Ch.102102. Divine Avatar

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First, I need to organize what I have to do.

I have barely 20 hours left. Within that time, I need to find ways to endure a boss battle comparable to Elnore’s rampage.

“…”

Just looking at the proposition alone makes it overwhelmingly daunting.

How am I supposed to do that?

‘…I have to start with what I can do.’

One thing at a time, step by step, starting with what’s right in front of me.

I felt this when facing Valkarsus before.

Panicking or being gripped by fear doesn’t help at all.

Based on my countless experiences so far, that’s definitely true.

[…Well.]

As I was thinking this, Calivan chuckled inside the Soul Linker and threw out those words.

[I don’t think it’s something that can be explained so simply.]

“Excuse me?”

[I’ve always known you had nerves of steel, but even considering that, your current state is definitely strange.]

He continued.

[Even someone with the thickest nerves would have some minimal survival instinct when their life is threatened.]

Especially someone who’s been blindsided while not even having half of their preparations ready—there should at least be some kind of “reaction.”

After saying that, Calivan fell silent for a moment.

[Just earlier when you faced the Boy King sleeping in the room next to mine, you were completely different from now.]

“…What are you trying to say?”

Calivan is basically an observer who only cooperates when necessary and otherwise just teases me or watches from the sidelines, but occasionally he gets genuinely serious with me.

Usually when my life seems to be in real danger.

Or when I get caught up in something related to “demons.”

[You’ve changed somehow, haven’t you?]

His voice flowed with a chill.

[Because of that thing engraved on your chest.]

At Calivan’s words, I look down at the Fallen Sky’s Seal engraved on my chest.

If I were to examine the system window, these words would definitely appear:

< System Log >

[ Stage 1 restriction of ‘Fallen Sky’s Seal’ has been released. ]

[ Your attribute is gradually changing from ‘Human’ to ‘·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞’. ]

[ The attribute change accelerates as you form closer relationships with ‘demons’. ]

Indeed.

I have been forming extremely close relationships with demons lately.

As Calivan said, this is definitely the point where something should start changing.

“…”

I remain silent at his voice, which is mixed with partial disgust.

He’s a human who died along with his comrades after being deployed to deal with the vessel of the rampaging Red Demon. There’s no way he could have good feelings about this.

[Nothing good ever comes from getting entangled with demons. I’d like you to be the exception.]

Calivan continued in a stiff voice.

[If you get involved, there’s a high chance Elia will get dragged into it too.]

“Elia and I aren’t that close, Calivan.”

[Not yet, anyway.]

“…”

[As her brother, I can tell just by watching. Once she’s caught in your grasp, she won’t be able to escape on her own. Unless you explicitly push her away, she’ll never come to her senses…]

Calivan was silent for a moment, then chuckled.

[You have no intention of letting her go, do you?]

“…Not in the way you’re thinking.”

[Whether you have romantic feelings or not, you intend to keep Elia by your side until the end. I may not know the deep memories you’re hiding, but I can share the thoughts and feelings you bring to mind.]

“…”

[Honestly, I don’t care how many people get attached to you. You seem worth it. But still, sooner or later, make Elia your official—]

“Let’s save the nonsense for later. I’m busy.”

What on earth is he saying about his own sister?

“…Anyway, I’m about to meet someone you intensely dislike.”

There are several reasons why I’m wary of this person called Faynol.

For one, he’s the final boss of Chapter 4, and he’s also one of the Demonic Vessels.

But above all, the biggest reason is:

He possesses all the elements that will come back to haunt both Calivan and me like a bomb.

Especially in his case.

“Calivan. Just promise me one thing.”

[What is it?]

“Absolutely, absolutely do not do anything rash. Understood?”

[…I don’t know what you mean, but alright. It’s unusual for you to ask such a thing of me.]

As Calivan speaks, I stop in front of Faynol’s quarters, which I’ve hurriedly walked to.

< System Log >

[! WARNING !]

[ This is an important target. Prior contact may cause scenario variations. ]

[ Upon contact with the target, ‘Inquisition – Special Interaction’ received as a clear bonus for ‘Boss: Boy King’ will be immediately unlocked! ]

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ cannot be applied to this target! ]

“…”

Though I’ve seen this message before, there’s still some pressure now that I’m about to meet him directly.

Especially when I recall what happened the last time a “scenario variation” message appeared.

That’s when the central axis of the world’s “flow” shifted from Elia to me, and when Elnore started falling for me and following me around.

And if I’m right…

Meeting this guy will cause results of a similar magnitude.

‘…Considering that Yuria is involved too.’

In this room, Yuria and this guy are doing “something.”

