episode_0698

A voice from behind engulfs my body.

A feeling I’ve been feeling ever since I fell into this world.

A feeling that made me feel dizzy every time I entered a dungeon.

From the moment the evil spirit of the end intervened, a strong sense of discomfort began to weigh heavily on my surroundings.

It’s hard to even imagine moving your body.

It feels like I’ve been suddenly thrown into the deep sea, my physical movements feel unnatural, it’s hard to breathe, and my legs are shaking from the weight on my shoulders.

“Thank you very much, Lord God’s disciple. If my foolish disciple’s plan had succeeded, I would have been in quite a trouble.”

I was barely able to endure the pressure, but I ended up collapsing when I felt someone tap my shoulder.

I couldn’t stand the very existence behind me.

That’s ridiculous.

There can’t be that much of a difference, right?

How does the evil god of the end, who lost most of his power as the Age of Myths began, still have this much power?

I looked around, feeling the cold sweat continuing to run down my face.

It wasn’t much different for other people.

My friends too. The human forces standing on the front lines. And the monsters fighting against those forces.

Everyone was bowing their heads before one being.

“Your plan is not so wrong. It is true that the power of the end weakens when the Age of Myths begins. However, what you did not think of is that there is a bigger current in this world.”

“No way.”

Agra snorted as the Pope, freed from the power of the end, let out a bewildered voice.

“You just didn’t realize it. That’s not something that a tiny creature on Earth can perceive. Hahaha. What a shame. If you had waited a little longer after becoming an evil spirit, you would have realized it.”

When I heard the story of the evil god, the first thing that came to mind was a game called Soul Academy.

Because the ending of that game was approaching due to what I had done so far.

If the ending of the game is what the evil god says, then the power Agra now possesses is much more powerful than I expected.

“Apostle of the Lord. Oh. Damn Apostle of the Lord. You little creature who is desperately trying to stop the end of this world. Do you understand? Even if Armadi comes here, nothing will change. He can’t stop the world from ending along with this era.”

Why didn’t I think of that? I thought games were just games.

Since it was created by a sloppy person, it’s only natural that the ending has some meaning.

“A funny thought occurred to me. I’ve talked about your curse before, right? Do you know why I said that then? Because your curse is not just a curse.”

I thought we were discussing the usefulness of the Messaggi skill, but the moment Agra’s hand touched my head, I realized my own complacency.

How could Agra, who was smiling so mischievously and looking at me so bitterly, have any provocation skills?

Something more fundamental than that.

My mind.

I, who only complained about the disadvantages of Messagaki’s skills, never imagined this.

“Have you ever thought it was strange? That you, who had never even received proper training, gained tenacity in an instant. That you had a spirit of steel that would not break under any ordeal.”

From the moment I stepped foot into the world of Soul Academy, I had an incredible spirit.

Just one sip could make one drink the most evil of beverages, simply because it was effective.

It wasn’t just difficult, but it was possible to keep moving my feet even in situations where I couldn’t move my fingertips or toes properly.

Even when faced with the first threat to his life, he was able to keep his mouth shut just because he was feverish, and even after enduring countless hardships thereafter, he never wavered.

I always did my best.

Does it make sense to endure all that suffering simply because you’re a rotten member of Soul Academy?

Is it really possible for me, who had lived a miserable life in my previous life, to endure all the pain just because I could feel my own growth, just because I had set foot in the world I loved?

Even if your life is in danger, is it realistic to look only ahead without compromising with reality?

“You will know naturally when your curse ends.”

If the Messagaki skill is the basis of many of the things I have done, what will happen to me when this skill disappears?

“The fact that your curse was holding you back.”

The first thing I felt was pain all over my body.

A pain that twists your entire body as your muscles break, your bones break, and your internal organs twist.

The pain that made me think that I would rather lose consciousness, that I would rather bite my tongue and die than be in so much pain, did not even allow me to scream.

As I held onto my shoulders and trembled, all sorts of negative thoughts ran through my head.

I don’t want to die.

No, if it’s going to be like this, I’d rather die.

How have I been doing this until now?

Why should I risk my life for those kids?

What have those scumbags done to me?

여자아이 하나한테 세상의 구원을 바라는 개새끼들은 죽어버리는 게 낫지 않아?

To begin with, I was a loser who just sat in the corner of the room playing games.

