Ch.112Childhood Play

# 1.

The National Cemetery in the western part of the island.

A place usually deserted except for death anniversaries, birthdays of the deceased, or national holidays.

Despite the hour approaching midnight, two men stood facing each other.

A tombstone marked [Ran].

Standing before it was Casler, the second member of the <Black Wolf>.

Ignoring the First Elder of Eclipse who emerged from behind a tree, he spat out his words dismissively.

“I told you not to come.”

“I wasn’t planning to. But things have taken a strange turn.”

The two conversed like old acquaintances.

Casler extended his hand toward the First Elder who was approaching with large strides.

“Come any closer and I’ll kill you.”

Not a warning, but a sincere threat.

Nevertheless, the First Elder shrugged his shoulders with a casual air.

“Let’s not be like that among fellow ancient species.”

*Step.*

As the Elder ignored the warning and took another step, the tip of Casler’s hand flashed with light.

Simultaneously, the front of the First Elder’s leather shoe was sliced off with a crisp sound.

Only then did Casler raise his head and glare fiercely at the now-halted First Elder.

“There won’t be a second chance. Get lost.”

“……”

The First Elder finally stopped.

After maintaining silence for a moment, he put on the mask he had removed and spoke.

“The same goes for me. There won’t be a second chance. Let’s escape our fate together, Casler.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than his mask was sliced with a sharp sound.

Answering with that action, Casler stood blocking Ran’s tombstone.

*Crack.*

*Crunch.*

As Casler’s form began to change as if preparing for battle, the First Elder nodded with a smirk.

“Yes. I knew you’d respond that way.”

With his muttering came a leaking aura of destruction.

【Warning.】

【<Reincarnation Savior (???)> uses their 1st skill – <Advent (???)>.】

【According to the contract, Eclipse’s 4th Elder – <Flora (SS+)> is summoned.】

As the mist-like aura cleared, the captive Flora appeared.

The Blooming Calamity.

The Witch of Blossoming – Flora.

Among witches born with different talents, she was a woman born with the special power of <Memory>.

After completing the summoning, the First Elder pointed at Casler and said to Flora:

“The seed has been planted.”

“…Confirmed.”

Flora’s right hand extended immediately.

Pointing near Casler’s head, she opened her clenched fist wide and activated her magic.

【Eclipse’s 4th Elder – <Blooming Calamity (SS+)> activates her enhanced ultimate skill – <Germination (SSS-)> at the cost of her life force.】

A mental ultimate skill that forcibly awakens trauma embedded in memories, the same one that Dallan and Ruby had suffered.

“Representative, preparations comple—”

“Not yet.”

As soon as Flora reported the activation, the First Elder pressed down on her head.

*Crunch.*

A small but powerful explosion followed where her head had been.

“Why…?”

Germination.

Even those with strong mental power,

Those who have honed their bodies,

Even those who have honed both.

Before the Blooming Calamity, all become mere humans facing enormous trauma.

Thus, even mages who could bring down stars,

Martial artists who could annihilate mountains,

Swordsmen who could part seas.

All had shed tears before dying to Flora’s ultimate skill – Germination.

“Sorry for the disturbance while you’re sleeping, Ran. I’ll end this as quickly as possible…”

Why isn’t it working?

While Flora was puzzled, Casler’s gradually transforming body reached a stable state.

【Ancient Species – <Casler (SS+)> releases the sealed power of the <Blood Clan>.】

【The Black Wolf’s restrictions are weakened.】

【Among the 3 seals, <Physical Body> is released.】

【Rank increases.】

【<Casler (SS+)> → <Casler (Ex-)>】

From blonde to white hair,

From blue eyes to red eyes,

Even massive wings resembling those of a bat.

As he suppressed and released the power seal against the Black Wolf’s restrictions, memories of the Black Wolf surfaced.

-You’re right, Lord.

-To you who lives an almost eternal life, we are merely fleeting connections.

-But…

-Wasn’t that also true for the woman you loved?

The black human who had boldly approached him, an ancient species, with a proposal.

-If it’s the same fleeting moment, then live it with better happiness, in a better world.

-So come with us.

-We’ll gift you happy moments until the end of your eternal life.

Finishing his reminiscence, Casler smiled slightly and spoke the answer he had given to the Black Wolf back then.

“I told you. It wouldn’t be easy.”

His right hand raised to his mouth.

*Crunch.*

As he bit deeply into his wrist, creating a wound, a vast amount of blood poured out.

【Blood Flow Manipulation – Armament begins.】

【<Blood Lance (Ex+)> is summoned.】

Thick and ornate crimson heavy armor covered everything except his wings.

