Regal Vagos witnessed Six's defeat from afar and laughed to himself.
Hollowhead bitch. And she was so sure she could handle him alone.
He had been watching his fight closely since it began. If Six had triumphed, he intended to stop him from killing that barbarian bastard. A peaceful death was too kind a fate for that man. Vagos planned to use Subordination to make him his slave and make him live the rest of his days in hell. If he was unlucky and that barbarian died before he could put his plan into action, Vagos planned to at least absorb his soul and increase his stats.
Well, I guess it's better this way. Since now he too has fallen.
Vagos remained on the front line for a while, only pretending to fight before silently retreating. He quickly headed to the place he had been looking at.
Step. Step.
The distance narrowed quickly.
Grabbing him with Subordination and making him fight his own allies will be fun.
As he moved forward, driven by anticipation, a small, trembling voice sounded nearby. «Lazy gift...»
¡Whiiiiip!
It didn't take long for a threatening roar to be heard.
¡Clang!
He hurriedly turned around to block the arrow flying towards him. There was an elf looking at him from the direction he came from.
«...True, I forgot about you».
She was one of the Powerful Seven, known to most as the Spirit of Blood-Erwen Fornacci di Tersia.
Vagos licked his lips out of habit, with a strange feeling of déjà vu.
For some reason, her face looks familiar to me every time I see her.
Of course, this thought didn't seem that important to him.
***
The real tragedies were different from the tragedies in the stories. As proof, it had not rained or thundered that day. It was not the day a revolution began, nor a night so dark that not even the stars flickered. That day had been a normal day like any other.
«Erwen, if you keep causing problems, a barbarian is going to come and be afraid to scold you». Her mother scolded her as usual.
«Haha, enough is enough. I'm sure you've learned your lesson». His father was being nice.
«Wahhh!» His little sister was crying, as always.
«Daria? Where has that girl gone...?» And her naughty older sister had only come home early in the morning and was still sleeping. That day everything was normal.
Toc, toc.
Until there was a knock on the front door.
«Who is it?» His father came out to the door in place of his mother, who was doing housework, and at that moment tragedy began. «A dragonian...? Why a dragonian...?!»
«I need fame. And it seems that killing some elves is the easiest way to get it».
«¡Kyaahhh!»
«M-Miriane! Grab the kids and run!»
While his father detained the man, his mother took the three sisters and fled. However, before they could get far, the man caught up with them. The girls barely survived thanks to their uncle, who was passing by.
«Please... take my daughters away from here».
«...Okay.»
«Thank you... my kind little brother.» Her mother had sacrificed herself as her husband, while the sisters were on the luckier side. The number of people who had died that day was more than a thousand.
***
Erwen had had her older sister and her younger sister. He had been able to live for them.
«That young woman was born with the greatest destiny after you».
Then his older sister died.
«Daria... is not here anymore?»
It had been his fault, and his relationship with his little sister had become strained. Still, he could move on.
«I told you. Now I am your guardian.»
She met a man who sacrificed everything to protect her whenever there was danger, extended his hand to her and helped her up whenever she felt like she was collapsing. But the world was too cruel.
«So Bjorn is dead».
As soon as she realized that Bjorn had abandoned her as her sister, Erwen couldn't stem the tide of emotions.
Why do they always take everything from me? Why does the little happiness I finally managed to get my hands on crumble so easily?
The reason was very simple: because he was weak. He was someone who had to be protected. These people had protected her, but she couldn't protect them in return.
«The process of obtaining the power of a pureblood is much more terrible than you imagine, and it is also not something you can achieve just because you want to».
She wanted to be stronger. Now that I had nothing to protect, I wanted to show the people who stole the pain of having something important taken away from you.
[Elemental Ruler of Darkness Dicloe...]
That darkness gave him strength. With that strength, he took revenge. They called her a bloodthirsty bitch, but deep down she was still the same.
Tremble...
