In the dimension of void… where there is no light or shadow, no time or direction.
The ground trembled beneath the weight of a violent clash. Cain stood firm, facing a demonic commander whose body resembled stone and whose power tore through the air itself.
"Are you the one who will halt our advance, empty-eyed fool?" the commander sneered as sparks erupted from his fists.
Cain didn't respond.
His ashen eyes coldly tracked the enemy's movements, while his body bled from multiple wounds.
Yet despite the pain, he didn't flinch.
The battle began.
Every punch from the commander shattered the terrain… and Cain barely dodged—or took the hits in silence, as if waiting for something.
In one moment, the commander leapt behind him and struck him in the back with such force the ground exploded beneath Cain's feet.
Cain fell to one knee… but he didn't fall completely.
The commander smirked:
"It's over."
He raised his fist to finish it.
But Cain whispered so faintly it was barely audible:
"…At last, I can use it without hurting anyone."
The air shifted.
The void dimension began to crack around him, as if something inside Cain had broken… or been unleashed.
He raised his right hand, and his veins lit up in a dark blue glow, like divine energy channels bursting from within.
"Curse of the Final Pulse…" he muttered in a strained voice.
Then added:
"A power that must never be used around those I care about… because everything around me becomes fragile."
The void began collapsing in Cain's vicinity.
The pressure grew so intense that the demonic commander felt his bones fracture despite the distance.
"What is this power?! What have you done?!" he cried out.
But Cain didn't answer. He took his first step.
Every step sent a shockwave that fractured reality itself.
Then suddenly—he vanished… and reappeared behind the commander.
One strike.
Then a second.
Then a third… none of them visible, only the damage appearing on the enemy's body.
The commander screamed, falling to his knees.
Cain now stood before him… his eyes reflecting the end of worlds.
"Your time is up."
He raised his hand, and a point in the enemy's chest exploded—almost as if his heartbeat had turned against him.
The commander froze… then slowly disintegrated into ash.
The void returned to stillness.
But Cain remained standing, staring at his glowing hand, whispering:
"Finally… I found a place where I can use this power without fearing the loss of those I love."
Then he sat quietly, closing his eyes, catching his breath.
End of Chapter Forty-Four.