Ch.129The Abyss’s Proposal

# 1.

Unexpected Situation.

“Are… you… alright?”

To the question asked with a surge of blood, Raktea unconsciously murmured.

“How…?”

Not asking why he saved her, but how he found such courage.

Flustered, Raktea recalled the past.

Before the current entity took over Black Wolf’s body, the original owner, Black Wolf, had said,

“The world where the one who will take my body resides is infinitely more peaceful than our world.

So it’s natural that even if they take my body, proper combat would be impossible, and they would prioritize their own life above all else,

“Don’t expect anything from them, but do your best to help them save us.”

Black Wolf’s attitude was beyond confident, even self-deprecating, so Raktea took those words to heart.

Thus, from the moment she realized Black Wolf’s body had been taken, she diligently protected him.

“Clean this.”

Even at simple commands, she acted assuming the worst, and,

“Where is the vice-captain not going?”

“My place is by the captain’s side.”

“…I see.”

In every situation, she tried her best to stay by his side.

Because that was Black Wolf’s order.

Because her own goals were included within Black Wolf’s objectives.

For the current Raktea, following Black Wolf’s orders took priority over her own life.

Yet he had thrown himself to save her.

“Because… you were in danger.”

He answered that the reason he could find courage was simply because she was in danger.

He continued to hold Raktea’s hand as she remained flustered, and whispered softly.

“It’s alright. You know, don’t you? I won’t die from something like this anyway.”

That was also true.

He possessed a transcendent artifact called <Iaso’s Ring>, and it was clear he wouldn’t die from injuries of this level.

【Mythical Artifact – <Iaso’s Ring(Ex)> activates.】

【<“Remember, no pain can kill you.”>】

Even as she watched, he was rapidly recovering, and when she blinked, he was completely healed.

Considering the circumstances, his saving her was a rational action.

But,

“You… aren’t from this world, are you?”

Even if the reason was rational, it wasn’t something she could understand immediately.

“You must have been afraid… I said I would protect you. You are the most important person right now, so how could you risk your life like this…!!”

Raktea asked again, conveying her confusion, but Nahan answered briefly.

“To me right now, Black Wolf… you, Raktea, are more important.”

That was a heart revealed without concealment.

To be honest, Raktea wasn’t more important than his own life, but if he could protect her without dying, there was no reason to refuse.

Even if his heart was pierced and the pain was enough to kill, it didn’t matter as long as he didn’t actually die.

So,

“Don’t worry and help me. So I can protect you all… this world.”

After finishing his words, Nahan turned around, enduring the pain that was healing with a crackling sound.

‘The leader of Eclipse, Abyss, is an Ex+ level monster, a powerhouse equal to my current self.’

Before the Dragon Lord fully awakened, before he took over the awakened Lord’s body, he needed to take him to the mental world and settle things.

‘But what if I fail, even by the slightest chance?’

A situation where everyone near the Imperial Palace, including the Black Wolf members, would be in danger.

After a moment of contemplation, Nahan slightly turned his head and told Raktea.

“Take the members and retreat, then evacuate the people near the Imperial Palace. Meanwhile, I need to have a private conversation with Abyss.”

Not an order as Black Wolf, but a request from ‘Nahan’ who had come to care for the members.

Raktea immediately raised her voice.

“But I…!!”

However, she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Black Wolf’s order was to help him save the world.

At the same time, to protect his life in case he failed in his salvation.

‘If I stop him here, wouldn’t I be hindering the salvation?’

But the entity called ‘Abyss’ seemed too dangerous to just let him go, so,

“I…!!”

As the confused Raktea continued to hesitate, unable to decide what to do,

Crack.

The space above the altar was torn vertically, revealing an endless darkness.

Darkness that absorbed even light, appearing as if it didn’t exist in reality.

A massive forepaw emerged from beyond, gripping the rift and revealing itself.

【Warning.】

【The seal of <Dragon Elder> possessed by <???? ?? ??> is being released.】

Helplessness.

A being beyond the realm of cognition that any intelligent entity could endure, no matter how strong.

Everyone froze in place as another form of destruction finally revealed itself completely.

Only three beings moved.

One was the destruction that had just appeared, another was the destruction that had summoned it,

“I told you before, didn’t I? You just need to lend your body.”

As Abyss, with a sneer, extended his hand toward the forehead of the bowing Dragon Elder,

“I’ll save and throw Lady Hestia to you. Catch her and escape from here immediately.”

