Chapter 494

〈Chapter 494〉 Part 1, Chapter 20, Section 26

Dimensional Gates began to open without regard for location. Wherever they opened, it was troublesome, especially along borders where things got really complicated.

“Reinforcements! Hunters or villains, anyone, please help! Help us!”

A Hero soaked in Monster blood spat out a mouthful of blood while shouting into his Smart Watch. But the watch buzzed louder with Dimensional Gate alerts than any calls for backup.

Beeeep, Beeeep—

“Anyone, please! There are still people who haven’t evacuated here!!”

Borderlands. A desolate place avoided by everyone except border guards and hunters lurking around city outskirts hunting Monsters. Yet, there was a small village of about a hundred warm-hearted people.

The Hero didn’t participate in the Pluton Operation. Instead, he rushed back to protect his hometown, his parents, friends, and fellow villagers.

However, not participating in the Pluton Operation basically meant he wasn’t that strong. The Hero’s ability rating barely scraped by at B Rank. Sure, officially B Rank, but if you can’t fully control your power, it’s practically C Rank.

And with his current strength, there was no way he could seal the Dimensional Gate that had opened beyond the hill. He could barely handle the D Rank Monsters spilling out.

“Damn it! Uncle, how’s the communication?”

“We’re trying with old equipment! But it’s hard! Too much interference!”

“It has to work! Otherwise, we’re all dead!”

The Monsters coming out of the Dimensional Gate would only get stronger with time. Meanwhile, the Hero fighting them would only grow weaker.

Wounds kept piling up, and the Magic Power left in his body was running dry. The Hero could feel his limits approaching.

Beeep.

“Finally!”

The Hero confirmed the signal on his Smart Watch. The message transmitted through the entire Guild channel brought him hope.

[All…Heroes…static…Dimensional Gates…seal…full strength…]

And just like that, the spark of hope fizzled out easily. The Hero sank into despair instantly.

“Aaaah…!”

Heroes must never despair. If he wavers, the citizens who trust their lives to him will also panic. But the Hero couldn’t help but despair at his dire situation.

‘This is the end.’

Even if he fought until his last breath, could he protect the villagers? The underground shelter built during wartime would be discovered soon enough, and what followed would be all too predictable.

Kiaaaaak!!!

Flying Monsters began soaring across the sky. Watching countless wings flapping overhead, the Hero felt utterly defeated.

“O gods…”

Though the Hero didn’t believe in gods, he found himself praying now. Hundreds of flying Monsters visible even at a glance were clearly B Rank and seemed to be fleeing something.

“Huh…?”

The moment the Hero realized the Monsters were ‘fleeing’.

BOOOOM!!

A golden Phoenix darted through the air, incinerating all the flying Monsters. The red flames it exhaled reduced every single one to ash without leaving a trace.

Plop, plop.

Cores from the slain Monsters rained down like hailstones. The Hero picked up one of the pristine cores and stared blankly at the sky.

[Dimensional Gate…cleared. Heroes in the area, mop up remaining Monsters…]

Instructions from the Guild came through loud and clear now, proof that the Dimensional Gate had been sealed. The Hero felt a sense of déjà vu looking at the crimson Phoenix.

“Are you alright?!”

Someone shouted from the cliffside. Seeing the Youth running towards him, the Hero muttered unconsciously.

“Flame Fist…?”

“I’m Flame Fist Seung-hyung! I heard your distress call and came!”

Flame Fist landed gracefully before the Hero, his whole body covered in Monster gore.

“The Dimensional Gate above has been sealed. Are there any others nearby?”

“A-ah, no. None. Thank you for helping.”

“It’s my duty.”

Flame Fist grinned confidently. The Hero felt a twinge of envy seeing his immense strength but was too exhausted to dwell on it.

“Sir, this place is yours now.”

“Huh? How do you know my codename…?”

“Didn’t you lead that joint civilian-Hero operation seven years ago at Nur Sultan Gate? We know your skills well. That’s why… Garura!!”

Flame Fist shouted upwards, and the crimson Phoenix descended.

“What is it?”

“Set up another spot here.”

“…I thought it was going to be something else. Cores again? Tch.”

The crimson woman – someone the Hero recognized well – descended. Was it because his tension eased, or was it jealousy creeping in?

“……”

The Hero recalled an embarrassing video he accidentally saw once. It showed a handsome couple passionately making love in a motel room.

“……Mist Viper ma’am. Please take care of these children.”

Hwoooosh.

When Garura breathed fire at the cores, flames began taking shape centered around them.

“This…what is this?”

“Mini Garuras. They’re all Monster-type. You’ll command them to guard this area.”

Garura yawned sleepily as she snuggled into Flame Fist’s arms. Soon, crimson wings sprouted behind him.

[Support!! Someone help!! Monsters!!]

A clear rescue request came through Flame Fist’s Magical Gear. Only then did the Hero realize how Flame Fist and Garura had arrived here.

“Could it be…you actually responded to my distress call…?”

“That’s right. We’re heading elsewhere now.”

Flame Fist took off into the sky with Garura in his arms. If the Hero’s memory served him correctly, that rescue request from Flame Fist’s gear was from a Hero active near Sri Lanka.

“You would go so far…why?!”

“To protect people. And…”

Flame Fist smiled gently at the tired Garura.

“After this battle ends, I’ll marry her for real.”

“……”

Flame Fist departed. On the ground, the Mini Garuras waited for the Hero’s commands.

“…So that’s it. You’ve accepted death.”

They say great power comes with great responsibility. Seeing Flame Fist planting his own death flag to console the weary self, the Hero steeled his resolve.

“Then I can’t lose either! Everyone, lend me a hand! There are still many Monsters!”

Kiiiiiaaak!

