Chapter 234

…It’s complete.

I don’t know what’s complete, but I got that vibe.

Just felt it in the air, ya know?

But this? It ain’t for me.

Not unless selflessness becomes my second nature—caring for others being one and the same as caring for myself.

Nah, not happening.

But still…

That’s just my take.

For him though? This is my future story.

Back when I was stuck in the now and then, guess I was all over the place like that.

And yeah?

To someone else, this whole thing probably looked super attractive, super tempting.

When someone shows interest in you like that…

Even someone who talks about wanting to die might start thinking, “Hey, maybe I wanna live again.”

I get why people talk about dying. I do.

No hope in reality, no hope in the present, no hope in the future.

If enduring pain doesn’t bring any reward—or if the reward feels meaningless—then there’s no reason to keep living.

There was a time I lost the reason and purpose for enduring pain.

So I wandered, gave up, and waited for escape to be my only hope—even after the Demon King showed up.

Didn’t change a thing.

I couldn’t last a second there.

I was like a flower wilting away, insignificant.

But if someone were to comfort an unopened, beautiful flower…

Well…

“Your words and determination are like rain on parched soil.”

A pristine white girl appeared.

She smiled softly, almost sorrowfully, and said that.

“But the old tree is already rotten to the core. My body’s food and home for bugs, and everyone alive will only shun and humiliate me.”

“Why?”

The young me asked purely out of curiosity.

“I’m not just wishing for death…”

Because even death can’t lead us to rest.

“If there’s something after death, then we aren’t truly dead.”

It’s just another beginning, another cycle.

“So what I truly wish for is…”

True rest.

“To achieve that…”

“You’re longing for destruction too, huh?”

Not just the surface-level end of the world but true annihilation.

“If you won’t do it, I’ll have to call upon someone else.”

“Is dying not enough?”

“Yeah. You’d still get a half-baked salvation in the future.”

But who’s that salvation even for? Some vague record in history books or an era of trials? A cheap salvation where no one truly gets saved.

“I’ve seen such scenes since ancient times.”

Heroes, warriors, kings, emperors… they’re all meaningless in the grand scheme.

We didn’t see hope in them; we only admired their strength.

Ideals, justice, hope, dreams—they’re all just ripples in water, tiny bubbles that mean nothing.

“To the species and civilizations, those things might hold meaning, but we little ones? We’re nothing.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t seek repayment for my long dedication and sacrifice. But because I’ve watched and guarded the world with some pointless pride, this choice feels predetermined.”

An inevitable conclusion awaited by the current master of this world—a new trial and foundation for growth.

“Sorry, but I can’t grant any of your wishes.”

“What do you think I want anyway?”

“To do what your parents couldn’t.”

“Hmm, sure.”

The kid readily agreed.

“But is that bad?”

“It’s not bad. It’s fitting, I think. Progressing beyond inheritance is the responsibility and right given to future generations.”

But…

“How many attempts like that have I seen fail?”

“But isn’t that unavoidable?”

“Yeah. Unavoidable.”

Hard things gain value because they’re hard. If anyone could do it, it wouldn’t be a great challenge worth celebrating. Like how we don’t praise people just for eating and drinking.

“The world changes because of those who desire to leave their mark in history. Their morality never really mattered.”

“If morality didn’t matter, rulers wouldn’t need politics, right? That’s not how reality works though.”

“That’s because they couldn’t find better options and weren’t strong enough to reach higher levels.”

History-turning figures changed the old truths and norms through conflict and conquest rather than harmony.

“Change and innovation exhaust everyone. Nobody wants it. The only way is for someone to whip them into following.”

Herding sheep or leading people—it’s all the same.

“So you’re saying you gave up looking for better options because you’re tired?”

“…”

Which means you’re rejecting even the so-called better worlds you’ve observed and selected until now. This must be the best world you’ve curated.

Even if we could rewind time and start again, would we make the best choices? Would the results even be optimal?

“Destroying is easy. Rebuilding after destruction? That’s tough stuff.”

But because it’s destroyed, we can start anew—in a better way.

“…It’s too late.”

The girl concludes.

“I’ve already paid the price for this.”

And the world grows and collapses this way—either advancing or fading away.

Just like individuals face hardships, the world is no exception.

“Isn’t it funny? This world keeps rushing us forward, which is kinda weird.”

The kid didn’t shake his head or deny anything but didn’t agree either.

“You could’ve found your own meaning and value in all this.”

“Maybe it’s too late. I’m exhausted. I don’t have the energy or the meaning anymore.”

“Hmm…”

Guess persuasion failed.

“Too much baggage leaves no room for new stuff.”

The basket’s full. To add new things, you gotta remove some old ones.

But if you don’t…

You just keep stacking things precariously until they inevitably spill.

It’s instinct, ecology, habit, desire—all rolled into one.

“But you, who’ve seen the world through the World Tree’s eyes, you know this: removing a few pieces won’t fix the world’s problems.”

“…Yeah.”

But somewhere, someone tries the impossible. Someone dares to challenge.

