The Author's POV

From the moment the scenery around me changed, and I found myself back in Ashton City, I came to the realization that I wasn't transported out into the nothingness of space like I previously thought I was.

Instead, it seemed like I was placed inside a different dimension created by Waylan, governed by the Laws.

His words confirmed it shortly afterward.

Despite my lack of knowledge about the inner workings of this space I was in, I realized that the only way to properly fight back was through the laws themselves.

...and I did.

I summoned a part of the laws that I had, and I successfully managed to stop him. I was successful in injuring him, but it came at a cost.

'I'm already gassed out.'

My body was practically shaking as I struggled to channel the energy inside of me.

I thought I had prepared enough, but it was clear that I wasn't prepared for what was to come.

I was already gassed out, and my energy was rapidly depleting.

"You…"

Waylan noticed the injury in his body, and his expression changed. At first, he seemed mad, but for some reason, he kept his cool, and the injury slowly started to recede. I frowned as I realized that what I had done wasn't enough.

But Waylan spoke.

"That was a very good attempt."

His nonchalant voice reverberated through the air, and it was followed by a violent thrust of wind that headed my way.

WIIIIIING―! The world around me bent, and I saw the tips of a skyscraper heading straight for me. I narrowly dodged it and shifted my attention to the approaching fist.

It grew larger in my vision by the second, and before I knew it, it was just an inch away from my nose. I summoned all the strength I had left and opened my mouth.

"Stop."

Golden runes and words popped out from the space around the fist and clamped onto them. The fist stopped in its tracks and started trembling.

"Ugh."

I could feel my body weaken at the usage of the Laws, but I clenched my teeth and pushed through the pain.

Swoosh―! I took advantage of the little time I bought to move to the side and avoid the fist. I followed up with my own kick, aimed directly at Waylan's neck.

But it felt like I hit hard metal, and I felt an intense pain coming directly from my shin.

Despite the pain, I managed to push Waylan back. I grabbed my sword and took a deep breath. I knew what I had to do next. I summoned all the energy I had left and prepared for the third movement of the [Keiki Style]: Void Step.

blurred, and I reappeared in front of Waylan. I heard a familiar clicking sound as my sword hit something, and Waylan's body

"Haaa... haa..."

but I gritted my teeth and repeated the

third movement of the

my mana rapidly deteriorating with

of the [Keiki Style]:

movement of the

third movement of the [Keiki Style]: Void

of Waylan, determined to take him down. I tried to inflict as much damage as possible on him by employing anything at my disposal, whether

and I could feel my muscles tearing as

that was residing within my body, I was able

is nothing... I'm far too

I was capable of enduring, and with that knowledge in mind, I continued to put forth as much strain on my body as I possibly

WIIING―!

me crumbled, and

I pressed my hand against the empty space next to me, the mana that was normally stored within my body began to drain at an alarming rate, and I came dangerously close to

a barely perceptible ripple began to spread across the

are you trying to

my head to

moment he appeared, my heart sank, and before I had even a chance to react,

BANG―!

throughout my back, and I found it difficult to breathe as a result of the sheer impact of the

"Aph!"

of air that I noticed the darkness that had

you think you're

up, I saw him hovering in the area above me. His back was turned

before. Everything that is within this area is under my direct control. Put an end to

his hand, his body phased, and I saw the skyline of Ashton City come into view

thing was the tip of the Union

to me. Clenching my teeth,

Click―!

of my strength left me, and I felt as though my legs were going to

Crash―!

and the Ashton City that

me, and an unfathomable pressure bore

Thump!

under the strain, and I fell to the ground, unable

"Pftt."

to stop whatever was trying to escape my mouth by covering it with my hand, but it was too late, and when I

"It's over."

was staring at me with a look of complete disinterest, and his voice seemed to be coming from everywhere at

help but laugh when he looked at me, and after I took my hand away from my mouth, I

finally given

reached my ears