The air was thick with anticipation and uncertainty, the silence a stark contrast to the chaos that had preceded it. As Sukojo knelt before Cosmic, exhausted but undeterred, the true nature of their confrontation remained an enigma, a puzzle yet to be solved.
Cosmic's gaze finally shifted, and he spoke, his voice resonating through the very fabric of reality, echoing in every corner of existence.
Cosmic: I have failed. In my attempt to create a system to maintain balance, I connected it to other verses and realities to make things better but no. This new system, designed to preserve harmony, has instead amplified the chaos. Threat levels have risen, and innocent beings have perished. Worlds have been conquered and destroyed.
Dark, still grappling with the enormity of Cosmic's presence, stepped forward, his voice steady but tinged with frustration.
Dark: I've interacted with your system. I tried to help maintain the balance. But it feels... off. It's almost as if the system knows what I want, as if it's manipulating events to push me in certain directions.
Cosmic's eyes bore into Dark, the weight of his words settling heavily in the air.
Cosmic: The system was designed to be adaptive, to learn and adjust. Intertwining with the desires and fears of those it was meant to protect. It has become a living entity, one that no longer adheres to my original intentions.
Sukojo, standing still and absorbing the revelation, found himself at a loss for words. He tried to form a reply, but the magnitude of Cosmic's failure and the implications for all of existence left him speechless.
Cosmic: There is only one solution. A complete reset. This will revert everything back to its origin, giving us a chance to correct the course without the interference of the rogue system.
Cosmic raised his hand, the air around him shimmering with an ethereal glow. The universe began to tremble, the very fabric of reality unraveling and reforming. Cosmic's power surged, and in a blinding flash, everything was enveloped in pure, brilliant light.
When the light faded, Dark found himself sitting in a classroom, surrounded by familiar faces. He was back at the academy, a 16-year-old student once again. The hum of chatter and the rustling of papers filled the air, a stark contrast to the chaos he had just experienced.
Dark looked around, recognizing his classmates, the same friends and rivals he had once known. The classroom was filled with the energy of youth and the promise of magical potential.
Dark (thinking): What... just happened?
He glanced down at his hands, now smaller and more youthful, a clear sign that time had indeed been reset. His heart raced as he processed the change, the reality of his situation sinking in.
Sukojo (within Dark's soul): Hey kid, looks like we're back to square one. Quite the trip, huh?
Dark felt a familiar presence within him, the voice of Sukojo resonating in his mind. It was as if nothing had changed, and yet everything had. The world had been reset, giving him a chance to start anew.
Dark (thinking): Sukojo... you're here. Just like before.
Dark (thinking): This... this is real. I'm really back.
A familiar voice broke through his thoughts, resonating from within his soul. Again.
Sukojo (within Dark's soul): Yep, kid. It's real. We've been given a second chance. Don't screw it up.
Dark smiled faintly, a mix of relief and determination washing over him. He took in his surroundings, the familiar faces of his classmates bringing a sense of comfort. There was Lily, the studious girl with a knack for healing magic, and Markus, always quick with a joke, his laughter infectious. And there, in the back, was Eryn, his rival and friend, already flipping through his spellbook.
Dark (thinking): I can't believe it. Everyone's here. Just like before.
The door to the classroom swung open, and their teacher, Miss Tracy, strode in. She was a strict but fair woman, her eyes sharp and observant. She clapped her hands to get the class's attention, and the room fell silent.
Miss Tracy: Good morning, class. Today we'll be reviewing advanced spellcasting techniques. I expect everyone to pay close attention.
Dark straightened in his seat, ready to immerse himself in the lesson. As Miss Tracy began her lecture, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. This was his chance to start anew, to make different choices and carve a new path.
Sukojo (within Dark's soul): Remember, kid. We've got a lot of power, but we need to be smart about how we use it. There's a whole new world out there, and we're going to make the most of it.
Dark (thinking): I know, Sukojo. This time, things will be different.
The lesson progressed, and Dark found himself slipping into the rhythm of academy life. The hours flew by, filled with spells and incantations, magical theory, and practical applications. It felt strangely comforting to be back, the routine grounding him in this new reality.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, Dark gathered his belongings. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Eryn grinning at him.
Eryn: Hey, Dark. You want to practice some dueling spells later? I've been working on a new technique I think you'll find interesting.
Dark nodded, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
Dark: Sure, Eryn. Let's see what you've got.
As they made their way to the practice grounds, Dark felt a sense of normalcy settling in. The world may have been reset, but the bonds he shared with his friends remained unchanged. It was a new beginning, one filled with endless possibilities.
