The Ultimate Void

Chapter 4

Sato sat in stunned silence, unable to come to terms with the devastating loss. The lifeless bodies of his two friends from the orphanage lay before him, and his heart ached with helplessness. Suddenly, a swirling portal opened, and Exagora stepped through. Without hesitation, he gathered Sato and the bodies, transporting them to a training area. Moments later, the rest of the group arrived, confusion and shock evident on their faces.

Daiki: "What happened, Sato? Are you okay?"

Haruto: "Sato... aren't these your friends?"

Aiko froze, her gaze locked onto the bodies. Her eyes filled with tears as she rushed forward.

Aiko: "Sato, what is this?! How did this happen?"

Sato couldn't answer. His guilt weighed heavy, his words caught in his throat. In a sudden burst of anger, he turned to Exagora, his eyes blazing with fury.

Sato: "It's your fault! If you hadn't appeared—"

He charged at Exagora, but the godly being easily knocked him down with a single gesture.

Exagora: "Be careful, human. If I were in a bad mood, I might have killed you."

The group fell silent, tension thick in the air.

Exagora: "Listen closely. This incident proves one thing: someone otherworldly has taken an interest in you. You'd best watch your backs."

Haruto: "Aren't you going to do anything? Is there a way to resurrect them?"

Exagora's expression remained calm, almost detached.

Exagora: "Death is not equal for all beings. When a human dies, their body perishes, but their Source remains. The process to recover it is complicated, but if their death was caused by mundane circumstances, resurrection is possible."

Masaru Haruki, who had been observing quietly, stepped forward.

Masaru: "Does that mean it's possible to resurrect someone who died years ago?"

Exagora: "If you have their Source, yes. A Source can regenerate a body. But if the Source is destroyed, there is no hope."

Exagora waved his hand, and the bodies began to dissolve into light.

Aiko: "What are you doing?!"

Exagora: "Their bodies remained intact because of my intervention. Now that their Sources are gone, their bodies will decompose. I've only preserved them until now."

A portal opened behind Exagora.

Exagora: "This is not over. Your enemies will strike again. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to fight properly. For now, go home."

The group reluctantly left, their trust in Exagora shaken.

Later, Masaru approached Exagora privately.

Masaru: "I need to know... if someone's dead, where would their Source be?"

Exagora's gaze sharpened.

Exagora: "Are you asking about your wife? Her death was peculiar—no body, no trace. It suggests a Source sacrifice ritual. Whoever was responsible may target you as well. Be cautious."

Masaru nodded grimly, the weight of Exagora's words sinking in.

At Sato's house, Kazuki, Haruto, Daiki, Kazuhiro, and Aiko gathered around his bed. When Sato finally woke, his fury hadn't diminished.

Sato: "I'm going to kill the guy who shot them... and Exagora too. None of these otherworldly beings can be trusted!"

Haruto: "Calm down, Sato. It's impossible. You can't defeat someone like Exagora."

Sato: "So you want me to sit here and do nothing?!"

He tried to rise, but Aiko grabbed his arm, tears streaming down her face.

Aiko: "Please don't go! I can't lose you too. We've already lost so much—our family from the orphanage. I can't bear to lose you as well."

Her words calmed Sato, though his resolve remained.

As the group dispersed, Haruto and Kazuki walked home together.

Haruto: "Those deaths... they're a real tragedy for Aiko and Sato. They were like family to each other."

Kazuki: "Hey, don't blame Sato. He couldn't have known."

Haruto: "Maybe not. But humans are responsible for their choices, regardless of the outcome. Being deceived is still a failure of judgment. Blame won't change anything."

Kazuki fell silent, reflecting on Haruto's words as they parted ways.

Walking alone, Kazuki suddenly heard a noise from a dark, unlit street. Against his better judgment, he turned and found himself face-to-face with a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows.

Mysterious Figure: "Nice to meet you, Kazuki Akira."

Kazuki: "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

Mysterious Figure: "I'm from the Absolute Realm. I know everything about you... and your recent encounters."

