*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
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Time blurred into an endless procession of shadowed strides, Kevin weaving through mist-shrouded valleys and jagged ravines until a colossal mountain loomed—its peak piercing storm-lacerated heavens, flanks armored in eternal ice and thunder-scarred granite.
Kevin seated himself cross-legged atop the frigid summit, smile faint as he surveyed the sprawling mortal tapestry below, empires reduced to glittering specks. He drew the God of Void Sword, its obsidian blade humming with latent cataclysm, and propped it against a weathered boulder.
A puzzled frown creased his brow as he murmured.
"While it seems the God of Void Sword has chosen me as its master, even so, I haven't unlocked even one of its divine forms. If by any chance a time comes where all my skills and hand-to-hand combat prove useless, I can only rely on the God of Void Sword."
He grasped the hilt with a wide smile, voice introspective.
"If I can't even master one divine technique of the God of Void Sword, there's no way I can win against enemies stronger than I am."
"Hm, how should I put it? The God of Void Sword is no ordinary blade. I don't even know its grade, and to begin with, it's a sword that can overturn any battle. I still don't know how many existences out there are stronger than me."
Gazing at drifting clouds, he continued.
"I'm not arrogant enough to fight every god on my own—at least not for now. But in the future, I will become strong enough to stand against every god. Now that I think about it, in terms of swordsmanship, I've already surpassed what humans call swordmaster rank, right? But I still can't say for sure that my swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle."
He sighed, eyes on the God of Void Sword.
"I can't afford to lose even a single second right now. I need to master the first divine form: Void Rend. And if I'm correct, there must be something like the Righteousness Sect, right? I'm not very sure why they aren't making a move yet—this is what I'm most suspicious about."
Kevin's gaze snapped eastward, piercing infinite miles to the veiled spires of the Righteousness Sect, shrouded in false sanctity.
He mumbled with a sly smile.
"After all, they're from the righteousness side, so there's no way there would be peace in this world as long as these two sides live. There will always be war. And I'm pretty sure those bastards must be planning something to take down the Heavenly Demon dog. Well, I guess I shouldn't butt into others' business, but for this one time, I look forward to what they're gonna do. Kahahahaha!"
Turning back to the God of Void Sword, resolve hardened.
"I should probably think about how to master the 1st divine form now."
Time fractured once more, plunging into a realm of utter nothingness—no shadows, no light, only infinite black space yawning eternally. Amid the void materialized an ancient hall of breathtaking beauty and unfathomable mystery: towering pillars of translucent onyx veined with pulsing starfire, floors of mirrored abyss reflecting nonexistent stars, arched ceilings woven from threads of forgotten constellations that shimmered like living dreams. A massive circular table dominated the center, forged from void-forged crystal that hummed with primordial silence, encircled by five ornate seats carved from meteor-heart stone—empty save for three.
Three beings occupied the seats, faces utterly obscured by swirling black circles of impenetrable darkness, veiling identities in absolute enigma.
The first mysterious being on the right lounged in a languid, predatory slouch—body twisted unnaturally backward, one arm draped over the throne's crest while legs folded in impossible origami, form wreathed in coiling abyssal tendrils.
The first spoke in a hard, terrifying voice that warped reality's edges.
"Well, what do you think about that kid named Void?"
The second mysterious being, seated directly opposite in an equally bizarre pose—torso inverted, head lolling sideways as if defying gravity—replied with light, bored inflection.
"What do you mean? Is there even something we should think about? I mean, he isn't even a little bit special. He's just an arrogant kid who hasn't seen how vast the universe is. And at the same time, to think he announced war against every single god—how ridiculous. Just because he defeated some weakling god, he must think too highly of himself."
The third mysterious being on the left assumed its own eldritch posture—limbs elongated into serpentine coils draping the throne arms—delivering words in grave timbre.
The third intoned gravely.
"Are you kidding me? Do you even know what you're saying? That bastard's growth speed is just ridiculous. And I have a question for you two: do you think he will become the same level of threat... just like them?"
Both shifted instantly to rigid attention, voices grave. The second rumbled heavily.
"His growth speed may be abnormal, but you can't compare that brat to someone like them. That kid Void—he's sure, I admit it. But don't compare him to those bastards. And it would be good for all of us to not even mention their name. You understand?"
The three mysterious beings nodded solemnly, pact sealed in shadowed accord.
High above on the storm-ravaged peak, time wove into meditative stillness—Kevin cross-legged amid howling gales, breaths syncing with mountain's ancient pulse, blue hair whipping like void banners, God of Void Sword laid across knees humming faintly.
Suddenly, Kevin's eyes snapped open, gleaming with amused revelation, voice carrying over thunderclaps.
"So this is how it should be, huh? Unlike me, other humans can use qi, aura, mana to reach their potential, their peak, and become stronger. When a human reaches a stage where he can use high-level aura, he's called a swordmaster. But I am different."
Smile widening, he continued.
"In order to use the God of Void Sword, I need to harness void energy. And once I can wield void energy, I can easily unleash the first divine form of the God of Void Sword. So first, I should create a skill that lets me use void energy."
Eyes closing once more, focus absolute.
"System, make me a skill that can lets me use void energy."
A translucent system window materialized from thin air, runes glowing coldly.
"My apologies, host, but the system can't create a skill like that."
Kevin's tone sharpened with urgency.
"What? Why? Well then, anyway—can you make a skill like Aura of Void or something like that?"
The system window responded instantaneously.
"Sorry, host. The system can't create this skill either. It seems these two skills you mentioned can only be mastered by yourself. It means you have to master them on your own."