Six Rose, leader of the Rose Knights.
Regal Vagos, watching from afar as she was defeated in battle, couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
'That incompetent bitch. She was so confident that she could handle him alone.'
He had been watching their fight intently ever since it began.
If Six won, he had to stop her from killing the barbarian before she could land the final blow.
A peaceful death was a luxury Bjorn Yandel didn't deserve.
His plan was to turn him into his subordinate through [Enslavement] and make him suffer for the rest of his life.
If he was unlucky enough to die before that, he would at least absorb his soul and gain his abilities.
'Well, this isn't a bad outcome either.'
He discreetly retreated from the front lines, pretending to be engaged in battle.And then he headed towards the spot where they had fallen.
Step, step.
The distance between them quickly closed.
'It would be interesting to turn him into my subordinate and use him against them.'
He was thinking about the possibilities as he approached...
"Regal... Vagos..."
A faint, trembling voice called out to him.
And then...
Whiiiish!
A sharp whistling sound pierced the air.
Clang!
He quickly turned and deflected the arrow with his sword.
Standing in the direction the arrow had come from was a fairy, her bow drawn, her eyes fixed on him.
"...So it was you."
One of the Seven Strengths.
Erwen Fornachi di Tersia, the Blood Spirit Marquis.
Lick.
Regal Vagos instinctively licked his lips, a familiar habit... but he couldn't shake off the strange sense of déjà vu.
'Why does she look so familiar? I feel like I've seen her somewhere before...'
Of course, that wasn't important right now.
_________________________
Reality is different from the tragedies you see in stories.
It doesn't rain, thunder doesn't roar, and revolutions don't erupt.
It was just an ordinary afternoon, like any other.
[Erwen, if you keep misbehaving, the scary barbarian will come and get you!]
My mother scolded me as usual.
[Honey, that's enough. She understands.]
My father was always kind and gentle.
[Waaaaaaaah!]
My younger sister cried incessantly.
[Daria... where did she go again?]
My mischievous older sister had just returned home at dawn and was still asleep.
Everything was normal.
Until...
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
[Who is it?]
My father went to the door instead of my mother, who was busy with housework.
And that's when the tragedy began.
[A... a Dragonkin...? What are you doing here...? Gah—!]
[I need fame, and fairies are the easiest to kill.]
[Aaaaaaaaah!]
[M-Miriane! Take the children and run!]
While my father tried to stop him, my mother grabbed us and ran.
But we didn't get far.
He caught up to us.
And...
[Please... take my children and run.]
[...I understand, sister.]
[Thank you... you're a good brother.]
We were saved by my uncle, who happened to be passing by.
My mother had sacrificed herself to protect us, just like my father.
But we were lucky.
Over a thousand fairies died that day.
I had my sisters.
That's why I could endure.
But...
[That young lady is fated to follow in your footsteps.]
My older sister died.
[Big sister... is she really gone?]
It was my fault.
My relationship with my younger sister became strained.
But I could still endure.
[Listen to me. I'm your guardian now.]
He protected me, risking his life.
He helped me up when I was about to fall.
But reality was cruel.
[So... Bjorn is really dead?]
When I realized that he was gone too...
I couldn't control my emotions.
Why did I have to lose everything?
Why did the little happiness I had found crumble so easily?
The answer was simple.
Because I was weak.
Because I needed to be protected.
Because they protected me, but I couldn't protect them.
[The process of obtaining the power of a pureblood is much more gruesome than you can imagine. And it's not something you can achieve just by wanting it.]
I wanted to become stronger.
I had nothing left to protect.
I wanted to make them feel the pain of loss.
The ones who had taken everything from me.
[Dicloe, the Dark Spirit King...]
That dark emotion gave me strength.
And I used that strength to take revenge.
They called me a bloodthirsty maniac.
But my nature hadn't changed.
Tremble, tremble, tremble...
My hands were shaking.
"Regal... Vagos..."
I knew.
If I stayed here, I would lose everything again.
But my body was frozen with fear.
