Chapter 173
A distortion in space occurs.
A monster’s mouth opens wide, revealing white teeth that jut out like stalactites.
This is not an illusion caused by a Unique Spell.
It exists as a definite phenomenon, akin to a part of Cardinal Beled’s power.
A blessing that allows movement through space.
In the original story, Vargan, who had given up everything, received this reward as the Pope’s loyal subordinate.
The original Vargan attempts to step into the distortion reminiscent of a monster’s mouth. Could it really mean his abilities are manifesting just like that? Breaking the laws of the Dungeon?
While I was busy countering the Unique Spell, I hastily commanded twelve orbs of mana.
Kuwahh⎯⎯!
Ray after ray containing black flames is shot forth in an instant.
It thoroughly burns the target as if it would devour everything with the Flame of Corruption.
⎯…….
The original Vargan’s form flickered and disappeared.
The space that had been gaping like a mouth also closed shut and vanished. I could feel it. It couldn’t escape. At the last moment, it had dodged, replacing the illusion with a physical body.
I pinpointed his location and shouted.
“Do you think I would let you out!”
Movement through space. It’s obvious where he’s aiming.
I’m not the only one in this Dungeon right now.
He is likely brainwashed by the Command of the Dungeon to prevent me, but another will seems to surpass that.
“What’s your plan concerning Erica! Nothing will change! You’re nothing but a fake, a phantom that does not exist in this world!”
Kwagagagaang⎯⎯!
Once again, his attempt to teleport was detected, and I concentrated fire towards that spot.
The space created by the Unique Spell vibrated with my tremendous force. However, the original Vargan does not give up.
Even if he fails again, he hides within the illusion and waits for another opportunity.
He never intended to fight me from the start. From the beginning, he planned to bind my feet using the Unique Spell and then meet Erica.
Ignoring the words of a Dungeon akin to a parent.
He’s a ridiculously arrogant fool, just like someone else.
“I know the reason you desperately accepted Beled’s droplet of blood. You must have missed it. You must have felt regret. Hence, you chose that blessing resembling Erica’s Warp Magic, didn’t you!”
In the blood of Altife, of bishop rank and above, the power of the “Core” gathers subtly.
Blood contains the faint power of “Authority” gathered in the “Core.”
This liquid, diluted with the ‘Holy Water’ of the Goddess Church, is a material for blessings.
However, this blessing is heavily influenced by the recipient’s aptitude and desires, resulting in severe side effects if it’s not a match, leading to physical harm.
Moreover, the stronger the Altife, even a few drops of blood can turn the blessing into a lethal poison in case of side effects.
While it’s said that the greater the total mana, the richer the blood concentration in the blessing, at that time, Vargan was only at the rank of ‘Comprehension.’ He had never reached transcendence.
In other words, the original Vargan risked his life to become Beled’s dog. He threw away any chance of making the right judgment along with his life.
“It doesn’t drastically help in your combat. And you can’t use any other powers of Beled either. That blessing is merely a consolation for yourself. It holds no more value than that!”
Vargan’s blessing can’t be utilized as diversely as Erica’s Warp Magic. All it can do is move himself and a few others.
While it’s a plus that it can also be used in Dungeons and Nests, choosing this over other blessings would have been a far better option.
Kwa-kang, Kwa-ga-ga-ang—!
Once again, I fired a concentrated shot from the Magic Cannon. The form of the original Vargan disappeared like a mirage.
I could preemptively confirm where he would appear next and enhanced my physical abilities with acceleration magic.
I pumped a lot of strength and mana into my legs and jumped.
Bouncing off the ground, I shot through the air at high speed.
While flying.
A mirage erupted in the expected spot, and the form of original Vargan began to show again.
Soon, I collided with him.
In one swift motion, I slashed with the edge of my hand.
⎯…!
A proper sensation.
The feeling of skin brushing against my fingertips spread.
This time, I slashed before using the hallucination. However, he reacted with incredible reflex speed, so I couldn’t make a deep cut.
Blood burst forth from his right shoulder.
The space that was about to open behind him vanished when the sorcerer encountered a problem.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I caught him, trying to escape while igniting the Flame of Corruption, and lifted twelve magic spheres that were desperate to fire.
The beams targeting him screamed again.
“Tch.”
I noticed his hallucination had restarted. This time, where would he be preparing to escape from again…?
Kwa-ga-gang—!
Suddenly, one of the magic spheres I lifted shot at me.
My chest went empty.
Black flames blazed fiercely.
This was his hallucination.
Yet, it also significantly affects reality, a unique spell.
There isn’t any real pain. I could feel a burn, but it was undetectable.
As my vision darkened, I turned to see him standing there. This time, he attempted an attack, not an escape.
I gazed at him with a hollow expression.
He was facing me, but his mind seemed absent, manifesting the blessing and creating distortions in space.
A monster with a vile appearance and sharp teeth opened its mouth wide. He shifted his body into it.
The mouth of the monster I was inside gaped open. It was moving its body into it.
That was the last sight I had of the creature.
*
“⎯What do you mean? That can’t be.”
