Book 1 Chapter 298
298
Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gang-!
“Hmph!”
Dweino put strength into his entire body, seeing the shockwave rise like a wave before his eyes.
A vein popped out on his forehead!
Leo threw himself, hiding behind Dweino.
Ku-ga-ga-ga-ga-gang-!
A storm of shockwaves hit Dweino head-on.
“Hryaahhh!”
Dweino, using his battle-axe as a shield, endured the storm of shockwaves.
As the shockwaves subsided, Dweino re-gripped his axe and was about to lower his stance to charge Gias.
Stop-!
Dweino’s movement stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
Leo, who had been looking puzzled, also changed his expression.
Thump-! Thump-!
Gias also stopped walking and looked towards Gardsron.
-Hehehe.
Dweino re-gripped his battle-axe, watching Gias burst into laughter.
“That’s an unpleasant laugh.”
-Leo Flobe.
Gias’s gaze turned to Leo.
-You said it, didn’t you? That you’re the biggest variable in the plan I made? Yes, I admit it. I didn’t anticipate your existence. And you’re bothering me more than I expected. I’ll commend you for that.
Leo frowned at the sudden words.
-I don’t know how you got in here. This world hasn’t been dungeoned yet.
‘It’s not a hero dungeon?’
Hero Dungeon.
A phenomenon where an unstable Hero Record goes berserk, engulfing the surrounding area.
It is a side effect caused by Erebus being sealed within the Hero Record.
A rampage caused by pages corrupted by Erebus’s power.
Leo had thought until now that Dweino’s world was a hero dungeon created by such a rampage.
But apparently, it’s not.
‘If Dweino’s Hero Record wasn’t corrupted by Erebus’s power… then the Hero’s World must have been activated because Eiran touched it.’
Berkia was clearly one of the main figures in this world.
Because Berkia truly entered the battlefield after the Siege of Gardsron.
Eiran, a descendant of such Berkia.
And because Eiran possessed the Erquinnt that Leo handed over, Eiran must have become the key.
‘Then… how did this guy get in here, exactly?’
-Aren’t you curious? The reason I could enter this unpleasant world?
Gias’s eyes flashed.
-There was the guidance of a great god.
“What?”
-The gods bestowed upon me the key to enter this world. And now, the gods have awakened from their long slumber and opened their eyes.
Grin-
Gias laughed, revealing his disgusting teeth.
-It doesn’t matter if you become a variable. This place will be your tomb, and this world will burn and disappear. Hahahaha!
Dweino spoke at Gias’s mockery.
“Return to Gardsron.”
-Whether you go or not, the result will be the same.
Thump-!
Gias’s gigantic foot blocked the path to Gardsron.
-Do you think I’ll let you do as you please?
At those words, Dweino made a bored expression and pulled back his battle-axe as if loading it.
Hwoooosh! Crack-!
-Gah?!
“Your opinion is none of my business, Gias.”
The battle-axe, spinning at an incredible speed, flew and pierced Gias’s ankle.
“I told this friend to return to Gardsron after seeing him. That means I will make it happen, no matter what you do.”
Thump-!
Gias, whose ankle was severed, lost his balance and collapsed to the ground.
Taking advantage of that opening, Leo leaped towards Gardsron at tremendous speed.
-Do you think I’ll let you get away with this?!
Gias swung his free arm at Leo.
Whoosh-!
Dweino charged furiously towards Gias’s palm.
Clang-!
Gias’s hand, aiming for Leo, was deflected by Dweino’s body slam.
-Bastard!
An enraged Gias struck Dweino with his other hand.
Whoosh! Clang-!
Dweino, struck by Gias’s hand, was slammed into the ground at incredible speed.
A deep crater was created.
Kwang-!
But Dweino, emerging through the crater, flew straight and headbutted Gias’s chin.
-Ugh?!
Gias, who was trying to stop Leo, staggered and fell to the ground.
Thud-!
Dweino, landing on the ground, said.
“Didn’t I tell you? That you would have no choice but to let that friend go.”
