The atmosphere changed drastically. If the previous stage resonated with darkness and annihilation, the new arena Rimuru Tempest and Satoru Gojo were transported to felt... infinite. Space seemed to stretch, landmarks blurred, and a sense of insurmountable distance permeated the air. The ground was a pristine white, featureless, stretching to a nonexistent horizon under a sky of empty, endless blue. It was a domain that subtly reflected the power of the ultimate sorcerer.
Sung Jinwoo and Mash Burnedead watched from their platform, recovering. Cid and Saitama watched from theirs, each in their own way.
"A spatial domain?" Rimuru muttered, materializing in his human form. He felt the space around him behave strangely, each step he took seeming to cover less distance than expected, as if space itself multiplied infinitely between him and any other point. Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, analysis of the surroundings and his ability. [Ciel: Analysis in progress. The surroundings are a manifestation of a high-level Spatial Manipulation Skill. It matches the individual Satoru Gojo's primary ability: 'Infinity'. This ability creates an infinite 'distance' between the user and their surroundings, slowing or stopping anything that tries to reach them.]
In front of him, Gojo Satoru, wearing his iconic blindfold, smiled casually. He seemed unaffected by his surroundings; in fact, he seemed to be in his element. "Well, well. A slime that can shapeshift and copy abilities, huh? They say you're incredibly versatile. Let's see if your 'adaptation' can handle the concept of infinity."
Rimuru: "Your ability... seems to make space infinite. Interesting. I've never faced anything like this before."
Gojo: "Oh, is this your first time? Prepare for a religious experience. Nothing touches you unless I want it to. No punches, no magic, not even concepts like 'distance'. It's 'Infinity'. Simple enough, right?"
Rimuru knew it wasn't simple at all. An ability that manipulated space at a fundamental level would be incredibly difficult to circumvent. Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, any possible methods to bypass or nullify 'Infinity'? [Ciel: Calculating. Direct nullification would require a spatial manipulation ability of equal or greater caliber, or a conceptual ability that can negate the existence of 'distance'. A bypass might be possible through abilities that ignore physical space, such as certain forms of teleportation, or attacks that operate on a non-physical/conceptual level.]
"I see," Rimuru said, turning to Gojo. He decided to test Gojo's ability directly. He manifested a sphere of high-density magical energy and fired it toward Gojo.
The sphere advanced a short distance and then... simply stopped. It hovered in the air, each nanometer it attempted to advance being divided by Infinity into an endless number of smaller fractions, preventing it from truly reaching its goal.
Gojo: "Oops. Looks like your magic isn't fast enough to cross infinity. Too bad." Gojo snapped his fingers. Rimuru's energy sphere collapsed in on itself, dissipated by the manipulation of the space around it.
Rimuru frowned. This confirmed Ciel's description. Brute force or normal speed wouldn't work. He needed something more. He tried a different tactic. He tried using 'Predator' (his absorption ability) to consume the space between him and Gojo, or even Gojo himself.
Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, use Predator. Attempt to consume the space affected by his Infinity. [Ciel: Initiating Unique Skill 'Gluttonous Lord Beelzebuth'. Attempting to consume the target space. Result: Failed. The concept of 'Infinity' cannot be 'consumed' in a physical or spatial sense. It is an ability based on dimensional/conceptual laws, not substance.]
Gojo sensed the attempt at absorption and laughed. "Hey, that was rude. Trying to eat my space? You're not going to like the results. Infinity isn't a buffet."
Rimuru canceled 'Predator.' Gojo was right. His consumption abilities, designed for physical matter, energy, and even souls, didn't seem to work against Gojo's conceptual spatial manipulation. He needed another strategy.
Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, I need an ability that ignores space, or one that can nullify its ability. Analysis in progress of your 'Infinity'? [Ciel: Analysis in progress. Billions of dimensional and conceptual parameters are being evaluated per second. Seeking an inconsistency, a limit, or a logical counterpoint.]
