1.
Imagination Realm.
A domain only those who have reached the highest levels, such as Sword Masters or Great Sages, can manifest.
Most people bring their happiest moments to life within this realm, yet there are exceptions.
Because they never knew happiness,
Because there existed a feeling greater than happiness,
Because the memories of happiness had faded away.
There were countless reasons, but in Mother’s case, it was the third.
– Mom, I…
Because the memories of happiness had faded.
-I am here…
The gentle voice of Selena,
Her soft gestures,
That smile resembling moonlight,
Had all been gradually forgotten, like rocks eroded by the wind, every time she failed to be a proud mother.
If only she had realized sooner that while reaching out to the moonlight, her feet were stuck in an inescapable swamp.
No, it didn’t matter.
Even if she could go back in time, she would make the same choice to save her.
Yes.
Because she was that kind of person.
A terrifying monster and hypocrite who could sell out anyone, no matter how righteous, for the safety of those she loved.
So, Luna…
“You…”
You, the brightest moonlight in this world.
“I hope… you won’t live… like me…”
As Mother mumbled, her hand stretched out, but it melted away just before it could touch Luna’s cheek.
It was inevitable.
The real-world Mother was merely a remnant of thought parasitic inside Luna’s body, and with the collapse of the imagination realm, it was natural for her to disappear.
Even if she could have returned to Luna’s body as a remnant of thought, that too would have only been possible under the premise that her spiritual energy was intact.
Balkin,
Black Wolf,
and the Black Wolf, among others.
Mother’s remnant of thought, which had protected Luna from all sorts of threats, had already reached the point of extinction, and she herself was aware of it.
To be honest, it was regretful.
She had only just begun to be honest, but she was dissolving without time for a longer conversation.
At the very least, she wanted to wipe away the tears with a whole hand,
…plunk.
But now, because of this miserable dissolution, she couldn’t even maintain a human form.
But it was fine.
Even someone like her, who was loved despite all shortcomings, had Luna — the last streak of light.
– Please take care of my daughter.
– … Rest assured.
Luna would undoubtedly be happy.
So, let go and close her eyes without regrets.
Time, as always.
Time would flow as it always does, and with it, sorrow and regret too would blur.
“Luna.”
You must…
be and continue to be happy.
Just as Mother was about to close her eyes.
“No.”
Luna, who had embraced her, wiped her tears and met her gaze.
Her reddened eyes,
Her messy hair,
Her trembling lips.
Despite her tear-streaked face, Luna smiled and added,
“My dream is still you, Mom.”
“…?”
“I… I want to become someone as strong as Mom and protect the ones I love.”
A smile barely contained, on the verge of breaking,
But still.
“Thank you, Mom. I love you. Very much.”
Because that smile didn’t falter in the end, Mother was able to hold onto a gleaming streak of light in her fading consciousness.
—I will become a strong mercenary just like you!
The vivid memories and recollections, and at the end of them, Luna smiling.
“Aah.”
Imagination Realm.
A domain only those who have reached the highest levels, such as Sword Masters or Great Sages, can bring forth.
Most people bring their happiest moments to life within this realm, yet there are exceptions.
Because they never knew happiness,
Because there existed a feeling greater than happiness,
Because the memories of happiness had faded away.
There were countless reasons, but in Mother’s case, it was the third.
– Mom, I…
Because the memories of happiness had faded,
“I will surely become someone just like Mom.”
—I will become as strong a mercenary as you!
Recalling all those memories now.
【<Mother(S-)>’s imagination realm – <Stray Unit Obliteration> is changing.】
【Imagination realm – <Moonlight Ripple> is manifested.】
The sight of Mother, who was about to meet her end after a lifetime spent in darkness, was now illuminated by a bright moonlight.
Thus obtained,
【Under the <Moonlight Ripple>, the user’s rank transcends its limit.]
【The body will reconstruct temporarily.]
In a few brief seconds.
Mother, who had finally grasped the moonlight after all these years, stretched her hand toward it.
“I love you, Luna.”
While wiping away her blurred tears, she whispered,
Click.
She removed her mask and placed it over Luna, and in her final instant, she hugged her tightly and whispered again,
“I love you, my daughter.”
You were
“the only light in my life, devoid of a single ray.”
A sincere, pristine smile.
That was the end.
【A portion of <Mother(S-)>’s power is transferred to the fourth member – <Luna(S)>.】
【<Moonlight Ripple> ends.]
【The unredeemed one – <Mother(S-)> falls into a deep slumber.】
The imagination realm disappeared in an instant,
Mother, like mist, dispersed,
Leaving behind only Luna.
A complete farewell.
“Ah…!!”
Finally, the restrained cries burst forth again, and Luna trembled for a while.
