Chapter 355

355

[ROAAAAAAAAAAAR!]

Erebus let out a roar.

Simultaneously, he raised his arm.

WHOOOSH!

Black flames began to rage furiously.

The students of Seirun quickly retreated upon seeing this.

Without hesitation, Leo charged forward toward Erebus.

“Hey! Just a sec…”

Lunia looked flustered as she tried to stop Leo.

Others who were preparing defenses against Erebus’ attack were also surprised by Leo’s sudden and unexpected move.

The tip of Leo’s sword trembled.

KIIIIIING!

A sharp sound was followed by the emission of gray aura.

KWAANG!

Erebus’ fist slammed against the ground.

Countless black flames shot up.

Gargantuan columns of black flames soared into the sky like dragons and began to eye Leo as if they were alive serpents.

On seeing this, Leo plunged into the heart of it.

Leo’s red eyes followed the trajectory of the black flames encircling him from all sides.

‘Sure enough, this is merely a portion of Erebus’ power. There’s no trace of reason here.’

Leo squinted his eyes.

The true body is still beyond the Hero Record.

‘So it’s Seirun that truly controls Erebus.’

Leo exerted strength in his legs and kicked off into the air.

WHOOSH!

The column of black flames narrowly grazed past Leo.

As the columns of flames swirled around Leo chaotically, similar to reflected light, they attacked him recklessly.

Such a terrifying movement as if the flames were about to turn Leo into ashes.

However, Leo skillfully avoided all of Erebus’ attacks with minimal movement.

Seeing this, Lunia’s mouth opened wide in shock.

“Incredible…”

A situation where Leo could at any moment turn into ashes was not surprising.

Yet in such peril, Leo approached Erebus without any sign of wavering.

“Amazing.”

Eiran gazed at Leo as if in a daze.

She saw him now as a knight.

The magnitude of the current Leo’s movements was beyond imagination.

Even in a situation where any small mistake could cost him his life, moving so calmly was astonishing.

WHOOSH!

Having narrowly evaded the columns of flames flying past him, Leo raised his sword.

Erebus, whom he faced countless times in battle, with its immense amount of power and nothing but instincts—it was almost effortless to avoid its attacks.

On the contrary, the presence of Erebus awakened the Great Hero within Leo.

Leo’s sharply honed blade carved an intricate spiral trajectory through the air.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve used this.’

Kyle’s Aura Skill, Spiral.

KAGA-GA-GA-GACHING!

The spiral aura carved into Erebus.

Erebus’ body split apart.

Without hesitation, Leo pierced through the gap.

The Hero Record came into view when he reached the core.

WHOOSH!

Leo clicked his tongue as he reached toward the burning Hero Record.

He could feel Erebus’ power surging.

‘About to explode!’

Leo quickly retreated from the center of Erebus’ body.

THUD!

Leo landed and stood back up.

KAGA-GA-KANG!

A powerful explosion ensued, sending flames spluttering in all directions.

Leo didn’t look back at the explosion; he tightened his grip on his sword and walked toward Lunia.

‘With my current strength alone, it’s impossible to reach out and grab the Hero Record.’

Nor could he destroy the Hero Record rashly.

‘To Erebus, the Hero Record is a door. If destroyed before fully crossing over, it might not trigger anything, but in this current state connected with the outside, breaking it would have unforeseeable consequences.’

He might even be aiding Erebus in its escape.

Leo narrowed his eyes.

‘Looks like it’s best to take care of this from within Seirun’s world.’

“How’d you cut it? No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t cut him.”

In front, battling the undead, Hardin asked in amazement.

“You won’t be able to land any significant blows on him with ordinary attacks.”

Leo calmly looked down at his sword.

SQUEEAK!

The effect of cutting through Erebus was causing the sword to melt.

This was a masterfully crafted and renowned sword.

Nevertheless, in an instant, the life of the sword was drastically shortened just from cutting through Erebus.

“Was your previous attack not a normal-level one?”

“Somewhat.”

Leo shook off Erebus’s power with force on his blade.

The result of his prolonged cultivation in swordsmanship, combined with his natural mana attribute of purity.

‘I was just as good as Aron at cutting things.’

