Part 2, Episode 168.
That’s the end.
I would rather die than admit it, but I had no choice but to accept it.
Because there were no more capitals left, nor any way to overcome this situation.
Is that why?
Crunch.
The tenacity that had bordered on a desperate struggle had vanished, and in its place, only resentment had taken its place.
Amusingly, the target of resentment was just one person.
Annihilation boasting the highest DPS.
The Empress who occupies the next position.
Astna, who still ranks 4th in contribution with just the impact of her first blow, and Astra, who led an army of ten thousand.
And Alterion, blocking Behemoth’s attacks and movements with area-of-effect CC spells.
They were all the main characters of this battlefield, but Batan’s resentful gaze was not directed at them.
Standing even further ahead than them.
Grr- click.
Hmph!
A pure white knight wielding a sword of brilliant light, and legions of skeletons and undead emitting a contrasting dark aura.
A man wearing a black mask and martial arts uniform standing in the center of them.
Kaiser… … !
Kaiser.
That guy was the root cause of everything.
It was he who persuaded the Dark Elves in the first place, and it was he who blocked their power.
Even now, aren’t you parrying all the tricky patterns?
And yet, since he is fulfilling the role of a top-tier dealer, the author could be considered the enemy who contributed the most to this defeat.
“I was wrong. I should have killed that guy first, not his accomplices.”
If he couldn’t kill him, he should have at least used the debuff from Agerina, his second-in-command and guardian.
Batan, who had been gritting his teeth and showing his anger, soon fell silent.
What is the point of regretting it now?
Nothing had changed, and he had been defeated.
Even Behemoth, who seemed like he would never fall, has fallen, so it is truly only a matter of time before his heart is destroyed.
If the heart is destroyed, one’s consciousness also goes out.
Having renounced mortality, one enters eternal rest where even reincarnation is impossible.
“… … I am sorry. I wanted to create the world you wished for before you came out into the world… … .”
It was the moment Batan squeezed his eyes shut.
[Hoho… …]
A voice was heard from somewhere.
[I felt an alien energy reaching over me… … So something interesting was happening outside… … .]
It was not a sound coming from outside. Rather, it seemed to be echoing in my mind… no, a feeling felt even deeper within.
It was a strange sensation that was difficult to describe, but I couldn’t be surprised by something as trivial as that.
[Kuh… Hehe… I thought I was getting a fun toy, but was this what was happening? As expected, the outside world is fun.]
The moment a spine-chilling voice, like scraping metal, rang out.
He, who had become the heart of Behemoth, felt it.
Lag Behemoth was trembling.
To think that there is a being capable of instilling such fear in a monster left with nothing but instinct, and one that was once on the throne at that.
It was beyond common sense, but Batan had no choice but to accept it.
Because he, too, was feeling a terrible terror that made his whole body tremble, just like Behemoth.
This overwhelming aura… … .
It is certain.
A being that every mortal in the world cannot help but feel instinctive revulsion and fear of.
It was definitely ‘him’.
And the moment you are certain of this.
[Hoho, recognizing me… … Hmm? This energy… … Now that I look at it, it played an interesting trick on my soul. That would be enough to make it accept me.]
What do you mean… … .
[If you want to refuse, do so. If you can, that is.]
‘… … !’
Darkness extending from somewhere deep inside Behemoth instantly enveloped his heart.
Soon, my mind went blank.
* * *
Boom!
A magnificent noise, like a giant mountain collapsing.
And the scene that actually unfolded before my eyes was a tremendous sense of pressure, far greater than that noise.
A body so massive that it is impossible to take it all in with the naked eye.
Feet spreading in all directions like octopus tentacles, disorienting the vision, and reptile-like eyes larger than an average building.
The size of the being possessing all those characteristics was immeasurable.
The sight of such a being collapsing was, in itself, a picture and a movie.
It is no wonder that the more than 10,000 people gathered here are all keeping their mouths shut as if by prior agreement.
They looked dazed, as if they could not believe the result they had created themselves.
“and…….”
What broke the silence was a single ray of admiration.
And that was the beginning.
[You have defeated the former mighty of the Abyss, ‘Rag Behemoth’.]
