Chapter 87

[Grrr...]

The traps planted throughout the village went off. Baring his teeth, Bensina growled at Woojin, seemingly enraged by the unexpected attack.

“So they do work.”

Here and there, the Black Dragon's soot-blackened scales were crumbling, as though melted by the flames from the traps.

[... You!!!]

-Master, what do we do now?

“Pray.”

He had now used every trap Peron had planted. They had inflicted some damage, but the Black Dragon was still going strong. And though Woojin had recovered somewhat, fighting the dragon was still beyond him.

-What?

[00 : 00]

Woojin glanced at the clock displayed in the corner of his vision. This incongruous system, out of place in virtual reality, was one of the few convenience features implemented in [Evil Tale], along with Messages.

'I can't see outside because of the Dark Zone, so I can't tell the time...'

Woojin was estimating the in-game time from the time in the real world.

'Another day has passed now.'

That made this the fourth day since the Dark Zone had engulfed Thorn Bach.

'The raid teams were wiped out, and the Black Dragon still hasn't left Thorn Bach...'

This was clearly a crisis for the continent.

'The kingdoms will act. They have to.'

“Is anyone there?!”

And just as he had expected, a voice rang out through the darkness.

BOOM! BOOM! KRA-KA-BOOM!

Golden lightning crashed noisily down from the sky, seemingly keeping Bensina at bay.

“Whew...! We've been wandering around for ages! Luckily, the explosion showed us where you were.”

Alteon came running behind the lightning and shouted as he helped support Woojin.

“Who are you...?”

“My name is Alteon, of the Third Holy See. I came with Sir Charlo to rescue you.”

Supported by Alteon, Woojin raised his head and saw a knight in thick, heavy armor before him.

“Impressive. To have survived this long against a monster like that.”

Charlo spoke without taking his eyes off the Black Dragon, his massive greatsword leveled at it.

“You needn't worry anymore. It's not just us—the knightly orders from the various kingdoms have now reached the Dark Zone.”

“That's welcome news.”

[Using Focused Eyes.]

▶ Has the same effect as Insight (Lv3) and shares the information read with the contractor.

Name: Charlo

Level: 87

Description: The level difference is 20 or greater. Detailed information cannot be viewed.

'... Level 87? They've sent an absolute monster.'

It was startling, but reassuring too.

“Alteon. Take him out of the Dark Zone. I'll hold this creature here.”

“Understood.”

“... Will you be all right?”

Charlo's level was extraordinary even for an NPC, but Focused Eyes had shown Bensina's level to be 98.

KABOOM!

The Black Dragon's tail collided with the greatsword. An immense crash sent dust billowing up.

“Hup!”

Charlo was visible through the dust. A soft golden radiance rose from his entire body.

“Don't worry. Sir Charlo brought the Immortal's Stake.”

... The Immortal's Stake?

He felt as though he had heard of it somewhere before...

“It's one of the Holy See's three great sacred treasures. They made a special exception and entrusted it to him for this battle.”

Was this the sacred treasure's effect? Charlo was holding his ground against Bensina.

“Just a moment.”

Alteon spoke, showing him the light enveloping his body.

SHHHH...!

[Using Heavenly Light.]

'Just what you'd expect... from the top-ranked priest.'

Woojin hadn't been able to hide his surprise when he heard the name Alteon. The elite priest he had only seen on the community had come to Thorn Bach in person.

A comforting warmth spread through him, and the wounds covering his body vanished completely. It truly deserved its reputation as the best healing skill currently in existence.

“We should be able to restore your severed arm if you visit the Church.”

“This is more than enough.”

His body, which had felt as heavy as lead, was light again.

“My companions are near the evacuation route. Could you help them too?”

“Of course. Let's head there.”

-Follow me!!

This time, it was Alteon who looked at Woojin in surprise as Setsuna flew ahead. He seemed to have plenty of questions about what she was, but given the urgency, he simply followed her for now.

[... Where do you think you're going?!]

Watching the two men flee, Bensina drew in a breath.

ROOOOAR!

Flames spewed from his mouth, engulfing the area.

“... O radiance.”

At that instant, light burst from Charlo's greatsword.

HISSSSS...!

Despite blocking the Black Dragon's breath with his entire body, Charlo hadn't suffered a scratch.

[Do you truly... intend to stand in my way, Apostle of Rashin?]

“Please do not escalate this any further. Many people have already died. Bensina, I implore you—why not end this here and return to your lair?”

[Escalate this...? That man seeks to reign over us. You expect me to stand idly by and watch?!]

“Even so, destroying a village and killing its people is wrong. As an Apostle... I too have a duty to fulfill.”

CLINK.

Charlo settled into his stance.

* * *

“You've come a long way. Thank you for your efforts.”

“Not at all. But... there seems to be quite a commotion inside the Dark Zone.”

Welcoming the newly arrived Zion Muren, Keldian nodded.

“Sir Charlo and the high-ranking devotee went into the Dark Zone. It seems... they've encountered the Black Dragon.”

“Now? The magic cannons don't appear to have finished charging yet...”

