Chapter 86
※
The battle against the virus-infested Outer God was nearing my total victory. As for the grand bloodshed that had unfolded…
Overwhelmed by an influx of new settings, the Outer God soon seemed to concede that it couldn’t defend itself forever. The speed at which I could input settings was faster than it could delete them. Eventually, it was bound to change irreversibly at some point.
Following that judgment, it initiated a systematic assault. Attempting to break or warp the laws of physics in the world before it faced its demise, honestly, defending against that was surprisingly easy.
It was quite terrifying when the Outer God assigned a physical force that would launch NPCs standing on roof tiles 32 km vertically into the air. Good thing I caught onto that in time.
While I was enjoying some banter as Joseph, if I’d slipped up even once, Bennett might have seen the Goddess being flung upward 32 km. That would’ve ruined the whole vibe, for sure.
However, one thing I had meticulously focused on was automating my defense.
By issuing detailed defensive commands to the Narration, the Outer God’s attacks were, let’s just say, generally blocked. I seized the moment to launch an attack intense enough to turn even the most robust man into a well-mannered young lady in three seconds flat.
And now…
The Outer God was hunched over, waiting for a single opportunity to counterattack. I said it in a dramatic way, but what I really meant was that it was getting pummeled while trying to keep its guard up. It was pretty obvious what the critter was aiming for, though.
At the story’s climax, the players had to take it down.
When they faced each other, it’d try its best to inflict maximum chaos and tragedy. From that point forward, it would be a full-on showdown between the players and the Outer God.
For safety’s sake, it might have been better for me to take down the Outer God myself and hand the players another boss mob. However, if it were me playing, I’d want to deal with that bastard myself— the one who caused me all that pain.
A desperate rat dashing at a cat illustrates how hard it is to predict where the Outer God might jump if I just keep beating it with no escape…
And frankly, it probably wouldn’t stand a chance against the Hero Party I created, weakened as it was.
Now, raise the curtains. It’s time to see the grand finale.
===============================================================
“So… everyone ready?”
Bennett turned to his comrades, grinning broadly. He had laughed before, sure, but this was the first time he’d flashed such a lively smile. Meanwhile, Tara and Niolle exchanged puzzled glances. What’s up with that?
[…Yes, I’m all set.]
– Yeah, I’ve rested well… but Niolle, give me a sec.
[Right! Just a moment, Bennett. I’ll have a quick chat with Tara!]
With a shard of glass in hand, Niolle briskly rounded a corner. Once she got a comfortable distance from Bennett, she leaned against the wall and slid down. Thump thump. Her heart raced.
Tara seemed equally affected, her hands pressed against her relatively modest chest, taking deep breaths. Bennett’s boyish charm, usually so solemn, packed a punch with the ladies.
What the heck had happened? Tara and Niolle immediately began to suspect each other.
[Was that you, Tara?]
-I thought it was Niolle…
[Then who was it?]
-Well, who was it, then?
Who made Bennett smile like that? Together, Tara and Niolle turned their heads. A serene and mysterious woman transported in glass, carrying Holy Hand Grenades. Could it be Joseph?
[………]
-……………….
In that case, Joseph shouldn’t be left alone with Bennett.
The scene setting the stage for the story’s conclusion was almost ready to unfold──.
The two dashed out to give love a fighting chance.
===============================================================
“……..”
When the girls reassembled, faces flushed crimson and completely oblivious to the Goddess’ (not) brief visit…
Bennett snapped his fingers once, trying to dissipate the awkward atmosphere.
“There’s something significant we need to discuss.”
Raising his index finger, he continued. According to their assessment, the Evil God would descend in the basement of the Order of the Silver Twilight’s building. After all, there must be something bringing it there.
However, Joseph insisted that ‘the Evil God was sealed in a meteorite pit.’ Even after several shifts in reality, her testimony hadn’t changed. In that case…
“There are two possibilities I can think of. First, our guess about the female goat being in the basement is incorrect. This part isn’t an issue. We aren’t pressed for time; we can conduct further searches.”
[But the second possibility is the real issue. After the Evil God’s descent, something unexpected happened… and it was forced to the meteorite pit, right?]