The Hero of Beginning, Kyle, did not reach the same peak of martial arts like the Champion Aron.

Indeed, Aron was legendary in combat.

Kyle could not fully master Aron’s legacy of aura.

But one thing.

When it came to cutting something, he was no less than Aron.

Leo looked at the resurfacing Erebus.

The current Erebus in front of him is but a tiny fraction.

If the main body were to come through, the world would face the Rebirth of Catastrophe again after 3000 years.

‘Before that happens, the passage must be closed.’

Leo glanced at the rising catastrophe flames.

“Lunia.”

“Yeah.”

“I will now enter the Hero’s World of Seirun.”

“Huh?”

Lunia looked bewildered.

“Exactly, something is certainly happening within the Hero’s World of Seirun now and I’m going to go in and check out what the ringleader is.”

“Far too reckless! That means diving into the core of the black flames, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Leo looked at the black flames and spoke.

“Therefore, your role is important.”

Leo smiled as he looked Lunia in the eyes.

“Open the path. Your flames will make it possible.”

“But… the limit of my magic is merely countering the black flames.”

Lunia clenched her teeth and bowed her head.

Lunia’s purifying flames could indeed hold its own against Erebus’ flames, but with her current strength, all she could do was suppress the fragments of the black flames that had extended out.

She couldn’t even deal a blow to the main body.

The black flames swiftly swallowed up the white flames that resisted them.

Watching Lunia, Leo reached out his hand.

“Huh?”

Grabbing Lunia’s chin with his hand and turning her gaze towards him, Leo spoke to her as she looked completely flustered.

“Believe in yourself.”

Leo grinned.

“Isn’t that the motto of your school?”

Leo’s smile felt oddly mature as Lunia blankly stared at him.

“You’re the sole inheritor of the magic Lunia created to defeat Erebus.”

Upon her gaze meeting his identical red eyes, Lunia’s eyes widened.

“Believe in Lunia’s magic, and trust me, who passed this magic onto you.”

Leo gently tapped her cheeks before turning around and facing Erebus.

Looking at Leo’s retreating figure, Lunia slapped her own face.

“Really now.”

And she glared at Leo’s figure with a slightly disgruntled face.

“Why does this adult act suit him so much?”

The feeling of anxiety in her chest disappeared.

After a deep breath, Lunia spoke.

“Eiran, guard me…”

“Why? What’s with you?”

Lunia looked puzzled at Eiran who was fidgeting her hands.

“Just now… the atmosphere was really intense.”

“Are you thinking about something irrelevant in this situation!”

“HIIEEK?”

Eiran, her face turning red as Lunia screamed at her, hesitantly held her sword and shield as she positioned herself in front of Lunia.

“Seriously.”

Sighing deeply and giving up on this situation, Lunia prepared her magic while surrounded by the students of Seirun who had gathered around her for protection.

‘Let’s see if I can do it!’

A brilliant white flame erupted around Lunia’s body.

Sensing Lunia’s readiness, Leo lowered into a combat stance.

The runes of the stars flowed from Lunia’s lips.

‘Oh, Lunia, even after 5000 years, you still give me the courage.’

Leo smiled, feeling the presence of his friend.

GOOOOOOO-!

Mana surged within her.

Leo was enveloped in a warm heat.

“Lord of Flames.”

Lunia’s magic was unleashed.

Simultaneously, without delay, Leo sprinted toward Erebus.

The pure white flames pierced through Erebus.

In that fleeting moment, Leo plunged forward.

The opening that Lunia created.

Leo stretched out his hand toward that point.

WHOOSH!

He clenched the Hero Record emanating black flames.

[Hero Record Open. ■■■’s Class of ■■■■■■]

An incomprehensible message appeared in front of his eyes.

WHOOSH!

Simultaneously, Leo’s body was sucked into the Hero’s World.

When he opened his eyes, all he could see were ashes lying around.

The surroundings were ablaze.

A very familiar scene to Leo.

The ashes Erebus left behind after burning through everything.

In Leo’s sight was an elf sitting on the ground holding a broken staff, bowing their head.

The lusterless platinum hair.

‘Rettingel of Seirun.’

Recognizing the elf, Leo walked over.

“I…… failed.”