If they hadn’t known, they might’ve let it slide. But now that they know, pursuing it has become life itself.

“Heavy case.”

The young one shook their head and sighed.

“Surely you don’t mean what I think you do?”

“I don’t know what you’re guessing.”

But you’re smart—you’ll figure it out.

“The world can’t be dismantled by its creations.”

So we summon them.

“Summon gods.”

Beings that embody ruin itself.

“All these figures in your world now exist because the world’s master knows this.”

This isn’t the present.

It’s a past and future already decided.

“Well, fine. So… what happens to you?”

“Nothing changes. Even if the World Tree disappears from the earth, I’ll stay as I am.”

Because this isn’t the reality you know anyway.

“A realm unreachable by those with physical forms. You guessed right. This isn’t your world.”

Maybe the afterlife.

Maybe heaven.

Maybe paradise.

Maybe hell.

Or maybe…

“Something deeper.”

And beyond that lies…

“The true heavenly realm. The concept of the heaven you spoke of is over there.”

A world completely different from what you’ve seen or heard. A place where all certainties dissolve into something far more noble and high-dimensional.

“It’s beyond comprehension. Thus, a living soul cannot reach it. Even gods must shed their existing concepts and selves to enter.”

“Wow, sounds intense and kinda scary.”

“I don’t like it either. Maybe it’s equivalent to destruction for us individuals.”

The reason the world, the self, everything needs awakening and awareness to grow.

“Our ultimate goal might be reaching there as ourselves. Impossible as it seems.”

“Hmm.”

They say the gates of heaven aren’t open to just anyone. There, the good are most honored.

Does that apply to created beings? Or does it include them too?

“Now that you know this truth, you can’t go back.”

“What?”

“This is a curse. Knowing this, you can never return to your old self.”

Everything feels meaningless now.

Pointless.

“Your life from here on out will be a struggle for worthless causes. Everything’s meaningless, valueless.”

“Learned but can’t reach, effort and willpower alone are useless. Thus, frustration and despair. That’s the story, huh?”

Right before my eyes, a defeated girl stands.

Before me, a child who fell apart early and gave up on everything.

“Tough. Really tough.”

The kid crosses their arms and thinks deeply beyond their years.

“But since I know now, I gotta do it, right?”

Even if I’ve fallen, if I get another chance, I won’t give up.

“I can’t pull it off now.”

Smart, so they understand quickly.

What she meant.

Being smart makes them realize faster that they can’t reach it. Hence, this is a curse. Let’s rethink.

I’ll become a fool.

“Got it. Let’s move on. What’s done is done.”

“…?”

The girl looks confused.

Her blurry form tilts her head, watching as he adjusts his tone and posture.

“So, since everything’s done, giving me your qualifications or power shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“You’re still talking about that…?”

“Need it now.”

The kid extends their hand.

“Give it and relax or play before the world ends.”

“What are you saying…?”

The trees and leaves, glowing with light and silver, gradually shift into darker hues mixed with gold.

As dim golden light awkwardly illuminates the chaotic world, the girl appears perplexed.

“Why?”

“Because life goes on till the end.”

Until the very moment of death.

“The World Tree wasn’t exempt either, huh?”

“…Are you trying to steal it?”

“I’m lightening your load.”

She grabs her throat as if screaming but eventually lets go, her shoulders and head slumping in resignation, filling her with futility and despair.

“How is this possible? Did my sacrifices to the World Tree fall short compared to yours? No way. That’s ridiculous…”

“It’s just a sprinkle of rain.”

The kid casually explains.

“Even a rotting tree swarming with bugs can’t refuse rain if it’s still alive.”

Let alone sunlight.

“You too.”

“…Me?”

“And the World Tree expects it.”

Though she says no.

Though she says she wants to die.

Though she yearns for eternal sleep.

To vanish.

People who say such things often want to live well and happily more than anyone else.

Because life doesn’t offer that.

Because I can’t pursue it.

I drink the bitter poison called giving up.

Even if it’s self-justification.

…It was our salvation.

“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have cared. But I did. So I won’t leave you alone. I won’t give up.”

Whether you like it or not.

“I’ll do my part.”

Then, spreading both arms, the kid shouts.

“I’ll give everything! Know what I want? Just say it. I’ll do anything!”

My words confuse the girl.

“What are you doing?!?”

“Do I need this? Take it.”

The intelligence and sharpness that once mocked the world… disappear.

The smart, wise kid becomes just another ordinary one.

“This too? No big deal.”

They had great manual dexterity.

Great observational skills.

They quickly imitated and mastered anything they saw.

That talent mocking the world vanishes, as if it never existed.

“S, stop! You’re supposed to survive and return from here without dying! If you throw all this away… How will you live? How…?”

“Eh? I don’t get what you’re saying, but whatever.”

Their mind can’t process it.

There were thoughts and resolutions, but…

All forgotten.

“…”

What remains is the original vow.

“Do you want this too?”

Even memories of admiring heroes fade.

Friendships, affections.

Like droplets, like morning dew, they burst.

“Still not enough?”

Precious memories of respecting two figures.

