Chapter 26: Causality Divergence

The Strongest Transcendent In History Is The Strongest
Chapter 26: Causality Divergence
Ingakankeinosōi flashes a confident grin, his sharp features framed by the shadows cast by the dim light surrounding us. "My business is with Katsume," he declares boldly, with an air of inevitability that suggests he believes he holds all the cards.
I respond dismissively, "Yeah, no, that's not happening." There's an indifference in my tone that belies the tension in the air, a carefree casualness as if I’m discussing the weather rather than a confrontation.
Ingakankeinosōi's grin widens, a mixture of amusement and challenge sparking in his eyes. "Then by force it is." There's a hint of excitement in his voice, as though he relishes the prospect of a physical confrontation.
I take a step back, my posture shifting as I prepare for what’s to come. "Let's get started, shall we?" I say, a faint smile curving my lips. I drop into a martial arts stance, demonstrating the readiness that comes with training and discipline. “This particular move is called the Rising Dragon,” I explain, letting my body relax into the familiar rhythm of the form.
Ingakankeinosōi's expression changes; curiosity piques within the depths of his narrowed gaze as he watches my demonstration. "What are you doing?" he asks, intrigued, and I can see the gears turning in his mind.
With a swift motion, I unleash the move upon him, the fluidity of the attack betraying a day of practice in secret with determination. "This is how it works," I say, continuing to explain the mechanics behind my technique as I execute a powerful strike, which seems to slice through the air toward him.
Ingakankeinosōi's grin returns, but this time it's layered with arrogance. "Diverge!" he calls out, his voice commanding and almost mocking. In an instant, the energy of my assault evaporates before it can make contact, splintering into a thousand unconnected fragments. The cause of my action never aligns with any effect.
I can hardly comprehend what just occurred. "What is going on?!" I exclaim, astonished by the phenomenon unfolding before me.
As if to clarify, Ingakankeinosōi begins to explain, "Causality Divergence — I don’t erase actions; I simply split the cause and effect so they will never connect. You can act, but the result doesn’t follow. I force events to diverge from their intended outcomes." Each word drips with confidence, a testament to his mastery over an abstract concept that feels alien to me. "I do not defy fate… I simply step outside its design," Ingakankeinosōi continues, a confident glint dancing in his eyes. "Your cause means nothing to me, and your effect… will never come true."
With a cool demeanor, I retort, "We'll see about that." I am unfazed, a steady determination anchoring my resolve.
"Come at me then!" Ingakankeinosōi taunts, his voice filled with anticipation, exuding an infectious energy that would rattle lesser opponents.
Emboldened, I throw a punch, aiming directly at his chest with precision, aware of the power behind my strike.
Ingakankeinosōi prepares to block the blow, a confident smirk lingering on his lips.
However, in a moment of tactical genius, I transition my punch into a swift uppercut, catching him off guard.
“Diverge!” Ingakankeinosōi exclaims, his voice filled with urgency as the force of my uppercut sends him soaring through the air, an illusion of power rendered futile, thanks to his uncanny ability to sever impact from intention.
Casually, I remark, "Looks like I need to look for another way to win." A hint of mischief dances in my eyes, unfazed by the setback.
"Oh, but you can’t win," Ingakankeinosōi retorts with a sinister grin, reveling in the moment. "It's all over for you."
I remain calm, even in the face of his taunts. "Then you're in for a surprise. I've got just the thing for you. I’ve never had to use this before, so prepare yourself." There’s a steely resolve in my voice, letting him know that I'm serious.
"Come on then!" Ingakankeinosōi challenges, his confidence unwavering. "But I know your annihilation won't work here. You’ll have to use ultimate oblivion to win. I’ve seen your fights; I know what you’re capable of."
Narrowing my gaze, I let him know, "I know annihilation won't work on you, but I don't need ultimate oblivion for you. I've got something else—something different that I'll be using here."
Intrigued, Ingakankeinosōi leans in closer, "Very well then, show me." His eyes narrow, anticipation gleaming as he braces for what is to come.
I raise my hand slowly, deliberately, the air around us thick with tension. I clench my fist, as if I’m gripping the very essence of reality itself. "But what if I don’t just erase you?" My voice dips to a whisper, colder and more resolute. "What if I simply... refuse you?"
In that moment, a strange calm overtakes the atmosphere, like the world itself has paused. The wind dies down, sounds are suddenly muted, and even the light around us seems to distort, bending unnaturally as if recoiling from an unseen force.
With deliberate precision, I slam my hand into the ground. "Void Sovereignty," I declare. The ground beneath me doesn’t quiver or crack; instead, it simply vanishes—silent, devoid of violence. A circle of stark nothingness ripples outward, a smooth black ring that spreads across the earth like spilled ink, not destroying or corrupting, but denying existence itself.
Ingakankeinosōi’s body halts mid-charge, his feet skimming the edge of the spreading void. It’s as if he’s caught in a web of latent energy, unable to move forward. His foot hovers precariously over the dark surface, but it simply refuses to make contact. As the circle continues to widen.
I watch as a mother of shadows emanates from him, twisting and unraveling in an ethereal dance as if his very identity is being severed from reality.
A gasp escapes him, punctuated by the strange, flickering sound of his voice—the very act of speaking is being rejected.
"You’re not being erased," I say, stepping into the blackness with a quiet grace. "You’re being unaccepted. The void remembers what doesn’t belong."
Ingakankeinosōi stumbles back, his strength fading as he realizes there’s no solid ground behind him. Only the void stretches infinitely, his very permission to exist within this narrative slipping away like sand through his fingers. In desperation, he swings an attack, with a flare of energy erupting forth, but it never reaches me. It simply disappears, swallowed whole the instant it crosses the threshold of the circle of nothingness. Not nullified. Not blocked. Just... denied.
I raise my hand once more, calm and resolute, my presence unwavering. "I’m not destroying you," I declare, the void contracting around me like a tightening noose. "I’m unwriting the stage you stand on."
In that moment, Ingakankeinosōi, trapped in silent horror, is swallowed by a powerful force—not by death, but by refusal itself. The essence of his very being is undone, unraveling before my eyes in the face of an unimaginable reality.

To be continued...