Chapter 80 : Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Somewhere Between Coincidence and Fate (3)

The fiends that had just been chasing our party were already at a level that the Derth Mercenary Corps could not stop.

‘And they had injured members over there.’

Because there were injured members left.

Because they couldn’t abandon them.

So they must have done their best, but…

“Master.”

At Collie’s voice, I looked up.

Trophin and his party members were in shock, not saying a word.

As if trying to deny reality, their eyes were just blank.

“We really don’t have time now.”

“...I know.”

A communication came in a few minutes ago.

The news was that the construction of the defensive line was complete.

Along with the news that defeated soldiers were flocking in from all over the castle.

‘It’s good that the number of soldiers is increasing, but the Hellmorphs can’t be unaware of that. It’s only a matter of time before the east port is attacked.’

Those who can live, must live.

Those who can be saved, must be saved.

But could I really move properly in that situation?

To them, those people must have been like family.

But in the end, I grabbed Trophin’s shoulder.

“Trophin.”

“...That bastard Krom isn’t the type who couldn’t get out of there.”

Trophin’s voice echoed softly. Fortunately, it wasn’t a vacant voice.

“If he thought it was a lost cause, he would have tried to gather the remaining people and escape. His way of thinking is similar to mine.”

“...Yes.”

“But the fact that he still died might mean that it was a situation where it was difficult to survive even if they had fled from the very beginning. What on earth are these monsters… what kind of beings are they.”

A somber but calm expression.

It was clear he was forcibly suppressing his emotions.

He was still a party leader.

“The Hellmorphs will destroy the empire.”

I said.

“They are now the most threatening enemy to humanity.”

“...What can we do in front of such beings?”

“Survive.”

“What?”

“The greatest revenge against those who want to kill you is survival.”

Seeing someone trying to extinguish my flame, I too can fetch water.

But that is by no means the perfect answer.

Above all, I must protect my own flame.

If I get swept away by emotions and lose myself, isn't that fulfilling what the other person wanted most?

“What’s the point of just surviving?”

“Because we’re not just surviving.”

“...Is that so.”

Trophin smiled bitterly and turned around.

“Everyone, pull yourselves together!”

“Vice-Leader…”

“Don’t forget today. Never forget the day those bastards took our families!”

“……”

“From now on, every time we face them, we’ll remember this day. And we’ll survive and grow stronger. Got it!”

“Yes!”

Watching Trophin’s party steel their resolve once more, I quietly took the lead.

“Will they really be okay like that?”

“They won’t be.”

Gerard and Jeina were the same.

They acted like they had overcome it, but Jeina still sometimes brings up Dina and Ben.

The experience of losing a loved one is something you can never be okay with.

“But for now, they’ll be able to survive.”

Nevertheless, they will survive and learn how to become stronger.

And when that accumulates and no one dies anymore, that’s when we’ll finally see the ending of this game.

***

By the time Trophin’s party and I arrived at the eastern port, Hellmorphs were already crawling out from all directions and attacking the base.

The defeated soldiers who had filled the once-empty port were looking around with anxious eyes.

“Some familiar faces, huh?”

“It’s good to see you again.”

Gerard firmly grabbed Trophin’s hand and shook it.

“Yeah. We managed to get here somehow, but so how are we getting out?”

“Our party leader will explain the details.”

“We’re going to use an ancient artifact to create an escape route.”

I said so and looked at Tersion.

“Just in case, this information must not leak out. Got it?”

Tersion said so and took out a worn tablet from her pocket.

It was an old stone tablet engraved with a sculpture of a woman wrapped in soft cloth, embracing herself.

“How did you bring this?”

“Want to know? It’s a bit expensive.”

I could see the glint in her eyes beyond the mask.

“No.”

I immediately discarded my curiosity.

In fact, there was no need to ask. It was probably some secret elven transport magic.

“Right, as you know, it’s not an easy artifact to use. Are you still okay with it?”

“I’m fine.”

When I touched the tablet, a familiar information window popped up.

[Embrace of the Sea (Rare)]

Option: Intelligence +5

Hidden Option: Can open a portal connecting one sea to another. However, a price must be paid in proportion to the travel distance.

‘Fortunately, the effect is the same as I saw in the game.’

The defense of Condestraden was a battle I couldn't lead to victory in any of the thousands of playthroughs I attempted.

Equipment, connections, and skills were all lacking. No choice could turn the tide of the battle.

I only realized it now, but it was because it was a war that the count had given up on.

‘The best option here was just to create many survivors.’

The more people who know the terror of the Hellmorphs, the more people will question the empire that does nothing.

Doubt.

That is the first key to the true ending.

“I’m already prepared to pay the price.”

I stood straight on the seashore.

My companions gathered around me.

“The Embrace of the Sea requires a large amount of mana and time to activate. Can you protect this place until then?”

“If you need mana, wouldn’t it be better for me to use it?”

