Scout 7

He swung his greatsword.

He blocked the enemy’s attack with his shield.

Sometimes he clumsily rolled across the floor just to barely dodge a flying blade.

“Argh!”

When a lethal blade pierced his skin, a scream tore from his throat.

This story would never be told to future generations, Parav thought. The heroes in those tales were always brave and powerful. Not weak like him. And most of all—

“Kuhaha! Hey, Mr. Holy Knight! You look like you’re about to die!”

“If you were going to end up like this, why’d you bother staying behind alone?”

They were always the winners.

They survived and came back to share their stories.

Right, so…

“Alright, alright, just collapse already and rest!”

No one would be sharing his story.

And because of that.

“…Aaaaaagh!”

He could be as hideous as he wanted.

Ptooey!

He spat blood-mixed phlegm into an enemy’s eye. He staggered on his exhausted legs, and hurled the barricade furniture at them. And at the same time—

“Hey! Over there!”

“…Huh? Aagh!”

He used a childish feint and drove his sword into the enemy’s neck.

“You cowardly bastard!”

“You guys are teaming up against me,” he panted.

Surprisingly, the trick worked well.

Maybe because it was so childish.

Though after a few times, they stopped falling for it.

Heh.

Being alone came with many unexpected advantages, one of which he found more satisfying than anything else.

Badump!

Even if what he felt wasn’t courage but fear—

“Ha… I really don’t want to die like this…”

He could voice that fear aloud without worrying about anyone watching.

It wasn’t the kind of line a hero in a story would say, but so what?

He wasn’t that kind of hero.

“Just die peacefully!”

He was more afraid of dying than anyone else,

“But what can I do about it? It’d be a shame to die alone—”

“What are you muttering to yourse—!”

“So I’ll have to take you bastards with me.”

He was a petty man who hated dying alone more than death itself.

“Aargh!”

It was kind of funny.

When he fought thinking about protecting people, he hadn’t felt this strong.
But when he thought about how unfair it would be to die alone, he felt stronger.
He didn’t know why, and it didn’t matter.

“From now on, I’m your guide, you sons of bitches!”

He simply swung his sword.

[Sven Parav has activated Twilight Compass. In exchange for receiving increased damage from the rear, all outgoing damage is amplified.]

He recklessly unleashed divine spells without caring how much holy power he had left.

[Sven Parav has cast Inextinguishable Flame.]

Without hesitation, he set fire inside the temple itself.

The temple’s holy enchantment only blocked flames from outside, which meant it was vulnerable to fires started within.

Of course, it wasn’t something a holy knight should have done.

But—

‘I’m not even a Holy Knight anymore’

There was nothing left to hold him back.

Therefore…

“Argh! This… this bastard…!”

He could use techniques that were banned.

“You actually bit my ear!”

A thought crossed his mind.

When he first entered the labyrinth, a goblin had bitten his neck like this.

“Shit, that’s disgusting.”

How did dogs do this without flinching?

Ah. To survive.

Just like him.

Ptooi!

As he continued the dogfight, he had a passing thought: What was the difference between himself and a goblin?

Goblin.

A level 9 humanoid monster. It was the monster rookie explorers killed the most and the monster that killed them the most.

Goblins walked on two legs.

Goblins used tools.

Goblins fought to survive.

Goblins relied on instinct.

And—

‘Ah. This was where they differed.’

Goblins abandoned their comrades and fled when they were in danger.

Whoosh!

Before he knew it, the interior of the temple was engulfed in white flames.

Thud!

Parav was struck on the head by a club he couldn’t block and collapsed to the ground. Helpless on the floor, he was hit again.

“Tena…cious bastard…!”

The moment he got hit, his head went numb.

“Make… sure… he’s dead…!”

The words reached him in fragments.

“…It’s over.”

The moment he thought this was the end.

Through the legs of the enemies surrounding him and the burning flames, he saw the half-shattered statue of the goddess.

He suddenly grew curious.

‘I…’

Where would my soul go?

To Earth?

To the afterlife they talked about here in Raphdonia?

If by any chance it was Earth, would it be hell?

Or would he be reborn, as Buddhists believe?

What would guide the soul of someone without faith?

Thump.

His dying heart trembled.

[…I will grant you power.]

What was this now?

It took him a moment to notice, but everything around him had come to a stop.

This was distinctly different from the sensation of time flowing slowly during extreme focus.

The blazing flames no longer flickered, the ash hanging in the air was suspended in place, and even the nameless thugs pounding at his head stood frozen.

[…I will grant you the power to slaughter those who tormented you, survive, and accomplish whatever you desire.]

