episode_0001

“That…. Eeeek…. Thatuuu….!!”

A skeleton knight collapses while spewing out a terrible roar.

After the bastard was completely reduced to ashes.

The party members of the , who had been maintaining a fighting stance without being able to relax until then, began to sigh in relief, either sitting on the ground or throwing their heads back.

“Hooo…..”

“Haaah…. Seriously…. F*ck….”

“Somehow I won….. haha…. haaah…..”

I too, leaning on my cane, felt a terrible sense of fatigue and accomplishment.

“Sigh…..”

I did it.

Finally, the final boss of , Dark Knight Deimos, has been defeated.

If my memory serves me right, a little while later…

— Kururururururung…..

“………!!”

“…………..”

The stone door at the deepest part of the boss room opens with a loud roar.

What was revealed in it was–

A single sword radiating light while resting on a pure white altar.

The strongest sword in the world and a weapon exclusively for warriors, the Holy Sword Alexius.

— Swish….

After exchanging glances with the party members.

Choi Hyun-woo strode up the stairs and stood in front of the altar.

And slowly stretch out your arms….

He held the hilt of the holy sword.

— Chewing….

With a refreshing metallic sound.

The Holy Sword was pulled out from the altar, revealing its brilliant blade.

“Hooo…..”

It was really long.

Using the original knowledge, lead the party members to a safe route, retrieve and distribute hidden pieces, power-level them at appropriate grinding points, and teach them boss strategies, etc…

A year and a half of leading, teaching, and walking together.

Now that the average level of the party members has reached over 50, and we have obtained the strongest weapon, Alexius.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is nothing left that can stand in our way until we clear the game.

— Thud, thud, thud, thud….

After walking down the altar with a confident gait.

Hyunwoo came towards me.

“Shin-ah.”

“Uh… Huh?”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

— Pot!!

Almost reflexively.

I threw my body to the side and rolled around on the floor.

“Uh…. Uh….?”

“Ha… Chew. Are you avoiding that? Are you really born with the talent for tiring people out?”

Even as I felt blood flowing out from my sharply cut throat.

I could only let out a hoarse voice, unable to even think about wiping the blood or getting up from my seat.

“Hyunwoo? What the… what the… are you doing… right now…?”

“What are you doing, you idiot? What the hell do you eat that you have no clue?”

“Puhhh….”

“Kickkick….”

Hyunwoo’s muttering curses with a distorted expression.

The malicious laughter of the party members surrounding the back.

“Let’s be honest. How can you be of any help to our party? Your magic is weak, you can’t use area-of-effect magic, and you can’t even defend yourself. Don’t you feel bad when you can’t fight properly because Cream and Sion are always protecting you? And on top of that, you’re always talking nonsense… What kind of sage is a sage, a sage? You’re just a burden, damn it. ”

“Ah, no… wait… that’s….”

“I’m tired of dragging around a piece of trash like you and cheering on my party members. I’m going to give up.”

— Sreung…..

A situation that I absolutely cannot believe.

But the murderous intent on the tip of Hyunwoo’s sword and the cold expressions on the comrades surrounding him…

The current situation was revealing that it was no joke or prank, but a harsh reality.

“Choi…. Choi Hyunwoo…. This, crazy…. bastard…. No matter what, it’s like that…. Heh… Chi, a friend…..”

“Friend? You’re fucking around. You loser, I’ve never considered a retard like you a friend.”

“……….!!”

“So stop talking nonsense….”

— Phew…!!

“Go away, you piece of trash.”

The holy sword pierced the heart.

In terrible pain and betrayal.

I fell to the floor.

And in the creepy sensation of all the blood flowing out of my body.

Consciousness.

Lost.

About a year ago now.

Hyunwoo and I were summoned to the world of the VR game .

Unlike Hyunwoo, who was floundering around without understanding what was going on.

As someone with a wealth of virtue, I was able to understand the situation to some extent, explained the general situation to the guy, and calmed him down.

After convincing Hyunwoo that he would be able to return to his original world if he saw the cliché ending of this kind of game, we set off on a journey to clear the game.

Originally, was a game where you chose three heroines out of 20 candidates, formed a party, and built up affection with them while conquering the labyrinth.

I chose performance picks(?) whenever possible, but I also selected three party members considering my own tastes and Hyunwoo’s wishes.

Yulia is the princess of the Kingdom of Rekaia, the setting of the game, and the title heroine of the original work.

As a high elf archer, the strongest long-range attacker in the original work is Sion.

Krimhilt, who possesses both powerful fighting power and divine magic.

We formed a party of five, which could be considered the best, and began a full-fledged adventure.

So, about a month or so after starting the adventure.

An unexpected Achilles’ heel has emerged from within our party.

It was none other than my own existence.

Immediately after being summoned to this world, Hyunwoo was given the exclusive job , and I was given the exclusive job .

but….

Unlike the who has excellent abilities and exclusive skills as a powerful vanguard,

The job that was given to me was an incomprehensibly unhelpful job.

