chapter 196
Let’s go
40 days.
If it was short, it was short, and if it was long, it was long.
During that time, I focused solely on training myself.
Sleep is minimal,
Training intensity and volume are maximised.
He poured all the elixir that had been stored in the Master’s subspace down his throat without sparing any effort.
I didn’t think about side effects. I just took it to get the maximum effect in the shortest amount of time.
When my physical strength reached its limit or my mental strength was weakened, I thought of my teacher and worked my body hard again.
‘You can get it back.’
A glimmer of hope that may be foolish.
Defeat the evil spirits and achieve peace in the world.
If you open the door to destiny, you may be able to get your master back.
Relying on that small hope, I devoted myself solely to my training.
The effort and will filled with blood, sweat, and tears, as well as the memories of a past life that I personally experienced, all came into play.
Knowledge and experience of Berheim.
I tried to digest everything, and I was able to really make everything mine.
Berheim, my past life.
And more than that.
—-
He devoted himself to training for 40 days, refusing visits from everyone, including his close friends.
However, that doesn’t mean I was completely cut off from the world.
About 30 minutes a day.
I communicated with my acquaintances through telecommunications devices.
The news of my acquaintances was also news, but the real reason I communicated with them was to periodically check the movements of the evil spirit.
It is said that the evil spirit is believed to have taken up residence in the Demon Realm.
The basis is the geometrically increasing number of monsters.
According to Professor Dian, the number is estimated to be over 100,000, and several strong individuals that have never been seen before have been captured.
With the momentum to plunge the continent into despair at any moment, it is said that all the kingdoms on the continent have entered emergency mode, formed an alliance, and set up camp near the Demon Realm.
The reason why the evil forces are only staying in the Demon Realm is probably because of the contract made between the Master and the evil spirit.
Perhaps, once the time promised by the evil spirits had passed, they would have dyed the continent in despair without a moment’s hesitation.
To stop this, I had to find that damned devil and destroy his very existence before that happened.
That is, I have to find the evil spirit and kill it by getting through the 100,000 or so demons in the Demon Realm.
“It would be difficult to do it alone.”
Of course, no matter how strong I became, it was impossible to fight 100,000 monsters and clear the path alone.
Well, given the current situation, it’s not like it’s impossible.
In order to deal with the evil spirit who had regained his full power, it was necessary to conserve as much strength as possible before reaching him.
-“Okay. Let’s call everyone.”
So I told Professor Dian, I’m coming down today, and to call all the key people in by noon.
I was thinking of asking them to please give me strength, since I was going to go to the evil spirit.
—-
Early morning.
I came down from the mountain earlier than the appointed time.
Before meeting people, for some reason I wanted to walk around the academy.
“It looks good.”
Destruction or peace.
For a world that stands at a crossroads of two extremely polar opposites, the scenery of the Academy, which I came down to after a long time, was very peaceful.
The building and background are exactly as I remember them.
People still walking around the academy.
Of course, it was different from before in that the topic of conversation they had included ‘the devil’, but even so, the scenery of the academy gave me an inexplicable sense of peace.
“I···.”
If the evil spirit is not defeated, all of these will be tainted with despair.
As I walked around with those thoughts in mind, memories of the many things I experienced here and the many people I met came to mind.
It wasn’t a long time, but it was full of meaning.
I have breathed in that time and space, and I want to continue to live in that time and space. That earnest wish urges my steps.
Then, the footsteps suddenly stopped.
-Kang!
“oh···?”
What stopped me in my tracks was the brisk sound of swords clashing against swords.
-Phuk!
A single sword that rises high into the air and then sinks into the floor of the training ground.
“Thank you.”
And it was the familiar face of the protagonist, who was putting his sword back into its scabbard.
“and···.”
I truly clapped my hands in admiration when I realized that the character was the original protagonist, Fran, and that the person who dropped the sword was the swordsman, Yan.
“Are you crazy?”
The moment I saw Fran, I knew.
I got stronger. I don’t know what I’ve been doing, but I got incredibly stronger.
‘It’s as good as Black Star… no, it’s above that.’
It was an unbelievable level of progress. In terms of games, it was like someone who had just left the beginner zone reaching the max level in just 40 days.
‘To that extent···.’
It’s comparable to the fight I had with the imperfect demon a while ago.
I couldn’t help but smile happily at the unbelievable development.
Is this the last time you’ve seen me like that?
“Camel···?”
Fran and Geomseong’s eyes widened as they turned to me, and their mouths fell open.
“Oh my god···.”
The black-haired man, with his mouth wide open, muttered softly.
