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.

I heard a familiar clicking sound as my sword hit something,

"Haaa... haa..."

was panting heavily, but I gritted my teeth and repeated

third movement of the [Keiki Style]:

my mana rapidly deteriorating with each movement, but I persevered and

of the [Keiki Style]:

the [Keiki

third movement of the [Keiki

much damage as possible on him by employing

my

within my body, I

nothing... I'm far

that knowledge in mind, I continued to put forth as much strain on my body as I

WIIING―!

in front of me crumbled, and Waylan's

that was normally stored within my body began to drain at an alarming rate, and I came dangerously close to passing out right then

through the excruciating pain as a barely perceptible

are you trying

ears picked up Waylan's voice coming from my right, and when I turned my head to look in that direction, I could see him standing a few

and before I had even a chance to

BANG―!

pain traveled throughout my back, and I found it difficult to breathe as a result of

"Aph!"

a loud gulp of air that I noticed the darkness that had begun to creep into the peripheries of

do you think you're

voice sounded from above, and when I looked up, I saw him hovering in the area above me. His back was turned to the backdrop of Ashton City,

my direct control. Put an end to whatever futile

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

the Union

in the middle of the road, I watched as the tip of the tower inched its way closer to me. Clenching my teeth, I used everything that

Click―!

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

Crash―!

a soft clicking sound, the area in front of me began to collapse, and the Ashton City that was heading my way collapsed into fine shards, revealing a cloudless blue

at me, and an

Thump!

I fell to the ground, unable to hold on

"Pftt."

covering it with my hand, but it was too late, and when I looked down, I saw streaks of my own blood on the ground beneath

"It's over."

look of complete disinterest, and his voice seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. It was as if he were dealing with

took my hand

finally given

voice reached my ears once