Although he learns various magic, his magical power does not increase no matter how much he levels up, so his power is at rock bottom.

However, it is not like other abilities are raised enough to be able to fight in the vanguard, and since you only learn auxiliary skills, you become a half-ass who can’t do anything on your own.

In the end, I decided to focus on supporting the party using my knowledge of the original work, utilizing the Sage-only skill and my experience of clearing over a dozen games.

Although his fighting ability may be lacking.

I have put in a lot of effort for the party in both material and spiritual ways, and I believe I have been of sufficient help to the party members.

but….

Wasn’t that the case for Hyunwoo and the other party members?

Did they think that my presence was nothing more than a hindrance to their adventures, a parasite clinging to their fame and rewards?

“…………”

by the way.

I… wasn’t dead?

I can’t even feel the excruciating pain in my heart or the cooling sensation of my body.

How can I keep thinking about this…?

(Isn’t it because the fruit is holding your soul? You seem ignorant….)

“———!!?”

Someone’s voice echoing in my head.

The cool tone of voice feels like an ice blade piercing through your mind.

‘…….Who are you?’

(Hehehe…. What a truly irreverent way to ask a question. Well…. I guess foolishness can sometimes be a source of courage. I will personally answer your question, praising your ignorance.)

‘………..’

(The fruit is the god of death, Luagat)

‘The messenger of death…. you say…..?’

(Think about it with that dull head of yours. Why is this place called the Cave of Seals? And why do you think the sword containing the divine power of that cursed goddess was stuck on the altar?)

‘…………’

(This labyrinth itself is a sealing spell to capture the fruit, and it is because you removed the sword on the altar that I am able to speak to you like this.)

Was that the setting?…

In the original game, it was just a dungeon to obtain the holy sword, and there were no additional events or anything after clearing it.

‘But why does the great messenger have nothing better to do, and why is he talking to a corpse like me?’

(Because I liked you)

……….Huh?

(To be exact… I should say that I liked the deep sense of revenge and creepy thoughts that I felt in your soul.)

‘………..’

I see.

From the moment I lost my life until now, there’s only one thing that’s been on my mind.

There is only hatred towards Hyunwoo and the other party members, a hatred that darkens my consciousness and makes my heart rot.

If that’s what it took to crawl out like this…

This messenger or whatever it is, it seems like he’s not really a very good person.

(I have a suggestion)

‘………….’

(Will you not become a follower of the fruit?)

‘believer….?’

(That’s right)

‘………..’

(It has been a thousand years since he was sealed here. Most of those who remembered his existence have lost their lives, and those who still believe in him are no longer on earth. If he had remained asleep here, he would have completely lost his meaning as a god and disappeared from this earth within a few years.)

‘………..’

(If you promise to become a follower of the Widow and devote your faith to him, the Widow will reward you by… opening the way for you to regain your life and use your power for revenge.)

‘…………….’

(Don’t you think there is a slightly better ending waiting for you than having your flesh eaten away by maggots and flies in a place like this?)

The worries didn’t last long.

As for me now, there is no other choice but to accept the messenger’s offer.

If there is any other way than dying and sprawling without even being able to take revenge on those guys.

Even if I have to grind my soul and body into a writhing lump of meat, I will accept it without hesitation.

but….

‘There is one condition’

(Don’t worry, I have no intention of twisting your free will or binding you with religious restrictions.)

‘………..’

You’re quite a quick-witted Grim Reaper, aren’t you?

After calming my mind with deep breathing(?).

I responded to the messenger’s offer.

‘I will accept it.’

Just after the answer popped into my head.

— Kururururururung…..

With a heavy vibration–the entire stone chamber vibrated.

And I feel the pitch-black darkness rising from the cracks in the stone on the ground, writhing and writhing, gathering around my corpse.

(From now on, I will repair your damaged body. Calm your consciousness and… accept the divine power of the fruit flowing toward your heart.)

‘…….Ready. Feel free to start anytime.’

(The power is good… Please, don’t let it be destroyed.)

……Shattered?

The next moment.

–Stick….!!

A terrible pain dug into my body, which I thought had completely ceased all life.

A pitch-black darkness flowing through the blood vessels.

As the insides of my body erode, a pain and fear that feels like my soul is being torn apart surges in.

“Ugh… Ugh… Ugh… Ugh…!!”

I have to… endure… it…

In a place like this…. I can’t die….

To those… bastards…

To Choi Hyun-woo…. Until I return the despair and fear I’ve tasted…

Never…. can…. die…. Uh….!!!!

“Ugh…. Aaaah …

“………….”

How much time has passed?

As I struggled to open my eyes in a hazy state of consciousness, I heard a languid voice.

(Are you in your right mind?)

“………..”

(It’s not that I didn’t know… but the human mind is truly fragile. I was worried that it might have broken down because I hadn’t opened my eyes for so long.)

I see….

I was the owner of this voice– I accepted the thoughts of the god of death, Luagat, and then fainted.

“Ugh….”

After getting up from my staggering seat.