Either way.
I felt so special towards Fran that I went straight to her.
“Fran.”
I was deeply moved. I had thought that all I had to do was prevent him from setting up a harem, but now he was planning to help me in such a dignified manner.
I was so moved by that lovely sight that I couldn’t help but let out a few loving words.
“Let’s have a go.”
—-
After Mort died, Fran, who had become the warrior of this era, worried every day.
Can I really save the world?
Can you reach my black devil?
no···.
Can I stand up straight and look straight at the source of evil?
Even after thinking about it a hundred times and worrying about it a thousand times, the conclusion was the same.
I can’t do it.
The conclusion was one of certainty. Only someone who had witnessed from afar the fight between the evil spirit that was imperfect and the friend that he had not dared to look up to could make that conclusion.
The vast realm that Akshin and Camel had created, and the differences between them that felt so distant.
The battle they saw that day was beyond Fran’s imagination.
And in that battle, Camel lost his power.
The evil spirit has retreated, but its power is growing in the demon realm.
This is a situation where someone has to stand up to the evil spirit.
So who should fight against that ruthless evil spirit?
No matter how much I thought about it, there was only myself.
Because the warrior of this era was none other than Fran herself.
No one can stand in the way of the evil spirit except the one chosen by the starlight.
If you do not stand up to the evil spirit, there is only one outcome.
destruction.
All things that we love, all things that need to be loved, all things that need to give and receive love will turn to dust and be stained with despair.
So from the beginning, Fran had no choice.
In order to extend the life of this world by even one second, he had to take up his sword and fight against the evil spirit.
Even if it is a tragedy with a definite ending.
Because he was a warrior whose destiny was to fight for this world.
So I swung my sword ceaselessly.
He pushed himself harder than he had ever tried.
Even though he became stronger and stronger, he was not satisfied. Instead, he used his shortcomings as nourishment and continued to swing his sword without rest.
In this way, Fran gained the strength to live up to her nickname of warrior.
Dian, the archmage from the warrior party.
Darren, the master of subspace magic.
Michelan, the leader of the Crusaders of the Holy Nation.
Yan, the Black Knight of the Continent.
Maybe even the camels that were fighting in the sky a while ago.
Enough to make sure everyone can overcome it.
That’s what it was.
-Kang!
By someone’s sword, the sword in his hand soars into the sky.
“ha ha ha···.”
A hollow laugh escapes.
The sharp blade that stopped next to the nape of my neck was so beautiful.
I thought I had caught up to some extent, but I was amazed at how far behind someone was.
A feeling of emptiness as if all your efforts have gone down the drain. A feeling of jealousy toward someone you can never reach no matter how hard you try.
Amidst all sorts of complicated feelings.
“really···.”
Sincerity seeps out between the lips.
“thank god.”
Thank you for coming back.
“How ridiculous. I think you are···”
“It’s me who is being ridiculous, you poor Fran.”
“huh?”
“What did you eat that made you so strong all of a sudden? I’m really scared.”
“I don’t think that’s something you should say.”
“Well, that’s true, but… Anyway, thank you for your hard work. Let’s go.”
I was able to be sure as I took the hand that Camel offered me.
If I’m with this friend…
I can save the world.
—-
I have witnessed countless deaths in the memory of Berheim.
Under a sky filled with darkness.
Demons and beasts fill the field of vision.
The land is soaked with black slop, flesh, and red blood.
Those who were willing to give up their lives there and burn their last souls had only one goal.
The warrior, Berheim, clears the way for the evil spirit to reach him.
Berheim took heavy steps, using their deaths and courage as a stepping stone.
As the scenery in sight changed little by little, the fate of countless people met its end.
I know because in my memories I was also Berheim.
What were Berheim’s feelings hidden beneath the mask of his stern expression?
A pain that feels like your heart is collapsing and your mind is being torn to pieces.
How can someone who has not experienced it express that pain in words or writing?
That’s why I hesitated.
Asking my loved ones to pave the way for me, a path filled with screams and blood.
And the question was.
Do I really have the right to demand that death be taken for granted by those who are still alive?
So, I was hesitating and mumbling in front of the people gathered, which was uncharacteristic of me.
That’s what it was.
Professor Dian, standing in front of people making various expressions as if he found my appearance funny, raised the corners of his mouth and said.
“Have you been mute all this time? Why are you playing with clay with your lips like a cripple in front of everyone? Are you showing off your new talent or something?”
“···.”
“Let’s go quickly, we don’t have much time.”
Professor Dian looked back and continued.
“Everything is ready.”