“Holy shit, you weren’t kidding about the no speed limit!” Magnus laughed, though his voice was quickly swallowed by the wind rushing past his face. He wasn’t just riding—he was standing on the back of the Nullfang as it tore through the landscape. It looked almost nothing like it had during their fight. The dirt-caked bones, dried blood, and remnants of biomatter were gone. A mix of fire and high-pressure water had boiled the skeleton clean, leaving its bones a pristine, almost blinding ivory. Not that there was any risk in the process—Nullfang was immortal. It couldn’t be destroyed, so a little extreme cleaning wouldn’t hurt it.
Half of its body wasn’t even interacting with the world, allowing its speed to keep climbing despite the wind resistance still acting on its upper half. Magnus, meanwhile, surfed atop its skull, shifting his weight to counterbalance the creature’s rapid, fluid movements through the dense forest.
Maybe I should just travel like this from now on?
With how his body was now, he figured he could probably withstand traveling a few times the speed of sound—but keeping up visually would be impossible. Without assistance, his reaction speed was only about fifty to eighty percent faster than a normal person’s. Using the BGM Glitch, he could track things moving at or just above the speed of sound well enough to catch glimpses, but anything faster? Unless he was in an open space or flying high, that was his functional limit.
That thought made him glance down at the Nullfang. It was just a skeleton, yet it weaved through the trees at breakneck speed without a single misstep.
Unlike me, the Nullfang doesn’t rely on eyesight. Its eyes are gone, meaning it shouldn’t be able to see.
But that contradicted its immortality—just like how it could move its jaw despite having no muscles, it still functioned like a living creature. Even at this kind of speed, its control was flawless because it could still 'see' abnormally.
It’s pretty much perfect for getting around.
Honestly, he couldn’t think of a better mount. The Nullfang could even fly for long distances, as long as it negated gravity and built enough momentum.
Oh, right. I said I’d check the list when I had the chance.
Putting his suffering on pause, Magnus sat down on the Nullfang’s head. Nowhere near as fun as surfing, but a lot safer. Folding his arms, he squinted against the wind and pulled up the Command Console in his mind, typing in the command from the Codebreak-008 Debugging Report. It was strange finally having access to a normal-looking function. He had tried the /list command before, but it never worked. Now, all of a sudden, it did.
Command Console
Users:Magnus_Wright:\> /list Entry#008
After testing it once back at the outpost, he had tried it on other numbers—Entry#001, Entry#100—but each time, the Command Console simply told him they didn’t exist. It seemed like the only thing in the system was Entry#008.
The moment he entered the command, the Command Console's output reacted.
Command Console
Users:Magnus_Wright:\> /list Entry#008
[ENTRIES]: Loading cataloged entries...
[ENTRIES]: Entry#008 - Nullification of Changeable States
[Classification]: Codebreak-008
[Designation]: List of Nullified States and Resulting Interactions
[Status]: Active - Continuously Updating
[Entry#008-1]: Nullification of Experiencing Gravity
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1 is completely unaffected by all gravitational forces. No aspect of gravity—including attraction, repulsion, or the influence of mass-based bodies—can act upon it. This also extends to any indirect effects gravity may have on non-gravitational structures, such as spatial or temporal frameworks, as well as the material composition of objects. Their movement must be externally induced. Without an external force, Codebreak-008-1 remains in a free-floating state.
[Result]: The subject enters a zero-gravity stasis, requiring external input for movement.
[Entry#008-2]: Nullification of Experiencing Air Resistance
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1 does not interact with atmospheric particles or any external resistive forces, including air resistance, fluid drag, or pressure-based deceleration. The subject's movement is entirely unaffected by friction, turbulence, or compressive forces that would typically arise from traveling through a medium. Any velocity achieved is preserved indefinitely, as no external force from air resistance or atmospheric compression slows the subject down.
[Result]: Subject can accelerate continuously without energy loss.
[Entry#008-3]: Nullification of Velocity
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1 is rendered incapable of possessing or accumulating velocity. The moment this effect activates, all movement ceases instantaneously, regardless of prior momentum or external forces acting upon it. Any applied momentum is completely negated, effectively removing it from system calculations. Kinetic energy transfers, including those from impacts, propulsion, or environmental forces, have no effect on altering Codebreak-008-1’s position. The subject remains completely immobile unless deliberately displaced by an external force operating outside conventional velocity mechanics.
[Result]: Codebreak-008-1 remains in a fixed position relative to the surrounding space, immune to acceleration, deceleration, or directional shifts.
[Entry#008-4]: Nullification of Worldly Interaction
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1 is completely detached from conventional physical interactions. It is no longer bound by the constraints of physical space and can move freely through the world without exerting force or influence on its surroundings—nor can the world impose any influence upon it. This includes immunity to most forms of energy, such as kinetic impact, heat transfer, and other environmental forces. Though still visible within the local reality, the subject effectively exists as a separate layer of existence, untouchable by conventional means. With all external force limitations removed, Codebreak-008-1 can accelerate indefinitely without resistance.
