The world of "Nen"

The long blade conjured out of thin air pierced Mantis's chest.

Blood spurted out.

That thrust not only ended the fight swiftly and efficiently, but also destroyed the pleasure and satisfaction Mantis had just felt deep in his soul.

In their place came shock and disbelief.

"W-what...?!"

Mantis slowly lowered his head to look at the long black blade buried in his chest, his rapidly trembling eyes filled with disbelief.

How was this possible...!!!

As his strength ebbed away, Mantis struggled to raise his eyes toward the boy before him, his mind a tangle of chaotic thoughts.

At that moment.

There was no trace of panic left on the boy's face, only a calm expression without the slightest ripple.

It was as though—

Everything happening now was entirely under this boy's control.

So much so that he looked as if he had done something utterly insignificant, as ordinary as eating or drinking.

To fall here so easily.

Damn it...

An intense unwillingness to accept his fate filled Mantis's mind.

But no matter how bitterly he resisted, he could not hold on to his rapidly draining life force.

Shhk—

Moyu calmly watched the deathly pallor spread over Mantis's face. He slowly withdrew the Black Blade, then dismissed his ability outright.

The Black Blade vanished into thin air. With nothing left to cling to, the blood coating its surface scattered to the ground.

Mantis's body shuddered. His face nearly contorted as he stared fixedly at Moyu, who stood right before him.

He desperately wanted to swing his blades...

Yet the Nen covering his twin blades was already rapidly receding and dissipating into wisps of smoke.

His stamina, his Nen.

Both were nearly exhausted, leaving him without a shred of strength to carry out his intent.

Boundless darkness silently descended, drowning all his