Kazuki's heart raced.

Kazuki: "What do you want? Are you with Exagora?"

The figure chuckled.

Mysterious Figure: "Neither ally nor enemy. I just find you... interesting. Consider this a long-term investment."

Kazuki hesitated, unsure whether to trust this enigmatic being.

Kazuki: "I don't trust Exagora. But I don't trust you either."

As Kazuki walked away, the figure vanished into the shadows.

At home, Kazuki's siblings, Ren and Emi, greeted him warmly.

Emi: "Welcome home, Onii-chan!"

Trying to hide his turmoil, Kazuki reassured them.

Kazuki: "Everything is fine. Let's just keep this between us, okay?"

That night, as Kazuki lay in bed, the events of the day replayed in his mind. With no one else to confide in, he called Haruto.

On call

Haruto: Hello Kazuki what's the emergency

Kazuki: what emergency where

Haruto: you never called at night before especially at around midnight I thought there something

Kazuki: can't I call normally

Haruto: you can but around this time there has to be something

Kazuki said well there is

He explains whole situation to him

Haruto: hmm it seems that this mysterious guy is seem interesting but we can't do anything he could take precautions but end it's up to us whom we trust I don't think he trust Exagora

Kazuki: I thought you 2 were close

Haruto: ya we were but that guy never told me about his identity at last you could have told me tomorrow or 10 mins later you called me when I was in mood

Kazuki: what do you mean by mood

Haruto: what do you think mood refers to a 22 year old young man at his room alone ar night

Kazuki: don't you mean about masturbration right

Haruto: of course masterburation don't worry I was only planning to do so I haven't done anything yet

Kazuki: given situation why are you even planning to do

Haruto: what's in the situation even if situation is bad taking stress or overthinking or staying in serious mood doesn't do any good just I told you about regret stress are same nothing good comes from stress also I suggest you to do tonight

Kazuki: what why

Haruto: it could be good for stress relief

Kazuki: okay I will think about it later

Haruto: okay bye

Next morning yesterday after taking to Haruto also started to think about it end the end I couldn't control although that video was good I can still feel that lust

At breakfast table Kazuki was relieved to and was ready for a Job interview

Emi: oni chan you have interview today right good luck for that

Ren: we hope will succeed

Kazuki: thanks both of you

Emi: I am glad you are in slightly bright mood since that incident you looked tense everyday come on think of it I heard wired nosies yesterday

Kazuki thought opps my earbuds were not working properly I forgot to keep volume low

Ren: what kind of nosies

Emi bashfully said I can't tell what kind forgot about it

Ren: what

Kazuki: let's forget all these okay I am going now

Kazuki reached at place it was old looking apartment when he entered I was called for Job interview he said

Exagora was sitting inside

Kazuki: what is this

Exagora: I am the one who invited you to hire

Meanwhile, at a distant location, Daw, a strategist for a covert organization, reviewed a mission briefing:

1. Slythara: A seasoned operative, known for her precision and leadership skills.

2. Voiran: A talented veteran with a history of successful missions alongside Slythara.

3. Kyrel: A promising newcomer under Slythara's mentorship.

4. Niva: Another skilled recruit, trained by Voiran.

Daw drafted a request for additional combat personnel, sending it to headquarters.

On the other hand

Kazuki sat nervously at his job interview, the sterile office building an odd contrast to his recent life-threatening experiences. The door creaked open, revealing a figure he thought he'd never see in such mundane circumstances.

Kazuki: "What are you doing here?"

Exagora: "To hire you, of course. You posted your resume online—I responded."

Kazuki: "Wait... you use the internet?"

Exagora smirked. "Naturally. The internet is a tool, like any other. Besides, working for me is the best option for you now. Think about it—you're no longer bound by the limits of human society. You're something beyond that. I can give you anything."

Kazuki pondered Exagora's words, realizing the truth in them. The concept of a "job" held meaning only within the confines of human norms. If he was no longer part of that world, then why follow its rules?