“Exactly. So… my plan is to kick off the battle with some bombings.”
Bennett patted the cart wheel. Inside the wagon, there was a mountain of Holy Hand Grenades, manufactured by Abraham’s lineage over the last century.
“We’ll bomb the Evil God seal with all of these.”
Regardless of what plans the Evil God had in the works, he intended to disorient it with a powerful preemptive strike. Sometimes overwhelming firepower is the best answer, after all.
Bennett headed toward the seal with the priests, while Niolle and Tara opted to stay inside the building, fighting and providing assistance through the mirror.
↔
Tara began descending the long, dark staircase to the basement. Thud. Each step echoed in the confined space. But she wasn’t afraid at all.
[Watch your step.]
“Yup.”
Although their timings didn’t entirely sync, they at least had each other in some way.
The communication hurdles imposed by Niolle’s characteristics were resolved through magic. They had Abraham’s lineage research telepathy, so Niolle could now communicate without needing to write.
The path descending was painted a deep red with dried blood, and the lower they went, the more they began to notice thick, black, slimy patches that seemed to absorb all surrounding light.
Squish. Tara scowled at the sensation from the soles of her shoes. The slime occasionally throbbed as if it were alive.
“How’s your side? It’s really grimy and dark over here.”
[This side seems well-maintained, even down to the basement. Looks like it’s being used as a brewery.]
“It’s the same place, so how can the atmosphere feel so different…”
[Thanks to Tara, it seems.]
At the bottom of the steps was a door plastered with various talismans. The warnings were fierce, indicating one should never dare cross this threshold.
Tara gently rested her hand on the door. The talismans didn’t appear to be mere decorations; upon contact, they attempted to brainwash her and push her away. It was then that thorny vines reached out.
Crackle, crackle.
Tara’s Metamorphosis began to consume the door’s protective magic, bit by bit.
“It might take some time. Hey, Niolle…”
[I’m listening.]
“I never thought I’d end up being a Saintess in my lifetime. I thought there’d be no reason for me to be praised as one. But look at how things are turning out in another world…”
[We really have been through a lot. All of us.]
“…And more is definitely in store.”
Defeating the Evil God was also something she had to see through to the end. Tara had a mission—revenging her parents was essential, and she was determined to tear down the Goddess’s Church.
Tara hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.
“Could you perhaps still… help me out in the future?”
[Have you asked Bennett yet?]
“Not yet.”
[Then, let’s ask him together once everything’s over.]
Niolle smiled, her eyes twinkling. Tara felt grateful that she’d indirectly agreed. Yet, it also made her wonder if something about her allure seemed to have increased.
Crack. Thud. Clang.
The talismans covering the door burned to a crisp, while the doorknob broke and fell, clattering to the ground. Tara seized her Demonic Sword once again, holding it firmly right before…
Just beyond this door lay the culprit responsible for Abraham’s death and the world’s devastation.
Crash!
“…Show yourself, Evil God!”
With a powerful kick, Tara flung the door open and stepped into the basement.
It was a pitch-black realm, shrouded in black slime. It initially appeared as an infinite void or empty space, and amidst it all, the Evil God’s eyes suddenly opened.
Blink.
The gaze of a goat with distinct pupils. Not just a single pair of eyes…
Blink. Blink. Blinkblinkblink.
But many.
Hundreds of eyes appeared from the abyss, looking at Tara with various emotions flickering in their glassy, inorganic depths—mockery, deception, intrigue…
She tautened every muscle in her body, channeling her fear as she spat out flames of rage.
“It’s time for you to pay for your sins, for every death you’ve caused…”
“Sins?”
…
The voice of a girl echoed, soft and innocent.
Upon closer inspection, a tiny mouth floated directly beneath the goat’s eyes. That mouth whispered in a young girl’s voice.
“You all eat animals and plants, don’t you? Then, when will you pay for their deaths?”
… “That’s just nonsense!”
“You humans are selfish little brats. You’re just like children. When things don’t go your way, you throw tantrums, spouting meaningless words like ‘justice’ or ‘sin.’ But look! I just did my utmost with the tools at my disposal.”
The eyes blinked and dropped one after another.
