NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6
Yeriell’s body, infused with light, began to glow bright white.
“What on earth is happening right now? Did Yeriell do something that triggered this serious situation?”
Chaos answered my urgent question.
[Chaos says that swearing to a god is… making a promise that, along with a strong desire as a servant of that god, can grant power if accepted.]
That’s a completely different example compared to what’s happening now!
[Chaos can also say that swearing can be used to discern truth from lies, for purposes of determining the truth in situations like this one.]
Truth and lies. Differentiation of lies.
[Chaos adds that in this case, unless one risks their life or offers a tremendous tribute, they would be deemed unworthy by the god they serve, which is generally a very rare sight.]
So, swearing to a god means…
<"I will place an unbreakable constraint for life, so if you find it acceptable, please allow me to become stronger!"> and <"I will stake my life as a guarantee, so kindly do not get upset and let everyone know that I am right!"> are two possible directions?
The latter means if your words are wrong, you really die, right?
“This is insane. Why did Yeriell risk her life to protect me?”
We’ve only known each other for about four days. Was she thankful for shaking Hans off?
Or did she hear my conversation in the tent and think I looked way too pitiful?
With all these thoughts, the dazzling white light that had been stinging my eyes faded.
“Yeriell is alive. What happened, Scarlet?”
Bernard pressed Scarlet for answers.
“Isn’t it just using Divine Power to shine brightly? How can you even say that wasn’t a violation seeing her in that condition…?”
Kaboom! Crackle.
Hans began to suspect Yeriell, but suddenly a white lightning bolt fell from the sky right in front of him.
Hans, curled up and trembling, clamped his mouth shut.
“Scarlet, I’ll ask too. What’s going on? If Yeriell’s words are true, does that mean you intentionally tore your clothes and hit yourself, screaming?”
Scarlet, finally throwing away her indecisive attitude, said, “Yeah! I intentionally tore my clothes and messed up my hair to put on this entire act. Why did I do it? Because Aren didn’t accept my feelings!”
Derik, hearing this, turned red and said, “Hey! Your beloved is me, not Aren! Now that I think of it, things have been strange since a few days ago. I thought Aren was the one doing something wrong, but it turns out you were the one flirting!”
Thud!
With a stomp filled with anger.
“Why on earth! Did you really fall in love at first sight or something?”
Scarlet retorted irritably.
“I was about to tell you I wanted to break up!”
“…”
“I just came out of the family and registered as an adventurer, standing there awkwardly, and you remember how you came with your whole veteran act and offered to form a party, right?”
Derik replied with reluctance and she continued.
“I was just a newly registered rookie back then, and for a moment, your composed demeanor seemed kinda cool. I think I mistakenly thought I liked you in that life-and-death battle.”
Didn’t your trait affect your thoughts too?
“…But no matter if I liked you first, I always lost! I seriously hate men who are obsessed with authority and blind to their goals, leaving me neglected! I only need one trash like my father!”
Scarlet shook her head and pulled at her hair in exasperation.
“As we went up the floors, I kept approaching first! You hardly did anything but kept making excuses about dungeon expeditions and party leader stuff while enjoying a privileged position!”
She kept pointing at Derik, pushing him further.
“If you really had all these dungeon reasons and whatever, you should’ve firmly rejected me! Since I showed my liking first, did it seem like I was too easy? Am I just a fish you’ve already caught? Playing hard to get?”
Hmm, Derik seems to have issues too…
“Aren is cool, kind, and doesn’t treat people lightly! Even when he rejects, he does it gently! That’s the kind of man I like!”
“Didn’t Yeriell say during our first meeting? Since there was no reaction to the trait, they couldn’t be evil. Don’t they all know their traits?”
I secretly asked Chaos, perplexed.
[Chaos says you can easily check stats or trait names, but for detailed checks, you have to apply at the Cathedral and then wait for your turn to verify everything.]
A Cathedral?
[Chaos adds that it’s the same place where one pays to erase traits.]