[It will be recorded in the Book of Adventures.]
[Achieved an unbelievable feat.]
[Acquire the title ‘Savior of Elanis’.]
… … .
As if hearing that the silence had been broken, a feast of countless message windows unfolded.
The message window was speaking.
Former Power of the Abyss, Rag Behemoth.
That the Great Cataclysm of Elanis, known as the Eye that Swallowed the Sky, has now found eternal rest.
“Waaaaaaah!”
“Fuck it, I did it! I said I did it!”
“Crazy, they actually caught this.”
“Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser! Kaiser!”
“Destroy! Destroy! Destroy! Destroy!”
“Wow! Is this the thrill of betting on the underdog? This is insane.”
As if the silence kept until now was for this.
A deafening roar echoed widely enough to engulf the entire elf village.
There was something indescribable in the shouts of ten thousand people united as one.
When the team we support wins at the baseball stadium and everyone shouts in unison.
Didn’t something seethe inside my heart? It was still so now.
“Phew, Brother Elf, that was incredible. How do you shoot arrows so well?”
“Isn’t that Kim so-and-so! You were the one who was truly excellent. Your swordsmanship was quite impressive!”
We did it!
“Ah, to think this day has come. To think I would finally resolve my grievances before I die… It is all thanks to you all.”
Even though they were NPCs, having gone through the battlefield together, they were no different from comrades-in-arms.
It was not a fleeting moment like a midsummer night’s dream.
[High Elf ‘Besiad Harb’s’ favorability increases.]
[Elf ‘Rediko’s’ affection level increases.]
[Dark Elf ‘Krandby’s’ favorability increases.]
… …
[The affection level of the Forest Tribe ‘Ugeodeun’ increases.]
[The perspective of the ‘Elf’ race toward the ‘Apostles’ changes.]
[The ‘Dark Elf’ race’s perspective on the ‘Apostles’ changes.]
[The perspective of the ‘Green Forest Race’ on the ‘Apostles’ changes.]
Because the constantly ringing notifications were conveying their sincerity.
Naturally, since it was rising above the heads of all the users here, the users are also expressing a sense of intimacy more comfortably.
And this did not stop at mere intimacy.
[All the races of Elanis will remember the help of the Apostles for the rest of their lives.]
[Affinity with the race reaches the limit.]
[A peace treaty has been concluded between the alien races of Elanis and the Apostles.]
[Elanis considers ‘humans’ to be ‘friendly relations’.]
[Established an agreement faster than the NPCs on the main continent.]
Exchange relationships with different races established in the Empire.
They succeeded in establishing a complete friendship, distinct from the previous relationship which was merely a business transaction devoid of any emotional connection.
I’ll buy you a drink when I get back.
“Phew! This is good.”
Let’s really go all out today.
Now that the strange distance that was unconsciously felt when interacting with users from other races has disappeared.
Now I felt as comfortable as a neighborhood neighbor.
Jihada, who was watching the scene, muttered as if surprised.
Wow, people who can make expressions like that… … no, they were elves.
-Rizarija?
-Huh? You said he was always like that with Eliza? … … That’s because it’s Eliza. Phew, filthy lookism… … .
-Liza?
…More importantly, Charlie looks so relieved? Are you finally free of pent-up frustration?
So far, only one who deserved to die has died. I must strive even harder from now on.
Although Charlie said that, it was true that he looked much more relieved.
“Ugh, this is tough. Aren’t you tired? Why do you look so refreshed?”
“Why is it hard? It feels so good to have beaten someone up to my heart’s content for the first time in a while. When I think about what they went through, I want to beat them up more, but it feels a bit regrettable.”
“……I suppose a fighting rooster wouldn’t go anywhere.”
“Kamen…….”
“Wow, he’s praying as soon as he catches him. He’s seriously obsessed.”
Dohyeon chuckled as he watched Ast shake his head at the unchanging behavior of the Empress and the fanatic.
Seeing those scenes, it really hit me that it was the end.
However, I sympathized with the Empress’s words.
[The next realm becomes clear.]
“… … I feel like it was really just around the corner. It’s such a shame.”
