enough to know myself well enough. Indeed, even if combat could sometimes be intense and dangerous, it was nonetheless a vector of self-knowledge. Thanks to them, unsuspected parts of my being were revealed to my incredulous eyes.

But part of me was a little afraid of these future discoveries. For the moment, I had little opinion about the parts of myself that were revealing themselves to me. Yet, did it last forever? Especially once I became more integrated into society and absorbed some of these moral precepts. Unfortunately, like many questions, I didn't know the answer and could only deplore my ignorance. I really was a child in this World.

And so, this fear of hating the parts of myself I would discover in the future nagged at the back of my mind, gnawing at me from the moment I became aware of its existence. Once instilled in the mind, it was difficult to remove. Like many living beings, I was no exception to this rule. For now, I could only wait for the answer, powerless to hear its revelation.

Besides, I certainly didn't want an answer to this question, being too afraid that it would be unfavorable to me. For once, I didn't want to accept the answer, even if ignorance of a subject always brought ruin. At least, that's how I analyzed my own personality and way of thinking, with the biases that implied.

Who knew what I'd be thinking in a day, a week, a month, a year, a decade, a century, or even a millennium if I were still alive then. So, maybe it was still too early to worry about my lack of knowledge. I'd only worry about it when my back was against the wall. And it was with these last thoughts we left the destroyed part of town, not realizing how correct my previous sentence would be.

Indeed, we were back in this city after too many days for my liking. Unlike the ruins adjacent to the town, this rubble left no particular flavor in my mind. It didn't inspire beauty or grandeur, perhaps because they didn't resonate with me. I couldn't help but wonder at the difference in feeling between two seemingly similar places.

But let's forget these fleeting thoughts for the moment, for there were more important things at hand, such as those wheelbarrows we were carrying. You may be wondering where that came from. I didn't mention it last time because it wasn't relevant, but among the tools were means of transporting goods. Of course, compared to the future, it was very rudimentary.

In fact, it was more practical since we could still use magic to drive it by thought. I'd already tested it, and it was quite a success. The only hitch was that the mana consumption needed to be lowered, and using Void's energy was out of the question. All the more so as we had to save mana in case we ran into another group or if Nalys betrayed us.

I didn't trust her, even though she hadn't brought any charges against me yet. It was just an impression, but there was something about her I didn't feel, although I couldn't pinpoint exactly what. All I could hope for was my choice of her as a traveling companion wouldn't cause me any trouble.

And to minimize future damage, I had to find an excuse to separate us. Suddenly, I realized I needed to be more clever in accepting Nalys among us, especially for such an indeterminate period. My judgment had been impaired by our interminable walk in solitude. For the moment, I could only ponder this mistake and try not to repeat it.

But even that would have to wait a while because now that we were in a typical city zone, I had to concentrate on our surroundings. The danger was everywhere, and although my powers were mighty, I wanted to use them sparingly, especially my Void's energy. After all, the long-term side effects could undoubtedly lead to death.

Just using this mysterious energy lowered the statistics irremediably with each new use, even if, for the moment, the debuff didn't reach me, having neither Body, Spirit, nor Soul. As for my sister, because of her special bond with me, I strongly suspected that it was affecting her, although I couldn't be sure until I had assessed her with my assessment skills.

And that would have to wait until that skill had increased in level. With my current level 1, I couldn't see much. However, the reason for the skill's uselessness was also that it gave me information about abilities that a priori nobody in the lower world possessed. The evaluation screen could prove more interesting if I get to the upper world.

Nevertheless, I had to wait for the day this wish would be granted. And even though I believed this day would arrive in the distant future, I could only smile retrospectively, for this long-promised day would come very soon. However, it would also be the most eventful day I'd ever known because there's a whole world of power between this world and the higher worlds, and that's hardly an understatement...

To sum up, until I could find a way to use the Void's energy without any after-effects for my host or for myself when I reached the knowledge necessary to create a Body, Spirit, and Soul that suited me, I was committed to relying on it as little as possible.

And I reserved the right to use Our Will without my magic. So, I would only use pure Void's energy, undiluted by mana, as a last resort if my host was on the verge of death and there was no other weapon to resolve the situation. Apart from that, I didn't know whether using Void's energy would cause other, more debilitating long-term debuff.

On another point, I was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on the environment and my thoughts simultaneously. Indeed, an unpleasant impression was taking shape inside me as if to invite me to direct my mind entirely towards our neighborhood. I then invited my apostle to turn his gaze towards Nalys, and... she was definitely not the cause of my discomfort.