Seirun’s shoulders shook as she muttered under her breath.

At that moment, the ground Leo was standing on began to collapse.

Like being sucked into a swamp.

Leo’s feet started to descend into it.

Not just Leo, but Seirun as well was being gradually swallowed by the dark ooze.

*

KAGA-GA-GA-GA!

Black flames soared skyward.

[You cannot accomplish anything alone.]

Erebus pronounced judgment on Seirun.

[Your struggles are meaningless.]

Despair painted across Seirun’s face.

The world was burning.

The Hero’s World was warping.

WHOOSH!

The remaining scenery transformed into ashes.

The entirety of the Hero’s World was burning.

The term ‘end’ flickered through Seirun’s mind.

The Hero’s Worlds were interconnected.

Therefore, heroes within one another’s Hero’s World could freely travel to any page they desired.

However, those who entered together to stop Erebus were an exception.

The Hero’s World shared by heroes of the Cataclysm had only one place accessible.

That of the final chapter dealing with the piece of Erebus.

Traveling to other comrades’ worlds was impossible.

Yet Erebus was a godly being.

Its presence alone could distort and destroy the rules created by gods.

The pages of other heroes could serve as conduits for Erebus.

Thus, before reaching the final chapter, the heroes of the Cataclysm were ordered to seal and destroy their own Hero Records.

‘…Someone didn’t destroy their Hero Record.’

Seirun’s face was soaked with despair.

THUD!

Her legs gave out, and she sank to her seat.

Her body had reached its limits long ago.

Erebus looked down at such a Seirun and spoke.

[Be trapped in this world and await the d*ath of your world, foolish mortal.]

Saying this, Erebus started walking out as if Seirun wasn’t even worth killing.

‘End… is near…’

What did she have left?

Rumern and Damian who once protected her front side are gone.

Azonia who stood beside her, fighting together, and Rodia who believed in her from behind, are gone.

“Guys… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Seirun sobbed and apologized to her comrades.

“I…… failed.”

SWALLOW!

Darkness gradually engulfed her.

“Eventually, the world couldn’t be saved because of me.”

Her entire body was pulled into the darkness.

The end was approaching.

If this Hero’s World were to end… Seirun would d*e, and Erebus would be completely freed.

Her entire body was swallowed by the deep darkness.

The uncomfortable floating sensation enveloped her entire body.

The suffocating deep darkness consumed her.

Even in such a situation, she desperately writhed and flailed her hands.

Even though her heart was already broken, thinking of it as a failure,

Until the very end, she fought against Erebus.

But soon, her strength ran out.

As her consciousness faded and she was about to close her eyes,

JAW!

A strong hand grabbed her wrist.

Like lifting someone out of water.

Someone pulled Seirun out of the darkness.

PUH-!

While her lower body was still engulfed in the dark,

Seirun caught a glimpse of snow-white hair as she barely pulled her upper body out of the darkness.

“Who are you?”

Seirun dumbly asked.

“Why do you say you failed?”

The boy was smiling.

“Look, you’re still trying, aren’t you?”

As if he fully understood how difficult Seirun’s situation was,

As if he was empathetic, with a gentle smile, he cautiously pulled Seirun out of the darkness.

Seirun dumbly looked up at the boy, freed from the darkness by his strength.

She had seen someone with that exact same smile before.

Once upon a time, a man who had saved the world gave a similar smile…

To her comrade, a great magician who had achieved remarkable feats.

The flustered and embarrassed face of the magician as they turned bright red at that smile came to mind.

It was a smile she had seen only once, but one she would never forget.

“You didn’t fail.”

Who can deny the failure and despair of the hero who once saved the world?

Probably…

“Raise your head, Seirun Rettingel.”

Someone who had already saved the world beforehand.

“You saved the world.”

[Your great deed will be recorded.]

A message appeared in front of Seirun’s eyes.

The world, which had turned to ashes, instantly restored to its original appearance.

Once again, Seirun’s great deeds were recorded.

The Hero Record was one of the legacies the gods left in the mortal world.

Rewriting that record was only possible by the owner of the Hero Record as far as Seirun knew.

And Seirun knew its owner.

“Hero of Beginning?”

Upon hearing this confirmation, Leo smiled.