His fingers trembled.
«Lazy gift...»
At this rate, something else would be stolen. Although she knew it, she froze. Although she was immeasurably stronger than in the past, she was still the same weak and helpless girl as always.
He collapsed.
But I can't accept it. Instead of living with that remorse again...
«Sir!»
It was better to die.
¡Zippp!
The bowstring was tightened.
Hit.
No solto.
¡Wiiiip!
The arrow flew with terrifying speed, although it did not contain any special abilities.
¡Clang!
The man grabbed his sword and deflected it. «...True, I forgot about you, bitch.»
Erwen forced her fear-filled body to move.
Run.
The distance between them narrowed in an instant, demonstrating how much he had grown up to that point.
¡Latigo!
This time, a daga is balanced in place of an arrow.
«An archer fighting with a knife?»
That was because he could no longer access the power of the spirits. More importantly, Bjorn Yandel was here. He couldn't use an archer's strategy of fighting at a distance.
¡Clang!
As soon as her dagger collided with his sword, she spun to deliver a series of blows.
¡Jump!
He hurriedly kicked the ground and backed away, realizing that the blow was fiercer than he expected.
Well, I was able to push him away and keep the Lord safe.
«What the hell...?»
Erwen lowered her upper body and tilted her short dagger forward. It was a basic posture his sister had taught him years ago. At the time, he had complained about having to learn something like that.
«I already told you. Even if you don't have a bow or can't use a spirit, you should be able to protect yourself».
Now he realized. She had spent her entire life being protected.
«...Damn bastards.» There was no need for a long exchange: Agos cursed and charged at her. Erwen watched him approach, studying his movements without moving. Surprisingly, she felt calm.
Hah...
He could not use his essences because he had used the passive Harmony ability to exchange his Spiritual Power for Natural Power and help Mister during his combat. Thanks to that, he had a hint of Natural Power left, but it was too little to use properly. This was all he had left.
And let it go.
All he had were the dagger techniques he learned from his older sister. Even those techniques were not up to par with a hand-to-hand combat adventurer like Amelia. No, they were definitely not enough. Compared to a warrior who had wielded a sword his entire life, that was obvious. But...
"¿Y que?"
Even the most bitter of endings, he analyzed the enemy's movements and forcefully wielded his dagger in pursuit of one objective, and only one objective.
«Sir...» Actually, he wasn't even a «sir». They were the same age, and she no longer thought he looked scared. Although others would probably think she was strange if she said it out loud. «I'm going to protect Bjorn Yandel.»
He had decided to stop trusting others.
***
It's easier to give up. This was a popular saying on the Internet. Although the self-deprecating tone was uncomfortable, there was nothing false about the statement itself.
[Regal Vagos has released Scary Impression.]
It was easier to give up and, likewise, you couldn't get hurt if you never had hope. You could make faster decisions and protect yourself from challenges you knew you couldn't overcome, like right now.
[Strong Willpower. Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has resisted the Imprint of Fear].
The moment you shed your burdens, an unparalleled peace invaded you. The annoying ringing in my ear dissipated and a warm darkness embraced me, washing away the agonizing pain. It was a level of satisfaction that reminded me of my childhood. Some people found more comfort in such a place than in a bright light.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has suffered damage.]
Of course, I wasn't always like this. I had been an ordinary child, and like all ordinary children, I had idolized heroes.
[Regal Vagos roars loudly.]
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia does not back down and roars even louder.]
But at some point, I started to hate hero stories. They were stupid. Why did I have to sacrifice myself for others? My life changed when I asked myself that question. She became more comfortable, more stable.
[Amelia Rainwales has launched Asura Kick.]
[Fatal blow. The Eighth Rose has been defeated.]
But then... when did it start to change?
[You're still bleeding. Warning: Your health has fallen below 5%. You can die if your wound is not treated soon].
A new question arose in my mind.
[Titana Akurava screams to save her comrades.]