I don’t know exactly what, but in the original work, Faynol was… a person with an extremely twisted personality.

A genuine psychopath who doesn’t even treat others as human beings except for those he acknowledges.

Depending on how he “treats” Yuria…

It might even escalate to a combat situation.

As I raise my hand to knock on the door with these thoughts in mind,

Yuria’s voice comes from inside.

“N-no, no matter what, this, this—”

“My. Didn’t you ask me for help?”

Followed by Faynol’s low, mocking voice.

“If you can’t even do this much properly, that man will abandon you, you know?”

As soon as I hear those words, I immediately realize.

This guy is using me as an excuse to “force” Yuria to do something!

With that thought, I violently open the door and enter.

And inside…

“I-I’ve never worn clothes like this before…”

“Then you should try them even more! To capture Darwood Campbell’s heart, you must first cultivate yourself!”

“…”

“Clothes are a woman’s wings! How can he feel attracted when you’re always wearing such shabby things!”

There was Yuria, wearing only underwear, holding a fluttery feminine outfit in each hand, trembling with tears in her eyes.

Both outfits were extremely revealing, with more exposed areas than covered ones.

Next to Faynol, who was blinking his eyes, was a mountain of similar clothes piled up.

“…”

What is this?

As I look around at the two of them with that thought,

Yuria and Faynol finally realize I’ve opened the door and entered, and their heads turn toward me simultaneously.

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence fell.

During that time, Yuria glanced down at herself with a blank stare.

One thin brassiere. One white polka-dotted panty.

Other than that…

That’s all the clothing she had on.

A naked body with thin, fluttery but clearly defined curves making a distinct statement.

And that unfocused gaze slowly rises toward me.

Then…

She realizes that I’m staring at her appearance with a dumbfounded expression.

“…”

“…”

Yuria’s face and entire body turned bright red.

It happened at such a terrifying speed that it was almost fascinating to watch.

Tears welled up in Yuria’s eyes. Her mouth opened. She inhaled deeply.

[As expected of Darwood.]

“…”

[Just opening a door gets you into situations like this. Are you really the protagonist of some third-rate story?]

Along with Calivan’s snickering voice, a window appeared before my eyes.

[ The effect of ‘Title: Playboy’ is activated! ]

Ah, I see.

So that’s why he told me to equip it beforehand.

To help with excuses.

“…Wait. There’s a situation here—”

Before I could finish my excuse, Yuria’s shrill scream echoed loudly around us.

●

One piece of information.

Yuria’s specs have definitely improved quite a bit. I noticed it earlier when she turned a water dragon into a rag with just a few slashes, but even with her sword sheathed, she nearly turned me into a pulp with the Danjeolja.

< System Log >

[ You have successfully continued combat despite serious injuries! ]

[ The proficiency of ‘Trait: Iron Man’ increases. ]

How badly must I have been beaten for this trait’s proficiency to increase?

“…”

Still, I survived at least.

It would have been an embarrassing death to have my head taken off by an ally right before the boss battle tomorrow, before I could even prepare properly.

“…Hmm.”

Instead, Faynol stroked his chin as he looked down at me, who was half-minced meat.

“Are you still alive?”

“…Somehow.”

The first thing I noticed was the completely wrecked guest room thanks to Yuria’s crying and rampaging.

After that, she ran off somewhere at lightning speed, shouting something like “Mr. Darwood, you idiot-!”

As I composed myself and slumped down at the table, Faynol brought me a cup of tea with very natural movements.

“Pleased to meet you, Darwood Campbell.”

Faynol smiled broadly and extended his hand for a handshake.

“…”

I stared at it for a moment before taking his hand.

And at that moment…

[…]

From within the Soul Linker, Calivan’s feeling of shock was clearly transmitted.

Once there’s physical contact, there’s no way he wouldn’t feel that energy.

[…No, no. Don’t be ridiculous. Stop this nonsense.]

That’s right.

I told you.

[This guy, I definitely…!]

Killed him.

As Calivan said, Faynol is a being who died once.

Calivan and the Guardians all sacrificed their lives to do so.

And although his outward appearance might be different from what this person remembers, this is the same entity.

The main culprit who caused the “Red Night Incident” that engulfed Elia’s entire family.

“So.”

Faynol “Deathwish” Leiphec.

The final boss of Chapter 4.

The “complete” vessel possessing “all” fragments of the Red Demon, the first complete vessel in the scenario.

In other words…

“What business do you have with me?”

The only being who has transcended beyond merely hosting demon fragments to become a “vessel,”

Who has evolved into an “incarnation” hosting a “completed demon,”

Smiled gently at me.

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