The Mini Garuras soared high into the sky.

***

The entire moon base was engulfed in flames. Seongju’s prepared battlefield was completely overtaken by blue flames.

The floor, walls – everything was wallpapered with dancing blue flames. Fire drafts circulated within the space following the airflow.

“What’s the point of dodging? Just burning the entire battlefield will suffice.”

Can you dodge? Preventing you from doing so makes it pointless. In the past, I held back my firepower to avoid Earth damage, but now there’s no such need.

The moon belongs to Seongju. Thus, destroying the moon equates to weakening Seongju’s power.

“Will you destroy Earth as well? Hmph, laughable.”

Seongju sneered at us from afar. While the battlefield burned, his body was aflame too. To block the ultimate technique, he wrapped himself in a yellow storm, yet greater flames engulfed him.

“Is it okay to destroy the moon?”

“Yes. The moon is fine. After all, your robe caught fire.”

Sssss.

On his right shoulder, left waist, and feet – three fist-sized fire embers crackled.

“Just three places.”

‘Your defense seems pretty solid too.’

Though the fiery pillar reaching from the moon to Earth only managed to ignite three spots, our objective was achieved.

“The fire has caught regardless.”

‘It won’t extinguish.’

Chang-yeom is flame with will and purpose. Therefore, it doesn’t go out until it completely burns its target. Seongju smirked at the Chang-yeom burning only his yellow robe.

“Would you destroy the moon just to erase His belongings…?”

“Of course. Because Yuna is here.”

The moon’s data can be sufficiently obtained through NASA’s astronomical records. With synchronized Yuna using a bit of magic power, creating an identical satellite to the moon is possible.

‘Besides, I don’t want to look at this terraformed moon anyway.’

“Anything dirtied by you, I’ll destroy and recreate anew.”

“Hmph, hahaha, HAHAHA!”

Finally, Seongju lost it. Laughing maniacally while burning, he grabbed his robe.

WHOOSH!

A yellow storm shot straight up. I clenched my fists and gathered my magic power. There was no more time for banter.

“Burning His robe with an ultimate technique…? You made a mistake, Phoenix. Did you forget what lies beneath?”

“Nothing.”

Chiwoo and Hangwoo mixed together – a Monster whose physical specs alone rival SSS Rank transcendent beings. And inside that replicated body lies the strongest mind, Seongju.

“No, incorrect.”

Seongju assumed a strange posture, gathering magic power. His muscles began swelling, and frosty breath emanated from his mouth.

“The body may belong to another, but the spirit is entirely ‘mine.’ Isn’t that what you understand best, Phoenix…or should I say, .”

“Indeed.”

After firing the illusion beam and scanning his memories, it became evident. But referring to ‘me’ so blatantly…

“Even Hyunryong was shocked, yet you seem surprisingly calm.”

“It’s unimportant to me. Unlike you, my memories don’t continue. But if I succeed now, it’s my victory. For even if just for a moment, I’ll make Him mine.”

“Persistent brat.”

“Who’s talking.”

We faced each other, smirking faintly. Both willing to sacrifice ourselves for the same being seemed oddly similar.

“Normally, this would be a duel over one person.”

“Then you step aside. You can live happily ever after with Chang-yeom, while I take Yuinah.”

“That won’t happen.”

I clasped my hands together like in prayer.

“What are you doing?! Are you insane?! You know what happens when you do that, especially with time already short!”

Inside, Chang-yeom panicked, yelling not to proceed, but now there was no other way to withstand Seongju.

“It syncs faster this way!”

“I know, but it’s necessary.”

My joints began changing. My height increased, and my body gradually took on a familiar form. Raising my hand, I pulled out a blue leather glove from the inner pocket of my white coat and slipped it on.

“Perfect for the final battle.”

Thump. Thump. Embroidered with gold roses on the back of the glove. Though I worried it might steal Chang-yeom away upon contact, this body now feels incredibly reliable.

“The protagonist’s body enhanced by Chang-yeom…truly playable stats for the final boss fight.”

Even if Wu Shen was the strongest, he’s from the past. The protagonist’s body imbued with Chang-yeom is the true strongest existence.

“Then let’s have a go.”

“Hmph. Do you know the phrase ‘last flicker’?”

“Yeah. Though I’m in that situation now.”

I forcibly transformed into the protagonist’s body. As a result, the synchronization became more unstable, effectively shortening my countdown life.

“Why change bodies? Whether Chang-yeom’s body or this one, the specs should be the same.”

“Mood matters. Besides, if I’m gonna get beat up fighting you, I can’t risk damaging Chang-yeom’s body.”

“……Impressive.”

Seongju bowed his head in a strange pose. For the first time, the man who boasted about being peerless and looked down on us acknowledged our worth with a bow.

“Good companion you’ve found, Chang-yeom. I’m envious. But my love isn’t inferior. I crushed and devoured dozens of planets to finally meet Him. This is my chance, here on Earth.”

“One can’t really criticize twisted love, huh. Enough talk. Let’s fight while the moon holds.”

Grrrrr.

The moon began shaking. Not only did it start drifting out of Earth’s orbit due to the Grand Explosion, but its core trembled as if ready to explode.

The moon will soon burst.

“Let’s see whose love runs deeper!”

“Fighting to prove your love is idiotic. Enough chatter. Bring it on.”

I raised my hand and wagged my fingers tauntingly – the ultimate provocation he couldn’t resist.

“Did you sleep with Yuinah?”

…Inside, Chang-yeom facepalmed, but what better provocation exists?

“YOU NO GOOD FOR NOTHING!!!”

It worked wonders. Seongju leaped up, raising his fist high.

“I slept with both Yuinah and Chang-yeom! In a threesome!!!”

In the original game.

That was the ending of the Phoenix route.