Viranth immediately sharpened his senses, looking around warily. He knew he couldn't maintain this form for long—his soul power had only partially recovered. The only real improvement was his body; the bleeding had stopped completely. That was why he had dared to swim across the raging river earlier.
Keeping a calm heart, he slipped into a meditative trance, letting his soul power wash over his surroundings. Focusing solely on his direction, he began walking toward his base, the baby cradled carefully in his arms, his senses heightened to their limits.
Suddenly, a soul barrier engulfed him.
Viranth froze in shock. A soul barrier could only be created by someone at the Demigod Stage or higher! But calming himself, he carefully assessed the soul energy around him. It was weak... far weaker than a full Demigod's. He made a deduction instantly — whoever cast this barrier was on the verge of death.
From behind a tree, Nill emerged, staggering and nearly dead, but still walking.
Viranth narrowed his eyes. "At first, I thought you had used forbidden magic. But seeing you here... you're burning your soul, aren't you? You're not using soul power — you're sacrificing your very soul to keep this barrier alive. If you continue, your soul will vanish forever, lost to Lord Shiva's eternal rest."
Nill, with immense difficulty, managed to croak, "So be it. I have chosen this path. I know I'll die today... but I will die taking you with me. You think I could use forbidden magic? That's reserved for the inner circle of Vijayin. I can't feel much soul power in you, but somehow you're still walking, still breathing. I don't know what treasure you used to strengthen your body... but even if you have your soul, you won't defeat me."
Viranth responded calmly, "Yes, your soul is stronger than mine. I cannot take control over this barrier. But you are near death, Nill. I just have to wait... wait for your soul to burn out."
By now, even standing was an act of sheer willpower for Nill. Yet he still chuckled hoarsely and said, "I know you could outrun me... but I also know that baby you're carrying. He holds meaning, doesn't he? I'll kill that child in front of you."
Viranth's heart sank. "For revenge, you would slaughter an innocent child? You know Lord Shiva will show no mercy to your soul."
Nill laughed maniacally. "I'm already sacrificing my soul. What do I have to fear?"
Viranth clenched his jaw. Reasoning with this madman was futile. "It's me you want. Kill me if you must—but spare the child!"
But Nill's bloodshot eyes gleamed with insanity. "I saw the baby floating down that raging river. I saw the serpent protecting him. This child... this child is no ordinary mortal. He is something more. I searched, and yet found no abnormalities—that makes him even more special!"
Viranth looked around, desperate. Within the soul barrier, he could not escape — only hide. Using the trees and rocks, he tried to shield himself and the baby.
Nill sneered. "Give me the baby, and I'll grant you a peaceful death."
He began raining fire down on Viranth's location, each attack draining his soul further.
Viranth ran desperately, shielding the baby with his body, dodging flames as best he could. But the toll was immense — he couldn't avoid every attack. Burn marks and bruises lined his skin as he pushed his body beyond its limits.
Nill shouted, his voice twisted with rage, "I've already informed my superiors about the child! Even if you survive, they will come! There is no escape! Surrender, and embrace death!"
Viranth cursed inwardly. The child, Om, had been exposed. Danger would follow them now, no matter what.
As he was running, suddenly, Viranth tripped and fell. He quickly twisted his body, taking the brunt of the impact to shield the baby. Glancing back, he realized Nill had subtly raised the ground beneath him using earth magic.
Before he could recover, he heard Nill's cold voice from the side, "This... is the end for all of us."
With the last of his strength, Nill launched a devastating fire explosion straight at Viranth.
Instinctively, Viranth used his own body as a shield, wrapping the baby behind him, gritting his teeth against the searing heat. He knew—this much force would injure the child, perhaps fatally.
But then — something miraculous happened.
As the fire neared the baby, the child let out a piercing cry.
A ripple of pure soul power exploded outward, forming a translucent barrier around them. The fire, which had been burning Viranth's skin, was pushed back as if an invisible wall protected them.
Viranth stared in disbelief.
This... this isn't possible! Even with my full soul power, I couldn't have created such a shield!
He looked at the source — the crying baby.
Across from him, Nill's face contorted with terror. He tried to conjure another spell, but nature itself refused to obey him. The ground, the wind, the very elements—were responding only to the baby's cry.
Nill's pupils contracted sharply.
Only a being with overwhelming soul power can dominate the laws of nature within a soul barrier.
The baby's soul was so powerful, even the world bent to his will.
Defeated, Nill pulled out his sword in one last desperate attempt. Staggering, he charged toward Viranth and the baby.
But before he could even reach them, the baby's soul power surged again—shattering the soul barrier itself.
With a gasp, Nill fell to his knees. His soul, already damaged beyond repair, crumbled completely. His body collapsed onto the wet earth, never to rise again.
Nill was dead.
Eternally erased from existence — no reincarnation, no afterlife.