The eerie silence of the battlefield lingered around Dave as he stood among the corpses of fallen superhumans, the chilling presence of the Death God a distant memory. The power radiated by the entity had shaken him to his core, leaving a lingering sense of unease. But now, alone in the aftermath, he couldn't let the fear distract him. He needed answers.
"Bella…" Dave's voice was low, almost hesitant, as he finally spoke. "How… how can Gods exist? How is that even possible?"
There was a brief pause before Bella's calm voice responded in his mind. "There are many things that exist beyond the scope of human understanding. Gods, entities, beings beyond mortal comprehension… they've been there since the beginning of time. It's not for you to question their existence, but to accept it."
Dave's brow furrowed, frustration building inside him. "And you never thought to mention this to me before? You never thought it might be important for me to know?"
"Because," Bella's tone remained steady, almost condescending, "you aren't strong enough to know these things. Even now, you're not prepared. It's a miracle that you survived the encounter with a God. Few mortals have ever come face to face with one and lived to tell the tale."
He scoffed, shaking his head. "I'm Rank SS. I've killed hundreds of superhumans. I can face anything that comes my way! What do you mean I'm not prepared?"
Bella's voice was cold and sharp this time. "Rank SS is a powerful status among superhumans, yes, but it's insignificant compared to the true strength of the universe. You were nothing but an insect in front of the Death God. You're lucky he didn't take your soul right then and there."
Dave bit his lip, his mind swirling with questions and doubts. He had believed that once he reached Rank SS, he was close to invincible. But now, he felt small, powerless against the forces at play. "Then… what else is out there? Are there more like him? More gods, more beings that could squash me like an ant?"
Bella's response was vague, and Dave could sense she was holding back. "There are many entities that walk among us, some you may never encounter in your lifetime. But others… others might seek you out. Knowing too much will only endanger you further. For now, it's best if you focus on growing stronger."
"Damn it, Bella!" Dave snarled, his voice filled with frustration. "Why won't you just tell me what I'm up against?!"
"Because," Bella replied coolly, "you're not ready to know. And right now, you have a more pressing concern."
"Pressing concern?" Dave repeated, confusion coloring his tone.
"Yes," Bella said quietly. "Someone's coming."
Dave's heart skipped a beat as an ominous chill washed over him. The air grew thick and heavy, the same feeling of dread creeping back into his senses. He spun around, scanning the empty streets, but saw no one.
"Run," Bella urged, her voice edged with a rare note of urgency. "You need to leave. Right now."
But Dave stayed rooted to the spot. "No," he muttered, defiance flaring in his eyes. "I'm not running. I'm done running from these people."
"Dave, I'm telling you—" Bella began, but before she could finish, Dave felt it—a presence behind him. His body went rigid as a wave of cold terror washed over him, more intense than anything he had felt before. Slowly, he turned his head.
Floating several feet above the ground was a figure cloaked in shadows, an aura of malevolence radiating from its very being. Unlike the Death God's subtle, overwhelming power, this was raw, aggressive—like staring into the eyes of a predator.
Dave forced himself to speak, his voice faltering. "Who… who are you?"
The figure remained silent for a moment, its gaze—or what felt like its gaze—piercing through Dave's soul. Then, it spoke, its voice a deep, menacing rumble. "Are you the one who killed my members?"
A memory flashed through Dave's mind—the words of the Rank SS enemy he had defeated. "Someone stronger will come for you." This had to be what he meant.
"What if I am?" Dave said, his voice steadier now. "What are you going to do about it?"
The figure chuckled, the sound reverberating through the air like the growl of a beast. "Then I'll just have to see for myself… what you're worth." Without warning, the figure surged forward with blinding speed.
Dave barely had time to react. The enemy's fist connected with his chest, sending him flying backward. Pain exploded through his body as he crashed into a nearby building, the force of the impact shattering concrete and glass. He struggled to stand, coughing up blood.
"Damn it!" Dave cursed, teleporting to his feet just as the figure appeared in front of him again. He swung his arm, summoning his matter control to launch a barrage of debris at the enemy, but it was useless. The figure swatted the attack away like it was nothing.
"You're nothing but a child," the figure sneered, its voice dripping with disdain. "Is this all you have to offer?"
Dave growled, teleporting behind the enemy and aiming a powerful kick infused with his teleport ability. But the figure anticipated the move, catching Dave's leg with ease. With a cruel smile, the enemy twisted, snapping Dave's leg with a sickening crack. Agony shot through him, but before he could scream, he was flung through the air like a ragdoll.
"Bella," Dave gritted out through the pain, "what… is he?"
But Bella's voice didn't come. Dave forced himself to his feet again, his vision blurring. Blood dripped from his mouth, his body battered and broken. He couldn't let it end like this. He couldn't—
The figure blurred forward again, too fast for Dave to follow. The next thing he knew, excruciating pain tore through his arm as it was severed cleanly from his shoulder. Blood sprayed through the air, and Dave screamed, clutching the stump of his arm.
"Ah… Ahhh!" Dave gasped, the pain overwhelming his senses.
"Pathetic," the figure spat, watching Dave crumble to his knees. "This is what it means to face true power."
As darkness closed in around him, Dave's mind slipped into unconsciousness. Bella's voice whispered softly, only to herself and the readers:
"I guess… it's better now that he can't see what's about to come."
And with that, the world faded to black.