“I heard cries begging for assistance, so I obliged. It seemed impolite to refuse the lovely gifts you humans graciously provided. All the heinous deeds you describe as sins? They were perpetrated by you humans. Why must I be the one to bear the burdens when I merely lent you my power?”
… “That’s just ridiculous!”
As Tara briefly faltered, Niolle stepped up.
[What a load of lies and fancy words, Tara. That being isn’t the innocent entity it pretends to be. It whispered horrendous things to me many times.]
“Oh, you were part of this too…?”
[That being is definitely the Evil God trying its best to make humans suffer.]
“Um… sure…”
When faced with this decisive statement, the multitude of eyes widened in unison. The ground trembled and echoed, bulging and deflating as though air bubbles were bursting within the dark. Tara and Niolle felt as though the Evil God was laughing at them.
Then the tiny mouth delivered one final line, bemused.
“Well, looks like you caught me.”
Blink.
All the eyes promptly closed and—
Boom! Boom!
The ground trembled as a massive foreleg emerged. A goat’s hoof densely packed with human fingers. Its body appeared to be a terrifying patchwork of various animals, an image so grotesque it made her want to vomit.
Rip!
Followed by a grotesque mountain of a goat, seemingly capable of swallowing humans whole.
Translucent tendrils writhed out from the Evil God’s body, waving about. The same tendril that had severed Bennett’s arm in his battle with the cult leader. There were countless of those tendrils.
[Stay focused on defense. Although we’re in the dark so it’ll be hard to see, it has a tail too. It’ll definitely look to hit from behind, so be careful.]
“…Got it.”
Tara raised her Demonic Sword into an attack stance and calmed her breathing down.
An unbearably long silence loomed.
Is it coming? When is it going to attack? She mentioned a tail. Still no sign though. Any attacks I can’t detect, Niolle will notify me about. I just need to take the hits coming from the front, and…
Swoosh—!!
“…Kuh!”
Clang!
Tara barely managed to block a tentacle that lashed out diagonally from the shadows. Human concentration is not infinite, thus gaps will inevitably arise. The Evil God was waiting for those very gaps in her consciousness.
Swoosh—! Swoosh—!!
“『Thorns of Lament, Bloom!』”
Tentacles came at her with such ferocity it sounded like they were whistling. Tara unleashed the power she absorbed from the cultists all at once. The air around twisted, directing the tentacles to collide against each other.
[Tara, unleash everything to your back!]
“…!!”
Schwaaat—!
Reacting to Niolle’s command, Tara swung her whole body around, charging a blow toward her rear. The massive head of the goat suddenly approached like a cunning snake.
The Demonic Sword sliced its pupil as it swept past the enormous eye.
────!!
The scream cracked through the very fabric of space itself.
Rage lit up the Evil God’s eyes. It was as if the playful moment had ended, revealing its entire distorted and monstrous form within the shadows. A behemoth towering at least 5 meters high.
Its throat swelled. A horrifying scarlet glow cloaked the monster’s body, and an enormous amount of power coalesced inside the goat’s maw.
Sufficient intensity to erase Tara completely, leaving nothing.
Yet, in front of this dread, Tara neither fled nor feared. She had faith that Bennett would certainly save her in the crucial moment. And with that in mind, she boldly faced the Evil God.
[The signal has been given, Tara.]
“Yeah, I believed it all along. as expected, he really is on top of his timing.”
Tara aimed her Demonic Sword squarely at the Evil God, her confidence shining through as she yelled.
“This is a special gift prepared just for you, you bastard! Hope you enjoy it—!!”
Whoooosh—!
Crash—!
Just before the Evil God could unleash a burst of magical energy from its mouth, the goat’s head snapped back as if struck by an immense hammer. Its jaw clamped shut; the pressure was simply too much for its eyeballs, which exploded outward. The Evil God spun in confusion.
Boom! Ka-boom—!!
An explosion from the future detonated against the Evil God. The front leg was torn asunder, and its belly gaped wide open. Explosions erupted in succession, melting its body and destabilizing its mana. In pain, the Evil God let out a horrifying scream.
BAAAAAAAAA──!!
Tentacles flailed wildly, thrashing with sheer desperation. Niolle’s eyes flickered with determination.
