Chapter 0

The desperate struggle only delayed the inevitable end.

All that awaited this world was destruction.

The demons, growing stronger with each death, picked off my subordinates one by one.

When no one was left by my side, I lost the will to fight.

As I closed my eyes, recalling the subordinates who had gone before me, in front of the giant demon leader’s swinging axe.

“Snap out of it, Kairon!”

She threw herself in front of me and deflected the demon’s axe.

Abelin.

My rival, with whom I fought as if we wanted to kill each other every day, the woman who cursed me to die quickly, was now blocking my death.

It was hard to believe, but my body moved on its own.

In the brief opening Abelin created, I mustered all my strength to strike and beheaded the demon leader, ending the battle.

But.

“Cough, hack…”

In creating that opening, Abelin took a fatal wound from the demon leader and collapsed.

“What is this? I clearly ordered everyone to retreat. Why didn’t you go back? What have you done!”

“I just saved your dazed self. Aren’t you going to thank me?”

“That’s why I’m asking why you did it! You could have let me die and taken the demon’s head yourself!”

“Well…”

Abelin, with her fading focus, looked up at me and smiled.

“The soldiers need you more than me. Ugh…!”

Blood gushed from Abelin’s mouth.

“Don’t say more. Hold on until I bring a priest!”

“I know my wounds are beyond healing. So, just deliver my last words.”

“…I’ll gladly do that.”

Abelin, with trembling hands, grabbed my face and brought it close to her lips.

And then.

Peck-

“…?”

“Hehe.”

Abelin smeared blood on my cheek and laughed brightly, as if something was so amusing.

“Abelin, you…?”

“This is my last wish, Kairon.”

It was truly a series of unbelievable events.

She cursed me to die, yet threw herself to save me.

And her final act… this was just absurd.

Yes, she must have planned to mess with me till the very end.

“My ears must have been damaged in the battle.”

“Sorry for being so mean all this time.”

My mind couldn’t keep up.

Was she always this good at acting?

But her voice was too serious…

“No, I’m joking.”

Her trembling voice, the tears flowing from her clear blue eyes.

Seeing that, I couldn’t dismiss her words as a joke anymore.

“Live long. You’re handsome and fit, so go meet some women.”

“What’s the point of saying that now? Why are you saying this…?”

“Please be happy for my sake too. I’ll pray for you. Kair…on…”

Thud-

Just as I was about to ask, frustrated.

Abelin’s hand fell.

The lively eyes that had been looking up at me with a soft smile lost their light.

“Hey, open your eyes.”

I never expected this.

We were solely focused on defeating demons.

Our fighting styles, how we commanded our subordinates, were completely different.

That’s why we went from disliking to hating each other.

“Open your eyes, Abelin!”

The dead don’t speak.

No matter how much I shook her shoulders, Abelin didn’t respond.

Now.

I was truly alone.

Abelin lay there, eyes closed, resting peacefully.

Her bright brown hair, still glossy despite the harsh military life and constant dust of the battlefield.

Her clear blue eyes, though now closed, were enough to draw admiration.

Even her voice, if we hadn’t been constantly fighting, would have been lovely.

Excluding the lingering sensation on my cheek that clouded my judgment, Abelin was an exceptional woman.

“You just had to mess with me till the very end… Huh?”

As I looked down at Abelin, something caught my eye.

Something inside her chest armor was glowing brightly, piercing through the metal plate.

Carefully reaching in, I pulled out a mysterious blue gem hanging from Abelin’s necklace.

The gem, as clear as Abelin’s eyes, emitted a strong light.

“What is this…?”

As I leaned in closer to examine the gem.

“Hoh.”

Someone behind me let out an impressed sound.

I hadn’t sensed any presence.

“To defeat the Demon of Wrath. Not bad, human.”

A man in a sinister cloak smiled creepily at me.

One thing was certain, he reeked of the same stench as the demons.

I gripped my sword and faced him.

“Who are you?”

“I am an Apostle. My job is to bring joy to Them. And congratulations. You’ve been chosen. Passing the test has earned you the chance to become a servant like me.”

“A chance to become a servant. I’m not sure that’s something to celebrate.”

“Don’t refuse. They desire you, so you have no choice.”

“Don’t make me laugh. Who are ‘They’… Gah!”

Before I could finish, the Apostle was in front of me.

And with a speed I couldn’t dodge, he thrust his hand through my chest.

“Gah…!”

“Accept it. This is a curse, but also a blessing. You will eventually praise Them and dance with joy. This world will soon fall to stronger demons. So, join us in serving Them.”

A strange purple energy flowed from the Apostle’s hand, spreading throughout my body.

Emotions ran wild, voices and memories flashed by, and my mind grew hazy.

But Abelin told me to live happily for a long time.

So I can’t just give in…!

“Get lost!”

With the last of my strength, I swung my sword and severed the Apostle’s arm.

Thud-

“Resistance is futile.”

But the Apostle, unfazed by losing an arm, calmly stepped back and watched me.

The arm embedded in my chest detached from his body, but instead of falling, it melted into me.

“What, what is this…!”

“Be reborn willingly. As Their loyal warrior.”

I couldn’t hold on any longer.

Kneeling, I could barely withstand the horrifying energy consuming my body.

Soon, my body was completely enveloped by the strange energy, and my consciousness faded.

I’m sorry, Abelin.

I promised to live happily for a long time in your place.

But it seems I can’t keep that promise.

“Congratulations, Kairon. Now you are one with us… Huh?”

As my consciousness faded, the necklace I tightly held began to glow.

“No! This can’t be, that’s…!”

The Apostle, pale-faced, rushed towards me at that moment.

Everything was engulfed in light.