SSS Void Ascension: I Devour All Elements

Ryuk’s eyes met Felina’s, her darkened gaze returning to her face, despite Felina’s flat expression. Several newbies flinched, even the audience tried to run out.

Felina didn’t move at all, even though the attack couldn’t be stopped by another Sound Wave.

Killian looked away, even after sensing Ryuk’s pungent bloodlust. He didn’t fault Ryuk’s actions as much as he did her reasoning. He understood why later on.

Ryuk’s opponent being able to drop Ryuk’s guard by calling her name meant that they were friends, just like Jane and Kia who never hit the other when they were down.

But the spiky-haired girl specifically attacked Ryuk’s lower area, which was a special area for most Wind users as that’s where their mana concentrated.

Only close friends would know about the other, and the girl had to use it against Ryuk because of her fear for Felina.

There was no fear of betraying a friend if they knew they’d get blasted in the face by their superior. Killian sighed, having these thoughts within half a second.

In other words, he would let Ryuk vent on Felina. Even if it meant other casualties would be affected.

’I can only stop that attack with the Void anyway, and I have no intention of revealing...’

Killian’s thoughts stopped when he heard someone running on the railings. His body tensed.

"Evelyn! No, wait! You’d get hurt—"

A second before the attack met with the audience, Evelyn shot forward instantly, appearing in front of the wave mid-air.

Her hand stretched out, a light green layer of wind forming a four-point wall-like shield around the audience, standing directly before Felina. The sound wave scattered apart like glass breaking.

The leftover pressure burst through the area harmlessly.

Evelyn dropped lightly back onto the ground, frowning toward the center of the area. At Ryuk, who now shivered slightly at the realization of what she had done dawned on her.

Evelyn’s glare dragged to the other girl, but didn’t last, before she walked away, ignoring the multiple thanks from the audience said. She passed by Killian without sparing him a glance or word.

Meanwhile Ryuk shrunk back, watching Evelyn leave with a faint hint of admiration on her face. Her attention shifted back towards her opponent again.

"Are you that desperate, Ryuk!" The spiky-haired girl yelled out.

Ryuk’s gaze shifted downwards. "That’s what I should ask you. Why did you hurt me?"

The spiky-haired girl looked away, a slight guilt on her face.

Ryuk stepped forward, towards Shania. "I concede."

She walked away from the stage. No one complained. If anything, the crowd felt grateful that the one who tried assaulting them calmly left.

Meanwhile Killian’s attention was on Evelyn who still glared at Ryuk as she walked away.

"I thought she’d understand Ryuk and support her." He looked away, checking the next names. "But I guess I was wrong."

For someone like Ryuk who grew up in a region where no one else had her element, it was no surprise she had poor control of it. Her huge output showed she had the potential just not the direction.

The winner was announced by Shania. Killian gestured for a little break, as he left the room. Another message came into his phone.

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Juda walked down towards him but Evelyn sat back. "Why does she seem upset at me too?"

[Unknown Number]

’Did you go after our older sister? I heard the news.’

The phone was pushed back into Killian’s pocket, as he grumbled. "So this is what I took a break for. I thought it was a message from Big Sis. Keith is just too shameless."

If he watched the news, then they should’ve given enough information about what his own family didn’t bother to tell him. Keith had no reason to confirm it with him.

"I should return before those girls get too rowdy—"

"Are you feeling alright, Killian?"

Killian paused, then slowly turned to Juda whose arms were folded against his chest. He raised a brow. "What is that question supposed to mean?"

"That girl was going to take some lives with that shot. Why did you just let it happen?"

"Take some lives?" Killian chuckled dryly. "That is an exaggeration. That shot wouldn’t even kill a C-tier realm monster." He paused, calculating. "It would injure it though, but just that."

Juda said nothing, his gaze had changed to one that couldn’t recognize the person in front of him. Killian straightened his posture after Juda sighed disappointedly.

"I know you are stronger than anyone here by now. But while you might tank a hit like that by some means, the average person in that audience is less than a D-Rank Warden. They could’ve died."

Juda’s words reminded Killian of a fact he should never have forgotten. It made his earlier thoughts embarrass him.

"Even that girl who was targeted would’ve been heavily injured." Juda continued. "You should’ve scolded that Wind User, but you let her drop out herself. You even looked proud?"

"The thing is—" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"It doesn’t really matter why you let it happen, Killian." Juda interrupted, his frown deepening. "You know them better than I do, yes. Maybe that targeted girl deserved it, yes. But she’s not a monster who deserved to die, and people would’ve died today."

Killian said nothing. His hands slowly left his pockets.

A common illness known as Warden’s Humanity. He never expected it to affect him this early. As a Warden, he had begun unconsciously comparing humans to monsters, casually entertaining thoughts of bloodlust and violence.

"That is my fault."

Juda’s expression loosened. He exhaled, turning away. "As long as you understand it. Thankfully, Evelyn was there today to handle it."

Killian understood Evelyn’s annoyance better. Ryuk was more than a Wind User who couldn’t control her element. She was a hurt vengeful girl with a strong output, who couldn’t control her element and had a target for her bloodlust.

And that means anyone can be affected by that. Killian watched Juda walk away, and he didn’t have the confidence to follow him.

"Don’t blame yourself too much." The Void’s voice came.

"You have been on a vengeful streak recently so you might have unconsciously sided with Ryuk since Felina reminds you of the crazy angels."

"Also, Ryuk felt like you. Abandoned and betrayed by her friend. You wanted to root for her, like you’d root for yourself."

Killian said nothing, while moving towards the dark hallway.