The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 2381 Curse Eater Race—the ruling race of the Tenth Empyrean World

"Where am I?"

That query reverberated through Cain's thoughts for just a fleeting second before he shoved it away with resolve. The essence of this location held no importance. The crucial factor was that his adversary had picked this arena—and that fact alone compelled him to escape it immediately.

Behind him, the Chaos Wings burst into action, the Power of Chaos flowing out strongly as Cain tried to link up with his followers, planning to draw on them as points for teleportation. Instinct directed him smoothly for a short while, just like it typically did.

Sudden astonishment flickered in his gaze.

"Even in a completely foreign Empyrean World, the Power of Chaos should let me reach them. But right now... they're blurred. I sense their presence, but linking up proves impossible."

Cain's scowl grew more intense as realization took hold. This area posed a greater threat than it seemed at first. It wasn't simply cut off—it deliberately disrupted his core bonds.

In the following moment, his wings flapped with tremendous force, propelling him upward into the heavens. He climbed swiftly, slicing through the shadowy atmosphere until—abruptly—he collided with an unyielding barrier.

A gigantic, unseen barrier.

The collision rippled across the void. Cain stopped in mid-flight, his eyes tightening as he reached out his arm. A Zero-State Spear appeared in an instant, warping the fabric of existence nearby. With no delay, he thrust it ahead, driving it into the dome's outer layer.

Fractures raced across it like a network of ruin.

But nearly as fast as they formed, the fissures started to mend.

The destruction couldn't keep up with the dome's swift recovery.

"It's useless."

The statement came to Cain from underneath.

His stare turned icy toward the earth, fixing on the elderly figure positioned there. The Immortal Knight displayed a broad grin while the wound in his skull at last closed up, tissue weaving back together without a trace.

"As long as I am alive," the elder went on, "this place will keep regenerating itself."

Cain dropped down.

The atmosphere exploded with a deafening roar as he plunged with full might, cracking the terrain under his boots. Clouds of dirt and rubble burst out while his frigid gaze locked onto the Immortal Knight.

"So in order to leave this place," Cain stated steadily, "I need to kill you."

A crimson energy exploded from his frame, overwhelming the area with crushing force. The Immortal Knight gripped his hands tightly under the weight of Cain's might pressing on him, but he refused to back away. Rather,

he held his ground.

"That is correct," the elder answered. "However, it will not be as easy as before. In this place, I can finally show you my true self."

Cain observed intently as the change started.

The elder's flesh scorched and flaked off while his physique altered. His posture aligned, sinews expanding as vitality surged back into him. Within mere heartbeats, he became a man at his peak—jet-black tresses, robust physique, his aura much denser than earlier. Yet that marked just the start.

The very next instant, a pair of ebon forms rose from within him.

One stood almost double the man's stature, its shape enormous and hideous. Eyes dotted its whole surface, gazing in all directions. Its

countenance hid behind an odd upright visor. A sword jutted from its left forearm, whereas its right limb bulged with mask-like bulges.

The second form was slender and eerie, like a warped jester. A visage divided between joy and grief masked its features. Extended strings hung slack from its fingers, quivering softly—strings that appeared able to cut through whatever they grazed.

"THUMP."

As soon as the three fully emerged, bolts of lightning tore through the dome's shadowy confines. Overwhelming force squeezed in from all sides, as

if the realm beyond sought to force its way inside.

Cain's eyes tightened fiercely. Within the stormy onslaught, he

sensed something more profound.

"You are a Godslayer Human," Cain declared, his sight moving among the

three, "and those two carry the aura of Depravitas. Each of you has a soul... yet you are only one entity?"

Sozing's eyes broadened a touch before a subtle grin appeared on his lips.

He inclined his head.

"As expected of someone we went to such lengths to kill," he said evenly. "Your instincts are exceptional, young man."

Cain brushed off the compliment. A spark of insight lit his eyes.

"So I did kill someone with my spear using my Chaos Art," he said deliberately. "However... there were three more left behind."

At those words, the grin faded from Sozing's expression.

"Yes," he conceded. "You did. You killed Onori."

The instant the name escaped his lips, murderous fury surged from the two Depravitas. Cain showed no response to their fury. Instead, he kept examining them, the focus in his stare intensifying.

"After my experience becoming a hybrid myself," Cain pressed on, "I can detect it in others. This is not just a technique. You are a race."

Sozing remained quiet for a few moments before nodding at last.

"You are correct," he said. "I am not truly a Godslayer Human—not anymore. And they are not Depravitas. We are something else."

A sense of honor and gravity filled the eyes of all three as they declared

together.

"We are the Curse Eater Race—the ruling race of the Tenth Empyrean

World."

"Curse Eater..."

A slight grin pulled at Cain's mouth as he shook his head.

"It seems no one in the universe has good taste when it comes to

names."

The quick comment merely vented a sliver of the vast tension rising inside him. His face hardened once more right away.

"Able to inhabit the same body. Multiple lives. Same core essence," Cain said. "Yet I detect slightly different personalities... almost like

multiple personality syndrome."

Sozing grinned and nodded.

"Correct again. We are one, but we are also ourselves."

He pointed to the colossal form.

"I am Sozing"

The immense Curse Eater voiced next.

"I am Bako."

At last, the jester-like being cocked its head.

"And I am Hako."

Cain gave a single nod, his eyes shimmering softly as probing insight flared in them.

"Given all this conversation," he said composedly, "and the fact that you are

clearly trying to stall for time... it makes me think that the longer I remain here, the worse things will become for me."