Ch.131I had no intention of giving up

# 1.

Right after Libra prostrated himself flat on the ground.

After a moment of contemplation, Nahan opened his mouth while looking at the trembling, round back of Libra’s head.

“Explain yourself.”

“[…Explain?]”

“I told you. If you apologize properly, I’d at least listen to what you have to say.”

“[…!]”

Only then did Libra raise his head and ask.

“[Are you… really going to listen?]”

“…What?”

“[No, no!! Are you really going to listen to me!?]”

“Why, should I not?”

“[Th-that’s not what I meant…!!]”

After fumbling for words, Libra carefully opened his mouth following a long silence.

“[Other saviors said the same thing… They said they would help after hearing me out. But……. they were all lying.]”

Libra visibly deflated.

“[So Libra changed his approach. Since being kind only led to betrayal, I decided to be forceful like the other saviors. Of course, the result was…]”

“A spectacular failure.”

“[…That’s right.]”

Libra continued, almost mumbling.

“[Hallorand and Abyss solve everything with forceful attitudes and power. But Libra failed even at that. It’s always like this. I want to be helpful to Lady Aria somehow… but I always end up failing.]”

Seeing Libra’s self-deprecating demeanor beyond mere dejection, Nahan crouched down in front of him.

“That’s how power works. When wielded recklessly, it leads to catastrophe. Look at what happened just now. You tried to get help but nearly failed, right?”

“[…You’re right.]”

“But that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to make amends. Unlike the other saviors, you apologized for your mistakes.”

“[But… I haven’t been forgiven yet.]”

“I’ll forgive you.”

A hand reached out and gently stroked Libra’s fluffy white head.

“I’ll forgive you, so explain. What’s your goal, and how can I help you?”

“[This is a first. You’re the first savior to ever say such things to Libra…]”

Drip, drip—tears began to fall.

“[I’m sorry… and thank you.]”

“Alright, stop crying now.”

“[…Okay. Please wait a moment.]”

“Sure.”

As Nahan wiped away Libra’s soft, fluffy tears, he checked the status window that appeared before him.

【Name: Libra (天秤).】

-Also known as: Aria’s first child.

-Rank: ???.

-Information: The first intelligent being created by the goddess <Aria>. Loves all life like the goddess and possesses a pure, innocent heart.

*Due to <Abyss>’s unique characteristic – <The Wager>, its power is restricted and bound to <The World>. Driven to extremes by concern for the world.

Though this alone wasn’t enough to judge, after speaking with him directly, Nahan understood.

-[I am Libra, Guardian of Balance.]

Despite his resolute attitude, his pupils trembled slightly as if he were lying.

-[By the way, how dare you make such brazen demands. All you need to do is make a selection on the system. Threats are meaningless.]

-…What?

-[The goddess herself has made her choice, so you should gratefully accept her will.]

His tone felt like awkward acting, as if reading a script for the first time.

And above all,

-[But…!! We are on the side of justice!!]

A sparkling conviction hidden beneath clumsy acting.

Nahan had been wary that Libra might be an evil entity, but it seemed there was no need to worry.

Since Aria stood in opposition to the Abyss, she would naturally desire the world’s salvation.

‘As the goddess’s ally, Libra must also desire salvation.’

Having finished his thoughts, Nahan looked at Libra, who had stopped crying and was clearing his throat.

“[Ah, ahem. Ahem…!]”

Even his forced malice had been at the level of a small puppy, but now with even that malice erased, Libra approached Nahan with sparkling eyes.

“[Ask me anything! I’ll answer! …Yes!]”

Nahan blurted out the first thought that came to mind as Libra bounced toward him.

“Dumpling.”

A dumpling holding a sword and scales.

When he was acting rudely and appearing enormous, Nahan hadn’t noticed, but now he could see how adorably healing Libra was just to look at.

“[…Dumpling?]”

As Libra belatedly echoed the word, Nahan collected himself and gave a thumbs up.

“I’ll put a stop to it. The bad guys’ plan.”

“[Ah…! Thank you! Then… I’ll tell you everything I know from now on.]”

Libra’s eyes shone with sincerity.

“[Actually, this world is—]”

Just as he opened his mouth to speak his first words, a blue window appeared before them.

【Time limit expired.】

【The selected option – <Balance’s Proposal> will be transmitted to each entity.】

【Awaiting response…】

In a situation where he knew so little, Nahan couldn’t help but question.

“Transmitting the selected option to each entity? What does that even mean?”

In response to Nahan’s confused question, Libra quietly lowered his voice and muttered.

