Chapter 31:

The Horizon Canvas

Brought into my Unfinished Game World


Bolg led his unlikely allies through the spectral archway, the shifting symbols pulsing overhead as they entered demon territory.

The journey through the shadow corridor felt both endless and instantaneous before they finally emerged into harsh daylight.

As soon as Bolg stepped into demon territory, his appearance began to shift. His horns grew longer and more prominent, his canine teeth extended into proper fangs, and his fingernails sharpened into claws. The demonic features he had been concealing during their travels returned to their natural state, allowing him to blend in with his own kind.

They found themselves at the edge of a vast agricultural complex filled with warehouses and storage buildings. In the distance, magical cattle with shimmering hides grazed in fields tended by demon workers who used modified spells to accelerate crop growth and maintain the farmland.

A burly demon with prominent horns approached them from the nearest warehouse. His crossed-out name tag read Thorak, and his expression shifted from routine boredom to surprise as he recognized Bolg.

— Bolg Nir? Are these the captives you were supposed to apprehend?

Suzaku's hand moved subtly to her side, blue flames beginning to flicker around her fingers as she prepared to cast a spell at the first sign of trouble. The tension in the air was palpable as Bolg stepped forward to respond.

Bolg straightened his shoulders and adopted a confident posture.

— Indeed, Thorak. I have successfully retrieved the life bender and his guardians. Their magical abilities proved no match for my tactics, and they lack the physical strength necessary to escape from my control.

Thorak's expression shifted to one of admiration as he looked over the group with obvious approval.

— Excellent work, Bolg Nir. I expected no less from someone of your capabilities. Though I must admit, I thought the mission would have required less time to complete.

Bolg waved a dismissive hand.

— I granted them one final tour of their homeland before they spend who knows how much time confined within our walls. Consider it a small mercy before their prolonged captivity begins.

Thorak nodded approvingly at this explanation.

— A wise decision. It shows both strength and magnanimity. The Demon Lord will be pleased with your success.

Thorak paused, then looked puzzled.

— But why did you pass through my agricultural sector instead of proceeding directly to the throne room? Surely the Demon Lord would want to see your captives immediately.

Bolg placed a hand over his heart with theatrical sincerity.

— I wanted you to be the first person to whom I reported my success, Thorak. Your dedication to feeding our armies deserves recognition, and I thought you should share in the glory of this moment before anyone else.

Thorak's rough features turned a deep shade of red as he stammered his response.

— I... that is... thank you for such consideration, Bolg Nir. Your thoughtfulness is truly... appreciated.

The burly demon turned away quickly, too embarrassed to maintain eye contact any longer.

— I must return to my duties now. The harvest schedule requires my attention.

He hurried back toward the warehouses, clearly flustered by Bolg's unexpected compliment.

As soon as Thorak disappeared from view, Kuria noticed Suzaku's hand still positioned threateningly near Bolg's back and quickly swatted it away.

— Stop that, she said firmly. Bolg is our ally now. He has earned our trust.

Bolg turned to face them both, his newly prominent horns catching the sunlight.

— I do not mind if it helps Suzaku feel safer. Her caution is a logical reaction, considering our circumstances and my past actions against your group.

Kuria crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout.

— Well, I still think it is unnecessary.

Suzaku looked at Kuria's pouty expression and found herself unconsciously mimicking it, her own cheeks puffing out as she frowned at the cleric's reaction.

Bolg, Alpha, and Dave all sighed in exasperation at the display.

— If you two are finished with your theatrics, Bolg said with a serious tone, we should continue to our destination.

He led the group through the agricultural complex, past the warehouses and fields where demon workers continued their tasks without paying them any attention. Soon they reached the edge of the cultivated land, where the green fields ended abruptly.

Beyond the farm's boundary stretched a complete desert. No vegetation, no rocks, no landmarks of any kind - just endless sand stretching toward the horizon. But what drew their attention was not the barren landscape itself, but what lay at its end.

In the distance, the Horizon Canvas appeared as a place where sky and earth met and mixed into pure white light. The boundary between land and air dissolved into nothingness, as if someone had simply erased what was supposed to exist beyond this point - even if there had never been anything there to begin with.

Alpha stared at the impossible sight, his pixelated features somehow conveying awe.

— So that is where we are heading.

Dave floated closer, studying the otherworldly phenomenon.

— I could envision the concept of it, but I never could have imagined what it would actually look like. The edge of everything I created.

Bolg turned to address the entire group, his expression grave.

— From here onward, we cannot stop until we reach our destination. This farm represents the farthest inhabited location from the edge of our world. Once we begin crossing that desert, we can no longer turn back.

He gazed out at the endless expanse of sand stretching toward the white void.

— The Horizon Canvas lies beyond any safe refuge. If we encounter trouble out there, there will be nowhere to retreat to. This is our final decision point.

Alpha looked between his companions, then back at the impossible sight ahead of them.

— So this is it. Now or never. Are we all prepared to commit to this path?

Suzaku stepped forward and smacked the back of Alpha's blocky head.

— Just go ahead already.

Kuria, still pouting from their earlier exchange, followed directly behind Suzaku without a word.

Bolg raised his shoulders in a resigned shrug and began walking toward the desert.

Dave grinned as he floated alongside them.

— Cringe!

Don.Coals
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