[Periton Eriabosti has launched Salvation.]
[Bogus Leichmont has released Opposite Darkness. All divine power loses effectiveness due to the intervention of an evil god].
Maybe it was some form of brain damage I contracted when I entered this barbaric body.
[Melend Kaislan has moved to rescue his comrade.]
[Anne Parvela has left the front line to block a gentleman's path.]
[A stroke of powerful luck. Anne Parvela has been defeated.]
[The priest of the evil god who has lost his lover is very angry.]
What he knew for sure was that he didn't want to give up anything else. Not just my life, but everything in it.
[Bogus Leichmont has launched Meat Offering. The power of his next spell is increased by 5x in exchange for a right arm].
[Bogus Leichmont has released Corpse Flower.]
I was getting greedy.
[Melend Kaislan has suffered a serious injury and has been incapacitated for combat].
But even if that greed hurt me again, it was a deep desire that I could no longer fear or ignore.
[Powerful Misfortune. Punishment – Equivalence Exchange has been activated. Bogus Leichmont takes 50% of the damage from his last attack].
[The priest of the evil god feels that death is approaching and lets out words of hate].
What was he doing now?
[Bogus Leichmont has launched Offering of Meat. The power of his next spell increases 5 times in exchange for a left arm].
[Bogus Leichmont has launched Meat Offering. The power of his next spell increases 5 times in exchange for two eyes].
[Bogus Leichmont has launched Meat Offering...]
The sound was distant and the pain dull. My surroundings were dark and lonely.
[Bogus Leichmont has summoned the Executioner.]
[Ravieniastorous has suffered significant damage and been incapacitated for combat.]
[Sven Parav has fallen into a state of Fear.]
I felt like I forgot something.
[Strong Willpower. Sven Parav has resisted Fear.]
[Sven Parav leaves the front line and defends himself from the Executioner's attack. Sven Parav sweats profusely and screams for help].
I looked back at my memories.
[Amelia Rainwales has made a decision after much thought. She attacks Regal Vagos, not the Executioner.]
[Sven Parav is surprised.]
What had I forgotten?
[The Executioner has started making a fuss.]
[Sven Parav has been incapacitated for combat.]
[Tsuon Irivan ha muerto.]
[Lilith Marrone clenches her fists and makes a decision.]
[Riard Ashed grabs Lilith Marrone's wrist and shakes her head.]
I was sure there was something I had to do.
[Riard Ashed has cast the rank seven Thought Acceleration spirit spell].
[Riard Ashed has cast the rank six Mana Amplification energy spell.]
[Riard Ashed has cast the rank eight Heart Stimulation spell.]
I was sure there was something I swore never to do again.
[Riard Ashed casts spells wildly.]
[The Executioner has suffered great damage and screams.]
Ugh, my head hurts.
[The Eleventh Rose has launched Absolute Severity.]
[Futa Rickerburn is seriously injured.]
[Incredible counterattack. The Eleventh Rose has been defeated.]
All I wanted to do was rest, but the thoughts continued to bother me.
[The Ninth Rose has released Absolute Severity.]
[Futa Rickerburn has been unable to fight.]
[Incredible counterattack. The Ninth Rose has been defeated.]
[Futa Rickerburn ha muerto.]
[Titana Akurava se ha quedado sin PM. All active skills have been disabled.]
[Manua Repeles has released Iron Fist].
[Amelia Rainwales has regressed significantly].
[The Executioner has launched the Great Earthquake].
¡Boom!
[You have been damaged by falling rocks.]
As I thought long and hard about what I had forgotten, the world around me shook and I suddenly felt suffocated.
[Warning: Your health has reached 0%. The countdown has begun.]
[Consuming 3 Spirit points per second (493/496)]
[Consuming 3 Spirit points per second (490/496)]
[Consuming 3 Spirit points per second (487/496)]
What is this?
[Periton Ariabos has decided to make a sacrifice.]