"...!"
I couldn't let that happen.
Not again.
[You said that even if I couldn't use my bow or summon spirits, I could still protect myself.]
I remembered my sister's words and drew my dagger.
Step.
I took a step forward, my body moving on its own.
Swish!
I swung the dagger, my movements fluid and precise.
"A bowman attacking with a sword?"
He chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery.
I couldn't use my spirit anymore.
I had used Ertes, the scout's [Harmony] ability to convert my Soul Power into natural energy so I could support Bjorn Yandel.
I had a bit of natural energy left, but it wasn't enough to summon a spirit.
'Just one dagger...'
My sister had taught me how to use it.
Back then, I didn't understand why I had to learn such a thing...
[Listen. Even if you can't use your bow or summon spirits, you can still protect yourself.]
Now I understood.
I was always the one being protected.
"...You pathetic bitch."
He charged at me, his sword drawn.
I stood my ground, my eyes fixed on him.
My heart was calm.
"Haa..."
I couldn't use my spirit anymore.
I couldn't rely on Bjorn Yandel.
So...
"I'll protect him."
I made up my mind.
I wouldn't rely on anyone anymore.
_________________________
"Give up, and it becomes easier."
It's a common saying you often see on the internet.
The self-deprecating nuance is a bit uncomfortable, but the meaning itself is true.
「Regal Vagos has cast [Fear Brand].」
Give up, and it becomes easier.
Just like you don't get hurt if you don't expect anything.
You can quickly draw the line on things you can't do and protect yourself.
Yes, just like right now.
「Strong Mental Power.」
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia resists [Fear Brand].」
The moment you let go of your burdens, an unparalleled comfort washes over you.
The annoying noises fade away, and the tormenting pain is replaced by a warm darkness that embraces your body.
A comfort that feels like returning to childhood.
Sometimes, this darkness is more comfortable than the most brilliant light.
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has taken damage.」
Of course, I wasn't always like this.
I was an ordinary kid who admired heroes.
「Regal Vagos roars fiercely.」
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia roars even louder, refusing to back down.」
But at some point, I started to dislike hero stories.
They were stupid.
Why should I sacrifice myself for others?
That question changed my way of life.
It became easier, and I became stronger.
But...
「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Asura's Fury].」
「Critical Hit.」
「Eight Rose has been slain.」
When did it all begin?
「[Bleeding] is ongoing.」
「Warning: Character's HP is below 5%. Immediate treatment is required to prevent death.」
A new question arose.
「Titana Akuraba shouts, urging her comrades to save their fallen ally.」
「Periton Eriabosti has cast [Salvation].」
「Bogus Lichmont casts [Opposing Darkness].」
「Divine intervention has been nullified by the power of the Evil God.」
Maybe it was a mental defect that came with being a barbarian.
「Melend Kaislan moves to rescue his comrade.」
「Ann Parbella breaks formation and intercepts the knight.」
But one thing was certain.
「Powerful Lucky Strike.」
「Ann Parbella has been slain.」
「The priest of the Evil God, having lost his lover, is enraged.」
I didn't want to give up anymore.
Not just my life, but everything else as well.
「Bogus Lichmont casts [Flesh Offering].」
「Right arm sacrificed. Next spell's power increased by 5 times.」
「Bogus Lichmont casts [Corpse Flower].」
Desire bloomed.
「Melend Kaislan has been critically injured and is incapacitated.」
Even if it meant getting hurt.
An intense desire I could no longer ignore.
「Powerful Misfortune.」
「Punishment - Equivalent Exchange activated.」
「50% of the damage inflicted by Bogus Lichmont is reflected back to him.」
But...
「The priest of the Evil God, sensing his imminent death, screams in despair and hatred.」
What was I doing?
「Bogus Lichmont casts [Flesh Offering].」
「Left arm sacrificed. Next spell's power increased by 5 times.」
「Bogus Lichmont casts [Flesh Offering].」
「Both eyes sacrificed. Next spell's power increased by 5 times.」
「Bogus Lichmont casts [Flesh Offering]...」
「...」
The sounds are distant, the pain is dull.