Memories of loving them, the intent to do so.

All gone.

“…This too?”

All honed skills and arts are forgotten.

“…”

She hesitates slightly this time.

Because this…

“Can’t help it.”

“Stop! What’s the point of doing this?! What are you trying to accomplish?!”

“…”

But it’s already done. His once lively eyes now look dead.

“Umm, I don’t know.”

Gratitude.

Love.

Such noble purity, innocence untouched and unblemished, never harmed or dirtied—the sublime that can never be replaced…

…Vanishes.

As if it never existed.

“…”

The next step was easier.

Aptitude for swordsmanship.

Uncertain but undoubtedly exceptional magical aptitude.

Good fortune, destined luck—when revived, misfortune will shadow him forever. Conflicts will replace bonds, misunderstandings will breed greater misunderstandings.

Taking away isn’t enough.

Stripping away his valuable clothes and accessories too.

Now whipping him, branding his once smooth skin with red-hot irons.

Scarring him horribly.

All misfortunes and sufferings are yours.

Your efforts will always betray you, and you’ll never be rewarded.

Doesn’t that bother you? Truly?

“…”

He doesn’t know what bothers him anymore.

The kid isn’t in a state to reply.

Thus, only the initial vow and promise remain.

Following that vow.

The World Tree continues to take from him and impose upon him what isn’t his.

Through this, something became clear.

You were an offering made by your parents to the gods, but now we take even that fate from you.

All that remains for you is nothing.

Even the holiness hidden within you belongs to us now.

As a descendant of giants and also a god of war, your destiny is ours to claim. It will be given to the worthy.

This is your trial, and as you wished…

If you can’t surpass it with your own hands, it will enact our will instead.

Also, the blessings of the serpent shall be stripped from you.

O creator goddess with many names, wise yet fallen demon capable of rebirth—your favor will no longer reach him.

Unless he seeks you out himself.

“…”

Gazing at the collapsed kid, the white girl approaches.

But something stops her.

“?!?!”

It was something red and dark.

Though shaped like a human child, it wasn’t human.

Yet its gaze, felt around its hollow eye sockets, was filled with resentment and despair.

“Trying to run away?”

What?

The white girl tried to respond, but words wouldn’t come.

The pure white girl was held back by the red-dark girl.

“Why only you? Why me?! Why not me?! You didn’t do anything! Just complained!”

The red-dark girl screams.

That’s why, perhaps.

Where did the sleeping boy find the strength?

He grabs the frail wrist of the red-dark girl tightly.

“Carri…el?”

Were you awake the whole time?

For unknown reasons, with great effort, the boy looks up at the red-dark girl while sitting on the ground.

And says:

“You knew too…”

A faint murmur.

Childish babble, utterly insignificant.

“Wait… Soon you’ll…”

…

With that, the boy loses consciousness.

The pure white girl instinctively catches him as he falls.

And above.

The red-dark girl gazes down at the pitiful boy and sorrowful girl.

—!!

Despite opening her mouth wide, she cries silently, continuously wailing and wailing.

“Lucesia.”

“??”

The pure white girl looks up at the red-dark girl, calling her name.

“You’re our witness. His oath, covenant, promise, desire.”

Should any of these be broken…

“You’ll wander endless hells with me. I swear it. I won’t let you be the only one to benefit.”

“You… No, it can’t be. It wasn’t just me… right?”

Then, cutting through the oppressive anxiety and anguish.

A long sigh echoes from somewhere.

The pure white girl absentmindedly turns her gaze.

And there’s someone.

“Did this crazy tree summon me just to show this farce?”

Its form was so dark.

No other way to describe it.

Because even now, pitch-black shadows, like smoke rising from charred logs, seep out from every part of its humanoid shape. Far more terrifying than human.

“Pathetic, trivial creatures thinking they can handle the world with such resolve.”

The pure white girl trembled.

Realizing this was the being she had sought.

Mortals can’t destroy or erase the world, but he has done so countless times.

Thus, if there exists someone who can fulfill her purpose among countless worlds…

It’s only him.

The pure white girl’s final wish was for him to take her place.

And he gladly accepted—but…

Young Carriel somehow turned the situation around.

Seems the World Tree preferred this pathetic but dreamy idealist over the mighty war deity.

“Fine. Since I’m here, I’ll just take it by force.”

He strides toward us with heavy steps.

By now, the red-dark girl had vanished without a trace.

Only the pure white girl and fallen Carriel remain.

“Last one.”

The pure white girl prays.

I’ll likely fade soon.

Like the young Carriel hoped, I’ll forget everything and be given a new life. The World Tree was merely waiting.

But I was a coward who couldn’t make a choice. Only when pushed did I finally reach this point.

“Please help me. This is my last request.”

Her earnest plea dissipates meaninglessly.

The extremely dark yet dazzling golden tree and leaves offer no response to her cry—but something has definitely changed.

“Ah, that’s why.”

When that kid earlier talked as if he’d met me before…

“This is where we first met.”

And soon,

The place where I would inevitably defeat or overthrow him…this reality was already decided.

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