“[I wonder too…? What is this?]”

“What?”

“[Th-this has never happened before?]”

While the dumpling-like being with a completely clueless expression was frantically manipulating the system window.

【Response.】

【Option 2 – <Black Wolf> invites the possession savior <Nahan>.】

As a black window appeared before his eyes, the bright surroundings suddenly went dark.

The space where he had felt fragments of the goddess,

The sensation of walking on clouds,

The cute, round dumpling.

Even the vast darkness that had covered everything at once disappeared.

“What is this…?”

As his thoughts struggled to keep up with the rapidly unfolding situation.

The darkness cleared, revealing a world that filled Nahan’s vision.

A red sky and black earth,

Countless corpses and crumbling dust,

And—

“…Threats in such a situation. Sometimes I think you’re worse than I am.”

A pitch-black man standing with his back to Nahan, gazing at numerous graves.

Without much deliberation, Nahan identified the man and spoke his name.

“…Black Wolf.”

Black Wolf (黑狼).

The worst and strongest group in the novel <Babylonia> – the <Black Wolves>.

The supreme villain of the world who united and ruled over the unruly group.

The shadow master of the world whose name was considered unspeakable—

“Greetings, Nahan.”

Had finally revealed himself before Nahan.

# 2.

Silence pervaded Black Wolf’s world.

In the gray void between the red sky and black earth, not even a crow could be found.

In this terrible wasteland that could only be described as a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, Black Wolf, who had been guarding the graves, finally rose.

“I thought so, but to ignore me outright. You don’t seem very pleased to see me.”

His attitude was relaxed.

His steps were light and gentle, his smile subtly warm.

It felt like meeting an extra character A rather than the strongest and worst shadow master from the novel.

Hadn’t he threatened the world to gain information, and finally his opportunity had come?

This should have been the moment to take a major step toward a <Happy Ending>—

“……”

But Nahan couldn’t even move his lips.

It felt as if something deadly lurked in every corner of the surrounding space.

His brain was being sliced by whispers urging immediate surrender and the terror that followed.

His mind grew distant from the adrenaline that exploded in the face of death.

Only then did Nahan manage to roll his eyes to check his own body.

Clothes from the other world, not Black Wolf’s attire,

The cold scars felt underneath,

A sturdy body, though slightly less muscular.

Nahan’s physical form.

Black Wolf, who had been watching the bewildered Nahan, trudged over until he was right in front of him.

He declared to the silent Nahan:

“It’s not too late. If you wish, I’ll send you back to your original world.”

“……?”

Black Wolf’s offer made the quest seem meaningless.

After looking at the graves once more, Black Wolf forced a smile and added:

“Don’t look at them like that. There’s no need to sacrifice yourself for strangers you have no connection to.”

Black Wolf, who had lent his body, had reminded himself from the moment Nahan first arrived:

The savior Nahan who came from that world.

He was a genuine outsider who had no obligation to protect their world.

Therefore, if he asked to be sent back to his original world, Black Wolf would send him without hesitation.

“Just as the goddess and the Abyss made a wager, I too have made a bet with myself. So if you wish to return, I’ll send you back even if it costs my soul.”

It was only natural.

To risk all manner of dangers for a world that wasn’t his own.

The fact that he had endured until now already gave Black Wolf a taste of salvation.

“There’s no coercion, so choose. Will you help us, or return to your original world as you are?”

Black Wolf was prepared to send him back, disregarding even his deal with the goddess, if that was what Nahan wanted.

And as he expected—

“……”

Nahan maintained his silence and contemplated.

Returning to his original world, which could only be reached by completing the quest.

An ordinary daily life without mortal danger or moral dilemmas.

Since both worlds were inhabited by people, it would be more beneficial for Nahan to return to his original world where at least he wouldn’t have to worry about dying in conflict with the Abyss.

Interpreting the continued silence as a kind of answer, Black Wolf nodded with a slight smile.

“……I see.”

Yes.

What more could he shamelessly ask for?

“Savior Nahan. I express my gratitude for the kindness you’ve shown thus far.”

As Black Wolf slightly raised his hand, preparing to burn his pledged soul to send him back.

…Thump.

Finally.

Nahan, who had managed to move his hand to stop Black Wolf, squeezed out his voice and asked:

“The remaining three… who are they?”

“…What?”

“Now, three remain.”

A strange question with unclear intentions.

After Black Wolf questioned with his eyes, Nahan shook off his fear and boldly asked:

“Those who haven’t been saved. Lactea and you. And the last one… who on earth is it?”

Because he had no intention of giving up.