I grabbed the shoulder of the original Vargan. He looked quite surprised. This was the first time I saw his expression change during combat.
Seeing this made me smile, thinking my performance might have succeeded.
“Did you like my script? How does it feel? The fleeting hope of possibly meeting Erica, even if just for a moment. I hope you found it satisfying.”
I kindly spoke to him, who was intently examining the curse formula while rotating his mana circuit.
“Just as curse magic is your specialty, mine is similar. Although it’s not a unique spell, we understand each other pretty well, don’t we?”
The greater the understanding of the opponent.
The higher the achievements compared to the opponent.
It becomes easier to confuse them with curse magic.
“I haven’t had a proper chance to use it recently, dealing with such formidable opponents. But it feels great to catch someone like you so clearly after such a long time.”
The original Vargan seemed to quickly analyze the situation.
Everything remained the same.
The blessing from Beled in front of him was still there. The wound on his right shoulder was still there.
What had changed was my life and death.
And my ungovernable body.
“No matter how great the power of my mana sphere, enhanced by corruption magic, it won’t easily penetrate a shadow-wielding body. This kid isn’t just any familiar.”
I boasted, but he didn’t respond.
He only tried to resist with his blue mana flaring up.
I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I’ve told you many times, you cannot meet Erica. I won’t allow it. She surely knows nothing about your identity. What do you want me to do about that?”
Well… to be honest, I’m not sure if it’s really possible to escape the space set up by the dungeon. Due to the dungeon’s system, no creature born in it can leave.
However, there’s no need to create unnecessary danger.
This is a problem that can be resolved right here.
I subtly sent the shadow towards him.
“This is the realm of your unique spell. But it’s not like I can’t intervene at all. When I come into direct contact with your mana like this, an unfinished unique spell won’t be able to exert its proper effect.”
The dark shadow slowly moved from his shoulder towards his neck.
Once it reached the long neck connecting to his face, the shadow stuck to him like a tattoo, shifting its form.
It detached from his body, becoming a black blade.
A small knife that gleamed ominously as if about to decapitate him.
“It’s been quite an enlightening experience. It made it clear what I need to enhance, what I need to fix. Thanks to that, I’ll be able to create an even stronger unique spell after overcoming all trials…”
⎯…Schugenharz. Can you hear me?
From the wide-open mouth of the monster.
A familiar woman’s voice echoed.
⎯I’m sending my voice where your mana feels closest, but I wonder if you can hear it… Anyway, why is this taking so long? I’ve just passed through the hallway and into the dungeon…
Anyway, why is this taking so long? I’m just passing through the hallway and into the dungeon….
The original Vargan’s focus shakes, and his eyes widen impossibly.
His resistance is far stronger than before; it seems like he’s trying to charge at me, as if this isn’t the time for hesitating.
“What an unpleasant sight…”
The appearance of a person desperately longing for something is anything but beautiful. His facial muscles twitch, expressing nothing but anger and doubt.
Had the noble manners been buried in memories of the past, he appeared more pitiful than heartwarming.
Desperately, he rolls his eyes as if they might tear at the corners, staring into the mouth of the formless dark monster where nothing is visible.
Then his parched lips move. He tries to utter the name of the woman he misses so dearly, overwhelmed with a whirlwind of emotions.
⎯……Erica….
Thud.
His head fell off.
The darkness seemed satisfied as it completed its task, straightening out my clothes.
As his mouth ceased moving, the world surrounding us crumbled.
The vast field transformed into a chasm.
The swarming Altife vanished.
The body of the original Vargan, now headless and dispersing like smoke. His body, looking emaciated as if lacking moisture, is cold to the touch.
“……”
My tongue feels bitter.
Even though I’m not like him now, I cannot find joy in the tragic death of someone so remarkably similar.
If I hadn’t been reincarnated.
I would have been in the same situation as this dying fellow.
…In conversations with the original Vargan.
I rambled on as if I knew the reason for choosing the ability to move through space as a blessing, but strictly speaking, it’s just speculation.
The original story didn’t clarify his exact reasons, and in the end, he was a madman, making it hard to find rationale in his actions.
Denying everything in the world.
A villain who hated both the Hero and the Goddess Church, two worlds.
He feels so distant from me now.
But… if I were to take a wild guess.
“Whoa! …Schugenharz. If you were right in front of me, you could have at least replied.”
As the original Vargan completely disappeared, a hole opened in the blocked wall of the chasm, revealing a small woman who had been waiting.
The portrait’s young lady, characterized by her fierce gaze.
There she was.
“Why are you just staring at me without saying anything? It’s uncomfortable.”
“…It’s nothing. More importantly, you broke through quickly.”
“……I can’t just stand there for too long.”
“Indeed. Can’t argue with that.”
I smiled lightly, affirming Erica’s words.
…The final Vargan. If I were to make a guess about the mad villain.
‘He wanted to go to the world where Erica is.’
Is it because of that?
Whether it was the past, the future, or another timeline.
Did he want to apologize to her before he died?
With his extraordinary mind, lacking a specific plan, it seems like nothing but a ridiculous delusion.
Yet, as someone who shares a similar past, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might actually be true.