There’s no way I could do something like a fight properly.

I am.

I am.

I am.

Rough breathing.

Thoughts that are cut off abruptly due to panic.

The tears that come out.

A voice soaked in defeatism seeps out between them.

“Hahaha! How very human! Curse Armadi who threw you into hell! Curse the god who cannot save humans!”

I look at my hands beyond my trembling vision as I hear a voice full of joy.

Lucy’s, my little hands.

Despite her small and cute appearance, her hands are rough and hard, not typical of a child.

The hand of a warrior, not the daughter of a noble family.

A hand obtained after struggling to protect something.

A hand I am not ashamed of, because I obtained it to protect those I love.

“And face the end of this world with resignation!”

Ah, that’s right.

What I’m trying to protect isn’t something as grandiose as this world.

I just wanted the things I liked to remain.

My friends. My acquaintances. My family.

I came here because I wanted everyone who loved me to live happily ever after.

What do I care what happens to other guys?

Be saved as you wish and praise as you wish.

I just want to keep my current routine.

Add strength to your trembling hands.

I forcefully clench my hands, which are not very good at gripping, and use all my strength to push off the floor.

By repeatedly hitting the legs that are about to collapse, you force yourself to use strength.

Still, I couldn’t stand well, so I held onto my thighs and barely managed to stand on the ground with both feet.

Then he raised his middle finger at Agra, who was blankly staring at him.

“Joe. Fuck you♡ Huh. Huh. You piece of shit♡ You piece of shit!♡ I’m. Not scared at all?!♡”

A bluff so obvious that even he himself can see it.

Anyone who sees me will laugh at me.

A weak figure that looks like it’s about to rush in, even if it’s just because it’s expected to shed tears.

It’s really pathetic and shabby, but so what?

It’s a cliche that Messaggi is actually sloppy.

“What happened?”

“Well. Well♡ Maybe it’s because you’re a worthless, sloppy little shit!♡”

“It’s strange and surprising, but at the same time understandable. Even if it weren’t a curse, it would have been chosen by a disgusting hypocrite who was noble.”

The fear hasn’t gone away.

Fear still coils inside me.

Your hands are shaking, your head is filled with voices telling you to run away right now, you have doubts that you made the wrong choice, and the cold sweat keeps running down your back.

Still, he stands in front of everyone, holding his shield firmly and adding strength to his mace-wielding hand.

“Are you okay? Can you stop me with your trembling hands? Do you think you can stop me when you can’t even use your power properly because of fear?”

If you ask me why I do this, various things will come to mind, but if I were to sum it all up in one word, yes. I am a tank. If not me, who would stand in front of the enemy?

“Why are you asking the obvious?♡ Are you kidding me?♡”

Is it because I’ve made up my mind?

My heart, which had been falling apart just a moment ago, began to come together again.

In response, the power I possess spreads warmth to those around me, and those who were crushed by the power of the end rise up one by one.

“Keuheup♡ Pahahet♡ You sloppy kid♡ That’s why you’re only doing it♡ You sicko♡”

“So, every time you come out, you don’t get tired of it?”

“I know what this is. You pervert! Lucy used to do that!”

“The evil spirit that spread fear across the continent was actually a demon obsessed with sexual desire. How surprising.”

“…That’s right! Tea. It suits you so well! Every time you pick a fight with me, I guess it’s because you want to get hit!”

I smiled as I watched my friends trying to act strong, and I got ready to fight again.

I feel my will becoming stronger.

“Good. Go ahead and try. The greater the resistance, the greater the despair you will reach at the end. Let me enjoy watching your despair.”

The chances of victory are still slim.

Even the expectation that we might win is too much.

There is no denying that it is impossible to defeat the enemy in front of you.

But, still, I don’t back down.

Because miracles are only given to those who struggle.

“That’s right, my apostle. No matter how faint the possibility is, if I don’t challenge myself, I won’t be able to reach it.”

A soft, warm hand is placed on my shoulder along with a gentle voice.

“If you hadn’t stood up again, I wouldn’t have been able to come here. Yes, the miracle happened because you created the possibility.”

Even though I knew I shouldn’t turn my head away when the enemy was right in front of me, I turned my back.

Because the voice I heard from behind was something I could not forget and should not forget.

“Long time no see.”

The warm smile she gave matched Lucy’s memories of the happiest times in her life.