He felt it instinctively.

He didn’t know who was speaking, but if he accepted that offer, it would truly happen.

But—

‘I would become a monster.’

Whoever spoke those words was a wicked being.

A good being wouldn’t tell him to abandon his comrades and survive alone.

The entity didn’t deny his words. Instead, it responded with a question.

[How amusing. What is a monster?]

Hmm.

[If killing people makes one a monster, then this world is already filled with monsters.]

Listening to it, that almost sounded reasonable.

[Listen. You are too weak to be called a monster, and too evil to be called a human.]

There was power in that voice.

And because of that—

[Listen. You are a being who wishes to move forward on your own, but also wishes for someone else to guide you.]

Parav couldn’t suppress a smirk at what he heard next.

[I shall guide you.]

No matter how powerful that voice was, it was no longer alluring.

For a very simple reason.

[I will tell you the path you must truly walk.]

He now knew who the owner of that voice was.

‘Karui.’

The ancient evil god did not deny it.

[…Take my hand.]

Another deep rumble resonated in his mind, and Parav responded silently in his heart.

‘I don’t want to.’

Because it was the shortest refusal of all, it expressed his will most clearly.

[…The only way for you to live is to become my servant.]

Hmm. Yes.

Realistically speaking, that was probably the most likely outcome.

[And so what?]

The reason this time was very simple.

‘Because I just got a strong feeling.’

That even if he rejected the offer, he wouldn’t die here.

Thump—!

A powerful intuition bloomed inside his chest.

But this time, it wasn’t some instinct granted by ‘someone.’

Just as ordinary people’s intuition was built upon accumulated experience and memory, so was his.

Listen carefully to your enemies and do the exact opposite. That alone would carry you far. That was what his clan leader once told him over drinks.

And…

“An ancient evil god that has never brought good fortune to anyone who follows it versus the hero of this city, who is performing mythical feats even now and cares for his allies more than anyone else.”

It was obvious whose words he should listen to.

Yes. So—

‘Get lost. Out of my life.’

Sven Parav spoke.

The ancient evil god fell silent.

With everything frozen, he had no idea how much time had passed, but the silence did not last long.

Above the frozen world, something fractured, as if panes of glass were breaking one after another. Through the crack, a gentle silver light seeped in.

Crack—!

「The dawn of the deep twilight shines upon you.」

Starlight wrapped around his entire body with immense warmth.

Sven Farav could feel it instinctively.

[The traces of the evil god engraved upon the character’s soul are completely erased.]

That presence was no longer here.

The moment he realized that, a compassionate voice—one that stood in stark contrast to Karui’s—resounded.

The instant that voice echoed in his mind, his nearly lifeless body surged with immense energy.

[May it aid my knight upon the path he chooses to walk.]

It was the very same voice he had once heard in a dream.

「Due to the Recovery (EX-rank), the body is perfectly restored.」

「The character has acquired a new Authority. Rank 0 holy spell, Agent of the Stars, is now available for use.]

[Divine authority directly bestowed by the deity temporarily dwells within the character’s body.]

「Divine Power permanently increases by +500.」

「The character permanently gains the ‘Perfection’ bonus.」

Uh…

He wasn’t sure, but it felt like he had become incredibly strong—

‘Ah. First, I should dodge this.’

Time suddenly began flowing again.

Whoooosh—!

Sven Parav rolled aside, narrowly avoiding the blunt weapon descending toward his head.

And then—

“W-what?!”

“How…?!”

“What was that light just now—?!”

The Noarkans gaped as the man they thought was dead stood up without a scratch.

Sven Parav smiled leisurely.

‘…As expected, it pays to live righteously.’

Holy knights and priests received divine spells from their god once they accumulated enough “merit.” Because of that, some people could wield these spells like mages, while others never encountered a situation where they could use them at all.

But that wasn’t important right now.

‘A new divine spell…’

Holy knights and priests could naturally perceive when they were granted a new spell. The same went for the name of that authority.

‘…Agent of the Star, huh.’

What kind of spell was it?

He had never heard of it before.

Since the Goddess gave it to him along with her “voice,” it certainly wasn’t trivial.

And so Sven Parav could smile even while facing countless enemies.

“Heh heh heh…”

“…?”

Most of the enemies looked at him as if he had finally gone mad. A few of the sharper ones grew wary at the sudden change.

‘Smarter than the others, heh…’

He smirked.

“You’ll pay for your sins.”

Then Sven Parav cast the divine spell.

Since it was his first time using it, he even recited the command aloud.

“May the twilight star guide us…”

“……”

“[Agent of the Stars].”