The surroundings are dark and lonely.
「Bogus Lichmont summons [Executioner].」
「Ravienniastorous has been critically injured and is incapacitated.」
「Sven Parab is inflicted with [Fear].」
I feel like I've forgotten something.
「Strong Mental Power.」
「Sven Parab resists [Fear].」
「Sven Parab breaks formation and blocks Executioner's attack.」
「Sven Parab shouts for help, his body drenched in sweat.」
I try to remember.
「Amelia Rainwales makes a decision after deep contemplation.」
「She chooses to attack Regal Vagos instead of Executioner.」
「Sven Parab is shocked.」
What have I forgotten?
「Executioner goes on a rampage.」
「Sven Parab is incapacitated.」
「Tsuon Iribun has been slain.」
「Liris Marone clenches her fist and makes a decision.」
「Liard Ashid grabs her wrist and shakes his head.」
There was something I had to do.
「Liard Ashid casts the 7th-grade mental magic [Thought Acceleration].」
「Liard Ashid casts the 6th-grade acceleration magic [Mana Amplification].」
「Liard Ashid casts the 8th-grade magic [Heart Acceleration]...」
「...」
I had vowed never to repeat it.
「Liard Ashid unleashes a barrage of spells.」
「Executioner screams in pain, having taken significant damage.」
Ah, my head hurts.
「Liard Ashid's mana is depleted.」
「Liard Ashid smiles, entrusting the rest to his comrades.」
In the ensuing silence.
「Liard Ashid has been slain.」
Familiar faces flash before my eyes like fading memories.
「Gruold Aldidi moves towards Sven Parab.」
「Sven Parab shakes his head, refusing treatment.」
I close my eyes.
「Gruold Aldidi starts running.」
「Manua Repeles casts [Wind Pressure].」
「Gruold Aldidi is critically injured.」
「Amelia Rainwales inflicts heavy damage on Manua Repeles.」
I know I have to open my eyes.
「Gruold Aldidi moves forward.」
But I've done enough.
「Gruold Aldidi moves forward.」
This is my limit.
「Gruold Aldidi moves forward.」
But...
「Gruold Aldidi stops.」
Why?
「Gruold Aldidi casts [Blood Transfusion].」
Thump!
「Character is healed.」
「Character is healed.」
「Character...」
A warm energy embraces my fading body.
「Character's HP has recovered above 1%.」
「Countdown stopped.」
And I realize.
Thump!
It's already too late.
「Character awakens from [Unconsciousness].」
I can't stop now.
_________________________
I open my eyes.
The first thing I see is Didi.
"Y-you're awake... Thank goodness..."
He's looking down at me, his chest heaving.
The stench of blood fills the air.
My gaze falls to his body.
"Didi..."
"Ah, this...? I got hurt a little on the way here."
He tries to hide his abdomen with his hand.
It's a futile effort.
It's not a wound you can hide with your hand.
"We need to heal you—"
He cuts me off.
"It's impossible."
"...?"
"Saving you from that rockfall was my last act. We're out of potions, aren't we?"
I don't understand.
"Why... why did you...?"
"Parab... he told me to save you first. He said he could endure it."
Didi smiles.
"Everyone knows... that if you die, it's over."
"..."
"Yandel... listen to me..."
He coughs up blood and doubles over, but he still has something to say.
"The only one who can make our deaths meaningful... is you. Only you. I can't do it. So..."
I can't accept his words.
What does he mean by 'meaningful death'?
There's only meaning in living.
But...
"You have to survive."
Didi says, his voice weak but firm.
"You... are a giant, aren't you?"
A giant.
The title I earned after that bloody battle in the Crystal Cave.
"You're the only one who can carry the burdens of those who died here today... You're the only one who can keep moving forward..."
"Didi... I'm not a giant..."
"Don't be so weak. You can do it."
"..."
