Chapter 385

385.

Guardstron.

The final fortress of humanity and the place where the flame of hope was first ignited. It was truly known as the land of hope—an invincible and great bastion.

However, even Guardstron was not always so great.

“It wasn’t. At first, it was a mess.”

Leo, sitting at a tavern within Guardstron, gave a bitter smile. This fortress was no different from any other.

The reason it had managed to survive up until the brink of annihilation wasn’t due to anything special—it was merely good fortune.

“The fact that Tartarus’ footsteps never reached us in the end was purely a stroke of luck.”

Though today known by many glorious titles, during this time Guardstron was not much different from the other final cities. The law and order were in shambles. Numerous refugees stormed its gates. Resources were limited.

Decisively, a sense of “fear” loomed over everyone — the fear that they might not know when destruction would finally come.

But even with all that, this was still a place where people lived. Taverns existed where warriors returning from the battlefield could quench their thirsts and fill their bellies.

In an era where the fall of the fortress and the doom of everyone could happen at any moment, drinking might seem absurd.

“However, if we didn’t get drunk off our asses on drinks, we wouldn’t be able to face each day with any level of sanity.”

The reality was simple—there was hardly any hope left in the world. Truly, this was the edge of the abyss. This was the era that Leo had stepped into.

The great assault of Tartarus had ended. Now was the time when any tavern should be bustling with activity.

But the tavern Leo was in, which also doubled as an inn, was empty.

At the table, Leo sat alone. The elf managing the tavern placed two large, rough drinking mugs on the wooden table and then leaned against the counter, crossing her legs.

This was the regular tavern of the Hero of Survival, Kyle.

“Guess I owe you another debt, Kyle, even before my final journey.”

Leo thought of a friend from long ago and gave a bitter smile.

“Sorry, sorry.”

At that moment, Lissinas descended from the second floor.

“Been keeping myself busy with a few things.”

Lissinas sat across from Leo with an air of relief.

“Been writing the memoirs?”

Lissinas had documented everything relating to the Era of Catastrophe through his writings. And today, he had been writing about the day he joined the party.

Recalling those events, Leo couldn’t help but chuckle inside.

“Today is the historically important day we formed our raid party. I’d say let’s drink to it heartily. I’d love to treat the entire establishment, if there were customers.”

Lissinas glanced around.

“With both you, an unlucky omen, and me, a fool spreading useless hope causing aversion, here, there’s no wonder the tavern is deserted.”

“Now might be. But soon, people’s gazes upon us will change. This city will change.”

With a voice filled with strong determination, Lissinas raised his mug.

“So, before we get into deeper discussions, let’s start.”

Lissinas smiled faintly.

‘Here we go, the final chapter.’

“To the blessing of our future and the hope of the world, cheers.”

‘To the blessing of our future and the hope of the world, cheers.’

Five thousand years ago.

As Leo silently stared at Lissinas making the same toast they had shared during their last drink with friends, he remembered their final days.

“…Kyle?”

When he saw Leo silently staring at him, Lissinas tilted his head in confusion.

“Cheers.”

Clattering!

The wooden mug hit with a rough sound.

‘Who could’ve imagined that after losing everyone and millennia later, I’d be back here, sharing another first drink with you.’

“…Kyle?”

Lissinas, who had been sipping on his drink, now asked with an odd tone.

“Good news? Why are you smiling like that?”

Responding to this question, Leo’s eyes widened before resting his cheek on his palm and continued to laugh.

“Because I’m happy.”

Lissinas was clearly perplexed.

‘This isn’t like him…’

Lissinas knew Kyle’s personality well, having chased after him for weeks trying to rope him into the party. Kyle’s twisted nature was something Lissinas had experienced firsthand to his dismay.

‘All this time, calling me “stupid”, “lizard”, all those rude remarks…’

Lissinas wanted to punch Kyle in the face, but had suppressed such feelings to make a good impression.

But recently…

Since Kyle helped defend Guardstron’s workshop and joined the party, something felt different about him.

‘Doesn’t matter. No matter what, the fact that he’s a part of my raid party remains unchanged.’

Kyle, the Hero of Survival, was already renowned worldwide for his strength. Even demons feared him.

‘A true powerhouse, surviving countless battles.’

Lissinas desired such companions. After seeing Kyle in action, it only solidified his belief that he had to recruit him into his party.

‘The unprecedented All-Class. He is sure to play a significant role in the battle against Erebus.’

Thinking this, Lissinas cleared his throat.

“Alright, Kyle. Let’s delve into some serious matters. Regarding our future plans.”

Lissinas put down his mug and crossed his arms, his face stern.

“First, as you know, my goal is to defeat Erebus and save the world. For that, I need you. That’s why I recruited you.”

“Got it.”

“But… just the two of us aren’t enough to save the world.”

With a deep breath, Lissinas spoke firmly.

“We need strong companions to embark on this journey with us.”

“Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Of course. We need a powerful wizard first.”

Lissinas opened an interdimensional space and unfurled a map of the world from five thousand years ago.

