Sword God in a World of Magic Chapter 1025 - - Terminus

The quartet simply gazed at the world.

None of them had ever seen anything remotely resembling this scene.

Even in desolate spots like the former pit of death, some stir or signs of life had persisted. Yet, right now, absolute emptiness reigned.

Utterly nothing.

Only moments earlier, colossal trees, mighty beasts, ancient Mages, expansive meadows, formidable dragons, and gigantic sea monsters had filled the world.

Life and activity had overflowed across the world.

But now, complete nothingness prevailed.

Existence itself had reached its conclusion.

Even the Archivist found this scenario entirely without precedent.

He had endured countless apocalypses back in his own world, yet none approached this level of total finality.

It felt utterly foreign.

It felt profoundly sorrowful.

A crushing burden seemed to press down on the minds of Gregorio and the Archivist.

They didn't belong here.

This wasn't a realm fit for their living or lingering.

Their very souls urged them to flee without delay.

In contrast, Kali, Abaddon, and Shang experienced something else entirely.

Peace enveloped them.

Indeed, this represented the true nature of the world.

A lifeless realm brimming with boundless unrealized potential.

All superfluous lifeforms had converted into pure, exploitable Neutral Mana.

Mana density across the world had soared to unimaginable heights.

Thus, they held free rein over every bit of Mana.

Yet, Shang sensed a subtle distinction.

At present, he believed his efforts fell short.

He yearned to eliminate even the physical matter itself.

The final five survivors in the world stood mute, observing the desolation.

Time elapsed.

No one could gauge the duration.

Time lost all significance.

Without life or motion, time ceased to hold meaning.

'I see,' Shang realized abruptly.

'My earlier suspicions hold true.'

'As Death Affinity grows stronger, it draws ever nearer to Entropy.'

'Ultimately, they converge.'

In that instant, full comprehension dawned on Shang.

'The sixth-level Concept of Death: Terminus.'

'The termination of every lifeform.'

Shang secluded himself to avoid interrupting the others and conjured a dark orb.

Slightly larger than his human fist, the black ball appeared utterly motionless.

A smirk crossed Shang's face upon beholding the black ball.

It mirrored precisely the Entropy black balls he had tested millennia ago.

However, this wasn't true Entropy.

Instead, Death Mana mimicked Entropy's form and behavior.

Through the Concept of Terminus, Death Mana could now devour itself for a dramatic surge in might.

Immensely potent, yet it paled beside genuine Entropy.

Entropy, after all, annihilated itself alongside Mana to birth something far deadlier.

Moreover, this evolved Death Mana failed to obliterate Mana from reality as Entropy did.

Ultimately, it unleashed merely about 5% of Entropy's might.

Even so, 5% of Entropy's power remained horrifyingly devastating.

'Death Mana yearns to emulate Entropy, yet it can never fully transform into it.'

'In essence, Death Mana remains Mana at its core.'

'Still, I ponder: does a method exist to convert Mana into Entropy?'

Silence prevailed.

'I'm uncertain, but should such a method exist, it would surpass the feeble realm of Aterium by far.'

'Any such path likely awaits in the Abominations' world.'

Excitement stirred in Shang at the prospect of further empowerment.

'Ultimately, my convictions stand validated,' Shang reflected.

'Undeniably, the Concept of Terminus reigns as Aterium's supreme Concept.'

'Nevertheless, it replicates only a sliver of Entropy's true potency.'

'Pursuing Aterium's Concepts amounts to pointless endeavor.'

Immediately after, Shang dispersed his Isolation Barrier and settled cross-legged in midair.

He waited patiently.

Once, Shang had chafed at mere minutes of stillness, but now it posed no challenge.

Time held no relevance anymore, and besides, Shang's power could advance no further within Aterium.

He had attained the pinnacle of his Path here.

Progress demanded departure from Aterium.

In quiet anticipation, Shang lingered for an indeterminate span.

At last, Abaddon's eyes fluttered open.

A faint spark of insight and awakening gleamed within.

Abaddon swiftly perceived that Shang had long concluded his contemplation of the world.

Abaddon's gaze now carried altered sentiments.

Previously, Abaddon had regarded Shang as a horrifying abomination.

Yet, circumstances had shifted.

Now, Abaddon beheld Shang as a being of overwhelmingly superior might.

Abaddon, much like Shang, had grasped that the next progression for Death Affinity was the force known as Entropy, which Gregorio had mentioned.

Gazing at Shang, Abaddon envisioned the potential he himself could achieve.

If he kept pushing forward, Abaddon could climb to those same staggering peaks of power.

Abaddon remained silent and waited patiently.

After all, Kali was the only one still pending.

Gregorio had barely glanced at the world, since he lacked Death Affinity regardless.

Furthermore, viewing the barren world always left him uneasy.

After an indeterminate stretch of time, Kali finally wrapped up.

Like Abaddon, Kali eyed Shang with keen curiosity.

She now perceived Shang as the epitome of perfection in Death Mana.

Kali understood that she and her son were simply copying Shang's power.

Shang possessed the genuine article.

"Everyone done?" Shang asked moments later.

The three behind Shang nodded.

In the next instant, Shang turned his gaze toward a distant island to the south.

The Archivist grew tense upon sensing Shang's direct stare fixed on him.

Eventually, the Archivist also just nodded.

"Good," Shang said.

Shang then shot high into the sky, forming an invisible Isolation Barrier.

"I am not interested in the Concepts of Life," he declared.

"You may start, Abaddon."

Abaddon's smile grew broader.

"I want to help," Gregorio said from behind Abaddon. "I know a bit about life, but not a lot."

"Sure," Abaddon replied with a hearty laugh.

"I want to help as well."

Abaddon, Kali, and Gregorio raised their eyebrows at the Archivist, who had just shown up behind them.

Abaddon cast a quick look at Shang, still in view.

"Sure," Abaddon said right away with a warm smile.