No matter how many times I rubbed my eyes or slapped my cheeks, the text didn't change. Finally, I sighed and took another look at the screen.
"Calm down! Life isn't over yet. This doesn't mean it's all hopeless." I tried to reassure myself.
I glanced at the screen, then lifted my head and looked around to make sure no one had seen my Mark.
Even though I knew I was alone.
"There's no one here. So… it should be fine, as long as people… don't… see this…" My voice trembled, and I covered my mouth with my hand.
Then flashes from all the books and comics I'd read about Lords of Darkness came to mind. Everything I'd learned about them… all evil, sitting on thrones in terrifying castles, laughing in the face of destruction.
"Maybe it's not like that in this world…" I said aloud, then added, "But I still feel like something is wrong."
Unable to fully process everything I'd seen, I began to breathe deeply. Then I relaxed, letting my shoulders drop as I gently lay on the grass.
Lying among the soft blades and fragrant herbs, I let the gentle breeze calm me and stared up at the sky.
'So this is how Rayan Velion's adventure in another world ends. No-name Rayan, worthless in every way, killed cowardly by the hero sent by the Empire.'
I closed my eyes for a moment, then spoke in a firm, cold voice:
"It doesn't matter what happens next. I have to get my family back. I've made my vow. There's no turning back. There's only one way… forward."
Lifting my head, I sat up and plucked the Gilunus flower growing beside me.
[You have obtained the Gilunus Plant!]
I looked at the glowing window in front of me and said:
"This window… it's all I have. I can't trust anyone… except myself." Then I raised my head to the sky.