It was because I was deeply disappointed that I couldn’t reach the fourth move in the end.
Was it because my competitive spirit flared up for the first time in a while and I went wild?
I felt that I had taken a big step closer to a realm that had seemed within reach but remained elusive.
I think I would have reached it if I had a little more time…
Well, the important thing is that I caught it.
It’s not like today is the only day.
At this rate, he would soon reach a high level of mastery. He was also able to clearly gauge just how much stronger he had become this time.
And it seems that wasn’t just Dohyeon.
Ast approached, shouting as if remembering something, after spotting Kaiser a step away.
“Ah! Kaiser. Hey, you’ve gotten super strong. What on earth happened when you went to meet Lucia? You were really standing there. You looked like your old self again.”
“You’re right. I was actually going to say that. I can’t guarantee anything even if you fight me now… *Sigh*, this won’t do. Let’s have a fight.”
“The raid just ended, and all you can think about is fighting again? You really are something…”
“I mean, if you don’t feel a tingling sensation at the sight of that, are you even human?”
Currently, the ones who best understand Dohyeon’s level in God of Savior are none other than his colleagues.
It was visible to those two people.
The level of growth Dohyun has shown so far is unbelievable.
The way he looks at me, pretending not to be Myeolsal while secretly staring, is ominous.
His expression was the epitome of composure, yet the peculiar light reflected in his eyes was clearly one of intrigue. Dohyeon did not avert his gaze.
“……Hey, where are you looking? I said let’s fight!”
“Heh heh, I guess that guy wants to fight someone else rather than you.”
“her.”
The Empress frowns, looking hurt in her pride.
Even that appearance boasted fatal beauty, but Dohyeon’s gaze was still fixed on Myeolsal.
The funny thing is that even Myeolsal isn’t avoiding the gaze.
Perhaps while harboring the same thought.
A strange atmosphere flowed for a few seconds, enough to make users react immediately if it hadn’t been for the boisterous festive mood.
Swoosh.
It was just when Myeolsal was about to make the first move.
“Hey, but why isn’t the clear message popping up?”
“uh?”
“Now that I think about it…?”
“I’ve been waiting for the compensation the whole time… are they still calculating it? Isn’t that taking too long?”
“Well… I noticed during World Quests that a pre-notification pops up when it’s calculating.”
“what?”
Starting with a remark made by one user, the atmosphere took an ominous turn.
At that, Myeolsal, who seemed to be approaching Dohyeon, also paused.
The expression, which had been incredibly composed, stiffened, as if sensing that something was amiss.
‘… … Come to think of it, why isn’t it showing up?’
… … Actually, isn’t Rag Behemoth dead?
No, that is not it.
Because the message that he had been eliminated clearly popped into my head.
Well, there was one guy during the Brion fight who had that crappy pattern of reviving even after the defeat message popped up…
At that time, a notification of immediate resurrection appeared.
It wasn’t that nothing happened.
Come to think of it, there was something else strange. At some point, Batan’s loud voice could no longer be heard.
It seems like it was around the time Behemoth’s health dropped below 20%…
‘… … Is this related?’
It was when Dohyeon was frowning at an inexplicable feeling of unease.
-M-Master… …something’s strange.
-Rizari… … .
-Hmm? What’s wrong with you guys?
Suddenly, Jihad and Eliza were trembling and expressing their fear.
Those two are more sensitive to mana than anyone else.
Just as Dohyun, knowing that it wasn’t just a casual remark given the years they had spent together, was about to ask what was wrong.
-Something… … I feel like something is going to appear. Something terrible.
Jihad spoke first.
“What on earth are you talking about…….”
Dohyeon was about to ask back at the voice, which was filled with more fear than ever before, but stopped and trailed off.
Jihad’s face suddenly turned pale.
As if seeing something.
And at that moment.
Pow-!!
Behind Dohyeon.
… … To be precise, it’s Lag Behemoth.
Darkness surged from his corpse, which had not yet turned to dust and scattered, engulfing the surroundings.
Ding-ding!
[Warning! An uncontrollable being is descending.]
[It is a being of overwhelming stature.]
[Get out of the way immediately.]
“……what?”
An unknown message popped into my head.
