Case 136: Survival game – Ending the game.

Case 136: Survival game – Ending the game.

Absorbed by the fear, Nuf unconsciously exerts its full power, bursting a massive wave of [Nullification] to the surroundings, effectively canceling every bit of magic in the immediate area.

Academy staff members communicating through mana channels. Newly arrived imperial soldiers trying to encase the whole of Evone Hall with barrier magic. Ariel and Skely fighting the giant Neyd.

In the blink of an eye, everything disappears.

[How...?!]

Nevertheless, the ghastly glimmer of death enveloping the robed figure's sword never ceases. Even as the inner ice melts, the white aura only gets more intense.

Like a slow-burning fire, a silent brush stroke, a swift, lethal scythe.

With a swish, the blade narrowly misses Nuf. The demon has never felt death closer than at that moment. It simply doesn't make sense.

It hasn't heard anything like this from him. Perhaps... a new power?

No way. It has just been a few weeks since the last observation.

Yet, no matter how nonsensical it is, the blade won't miss by itself. As if a cornered beast, Nuf can only see one action it can take to remain alive—run. Fortunately, possessing higher base stats does help.

On the other hand, Aurora remains calm thanks to the mysterious effect of 'nihility.' Even though her mana pool is being rapidly drained by this powerful technique, she knows it is the only way to secure Nuf, who is immune to elemental attacks.

The question remains: how can she close the gap and land a hit on those irritating masks?

Ariel is already using the Gauntlet of Severance. The option of getting Ash's help is also non-feasible... at least until HE loses HIS influence over this battlefield. She feels as though if she can stall long enough, she can create a path to the Backrooms again.

If.

For now, [Blink] is the only way left. Until now, Nuf has been reading the subtle changes in Aurora's actions to then determine the ending location of [Blink], which is exceptionally irritating for the owl girl.

Is this a difference in combat experience? Perhaps. Demons have been around for much, much longer than Aurora has, after all.

''...''

'What is this feeling?'

A feeling as if omnipotent—like someone inside her is looking down on these otherwise mythical creatures. A side effect of [Monarch]?

'...Whatever.'

Without interrupting her movements, Aurora lightly coats her sword in another layer of ice and swings it at the giant Nuf. A cold mist surges forward, riding the momentum as though a tsunami.

In response, the red eyes inside the masks gleam ominously, and another intangible wave of [Nullification] is released.

Expectedly, the ice is seemingly blown away by an invisible burst. In the next second, Aurora's silhouette vanishes. Puzzled, Nuf quickly takes a defensive stance while also storing up spells to retaliate.

[Come out. Let's have some FUN, shall we?]

''Still rocking that cringey tone?''

This time, a precise strike from above.

[3 skill points acquired]

[Achievement unlocked: Nuf, the Gamemaster]

[2 skill points acquired]

'In the end, what's HIS goal?'

Nuf is a challenging opponent, sure. However, it ultimately isn't something Aurora will struggle with.

If it's not her...

Perhaps, seeing HIM retreating so easily, HE might have already achieved his goals.

Nevertheless, as the battle hasn't concluded yet, Aurora prepares to leave this side of the hall to help her friends—

''...''

'What was that?'

Her eyes instantly dart to one of the audience seats, yet she finds nothing. Somewhere at that spot, she could feel someone casting a gaze on herself earlier. Is it an illusion?

It's odd. It's definitely odd.

Ever since she started to wield this power, strange things have been happening. Side effects? Likely. She'll have to consult Kyomu sooner or later.

BZZT—!

''Ugh...!''

A sharp pain in the head.

All of a sudden, through the eyes beyond the mask, Aurora sees the world—a very different world. Trampling on a mountain of civilizations' remnants, she alone stands atop the world, looking down on the mortal realm, one that can hardly be called 'alive' anymore.

Here, the sky is dyed a soft pink color, staging never-ending trails of blue.

An aurora borealis.

Moreover, it seems as though the blue stripes are eating away at the pink canvas.

In the 'dream,' Aurora feels truly omnipotent. With a single thought, the moon can be cut in half, and the sun can be forced to stay in the sky for eternity.

The earth can be split; the sky can be painted with whatever color she wants.

Yet, her heart is hollow.

Even with such power, there is a thing she cannot ever achieve. The moment she is about to think it through, a simple buzz sends her back to the real world.

''What...?''

Upon a moment of relaxation, Aurora's vision is suddenly filled with an ashen grey color. Instinctively, she tries to snap the sword at whatever is blocking her way... but with her fast deduction skills, the blade stops right before reaching the doll.

Holding an ember in her heart, which is fortunately present, Aurora clicks her tongue annoyedly.