Salvos

Chapter 555: The End of the World

555. The End of the World

This was the end of the world.

No, it wasnt the apocalypse that the Kobolds spoke of. Well in a sense, it was the same thing. But it was also different.

This was what the Dragons left Secely to fight against. It was what killed the Old Gods. They were supposed to be powerful divine beings who had ascended just like me. But they had done so later than I did, meaning that they were higher-leveled too.

So I had found it strange that I could survive the second layer of the Netherworld just fine. I had expected it to be a lot more dangerous down here. After all, this place was where my fathers kingdom was laid to die. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

But all I found down here were floating rocks and invisible bubbles. Storms of the void, and Corrupted Netherstructures. However, even though I nearly died from all these encounters, I still managed to put up a fight. I escaped with my Grand Skills I overcame every single hurdle that came my way and reached the end as a single question lingered in my mind.

How?

How did the Old Gods perish to this?

How did my dad lose his kingdom to a couple of corrupted rocks?

How was this supposed to bring about the end of the world?

Well, the answer made itself clear to me now. I beheld it with wide eyes as it shimmered brightly before me. It shone with all the colors of the rainbow and more. It was just like my Divine Essence, except instead of coalescing into a single concentrated power, the iridescent light expanded into pure chaos.

It was the end of the world. It was more than just a few distorted pebbles. It was even more than a tear in space itself. It was

An infinite wall of corruption.

It was an amalgamation of the damage that the world had suffered over eternity the very edges of Nexeus itself collapsing into nothingness. At one point, there was a world beyond this twisted distortion. But that was no longer the case. Nothing waited for me beyond except for the corruption and despair.

I stumbled back as the ground trembled beneath my feet. The cacophonous chittering of the corruption blared in my ears. And it wasnt a constant overwhelming noise either. It alternated between sounding like it was a distant echo to a screech in my head. It was dizzying. Like my senses were being messed with.

But [Corruption Navigation] took effect maybe even [Manifestation of the Old Gods] too. I regained control of my senses and took a step forward. And I focused my gaze on the only figure standing with me before the end of the world as everything shook around us.

I am surprised you managed to make it this far.

Belphegor spoke as he faced his back towards me. He stared at the end of the world. I could barely get a glimpse of his face as the earth began to crack beneath my feet. I stumbled back, watching as bits of rock and stone floated into the air all around me.

I caught myself from falling, before looking back up at the Primordial Demon. I narrowed my eyes. I thought I was imagining it at first, but I was right I knew what I saw. Belphegor wore a morose expression on his face.

It looked like he was crying. His normally blank expression was replaced with that of melancholy. He raised his head slowly, speaking in a soft whisper. But despite that, I heard his voice.

Wrong.

The Worldwalkers left. They left long before the corruption could even take hold in the Nexeus they knew that if they remained for too long, their presence would lead to the destruction of the world.

Belphegor chuckled as he shook his head. I blinked. I stared at him in a daze. I tried to work my jaw even as the earth continued to rumble beneath my feet.

What? But I thought

Did you really think that they would be foolish enough to bring our world to ruin? Dont be ridiculous. They have traversed far more worlds than you can ever imagine they know the damage they could cause with their persistent presence. They left. All of them.

The Primordial Demon laughed bitterly as he hung his head.

They knew better than to cause a worlds destruction lest they could incur the silent wrath of the Arcraem.

Who?

I narrowed my eyes. But then I shook my head. That didnt answer the question. Belphegor was speaking cryptically he still hadnt explained what this folly was supposed to be. I took a step forward, steadying myself even as the wall of corruption just ahead of me slowly edged forward, causing the ground to tremble.

That doesnt matter if it wasnt the Worldwalkers who caused this, then who was it? Why does the end of the world exist? Why does the corruption exist?

Belphegor paused. He lowered his arms. His eyes fluttered shut and he turned away from me.

Do you really wish to know the answer to that question?

Yes.

I nodded, steadfast. My gaze bore into Belphegors back. And he sighed audibly even amidst the chittering of the corruption. The rift continued to widen overhead, and more of the ground beneath my feet began to break open. The end of the world approached but gradually. It moved at a snails crawl. However, it was moving.

And I waited. I listened. The Primordial Demon who stood before me withheld the answer for a moment longer. Until he finally raised his head.

It was your father.

He whispered, and I froze. I blinked a few times as Belphegor turned to face me, raising an accusing finger.

Your father caused this, Salvos. He is the reason why the Nexeus is plagued by the corruption. He is the reason why the world is ending.

I heard these words echo at the end of the world. And I could only stare in shock.

What?