If Scarlet suddenly had an unusual trait one day, she registered as an adventurer and immediately received party invitations and dove into the labyrinth without time to investigate.
Did this strange curse like trait emerge when she left the family?
As I pondered, Derik continued, trembling with anger.
“So you put on a whole performance, making people fools, just because Aren wouldn’t take you back and even threatened him?!”
“Because I love Aren that much! You might think it’s strange that I could fall for someone in such a short time, but I’m different! I truly, genuinely liked Aren!”
Damn. If only I knew that was love and obsession influenced by her trait…
“Stop it, Scarlet. I said earlier I don’t want to deceive Derik. It’s best to stop here.”
Upon hearing that, Scarlet’s eyes widened.
“Aren! So, if I wrap things up with Derik now, would it be fine then?!”
“Stop it. Scarlet, until tomorrow morning before we start exterminating the Goblin settlement, you’ll safely stow your weapons away and tie them up in one place for monitoring in order.”
Derik, seemingly drained, cut off my words and concluded.
“You almost dragged me into disgrace, so I won’t ask. Do you want punishment?”
Although I was furious and thought about revenge at that time… everything was already resolved, so affirming it would only worsen the party’s atmosphere.
I should only think about escaping the labyrinth tomorrow.
“No. It’s alright. Let’s just focus on returning to the city. I sincerely hope Scarlet doesn’t cause trouble until tomorrow.”
With that, we wrapped things up and began monitoring Scarlet by binding her hands to a nearby tree.
Sitting apart from Scarlet as it was my turn, Yeriell came to me.
“Ah, I did well earlier, right? Hehe.”
It wasn’t long since I felt relieved that she risked her life.
“Next time, don’t do something so dangerous as risking your life for others. You have no idea how startled I was earlier, do you?”
“It’s not just anyone, it’s Aren, so it’s different…”
Yeriell wiggled her fingers, mumbling so softly I couldn’t hear.
“I couldn’t hear you; can you say it again?”
“No! Aren is a fool! At times like this, you should just say thank you!”
“No, I was obviously thankful. No, thank you for saving me earlier. Thanks to you, things will go well tomorrow.”
Yeriell smiled shyly.
“Just words only?”
“Um, do you want something?”
“Pet me! I mean, it’s not anything special, but your big hands feel nice!”
Thud!
Scarlet, binding, kicked the tree.
“I can also smile at you, and I can be cute too! I could even do more for you, so why are you only sweet to her? If you got rid of her, wouldn’t you look at me more? No, we’d just die together and stay forever!”
“Wait, didn’t Scarlet just mutter something there?”
Wasn’t she just frustrated because her act was exposed?
Thinking she must still have more to say, I approached her.
[The outburst of intense anger causes the utilization of magic to become turbulent and output increases.]
[Scarlet Ennis’s Flame Blessing goes into overload.]
“…Oh fiery flame that will burn… Flame Burst!”
Oh crap.
Flare!
As the magic completed and flames burst forth, everything around slowed down. At least I had time to think, but.
The problem was the magic was released so close, and even if I were to slow it down, the size wouldn’t let me perfectly evade it.
I was taken aback by the crumbling sight.
Wait, she can use magic without a staff?
‘If I stay still, I’m heading straight for roasting. If I watch the signs closely, I can tell that this is a magic that’ll spread out flames in a straight line.’
Then what do I do?
‘Jump up? What if the spell doesn’t end? Slide down? One side would get charred to a crisp.’
In the end, even if I minimized the damage, a part of my body was bound to take the hit. I could only rely on Yeriell’s heal.
Having reached a decision, I acted quickly.
I dove to the right, and immediately, everything around me resumed its normal flow.
Kreek!
“Gah, kyaah─!”
As expected, in the process of dodging, the lower part of my leg came in contact with the flame.
It was a brief moment, but it was more than hot enough.
“Aren! No!”
Crap! I feel like I’m going to die! Ack!
They say the greatest pain a human can feel is the searing pain, and all I could do was hold my leg and clench my teeth.
