Exceed Rain’s blade emitted a black current, warping the very space around Zion. It seemed as though even he might be swept away by the torrent, yet the dark energy penetrated only the surrounding space, leaving Zion unaffected.
“A human dares to claim they’ll kill me!” Slime Dragon roared, focusing its mana towards Zion. With its target so close, evasion seemed impossible. While Zion might block the attack again, concentrated firepower could disrupt even that defense.
“……”
Despite seeing the crimson orb, Zion did not release any mana. There was no need to dodge or block; he simply observed.
“Killing you will end this!”
Slime Dragon, convinced of its victory, unleashed its mana orb. It couldn't understand what Zion had done, assuming it involved human trickery or Magic Sword power. But all such powers were bound to their wielder's will—kill the wielder, and the effect would vanish.
‘It’s all over.’
Zion had already staked his life on using this technique. The targeted enemy could not escape, and Zion himself would pay a steep price. Though it was possible to nullify the technique mid-way, there was no reason to do so now.
‘Before the universe, everything becomes insignificant.’
Three crimson orbs hurtled towards Zion but gradually diminished in size until they vanished entirely. In the vastness of space, even mana was but a mere speck.
‘My mana has disappeared.’
Even witnessing this, Slime Dragon couldn’t comprehend it. To block an attack, mana should be countered with mana. Yet Zion had done nothing but watch, still fixated on the dragon.
“Is this another trick?!”
“…Does this look like a trick?”
Within the abyss, small lights began to emerge—one, three, seven, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands. They were stars etched into the cosmos, evidence of another world. But in this moment, all would be erased.
“You tampered with something you shouldn't have. My only hope!”
As Zion’s anguished cry echoed, dark crimson lines formed amidst the blackness. These lines swirled, leaving numerous trails resembling a vortex with an unfathomable depth.
“There’s no reason for me to live anymore.”
Exceed Rain’s dark blue light connected with the crimson vortex. The surrounding stars momentarily trembled before moving toward the vortex, each one being swallowed by the abyss.
“Die, forever.”
The crimson vortex expanded, reaching Slime Dragon. The dragon, feeling immense gravitational force, struggled to resist. Yet the pull grew stronger, eventually dragging its entire body.
“Graaaah!”
Desperate, Slime Dragon unleashed crimson orbs in every direction, but they vanished quickly, and its body was pulled faster into the void. Zion, consumed by loss, allowed himself to sink into his grief.
‘I have nowhere to return to.’
He had vowed to see the end with her. Together, they had pondered their future and how to live. Though their bond was serendipitous, it had become routine, and he accepted it with composure. Now, left alone, he clung to despair and agony.
‘I should have died instead…’
He felt the emotions Hanette must have experienced—self-blame, anger, despair, regret, helplessness. Unfulfilled aspirations turned to lingering regrets, and cherished dreams became futile. Having nothing left to lose, even his life seemed disposable.
“…Hanette, I can’t calm down.”
He wished to leave a parting message for her, though she would never hear it. While no one else would know, just saying it felt enough. He had no illusions of reunion after death—such thoughts wouldn't come in his final moments.
“How am I supposed to continue alone?”
Thus, he would forsake his life, to honor Hanette, to destroy this monster, to bring peace. What purpose did he have in a world without her?
“We never married, but… we can die in the same place.”
Once Slime Dragon was destroyed and the technique ended, he would die. He didn’t know how, but his body would remain, and Exceed Rain wouldn’t vanish, allowing Enrite to retrieve it safely.
“Haa…”
He failed to protect Hanette and lost his will to live. He had anticipated casualties, but facing Slime Dragon had been overwhelming. The situation warranted the sacrifice, leading him to use this technique without hesitation.
“…Now I understand.”
Zion closed his eyes, awaiting his final moment. It would be a bitter end, but he had upheld his duty. He belatedly understood his genuine feelings, though the object of those feelings was gone.
“I must have loved you, Hanette.”
Hanette woke to a hazy sensation and sat up. She remembered being impaled by crimson spikes, speaking to Zion, and then losing consciousness. Yet now, there were no wounds, and she was dressed in formal attire, not armor.