“There's someone inside the Dark Zone. You must have heard of him too—the Outlander fighting the Black Dragon.”

“Surely not... He's still alive?”

“Surprising, isn't it? I feel the same way.”

Keldian chuckled, as though he understood Zion Muren's reaction.

“We'll begin the operation once he's been rescued. The Holy King's Knights are already moving toward the western side of the Dark Zone... It won't be easy, but could you take the east?”

“Understood.”

Zion Muren replied as he put his cloak back on.

'Hmm. One look is enough to tell he isn't built to wield a sword. Those Blue Knights will have their work cut out for them, looking after their young lord even on the battlefield.'

Keldian thought as he looked him over.

“May I ask one question?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“On our way here, I saw golden light surrounding the Dark Zone. Our order's priest said he could sense powerful divine power from it...”

“That's right. It's from the Immortal's Stake Sir Charlo brought.”

At that moment, Zion Muren's eyes gleamed.

“He used the stake?”

“Indeed. Without it, even the Knight of Glory couldn't have entered the Dark Zone.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“In any case, take care. The eastern front is our most vulnerable point along the Dark Zone.”

GULP.

Zion swallowed involuntarily.

“You mean it's close to the Dark Zone.”

Almost as though savoring the prospect.

* * *

“Hah... Hah...”

With both arms trembling, blackened as though burned, Nissen sank to the ground.

CRACKLE...!

POP...!

At that moment, the shield he had barely managed to maintain shattered.

[SKREEEE!!!]

The Nightfolk waiting for an opening seized their chance and lunged at Nissen.

“Not a chance!!!”

BAM!

KRA-KA-CRASH!

The head of the Nightfolk about to tear into Nissen's neck split cleanly in two. Raising his sword with trembling arms, Karlan stood in front of him.

“This way!”

He hurriedly hauled the fallen Nissen up and rushed to Ruen's side.

“I've had enough of you bastards...!!!”

Lowering Nissen to the ground, Karlan swung his sword with a furious shout.

Perhaps the miasma flowing from the Dark Zone had seeped into him; the black discoloration had already reached his cheeks.

'If the miasma has reached my face...'

There was a good chance it had already spread through his whole body.

WHOOSH!

KRA-KA-CRASH!

In truth, it was a miracle he was standing at all.

[Grrk...!]

[Kyah...!!]

As though realizing Karlan was exhausted, the Nightfolk spread out and began pressuring him.

BANG!

Just then, the head of a Nightfolk aiming for his blind spot burst apart.

HISSS...

The Dark Zone's smoke swallowed the flame clinging to the arrow.

“Lady Ruen!” Karlan cried urgently.

“... Leave me behind.”

A deep chunk had been torn from Ruen's side, and her hands shook as she gripped her bow.

“What are you saying?!”

“I've been holding you both back. I can't do it any longer. I'll cover you... Please...!! Go!” she cried, her face deathly pale.

“Absolutely not!! How could I ever face Sir Khan if I did that?! If I... If only I hadn't asked him to come to the central continent...!!”

As though he no longer had the strength to hold his sword, Karlan threw it aside. He spread his arms toward the Nightfolk and shouted.

“Come on...!! Come on, you monsters!!!”

[Karlan has overcome 'Discouraged.']

[The curse weakens.]

[Stats suppressed by the curse are restored.]

[All stats +10]

[Karlan awakens the Trait: Fighting Spirit.]

Trait: Fighting Spirit

▶ Attack increases to 1.5 times its original value when Health is at 30% or below.

▶ Attack increases to 2 times its original value when Health is at 10% or below.

“Raaaaagh!!!”

Amazingly, having discarded his weapon, Karlan smashed the charging Nightfolk with nothing but his fists.

“I'll... help you.”

Nissen supported Ruen with trembling arms.

It was a desperate struggle for survival. Here, where no one was watching, they fought with everything they had to stay alive.

“... All right.”

Ruen no longer refused. Instead, she pressed a hand against the blood pouring from her wound and walked forward, one step at a time.

But she knew she wouldn't last much longer. Her vision had already turned red, warning her of death.

That was why she had agreed. As long as she lived, they would never abandon her.

'If I die...'

Their slender chance of survival would improve, however slightly.

'Master...'

As her eyes drifted shut, she thought of Woojin.

'I'm sorry. I don't think... I can obey your final order.'

He had told her to survive. That was her greatest regret now.

“... You've been through a lot.”

It happened then. A comforting warmth wrapped around her shoulders.

“...!!!”

Ruen's eyes widened. Amid her blurred vision, one face stood out with extraordinary clarity.

“... Master?”

Pure white light descended around them. In an instant, every Nightfolk attacking them turned to ash and vanished.

“You did well holding on.”

It felt like a dream. Her face twitched. She might have been smiling, or crying.

“M-Master... Your arm...”

Forgetting her own wounds, she looked at Woojin's severed arm, her voice thick with tears.

Ironically, he was doing the very same thing.

“It's all right. This is nothing.”

His voice trembled a little.

He meant it.