"I... I wanted to avenge my granddaughter... I wanted to die, but I couldn't... That's why I'm here... Because I believed in you... I believed that you could do it..."
I can't speak.
"So..."
It feels like a thousand-ton boulder has been placed on my shoulders.
"No matter what anyone says... you're a giant."
Didi's life fades away.
Clench.
I clench my fists, suppressing the urge to scream.
I'm not a giant.
I'm just an ordinary person who wants to live.
Why are they doing this to me?
I want to shout and lash out.
But...
"...Don't worry."
That's not what I should be saying right now.
I meet his gaze and speak.
"I'll do everything you wanted to do. I'll avenge your granddaughter. I swear on this warrior's heart."
I sound confident, but I'm not.
Can I really keep this promise?
But Didi doesn't seem to care.
"Yes... that's enough... for me..."
He smiles, his eyes closing.
"You... you'll become a giant..."
"What are you talking about? You just said I was already a giant..."
"..."
There's no answer.
And there never will be.
So...
Swoosh.
I get up.
What happened while I was unconscious?
I look around, and the battlefield is a mess.
Bodies litter the ground, crushed by ice and rocks.
A giant monster lies dead in a corner.
The stench of death fills the air.
Only six of us are still standing.
Clank!
Amelia is fighting the bald pugilist, Repeles.
"Vagos! The barbarian is awake!"
A mage, one of the Noark backliners.
And...
"Kill her first...!"
The Dragonslayer, wielding his sword.
Erwen, her body battered and bruised, is fighting him with a single dagger.
"Mister...!"
Erwen finally notices me and turns her head.
It's a fatal mistake.
You can't afford to be distracted in battle.
「Cale Elbad Jeneger casts [Earth Spike].」
A black spear shoots out from the mage's hand.
It's the same 2nd-grade skill that killed Mite Million, the tank from the 2nd Team, during the teleportation.
"...!"
Erwen's eyes widen in surprise as she senses the attack.
And at the same time, my warrior instincts scream.
She can't dodge it.
It's not a premonition, it's a certainty, like knowing that a person will be thrown back if hit by a truck.
Time slows down.
Swoosh.
I bend my knees, ready to charge.
But...
"..."
My body freezes.
I'm ready to move, but something's holding me back.
Thump.
My heart sinks.
I can't help but think...
'If I block that attack...'
Will I survive?
I'm already weakened by the backlash.
Will I be able to endure even one hit in this state?
[You have to kill to survive.]
Hans A's voice echoes in my mind.
Maybe he was right.
I'm already looking for a reason to live.
[What if they're not your enemies?]
[What if they're innocent people you have to kill to survive?]
Because if I die, what will happen to Didi's sacrifice?
What about Jun?
What about the other members?
They all sacrificed themselves to get us here.
[No, what if it's your companion, the one you swore to protect?]
So... I can't be any different.
I have to make the rational choice.
The choice that will benefit everyone.
But...
Clench.
[What then?]
Can I really let Erwen die?
What about Daria?
The sister who died asking me to protect Erwen...
My mind is in turmoil.
How did I end up like this?
Good and evil are blurred, making the choice even more difficult.
It's like a tangled mess of threads, choking me.
Clench.
'Damn it...'
I don't know anymore.
I'll do what I want.
So...
[...You... you'll become a giant...]
I'm sorry, Didi.
But I'm a barbarian.
And if I'm really the giant you believed in...
'I won't hesitate to sacrifice myself.'
I push off the ground.
A moment of hesitation, followed by a burst of speed.
Swoosh!
"...!"
"...!"
Our eyes meet.
The Dragonslayer is watching us, his expression filled with surprise.
Clank!
Amelia is too busy fighting to notice.
And in that brief moment...
Whiiiish!
The black spear shoots towards Erwen.
But my mind is surprisingly calm.
I'm not giving up.
If I focus and avoid the vital points, I can endure even one hit in this state—
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Elemental Barbarian].」
...What?
「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia offers a [Contract] to the character.」
A familiar sensation flows through our intertwined hands.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter