I will be the Strongest

Chapter 37

"Huh...? I've never done this before, but..."

After Hye’s permission was granted, shedding his false physical representation and entering his body was straightforward. However, looking around, Samael was puzzled, as everything he saw was different from what he had expected.

"Wasn't I supposed to see his soul...?"

As if bound by chains, even lifting a finger was impossible. But, focusing intently and trying to see beyond what was actually being shown, a profound emptiness that seemed alive, something that indeed appeared to bind him like unbreakable ropes, a massive whitish structure emerged from the darkness.

"A door...? Why is there a door within this man's consciousness?"

Without warmth or cold, and not even a breeze seemed to move in that place. If his voice was being heard, even if just by himself, Samael was certain it was because something was allowing it.

With a faint creak, the door slowly opened. His eyes undoubtedly followed the movement, and for some reason, his soul trembled.

"I will give you just one warning, young one."

The voice echoing from the slightly ajar door immediately reached his ears. For a moment, his soul wavered, causing, with just a few words, near destruction. However, with the diminishing pressure that had been imposed, his eyes flickered, his legs gave way, and unable to remain standing, the Seraphim prince found himself kneeling before a mere door.

"We need help, understand? I will allow you to remain, but do nothing more than that. Oh, yes..."

Even in his physical state, breathing was merely a whim. But why did his chest hurt so much at this moment? His throat seemed to be instructed, while the door stopped when it was almost closing completely.

"...and when you find him, tell him not to hurry, for we will meet soon."

The door closed and soon disappeared. Yet, his soul could no longer endure, causing the archangel to fall into the emptiness shortly after.

'...To see him...?'

Every part of his soul trembled. Every corner of his being struggled to continue existing. With such pain spreading through his existence, as his eyes closed, Samael wondered if there was indeed another version of him outside the Tower... was he feeling all of this too? His existence being consumed in the absolute void? And beyond that...

'...What is this creature...? And... who was he speaking about...?'

***************

[Name: Pyrokinesis

Description: Flames are yours to do with as you wish.]

'Hmm... So indeed... It’s not as strong as when he was in front of me, but... I still definitely feel something... And that is...'

Even with the portal appearing before them, Samantha didn’t care. With trembling hands and wide eyes, she kept circling around Hye, checking if something seemed to have happened to his body or if... wings would appear on his back...?

Strangely, his body became rigid naturally, and unconsciously, he sighed deeply.

'...Discomfort...? Is that what it means to feel uncomfortable...?'

'I understand...'

The unmistakable voice of the angel echoed, making Hye immediately search his surroundings, but nothing was found. Besides him and Samantha, there seemed to be no one else in that place.

'So that’s why you accepted so quickly... What a strange problem you have... not to mention your body...'

Stopping in front of him with tearful eyes, Samantha placed her trembling hands over his and, looking directly at him, couldn’t help but ask again;

"Are you really okay, are you sure?"

Without giving him a chance to respond, she wiped her tears with her fingers and answered herself.

"Oh, what nonsense! It’s obvious you’re not! Damn it, you said yes to the devil entering your body!"

"Devil? How dare you! Who does this woman think she’s calling a devil?!"

"Aunt, I’m fine, but maybe it’s best not to say that again. It seems he can still hear us normally."

"Really...?!"

He nodded, and after a brief shiver, Samantha quickly pulled her hands away from his.

"Eh... Sorry..."

"And...?"

Walking toward the portal, a strange heat seemed to be taking over his body, and for some unknown reason, the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth. At that moment, a meaningless weight and an unknown pain appeared on the side of his face that had been struck by Samantha earlier, while his throat tightened as if trying to block the passage of words.

"...Sorry... I... I won’t do that again."

"Hye..."

True words, certainly. Quite similar to when he asked her for advice about his first meeting or... when he said he wanted to visit his parents... With the drying of the remaining tears, a small involuntary smile formed on his face.

"Alright, but... where is the griffin egg...?"

"What...? It’s still here..."

Hye looked under his arm, but... there was nothing there. His body turned with impressive speed, and his eyes scanned every corner near the door.

"It was still with me when I entered through the door, so..."

"...Could it have been hit by the blue flames...? No, that shouldn’t be the case, or you would have been burned too..."

"If that’s the case, then I must also..."

"Don’t even think about killing yourself while I’m inside your body. There was no egg in your hands, so it’s impossible that I burned it."

"No egg? But..."

Looking at his palm again, there it was, with some brown spots scattered over a white shell, an egg completely intact.

"Huh...?"

[Warning!]

[You have discovered one of the variations of the skill Void]

[Name: Void

Description: ??

Variations: Door to the Void: ??]