He decided to test his enhanced speed. He manifested wings and launched himself toward Gojo at incredible speed, breaking multiple sound barriers. But again, the closer he got to Gojo, the slower he seemed to go, space multiplying before him. It seemed that unless he could move at infinite speed or ignore space altogether, he would never physically catch up to him.
Gojo watched Rimuru's charge with mock boredom. "Fast, but not fast enough. It's like trying to race to the end of a number. You never make it." He raised a hand. "Now it's my turn to test your stamina."
A blue energy sphere formed in his palm, distorting the space around it with a pulling effect. 'Blue.' The convergence of space that created an immense suction force. He fired the sphere toward Rimuru.
Rimuru, guided by Ciel's warnings, reacted instantly. He erected multiple layers of high-density magical barriers, combined with defensive abilities like 'Steel Skin' and 'Unique Regeneration' in preparation for the impact. The blue sphere collided with his defenses. There was no explosion; instead, his barriers began to collapse inwards, sucked into the spatial singularity of 'Blue'. Rimuru felt an immense attractive force, pulling him towards the sphere as if it were a miniature black hole.
Rimuru (Thought): A spatial attraction skill! Dangerous! Ciel, counter with 'Great Sage'... Uriel! [Ciel: Using Ultimate Skill 'Covenant Lord Uriel'. Deploying 'Infinite Prison' and 'Spatial Control'. Countering 'Blue's' spatial manipulation.]
Rimuru's barriers stabilized, and Blue's suction was neutralized by his own spatial manipulation ability (Uriel), which could create or control space and dimensional barriers. The blue sphere harmlessly dissipated.
Gojo looked surprised for a moment. "Oh! That's interesting! You can counter my 'Blue'. You have spatial abilities. And those barriers... quite resistant." His Six Eyes, although hidden by the blindfold, were processing the information about Rimuru at an astonishing speed. "But can you dodge this?"
Another sphere, this one of glowing red energy, formed in his other hand. 'Red.' The divergence of space, creating a massive, destructive repulsive force. He fired it toward Rimuru.
Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, counter with Uriel again. [Ciel: Using Ultimate Skill 'Covenant Lord Uriel'. Deploying 'Accelerated Field' and 'Position Change'. Evading 'Red's' trajectory.]
Rimuru moved sideways at a speed assisted by Uriel's spatial control, the red beam passing millimeters from him and exploding in the distance with a force that tore through the empty 'sky' of the stage.
Gojo: "Well, well. Quick to react and you have teleportation or something similar. But your attacks can't reach me. It's kind of a stalemate, don't you think?"
Rimuru didn't respond verbally. He was focused, relying on Ciel to analyze and find the gap. He knew that his brute force, his army, or even his most destructive abilities would be useless if he couldn't overcome 'Infinity.' The real fight was a battle of logic, concept, and adaptation against Gojo's absolute spatial invincibility.
Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, any weaknesses? Anything 'Infinity' can't stop, or something we can exploit? [Ciel: Analysis in progress. 'Infinity' is a near-absolute defense against attacks based on physical or energetic distance. However, a theory is being put forward: attacks that operate on a conceptual plane, that nullify the ability itself, or that completely ignore distance and space, such as certain types of soul-level or pure information-level attacks, might be effective. The key lies in attacking the concept of their ability, not the user through it.]
Rimuru nodded to himself. Attacking the concept. A task easier said than done. But if Ciel thought it was possible, then they would try. While Gojo continued to smile with his unwavering confidence, Rimuru prepared to unleash abilities that went beyond simple magic or strength, searching for a way to touch the one who seemed untouchable.
The first part of their duel was a test of patience and analysis. Rimuru tested Gojo's invincibility, and Gojo proved that his defense was as formidable as rumored. The real battle, the one that would decide whether Unlimited Adaptation could overcome the Infinite Void, was about to begin.
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