Void Manifestation didn't just give Bai Yumo's mana the properties of the Void, but gave him a portion of the Abyss itself.
The mana transformed from his own wasn't any different from the Abyss's Source Mana, something beyond his control.
Every time he used Void Manifestation, a portion of his ego was consumed by the Abyss, so he was forced to find other methods to fight.
Under the Saint Emperor's guidance, these methods became perfect copies of Damien's own, which, in its own way, killed his ego further.
However…
'No. I cannot use that until the time is right.'
If he couldn't use "that," then his only option was Void Manifestation's final trump card.
The question was: if he used it, would he live to accomplish his ambitions?
'But if I don't use it, I will die here today.'
He didn't have any other choice.
He realized this earlier, but it finally sank in when he saw Damien coming towards him now.
That man was traveling countless thousands of kilometers in flashes of an instant, imperceptible amounts of time that made him impossible to trace.
Even though he could perceive that man's movements, it was impossible for him to act in retaliation.
Bai Yumo gritted his teeth and summoned it.
He summoned that strand of pitch-black mana that was hidden within the Abyss.
'Void Manifestation!'
"ARRRGH!"
He screamed in pain.
His body was ravaged from the start. The second he summoned that mana, half his internal body dissolved into nothingness.
"Haa…haa…HAAAAAH…!"
He ignored the pain and pushed forward.
He pushed the "Void" into reality.
And in that moment, he died.
He died to his own power, before Damien could even touch him.
It was a future only one person got to witness.
'Flash Step.'
Backed by Universal Law, a silent declaration rang out.
Bai Yumo's body moved strangely, reversing back into his prior position, clutching his chest.
The universe itself rewound by a single second.
Whether it was mortals or Demigods, the future that could have been was erased from their minds.
And Damien's blade found its way to the opponent's neck.
Bai Yumo didn't understand what was happening.
It was vague, but he had a recollection of "something else."
Damien…wasn't Damien "supposed to be" tens of thousands of kilometers away?
Surely this wasn't how events were supposed to pan out!
The cold edge of the blade on his neck brought him back to reality.
With no time to think, he reached his hand out.
'Void Manifesta—!'
Damien grabbed his arm before he could do anything.
He forced his mana into the Saint King's body and dragged out the Void Mana he was containing, swallowing it for himself.
Against the Void's Apostle, what weight could this single strand hold?
Perhaps the Saint King didn't realize the identity of the force Damien used to break him even now.
Bai Yumo's final move had been crippled so easily.
And now, his only fate was death.
The blade on his neck was cold.
It felt like the hands of death encroaching upon him, it felt like a wall that blocked him from his ambitions.
A strange mana flowed through his skin from the blade, making him painfully aware that there was no escape.
Without an ounce of mana remaining, without any means to resist, he looked up at his enemy.
No, he looked up at Damien Void.
"Just…kill me."
His words came out as a whisper.
In front of countless eyes, he accepted his fate.
Damien's blade pressed deeper into his neck, drawing black blood that dripped into the starry sky.
The entire universe went silent as all beings held their breath in wait for the final blow.
And to answer their expectations…
Shiiing!
Bai Yumo's eyes widened in shock.
His shaking hands went to his neck, touching the bleeding cut that decorated it.
He was absolutely unable to understand why his head was still attached to his body.
"This isn't how I want to do this."
Damien spoke gruffly.
Mirage disappeared from his hand.
He looked down at the Saint King, who didn't look like someone with such a grand title anymore.
He looked like a boy, a boy who was never able to live as himself.
"Go," he said, scratching his head.
Damien's words were broadcast to the entire universe.
Confusion ran wild.
The widely recognized hero of their universe…was letting go of the enemy?
Was this really happening?
"You…"
"Do I have to say it again? Get out of here already!"
Damien's shout brought Bai Yumo back to his senses.
He stood up hesitantly and looked at the man before him one more time.
He couldn't process this situation, but his body was more sane than his mind.
Without realizing it, he began to flee. He ran away, leaving the battleground behind.
The Saint Emperor came out of the folds of reality, his eyes trained on Damien.
"Damien Void…you are truly an interesting boy."
Without another word, he disappeared, likely following after his son.
Damien was left alone in the starry sky.
This peace would only last an instant.
Damien sighed to himself.
He had never let an enemy live before. This was his first time experiencing such a thing.
However, he simply couldn't view Bai Yumo as an enemy.
The scenes he saw through the Breath of Nothingness while their battle was ongoing didn't allow him to.
Because the enemy he was trying so hard to kill, the enemy that consumed his entire mind and turned him into a puppet…
…was not Damien, but the Saint Emperor.
The man who slaughtered his family, kidnapped him, and raised him as a tool for his own amusement…the man he despised the most was not Damien, but the Saint Emperor!
The burning flame in his heart was directed only at that man.
The human genius was merely someone he needed to surpass if he wished to achieve his desire.
Yet, in the end, that same genius became someone far greater.
Damien gazed into the distance where the two Nox had disappeared.
'I hope you don't disappoint me.'
Whether or not Bai Yumo could live up to the expectations he had for him was unknown, but Damien didn't care.
That piece had the potential to be pivotal if he could use it at the right time.
But if he wanted to live until that time came…
He had to answer to the universe first!
"HOW DARE YOU?!"
A booming voice filled the starry sky.
As if he'd been waiting for this moment, Immortal Blood Asura appeared with an entourage of Demigods, mostly those who had participated in the Grand Assembly.
"Did I not make it clear to you all back then?" He declared coldly.
The eyes of those who hated Damien glowed with delight, while those of his allies were complicated.
Immortal Blood Asura had long prepared for this moment.
Part of his deal with the Karmic Emperor was exactly this.
With power in his chest and icy disdain in his eyes, he made his declaration.
"Damien Void is not a hero of our universe. He is mere scum who has fallen to the enemy!"
Considering what he'd done, there was no way to avoid it.
Without revealing the Void's existence, there was no way to proclaim his innocence.
Right now, after the last ordeal ended, Damien had another problem to deal with.
Right now, because he let Bai Yumo live, he was considered a traitor of Grand Heavens Boundary!
