The Builders Withdraw

"Launch the God-Slaying Protocol research project. Commit all computing resources."

"Objective revised: no longer destroy Earth. Save the Multiverse."

Deep in space.

Space suddenly warped, and Xiao Han and Knull appeared, suspended amid an endless sea of stars.

All was silent around them. Only a dying star in the distance gave off a faint glow.

They were in a distant starfield, far from the battlefield.

Knull scanned their surroundings, unsure why Xiao Han had brought him here.

"This universe looks utterly unremarkable."

His voice held a trace of impatience.

"Apart from those antlike civilizations slaughtering one another, I see nothing here that could stand against the Beyonders."

Xiao Han chuckled and looked into the distance. "Just because we haven't found it yet doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

He gazed into the depths of the universe.

"This universe is the central anchor of the Multiverse. As long as it doesn't collapse prematurely, the other universes still have hope."

Knull rolled his eyes, his voice thick with mockery.

"Someone like you actually cares whether other universes live or die?"

"My universe is part of the Multiverse too."

Xiao Han's smile faded, and his tone turned serious. "If this universe is destroyed, my world will collapse with it."

"So what?"

Knull folded his arms, unimpressed.

"With your abilities, couldn't you take the people you care about into a gap between space and time and wait for the next Multiverse to begin?"

Xiao Han shook his head, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"If we run from every crisis, how is that different from admitting defeat?"

He shot Knull a teasing look.

"What about you? Aren't you afraid of the Beyonders hunting gods anymore? They specialize in wiping out remnants of the old order like you."

Knull fell silent for a moment. His pale