After doing some light stretching and checking my physical condition, fortunately, I didn’t feel anything unusual.

no…

In some ways, it feels like my body is moving more lightly than before I died.

(Isn’t that obvious? In place of the weak human heart, the divine power of the fruit dwells in the body. Even if you run at full speed for days on end and your limbs are about to break, your heart won’t burst and you’ll collapse.)

‘……I wish you would stop reading my mind.’

(Haha… I’m sorry. What can I do with you for coming across so easily? Since we’re going to be together for a long time, I can’t tell you anything but that you have to get used to it.)

“Sigh….”

Anyway, nothing will be solved if I just lie there in this labyrinth.

Take the water bottle from your inventory and lightly moisten your throat with it.

I exited the boss room, lit up with the magic, and walked in the direction of exiting the labyrinth.

‘by the way….’

(hmm?)

‘Are you trying to keep clinging to my heart?’

(Isn’t that obvious? If the fruit escapes, you will die… Is that what you want?)

‘No… That’s not it. I haven’t heard of anyone having a companion like this.’

(Don’t be too burdened. The Goddess is generous, so she will take care of you until you can survive without her protection.)

‘……You act like you’re doing me some kind of favor. Didn’t you cling to me because you were in a situation where your faith was completely lost and you were on the verge of extinction?’

(A man who worries about small things is not popular with the opposite sex.)

‘……….’

(Moore… Even if you leave that out, you don’t seem like you’d be particularly popular with the opposite sex. Shouldn’t you be grateful that I’m your confidant?)

‘Yes, yes… thank you.’

We walked like that for about ten minutes, chatting with the messenger.

‘I need to get out of here and return to the village… but there’s one problem.’

(Hmm…? What problem are you talking about?)

‘that is….’

“Shirrr….”

“Shhh… Shh, shhh…..”

The next moment.

As if they had been waiting, two monsters appeared from across the hallway.

Raptor Warrior.

A 2m tall lizard-man covered in dark green scales. A formidable opponent with advanced fighting skills and quick movements.

‘It won’t be easy for me to get out of here alone.’

is a fairly high-level dungeon, and the level of the monsters placed here, in the deepest part, is so high that even an average A-rank party would have a hard time handling them.

Even though it is a dungeon where the strongest weapon that can destroy the balance, the Holy Sword Alexius, is sleeping.

If you’ve spent over a year training party members and farming equipment and only now have you found it, there must be a reason.

(Huh… You’re saying something that’s not even funny.)

‘…….what?’

(If it were you now, you could kill those bastards like you were catching bugs)

While I still can’t understand what the hell this god is talking about.

“Easy—!!”

“Shirrr….!!”

Two Raptor Warriors charged toward me, swinging their weapons simultaneously.

“Ugh….!!”

shit…!

First, somehow tie up our feet, avoid this place, and go another way….!!

“– !!”

Quickly concentrate your magic, form a spell, then place your hand on the floor–

Immediately after.

— Kwakagagagagagagagagagagagagagag….!!

With a terrifying roar.

Dozens, hundreds of sharp stalactites rose up, covering the entire passageway.

“………!!”

A Raptor Warrior died without even being able to scream.

The remaining one also had an overwhelming killing power that caused him to fall with more than half of his legs torn off.

What….what is it…?

This magic… When I used it before, it was just a magic that made a couple of stone pillars rise…?

(You probably originally had magical powers that would not even be able to touch the things in this labyrinth.)

“………”

(However… I was unable to draw out my original power because I lacked magical power)

Something I have never felt since I was transferred to this world.

Amidst the overwhelming sense of omnipotence that made my fingertips tremble, I found myself laughing without realizing it.

“Girrr… Geek, weird…..”

The last remaining Raptor Warrior to rise from his seat, not completely out of breath.

And then–

“Shaaa …

He ran towards me, letting out a violent roar.

After catching your breath slowly.

I aimed my finger at the bastard and released my focused magic.

“ .”

— Kwaaah….!!

It’s hard to believe that this is an elementary magic spell used for deterrence, with such incredible firepower.

The flame grenade that hit caused an explosion that covered more than half of the passageway, engulfing the Raptor Warrior…

The bastard lay on the floor in a heap of ashes.

“Ha, haha….. haaa…..”

I see.

Was it not a defect in the profession of a sage that I was so weak, but simply my own lack of talent… my lack of magical power?

I feel like an idiot for the past half year wondering why they gave me such a trashy job as a wise man…

(No…. It’s not that you lack talent, as I feel….)

‘huh?’

(……No. It’s not a clear problem, so don’t worry too much. Anyway, as long as the fruit is in your heart, there will be no shortage of magical power, so feel free to swing your power.)

‘………..’

Even though I felt that Luagat was trying to cover up something.

Since I didn’t feel like pursuing that, I nodded silently and moved on.

— Thud, thud….

I’ve never once recognized my own violence while dealing with monsters.

Why is that?

I wish the monsters would jump out and block my path right now.

I’m feeling a surge of desire to wield this creepy power that’s rippling in the palm of my hand right now.