-Wear a bright smile, for it will help you survive.
-That’s right, strive for a brighter smile.
-Even brighter, like the moonlight in the sky.
-If you keep trying, the day will come when you will live happily.
There will come a time when the flow of time dulls the sorrow and great happiness finds you,
-When the pain is too much, cry behind a mask.
-Out of sight from your enemies.
-But keep striving and trying.
-Until one day you can wear a smile even behind a mask.
But now,
Just for a little while,
“Mom…! Sister…!”
“…Rest, Luna.”
It’s alright to grieve.
.
.
.
【Main Scenario – <The Unredeemed - Luna & Mother> has been completed.]
【The fourth member – <Luna(S)> has been upgraded to <Luna(SS-)>.]
【Reward has been granted.]
【Warning.]
【As a result of completing <Main Scenario>, the divergence from <Original Work - Babylonia> is possible.]
【“Han, walk a different path than I.”]
【According to the contract between <Black Wolf(Ex)> and <Aria(???)>, the world is at your service.]
【<Side Quest - The Face Behind the Mask> Failure has been successfully cleared.]
【All members of <Black Wolf> have received their past memories.]
【Bad Ending 7 – <Fanatic Riot> has been set as the world’s fate.]
【Main Scenario – <The Unredeemed - Hanlyang & Ilhong> has started.]
【“Forever unchanged is my love for your ever-enticing self.”】
2.
The very next day after the Black Wolf attacked the Gardner Viscount again, a rumor spread throughout the regime.
“The Black Wolf? I heard they were routed by the Hero Party and barely escaped.”
Some laughed with relief,
“This person… Are you insane?! How dare you speak that name…!! They wiped out all the mercenaries and soldiers!!”
Some were more afraid than ever,
“How about it, Balkin!? Are the Black Wolf as strong as Asha?”
“Marin, I’m hungry. Give me food first.”
“…Go make your own, idiot.”
“Oh…!! That’s a great idea…!!”
Some gleamed with interest upon hearing the unexpected news.
“Hey, am I this sleepy because I’m too tense? Why do I feel like I can sleep forever?”
Na Han didn’t care.
“Keeh…!!”
Around the time the sun shifted to the side past noon, Na Han woke up in Ian Red’s barely cleaned-out lair.
“…How did I get in here yesterday?”
While rubbing his sleepy eyes, he tried to recall.
Comforting the sobbing Luna, calming down the infuriated Laktea, and pacifying Ruby who asked to sleep beside him again for the night…
“…Let’s not think about it.”
Anyway, the cleanup went well, and everyone’s heads were still attached, so it was fine.
He pressed on his aching head and took a bite of dried meat.
The dried meat in his empty stomach finally got his frozen brain working.
“Let’s activate the full setting of ‘Ian Red’ first… And I need to check on them…”
Finally glancing at the system screens he had pushed to the corner of his vision.
The system screens he hadn’t had time to check because he was calming the sobbing Luna, the extremely angry Laktea, and the whining Ruby.
“Unredeemed ones, Bad Ending, Main Scenario… Why are there so many?”
Too tired to even open his eyes, yet faced with an overwhelming amount of text to read.
Nevertheless, what can you do?
You’ve got to read it to survive.
Ultimately, he pulled out another piece of dried meat and began sorting through the disordered system windows one by one.
“Well, then…”
Checking the rewards first,
He reached out a finger into the air, expecting a dopamine rush when an impressive golden status window appeared with more achievements than he thought.
“Uh, were you praying?”
A familiar voice came from right behind him.
When he turned to look hurriedly, there was an expressionless, sky-colored woman.
“…When did you enter?”
“Right about when you were about to start praying.”
“…Is that so?”
Fortunately, it seemed like she entered after disguising herself as Ian Red using an artifact.
“Even so, please knock next time.”
“I did. I thought you heard since the door was open.”
We have socially agreed to use the term ‘broken’ rather than ‘open’ for things like that.
“…Perhaps, does my presence distress you?”
With that, the clenched fist asking the question prompted Na Han to awkwardly reach out and grab Asha’s hand before bowing his head and whispering,
“Let’s pray.”
“…!!”
Let’s survive this day unscathed again.
And so, a little while later.
Asha extended her right hand to Na Han, who had finished praying and was now bringing out tea.
“Attend the party for us.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Attend our party.”
… To the Hero Party?
‘Am I already a Black Wolf, Yellow Dragon, and Ian Red, and now I’m going to join the Hero Party?’
The momentarily bewildered Na Han responded with a faint smile and a nod.
“I decline.”
“May I inquire about the reason?”
“Ah, well….”
Because I already have three accounts active.
“…”
*
Additional required wrapper
A section containing a banner or notification.