Collie asked, but I shook my head.

“The caster is the one who pays the price. It’s a job I can’t give to you.”

“What on earth is that price that makes it so?”

“A curse.”

Tersion said.

“A curse that cannot be dispelled for a certain period of time is bestowed in proportion to the distance of the portal created.”

“Wh-What did you say?”

“You might not be able to hold much mana in your body, part of your memory might be sealed, or in serious cases, the use of skills might be sealed.”

“If it’s such a dangerous artifact, shouldn’t I be the one to use it all the more?”

“No, you can only use the artifact if you know the exact method of use. The only person here who knows how to use the artifact is Artier.”

I placed my hand on Collie’s forehead.

“If I get cursed, you have to protect me. Right?”

“Master…”

Collie quietly received the petting and then suddenly returned to his wild dog form.

“Understood.”

“Did he just speak as a wolf?”

“How?”

Trophin’s party was startled and backed away.

The most intense reaction among them was, by far, from the Beastman, Simon.

“A-A Spirit Creature…”

The Beastmen were a race that revered Spirit Creatures as gods.

As if unable to stop the thrill that flowed through his blood by birth, Simon stared blankly at Collie, flushed.

“What is it? Your gaze is a bit burdensome.”

“Simon? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. Suddenly my heart…”

“What are you talking about? Get up.”

I scanned the surroundings and lightly tapped Collie’s head.

“What are you going to do if you get caught?”

“I had a feeling it would be okay with these people.”

“...Anyway, I’m counting on all of you. Until I activate the artifact, please protect this outpost.”

“This must be the only way. Understood.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll protect everyone!”

Gerard, Jeina, and Trophin’s party headed to the front together.

At the same time, a chilling scream echoed in the air, and the eastern castle wall collapsed, and the Hellmorphs began to pour in.

“The fiends are coming!”

“Hold on if you don’t want to die! It’s the end if we get pushed back here anyway!”

Smiling at the shouts of the many who naturally began to incite the crowd, I began to pour mana into the tablet.

‘In story mode, I think I chanted the spell something like this.’

“…Nurae supaj reujeochuneda.”

“My god, how on earth do you know ancient Elvish?”

Flash!

The moment Tersion was shocked, the eyes of the woman engraved on the tablet opened gently and stared at me, and the tablet floated into the air.

Astounding. That the one to open my eyes after half a century is not one of my kind, but a human.

“Is that a problem?”

Of course not. The price is equal for all. I will gladly help you.

The embracing woman unwrapped the two arms that were hugging her.

And in an instant, an enormous amount of mana began to be sucked in.

“Kugh!”

I felt dizzy.

It felt like all the thoughts in my head were being sucked in.

I forced strength into my staggering legs and held on.

The price has been received. Where do you wish to go?

It was a moment that felt like I had stayed up for three days and nights.

The entire map of the empire appeared before my eyes.

[Please select the location for the artifact’s use.]

With a trembling hand, I pointed to the southern coast of the empire.

As the price grew stronger in proportion to the distance, most of the coastal areas in the western region that I knew were not selectable.

So it is there. Your will shall be respected.

The woman closed her eyes after those words.

As she embraced herself again, the earth trembled, and a giant magic circle began to be drawn on the coast.

“What is that?”

Ten times what I had absorbed.

Perhaps even more than that, an enormous amount of mana gushed out.

“A little faster!”

I saw the Hellmorphs pouring in like a mountain and shouted urgently.

“Kraaack!”

“Dammit, we’re all going to die here! We’re going to die!”

Collie saw the mana bullets flying towards me and stacked up layers of ice walls.

The chilling sound of them pounding on the ice walls was gradually increasing.

“Artier, how much longer do you need!”

“Just a little more!”

[Magic circle forming]

[Progress: 85%]

With every small increase in the number on the information window, the smell of blood grew thicker.

Crack!

Eventually, the barricade set up at the front was shattered.

The Hellmorphs that had been crowded in a narrow space poured out all at once, and the soldiers standing there were instantly turned to pulp.

“What are the mages doing! Do something!”

“It’s no use! My mana isn’t recovering anymore!”

“Dammit! The archers!”

“We’re already shooting our bones out!”

As the corrupted mana took over the sky, the speed at which mana recovered was also slowing down.

‘I want to help.’

I could only watch as people fell all around.

There was no strength in my fists, and my mana showed no signs of recovering.

Even Collie was swatting away mana bullets with his front paws instead of putting up ice walls.

“...Still?”

“It’s done now!”

[Progress: 100%]

[Artifact is activating!]

Paaat!

Finally, when the magic circle was complete, a light shot up from beneath everyone’s feet.

As a huge wave spread out from the center of the artifact, the Hellmorphs were greatly shocked and staggered.

“Huh?”

“This is?”

The moment the surviving survivors were bewildered, the light grew stronger.

Before long, everyone who was there disappeared with the light.

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