Ch.107Gift

# 1.

It was Peter’s first farewell.

Nahan pretended not to notice and focused on the status window that appeared before his eyes.

【Main Scenario – <The Unsaved Ones – Peter & Ria> has been completed.】

【First Member – <Peter(SSS+)>’s rank has risen to <Peter(Ex-)>.】

【Rewards will be distributed.】

Ex-rank, which could only be reached after removing restrictions and using the Essence of Evil.

Although still inferior to Nahan, the combat power of <Black Wolf> itself had increased.

‘…How many more are left?’

As Nahan wondered, another blue window appeared before him.

─『Main Scenario』─

◆ The Unsaved Ones.

: Save the <Characters> who would have perished in regret and despair.

◆Those Who Have Been Saved/

: So far… [6 / 10]

◆Reward

: One wish of your choosing.

Starting with Luna, then Hanryang,

Dalan and Ruby,

And now Peter.

Including Yuria who became a member after being saved, that made six in total.

That’s why he was confused.

’10 people?’

The Black Wolf organization had only 9 members including the leader ‘Black Wolf.’

Even if he saved Casler, Lactea, and Black Wolf, there would still be one person left.

The phrase [Save the <Characters> who would have perished in regret and despair].

‘Is someone else going to be added?’

Figuring he wouldn’t find the answer by worrying about it now, Nahan closed the status window and checked the new one that appeared.

【Main Scenario – <The Unsaved Ones – Casler & Ran> is being set up.】

【”Cold-hearted Casler. What do you think?”】

The next person to save was Casler.

‘Right, I’ll find out as I go along. Who the remaining person might be.’

Plus the salvation of the Emperor and the Hero.

As Nahan was reviewing his future plans, the mental world completely dissipated.

Despite being in a back alley, dawn was breaking and people were starting to move about.

Nahan approached the still sobbing Peter and wrapped his robe around him.

“Let’s go, Peter.”

A nodding head from beneath the concealing robe.

“……Thank you, Leader.”

With that murmur, Nahan and Peter began walking toward their hideout.

# 2.

The hidden organization Eclipse.

In the new hideout beneath the district, all the Calamities except the 2nd and 4th Elders maintained silence.

The reason for their silence was simple.

Their leader, the 1st Elder – the Calamity of Destruction that Covers the Sun – was emitting a chilling killing intent while staring into empty space.

What was visible only to the 1st Elder but not to the other Elders.

It was a system window.

【Savior – Due to [Possession], character – <Peter> escapes his <Fate>.】

【The following events will disappear:】

【1. King of Evil Spirits – Alliance.】

【2. Essence of Evil – Massacre.】

【3. Sacrifice of Light】

【4. Mid-boss – Peter.】

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.

.

【Calculating.】

【Fate changes significantly.】

【As always, this world respects <your> choices.】

Peter, the first member of Black Wolf.

Everything else that had gone wrong was one thing, but his fall was absolutely necessary.

“…Hallorand, that fool has finally ruined everything. Even this has gone awry.”

Though it was just a small mutter, it was enough to freeze the other Elders again, and he declared with heightened tension:

“Our seclusion ends here. From now on, Eclipse will step into the spotlight.”

The remaining Elders, except for the absent 2nd and 4th Elders, bowed their heads sharply.

Among them, only the 3rd Elder – Silas – remained unchanged.

“Begin.”

At the 1st Elder’s command, the 5th, 6th, and 7th Elders left the hideout to carry out their assigned tasks.

With only the two of them left in the space.

After checking the status window again, the 1st Elder asked Silas:

“Could it be Black Wolf?”

“Ian Red and the Yellow Dragon…… They seem just as likely.”

“What about the possibility of Peter or Lactea?”

“That possibility is lower…… but not small enough to disregard…… See for yourself…… and judge.”

The 1st Elder nodded.

“The one at the center of the changed characters… Black Wolf, Ian Red, Yellow Dragon. Probably one of these three is the possessor savior…”

After a moment of muttering, he manipulated the status window again and declared:

“I’ll personally handle the remaining two, excluding the deceased Ian Red.”

“You’re…… taking action personally?”

“Prepare. First… yes, the Yellow Dragon. I think I’ll go meet him first.”

“……I obey the command of the Eclipsing Sun.”

Silas matched his steps behind the 1st Elder who walked ahead.

“Oh right, Cheonmyeong… the 2nd Elder?”

“He said he was moving for salvation…… By now he should have entered Gardner’s territory.”

