Ch.68Take responsibility.

# 1.

The Golden Battlefield (Ex), the Yellow Dragon’s second skill.

It designates a space with a 1km diameter as a “battlefield,” with the effect of increasing the Yellow Dragon’s rank by the number of “allies” in that space.

On the day this skill was unlocked, Nahan honestly thought:

-This is underwhelming.

The Yellow Dragon’s rank increases by the number of “allies” in that space.

He wasn’t sure what defined an ally, and even if there were allies on the battlefield to increase the rank, it seemed meaningless since the Yellow Dragon had already reached Ex rank.

And above all:

*Note: Three or more beneficial effects will also be granted to enemies on the battlefield.

While only the Yellow Dragon would be strengthened on our side, all enemies would be strengthened as well.

-I’ll probably never use this.

Unless it was a situation where legions clashed and their leaders decided the outcome through single combat, Nahan had set it aside with disappointment.

But now.

The Golden Battlefield (Ex), activated as Ian Red’s third authority,

【<Disaster of December (SSS+)> recognizes you as <Eclipse of Doom (???)>.】

【Number of allies on the battlefield: 115.】

【<Nahan(Ex)>’s rank is increasing.】

began to show its true potential.

Nahan was puzzled why Cheonmyeong’s clones were also recognized as allies, but in a way, it made sense.

Nahan himself.

His roles as Black Wolf, Yellow Dragon, Ian Red, and even the recent First Elder.

Just as an undiscovered lie is taken as truth, all of Nahan’s roles were accepted as truths of <this world>.

So the Eclipse Cheonmyeong equated the First Elder that Nahan played with the real First Elder, which also meant recognizing the person behind the role, <Nahan>, as an ally.

【Upgraded to <Nahan(Ex+)>.】

The Golden Battlefield’s effect reached its maximum.

Whoosh!

A brilliant golden battlefield expanded quickly and widely around Nahan.

Every area touched by the light became not a realm of reality but a mental world manifested by Nahan.

A space that denied entry and existence to everyone except Nahan, Asha, and the Disaster of December.

As Cheonmyeong, who had realized Nahan was a variable, was trying to assess the situation…

【Three beneficial effects are granted to the Disaster of December – <Cheonmyeong(SSS+)>.】

【Selected effects.】

【<Rank Increase>, <Agility>, <Health>.】

【Great Success!】

【<Cheonmyeong(SSS+)>’s rank rises to <Cheonmyeong(Ex-)>!】

He realized he had broken through his limits.

‘What did he just do?’

Is he not sent to help the Hero, but a spy dispatched to help me?

Though confused by the incomprehensible situation, Cheonmyeong now had only about 3 minutes left to maintain his clones.

-If the Saint is impossible, then kill the Hero at least.

Recalling his leader’s order, he shook off his hesitation and commanded his clones.

‘Kill the Hero.’

Though called clones for convenience, each body was essentially both a physical entity and Cheonmyeong himself.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The clones exchanged glances and charged at Asha as if they were one.

115 Ex-rank monsters moving as a single entity.

Boom!

Crack!

Clang!

Their beast-like appearance, moving as one despite different movements, resembled a folk performance that intimidated through sound and motion.

Asha realized.

‘I’m going to die.’

Just like the magical beasts and demons who had died before her without being able to resist.

Finally, it was her turn, and she would die without even putting up a proper fight.

‘No matter how exceptional a warrior might be, how could one stand alone against a natural disaster?’

As her focus on battle waned, strength left her hands.

‘…But.’

Even in this desperate situation with disaster bearing down on her.

‘Lady Priestess, I will protect you at all costs.’

Crunch!

For some reason, the mental world had been deployed again.

Asha quickly closed her eyes and focused on the <Hero> identity overlaid upon her.

A voice that responded as soon as it was called.

【How much are you willing to pay?】

To that flat voice, as if having abandoned or realized everything, Asha embraced Ian Red tightly and answered.

‘All my life except for a moment.’

To Asha’s answer, the <Hero>—

The <Heroes> asked.

【Why exclude that moment?】

To which Asha replied,

‘Because for that brief moment, at least for the final moment of my life…’

I want to look into my priestess’s eyes,

And be happy.

【……】

Boom!

Crack!

Clang!

As the murderous intent approached close, and the <Heroes> reluctantly prepared to collect her lifespan…

“…I think it was like this.”

Nahan, muttering something, extended his hand toward the charging clones.