Kazuki: "What do you want me to do?"

Exagora: "Not much. Help me investigate who killed those two. The fact they left Sato alive suggests they're trying to challenge me."

Kazuki recalled the mysterious figure from before.

Kazuki: "What if they're entities even beyond you?"

Exagora: "There are few who match me, let alone surpass me. If a whole organization is involved, that's the worst-case scenario. But if that were the case, none of you would've survived."

Kazuki disliked Exagora's dismissive tone but understood the opportunity this presented.

Kazuki: "What about the others?"

Exagora: "I've contacted all the marked individuals. Masaru Haruki insisted on joining, though it will take time for Sato and Aiko to fully integrate."

Kazuki: "Why include Myuki's dad?"

Exagora: "Because he asked. And I'm not creating a task force—I'm just teaching you to survive."

Exagora stood to leave. "Training starts tomorrow."

A Week Later

The training sessions under Exagora were grueling but enlightening. He taught them to connect their imagination to their Source energy, raising their levels naturally rather than through forced meditation.

Kazuki found it fascinating. The energy flow felt as natural as breathing, and being around Exagora seemed to accelerate their progress. Haruto adapted effortlessly, his energy levels surpassing the rest, while Masaru Haruki's experience and discipline made him surprisingly proficient.

Exagora even paid them, summoning money as easily as he wielded his immense power.

---

One afternoon, Haruto approached Kazuki, who was lost in thought.

Haruto: "Hey, Kazuki."

Kazuki: "Oh, hi."

Haruto: "How are you planning to fight?"

Kazuki: "What do you mean?"

Haruto: "We can create anything within the limits of our energy and imagination—like weapons, ranged attacks, or even unique abilities."

Kazuki: "I haven't given it much thought."

Asuka joined the conversation.

Asuka: "I'll use weapons that hover and attack automatically. Seems efficient."

Kazuki: "You sound way too excited about combat."

Asuka: "Why not? If we master this, we could control the human realm. We're already the strongest humans alive."

Saki and Kazuhiro entered the discussion, their perspectives contrasting sharply.

Saki: "We should stay out of it."

Kazuhiro: "I agree. Humanity isn't ready for this power."

Daiki and Myuki stepped forward.

Daiki: "This is a turning point. The old human systems are obsolete."

Myuki: "Humans must learn about this and integrate into the Absolute Realm. It's inevitable."

The group fell silent as Haruto calmly interjected.

Haruto: "Remember, just because we've uncovered this truth doesn't make us significant. We're still bound by those above us."

The group nodded in reluctant agreement.

Sato walked alone that evening, the weight of his friends' deaths heavy on his shoulders. The air felt oppressive, and he became acutely aware of a presence nearby.

Sato: "Who's there?"

A figure emerged from the shadows.

Kayerl: "Someone you won't enjoy meeting."

Without warning, Kayerl lunged. Sato barely dodged the attack, the impact shattering a wall behind him.

Kayerl: "I'm one of the ones who killed your friends."

Sato's eyes narrowed, and he chased Kayerl through the city, their clash leaving destruction in their wake. They soon reached a forested area, where Kayerl launched devastating energy blasts. Sato struggled, sustaining injuries, but his resilience surprised even himself.

Meanwhile, Aiko sensed an ominous presence. A woman appeared before her, radiating menace.

Niva: "You're Aiko Nishimura, correct?"

Aiko: "Who are you?"

Niva: "Not someone you can escape from."

Niva attacked with blinding speed, forcing Aiko to flee across rooftops. She glimpsed Sato battling in the distance but was cut off as Niva pushed her in the opposite direction.

Exagora observed the escalating conflicts from afar. As he prepared to intervene, The Mystery figure who has appeared in fornt of Kazuki who was watching them from beinging made his move he released an energy wave, luring a middle-aged man toward the chaos that middleaged man was looking a ordinary officer worker going his home. Exagora frowned, sensing a larger scheme at play.

Exagora: "It's time to put an end to this."