[Benjamin Orman has decided to make a sacrifice.]
[The Great Observer smiles at his noble will.]
No lo sé.
[Destruction.]
But I felt satisfied with what happened.
[All characters and monsters within the radius have suffered significant damage.]
[The Executioner has been invoked.]
[Periton Ariabos is dead.]
[Benjamin Orman is dead.]
Time has passed.
[Riard Ashed shoots spells wildly.]
[The Eighth Rose has been defeated.]
[The Thirteenth Rose has been defeated.]
My conscience became dull.
[Riard Ashed has exhausted all his mana. Riard Ashed smiles, asking them to handle the rest.]
In the silence that gripped me, the faces of the people I missed flashed behind my eyes like images of remembrance.
[Riard Ashed ha muerto.]
[Guold Aldidi has approached Sven Parav. Sven Parav shakes his head, refusing treatment].
It bet the ojos.
[Guold Aldidi ha empezado a correr.]
[Manua Repeles has released Wind Pressure.]
[Guold Aldidi has been seriously injured.]
[Amelia Rainwales has dealt significant damage to Manua Repeles.]
I knew I had to open my eyes, but I grumbled at the thought like a child throwing a tantrum.
[Guold Aldidi he has a film.]
I've done enough.
[Guold Aldidi he has a film.]
I have done what I could.
[Guold Aldidi he has a film.]
[Guold Aldidi se ha detenido.]
¿For what?
[Guold Aldidi has launched Blood Transfusion.]
Hit!
[You have recovered.]
A warm energy embraced my cold body.
[Your HP is now above 1%. The countdown is over.]
That heat made me realize instinctively.
¡Tump!
Yes, it's too late to give up halfway.
[You have awakened from your state of Unconsciousness.]
My eyes opened. The first thing I saw was Old Didi.
«You woke up... I'm glad...» The old man looked at me wheezing. There was a thick smell of blood in the air.
Slip.
My eyes slid down.
«Old...»
«Ah, this... I got a small wound on the way here». Old Didi covered his abdomen with the palm of his hand as if he wanted to hide it. It was a useless attempt. This was not a wound that could be hidden with one hand.
«You need treatment quickly...»
Old Didi cut off my rambling. «That's impossible. I used the last one to save you after that rock hit you. There are no more potions».
I couldn't understand it. «Why... why you...?»
«Sir Parav... told me I could endure his own injuries, so I should save you first». Old Didi laughed. «Everyone knows it. If you die, it's over. Look, Yandel...» He coughed up blood and collapsed. But it seemed like he still had something left to say. «Only you... can make our deaths mean anything. Only you. I can not do it. So...»
I couldn't accept that. There was no such thing as a senseless death. No matter what suffering you faced, the fight to survive always made sense.
And yet... «You must survive», Old Didi told me. «You... are the Giant, after all.»
Giant. That was the nickname I had earned in that bloody battle in the Crystal Cave.
«You are the only one who can carry the weight of those who died here today and move on...».
«Old man, I'm not a giant...»
«Do not say that. I know you can do it. I... did not dare to die because I wanted to live... to avenge my granddaughter! But now I'm here to save you... because I think you can do it for me...»
I was completely speechless.
«Then...» His faith in me became a rock on my shoulders. «No matter what they say... you are the Giant.» Old Didi's flame went out.
Squeeze.
I clenched my fists and forced myself to swallow the weakness that threatened to climb up my throat. I wasn't the Giant or anything like that. He was just an ordinary person who wanted to live. I wanted to reply and ask him why he was asking me, but I endured the blow.
«...Don't worry.» After all, now was not the time to start an argument. Without looking away, I told him: «I will get everything you... no, everything you wanted in your name. You can trust me. I... swear by the heart of a warrior».
Although my voice was firm, I wasn't sure. Would you be able to keep that promise? Even as I said it, doubt invaded me inside.