[Result]: Codebreak-008-1 can theoretically reach infinite speeds, limited only by the duration and magnitude of its sustained propulsion input.
[Entry#008-5]: Nullification of Worldly Interaction
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1 is completely detached from conventional physical interactions. It is no longer bound by the constraints of physical space and can move freely through the world without exerting force or influence on its surroundings—nor can the world impose any influence upon it. This includes immunity to most forms of energy, such as kinetic impact, heat transfer, and other environmental forces. Though still visible within the local reality, the subject effectively exists as a separate layer of existence, untouchable by conventional means. With all external force limitations removed, Codebreak-008-1 can accelerate indefinitely without resistance.
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[Result]: Codebreak-008-1 can theoretically reach infinite speeds, limited only by the duration and magnitude of its sustained propulsion input.
[Entry#008-6]: Nullification of Dying
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1, despite lacking conventional life, has removed all intermediary states associated with dying. As a result, it exists beyond the classification of being either "alive" or "dead" and continues to function as if it were alive, regardless of the condition of its physical form. Any event or force that would typically cause death—whether through structural damage, complete disintegration, system failure, or any other means of functional cessation—fails to take effect.
[Result]: Codebreak-008-1 is functionally immortal. It does not experience mortality, biological failure, or termination of existence, persisting indefinitely without degradation or cessation.
[Entry#008-7]: Nullification of Conducting Heat
[Effect]: Codebreak-008-1 is completely incapable of conducting, transferring, or absorbing thermal energy. Any heat that would typically interact with it is instantly lost, preventing temperature fluctuations or energy exchange. As a result, its internal temperature remains fixed at a constant state, entirely unaffected by environmental conditions or external thermal influences. The subject is immune to all temperature-related effects, including combustion, freezing, and shifts in thermal equilibrium.
[Result]: Codebreak-008-1 exists in a state of absolute thermal void. No molecular excitation or heat exchange occurs.
↓…
Users:Magnus_Wright:\>
Being a complete list of all the states the Nullfang could nullify from itself, it was ridiculously long. It would take Magnus a while to scroll through them all, but at the same time, a lot of them were either borderline useless or had little to no combat application. As he skimmed through the different effects and their end results, he couldn't help but shake his head.
This thing really was an absolute monster. Oh, that reminds me—Basker, I wanted to ask you something.
[Yes, Master?]
Since we defeated the Nullfang using a mental attack, could someone else—an enemy, for example—use mental magic to take control of it? Or attack you and sever your connection to it?
[I don’t believe so, not through magic at least. I exist not alongside your mind, Master, but within it. Like air inside a balloon, with your mind as the balloon, I am protected in the same way your mind is by the Command Console. The only times I’m at risk are when I leave your mind, such as when I invaded the Nullfang’s mind. However, I assimilated the Nullfang’s mind—it no longer exists as something separate from me but as a part of me. Just as I am protected, it is protected, meaning the only way to sever the connection would be to affect the Null State Glitch itself. In other words, Source Code.]
Simply put, as long as they didn’t run into a glitch that could affect the mind, there was practically no way the Nullfang could escape their control. No degree of mental magic could override the Command Console’s passive protection against external interference.
Well, that’s a relief. If mental magic could turn the Nullfang against me, I'd think twice before using it against mages.
With that concern out of the way, Magnus passed the time by flipping through the list of null states while talking with Basker. Like him, Basker could multitask without issue, handling both the conversation and the Nullfang’s movements effortlessly.
It wasn’t until Magnus heard a low rumble—a distant thunderclap rolling through the sky, vibrating through the trees and leaves—that his attention shifted. Looking away from the Command Console, he tilted his head up at the growing expanse of gray stretching across the sky. The once-clear blue was now hidden behind heavy storm clouds, casting everything below in dim light.
Huh, looks like it’s going to rain.
Another rumble of thunder echoed across the sky just as the thought crossed his mind.
[Master, we’ll be approaching Arlcliff City soon. It would be best to have the Nullfang retreat.]
Magnus checked his mental map and saw that Basker was right. Whether it was him flying or the Nullfang traveling across the land, both were absurdly faster than horseback. The return trip was nothing compared to how long the journey was with Seraline.
Hmm, alright. Bring me to the nearest path—I’ll walk the rest of the way.
The Nullfang reacted immediately, curving its path through the forest. Before long, it reached a dirt road leading toward Arlcliff City. It wasn’t the same path he’d taken with Mia and the others when he first arrived, but that didn’t really matter. Most of the routes in this area eventually converged as they got closer to the city.
Soon, Magnus stepped out from the treeline onto a dirt path. The Nullfang, still hidden deep within the trees, sank into the world, vanishing completely from sight and sense. Magnus glanced up and down the road—empty. No horse-drawn carriages, no merchant caravans, not even a lone traveler. With the surge of monsters and mana beasts, traveling had become too dangerous, especially on lesser-used roads like this one.
Oh well. Guess it’s just me then.