[Five steps to your left. Jump. Watch your upper right! Move forward.]
Through the deluge of thrashing tentacles, Tara danced with Niolle.
[Crouch, roll forward. Be careful of your upper side! Move forward.]
Repeated charges allowed Tara to weave through the Evil God’s defenses effortlessly, closing in. Behind the mirror, Niolle wiped her nose, which had begun to bleed from sheer concentration, as she gestured wildly.
[Now! Tara!]
“Got it—!!”
Thump! Thump!
The gurgling heartbeat of the Evil God resounded in their ears, throbbing with a rancid red fluid. Thanks to the heartbeat, the precise location of its heart was glaringly clear. Tara stretched her vines as far as they could go.
A spear, three meters long, crafted from tangled thorny vines.
Not long after mastering Metamorphosis, Tara had managed to maintain it consistently, thanks also to the trait of “Thorns of Lament.” By absorbing the strength of others and converting it, she effectively stifled the mana consumption.
Hence, this strike…
Was a decisive blow that gave up on absorption entirely to focus solely on raw destruction. There was no holding back.
“『Thorns of Lament, Full Bloom!』”
WHOOSH—! CRUNCH, RIIIP!
The spear impaled the Evil God’s heart, draining its power to use as fuel for expansion. Vines spread out from all directions, carving out and obliterating the heart.
EUOOOOOOO──!!
A deafening wail erupted from the Evil God. Its tattered front limbs clawed at the vines devouring its heartbeat but to no avail. The vines burrowed even into the limbs, relentlessly sprouting from within.
An assailment that wouldn’t cease until every ounce of its strength was entirely drained.
The Evil God found itself needing to accept its fate. Preserving its heart had become impossible. A staggering 70% of its body had already been devoured by the vines, and there was no way to eradicate them.
So, to survive, it decided to sacrifice 70% of itself.
Slash!
The Evil God severed its own head. The detached head morphed into an unstable human form.
“…What the heck? Something sprang out?”
[It’s going to make a run for it! Stop it!]
“…!!”
The Evil God dashed past Tara. In a panic, it scrambled up the stairs, out of the Order of the Silver Twilight’s building, heading toward the meteorite pit. The very spot where it clashed with the Goddess, remnants of its powers lingered still.
Eating those remains could allow it to partially regain its lost powers.
The Evil God’s desperate final stand had begun, and the chase was on.
===============================================================
※
The final scene should wrap up with everyone together!
Isn’t it a fabulous finale? I slightly overlaid both worlds so that Niolle and Tara could now see each other in a semi-transparent hue. And of course, Bennett would join them soon enough.
Then, I duplicated the image of the fleeing Evil God and pasted that into the future as well. Niolle, catching on to the strange phenomenon, tossed away the shard of glass she was holding. Tara widened her eyes as she caught sight of the semi-transparent Niolle racing beside her.
“What’s happening?!”
[The Evil God flailed, causing spacetime to warp even further!]
Well, it’s convenient that you understood that. Even in this frantic moment, Tara and Niolle wore smiles on their faces. Though they existed in different pasts and futures, they felt undeniably together.
Didn’t we train for something like this? Let’s have fun!
“Charge!”
[I’ll take the lead!]
===============================================================
A priest’s mana was indeed unique. Bestowed directly from the deity they served, it held specific attributes that pertained to various domains. In the case of the Goddess’ Church, it specialized in restoration, rejuvenation, purification, healing, and anything that benefited life.
Thus, there were many spells that could’ve aided them during the chase.
“…Ugh, of course it’s never here when I need it!”
For the Tara who had depleted her divine energy, it was vexing. Especially since her mana had nearly run dry due to her exertions in Metamorphosis.
While Niolle quickly sped along a clever shortcut, matching Tara’s rhythm, she slyly nudged her words as the pursuit continued.
[…Doesn’t it ring a bell?]
“What time? When?”
[When we were chasing the wizard!]
“…Then wait, aren’t we missing someone?!”
Tara and Niolle burst into laughter because they recognized a familiar figure standing at the terminus of the path the Evil God was taking.
Seeing the girl ahead and the two chasing her, Bennett stiffened his expression. What in the world is happening here?
