R4STWH - Chapter 139
Chapter 139
The quickest way to increase the amount of any type of energy is to grind up living beings that contain it.
Melder’s method was the same. Based on the temple's unique seal, which the Saintess had used to seal me during our first meeting, he used sacrifices to amplify the power.
Most of them had already lost their lives after having all their life force drained, but some were still barely breathing. However, that “some” numbered around a hundred, so one could only guess how many had been sacrificed.
Perhaps, he had herded those who had lost their homes and had flocked to the temple seeking refuge from all over the continent.
Even though she was going toward the source of the trap rather than escaping it, the Saintess didn't cower in fear, unlike before. She just incessantly wiped away the tears that blurred her vision, while muttering curses and swear words against Melder.
It was a different kind of tear than before, one of resentment and lamentation. After all, many of those who had died here today were people whom the Saintess had cared for. She had treated and cared for them without proper sleep or food, yet they had met such a meaningless end.
“I’ll never forgive that bastard….”
She was cursing so ominously that it was difficult to even try and say something.
‘Right, why bother picking on such a sweet kid...’
To try to bury the Saintess alive with me, a girl who had never lived a life of luxury and had suffered more than anyone else both physically and emotionally. Even I had to admit that Melder was worse than a poison frog.
“Is this the pillar?”
“Yes.”
I punched the pillar Elias pointed at. With one strike, it began to crack and then crumbled to dust. I ran toward the next target. That was the seventh pillar we had destroyed so far.
As if he had the temple’s blueprints in his head, we destroyed structures that I didn't even know existed, one after another. Finally, we reached a huge underground chamber. It seemed it had originally been submerged in some kind of liquid. The pillars were stained dark, but now only the floor was damp.
And inside, an unspeakable tragedy had unfolded. Having come from a world where the smell of burning flesh was omnipresent, I was fine, but the Saintess couldn’t endure it. She leaned against a pillar, unable to lift her head.
“The liquid must have flowed out through the waterways leading to the underground cemetery. It’s connected to this place.”
It seemed that destroying the structures all around was part of creating a waterway.
“What if there are people over there, too?”
“Don't worry. It'll lose its power once you get out of this space. But you need to be careful here.”
He tore his cloak and wrapped it around my legs, from feet to knees, in thick layers. “Make sure the liquid doesn't touch your bare skin.”
I put on gloves and pulled the hood down low to cover as much exposed skin as possible, and started looking for survivors. After I brought them out, the Saintess used her healing skills to help them regain some energy.
The total number was ninety-one. A number that was less than 1/10th of the number of corpses.
“There's no one else now.”
“This way.”
Elias took the lead and guided the way. We broke through a few more walls and passed through a dark, narrow passage. At the end of the maze-like path, we arrived at the underground cemetery Elias had mentioned. “It’d be better to leave them here until things settle down outside.”
The Saintess and I both agreed with Elias’s opinion. The underground cemetery was located on the outer edge of the temple grounds, so the chances of being caught up in what might happen next was relatively low.
“You can stay here too, if you want.”
“No.”
The Saintess firmly shook her head at my suggestion. “I’ll see the end of that worm-like thing with my own two eyes.”
“You could be in danger if you do that.”
“It’s okay.”
She answered firmly again, looking me straight in the eyes. “Really. I'm prepared now.”
“Alright.”
Seeing her determined gaze, there was no reason to dissuade her any longer. Just as I hadn't tried to protect my comrades, this kid didn't need protection either.
As I turned to leave, she followed and said, “Lady Ilesha, my name is Heerin. Lee Heerin.”
The Saintess smiled brightly at me as I glanced back. “I wanted you to remember.”
“……You.”
Saying your name before a battle, and doing things that were out of character was extremely dangerous. Whether she knew it or not, her smiling face was so pure and innocent that I could only sigh. “Hide as well as you can….”
“Yes, don't worry.”
I turned my gaze away, suppressing the urge to ruffle her hair and pinch her cheeks. Elias, who had been watching me with a calm gaze, finally pushed open the stone door. I frowned at the cacophony that poured in with it.
“You’re the one who drove her to her death!”
Baeksa and Zero, "Don't talk nonsense! Get out of the way, you're in the way!" They were fighting as if they were going to destroy the world, not even trying to hide their bloodlust.
The quest ‘Special Mission for World Reconstruction (4)’ has been completed.
The quest to protect Melder until the completion of that childish-named thing called Dark Seal Formation was finally completed.
The fourth fragment of World E-20FUg has been acquired. (4/5)
Zero opened his inventory to check the quest clear reward. ‘Is there only one left?’
It was so annoying and tiring that he wanted to sigh. In his past world, he had to endlessly complete quests called ‘Proof of Qualification’, but back then, he had his comrades. Ilesha, the leader, and Yumi would discuss and suggest strategies, and all he had to do was follow their lead. Usually, his role was to break or kill something, so it was relatively easy and straightforward. However, in this world, he was at odds with Ilesha. There were many suspicious aspects about Yumi, too, so he couldn't fully trust her. In the end, he had no choice but to think and act on his own.
‘So, what are they sealing, anyway?’
He had followed the quest to acquire the ‘world fragment’ that was essential for restoring the broken world, but he had no idea what it was for.
‘Hayang and that annoying guy must be caught by Yumi by now.’
Zero frowned, looking at the white temple with a bored expression.
‘The only one left is Baeksa… did that guy move in this direction?’
While wondering if the Holy Sword’s owner could be contained by that corrupted energy, the temple suddenly began to collapse.
‘Hmm…? Is that supposed to happen?’
He unfurled his arms and searched for the person who caused it, when a group of soldiers suddenly charged at him. And leading them, was none other than… Baeksa.
‘He was over there? Then who is buried under there?’
He watched the spectacle of those who had been his comrades yesterday fighting fiercely to hurt each other. Then, he drew his sword and blocked Baeksa’s attack. “What do you think you're doing…!”
“Why? Are you suddenly going crazy?” Baeksa, who was gritting his teeth and swinging his sword wildly, seemed to be half-mad with rage. “Did you lose your new girlfriend or something?”
“You son of a bitch!”
Zero knew Baeksa wasn't the type of guy who would date, so he had been just joking, but the reaction was not normal. “What? Is it real?”
Then suddenly, he heard a desperate cry. “Lady Ilesha! Saintess!”
Crow, the Commander of the Knights Templar of the Amern Order, was calling out desperately in front of the temple ruins. “Why is that guy looking for Hayang over there?”
“Do you have to ask?” Zero frowned and swung his sword. “Hayang should be doing the quest in Protia by now….”
A feeling of unease suddenly rushed over him, and he trailed off without realizing it. Among Ilesha's new friends whom Yumi had captured, Crow was also included.
‘Did that business finish already?’
According to plan, she should have been kept there for at least half a day. Then why...?
“Shit.”
Zero cursed and swung his sword to shake off Baeksa. “Get out of my way.”
Of course, even if Ilesha died in this world, it wouldn’t matter. When they rewound the time of their world, her soul would still be there. But even so,
“I said get out of my way, before I actually kill you.”
The thought of her losing her life right in front of his eyes was a completely different matter.
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