I then ordered him to scan the landscape with his eyes, slowly enough to scan every room used as a slum, every corridor allowing the chaotic traffic of this city, and every obstacle serving as a hiding place for the unscrupulous, every... I understood! The source of my discomfort with the surroundings was simply the unpleasant sensation of being followed.

Now that I knew exactly what was tormenting my mind, I had to concoct a plan to get us out of this predicament. However, that would have to wait until the motive came to light. What reason could there be to follow us to risk one's life?

After all, from what I'd seen in the city so far, even if wars between individuals or gangs broke out every day, people were hardly suicidal and didn't put their lives on the line to die. In fact, this wasn't entirely true, as I suspected that some people were deliberately putting themselves in danger or not defending themselves properly to commit suicide.

Except for these people, most showed a modicum of caution and would only look for trouble with a good reason. And such a reason could be found behind us: the wheelbarrows we towed with incredible difficulty. Indeed, countless tools, as well as sacks of food and parchments, were piled on top.

The wheelbarrows were bursting at the seams, providing an opportunity to feed Nalys and carry tools for examination and parchments for protection. The latter in particular, as these were running seriously low, leaving Systalia and me with just a few. But even if we were careful to avoid the gangsters lurking everywhere, transporting these precious goods was still dangerous.

I could only feel sorry in my mind once again for my stupid idea. However, on reflection, the idea originated with Nalys, and I'd only approved it. So, I was still at fault, but less so than our traveling companion. I could only break out in a cold sweat at the mere thought of how we would pay for our greed.

Accordingly, I shared my alarming thoughts with my sister, who immediately passed on the information to Nalys. Without waiting a second longer, she sped off without even waiting for us. My apostle could hardly keep up with her, especially as Nalys kept turning to throw off any potential attackers or to draw them out of hiding.

And that moment was not long in coming, for less than five minutes later, our trackers betrayed themselves. One of their own had needed to be more timely in evading our attention. And that was the final signal to prove that we were indeed being followed. Only this point raised a question: why go to such lengths to steal our supplies when we were easy prey who could be attacked head-on?

No sooner had I begun to think that their aim was quite different than I was forced to take stock of the current situation. My apostle and Nalys had both abandoned the wheelbarrows, clearly preferring their lives to their avarice, which I could only agree with. This experience was always a lesson to be learned in the future, provided that we stayed alive in the meantime.

They ran with all their might through corridors, rooms, and cohorts of humans. They slalomed through the chaotic traffic, clearly not caring about the attention they received from passers-by. After all, the puzzled stares of a few gangsters couldn't compare with the threat of a tiny group watching from the shadows. But the shadowy stalkers didn't seem to be there just for the fun of it.

Indeed, they soon emerged from their hiding places, gaining on us faster and faster, and slowly spreading out to catch us in a pincer movement. And when we saw their numbers, we realized, to our horror, that they were far more numerous than initially estimated. Moreover, they seemed determined to take us at all costs, as if they risked death if they didn't complete the task.

Following this revelation, all we could do was run more and more, faster and faster, further and further, more and more erratically, in the hope of escaping them. But we weren't out of the woods yet, as their numbers seemed to increase as we ran. Indeed, some of their members seemed to be calling for reinforcements, again showing their tenacity to catch us.

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Not only were they persistent in this task, but they were also exceptionally well organized. Indeed, as time went by, we could only grow more and more anxious at the prospect of our increasingly inevitable capture. The realization of our slow encirclement materialized effortlessly in our minds, already prone to fear and panic.

As we went along, they came from more and more doors, restricting our movement and forcing the direction we had to take. Moreover, as we lost more and more of our direction to avoid them, they managed to get closer and closer to us. And unfortunately, what had to happen happened.

One of them had sent us a crazy ball we could only dodge. But that was hardly the end, as more magic was hurled at us rapidly. From simple magic balls of various elements to terrain transformations to slow us down around the target area.

So, we were reduced to wading through mud made up of earth, dirty water, and toxic products. Suffice it to say, the mud stank, even if the smell was elusive. On the other hand, the effects on the body were soon perceptible, with an urge for diarrhea, dizziness, shortness of breath, a racing heartbeat, and slight incontinence.

It was pretty clear that we had to get away from this mix of dubious substances quickly or risk a miserable death in the middle of a dump-like city, in foul-smelling substances and having pissed all over ourselves. I think I can safely say that there were better deaths than that. Fortunately, our pursuers stopped short of the toxic sludge, giving us time to get out.