“…Is this some kind of illusion magic?”
“Hey, Bennett! That’s the Evil God!”
At Tara’s shout, Bennett promptly drew his radiant sword, 『Guardian’s Oath』, and swung it with blinding intensity.
Swipe!
The Evil God’s body was sliced in half at the waist, only to wiggle like slime before splitting into two figures that dispersed in opposite directions.
“Can you tell which one is real?!”
[I have no idea. Could they both be real?]
“Guess we’ll have to rough it out… Tara, demolish that!”
“…It’s tough without any mana!”
Still grumbling, Tara infused what little remained of her energy into her Demonic Sword, throwing it forward. A throw from the past brought down a stall, trapping one piece of the Evil God. Following that, a bright flash radiated from Bennett’s grip.
“If cutting cleanly is the issue, I’ll slice you to dust instead!”
SHRIIK!
As the Evil God’s body was shredded to nothingness, scattering like dust, Tara focused entirely on tracking the last remaining piece, while the distance between her and Bennett began to widen.
[Bennett, this way’s a shortcut!]
“I’m right behind you!”
Niolle soared over the city’s obstacles, guiding Bennett along. The gap closed in an instant.
===============================================================
The three sprinted down the road, leaving all else behind. Their focus remained on catching up and ending this.
Whenever they got close, the Evil God resorted to bizarre antics. It summoned walls of corpses or conjured dozens of strange, square illusions to confuse them.
“Run toward the sound, Bennett!”
Tara directed them as she led the charge.
[It seems like this way leads towards it, Bennett!]
When Niolle chimed in with directions.
Breaking through the chaos proved far easier than expected. In Tara’s past attempts to pursue the mad wizard alone, the distances only continued to lengthen. Maybe if he had united forces back then, he could have caught him instantly.
“Don’t come any closer—!!”
Pushing the limits of its remaining strength, the Evil God summoned a towering wave of tentacles, filling their entire view.
“Should we dodge?!”
[If you want to evade, maneuver into that alley…!]
Bennett chuckled and propelled himself into motion, landing just ahead of Tara and Niolle. With a flash of light, he shouted.
“No, there’s no need to evade. I’ll shield you!”
Bennett’s sword was swung so fast that it appeared nearly invisible. Perhaps he slashed it hundreds of times. The light radiating from 『Guardian’s Oath (護願)』 formed a solid wall.
A net of slashes. An advanced technique, known as the Sword Membrane, only possible for those who had refined their magical manipulation to the ultimate. However, its depth was unparalleled from before.
The wave of tentacles shattered, dissipating into fragments.
Their pace hardly slowed as the Evil God turned its back, emitting a pitch-black light. Its demise was unavoidable; therefore, in its final whim, it aimed to curse them even while sacrificing itself.
“You may think this is the end, but no! This is not my true form, and one day, you will all be mere pawns in my hands——!!”
Suddenly, darkness engulfed the surroundings. They were encased in total blackness, unable to see anything or tell apart right from left, up from down. Nonetheless, Bennett remained undaunted.
Because the star in his heart shone brightly, illuminating the path ahead.
Shining bright—!!
With a swift flick of Bennett’s blade, he cleaved through all illusions, malevolence, and darkness, cleaving the Evil God’s second heart cleanly in half.
As the darkness dispersed.
As fate would have it, dawn was breaking right then.
Bennett left behind the lifeless form of the Evil God, glancing back at Tara and Niolle. Both were drenched in sweat, catching their breath as they looked back at him.
“…Did we take it down?!”
[Is it truly over?]
“It’s finished.”
He murmured, a smile breaking upon his face, liberated.
“Now, no matter how much you or anybody else yells… I won’t stray from my path again.”
He now comprehensively understood the path he needed to take. Even if the toughest trials lead him off track again someday.
“…It’s over. It’s finally over.”
[When we get back, I definitely want to sleep for a week straight…]
He felt certain that Tara and Niolle would be there to guide him once more.
“Let’s head home.”
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
Bennett, Tara, and Niolle, the three heroes who saved the world from impending doom, returned to their own world.
But while this didn’t mark the end of their tale…
It signified the birth of heroes, and with their youth, their legendary saga would… extend for ages to come.
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