[Chaos inches forward in sympathy.]
In that time, hearing my scream, all the party members, including Yeriell, rushed over.
“Dodge that? If I can’t connect with Aren, I’d rather just die! You useless people, get out of the way─!”
Flare.
Bang! Boom!
“Defensive stance!”
[Derik casts ‘Steadfast Stance’, gaining jungle resistance.]
[By consuming magic, shock dispersal is possible.]
“Bernard and Hans, get Aren behind me! Yeriell, go heal now, then put up a barrier in front of me! If you want to live, don’t be behind me!”
Bernard and Hans immediately lifted me and moved.
“Aren! Please allow them to rise up from their pain!”
[Yeriell rushed in and cast heal, and the injury began to recover as the pain faded and the skin on my leg regenerated.]
At that moment.
‘…What is this?’
As the pain gradually subsided, I began to feel something different from the magical hit leg.
The faint touch I felt at my fingertips every time I killed a goblin.
The hint of magic that I missed in the explosion of the magic burst.
Woooooow.
This time, thanks to being directly hit by the magic, it felt particularly strong.
I held my leg and closed my eyes.
Thump.
I still felt some kind of magic wanting to burn within my grasp, like embers still alive.
It felt as if Scarlet’s frenzy was embedded within that powerful magic.
Thump!
As I felt magic properly for the first time, the sensation began to spread uncontrollably.
This is… magic?
As I opened my eyes, the magic was incredibly close by.
The blue ones gathered at Scarlet’s gestures swirling red, turned white under Yeriell’s chants, and were gathered solidly in brown around Derik’s shield.
Further, they floated in the air, swaying with every breath I took.
Even flowing through my entire body, racing through my veins.
Thump!
The color-shifting world sparkled like a wonderland.
…This is the other world.
[Chaos begins to adapt to the magic.]
What I needed was to come in contact with strong magic somehow.
Just like putting water into a dry pump for it to work.
Thump!
Now I understand.
Why is it called a heart of chaos? What the dragon blood within me signifies.
My heart beats.
[The Heart of Chaos begins to operate due to the user’s magic perception.]
[Trait Strong Body ─ Dragonian acquired.]
────
[Strong Body ─ Dragonian] [A]
The blood of a dragon has seeped, and an optimized human starts to perceive magic. This is a technique involving using magic. It contrasts with the normal human method.
Continuous training and practical experiences will unlock the next level.
Current: Level 1
─By operating the magic within the body, general physical abilities are enhanced. During operation, each physical grade elevates one level.
─When operated, adds weak extra damage of chaos energy to attacks.
─When operated, provides a weak resistance to magic.
────
I operated the magic using the operating method inscribed in my head while acquiring the trait.
[Activation of Strong Body.]
[Each physical grade rises one level.]
Thanks to that, even my mild phantom pain disappeared, and I regained vitality enough to stand up lightly.
[Chaos finally congratulates you on taking your first step.]
Bernard asked, “Aren, are you okay? It felt like an important moment, so I kept quiet. I’m glad to see you already up and about.”
“…Scarlet’s magic burned my leg, but I finally woke up my magic. It’s more than just recovery; it’s different from the me you’ve been watching for the last few days.”
I answered assertively and turned my gaze to the battlefield.
“Only a meat shield, and he’s so tenacious? If you put Aren on the line, you don’t care and just back off, huh?”
“Of course not! Aren is currently a member of my party, and even though it’s been short, we’ve built a bond. Can I just throw that away?”
How did it turn out like this?
“I’ve regretted so much lately for being love-struck and looking foolish while exploring the labyrinth because I thought Aren coaxed you! You damned piece of trash!”
Hearing Derik’s words, Scarlet clenched her teeth, wanting to erase the embarrassing memories.
“I also can’t believe I told a trashy person like you that I liked you! You cowardly, authority-obsessed, greedy loser!”
Flare.
“If you hadn’t been around, Aren might have accepted me! You are a pathetic loser compared to him in looks, skills, and personality! Just die already─!”
