R4STWH - Chapter 146
Chapter 146
Amidst the hazy smoke, a black thing, emitting a foul stench, screamed and writhed.
It was a holy radiance that could melt even most high-ranking demons in an instant. However, due to its abnormally high regeneration rate, it was only writhing in pain while its form fell apart.
It was then.
-I can’t… I can’t end like this…!
The guy, who had been trying to stand somehow, suddenly lowered his body and began to speak a language that even translators couldn't interpret.
Yumi, who had been closely watching his struggles, was startled and shouted, “What is that!”
Something was off. The substance that comprised the dragon was fluctuating as it flickered between blurry and clear.
“Could it be….”
A possibility flashed through my mind. “Is that damned lizard trying to cross dimensions again?!”
He was trying to escape. To somehow get out of this crisis.
‘Then what will happen?’
Since the final boss monster hadn't been defeated, in the worst case, the Proof of Qualification quest might not be completed and would be put on hold. Even if it was acknowledged as a success, Ermitar, who had escaped to another dimension and brought another world to ruin, might return here someday for revenge.
‘No, I can’t let that happen!’
How could I live peacefully, not knowing how that sly bastard would betray me? There was no way I could just let him go. The problem, however, was that no one had enough power left to defeat him in one go.
‘If only I had saved even a few seconds of the stat restriction removal time.’
It was already too late to regret that.
‘Is there a way….’
I couldn't see an answer anywhere. Would I have to let him go like this? I bit my lip in frustration, and was searching through my inventory to find something when Elias came up to me and gently embraced me from behind. “You can do it.”
The moment his low and sweet voice echoed in my ear, a strange sensation enveloped my whole body. I felt like I was taking a step away from the leisurely flow of time.
“I'll help you.”
Everything was blurry, but his voice was clear, like a guiding light. As I barely managed to grasp it, countless fragments of memories poured into my mind.
‘……!?’
They were from the past, and the future. Although they couldn't be mine, I was sure that they were mine at the same time. “Right?”
As if possessed, I nodded, grabbed onto those fleeting memories, and set them onto the bowstring of time.
I didn’t need to force up my depleted mana, nor did I need to think of a skill name. Someday, when he and I reached that point, we would be able to bloom or wither life with just a single thought. Therefore, I was certain that just borrowing my past self’s achievements from that timeline for a moment would achieve the results I desired.
The moment I released the fully drawn bowstring, I could feel everything returning to its original course. The feeling of elation that had felt as if I had touched omnipotence disappeared in an instant, and I returned to my present self. I gasped for breath as if I was releasing the breath I had been holding for so long. My lungs felt like they were tearing apart, and tears flowed and fell repeatedly.
“You did well.”
Elias gently turned my body to embrace me, and patted my back softly. “You did well, Ilesha. It's all over now.”
As I buried my face in his chest, I couldn’t see it with my own eyes, but I could feel it instinctively. That the evil dragon, Ermitar, had died without escaping this world. That he was pierced by the terrible sins he had built up until now, and that even his soul had been extinguished forever. As if confirming this, a translucent window appeared.
You have succeeded in defeating the final boss monster, Evil Dragon-Ermitar (SS).
The memories that had seemed to gather within me for a moment scattered and vanished without a trace, as if I hadn't even had time to look back. “Ah…….”
Even though I didn’t remember anything, I didn’t feel regretful. I knew that the sad and joyful, and wistful and tender memories would all be mine someday. However, it was right to forget them for now, in order to live alongside those who were by my side, keeping pace with me, neither ahead nor behind. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to laugh today, grieving over some day in the future, or share the joy tomorrow, as I had already enjoyed it all myself in advance.
“What the hell… how did that….” Yumi, whose ability to sense mana was better than anyone, muttered as if groaning. Perhaps Elias was the only one who could properly explain what had just happened. But, judging from the situation until now, he clearly couldn't say it out loud. Because it was obviously something that deviated from the laws and rules of the world. Fortunately, before someone else questioned it any further, a translucent window popped up in front of everyone.
The quest ‘Proof of Qualification_Final’ has been cleared.
Congratulations. World E-17ACEM has proven its worth and will not be deleted.
It was the same message as when I had defeated Ermitar in our past world. After confirming this, I finally realized that everything was over.
Calculating your total contribution.
1st place - Ilesha Tenaclad
2nd place - Lee Heerin
3rd place - Elias Lakdel Tenaclad
4th place - Howell Ricks
.
.
As expected, Yumi and Zero’s names weren't on the list, despite their significant contributions to defeating the final boss. This contribution was not just about this battle alone. That was why it was not unusual for the name of the Saintess, Lee Heerin, to be in second place. After all, she had saved more people than anyone else by helping the people of this world not lose hope.
Rewards will be distributed based on contribution.
And perhaps, Zero and Yumi, both of them would receive failure penalties rather than quest rewards. Yumi, sensing my gaze, shrugged and said, “My penalty isn’t a big deal. It won’t endanger my life. But that guy seems to have a problem.”
Everyone’s gaze naturally shifted to one person. “Don’t worry about my problems. I’ll take care of it myself.”
I glared at Zero, who was speaking curtly, and strode toward him. Elias silently followed me after releasing me from his arms.
“You idiot!”
“……Idiot? Hayang-a, you’re being too harsh.”
“I can be even harsher. What do you mean you’ll take care of it yourself? You’ll be kicked out of that body soon, anyway.”
He was surprised that I knew, and his expression froze for a moment. Then, he crooked his lips and smiled slyly. “If I lost, it’s right that I should pay the price. I don’t have any complaints. I don’t have anything that I want to do left anyway.” I stared at him. He had been brazenly holding my gaze, but then he finally scratched his temple and turned away. “Is that all you have to say?”
“Um……I’m sorry for acting so mean all this time. I’m also very sorry for how everything turned out even though you saved me by moving my soul into a soulstone.”
“And?”
“This is the world that you have to live in, and I kind of messed it up a bit. I’m sorry for that too.”
“……”
He glanced at me and opened his mouth again. “The day I met you for the first time, it was a mistake to kick you out. I shouldn’t have done that, I was really wrong.”
This irritable guy was apologizing. I was so bewildered that I didn't know what to say. Because the words I wanted to hear from Zero weren't like this. “I kept regretting it, but I was too proud to apologize. I just acted stupid.”
The guy who had little to say besides making cynical remarks was rambling, as if he knew this was his last chance. “It was really pathetic if I think about it now. But please understand. You know best that my personality is twisted.”
“So, is that all?”
“……I think I’ve said all I have to say.” He tilted his head and smiled. “Ah, that’s right. Take care, and be happy. Eat a lot of good food, too.”
That idiot still wasn’t saying what he really needed to say. And yet, what was he so proud about, that he was patting my head? “Do you really want to die?”
When I glared at him menacingly, he slowly removed his hand. “You’re being harsh, even though it’s my last moment.”
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