The downside was that we were surrounded on all sides, with no chance of getting out alive. In fact, I'd have thought so if there were any witnesses around. But, as luck would have it, our mad dash across town had brought us to a dilapidated hovel where there didn't seem to be a soul present at the moment, apart from us and our trackers.

Thanks to this, I could use my magic without restraint and quickly eliminate these troublesome pursuers. I would eliminate them all simultaneously, as no one wanted to approach us individually. Were they wary of us despite our frail and vulnerable appearance? It was an exciting and worrying point to raise, especially if their leader had some knowledge of our power.

However, I immediately refocused on the next objective to be reached, certain that had their group been aware of my magic, the pursuers would never have shown themselves before the eyes of my apostle, visible enough in the field of vision to exercise Our Will over them.

And it was with these last thoughts, I deployed my magic in the area, driving the whole group into a frenzy, to my great joy. But this appeasement was short-lived, for as soon as the madness overtook them, they immediately skewered each other between maniacal laughter. In less than a minute, all that remained of these humans were lifeless bodies from which more and more blood flowed.

A scene of bloody carnage, foul-smelling to the point of vomiting. It was all that was left to contemplate of those former happy lives. But just as I was about to take my due by preventing these souls from ever knowing a burial, depriving them of any future dignity, I was interrupted by a sudden noise. My apostle and Nalys could only turn around, terror painting their faces as they caught sight of the new arrival.

Converting their corpses into energy would have to wait as a new, oppressive-looking threat had appeared. All the more so, the gangster was not just anyone, being the owner of the revolver. What's more, as I watched him more closely, my anxiety only increased.

He had a vast, intimidating build, a look that stabbed us with clear killing intent, and an impassive face as if nothing could shake this person. There was nothing about this individual that made us feel comfortable or confident. And our only room for maneuvering was the exit just behind us, which we hurried to before he could react.

From then on, all we could do was run desperately for our lives with all our might, even though we were already quite tired, in the sole hope of escaping the monster chasing us. As soon as we returned to the crowd, we thought we were safe until we realized that if he had been the cause of this rubble and infernal landscape, he wouldn't hesitate to do the unthinkable.

With a fleeting glance back, we saw that we were right after all. A field of corpses spread out behind us as the holder waved his revolver, killing everyone around the area indiscriminately. As if that weren't enough, our progress was hampered by the panic of the crowd, with gangsters trampling over each other in the hope of escaping this abominable being.

And it was in this chaos that the holder caught up with us, just as all the humans had left the area. We were cornered, with no escape in our vicinity. To our dismay, we were doomed, with no chance of winning. At least, if I kept to the rules I'd set myself.

Nevertheless, the situation was desperate enough for me not to worry about the possible long-term effects. And so I concentrated, awakening Our Will before being suddenly interrupted by an unpleasant external sensation. Our adversary had charged us with electric magic.

However, this spell did not damage the objects it touched. I could only conclude that it was hardly powerful enough to cause our death. But this realization was intriguing, as it meant that the holder didn't want to kill us but probably paralyze us. He wanted us alive. Perhaps he'd been looking for us all this time in the city? However, even if that was the case, one thing still eluded me.

Evaluation skill screen ❢

Age〖 7 〗｟ Max: 10 ｠

Permission〖 Lvl. 1 〗

Class〖 None 〗

Magic 〖 None 〗

Authority〖 Lvl. 2 〗

I could only evaluate it to be sure, but its lifespan was too low. Either the owner we had met ten years ago was someone else, or he was falsifying his status in the eyes of my skill. Both possibilities were likely since the weapon could have been taken over by another person, or the evaluation skill could have been fooled, the latter being only level 1.

But if it was the latter, why leave the Authority at level 2 when it was clearly an anomaly in an environment where all other beings had Impossible instead. For this reason, I preferred the first option, even if it raised other questions. All in all, my sister and I attracted some very unwanted attention.

I could only gasp inwardly at this unpleasant conclusion while Systalia and Nalys continued to elude the human. Did the holder arrive at the scene of our previous crime by chance? Or had it been a trap all along? I had the unpleasant impression that we'd been played by our opponents all along. And at this revelation, the only thing I felt was embarrassment.

I tried relentlessly to invoke Our Will, but the onslaught of the outside world kept distracting me from my task. I hesitated to disconnect myself from my apostle's sensations, but in the end, I didn't, too preoccupied with what was going on outside. However, it was a choice I soon regretted, as I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my leg.

I could only helplessly hear my sister's screams and ragged breathing in the face of unbearable pain. From that moment on, everything happened instantly, indeed an effect of my shock and fatigue. The surroundings lacked tastes and smells; everything seemed bland, and I found it difficult to think clearly. My mind was mired in treacle until...

