Case 236: A void and a deeper void.
A dozen experimental subjects, most of whom have nearly the strength of real demons, surround me.
I sweep across their grotesque bodies, with the assistance of the system, and quickly determine their levels. If compared to the ones I have faced so far, they sit somewhere in the middle.
Some are as low as 40, while others are as high as 60, which means they're not my opponents. Not remotely close.
Since when, I wonder, have I had this kind of power to treat demons like ants?
Either way, Darkness is clearly the main 'boss' in this stage. Unlike the last time, her divinity no longer seems so faint and insignificant. It spreads like a plague, shrouding the entire chamber.
Light soon extinguishes completely. Still, it doesn't seem like any of us here need it.
''Show me your true depth, Aurora Heathcliff!'' Darkness's voice rings, yet her silhouette is nowhere to be seen.
Thousands of razor-sharp, near-invisible threads hang densely, oozing a pitch-black substance—like ink. Intriguingly, the mutated monsters walk through them as if they didn't exist, but when I get close, the liquid roars to life and viciously attacks me.
In addition, I can't help but notice the ground, now muddy with Darkness's ink, rising.
What a mess this is.
''Hah...''
I softly sigh, raising my sword.
The Blade of Nihility pierces as a lone ray of light in total darkness, radiating an immense hunger. The ground trembles as a demon stomps down, its muscular leg taking root. A crooked punch shoots toward my head, ripping.
Unfazed, I point the blade straight at the fist, tearing the creature's whole arm as it rams in.
That much is expected, but amidst the tattered chunks of flesh flying, I sense the black substance pooling toward my spot, writhing like snakes. They cling to my boots stubbornly, slowly climbing.
Meanwhile, the rest of the demons throw themselves at me, unfazed before their own bodies' destruction. Their reactions remain frenetic as I crush their limbs and torsos.
But soon enough, the chamber is quiet again.
Only a piling mess of that ink surges at me, now reaching my knees, fixing me in place. It's sticky, prone to smearing, and smells distinctly sharp, like metal—a girl's worst nightmare.
Weirdly enough, my senses tell me that this thing isn't just an ability created by someone. Such a product would feel thinner, almost more hollow. Which means... it's probably Darkness herself.
She has literally taken over this arena with her own body. Of course, it is a huge advantage for her.
Why, I merely want to see how formidable a newborn goddess is.
Suppressing a laugh, I patiently wait for the next wave of attacks. Perhaps seeing this as a taunt, the black substance quivers as if enraged. At that moment, everything around me seems to sink into an abyss.
In the space where light can't reach, I plunge my sword into the ground, cleansing the ravenous ink. A small sanctuary surrounds me, burning with the power of nihility. Still, because I am dealing with authentic divinity, the matchup isn't as one-sided as before.
With the territorial advantage, Darkness relentlessly pours on me countless spikes, ones that rip apart the air so violently they might rival bullets. The ink threads unhesitatingly join the fight, tightly wrapping around my barrier while refusing to be consumed. Their durability is quite impressive.
But... is this all?
''It seems you can't get to me at all.'' I softly say.
I get no response from Darkness herself, but the sea of ink does agree with my observation. For a bit, the assault halts.
Then, as if a fast-brewing storm, the sea of liquid begins to swirl around me, radiating immense pressure. Inch by inch, they once again pool toward me, determined to crush me. A heavy pressure akin to that of sinking into deep water falls onto my body, dimming my senses.
This is the most concentrated form of divine attack, burning the caster's very core for a burst of power. Even I can't play around anymore.
As it begins to swallow everything, I draw my sword from the ground and resolutely slash above my head. The cut tears crisply through the fabric of space and time, connecting this realm to my vast void.
Through that opening, a tiny part of the beast is exposed. Almost immediately, its insatiable hunger becomes apparent. With a screeching, alien roar that soon gets swallowed by its own mouth, the black hole greedily sucks the ink through the rift, bit by bit filling its endless stomach.
A faint, distant scream can be heard.
Of course, the pain of being torn apart must be unbearable even for a goddess. Rather, it should be that way, even more so because one is a god. The battle between gods is a battle of attrition, and not being acutely aware of how much divine energy is left is beyond saving.
Nonetheless...
As I turn to the widening rift, I can't help but feel a little regretful. Originally, the black hole didn't struggle to digest this kind of insignificant food. It has shrunk a lot as I lost a larger part of my power.
''Eat well and recover,'' I mutter.
The other guys in there must be hungry, too. I should let them hunt the insects roaming outside later.
Such thoughts flash through my mind. I once again stand still, waiting for it to end. The longer I wait, the less heavy my body feels. It is a bit... disappointing. A newly born, clumsy goddess isn't an opponent for someone as jaded as me, after all.
Soon enough, the faint fluorescent light returns to the underground chamber, coming from the shallow puddles of liquid spilled on the floor.
''Ugh... hgn... hah...''
In front of me lies Darkness, her veil torn. Her lower half is obliterated, black ink festering from the gaping wounds. Looking at those dimming eyes, I quietly ponder, ''Did you have a fulfilling life?''
''Who knows...'' Darkness unexpectedly replies, apparently hearing me. ''I'm... not sure. About anything...''
With a voice barely audible, thin as paper, she says. I don't know her life story, nor do I want to know. I don't know her passions, her goals, or her sins.
...But going out with a sense of emptiness is not a desirable ending for anyone.
''We're all trying to live for something out here, aren't we?'' I sigh softly. ''Unfortunately, you made the wrong choice.''
''...''
No more answers come from Darkness. Her heart has stopped.
Walking past the woman, I take small, unhurried steps toward the empty throne. Even as the entire chamber begins to crumble from the clash, it alone stands proud and tall.
At some point, the black sun behind it has vanished.
Instead, a small token of the same thing now sits on the throne, gleaming. The energy I sense from this object feels almost familiar yet distinctly foreign.
As if sensing my interest, it giggles, ''Hello there. Shall we talk?''
Without much hesitation, I sit on the throne's armrest, relaxing my posture, ''Sure.''