Kwoaaaaa—!!!
The night that had spilled across the ground devoured the whole field. The domain’s range was easily large enough to be called a vast lake.
The darkness spread without end, seizing and swallowing the trees and brush on all sides.
Thus, at last, a domain wholly rendered ink-black came into being.
Crackle.
Crackle.
From the black earth, an unknown residue (滓) wafted up like heat haze.
It was ominous.
And it was unpleasant.
“…”
The masked woman watched that domain in silence through her mask.
Her eyes rolled.
She was searching for the being that had created this domain.
Just then—
Squish—!
“—!”
Her foot sank into the ground and her balance gave way.
And—
Shiiiiiik—!!!
A sharp spike shot up from the earth, boring toward the woman’s throat.
She moved her hand. The sword formed of energy sheared the spike away.
She braced and wrenched her foot free. Then she leapt back to open distance.
But—
Shraaaak—!!
Countless hands thrust out of the ground and lunged for her.
Seeing that, the woman started to swing her sword again, but—
Grab—!
Suddenly her back was seized.
“Where are you going?”
The domain’s master had already moved behind her.
With her neck caught, her view flipped. Before she could break…