The moment he invoked the authority with firm intent, a fierce silver radiance burst from his body.

Swoooooosh—!

The brilliance was dazzling and sacred beyond measure. The Noark troops recoiled in fear, stepping backward.

And then—

“…Huh?”

That was it.

Whoooosh—

The intense light quickly faded, and the enemies remained exactly as they were.

He didn’t feel any particularly noticeable increase in strength either.

So then…

What on earth had just happened?

[The conditions for use have not been met.]

[The casting of Rank 0 divine spell <Agent of the Star> has been canceled.]

Sven Parav had no way of knowing why. But there was one thing he did know

‘…I’m screwed.’

Ah, but the silver lining was that the enemies seemed just as confused…

“…?”
“…?”

Drip.

Even as a few beads of sweat rolled down unnoticed, Sven forced himself to stay sharp. He awkwardly smiled and extended his sword forward.

“Heh heh heh… Listen well, you wicked fools.”

“…?”

“I shall grant you mercy and spare you this once. So, uh—be quick and begone!”

He spoke in the most dignified voice he could muster, but the enemies looked confused rather than frightened.

‘…Was it because I stammered at the end?’

He regretted the slip-up, but it was too late; the enemies had already sniffed out the truth.

“…Looks like something didn’t work.”

“Ha… Seriously, you scared me. Thought something big was coming.”

“Don’t know how he healed, but he’s still just one guy.”

“Kill him again!!”

After making swift and accurate judgments, they charged at him all at once.

‘…Now what?’

Could he run away if he tried?

But realistically, it didn’t look promising.

The first-floor exit was swarming with enemies, and to reach the second-floor windows, he would have to break through all of them.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me…’

He had just been chosen by a goddess, and now he was going to die like this? If that was the case, she should have just let him die heroically earlier!

Just as those thoughts cluttered his mind—

BOOM—!

An explosion erupted. The goddess statue shattered into pieces, revealing an underground passage beneath it.

And then……

[ROOOOAAARRR—!!]

Something massive burst up from below. It roared as it flew through the air and landed beside him.

THUD—!

Uh…

What was this…?

It seemed to be helping him, at least.—!!]

“A bear beastman… riding a giant bear…?”

As his mind went blank trying to process it, the bear beastman riding the larger bear perked up its ears and spoke.

“My wife owes you a debt, I hear. I’ve come to repay it.”

“…Ah.”

“Don’t refuse. Even if it weren’t for my wife, a comrade of Jandel’s could be called my comrade as well.”

He didn’t quite understand what that meant yet.

But one thing was certain.

“Come. Quickly. I’ll open the way.”

…I’m saved.

***

「Abman Urichfrit has cast [Super-Strengthen]

[The next active skill used will be significantly amplified in proportion to soul power.]

[Abman Urikfrit has cast <Pierce>.]

[The penetration of the next strike increases 10 times.]

[Abman Urikfrit has cast <Giant Arrow>.]

[The size of the next ranged projectile increases dramatically.]

[Iron Bear has cast <Dominance of the Fire Bear>.]

[All attacks gain a Knockback (High) bonus.]

[Abman Urikfrit has cast <Lord of the Jungle>.]

[Iron Bear’s stats greatly increase…]

[…]

***
He didn’t speak to himself. Most self-talk tended to carry gloomy thoughts, and saying such things changed nothing in reality. If anything, it only made a person darker and more depressed.

So he did not speak to himself.

At least, not until now.

“This is maddening.”

It had been a long time since he’d muttered to himself like this. Before him lay a man clinging to life, coughing up litres blood.

“I wish you would get up now… but realistically, the chances are low. Even knowing that, I still think these selfish thoughts. I… I believed I was allowed to have more stories. But it seems that’s no longer true. Fate really is fickle, isn’t it? Hah… I don’t know why, but whenever I’m with you, I feel like a terrible person.”

“I…”

He apologized to the man lying there.

“I’m sorry. I know you would never have agonized over something like this, yet even now I haven’t been able to make up my mind.”

“But…”

The man slowly closed and opened his eyes.

And then—

“There’s no other choice.”

He knew the man couldn’t hear him.

Even so, he spoke.

“Now, go.”

It felt like if he didn’t, he would grow weak again. He believed his resolve wouldn’t waver until the very end, and that had to be true for him to stand by his convictions.

“It feels nostalgic, carving out another path for you… though I suppose that’s only natural. I am your scout, after all.”

Even though he knew which path was right, he couldn’t choose any other.

“The stars of twilight shall guide us……”

With that, Brown Rottmiller made his final decision.

 

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