NOVEL NEXT Chapter 141
141. Liberation And Salvation
“Right now, it’s still under control. With that sword you’re holding, stab my heart.”
“I can’t! No way!”
“Please! I need you to do it! I… I don’t want to take anyone else’s happiness anymore!”
That’s right, she’s always been like this. She says things like stealing someone else’s happiness as if it were nothing.
As frustrating as it is, the decision you made at this moment is rational. We’re adventurers. If there’s a chance we could harm our comrades by carelessly touching something in the dungeon, the best solution is to kill.
—But, is that really the right thing to do!?
Laura has always prioritized other people’s happiness. So when is she going to find her own happiness? Dragging her into these dangerous dungeon expeditions, and if things get bad, just killing her to end it?
There’s no way that could be the right conclusion!
“Laura! I’ll save you! I swear it!”
In an instant, Laura swung her fist at me. Fast. I dodged on reflex and dashed outside the temple.
“Everyone, Laura’s in serious trouble! Use
“W-What about you, Arx!?”
“I’ll buy time by fighting Laura! Hurry, all of you!”
Following my instructions, the member with
Meanwhile, Laura, having lost her mind, reached for her waist and, realizing her sword wasn’t there—
—grabbed Gerda’s leg, who was lying at her feet, and began swinging him like a club.
“Alright, we’re going to hold off Laura!”
While glaring at Laura, Raize stood next to me.
“Raize! You go with the others!”
“No! You didn’t listen to Laura either, right? Then I won’t listen to you. I’ll back you up!”
“Yeah, yeah, fine! I’m counting on you, partner!”
Even while everyone was evacuating, Laura continued to slowly walk toward us. Her steps were unsteady, like she was drunk, and it became clear her reasoning had left her.
“She’s coming! Arx, take Laura down already!”
Laura kicked off the ground and charged at us with incredible speed. Faster than any movement I’d ever seen from her.
Startled by her speed, the next thing I saw was her launching a giant swing—Gerda, used as her weapon.
“—!”
I ducked in place, narrowly avoiding Gerda’s log-like body. What an attack. Not just the speed, but the fact that she didn’t hesitate to use a person as a weapon.
Is her enhanced combat ability because of that gemstone?
“Laura! It’s me! Snap out of it!”
Dodging her relentless attacks by a hair’s breadth, I called out to her desperately. I was betting on the chance that she was temporarily possessed.
But contrary to my hopes, Laura’s movements didn’t change. It wasn’t working.
In that case—first, I need to stop her movements!
I dodged her right straight punch to the side and unleashed a roundhouse kick.
Laura adjusted her neck angle and blocked the kick with her face and shoulder. She was more technical than I expected. It didn’t seem like she took any damage.
“Laura! Can’t you hear me!?”
As I tried to reposition myself before she grabbed my leg, I noticed something that confused me.
It looked like Laura was in pain. Her expression had tightened, and the wild, animal-like movements from before had come to a stop.
“Arx…!”
While clutching her head, Laura strained to call out my name. Her self-awareness was still there.
But—within seconds, she attacked me again.
“Laura! It’s me! Answer me!!”
No response came. But I didn’t miss that brief moment.
Why did she call my name only at that time? If her self-awareness remains, then maybe she can still hear my voice?
Was it just a coincidence? No, there must be a reason. There must be a crucial hint to bringing Laura back to herself!
“Arx! Everyone’s finished evacuating! We need to retreat too!”
Raize shouted from behind, and black smoke erupted from the red magic circle at her feet. It spread quickly, and within a minute, it had engulfed the entire 50th floor.
“Summon the Warp Slime!”
“Got it! But first!”
Raize tugged on my sleeve within the thick smoke. I summoned the high-level appraisal slime and used it to appraise Laura, who had vanished from sight.
Then, I heard information related to Laura’s rampage that I hadn’t noticed before—
—
Zain’s Cursed Eye
Enhances the owner’s physical abilities and magic power.
—
This was it. The cause of Laura’s madness. The true identity of that red gemstone—Zain’s Cursed Eye!
“Arx! Hurry up!”
I’d like to gather more information, but there’s a chance Laura might still find us through the smoke.
I summoned the Warp Slime and set the destination to the dungeon entrance.
Wait for me, Laura. I’m not going to abandon you.
I’ll definitely find a way to save you and come back!
I saw Laura’s silhouette through the black smoke. I stepped through the warp gate and headed to the other side.