Looking at the Metal Cube, his frown deepened. He recognized this metal cube. It was something that he had tossed casually.
He doesn't expect someone to not only catch him, not to throw it back with an even greater force, enough to destroy the barrier. He didn't expect there to be such strong people in this lower world which didn't even have a trace of divinity in the surroundings.
He raised his foot, stomping on the metal cube, completely crushing it under his foot. The impact of his foot crushing down on the metal cube was so strong that it created powerful gusts of winds.
The bodies that were lying in this area flew back helplessly, clashing on the wall.
Caen looked in a specific direction, feeling a certain presence which was quite strange. It was a presence that felt similar to his Uncle Janus, but for some reason, it felt even more heavy. The surroundings had turned cold.
The sky was already covered in clouds, but occasionally lightning could be seen flashing in the sky, followed by a booming noise. Whenever lightning fell, the sky occasionally brightened.
Ryder stepped forward, his eyes glowing with a mix of anger and frustration. As he walked through the ruins and the lifeless bodies, he didn't even flinch at the impact of Caen's foot crushing the metal cube. However, the powerful gust of wind did make his long hair and his robe flutter.
Caen narrowed his eyes as Ryder approached, his dark gaze fixed on the newcomer. Strangely enough, Caen couldn't see through the man at all.
At times, the man appeared like an ordinary mortal. While at other times, he appeared like a demon god who could destroy the world with a flick of his finger. This was a strange feeling that Caen didn't receive even from his uncle.
He didn't know who the man was, but it was strange that there was such a strong person in this world and he didn't even know about it. Ryder's identity made him really curious, since Ryder clearly wasn't from the Realm of Gods.
Despite his initial anger and frustration, Ryder seemed composed and unshaken. There was a strange aura about him, an aura of someone who had faced numerous trials and battles. Caen couldn't help but feel intrigued by this unexpected feeling he received from the man.
Still, he wasn't scared. Even if the man was strong, Caen had faith in his own abilities. Moreover, if he wanted, he could bring the entire Abyss here.
"So, you're the one who caught my little gift," Caen said, taking his foot off the crushed metal block, his voice smooth yet carrying an underlying tone of curiosity.
Ryder didn't respond immediately; instead, he surveyed the area, taking in the destruction caused by Caen.
He could see two Nightmare Beasts. Their claws were covered in blood, along with their teeth. On the other hand, there were mortal bodies who died to those claws and fangs.
The lifeless bodies scattered around them seemed to have been used for some kind of sick entertainment, and it only fueled Ryder's anger.
If Caen wasn't the son of Chaos, he would've already killed him. However, he controlled his anger, thinking about Chaos' sacrifice and Janus.
"I don't know what your purpose is here, but causing harm to innocent people is inexcusable," Ryder finally spoke, his voice firm and resolute.
Caen smirked, seemingly amused by Ryder's response. "Innocent? In this world, innocence is a mere illusion. They are merely pawns in the grand scheme of things. Isn't it their privilege to be used by this Deity? But I suppose you won't understand that, will you?"
"I understand more than you think," Ryder shot back, a flicker of something unidentifiable crossing his eyes.
As the two stood there, a tension began to build in the air, crackling like the lightning that occasionally lit up the sky. Caen's divine power pulsed around him, creating a formidable aura, while Ryder emanated an indomitable spirit that seemed to defy even the divine.
Caen and Ryder faced each other, the air heavy with animosity and conflicting energies.
The surrounding environment seemed to react to their clash of auras, intensifying the storm that raged overhead. Lightning continued to streak across the darkened sky, illuminating the battlefield briefly before plunging it back into darkness.
Ryder's eyes bore into Caen's, as if seeing through the young man. He was no stranger to danger and conflict, having faced countless adversaries in his journey across worlds. He had seen the best and worst of beings, and he had learned that true strength wasn't measured by raw power alone but also by compassion and empathy.
Unfortunately, the person who stood before him was something akin to his own nephew. No matter how angry he was, he couldn't kill him. If he did that, he didn't know how he was going to answer Chaos if he ever returned.
Caen, on the other hand, had lived a different life as the son of Chaos. He was raised in a realm where power and dominance were revered above all else. His growth was different.
Thanks to bad company, Caen grew distant from his own family members, thinking that his own family members were against him. That's why he didn't learn any of the good qualities from his family.
On one end, Ryder felt bad for Caen, who had to grow up being suspicious of his own family, even though his family never once tried to harm him. Thanks to that misunderstanding, his childhood was completely opposite to what it was supposed to be like.
Chaos' absence and the responsibility of the next heir on Caen's shoulder was another factor. Ryder knew that things would've been different if Chaos was there while Caen was growing, since he would never allow this.
Caen had been conditioned to believe that the weak were expendable, mere tools for the ambitions of higher beings. This was exactly what Chaos had fought against... Yet his own son picked up that thinking.