Kugugugung-!
His severed ankle healed, and Gias got up.
-Useless struggles…
Kwoong-!
Gias stood up.
A size like a giant mountain.
He looked down at the dwarf, the smallest of all races.
Dweino raised his head and looked at the endlessly tall Gias.
-The flame of the god will eventually burn everything.
Gias raised the Yormungand’s corpse sword.
-It will burn endlessly until everything is reduced to ashes. No matter how much you struggle, your fate… the fate of the world will not change.
Gias’s eyes flashed.
-You and your comrades… all things are ultimately destined to burn and disappear.
“You speak so confidently. For all that, the future seems to shine brightly, though.”
At Dweino’s words, Gias’s eyes trembled.
-You…
“Does that not mean… our expedition was successful?”
Dweino burst into mad laughter.
“I don’t know what you crawled into this distant past to change.”
Dweino’s eyes flashed.
“Your future won’t change.”
-Speak as much as you like. I will not lend an ear to the words uttered by a specter of the past.
Veins began to swell on Gias’s body.
-And this fight, too, will begin from now on.
‘Is it Authority?’
Giant King Gias’s Authority, Berserker.
The moment Berserker is activated, all power surges, transforming him into a destructive fiend bent on pure annihilation.
It was Gias, in his Berserker state, who ultimately destroyed Dweino’s hometown.
‘The drawback is… the loss of reason.’
A gigantic body, in other words, is also a gigantic target.
No matter how formidable its defense, it will eventually crumble under continuous attacks.
That colossal physique granted Gias immense destructive power, but it also became the driving force that made him excessively wary of everything.
A monster that destroys everything indiscriminately was, in a sense, prey with many vulnerable spots.
Truly an Authority like a double-edged sword.
‘This time, I will cut off this persistent ill-fated connection.’
***
Thud-!
Returning to the walls of Gardsron, Leo witnessed the situation before him and his face hardened.
Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gak-!
Within the burning black flames, Arion was seen engaging in a fierce sword fight with a demon made of black flames.
Wham-!
Arion’s kick lodged into the demon’s abdomen.
Clang-!
The demon’s body, flying at invisible speed, was slammed into the city wall.
Arion, baring his teeth, rushed forward to the demon and raised his hand.
Kwa-ga-gak-!
Sharp claws tore apart the flame demon.
Ting! Ting! Changleung-!
As the demon’s body scattered into flames, a piece of iron at its center fell out.
Leo’s gaze was captured by the melted iron piece.
He felt a familiar aura.
The only artifact Dweino considered a masterpiece.
The only sword in this world made for all classes.
The sword Dweino gave Kyle, meaning to open the way to the future.
“Posteritas.”
In the final struggle with Erebus.
Posteritas fulfilled its duty and was broken in two.
It wasn’t broken.
The tip of the sword, which had melted and embedded itself in Erebus’s body, had fallen off.
After that, the whereabouts of the remaining half were unknown.
Kyle closed his eyes, having exhausted his strength.
The hilt, which Kyle had held until the very end, was recovered by dwarves much later.
They thought the other parts had melted and disappeared.
But… in a state where even its form was barely left, it was now in this Hero’s World.
‘The gods bestowed upon me the key to enter this world. And now, the gods have awakened from their long slumber and opened their eyes.’
Gias’s words from a moment ago came to mind.
At that moment.
Flash-
A dark red eye appeared from the sword.
That repulsive dark red eye looked towards Leo with clear hatred.
Seeing that eye, Leo felt goosebumps all over his body.
He had seen that eye before.
A singular will.
Hate-filled animosity towards Leo.
It was the same as Erebus’s eye he had seen for a fleeting moment right after the entrance exam.
Whoosh-!
Flames erupted from the fragment of Posteritas, once again taking human form.
But this time, the opponent it faced was none other than Leo.
Whoosh-!
At that moment, Ar, seizing an opening, flew in and aimed for the demon’s flank.
Thwack-!
“Oh?!”