‘Black Curtain.’

A technique that emits aura toward a desired target, overwhelming them with just that.

Originally a technique he could only use by burning his life force, as he had neither <aura> nor the <knowledge> or <experience> to handle it.

But now that he had gained everything.

‘Maximum aura output, exclude Asha from targets, color the aura red like Ruby operates it…’

He could naturally implement <intimidation> as people of this world do, without the help of Nahan’s system.

Moreover, now with <Golden Battlefield> enhancing his rank and adding a golden light to all his actions as if they were divine revelations,

【<Intimidation(Ex+)> activates.】

Rumble…!!

The red intimidation wrapped in gold made Ian Red appear like a divine messenger.

Boom!

Crack!

Crunch!

Cheonmyeong’s clones, unable to reach their target, involuntarily buried their heads, trembled violently for a while, and then vanished.

【The Folk Performance has been forcibly terminated.】

Instinct.

Like darkness hiding from light, Cheonmyeong unconsciously shrank back.

Just as humans, no matter how strong, cower before the vast universe.

Beings whose limits cannot be fathomed, whose mere existence approaches violence.

“…Except for that person…”

The First Elder – Eclipse of Doom, no one else had ever been like this…?

The confusion was brief.

“Excuse me.”

“Ah… y-yes.”

Nahan gently released Asha and approached Cheonmyeong with purposeful strides, then whispered.

“The Goddess instructed me to tell you that she won’t intervene like this again as long as you don’t touch the Hero and the Saint.”

“…!!”

Only then did Cheonmyeong understand.

The man’s sudden appearance and his use of such power.

‘Indeed, it was because he was connected to a transcendent being like that person.’

But the realization was fleeting.

‘…How do I escape and report this to that person?’

Judging by the intimidation, the man before him seemed to have no intention of letting him go.

A pressure so overwhelming that being torn to pieces and scattered would be immediately understandable.

-For what purpose do you seek strength?

-Because I can.

-…Truly an arrogant answer.

As the conversation he had with the Eastern Emperor came back to haunt him like regret,

【<Shadow Flower> activates.】

Suddenly, flower petals bloomed from Cheonmyeong’s shadow, enveloped him, and disappeared into the ground.

Only after closing and opening his eyes did he realize.

“Damn, this is insane…!!”

“……”

The Blooming Flower Disaster and Whispering Night Disaster had risked their lives to save him.

Cheonmyeong comforted the two trembling people with his own shaking hands and said:

“…We’re going back.”

“…What?”

The Blooming Flower Disaster, finally regaining some composure, grabbed Cheonmyeong’s hand to stop him.

“Even if we die..!! We can’t fail our mission!!”

As she said, in Cheonmyeong’s eyes and the Whispering Night Disaster’s eyes,

The fear of failing their cause was greater than the fear of death, but,

“That’s why we’re going back.”

If they didn’t retreat now and allowed that man to continue interfering,

“That’s when we’ll truly fail our cause.”

Whether the First Elder would come personally to annihilate that man, or they would have to significantly revise their plans,

“For now, we retreat.”

Cheonmyeong’s solemn demeanor.

“Sigh… Alright, old man.”

“……”

In the end, the other two disasters also looked toward Ian Red and Asha before choosing to flee.

A truly overwhelming victory.

‘Of course, we didn’t actually fight, but I’ll still need them later.’

Nahan had postponed uprooting the Eclipse until after the battle between <Black Wolf> and <Light>, just before Asha would behead the Emperor.

Now, next is,

【Bad Ending 8 – <Death of the Hero> has been prevented!】

【Reward will be granted!】

The bad ending clear reward, and,

“Are you alright, Hero?”

“…Lady Priestess……”

Another reward: Asha’s trust.

…Shuffle.

With slow movements, Asha got up and trudged over to stand before Nahan.

“…? Hero?”

“……”

Nahan was reflected in Asha’s sky-blue eyes.

He knew it was rude to stare silently, but it couldn’t be helped.

Even when I kept my distance,

Even when I pushed you away fearing I might lose you,

Even when I treated you harshly.

It was always you who came back after resolving the situation somehow and took my hand.

That’s why you made it impossible for me not to love you.

“Take responsibility.”

A sky-blue smile appeared on a face that had been cloudy and dry for half a lifetime,

“…What?”

“Take responsibility and take me with you.”

“……What?”

It happened under a certain golden sky.