:
đź“– Chapter 45: Collapse of Will
The air didn't move.
The figure stood before Aren—
unchanged.
Unshaken.
"…Physical force has no value here."
Aren's eyes narrowed.
"…Then I'll use something else."
Silence.
For the first time—
he didn't rush forward.
Didn't attack.
He stood still.
And focused.
Not on power.
On decision.
On will.
"I choose… to break you."
The world trembled slightly.
Not from force—
From intent.
The space around him distorted.
The figure tilted its head.
"…Interesting."
Aren slowly raised his hand.
At first—
nothing happened.
Then—
The air began to bend.
Pulled inward.
Like everything was being drawn to a single point.
A small sphere formed in his palm.
Not large.
Not bright.
But wrong.
Very wrong.
Cracks spread through the air around it—
thin lines, like reality itself was breaking.
"…What is that?" the figure asked.
Aren's voice was calm.
"My will."
The sphere compressed further.
The ground beneath his feet sank slightly.
"…Collapse Sphere."
Silence.
Then—
He moved.
WHOOSH!
In an instant—
he closed the distance.
And struck.
The sphere touched the figure—
For a moment—
nothing happened.
Then—
Everything pulled inward.
The air.
The ground.
The space itself.
CRACK—
The figure's form twisted.
"…So this is your answer…"
BOOM!!!
The collapse released.
A violent shockwave tore the ground apart.
Aren landed a few steps away.
Breathing steady.
But his hand trembled slightly.
The dust slowly cleared.
The figure still stood—
But now—
its form was unstable.
Cracked.
Flickering.
"…You've taken your first step."
Aren clenched his fist.
"…Not enough yet."
The figure's voice softened.
"…Correct."
A pause.
"But now… you are visible."
Aren's eyes narrowed.
"…Visible to who?"
The figure didn't answer.
But the air—
grew heavier.
Watching.
More than before.
"…Then let them watch," Aren said.
His stance lowered.
Calm.
Ready.
"…I'm just getting started."
End of Chapter 45