The Strongest Transcendent In History Is The Strongest
Chapter 40: Your Big Bro Is Here
–Back to Me–
A monstrous figure lumbers menacingly behind me—an immense, grotesque apparition, stitched together from the very essence of shadow itself. Its jagged claws scrape across the intangible void surrounding us, each finger longer than a skyscraper, each movement echoing with the creaking of ancient wood. The creature's teeth gleam menacingly, sharp as obsidian blades, perfectly aligned within a maw that could easily swallow a celestial body. It looms above me, an overwhelming presence that warps the very air, causing it to ripple and bend as if reality itself is buckling beneath its weight.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds—no, thousands—of black knives spiral toward me from every conceivable direction. They shriek through the air, a cacophony that sounds like banshees crying out in final desperation, each one a harbinger of death and despair.
But I refuse to stop. I don't even flinch at the onslaught. "I'm in a hurry," I mutter coldly, a chill in my voice that seemingly defies the encroaching darkness. With a violent surge of energy, my fist slams into the shadow monster's gut, and the impact doesn't merely land—it detonates with the force of a tidal wave.
The beast is thrust backward like a meteor hurled from the depths of the cosmos, its colossal form colliding with the far wall in an earth-shattering earthquake that cracks the very horizon itself. The sound of its impact reverberates through the space, a thunderous roar that drowns out all else.
The knives that had sought to pierce me never come close. My aura flares to life, a brilliant shield that vaporizes them on contact, scattering their remnants like ash in a tempest of golden wind.
I pivot on my heel, directing my focus toward the looming doorway ahead, its frame a promise of escape. With a swift, decisive motion, I tear it open, feeling the cold breath of the unknown wash over me.
Inner thought: Just wait for me, Katsume… I'm coming for you…
On the other side, however, awaits a nightmare that stretches far beyond my worst imaginings: an infinite labyrinth of shadows, warped geometry that defies logic, and doorways that hang crookedly or vanish entirely mid-step. The ceiling above swirls like an ominous whirlpool of murky black fog, distorting the very fabric of reality as it churns mercilessly.
I stare up at the endless darkness stretching high above me, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. At this rate… I won't make it in time. My fists tighten in determination. My legs brace for the impending storm. My breathing slows, honing my focus into a sharp, unwavering point. Then I'll stop playing by the rules. If this place was built to stall me— —I'll tear a path through it with unyielding ferocity. Crouching low, I coil my legs with overwhelming force, feeling the ground beneath me crack as if it shares in my urgency. And then—I explode upward. I launch through the maze like a comet streaking across the night sky—smashing through floor after floor, ceiling after ceiling, as light bends around me and gravity struggles to regain control. The tower crumbles in my wake, debris spinning through the air like stars caught in the throes of a cataclysmic event, each piece a testament to my relentless ascent.
–Back to Kagenoarujinbutsu–
The throne room is a surreal void, an eerie amalgamation stitched together by forgotten time—a liminal space where reality blurs and warps. Shards of fractured clocks drift languidly through the air as if suspended in an eternal limbo. A pale, sickly light seeps in through seams that mar the sky overhead, casting elongated shadows that dance like phantoms in the gloom. Kagenoarujinbutsu reclines on his twisted throne, a comfortable smirk playing across his lips, one that speaks of dark amusement. "So," he drawls with a tone steeped in lazy derision, "what can you tell me about Kiro Yatsu?" Katsume meets his gaze, her glare defiant and unwavering. Although her hands tremble slightly betraying her nerves, her voice remains steady and resolute. "My big brother will come for me. I know it." Her eyes shine—not with the raw power one might expect, but with an unyielding belief. It is pure, intense, and burning like an unwavering flame in the clamorous darkness surrounding her.
Suddenly—a deep, guttural boom echoes through the chamber. The ground trembles violently beneath them.
Kagenoarujinbutsu's amused facade falters, brow furrowing in confusion. "...Hmm? What's that sound?" Before he can react further, the floor shakes again, more violently this time. Everything in the room rattles—the throne lurches precariously as floating clocks shatter into glittering shards, and the entire realm seems to tilt sideways, caught in a chaotic dance of instability.
Katsume stands transfixed, her gaze locked onto the ground that is violently cracking and convulsing beneath her feet. Her eyes are wide, not filled with the paralyzing grip of terror, but illuminated with an increasing sense of certainty and anticipation. The atmosphere around her is weighed down by an oppressive darkness, a suffocating shroud that thickens the air and invites feelings of despair and foreboding. Despite this heavy gloom, her heart beats in a steady rhythm—a strong, unwavering pulse that echoes her resolute spirit in the face of impending chaos. As she peers through the murky veil, a flicker of gold catches her attention, gleaming faintly yet undeniably beneath the splintering surface of the earth. It glimmers like a beacon of hope in the overwhelming darkness, a stark contrast to the ominous surroundings. A soft quiver of joy tugs at the corners of her lips, and despite the frightening circumstances, she allows a tender smile to form, one that trembles with both excitement and disbelief. "That must be… Big bro," she breathes out softly, her voice barely rising above a whisper, infused with a sense of quiet reverence. "I knew he'd come for me." Her words carry the weight of unshakeable faith, echoing her long-held belief that, against all odds, her brother would not abandon her in her time of need. In that moment, the fear that once enveloped her starts to dissipate, replaced by a warm surge of hope and anticipation as she prepares for the reunification that she has longed for.
He kneels down, instinctively placing a hand against the trembling floor, bracing himself against the overwhelming force.
Then—CRACK.
A massive rupture tears open the surface like paper being carelessly ripped apart. The room begins to lurch, walls splitting and furniture along with twisted columns toppling helplessly into the widening chasm that opens beneath them. The throne slides backward, crashing violently into the far wall. Dust and fragments of fractured time scatter in all directions, reminiscent of shards of glass catching the light.
Kagenoarujinbutsu narrows his eyes, alert to the change.
From the center of the fractured floor— A fist erupts upward, breaking through stone and air alike. My fist. It glows with a brilliant gold light, trailing cosmic flames as I rocket upward—straight into the very face of Kagenoarujinbutsu. With a bone-jarring force, my punch connects with his jaw, snapping his head back as though he has been struck by a meteor. I declare, my voice slicing through the chaos around us like a finely honed blade. "Your big bro is here."
Kagenoarujinbutsu's body sails backward, careening like a shooting star racing into the shroud of shadow, a testament to the fury and determination that fuels my relentless pursuit.
To be continued...