*Clank.*

The blood-red lance in his hand dispersed the compressed blood, splitting and rising densely like stars, ready to rain down.

Having regained his appearance as a lord, Casler spoke to the First Elder.

“You said let’s escape our fate together.”

If so…

“Try to escape.”

The lances moved according to his outstretched hand.

Under the lances falling like rain, the First Elder muttered softly in response.

“Indeed.”

The battle had finally begun.

# 2.

The National Cemetery in the western part of the island.

At least 50km away from the Black Wolf’s new hideout.

Having gathered the members, Nahan urgently asked Lactea:

“Teleportation?”

“Possi— *cough* Possible, sir.”

As blood refluxed before she could finish speaking, Yuria who was watching shook her head.

“It’s too much! Damage from word commands can’t be healed even with holy power!”

“That’s not because of the word command… No. Anyway, it’s possible, Leader.”

As Lactea wiped away blood while asserting this, Nahan finally recalled her setting.

‘Born with numerous talents, but potions and healing magic don’t work on her, was it?’

Teleportation was originally high-level magic.

Even moving short distances consumed an enormous amount of mana, so even the Blue Tower Master could only make one round trip per day.

Let alone Lactea, who wasn’t even a mage, forcing two teleportations through word commands would have put a tremendous strain on her body.

Nahan wiped the blood from Lactea’s mouth and shook his head.

“We’ll use another method.”

“But we don’t have time! If Casler goes berserk because of Eclipse…!”

“Enough. No objections.”

“…Understood, Leader.”

When even Lactea fell silent immediately, the rest of the members also maintained silence, and Nahan looked around at them, considering.

‘Honestly, Lactea is right.’

Casler’s setting was Lord of the Blood Clan.

Among ancient species like dragons and elves, the Blood Clan had a unique setting: the power of the species itself was predetermined.

The immense power bestowed by the Primordial Goddess belonged solely to Casler, and to increase his kin, he had to share that power—that was the setting.

‘If he maintains an appropriate number, each individual can be as strong as a dragon, but if there are too many, they could become weaker than humans…’

Now, Casler’s power, as the sole survivor, would far exceed even that of dragons.

Nahan shifted his gaze to look at the system window that appeared before him.

【Warning.】

【<Reincarnation Savior (???)> has interfered with <Your> choice – <Salvation of the Black Wolf>.】

【<The World’s Fate> stirs.】

【The probability of achieving [Main Quest] and [Main Scenario] has decreased.】

As shown, Nahan’s goal was to prevent all bad endings and save everyone—the Emperor, the Hero, the Black Wolf, and others.

‘Lactea is both a Black Wolf member and the key to saving the Emperor, so she especially needs to be safe.’

Nahan turned his head to check the time.

Just past midnight.

‘Eclipse must have already attacked Casler.’

Since sitting here pondering wouldn’t change anything, Nahan made a decision.

“We’ll use the Blue Tower’s gate. Lactea, stay with Yuria and guard Pedro.”

“But…!”

“Enough. Time is of the essence.”

“…Yes, Leader.”

Once the decision was made, action was swift.

Early after the possession, security at the Blue Tower had been strengthened due to the Black Wolf’s attack, but the Black Wolf’s forces had also been strengthened.

“To the National Cemetery.”

“I-In the name of a mage’s honor, I won’t do this twice—”

“Is honor more important than life? If so, I’ll kill you and use it myself.”

“Damn it, open the gate!!!”

With just a few words, the gate to the National Cemetery entrance was activated.

“Hanryang and Luna, wait here until we return. Subdue them if they try anything.”

“Yes! Leader!”

“Yes, Leader.”

Thus, taking only Ruby and Dallan, they entered the gate toward the National Cemetery.

After breaking through the sticky blue mana, what greeted them was a sky filled with crimson lances.

“Ruby!! Protect the Leader!!”

“Yes!!”

A defensive barrier was urgently deployed as the red rain fell, threatening to devastate the surroundings.

*BOOM!!*

After several minutes of indiscriminate bombardment, Nahan quickly moved toward where he sensed Casler’s energy.

When he finally arrived at [Ran]’s tombstone, what met his eyes was an ominous presence gripping Casler’s neck.

“Casler!!”

The First Elder, noticing Nahan rushing forward in rage, tossed aside one of Casler’s torn-off arms and smirked.

“Sorry, but playtime is over.”

The First Elder disappeared along with Flora.

“See you again, black child.”

All that remained was one of Casler’s arms, scattering into blood.