But whether he was aware of it or not, Old Didi closed his eyes as if that was enough for him. «Yes... that is very... reassuring... You... definitely... you will become a... Giant...»
«What are you saying? You told me a second ago that I am already the Giant...»
There was no response. And he knew that no matter how long he waited, the answer would never come.
I pulled away from the ground, wondering what had happened while I was unconscious. Many people had died, both friends and enemies. There were bodies crushed by fragments of ice and rocks and a huge monster corpse in the center. The stench of death filled the area. The only ones still standing were six people, including me.
"Kak!
Amelia was fighting the bald boxer named Repeles.
«Vagos! The barbarian is awake!», said a special abilities user in Noark's rear.
«Don't look over there! Kill this bitch first...!» The Dragon Hunter was brandishing his sword.
An injured Erwen was fighting him with only a dagger in his hand. «Sir...!» Alerted from my conscience by the special abilities user's scream, Erwen turned her head.
It wasn't a good play. Distracting yourself during battle was tantamount to suicide.
[Kayle Elbad Zenegger has cast Thorn of the Earth].
A spiny black spear shot out from the special ability user's hand, the same rank two ability that killed Might Million in the Dead Forest while we were in the process of launching Multiple Teleportation. Sensing the surprise attack, Erwen's eyes widened. At the same time, the mind of a warrior who had experienced numerous battles immediately recognized that Erwen would not be able to prevent it. This wasn't anything as great as predicting the future, it was just the kind of thing you intrinsically understood, like when you know a person will fly away if they get hit by a truck.
¡Whooom!
Time slowed down.
I slipped.
I bent my ankles and prepared to run towards her. But suddenly my body froze. How is it possible? He was prepared to run forward immediately.
Hit.
I felt like something invisible was clinging to my ankles and chaining me to the ground. My heart froze. I knew I shouldn't think that, but it crossed my mind anyway.
If I stop that... Will I survive?
There would undoubtedly be consequences. In my current state, I might not be able to bear a single thorn and might die instantly. Maybe it was because I was under extreme stress, but I kept hearing a voice ringing in my head.
«If the person you have to kill to survive is someone who has done nothing wrong...».
It was Hans A, whom I recently met again.
«No, if it's a comrade you want to protect more than anyone else...».
Maybe, Hans A was right. He was already looking for reasons to save me.
«How would you feel then?»
If I die, what will become of old Didi? Jun? The other members of the squad? I was able to get this far because they all sacrificed themselves. So... I can't make a selfish decision. I have to judge the situation rationally and guide us along a path that serves the collective more than just one person. But...
Zippp.
So what, do I have to watch Erwen die? And what about Daria? The woman who asked me to be Erwen's guardian on her deathbed?
Squeeze.
My thoughts were scrambled. How had he ended up in this situation? The line between good and evil was tangled, like a skein of thread that had become tangled. It seemed impossible to make a good decision.
A squeeze.
I had a lump in my throat.
And now what? Damn, I don't know anymore. I'm going to do whatever I want.
«You... will definitely... become a... Giant...»
I felt sorry for Old Didi, who had believed in me until the end. But right now, I was a barbarian. The Giant the old man was talking about would not sit idly by to ensure his own safety. I rested my frozen feet. Then I jumped forward as if that momentary hesitation had never happened.
Shaaaaaa.
A gust of wind blew and Erwen's eyes met mine as I pulled her behind me. On the left, I could see the Dragon Slayer, with a surprised face. Nearby, I could see Amelia struggling.
"Kak!
And in the middle of it all, a sharp black thorn flew towards me.
¡Whooom!
My mind, as I watched her approach, was surprisingly calm. It wasn't because I had given up. If I stayed alert and prevented it from hitting my vital organs, there was a chance it would remove a thorn.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has launched Elementalization.]
…¿Eh?
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has proposed a contract with you.]
A familiar feeling spread through the place where Erwen's skin touched mine.