"Though my will was already as steadfast as a rock, unchanged even after thousands of years, I believed it was still not enough for me to become the dominator of all things. That quality of yours—holding fast to your beliefs no matter the temptation—was precisely what I had always needed."
Negary looked at Smick and said with a smile, "As a reward for earning my approval, I will suppress my physical abilities to the peak of humanity. I will not use my telekinetic ability either. If you can defeat me, I will let you go. Cooperating with your Majesty would not be out of the question, either."
"Stop boasting!" Though Smick was clearly still standing in the distance, his voice rang out close to Negary. The distant Smick flickered twice, then vanished.
"Didn't you learn your lesson?" Negary's right hand transformed. Metal-Eating Pathogens gathered in it, and a gleaming white blade extended from his wrist, blocking an invisible weapon.
Negary abruptly tilted his head. A wound suddenly appeared on his cheek, exposing the black pathogens beneath, while wisps of white vitality dissipated. Of course, the minor wound swiftly healed.
"The reason you can detect me is because of those things floating in the air, isn't it?" Smick's voice rang out. "They fill the entire space, so even if I hide my form, you can judge my position—and even my movements—from how those things are distributed through the air."
"I've already seen through your little tricks, Negary." Smick retreated, gradually revealing himself. More and more Smicks appeared as well.
"Light Flow Method, Light Illusion." By manipulating the rhythm of light, he created all kinds of illusions. And light was far from harmless. These illusory figures clearly resembled people, yet they felt like miniature suns. Every Spread Pathogen that approached the illusions