‘What’s this?’
Perplexed, she glanced around. Flames surrounded her on all sides, though surprisingly not hot, seeming to protect her instead. Familiar mana emanated from the flames, instantly revealing their nature.
‘…Brecht.’
They were undoubtedly the flames of the Fire Magic Sword Brecht. She hadn’t intended to use magic or release mana, meaning someone else was wielding Brecht.
“We finally meet.”
A voice, unfamiliar yet oddly comforting, emerged from beyond the flames. Hanette felt an unexpected familiarity, as if she had known this voice for a long time. Calming her anxious heart, she spoke softly.
“Brecht?”
“You recognize me immediately. Yes, I am the Fire Magic Sword, Brecht.”
Brecht spoke without revealing a physical form. After a moment's hesitation, Hanette discerned Brecht’s essence.
“These flames are you?”
“Yes. I exist as the essence of fire, choosing to remain within the Magic Sword to preserve my consciousness.”
The flames flared briefly before subsiding, as if displaying their vitality. Realizing the similarity to Lesia’s case, Hanette scrutinized the flames, seeing them as alive and adeptly controlled.
“Why did you only appear now? You could have shown up earlier.”
“I’ve called to you for a long time. However, you never heard me.”
“How could I respond if I didn’t hear? Why didn’t you shout louder?”
“…You’re blaming me now.”
Brecht was momentarily taken aback but didn’t argue further. While it was true Hanette hadn’t noticed, Brecht bore some responsibility. A more straightforward approach might have led to an earlier bond.
“There were no other options. If I hadn’t intervened, you would have died.”
“Why would I have died?”
“A long time ago, cold energy invaded your body. My power dispelled it, preserving your life.”
“Oh, that?”
Hanette recalled her near-death experience from cold. Brecht had healed her, causing flames to manifest.
“Wait, am I dead now?”
“If you refer to your body, then yes, you are dead.”
“Really dead?”
“Yes.”
“No! I can’t die like this!”
Hanette screamed, stomping her feet. Before losing consciousness, she had seen Zion crying. But beyond his tears, she sensed a dark fury, filling her with dread. If she didn’t return quickly, Zion might do something extreme.
“You can save me, right? You saved me before.”
“I cannot. Once life is lost, it cannot be revived.”
“Then why am I talking to you? Doesn’t that mean I’m still alive?”
“…Your body died, not your consciousness.”
Hanette furrowed her brow at Brecht’s words. Death should be final, yet Brecht distinguished between body and consciousness. It seemed Brecht had a hidden agenda.
“You can’t be revived, but you can be reborn with a new body.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Once we fully bond, you’ll master the Magic Sword. Through it, you can sustain your consciousness and create a new body from flames.”
Brecht offered Hanette a chance to transcend her limits. As an extraordinary being, her potential would manifest fully beyond human constraints. Though Brecht’s consciousness would fade, it was a worthy sacrifice for a greater purpose.
“That’s not possible. I must remain human.”
“You could become a transcendent being. Why cling to humanity?”
“I can’t do anything without Zion.”
Becoming a transcendent might grant her immense power, but that was only a means, not an end. Zion’s presence gave meaning to her journey and goals.
“You are too precious to waste as a human. You shouldn’t squander your power for a mere human!”
“He’s precious to me. If Zion dies, I’ll die here too.”
“……”
Brecht was stunned into silence. It had expected her to seek ultimate power, but she was willing to forsake it for a human. It couldn’t fathom wasting such potential.
“You said I couldn’t be revived as a human… but that’s a lie.”
“I don’t lie.”
“I’ve used you for a long time. I know you well.”
“…Indeed.”
Brecht, disheartened, conceded. It had hoped to remake her as a superior being, but its plan was uncovered. Whatever it tried, Hanette would see through it.
“If I defeat you, I can leave here, right?”
“Yes. If you can.”
Hanette channeled her mana, transforming into flames. She couldn’t waste time. She had to subdue Brecht and reach Zion, as no one else could stop him.
“Why do you think I can’t? I told you, I’ve used you for a long time.”