Scarlet, furious, wielded her hands and unleashed flames at Derik.
Bang. Bang.
Bang!
“Guh, arrgh!”
Derik, who had just managed to hold on with his trait until I recovered, looked like he had completely exhausted his magic as the brown of his shield faded.
Yeriell was barely holding up Derik’s support with a barrier and was already worn out and panting.
‘In the end, I have to finish this by my own hands. Let’s go.’
I told Bernard to keep his distance since I might grab attention and just gather the two lying there.
“Understood. Please take care.”
Nodding, I started walking toward Scarlet.
When she spotted me, her face lit up and she fired projectiles of flame my way.
“Aren! Let’s just die together and leave this place!”
Bang! Bang!
In this familiar slowdown, I skillfully evaded the fiery trails.
“Please stop it already!”
“I won’t cease!”
As I dashed forward, she bit her lips and spread her arms wide, creating a flaming barrier.
‘Did her magic drain quite a bit? It certainly looks grand, but visually it’s thin. I can just break through.’
Given I also had weak magic resistance attached to Strong Body, I threw myself straight ahead, plunging through the barrier.
“Ugh.”
Whoosh!!
Overall, I got a bit scorched, but no pain!
Emerging from the barrier, I was met by a dazed Scarlet, bleeding from the nose and mouth as she chanted.
“Fiery flames, slice the enemy with the burning sword. Flame Cut!”
With the massive trail of flames aimed to cleave me in two and the world unusually slowing down.
Now I think I… can do something.
I remembered the feeling I got from watching the colorful magic before, and I focused so hard that blood vessels in my eyes nearly burst.
Finally, it appeared. A blue trail across the red one.
“Gah!”
Fwoossh─!
As I drew my sword along the blue trail, the magic faltered, causing the flames to explode away before reaching me.
Simultaneously, my sword shattered!
‘So just splitting magic causes a backlash strong enough to damage the sword… This would be almost useless as a technique.’
After glancing down at the breaking sword, I approached Scarlet.
She was already drained, lacking the strength to even stand.
Scarlet struggled to say, “Yeah. If I cannot end this with you, then I want to die by your hand. Please, bring an end to this futile life, Aren.”
After this happening several times where she tried to kill me and failed, it would only be right for me to end it.
“Ha… Yeah. That burning pain I felt because of you was the worst pain I’ve ever endured, right?”
Don’t hesitate.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them.
“But thanks to you, I’ve developed tremendously. Farewell.”
Thud.
I once heard that piercing the heart deeply would kill someone within three seconds.
While slashing her neck was risky since the sword would break mid-draw, I pierced her heart instead.
With just a light jab, the blade shattered.
Fwoosh. Fwoosh.
Flames began to flicker from the heart pierced by the sword.
Much more than three seconds, even ten seconds passed, and she still didn’t die.
‘Is it because she’s a mage? The remaining magic within her burning her alive? Or is that some effect of the Flame Blessing trait?’
She whispered, “I… thought something was off. I knew it… but while loving you, I was truly… happy.”
Crack.
Clenching my teeth hard, I bowed my head.
“I understand you’ve had a rough time now that I have heard your story. Thanks for liking a loser like me. Now, please rest in peace.”
I wiped the tears that welled in her vacant eyes and stroked her hair.
Damn. I’m not being hypocritical; I’m the one who killed her. Let’s just go back.
The flames in Scarlet’s heart began to dim.
Slump.
As I stood up, she said with clarity like her last shining phase, “I will never forget you even in death. I love you, Aren.”
Thud.
With those words, Scarlet collapsed and no longer moved.
Phew. This brings on a wave of melancholy. Shake that off and move on.
[Chaos wants to pat your shoulder in empathy.]
Now that I have awakened my magic, there’s nothing left but to catch goblins and step through the portal.
I’ve decided to live well, even in another world. There will be many greater trials ahead. Let’s move forward.
⋯⋯.
[Through a sharp catalyst, the trait Emophilia transforms into blind love.]