A magic spell, activated instantly, blocked Ar’s attack.
And with that…
Wooong-!
As a summoning circle emerged, monsters poured out.
Hideous monsters opened their maws, trying to bite Leo’s nape.
Kwa-ga-ga-gak-!
A silver aura swirled, and Eiran sliced off the monsters’ necks.
“Lord Leo! Are you alright?”
“…I’m alright.”
It was when Leo’s face hardened.
“Stop reviving and just die already!”
With a furious voice, Lunia’s red flames enveloped the demon.
But the demon broke through the flames.
Ar and Eiran swung their claws and swords to stop the demon.
But even as its body was being torn apart, the demon’s sword aimed at Leo.
Leo’s eyes grew cold.
Wham-!
Suddenly, a head floated in the air.
Leo drew his sword and sliced the demon’s neck.
“How unpleasant.”
He realized.
This was Erebus’s consciousness.
‘Is this how it entered this world?’
The remnants of consciousness left by Erebus.
The lingering consciousness, dormant at the tip of Posteritas’s sword, had awakened for some reason.
And it had summoned Gias.
The remnants of consciousness, having entered the Hero’s World, were affected by its past self existing in this world, gradually regaining power and awakening.
‘And it read the memories within Posteritas and took on that form?’
Leo’s face hardened at the completely unexpected situation.
‘I need to deal with this quickly.’
The moment kindling touches dying embers.
The embers flare up again.
Now it’s just a small spark, but little by little, it will turn into a massive blaze.
It was when Leo gritted his teeth.
Whoosh-!
As a magic circle appeared in the air, a boy emerged.
It was a boy Leo also knew.
‘Zers.’
In the past, he was a Dragonian boy who lost his life in the Siege of Gardsron.
“Ah, Lord Arion! From the west of Gardsron…! The, the Giant King and his army have appeared…!”
“What?”
Arion’s eyes filled with shock.
Not just Arion.
Everyone who heard the report turned pale.
“W-wait! Lord Dweino is stopping the Giant King right now! So why is the Giant King appearing again?!”
An elven sorcerer shouted in an urgent voice.
“E-even if you say that, I don’t really know why…!”
Zers looked helpless.
The future Gias was being fought by Dweino.
The appearance of the past Gias was within the expected range.
But Erebus’s consciousness was not.
It was too desperate.
‘Should I defeat this guy and quickly go to the west entrance? But if the west entrance collapses in the meantime…’
Leo gritted his teeth.
They were short-handed.
What Leo alone could handle was only within the expected range.
That expectation was broken, and things had gotten too big.
“Lord Arion! Everyone! Hurry to the west!”
It was when Zers stamped his feet anxiously.
Whoosh-wooosh-wooosh- KABOOM!
“Kyaaaak!”
“W-what is it?! Is it an attack?!”
Something flew from Gias’s direction and slammed into the city wall.
Amidst everyone’s panic, Dweino emerged through the dust.
“Ahem! That hurts!”
Pat, pat-!
He spoke calmly, dusting himself off, but his appearance was a mess.
Dweino looked at the black flames that had started to flare up again, then narrowed his eyes and asked Leo.
“What is that?”
“…It seems to be… a fragment of Erebus.”
“A fragment, you say.”
It was when Dweino stroked his chin.
“L-Lord Dweino! Another Giant King Gias and his army have appeared in the west!”
“Is that so?”
Dweino’s eyes sank.
Dweino sighed deeply and said.
“Arion, you block those guys in the west. Leo. You assist Arion.”
At those words, Arion hesitated.
“Then what about Erebus?”
“If we leave it on the city wall, it will be a big hindrance to the battle, so we have to get rid of it.”
“Get rid of it? Where to?”
“Where else?”
Dweino charged and re-gripped his axe, then struck Erebus’s consciousness with its side.
Clang-!
With a tremendous sound of striking metal, Erebus’s consciousness was sent flying and slammed into the interior of the city.
Kwa-ga-gang-!
