For a brief moment…
The darkness became perfectly still.
Then laughter erupted.
"Ahahahahahaha…"
The sound spread across the battlefield like invisible waves.
Some soldiers covered their ears.
Others looked wildly around them.
The laughter refused to come from one direction.
It was everywhere.
"You cannot stop the darkness."
"You cannot stop what has already begun."
"You are…"
"…far too late."
Dickson didn't answer.
He simply continued staring.
As though he were trying to memorize every detail of the voice.
Then—
Crack.
A sharp sound echoed through the battlefield.
Everyone froze.
Another followed.
Crack.
Then another.
Crack.
The darkness surrounding Ren suddenly began collapsing inward, spiraling violently around him as if consuming its own vessel.
Ren's body jerked unnaturally.
His expression twisted in silent agony.
The smile disappeared.
For the briefest instant…
His original eyes returned.
They were filled with terror.
He tried to say something.