He started walking at a slow, unhurried pace. As he did, Basker began playing music in his head, filling the silence with a familiar tune. Almost in sync with the first note, the sky darkened further, and soon, raindrops began to fall. Magnus barely reacted, a faintly glowing mana construct forming above him—translucent, but visible from the soft luminescence mana naturally gave off when condensed. The first few droplets shattered against the barrier, and as the rain gradually intensified, pattering against the leaves and soaking the dirt into mud, Magnus remained untouched beneath his invisible umbrella.
The water streamed off the construct, cascading in thin rivulets around his body.
Perched on a tree branch above, a crow turned its head. It blended into the shadows, its form barely discernible against the darkened forest. But it wasn’t an ordinary crow. It had no feathers—just the illusion of them, its body an abyssal void molded into the shape of a bird. Only its eyes stood out, deep orange glimmers that seemed to glow in the dim light.
It tilted its head, gaze sharpening as it focused on Magnus, taking in his face, his features, his hair. A moment passed before it cawed, the sound echoing into the distance. Another call answered. The two voices overlapped, their once-natural cries warping, and twisting, as their crow-like shapes began to unravel.
As the first bird’s beak cracked apart, what emerged was no longer a caw but a voice.
"It seems the intel from Ravens was right..."
Oblivious to what lurked in the forest, Magnus kept walking, humming along to the music.
"Birds flying high~♩ You know how I feel~♩"
The dense treeline on either side of the path gradually began to thin. He was approaching the downward slope that led into the vast open plains where Arcliff City stood. But after another five minutes, he suddenly came to a stop, standing motionless in the rain.
"It's a new dawn~♩ It's a new day~♩ It's a new life~♩ For me~♩" His voice was muffled beneath the downpour as he glanced toward the deepening shadows beyond the trees.
"And I'm feeling... good~♩"
As the music in his head kicked up a notch, Magnus rolled his neck, stretching slightly before speaking.
"Show yourselves. There’s no point in hiding; I know you’re there." His words seemed to vanish into the rain, carried away as if they had never been spoken. For a moment, silence was his only answer. Then, two figures emerged from behind the trees, stepping onto the path. They wore dark cloaks that concealed them from head to toe, their faces hidden, with only their hands barely visible beyond the sleeves. One positioned themselves to Magnus’s rear, the other to his front, effectively cutting off any chance of him heading toward Arlcliff City or retreating the way he came.
"Lady Austra told us you were likely an Adept-level mage—but a bit odd. I suppose this is what she meant." The hooded figure in front of Magnus spoke, their voice muffled by the rain. Still, he could just barely make out that they were likely a woman.
"If you knew we were here, then I assume you understand what’s about to happen." The second figure, standing behind Magnus, added. This one sounded like a man, though Magnus was more focused on their words than their identity.
Their lord? That doesn't exactly narrow things down. Whoever they are, they’ve been waiting for me. Did they know I left Arlcliff City and decided to wait for me to return? If so, they're patient.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Magnus finally spoke.
"Look, I don’t know who this 'lord' of yours is, but I just finished a pretty big quest line. All I want right now is to get back to my room, sleep for a day or two, and drink some tea. So if you're just here to deliver a message, say it. But..." His lips curled into a small smirk, amber eyes narrowing as they locked onto the hooded figure in front of him.
"If you’re here to kill me…" His voice lowered, casual yet inviting.
The hooded woman ahead of him shifted her stance. Her knees bent slightly as she lowered herself closer to the ground. Then, her fingers twitched, nails stretching and sharpening into lethal points.
"Humans… always so eager to face the unknown with arrogance instead of caution." The moment the words left her lips, she moved. Her legs snapped straight as she launched forward, a shockwave mixing with the rain as the water was momentarily repelled from around her. Her eyes locked onto Magnus, watching—expecting him to react. But he didn’t move. He didn’t tense. His gaze hadn’t even shifted from where it had been moments ago. His entire body remained still, relaxed.
No sign that he had even noticed her sudden charge.
Typical of a mage—too reliant on spells to realize he's physically outmatched. In the end, Lady Austra had worried over nothing.
In a flash, the distance between them vanished. She was less than a meter away when she thrust her right arm toward his throat, nails curved like claws, ready to tear through flesh. But just before she could make contact, Magnus moved—his expression unchanged, his body tilting smoothly to the side. Her strike sliced through empty air.
Before she could react, his right leg shot up at a speed beyond her ability to follow. A sharp impact drove into her gut. The moment Magnus's knee connected, something inside her felt like it broke. Her eyes bulged, her breath caught in her throat, and she crumpled to her knees, hands gripping her stomach.
Magnus took a small step back as he looked down at her with a passive gaze, listening as she wheezed, struggling to draw in air. He clicked his tongue a few times before shifting his focus to the other hooded figure standing behind him. They had been frozen in shock, their composure cracking as they watched their partner fall from a single blow. Only when Magnus spoke did they snap back to attention.
"You know, there's a fine line between arrogance and confidence. And you're right—it can be dangerous in the face of the unknown. But that goes both ways. If someone stands confidently in the face of danger, maybe it's not them who should be reconsidering their position."