Chapter 20 – The Boundary
Nameless did not move when Shiva turned away.
"If you do not give me answers," Nameless began coldly, "you know what I'm going to—"
He stopped.
The words died in his throat.
For the first time in ages…
Fear crawled inside him.
Not fear of defeat.
Not fear of death.
Fear of crossing a line that should never be crossed.
Shiva looked at him calmly. There was no anger. No threat.
Just stillness.
"Nameless," Shiva said gently, "you are my most devoted follower. But stepping beyond boundaries… you know what that means, don't you?"
Nameless lowered his gaze slightly.
He was powerful.
Feared.
Unmatched by almost every god present.
But this being before him—
This was not someone to challenge blindly.
He exhaled.
"Forgive me."
Then he looked up again.
"But when I come near you, that broken part of my soul shakes violently. It feels like it's trying to tear itself out of me. I need answers."
Shiva observed him silently.
"With your strength, you could finish this tournament within moments. Why does this disturb you so much?"
Nameless clenched his fist.
"Because I am impatient. You know that."
A faint smile touched Shiva's lips.
"Very well. Since my follower asks sincerely… I will tell you."
The void around them deepened.
"You fought the Illusion King long ago," Shiva began. "In that battle, your soul was shattered into hundreds of fragments. Only one dominant part survived intact."
Nameless' eyes sharpened.
"That fragment crossed into another world."
Silence.
"It recovered there. But the damaged pieces were unstable. They could not merge with the complete essence. So one fragment… separated itself entirely from the divine core."
Nameless' breathing slowed.
"The main soul traveled to this world," Shiva continued. "And from that moment, you began growing again as Nameless."
Nameless frowned.
"Wait. A soul without divine protection cannot cross worlds. It would be erased. How did it survive?"
Shiva's smile widened slightly.
"Perhaps… I interfered."
Nameless stared at him.
"You helped me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Shiva's gaze softened.
"Because your responsibilities were unfinished."
Nameless laughed bitterly.
"Responsibilities? I ran. I fought. I destroyed. That's all I ever did."
Shiva shook his head gently.
"Every soul carries duties. You died without completing yours. I could not allow that."
The void shimmered faintly.
"So I ensured your soul would receive another life. That fragment… the one that entered the other world… was meant to live peacefully. I thought that life would give you happiness. Calmness. A chance to return here with balance."
Nameless' jaw tightened.
"But you forgot those memories."
"Yes."
A rare silence filled the space.
"If you recover the memories of that other life," Shiva continued, "and merge with that separated fragment, your soul will become whole again."
Nameless looked down at his hand.
"So what do I do now?"
Shiva answered directly.
"Win the God's Tournament."
Nameless' eyes darkened slightly.
"You know I can defeat everyone here instantly and force you to send me there."
"I know," Shiva replied calmly.
"But you will not."
"And why are you so confident?"
Shiva's smile returned.
"Because you also know what I would do if you tried."
Nameless paused.
Then exhaled slowly.
"…Fair enough."
He turned away, irritation mixing with resolve.
"Fine. I'll win your tournament properly."
He began walking back toward the arena.
Then stopped halfway and glanced over his shoulder.
"I'll kick some divine egos on the way."
Shiva chuckled softly.
"Go."
Nameless vanished.
—
Left alone in the void, Shiva looked toward the battlefield below.
"I considered creating a savior," he murmured quietly. "But that path carries heavy responsibility."
He rubbed the ash across his arm thoughtfully.
"I am not interested in ruling fate. I simply grant wishes."
His expression shifted faintly.
"My brother… he enjoys conflict more than I do."
A calm breeze passed through the void.
"Yes," Shiva said softly. "If intervention becomes necessary… he will handle it."
With that, the All-Father returned to the tournament grounds.
Below, the arena trembled again.
Because Nameless had stepped back into it.
And this time—
He was no longer searching for answers.
He was hunting victory.