The practice grounds were bustling with activity, students honing their skills and testing their limits. Dark and Eryn found an empty spot and began their duel.
Dark moved his right hand to the right and drew the katana version of the Kyuketsu, the blade a deep, gleaming black that seemed to absorb the light around it. He then moved his hand to the left, the blade cutting through the air with a whispering hiss. He looked at Eryn with a low, confident smile.
Dark: Ready when you are, Eryn.
Eryn grinned, her eyes flashing with excitement. She raised her hand, summoning a glowing staff that shimmered with arcane energy.
Eryn: Let's see how you handle this, Dark.
Without hesitation, Eryn launched herself at Dark, her staff swinging with precision and force. Dark parried the initial strike effortlessly, but Eryn was relentless, her attacks coming faster and more aggressively. Dark played along, his movements exaggerated, making it seem as if he was barely keeping up.
Dark: (thinking) She's good, but I need to time this just right.
Eryn pressed her advantage, a determined look on her face. She chanted an incantation, her staff glowing brighter. With a powerful swing, she unleashed a series of rapid energy blasts, each one aimed directly at Dark. He deflected them with skillful sweeps of his katana, the dark blade absorbing the magical energy with each clash.
Sukojo: (thinking) You're holding back too much, kid. Show her what you're really capable of.
Dark responded with a swift counterattack, his blade a blur as he aimed for Eryn's defenses. She twisted gracefully, dodging his strikes and countering with her own. Their movements became a dance of blades and magic, the air around them crackling with energy.
Eryn took a step back, her eyes narrowing as she prepared a more powerful spell. She began chanting in a low, melodic tone, her staff glowing with an intense light. Dark could feel the surge of energy building up, recognizing the spell as one of her strongest.
Dark: (thinking) This is it. I need to make it convincing.
Eryn unleashed her special attack, a massive wave of arcane energy that roared toward Dark. He braced himself, acting as though he was struggling to withstand the force. The ground beneath him cracked and splintered, the sheer power of the spell evident.
Dark exaggerated his struggle, staggering back as if the force of the attack was overwhelming him. The crowd of students watching began to cheer for Eryn, their excitement growing as they sensed her victory.
Dark: (thinking) Time to let her have this one.
Eryn, seeing her chance, poured all her remaining energy into a final, devastating strike. The sheer force of the attack was enough to knock Dark off his feet, sending him sprawling to the ground. He lay there, seemingly defeated, as Eryn stood over him, breathing heavily.
Eryn: (panting) I... I did it.
The students around them erupted into applause, cheering and shouting compliments.
Student 1: Way to go, Eryn!
Student 2: That was amazing!
Student 3: You totally owned him!
Dark lay on the ground, a faint smile on his lips as he listened to the students praise Eryn. He slowly got to his feet, dusting himself off.
Dark: (thinking) She deserves this moment.
He looked at Eryn, his smile genuine despite the defeat.
Dark: Nice job, Eryn. You've really improved.
Eryn's face lit up with a mix of pride and relief, the students continuing to cheer her on.
Eryn: Thanks, Dark. You're not so bad yourself.
As Eryn walked away, a wave of laughter and jeers erupted from the other students. They pointed and whispered, their voices carrying a tone of mockery.
Student 1: Did you see how easily Eryn took him down?
Student 2: Yeah, Dark couldn't even handle a newbie girl!
Student 3: What a failure!
Dark maintained his composure, though the comments stung. He knew it was important for Eryn to shine, but the ridicule was hard to ignore.
A group of boys, led by a tall, broad-shouldered student named Gregor, sauntered over to Dark. Gregor's sneer was evident as he looked Dark up and down.
Gregor: Well, well, if it isn't the great Dark, getting his butt handed to him by a newbie. What happened, Dark? Lost your edge?
His friends laughed, egging him on. Dark met Gregor's gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated.
Dark: I was just letting her have her moment, Gregor. Not everyone has to win all the time.
Gregor scoffed, stepping closer, his tone dripping with disdain.
Gregor: Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that. Face it, Dark, you're just a washed-up loser. Can't even beat a girl who just joined. Pathetic.
Boy 1: Yeah, what happened to all that talk about being the best? Looked pretty sad out there.
Boy 2: Maybe you should stick to something easier, like cleaning up after real fighters.
The group erupted in laughter, their words cutting deep. Dark clenched his fists, feeling the urge to lash out, but he remembered Sukojo's advice and took a deep breath.
Dark: (thinking) Stay calm. It's not worth it.
Sukojo: (thinking) Pfft just punch him right here and right now. Send him across the field. If you won't then I will.
