Chapter 59

O mata se

I apologize for the delay in updates.

I've been bedridden with the flu.

The update frequency will be lower for a while.

I aim to return to the original pace by mid-February.

Thank you for your understanding.

Today, I surpassed 2,000.

It's been about three and a half months. I've been casting Tame without fail at least 18 times a day, and finally, I've reached 2,000. Battles that used to take 15 minutes each during the Seven era now take nearly 40 minutes. Still, I didn't give up and managed to do 2,000. I must be crazy.

"Hey, my Second. Isn't it about time to return?"

I've been drinking with Angolmois almost every night. After casting Tame for 12 hours straight, drinking becomes a habit.

But recently, he's been nagging about going back. I thought he was getting bored, but when I asked him, he said he's worried about me. It's touching, but I'll have him worry for a bit longer.

"It's not the right time yet. If there's a problem, I'll rush back, but the weekly reports don't mention anything serious."

That's a lie. The weekly reports from the three of them did mention some concerns.

In the capital, it seems the reformists led by Prime Minister Bar Moro, who supports Prince Claus, are about to make their move. Time is running out. Additionally, I'm worried about Sylvia and Eco's growth, and the things I asked Yuki to do. I'm also concerned about the completed mansion and the progress of the Second Castle (tentative name). I'm worried about everything.

To be honest, I want to go back as soon as possible.

Then, why... don't I go back?

I don't know myself. I just need a trigger. A trigger that forces me to go back.

...Ah, I'm addicted.

My vision is narrow. I can't make a normal judgment. I can't accept what I should. I keep postponing problems by being obsessed with Taming. I'm heading towards destruction, hoping for a slim chance even though I know the outcome.

But.

I'll keep Taming tomorrow, the day after, next week, and the week after. As long as there's no trigger, I'll continue Taming until the last moment, until it's too late.

It can't be helped. It's natural. Taming the Dark Wolf is like an irresistible drug. Once you experience the pleasure of Taming, it's over. The shock that makes your head explode and the overwhelming sense of euphoria that floods your mind are unforgettable. The only way to relieve it is to Tame again. It's really frustrating.

"......I'm going to sleep."

"Um... yeah..."

I wished for it to end soon. Sleep came quickly, and then the routine days began again.

2,159th time.

It was the afternoon of the day exactly four months had passed.

I don't know if it was due to fatigue or something, but I made my first mistake here.

I mismanaged the cooldown of "Transformation" and couldn't fully dodge Angolmois's dark magic.

"(My Second!)"

Angolmois shouted. Hey, stop doing unnecessary things, Great Spirit King. Shouting won't do anything. And it's telepathy.

"......"

—To use it or not. A moment of hesitation.

Angolmois, in Staff Mode, approached me with her Shadow Staff moving at blinding speed in all directions. My HP is 1. One hit and I'm out.

What to do. Should I dodge or use the secret move? Drinking a potion is not an option. I'll be finished in one hit while drinking.

In this case, the answer was almost decided.

"(No, it's reckless!)"

I chose to "dodge." I aimed for Angolmois's back, passing right by her side.

—Whoosh. The Shadow Staff passed by my ear. One touch and I would have been out. Close call.

"Foo! That was a close one!"

"(Cut it out! You'd need more than one heart to survive that!)"

I successfully dodged, like a three-hour special. I drank the potion while being scolded by Angolmois. Now, I just need to use "Lancer Archery" to knock her down and start over.

...I can still do it. I'm still okay.

I whispered to myself, suppressing my racing heart.

I almost died. For the first time in this world.

It was more intense than I imagined.

—It's exhilarating. This excitement. A long-forgotten feeling is awakened.

It's fun. Fun. Fun...!

Looking back, I had forgotten my初心. Why did I start playing Mevion? Why did I aim to be the best in the world? I felt like I had returned to the beginning.

Mevion is where all my life has "settled." I ran and ran, gathered everything I had, and condensed it into this escape. There's nowhere else to run. All that's left is to move forward and enjoy everything.

"Let's go, Oraa!!"

Calling it "routine" was an insult to Angolmois.

This is a battle for the world's top spot. A clash of our spirits.

With a shout, I aimed my Mithril Longbow at Angolmois and moved forward.

2,168th time.

I had been expecting this to happen eventually.

Should I say "finally"? "At last"? "Of all times"?

The timing of the Dark Transformation and the "Phantom" ability coincided, and I couldn't prevent Angolmois from entering her "Ultimate Mode."

The situation is "worst of the worst." Angolmois's remaining HP is below 25%, meaning she's also in "Berserk Mode."

Ultimate Mode + Berserk Mode.

Black flames burst from her body, and black flames spew from her Black Flame Spear. She walks calmly with a gentle smile and narrowed eyes, her spear held at her waist, cutting through the air. She looks like a demon god.

