The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2381: Curse Eater Race—the ruling race of the Tenth Empyrean World

"Where am I?"

The question echoed inside Cain’s mind for only an instant before he forcefully cast it aside. The nature of this place did not matter. What mattered was that his enemy had chosen this battlefield—and that alone meant he needed to leave it as soon as possible.

The Chaos Wings flared behind him, the Power of Chaos surging outward as Cain attempted to connect with his people, intending to use them as anchors for teleportation. For a brief moment, instinct guided him as it always had.

Then shock flashed through his eyes.

"Even if this were an entirely different Empyrean World, the Power of Chaos would still allow me to connect with them. But now... they’re foggy. I can feel them, yet I cannot connect."

The frown on Cain’s face deepened as understanding settled in. This place was far more dangerous than it appeared. It was not merely isolated—it actively interfered with his fundamental connections.

The next second, his wings beat powerfully, launching him straight into the sky. He ascended rapidly, tearing through the dark air until—without warning—he slammed into something solid.

A massive, invisible dome.

The impact sent ripples through space. Cain halted midair, eyes narrowing as he extended his hand. A Zero-State Spear manifested instantly, its presence distorting reality around it. Without hesitation, he hurled it forward, slamming it into the surface of the dome.

Cracks spread outward in a web of destruction.

Yet just as quickly as they appeared, they began to heal.

The damage failed to outpace the dome’s regeneration.

"It’s useless."

The words reached Cain from below.

His gaze dropped coldly to the ground, locking onto the old man standing there. The Immortal Knight wore a wide smile as the hole in his brain finally sealed shut, flesh knitting together seamlessly.

"As long as I am alive," the old man continued, "this place will keep regenerating itself."

Cain descended.

The air detonated with a thunderous boom as he crashed down with all his strength, shattering the ground beneath his feet. Dust and debris erupted outward as his cold eyes fixed themselves on the Immortal Knight.

"So in order to leave this place," Cain said evenly, "I need to kill you."

A scarlet aura erupted from his body, suffocating the surroundings with intense pressure. The Immortal Knight clenched his fists as he felt Cain’s power bearing down on him, yet he did not retreat. Instead, he stood firm.

"That is correct," the old man replied. "However, it will not be as easy as before. In this place, I can finally show you my true self."

Cain watched closely as the transformation began.

The old man’s skin burned and peeled away as his body shifted. His frame straightened, muscles swelling as youth returned to his form. In a matter of seconds, he transformed into a man in his prime—dark-haired, powerfully built, his presence far heavier than before.

But that was only the beginning.

The next instant, two obsidian entities emerged from his body.

One was nearly twice the man’s height, its form massive and grotesque. Eyes covered its entire body, staring in every direction. Its face was concealed behind a strange vertical helmet. A blade protruded from its left wrist, while its right arm was swollen with face-like protrusions.

The other entity was thin and monstrous, resembling a twisted clown. A mask split between a smile and sorrow covered its face. Long threads dangled loosely from its hands, vibrating faintly—threads that seemed capable of slicing through anything they touched.

"THUMP."

The moment the trio fully manifested, lightning burst across the interior of the dark dome. Immense pressure pressed inward, as though the world itself was trying to intrude.

Cain’s eyes narrowed sharply. Amid the thunderous force, he detected something else—something deeper.

"You are a Godslayer Human," Cain said, his gaze shifting between the three, "and those two carry the aura of Depravitas. Each of you has a soul... yet you are only one entity?"

Sozing’s eyes widened slightly before a small smile formed on his face. He nodded.

"As expected of someone we went to such lengths to kill," he said calmly. "Your instincts are exceptional, young man."

Cain ignored the praise. A flash of enlightenment crossed his eyes.

"So I did kill someone with my spear using my Chaos Art," he said slowly. "However... there were three more left behind."

At those words, the smile vanished from Sozing’s face.

"Yes," he admitted. "You did. You killed Onori."

The moment the name was spoken, killing intent erupted from the two Depravitas. Cain did not react to their rage. Instead, he continued analyzing them, the clarity in his gaze growing sharper.

"After my experience becoming a hybrid myself," Cain continued, "I can detect it in others. This is not just a technique. You are a race."

Sozing fell silent for several seconds before finally nodding.

"You are correct," he said. "I am not truly a Godslayer Human—not anymore. And they are not Depravitas. We are something else."

Pride and solemnity rose in the eyes of all three as they spoke together.

"We are the Curse Eater Race—the ruling race of the Tenth Empyrean World."

"Curse Eater..."

A faint smile tugged at Cain’s lips as he shook his head.

"It seems no one in the universe has good taste when it comes to names."

The brief remark served only to release a fraction of the immense pressure building within him. His expression sharpened again almost immediately.

"Able to inhabit the same body. Multiple lives. Same core essence," Cain said. "Yet I detect slightly different personalities... almost like multiple personality syndrome."

Sozing smiled and nodded.

"Correct again. We are one, but we are also ourselves."

He gestured to the massive figure.

"I am Sozing."

The towering Curse Eater spoke next.

"I am Bako."

Finally, the clown-like entity tilted its head.

"And I am Hako."

Cain nodded once, his eyes glowing faintly as analytical light surged within them.

"Given all this conversation," he said calmly, "and the fact that you are clearly trying to stall for time... it makes me think that the longer I remain here, the worse things will become for me."