Until, through my apostle's senses, I saw Nalys take a full-blown blow for us. This event served as an electroshock, awakening me from my mire. I then distanced myself from the physical sensations of Systalia, steadily diminishing the pain received and continually increasing the clarity of my mind. Yet a single question lingered in the back of my mind: Why?

Why had Nalys taken a blow for us? Of course, the blow had only paralyzed his left arm and leg. In conclusion, it was a relatively harmless injury, far from lethal. But all the same, he was courageous to stand valiantly between us and our adversary. Perhaps I'd misjudged him and shouldn't have been so suspicious of him?

Yet, I thought of a slightly darker theory regarding his motivations. Indeed, the aura emanating from her did not suggest a courageous person filled with kindness but rather one of deep resentment and rage. She seemed to have a personal grudge against the holder. I could only think of having a chat with her about it later.

Unfortunately, just as I was thinking this, she passed away, or at least was in the process of doing so. In shock, I could only stare at her inert body before my apostle called out to me, imploring me to help her. Yes, it's true, I had to help him. At any rate, that was the conclusion my half-functioning mind came to.

I could dwell on the memories of the last minute afterward since I had to get rid of this odious character first. The ecstatic human with the evil smile seemed to be shouting something at us, but I didn't bother to ask my sister to translate his words. Her pale face upon hearing the words of this human scum was enough to discredit him entirely in my mind.

Someone had protected us from attack, and even if the motivation seemed dubious at best, it was still an honorable act. Especially as Nalys could have separated from us when we saw this mysterious human. She could have left us with him, even if she never did. If not for noble intentions, I could at least concede to her that.

The human moved closer, smiling, sure he'd won. Typically, this would have terrified me, but instead, I could only be determined, pitying the suffering this despicable being would soon endure in my eyes. From the depths of my Void, Will stirred, uniting with me to form Our Will. Suddenly, surging like a mighty hurricane, it rose from the bowels of the Void, passing from plane to plane, until…

Until it finally materialized in its entirety in the physical world, like a fallen king regaining his throne with grace and elegance. Only the most absolute blackness and whiteness shared this place, testifying to a Void resplendent in all its beauty. And so, once again, the Void showed the World its authentic appearance. But was it a creative Void or a devouring Void?

No one knew, not even me, the undisputed representative of this Void so marvelous in its quest for perfection and so exciting in the terror it conveyed. And whether it was one or the other, I didn't care because I'd always love him, whatever the consequences of the Void in this World. It was my only tangible emotion amid this indescribable World, this dazzling kaleidoscope of contradictory physical sensations.

It wasn't long before I understood the true meaning of this extraordinary space, so unrecognizable yet familiar, so disturbing yet soothing. But for the moment, I didn't care, for only the sounds of madness and agony from this imbecile human were worth my attention. He, who prided himself on reaching the pinnacle of power, was a dark fool.

Now, at last, he would contemplate what a true absolute was: a power so overwhelming that only despair survived here and a strength so incomprehensible that only the most scintillating madness could be witnessed in the face of it. Whether Body, Spirit, or even Soul, nothing could survive. All could only be swept away and infiltrated by the Void, for all was returning to its original and final state.

Everything began with the Void, and everything will end with the Void. This universal truth is one of the pillars of this World. Forgotten by this decadent World, only to be rediscovered by it in the worst possible way. Or should I say in the best possible way? No matter, it's only an insignificant difference of perspective. For the Void, morality is but a chimera.

But back to that day. After that ignorant human had succumbed to his own weakness, I slowly came to my senses, my self-confidence waning. I finally felt serene, but I couldn't enjoy it for long. Indeed, soon, the fainting would materialize, leaving us vulnerable, especially as I had one more thing to do.

After deliberation, my traveling companion, who ended up in a pitiful state close to death because this disgusting human had certainly not appreciated her protecting us, had to survive. Her motivations intrigued me, her possible connection to humans interested me, and her loyalty to strangers in a world at constant war fascinated me. His case, therefore, titillated my curiosity to the highest degree.

And that was the reason for my grace, the connection of his Soul to my Void. Having already experienced this with my sister, I could instantly link my Void to her Soul. Even if this wasn't enough to wake her up, as her body had already stopped functioning, I hoped it would keep her in stasis long enough until a new body could be recreated.

And so, completing my last task, Systalia and I peacefully succumbed to a sleep that I hardly wished would last forever, with the previous view of the dreary, silent surroundings whose only companions were corpses, testimony to a plague that is now over. Or rather, that I thought it was gone forever...