The Black Flame Spear has an absurd attack power and a reach of nearly three meters, with constant long-range black flame attacks. It's a monster weapon that lives up to the name "Ultimate Mode."

If I touch the black flames for two seconds, I'll be near death at best, and usually, I'll die. One hit from the Black Flame Spear will definitely kill me. It's brutal.

Well.

There's nothing I can do now.

I decided to use my secret move and took out the "Goblin Mage's Horn" from my inventory.

This is a "last resort" for escaping.

The "Goblin Mage" from the C-rank dungeon "Asias Parn," a follower of the "Goblin King," uses the "Random Teleport" magic. This Goblin Mage's Horn can activate the "Random Teleport" when stabbed into a monster. However, it has many conditions and is generally ineffective against dungeon monsters. Additionally, you don't gain experience points from the teleported monster. It's a very inconvenient item.

But, I'm not planning to use it on Angolmois. I'm going to use it on myself. Stab it in, and I'll be off. That's why it can be a last-resort escape item.

"It's been a long time..."

"(Indeed it has.)"

I held the Goblin Mage's Horn in reverse and looked at Angolmois, who was closing the distance with her Black Flame Spear swinging widely.

She looked like an incarnation of a dark sun, with black flames raging from her black-robed body and black flames spewing from her Black Flame Spear, ready to attack me at any moment.

If I touch that for two seconds, I'm done. She's a demon. I can't get close. It's impossible.

I can't win. There's no way to win. Running away won't help.

"I'll be back."

With a promise to meet again, I raised the Goblin Mage's Horn.

...

Suddenly, Angolmois's expression seemed to change.

Her gently closed eyes and fixed smile slightly opened, as if she said something.

Don't go...

...

"(...? What's wrong, my Second?)"

I...

What am I doing... trying to run away from such a strong opponent...?

Why am I so scared? Why am I so hesitant from the start? What's wrong with me?

I just remembered my初心 six hours ago, yet why am I like this...

What an idiot.

—If you run in Mevion, it's over. Idiot!

Don't break the absolute rule.

Don't be a coward thinking "I don't want to die."

If you run from Mevion, what will you have left? Nothing. Die.

The world's best must be the strongest. Stronger than anyone, anything. Strength isn't just about stats. It's everything. I've said it many times. In Mevion, "running is not an option." Why did I forget this fundamental principle?

Fool. You're the world's best. If you run, it's over. There's nowhere to run. Don't run. Don't make excuses. Stand firm. Face it. Don't show weakness. Be strong, even if you have to swallow your blood. You're the world's best. The strongest in the world! Running is worse than dying!!

"Transformation—!!"

Immediately, black flames enveloped me. Invincibility lasts 8 seconds. The opportunity is only 2 seconds after 6 seconds. There's nowhere to run. The surroundings are a sea of black flames. Angolmois is right in front of me. If invincibility ends, I'll definitely die.

...It's okay. I'm not scared.

"Haha, hahaha!!"

Laughter welled up. I let it all out without holding back.

It's not a hallucination. It's not a mistake. In the flickering black flames, Angolmois is smiling. Happily. Joyfully. Right in front of me.

Hahahaha! This is the world's best! And you! You've pushed me this far! You're strong! Amazing! The best! Oh, I'm so happy!

"Lancer Archery!"

I shouted the name of the finishing move. It's a matter of etiquette.

I'm not aiming for the legs. I'll pierce your head. Look at that! Critical hit. I thought that would do it. Angolmois's HP is now below 20%.

0.2 seconds left.

Run? Don't be ridiculous.

I stood firm, proudly, and normally—

—I activated "Tame" while being engulfed by black flames.

...I'm an idiot, right?

0.0001%? It can't succeed, right?

—Ah, I'm dead. But I have no regrets. In this crucial moment, I didn't run. Until the last second, until the very end, I was the world's best.

What do you think? Impressed? This is the world's best. Amazing. Strong. Unmatchable. Respect me, all of you.

...

Or so you thought?

I thought something was off.

Until now, no one has ever cast "Tame" during Ultimate Mode + Berserk Mode.

It's impossible. You can't get close. The theory is to "prevent Ultimate Mode" in the first place.

The only path is to use the invincibility time of "Transformation" to get close and cast "Tame" after reducing HP to 20% or less during Berserk Mode, after failing to prevent Ultimate Mode with "Phantom."

Who would notice? Who could do it? Who would try? This is it.

...It's me, you idiot. Die, scum. Eat it, bastard.

"Haa... haa... ha..."

It's hard. My breathing is irregular. My blood circulation is off. My heart is pounding so hard it hurts. I'm dizzy. The ringing in my ears won't stop.

I drank a potion, feeling weak. The heat in my body subsided, and my condition gradually returned to normal.

However, the floating, dreamlike sensation only intensified.

I know it's inevitable. It's natural.

"—I have longed to meet you, my master."

When I saw this one kneeling in front of me.

Thank you for reading.