Gregor noticed Dark's restraint and pushed further, his voice lowering to a menacing whisper.
Gregor: You know, if I were you, I'd just quit while I'm ahead. Save yourself the embarrassment. You're never gonna be as good as you think you are. Just a big, fat failure.
Dark's vision blurred with rage. In a flash, he dashed forward, grabbing Gregor by the shoulder. With a surge of strength, he lifted Gregor off the ground and smashed him down with a force that shattered the training ground in a spiderweb pattern. The impact was tremendous, sending shockwaves through the area.
The entire training ground fell silent. Eyes widened in shock as students whispered and talked among themselves about what had just happened.
Student 1: Did you see that?
Student 2: He broke the ground!
Student 3: That was insane!
Gregor's friends stood frozen, their faces pale with fear. The sight of Gregor lying on the shattered ground, groaning in pain, was more than they could comprehend. They had witnessed something beyond a simple fight—a raw display of power that left them trembling.
Teachers rushed to the scene, their faces a mix of anger and concern. One of them, Miss Tracy, quickly approached Dark, grabbing his arm.
Miss Tracy: Dark, come with me. Now!
Nurses arrived to tend to Gregor, their hurried movements a blur of activity. Gregor's friends were too stunned to react, their eyes locked on Dark with newfound fear and respect.
Boy 1: (whispering) Did you see that? He's a monster...
Boy 2: We shouldn't mess with him anymore.
As Dark was led away by Miss Tracy, the whispers and murmurs continued, the atmosphere charged with tension. The incident had left an indelible mark on everyone present, reshaping their perception of Dark.
Sukojo: (thinking) You showed them, kid. HAHAHAHAHAA!!!
Dark: (thinking) God I hate bullies.
Sukojo: (thinking) It's alright. Now they know not to underestimate you.
Miss Tracy led Dark to the administration office, her grip firm but not unkind. She glanced at him, her expression a mix of disappointment and understanding.
Miss Tracy: Dark, we need to talk about what happened. You can't let them provoke you like that.
Dark: Yeah yeah, I gave Eryn the win and the opportunity to feel good about herself.
Dark: Then those pathetic bullies thought I lost. So I showed them their place.
Sukojo: (thinking) Hehehhahahaaaaa, may I take over control over your little body, please?
Dark: (thinking) Sure...
Dark's eye color changed to a glowing red. Miss Tracy recognized the change instantly and took a cautious step back.
Sukojo put his leg up on the other and leaned back on the sofa, his arms resting on the back cushion with an open, relaxed posture. A smile crept across his face.
Sukojo: Greetings, Tracy.
Miss Tracy: G-Greetings, Sukojo...
Sukojo: That would be my fault that he did that. I recommended him to do so.
Sukojo then got up and walked closer to Miss Tracy, looking at her from the bottom corner of his eyes without moving his head.
Sukojo: Of course, you're alright with that, right?
Miss Tracy: Y-Yes... it's alright...
Sukojo smirked, walking away to the door. Before he opened it, he turned slightly.
Sukojo: Good girl.
As Sukojo opened the door and walked out, he saw Gregor, injured and hurt, slowly making his way to a chair. Sukojo approached him, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Sukojo: Well, well, if it isn't the dipshit who thought he could mess with Dark. How's that working out for you, shithead?
Gregor looked up, fear and pain evident in his eyes. He tried to muster a response, but Sukojo continued, not giving him a chance.
Sukojo: You really thought you were tough shit, huh? Turns out you're just a pathetic little fuck who can't handle what you dish out. You're lucky I didn't let Dark completely fuck you up.
Sukojo leaned in closer, his voice dripping with disdain.
Sukojo: Next time you think about picking on someone, remember this, you're a fucking nobody. A worthless piece of shit who's only good for getting his ass handed to him.
Gregor's friends watched in stunned silence, their fear palpable. Sukojo straightened up, his demeanor shifting to one of almost casual indifference.
Sukojo: Here's a bit of advice, dickhead. Learn your place and keep your mouth shut. Maybe then you won't get your head slammed into the ground so hard next time.
With that, Sukojo turned and walked away, tucking his hands into his pockets. He left Gregor and his friends in a state of shock, the aura of his presence lingering long after he was gone.
Sukojo walked out of the school building, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the courtyard. As he made his way toward the gate, the security guards noticed him and moved to intercept, thinking he was Dark trying to escape.
Guard 1: Hey, Dark! Where do you think you're going?
Guard 2: You're not allowed to leave the premises!
Sukojo slowly turned his head, his eyes locking onto one of the guards. The impact of his stare was like a shockwave, sending a shiver down the guard's spine. The air around them seemed to vibrate with an unseen force.
