Time flows back to the present day, one day later.
The setting sun was like fire, and everyone stood stunned, staring at the snow stained vividly red by blood.
In that moment, Senis and Paul's expressions changed drastically. They grabbed nearby shovels and began to dig frantically. Paul's fighting spirit had long since been exhausted—he was now moving through pure physical strength.
Shovel after shovel, they dug through the snow. As the layers peeled away, the scarlet snow revealed itself beneath, exposed to everyone's sight.
Everyone stared blankly, their expressions stiffening.
At the sight of blood, people instinctively think of death.
That's why everyone's faces turned pale just now.
But on second thought—how many people would have to die for blood to soak this much snow?
People?
Was there anyone in the valley?
Yes, only two people were inside.
But how could just two people result in such a massive blood loss?
Then—where did all this blood come from?
Why was there so much of it?
Who was dying?
And who did this?
How long does it take to think of the answer?
The very next second, flames lit up in everyone's eyes!
They raised their shovels again and dug harder—shoveling snow, one scoop after another.
Shoveling blood, one scoop after another!
Finally, the thick layer of blood-red snow cracked open—and true blood surged out like a fountain, splashing across everyone's faces.
Paul's eyes lit up and he moved to dig further, but a chain reaction had already begun.
The balance of pressure broke down. Black snow collapsed all around.
With a loud rumble, the final thin snow wall crumbled in front of them.
At that moment, even though they stood among the mountains—
Everyone heard the sound of the "sea."
A tide. A wave.
It was a blood tide!
It surged in from the newly exposed crevices in the valley!
Instantly, with the nearly solid scent of blood clinging thick in the air, the tide submerged everyone's knees.
No one cared about the soaked ground beneath them.
All eyes turned to the valley.
The setting sun slanted through the mountain ravine, casting golden light over the ocean of blood below.
A red current stretched far into the distance, a crimson line cutting across the valley like a path to eternity.
Countless monster corpses floated across the bloody sea, bobbing with the cold winter wind.
And among them, a single blood-soaked back stood alone, facing away from the crowd.
The waves lapped at his knees, and ripples spread from his body as the center.
The sunset gleamed off the surface of the blood-soaked sea, flickering with each swell.
The lone figure's back sparkled in the fading light.
How could something so intimately tied to death be this beautiful?
No one spoke. No one dared step forward.
But even so, the collapse of snow had disturbed the man.
The man in the sea of blood slowly turned to face them.
The clouds lit the outline of his figure, obscuring his features, but his voice—lazy as ever—floated to them on the waves.
It was a small, distant voice.
Yet it was loud enough.
He said:
"Next year…"
"There won't be another monster wave."
Paul stared at Allen, then broke into a wide grin.
Senis's shovel fell into the blood tide. She stared at the scene in a daze, the voice striking her ears like thunder.
At first, she smiled.
Then her lips began to tremble.
And finally, she covered her face.
Tears leaked between her fingers, dropping one by one and rippling in the crimson sea at her knees.
Lilia patted her on the shoulder, crying and laughing at the same time.
Rudy stared at Allen, muttering to himself, barely audible:
"Saved… saved… Allen, Sylphy… saved…"
"I'm saved…"
Roz turned her gaze to Allen's side. Sylphy was floating on a piece of magically formed ice. The sunset dyed her white hair crimson.
She smiled and waved toward the valley's exit.
"We're fine~ Sorry for making everyone worry! The monsters were just eliminated, and we were looking for a way out… then you all arrived~"
She deliberately softened her voice to calm the crowd, who nearly cheered aloud. Who knew if a second avalanche might follow?
So everyone fell silent—only bouncing lightly in the sea of blood to express their joy.
But then someone began running through the blood tide!
Rudy! Senis! Paul! Lilia!
One figure after another dashed across the blood-soaked ground—and before Allen could react, he was pulled into a tight embrace.
The hugs came one after another, thoughts spinning, emotions in the air like drifting snow.
Warm. Hot.
Senis's tears kept falling on Allen's face.
He looked stunned, throat dry. He had rehearsed explanations—about the monster tide, about next year—but now, he couldn't utter a word.
Because in that moment, it didn't matter.
None of it did.
So what did matter?
The warmth of their embrace gave the answer.
One night ago, emotions that had been interrupted and never fully brewed now crashed through Allen like tidal waves.
Images rushed back to him in a flood:
Paul and Senis's devastated expressions after returning from their revenge.
How Senis, after becoming pregnant, was careful when speaking to Rudy—afraid Allen might feel left out.
The night of the incident, when everyone hugged her and wept together, thanking her with tear-filled eyes.
The birthday gifts, the thoughtful performances.
The neatly arranged breakfast table, the "good night"s said before bed.
Too many memories. Too many buried emotions.
How could he count them all?
A panicked voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned.
Sylphy was nervously explaining her changed hair color, flustered under everyone's gaze. But when she noticed Allen's eyes on her, she turned toward him—still in her mother's arms.
Their eyes met.
Her white hair fluttered in the wind, blazing like fire beneath the sunset.
Allen looked at Sylphy's hair, and emotions surged—striking deep in his chest.
He was silent.
Then slowly, he pulled himself out of the warm embrace.
And opened his arms.
Returning it.
Senis's sobs only grew louder, and Allen's voice was barely audible.
But Sylphy, beside him, heard it clearly.
This time, there was no clever phrasing, no hidden meaning, no intention of gaining goodwill points.
Just two simple words:
"Thank you."
The words scattered on the wind, vanishing like smoke.
[When the distance between hearts is gone, the bond of family begins.]
[You have become part of Paul's family.]
[Childhood participation increased.]
[Current stage: Childhood — Participation Score: 100 points. Reward granted. Positioning system activated.]
[Evaluation: If the 'natural chasm' is but one step away, it means you've already set foot on the path. Why should one fear that final step?]
[Allen—this is the meaning of crossing.]
[This is your own journey without a job!!]
[Congratulations, host: Childhood Arc — Full Score Clearance.]
The sunset was like blood, spilling over the red sea.
Yet Allen could no longer smell a trace of blood.
Night.
It took over two hours for everyone to bathe and wash the blood off their bodies.
By the time dinner finished, it was nearly 10 p.m.
Paul was drunk.
The one man who hadn't cried earlier now hugged Allen while sobbing, nose running.
Allen was speechless.
The worst part? No one came to help. Everyone just watched with smiles on their faces.
Even Rudy looked at Paul with a helpless but gentle expression.
Allen's face twitched.
What?! Who's your dad?! Whose dad are you?!
Eventually, Allen managed to escape Paul's grasp.
Why?
Because Paul, too exhausted, collapsed into Allen's arms like a heap of mud.
And fell asleep?!
Seriously?!
Allen carried the "princess" Paul back to his room, then returned—passing through the corridor under the gentle, grateful gazes of Senis and Lilia.
They called after him softly:
"Allen, you've worked hard. Rest well~"
"No need to wake early~ We'll save breakfast for you."
"…Okay~"
Their footsteps faded.
In the dark, Allen moved.
He approached his desk.
Lit a candle.
Opened the drawer.
Pulled out the crumpled parchment.
And held it directly over the flame.
Black smoke curled upward, and the densely packed handwriting shriveled in the fire—word after word vanishing.
The "Future Vision" burned before his eyes, ink twisting in the heat—until only ash remained.
Then, it all transformed into a flickering system panel.
[What do you think?]
In the candlelight, Allen grinned.
"Fuck future vision."
There was no snow outside the window.
Because spring—
was coming.