“I see… I gave him freedom until the day of salvation, yet he’s still so stubborn. Perhaps we’ll meet again soon.”

That ended the conversation.

“Find the Yellow Dragon and report his location. I’ll refine the plan until then.”

“Yes.”

Silas immediately left the hideout.

In the dim dawn.

Under the soft moonlight, he recalled what had happened a few hours ago.

-I’ve forgiven you, mister. And you’ve forgiven me too. So… you should hurry and receive forgiveness too.

The inescapable cycle of revenge.

Remembering Peter’s face, once distorted with anger, he found himself smiling involuntarily.

Having the courage to die after salvation, yet lacking the courage to apologize—what irony.

‘Yes, I truly don’t deserve it.’

A human stained with blood, unworthy of asking for forgiveness or receiving it.

And yet,

-Since you killed me, please help him once later. Peter’s soft-hearted too, so he might forgive you?

If by some chance an opportunity came to ask for forgiveness…

“……Even if I can’t receive it, I’ll at least ask.”

Because even sinners can pray.

# 3.

Two days after saving Peter.

Despite the recent commotion, a temporary peace had come to the world.

Duke Hallorand was waging a public opinion war,

Eclipse maintained its silence,

Light quietly secluded itself.

Additionally, with Black Wolf maintaining silence by Nahan’s order, peace had temporarily arrived.

Thanks to this, Nahan was given time.

Time to organize everything that had happened so far and determine the path forward.

However, while organizing the situation.

─『Main Quest』─

◆ Just Survive.

: Prevent all bad endings from occurring and save the <Hero> and <Emperor>.

◆Number of bad endings prevented.

: So far… [10 / 15]

◆Reward

: Return to original world.

Nahan discovered a problem:

“…Why isn’t it over?”

There were still two bad endings in progress.

【Bad Ending 11 – <Mastermind – Duke Hallorand> is accelerating.】

【Bad Ending 12 – <Emergence of Eclipse> is accelerating.】

Mastermind – Duke Hallorand and the Emergence of Eclipse.

While the emergence of Eclipse was one thing, the problem was that Duke Hallorand’s assassination of the Emperor had been prevented, yet the bad ending continued.

‘Could it be that Duke Hallorand needs to completely reveal his true intentions for it to end?’

Thinking about it, that had been the pattern all along.

Bad endings were prevented, like with “salvation,” when the key figures involved revealed their true intentions and repented. After pondering briefly, Nahan muttered a thought:

“Emergence of Eclipse… they’re going to appear regardless? If that’s the case……”

…I should take down Hallorand first?

While public opinion had shifted slightly against Hallorand, he still maintained the image of a noble benefactor, whereas Black Wolf was publicly viewed as villains.

‘None of Hallorand’s official forces are a match for us.’

At best, they were around A-rank.

Though they were supposed to be formidable beings according to the setting, they were still within human limits.

On our side, we have an array of extraordinary powerhouses.

“Light. We just need to be careful of them.”

Duke Hallorand became influential partly due to his achievements in past wars, but most importantly because Asha, the leader of Light, regarded him as her godfather.

“If I play this right, I might be able to draw out the secluded Light and continue with Asha’s salvation.”

After finishing his thoughts, Nahan formulated a detailed plan and called Lactea to explain.

“I’m going to meet Duke Hallorand in private.”

“Are you sure that’s wise? Even though Light is in seclusion, they won’t remain idle if their godfather is threatened.”

“True. That’s why we’ll lure them away.”

“What…? With Hallorand under threat, why would they chase us instead of protecting him?”

At Lactea’s reasonable point, Nahan nodded with a subtle smile.

“I have a way.”

“What way?”

“Lactea… how good are you at acting?”

“…Pardon?”

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.

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That night.

CRASH!!

Lactea, the vice-leader of <Black Wolf>, invaded Duke Hallorand’s mansion amid the commotion.

Light, having received the news, dragged their worn bodies to block her path.

“First the Priest, and now you’re targeting our Godfather… why are you doing this…!!”

Asha shouted in anger, along with the other three heroes standing guard for Hallorand.

Lactea threw the sack from her shoulder toward them with a vicious smile.

“Because it’s fun.”

“…What?”

“Killing people… watching the anger of those left behind—it’s enjoyable.”

Movements both vicious and malicious,

Yet beautiful and elegant.

“What are you saying…!!”

“Shh. First, open your gift.”

“Gift…?”

“Yes.”

What I just threw…

“It’s Ian Red’s corpse.”