Buildings collapsed, raising thick dust.
“That will have to be dealt with inside the city.”
At those words, Defeser said.
“The dragons and I will deal with it.”
“No, you all block the Giant King’s army that appeared in the west.”
Dweino glanced- at Erebus’s consciousness.
“That will be Berkia, Lunia, Ar, Eiran, Driana. And Karl. You all block it.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood.”
Ar answered energetically, and Lunia cracked her knuckles, glaring in the direction of Erebus’s consciousness.
Watching them, Leo approached Dweino and said softly, just loud enough for him to hear.
“It’s dangerous.”
Leo said.
“You know its power, don’t you? Even if I join the members you’ve chosen now, it will be overwhelming!”
The power of Erebus’s consciousness, which had begun to flare up in a short period, was formidable.
Enough to instantly overturn the tide of the battlefield Leo had predicted.
It was, quite literally, a desperate variable.
It was true that the six people Dweino chose were strong.
But they were still incomplete vessels of heroes.
It was too reckless to ask them to face the immensely powerful consciousness of Erebus.
“Even so, I cannot let you deal with it. Arion will need you.”
“Even so…”
“There’s no other way. It’s a dead end.”
Dweino looked calmly into Leo’s eyes and said.
It was when Leo clenched his fist.
“So trust.”
“…What?”
“I mean, trust the future you chose.”
“…!”
“From what I see, those children are ready to face trials.”
Dweino looked at Leo with calm eyes.
“They can sufficiently become the support to uphold your back. So trust them.”
Leo turned his head to look at his friends preparing for battle.
“You can’t carry it alone forever, can you?”
“…”
Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“I haven’t lived my life in vain.”
“Hmph. Even Lysinas comes to me for life advice.”
“Lysinas?”
“Yes. Though it’s closer to complaints because of some idiot’s idiotic acts.”
Leo let out a hollow laugh at Dweino’s scathing remark.
Dweino looked at Gias, who was rampaging madly.
“Then, shall we begin round two?”
***
Thump-! Thump-!
Everyone who came to the western city wall was terrified by the horrifying sight before their eyes.
Overwhelming despair dominated their minds.
It was almost impossible for Arion alone to block the legion and its commander.
“Are we… going to end like this?”
Someone muttered with a trembling voice.
“Are we going to be annihilated like this?”
A voice full of despair was heard.
Fear is highly contagious.
And fear, once it seeps in, endlessly gives birth to new fears.
Then it happened.
Woooooooooooooooooooooo-!
A wolf’s roar echoed throughout Gardsron.
At that roar, the legion’s advance stopped.
Everyone’s eyes, which had been filled with fear, became clear.
The contagious fear vanished instantly.
The howling, which had been echoing, suddenly stopped- with a thud.
“Everyone, get ready to fight.”
A voice that was always filled with fear calmly penetrated everyone’s ears.
Thud-!
Arion, who had appeared on the city wall unnoticed, drew his sword.
Swish-!
With that, his body gradually began to change.
His fangs grew longer, and his claws became sharper.
Hair bristled all over his body.
“Today, we might end.”
Calmly… Arion, who had steeled himself, said in a quiet voice.
“But it might not be the end, right?”
Arion looked back at the heroes fighting for their lives for the future.
“We came this far because we never gave up, didn’t we? We saw hope because we didn’t give up, didn’t we?”
Arion smiled.
“So let’s gather a little more courage.”
It was not a grand speech.
Just a small encouragement to be courageous.
But.
The encouragement from the coward who stepped forward first gave strength to everyone.
“No matter how I look at it, you’re better at giving speeches than Lysinas in times like this.”
Whoosh-! Thud-!
Leo, standing beside Arion, said with a smile.
Courage surged in everyone’s eyes.
If fear is highly contagious.
Courage is also highly contagious.
“We can win.”
Leo said to Arion with conviction.
“And for that…”
Leo put his left hand into his pocket.
And between his outstretched left fingers were four colored beads: red, blue, light silver, and brown.
“I am here.”