Most of the land was painted pitch black, showing the areas that had been burned and destroyed by Erebus.

Pointing at one of the yet unburned territories, Lissinas said:

“This one. The southern elves’ homelands, cursed lands by the Demon Queen. There’s a genius elven sorceress named ‘Luna Rubyneance’ living there. You might have heard of her?”

“Yeah.”

“They say she’s the purest of the elves.”

‘…Come to think of it, even back then, I remember rumors like that were floating around.’

“She will certainly join our journey once we convey our purpose to her. After all, she’s pure of heart.”

‘The first time I met Luna, what did she call me again?’

‘Are you some sort of weirdo? What kind of idea do you have after eating something wrong?’

All Leo did was deliver Lissinas’ words to her as is, yet instead of Lissinas, he was called out as some kind of weirdo. It felt pretty unfair, even now.

Looking at the current terrain known as the Forest of Monsters, Lissinas had such a serious face as he focused his gaze.

Back then, even until just before meeting Luna, Lissinas truly had high hopes for her.

He had to. After all, the first person he tried to recruit for his party was Kyle, the most twisted man.

‘He never thought Luna would turn out to be the most unruly member of their team.’

“Your eyes look weird, man.”

“What’s wrong with my eyes?”

Lissinas continued hesitantly but somewhat puzzled.

“The next member we need for the party is ‘Aegis of the Azure Sky’, Agon, in Leisar.”

Aegis of the Azure Sky, Agon.

Araron’s mentor, his reputation as a powerful hero was well-established before the Era of Catastrophe. He earned his title “Aegis of the Azure Sky” by tirelessly protecting the skies.

However, when Lissinas, Kyle, and Luna found him, Agon had already lost his will to fight.

But Araron, Agon’s disciple, joined the party instead.

“Aegis Agon is a renowned hero who has stopped countless demons. He is always dignified and valiant. He’ll be a reliable vanguard for our group.”

‘Although, Aragon eventually joined the party instead. In the larger battles, he met Lissinas’ expectations as the vanguard. But in smaller skirmishes, he turned out to be one of the least dependable guys around.’

Araron’s overwhelming skill and courage in critical moments made him an unparalleled front-line fighter for the raid team.

‘I remember the face Lissinas made during our first battle.’

Afraid, Aragon hid behind Lissinas. Despite his immense powers at the time, he was still an inexperienced boy.

Especially since Lissinas had been desperate for dependable members after Luna’s unpredictable behavior, seeing the terrified Aragon shattered that hope.

‘Luna laughed like crazy after witnessing that.’

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“What?”

“Don’t look at me with that pitying gaze.”

“I haven’t.”

When Leo said this, Lissinas narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“The next thing we need is a master blacksmith to craft powerful weapons. Of course, since we’ll be at numerical disadvantage, this person must also be an incredibly strong warrior. I know someone who fits the bill. There are rumors he’s a little eccentric, but he’s extraordinary.”

‘Eccentric? That’s an understatement.’

‘Dwenno, we need your power. Would you join us on our journey?’

During their first meeting, Dwenno stared at Lissinas, who respectfully bowed like one would do to a dragon, and then turned to Leo who had accompanied him.

‘You?’

‘What?’

‘Are you and this dragon in a relationship?’

‘No, absolutely not.’

‘Really?’

‘Definitely not.’

‘Hmm.’

Dwenno stroked his chin, suspiciously eyeing Lissinas, and finally nodded.

‘Alright, but I have a condition. Dark dragon.’

‘Speak, blacksmith Dwenno.’

Dwenno put on a very noble look.

‘You need to be my n*de model.’

‘Did I hear that wrong?’

‘You heard correctly. Your beauty needs to be preserved for future generations.’

At that moment, Lissinas surely looked like a man who saw his world crumble.

‘Let’s go, Kyle. This fellow isn’t the one.’

As Kyle picked up a sword lying around like trash in Dwenno’s workshop, he asked:

‘This is an incredible blade. Why is it just discarded here?’

‘That’s a failed piece, not beautiful enough.’

‘Even the failed piece seems like it would be a great help?’

‘Let’s go! Enough of this twisted character’s nonsense! We don’t need lunatics, cowards, or perverts!’

Lissinas desperately tried to convince Leo otherwise.

‘Hey, old dwarf. If we have an elf as beautiful as her in our party, would you join?’

‘Oh? That might be worth my consideration!’

‘Kyle!’

Ignoring Lissinas’ scream of despair, Dwenno joined the party.

Leo looked at Lissinas with sympathy.

“So… why the weird looks?”

“… I’m starting to realize that saving the world won’t be easy.”

“Of course. Stop overthinking and tell me what you think about our potential future companions?”

“… They all sound like extraordinary people.”

“They should be—certainly not like someone twisted in character like you.”

Lissinas said this with a hint of resentment after having dealt with Leo.

“…Right. They’re definitely not going to be anything like someone as twisted as me.”

Later, when reminiscing over drinks, Lissinas confessed:

The member with the worst first impression he had ever imagined turned out, ironically, to have one of the better first impressions in the end.