“Ah…?”

Bang!

The last being that could move kicked the ground and moved toward them.

The first to react was Abyss.

“A touching sacrifice, but it’s already too late.”

He turned his head slightly toward Nahan and swung his hand with a faint sigh.

The void split with a ripping sound.

Darkness that filled the torn space rose like spikes and pierced through Nahan.

Thud!

Thinner than the previous attack, but at least 10 in number.

His entire body except his face was pierced, making it impossible to move properly, but,

【Mythical Artifact – <Iaso’s Ring(Ex)> activates.】

【<“Remember, no pain can kill you.”>】

Nahan broke the thorns with sheer force, then pulled out two and threw them at Abyss.

The thorns made of darkness flew like daggers toward both of Abyss’s eyes.

Abyss smirked incredulously and flicked his index finger.

“Would something I created work against me?”

The thorns of darkness scattered with a cracking sound.

Only after his vision cleared from the thorns did Abyss realize.

“Tsk, a diversion.”

The two thrown thorns were a distraction.

Nahan, who had approached from a blind spot, forcibly twisted his body just before reaching Abyss.

Crash!

“Raktea!!”

Nahan, who had rolled and fallen beside the altar, immediately grabbed Hestia and threw her toward Raktea. Raktea, who barely caught her, hesitated.

“…I.”

What should I do?

Raktea remained frozen in indecision even though the situation Nahan had described had come to pass.

Nahan shouted at her.

“Get a grip!! At the very least, you shouldn’t be a hindrance!!”

“…!!”

That finally brought her to her senses.

This was a battlefield where lives hung in the balance.

‘Hesitating will only put lives at risk. It’s better to use the time he’s buying to finish my thoughts and come back down.’

Raktea decided to follow Nahan’s words.

“Black Wolf… full retreat.”

Raktea shouted toward Kasler, who was keeping the Dragon Lord in check.

“Destination: the surface!! We don’t need to go far!! Just get out of here!!”

“Shadow Movement is an area-designated teleportation. The Eclipse elders will also be transported.”

“It doesn’t matter!!”

“Yes, Vice-Captain.”

Unlike herself who had hesitated in indecision, Kasler responded immediately.

After all members entered the range, Kasler swung his hand.

【<Shadow Movement(SSS+)> activates.】

The targets were enveloped by shadows that flowed like blood.

“Ugh! Keuek! Ah, I really hate this!! Puppy, are you okay!?”

“Tlqkf…”

“What did you say!?”

“Woof……”

With Luna’s vibrant voice and the conversation between the former 7th Elder, Whispering Night’s Calamity, all the elders and Black Wolf members were transported to the surface.

Only then did an unpleasant silence fall.

The first to speak was Abyss, who had been quietly observing the entire situation.

He removed his hand from the Dragon Elder’s forehead and asked Nahan.

“Are you done playing hero?”

“…Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

A smile formed at the corner of his mouth.

A dark abyss whose shadow couldn’t be seen to its end.

Nahan knew.

That if Abyss had been determined to interfere, another chaotic battle might have broken out.

But he didn’t ask why.

“Still, you have your own face to save, and it would be awkward if I interfered.”

Seeing that ominously snickering figure, he could only think of stopping him.

Without answering, Nahan moved to grip the altar and stood up.

【<Black Veil(Ex+)> activates.】

【Output – 100%.】

【Your rank increases by one level.】

The language command penalty he had recovered over the past 7 days.

Abyss’s smile deepened at Black Wolf’s full power, used after quite some time.

“My, it seems you don’t like the ending I’ve decided?”

“Stop talking and let’s settle this?”

“Ah, yes, we should. But before that…”

As Nahan drew his sword, taking a stance following Black Wolf’s memories and drawing up power,

Snap.

As Abyss snapped his fingers, a crimson system window appeared before him.

【─Hidden Quest─】

◆ Abyss’s Proposal.

: What is the definition of a happy ending? Even if all characters become happy, wouldn’t it be a bad ending if you become unhappy? Therefore, ‘Abyss’ proposes to you.

◆ Objective.

: Join hands with ‘Abyss’ and help him achieve the ending he desires.

◆ Reward.

: Return to your original world – to the point just before all misfortune began.

“…To the point just before all misfortune began.”

As Nahan murmured after reading all the explanations, Abyss, who had somehow approached from behind, embraced him warmly and whispered.

“Don’t you want to be happy?”