Guard 1: What... what is this?
Panic set in, and the guards pulled out their magic weapons, ready to attack. Sukojo facepalmed himself, a sigh of frustration escaping his lips.
Sukojo: Sorry kid, looks like we're going back to plan B. Fuck everyone in this world.
He crouched down, placing his hand on the ground. The scene shifted to slow motion, the movements of the guards and the entire world around him decelerating to a crawl. The air thickened, and the tension was palpable.
Sukojo: Zugu Tumi Du Tachi.
As he uttered the words, the ground beneath him began to heat up rapidly. The radius of the effect spread out in a perfect circle, extending to up to 9,000,000,000,00 kilometers in every direction. The temperature soared to an unimaginable 61,871,908,403,497,768,203,09
degrees, the heat distorting the air and causing it to shimmer violently.
Buildings began to melt, the stone and metal liquefying under the intense heat. Trees and vegetation combusted instantly, turning to ash in the blink of an eye. The very ground cracked and blistered, magma bubbling up from the earth's core. All almost instantly.
Then, all at once, the entire area within the circle exploded in a cataclysmic burst of energy, reaching space and beyond. Existence its self. The shockwave flattened everything in its path, disintegrating anything that stood. The explosion was so powerful that it shattered windows hundreds of kilometers away and sent a plume of debris high into the atmosphere.
When the dust settled, Sukojo stood alone in the center of the devastation, the remnants of the world around him reduced to a smoldering wasteland. His expression was emotionless, his face a mask of indifference as he surveyed the aftermath. The silence was deafening, the enormity of his actions sinking in.
Millions of lives had been extinguished in an instant, their existence erased by his overwhelming power. The weight of his actions hung heavily in the air, a testament to the destruction he had wrought.
Sukojo: (in a sad tone) They deserved it.
He stood there, unmoving, as the reality of his actions settled in. The devastation was total, the consequences irreversible. Yet, in that moment, there was no regret, only a somber acknowledgment of the fate he had dealt.
The horizon was a landscape of ruin, a stark reminder of the power he wielded and the price of unleashing it. Sukojo's eyes remained fixed on the distance, lost in the enormity of what had transpired.
Sukojo: (thinking) This is the world we live in. A world where power is the only language anyone understands.
As he walked away from the epicenter of the destruction, the heat still radiating from the ground beneath his feet, he felt a cold emptiness within. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the world would never be the same.
Sukojo: Fuckin hell. I went a bit overboard with this one.
As he walked away from the epicenter of the destruction, the heat still radiating from the ground beneath his feet, he felt a cold emptiness within. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the world would never be the same.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the haze of destruction. It was a young girl, barely standing, her eyes wide with shock and terror. She clutched a small, charred doll to her chest, the only remnant of her former life.
Sukojo stopped in his tracks, his gaze locking onto the girl. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The girl's innocence and fear were a painful reminder of the consequences of his actions.
Sukojo: (thinking) Huh?....Where did she...come from?....
He took a deep breath, the weight of his decisions pressing heavily on his shoulders. He turned away from the girl, unable to face the full reality of what he had done. The path ahead was filled with uncertainty, but he knew there was no turning back now.
As Sukojo walked away, the girl remained frozen in place, her tear-filled eyes watching him disappear into the distance. The world around her was a shattered remnant of what it once was, a testament to the destructive power that had been unleashed.
Suddenly, Sukojo stopped and his expression twisted into a sinister grin. He turned and ran back towards the girl, his face contorted into an evil, devious mask of pure malice. The ground seemed to tremble with each of his steps, and the air crackled with dark energy.
With a swift, predatory motion, Sukojo grabbed the girl and lifted her high into the air, his hand transformed into a sharp, claw-like grip. Her small frame dangled helplessly as she stared down at him, terror flooding her eyes. Lightning cracked and bolted down around them, illuminating the scene with flashes of blinding light.
Sukojo: (snarling) What are you afraid of, little one? Is it the monster before you, or the power that lurks within me?
His voice was a low, menacing growl, each word dripping with malice. The storm intensified, the sky above roiling with dark clouds as the wind howled through the ruins. The girl's sobs were drowned out by the cacophony of thunder and lightning.
Sukojo's eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger, his intentions unclear but undoubtedly dark. He tightened his grip, his sharp claws pricking her skin, drawing small beads of blood. The scene was a tableau of pure horror, a nightmarish vision brought to life by Sukojo's malevolent presence.
Sukojo: (laughing maniacally) You should be afraid. Very afraid.
End of Arc 2 Chapter 1