Chapter 6: Respite and the Next Duel

The thunder of annihilation echoed in the Nexus void for a moment longer, even after the purple and black light dissipated and the crater began to repair itself. On the elevated platforms, the remaining heroes processed what they had just witnessed. The power unleashed far exceeded what they had expected from a first engagement.

On the Alpha Team's platform, Rimuru watched as Cid was teleported back, completely unharmed, while Sung Jinwoo appeared on his knees on the opposite platform, visibly exhausted and injured.

Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, analysis of what happened. [Ciel: Analysis completed. Individual Cid Kagenou's 'Atomic' attack was a manifestation of mana annihilation of an unprecedented level. Individual Sung Jinwoo resisted using the full extent of his authority as the 'Shadow Monarch' and his regeneration ability, protecting his conceptual core from direct annihilation. However, he suffered massive physical and energetic damage.] Rimuru frowned. "Total annihilation power... versus Monarch resistance. A terrifying clash."

He turned to Cid, who landed softly on the platform as if he'd just taken a stroll in the park. "Shadow, that was... incredible. Your attack... was it pure mana?"

Cid adjusted his mask, maintaining his facade of indifference. "Just a little... trick. A technique for clearing the board when the pawns become too bothersome." Cid (Thought): Yeah, make it sound casual. Like it's something you do every day. Show superiority without bragging too much. The slime seems genuinely impressed. Good. This raises my image.

Saitama, who was still sitting, finally spoke, his voice flat. "Huh. That was loud."

Rimuru and Cid looked at him. Saitama didn't seem to have reacted at all to the level of destruction. Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, are you sure his level is 'Infinity'? He showed no reaction to an energy that nearly destroyed a dimension. [Ciel: Confirmed. The lack of reaction may be a factor of his existential nature or simply apathy. Danger Assessment: Still maximum.] Rimuru mentally slapped himself. Saitama was still a terrifying enigma.

On the Beta Team platform, Gojo Satoru looked at the slowly recovering Sung Jinwoo and then at the platform across the room, his smile barely reaching his eyes. Mash, beside him, just blinked, seemingly confused by all the commotion.

"Well, well," Gojo said, crossing his arms. "That cloaked guy... Cid Kagenou, huh? His power wasn't cursed energy, nor did I sense a clear source of spiritual energy. It was pure energy... mana, you said Jinwoo. But the amount... and what he did with it... impressive. My 'Boundless Void' would have had trouble with that if I didn't nullify it first."

Jinwoo, still recovering, nodded with difficulty. "Their energy... was... annihilation. Pure and simple." He looked at Cid's platform. "And the other one... Rimuru Tempest. I felt his aura upon arrival. It's vast and adaptable. And the last one... Saitama. I feel nothing. It's as if he doesn't exist, but my Monarch instinct screams danger. Alpha Team... isn't simple."

Mash, oblivious to the discussion about cosmic power, finally asked, "Are you done fighting? Are there profiteroles now?"

Gojo laughed. "No, Muscles, no profiteroles yet. The first round just ended. And it looks like our tough guy took a beating, even though he survived. Good job withstanding that, Jinwoo. Next up, it'll be us." He looked at Rimuru and Cid with interest. "The slime and the dramatic guy versus me and... well, you, Muscles."

The voice of the System echoed again, interrupting his thoughts.

[The System: The 1-Alpha vs. 1-Beta match has concluded. Result: Technical Draw by Mutual Forfeit. Both participants have shown significant potential. Proceed to the next phase.]

Rimuru (Thought): A technical tie... makes sense. Neither could permanently incapacitate the other with that level of regeneration and resilience. Though Shadow's attack seemed far more destructive.

Cid (Thought): "Technical Draw." The perfect cover. It shows the audience (the Cult/System) that I have a worthy 'rival,' but my power was so great that the 'stage' couldn't handle it, and they had to stop the fight. Great! The plot moves forward!

Sung Jinwoo (Thought): A tie? I survived... barely. But he... was unharmed. It wasn't a tie. It was... a mystery.

[The System: Next match. Structure adjusted due to the outcome of the previous match. Rimuru Tempest vs. Satoru Gojo.]

Rimuru and Gojo raised their heads. Their names were announced.

[Participant 2-Alpha: Rimuru Tempest. Participant 2-Beta: Satoru Gojo. Prepare to enter the Combat Area.]

Rimuru looked at Gojo on the opposite platform. Gojo looked back with a confident smile.

Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, analysis of Gojo Satoru. [Ciel: Analysis completed. Main abilities: 'Infinity' (fundamental spatial manipulation), 'Limits' (infinity-based techniques: Blue, Red, Purple), 'Six Eyes' (overwhelming information perception and processing), 'Domain Expansion: Boundless Void' (infallible sensory/mental trap). Danger Assessment: Extreme. His 'Infinity' ability creates an insurmountable distance, requiring a bypass or nullification at a conceptual or spatial level.] Rimuru nodded. A complicated ability. Not brute force, but fundamental manipulation of space. Interesting.

Rimuru (Out loud, to Gojo): "Looks like it's us. It will be an honor to face you."

Gojo shrugged, his smile even wider. "The honor is mine, little slime. I heard you can copy abilities. Good luck copying mine. Are you ready to experience what it means to crash into infinity?"

Cid (Thought): The slime versus the blindfolded guy with white hair? An unexpected combination. The slime is strong, but the other guy... I felt something strange about him when I arrived. An absence... or perhaps, a presence so dense it seems like nothing. Interesting. I'll observe how the slime handles this high-level "extra."

Mash (Thought): Are they fighting now? I hope it's quick. There are no profiteroles yet.

A different section of the Nexus began to light up, an area that seemed to resonate with spatial energy and a sense of infinite distance. Rimuru and Gojo felt the same force that had moved Cid and Jinwoo. Both were ready. Rimuru, to analyze, adapt, and overcome. Gojo, to prove he was the strongest and to have a little fun. The second round of the Nexus, a clash of unlimited adaptation against the infinite void, was about to begin.

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