────
[Blind Love (A)] [P]
A child cursed by her family, having never received love while growing up, she yearned for a love so strong it could conquer everything. While the beginning may have been influenced by traits, the end was solely her one-sided love, devoid of any outside interference.
─Loves only one person.
─Does not forget the beloved under any circumstances.
─Feels no remorse when acting to help the loved one.
─When in love, magic raises by four levels and utilization and output increase.
────
[The subject has completely perished.]
[Using the Phoenix Feather applied to the subject, the body and soul will revert back to a designated time frame and move to a specified location.]
[Designated Subject ─ Conrad Ennis]
[Revival Subject ─ Scarlet Ennis]
Fwoosh!
[Error! Error! Trait and consumable conflict resulted in an error.]
[…It has determined that traits take precedence. The soul is preserved.]
[Return Scarlet Ennis’s body to its state 20 days prior, and inject the soul, relocating it to the Ennis Duke mansion.]
—
I awoke, not knowing how it happened.
What is this? Didn’t I die because Aren’s sword pierced my heart?
‘Aah! So even in death, I couldn’t forget Aren?! Truly, the power of love is amazing!’
“Are you awake?”
Huh?
“I asked if you were awake. You well know the consequences if I had to repeat myself three times, don’t you, Scarlet?”
“Yes! Yes! I’m awake! My Duke! I’m so sorry for making you repeat yourself twice!”
This voice, it’s my father. The Duke of Ennis, the youngest master of the Fire School, must not have died.
Moreover, this is the damned mansion, isn’t it?
“I’ll only say this once, so pay attention. You threw a tantrum for the first time in your life wanting to enter the Maze instead of going to the Tower,” he said, glaring at me with a disgusted expression.
“Since I had no other child, the Feather of the Phoenix, one of the three hidden in the family, was prepared in advance for you. Now I have squandered a treasure that has been passed down for generations on such foolishness.”
The Feather of the Phoenix? I know what that is. But isn’t it a consumable that reverts the body and soul to a certain point in time instead of resurrecting?
‘Why do I still have all the memories of the time before I died?’
“You’ve lost one chance now, so until you achieve a certain milestone in the Tower, you won’t be coming out. How pathetic that my daughter first died and returned in only 20 days…”
You have to obey, right?
The esteemed master of the Fire School, the only master of the Tower in this city, just said it. I’d better agree.
…Honestly, it’s no great matter. If I really did come back to life, then reuniting with Aren would surely be worth briefly entering the Tower.
“Yes. I will enter the Tower and accomplish what you ordered. But after coming out, can I live according to my wishes?”
“Hmm? Suddenly the mood has changed? …Well, I don’t mind. As long as you don’t even bring my name into disgrace while someone is watching you.”
He gazed at me with disinterested eyes.
“As long as you don’t embarrass my reputation or the family, I won’t care.”
Did he just create a promise?
“Then may I go rest in my room now? Since I almost died and all, I’m quite tired. Plus, I should prepare to leave tomorrow.”
“Fine. Go ahead.”
Bowing my head, I headed straight for my room.
As I dashed through, the whispers of the servants I passed by were bothersome, but I just ignored them and ran.
Whoosh─
As soon as I entered the room, I secured the alarm and soundproofing magic around, hiding them discreetly.
A chuckle escaped me.
“Hehe, heehee…”
Aren. My Aren.
“Yay, hehehe! Ahahaha─!”
I don’t know why I still have memories, but perhaps it’s destiny.
You must have seen me strangely.
‘Did you fall in love just because I hugged you once to save you? So clingy even with a lover? Screaming for a hug at night after five days? Is that normal?’
You might think like that.
But let me tell you, somehow… it feels clearer now than before I died.
I now realize there’s no appropriate reason for love. I want to love you.
Even if you have other women around you, I wouldn’t mind. Well, polygamy isn’t too bad.
Even if you still hate me, I’ll just like you more.
So please, don’t forget me and live well.
The day I leave the Tower, I’ll come find you.