Chapter: 168. Imminent Conflict
In the realm conjured by Adam, the pitch-black uniform he wore rustled ominously in the wind.
Adam, accompanied by several ability users behind him, advanced step by step, adopting a combat stance. His “Reaper” uniform embodied darkness itself.
Unlike the white uniforms of the Special Agency SEMA that symbolize “protecting others,” this black uniform represented the resolve to eliminate, cleanse, and obliterate all threats.
Only when the Special Agency SEMA took the initiative to eliminate the fantasy monsters would they don this “Reaper” uniform.
Witnessing this scene, Mana swiftly pushed herself off the ground.
It was evident that SEMA had already regarded Nagiyo as a “fantasy monster.”
Moreover, the expressions on their faces did not suggest that the imminent battle could be dissolved through communication.
“This is a misunderstanding—”
Mana positioned herself in front of Nagiyo, shadows swirling and rising beneath her feet, the crimson light igniting her eyes. The power of the “Fictional Royal Authority” constructed the ability of the “Shadow of the End,” condensing shadows into a sharp shadow blade.
The ability users from SEMA summoned their “fantasy spirit armors” in response. Even the experienced elite had to give their all against the “finest work.”
Throughout, Adam’s gaze never shifted from Mana; his eyes were fixed intently on Nagiyo standing behind her.
Similarly, Nagiyo’s gaze landed on Adam, her bright eyes reflecting Adam’s tall and strong figure.
This was Nagiyo’s first encounter with Adam in this lifetime.
Adam Solgrim Yarlhaid.
She remembered that in her previous life, Adam was a frail boy who often trailed behind her.
But the Adam before her now felt entirely different. If it weren’t for his notably distinct Nordic features among Asian faces and the torrent of magical power emanating from him, Nagiyo might have failed to recognize him.
In this moment, Nagiyo sensed none of the gentle kindness of that young boy from years past; it seemed as if a fundamental change had occurred within his very soul.
The Adam before her was filled with brutality and malice, his eyes consumed by madness, like a massively destructive hammer intent on crushing everything in its path.
—What on earth changed that pure boy from back then?
“This day has finally come—” Adam slowly raised his hand, the ring on his finger radiating dazzling light.
It was the “Game Authority” he possessed.
It could display the existence of all living beings within the domain in the form of “health bars”; by depleting these health bars, one could erase the existence of the opponent, disregarding all other factors— to some extent, a very powerful authority when facing the “End.”
That was why Adam led the team personally to eliminate what was deemed to be “the End”—himself—
—Is it really so…?
Nagiyo felt a sense of something abnormal, but couldn’t pinpoint its source at the moment.
But before she figured it out,
Nagiyo stood up and tried to reach out and hold Mana back.
“…Nagiyo-chan?” Mana tilted her head in confusion, stealing a glance at Nagiyo from the corner of her eye.
Nagiyo did not want Mana to fight Adam.
As for the reason—both of them shared features characteristic of Nordic ancestry, and their appearances bore some resemblance, which was the crux of the matter.
Adam Solgrim Yarlhaid.
His identity was the brother of Fenrir, which made him Mana’s uncle.
In her previous life, Nagiyo had planned to rescue Fenrir and others who would later be consumed by extraordinary disasters in a small city in Scandinavia according to the original story, but perhaps due to the significant changes she made in the plot, she only found Adam in that small city.
Thus, Nagiyo was reluctant to let them fight.
And it seemed that Mana understood her desire to “run away” from the look in Nagiyo’s eyes.
“…I understand.”
From Mana’s perspective, she felt an unprecedented killing intent emanating from the man before her, accompanied by suffocating magical power.
Her instincts told her she was nowhere near his match.
“Leave the End to me—” At the moment Adam coldly issued his order,
Mana seized that fleeting opportunity, her shadow blade instantly transforming into countless sharp spikes that, mixed with a powerful whirlwind, shot toward Adam and the others. At the same time, she deftly turned, picking up Nagiyo, intending to escape to the rear.
Although the two were currently enveloped in the domain, with Mana’s magical power upon her second awakening, it was enough to tear apart the barriers of the domain.
However, Mana clearly underestimated the countermeasures of the ability users who had been battling fantasy monsters at the forefront.
It was no wonder; after all, this was Mana’s first time facing the ability users of SEMA.
At the moment Mana turned,
Another authority silently unfolded.
Should it be said that SEMA had prepared adequately this time? To avoid being restrained by Mana’s “Fictional Royal Authority,” they activated the powers of their authorities one after another.
“?!”
Even though Mana reacted quickly, it was too late.
A massive, transparent bubble suddenly enveloped Mana and Nagiyo.
Within the bubble, their movements seemed to be pressed on slow-motion playback; both their physical actions and the flow of magical power became unbelievably sluggish, with only their thoughts still functioning normally.
However, in a way, this was another form of torment.
—Even if only Nagiyo-chan could escape…
Mana struggled desperately, wanting to push Nagiyo out of the bubble, but trapped inside, she could not move freely, only watching helplessly as Adam’s fist wind rushed toward Nagiyo with overwhelming force.
Realizing she couldn’t push Nagiyo away in time, Mana decided to tightly embrace her, striving to absorb as much damage as possible for the girl in her arms with her frail body—
At that moment,
A deafening shockwave exploded from the sky above.
A powerful sense of oppression swept down from the clouds; the air was compressed, emitting a harsh low hum. The domain that enveloped Nagiyo and Mana was forcefully torn apart, causing everyone within the domain to freeze in place.
Nagiyo’s pupils suddenly contracted.
Her soul felt a peculiar sensation, akin to the sense of connection between souls fading away.
It was gentle like a veil brushing against her cheek, yet heavy like a boulder sinking into her heart.
“…Garuda?”
Nagiyo’s heart trembled violently.
She frantically searched her soul for the contract, but the connection that should have belonged to Garuda had vanished.
The “family” that had been with her since she arrived in this world—had left.
Though the end of Nagiyo’s journey would ultimately lead her to death alongside him, when he took the step away early—
Like some instinctual reflex, Nagiyo’s body moved involuntarily.
A powerful shockwave exploded in the air.
An icy chill spread from her body, causing ripples to crash against the surface of the massive bubble, instantly shattering it into countless ice shards.
Nagiyo and Mana regained their ability to move freely at the same time.
The latter was caught mid-air by Nagiyo, and the two landed gracefully.
“—What?!”
Everything happened too quickly and suddenly, causing Mana to look up at Nagiyo in shock.
What filled Mana’s vision was an incredibly radiant magical glow, far brighter than any she had ever seen before.
“End… Have you finally shown your true form?” Adam’s deep laughter echoed ominously: “The absolute zero of the fantasy monster—Leviathan… once belonged to the Elemental Sovereign, the power of the contracted beast you took from me.”
Unlike Adam’s relief, the ability users behind him displayed expressions of terror, instinctively retreating a step.
“Nagiyo-chan… this power is…”
