Chapter 56. The First Hero (50)
During his earliest regressions, Seongchan had never tried to approach Rena.
I couldn't allow myself to be consumed by the Flames of Destruction, a fire Rena herself hated, rather than the Black Flames she actually intended to create.
The Flames of Destruction released by the Black Flame Egg would burn Terk Castle to the ground.
A pit of destructive flames would remain where the castle had once stood.
Whenever living creatures died from starvation or the wars between different races, the Flames of Destruction would grow stronger.
Eventually, the flames would become powerful enough to break the Black Flame Egg's shell.
Rena would emerge.
Then, obeying her instincts, she would release the Flames of Destruction and annihilate this world.
Because Rena was so powerful, Seongchan had desperately worked to become stronger throughout his regressions.
Back then, he'd thought only about increasing his own strength through repeated attempts.
Even with the advantage of regression, approaching Rena wasn't easy.
During those early regressions, Seongchan had been weak.
He couldn't stand on equal footing with Rena or speak to her as an equal.
More often than not, he became an obstacle to her.
He remembered the frustration he'd felt toward his own helplessness.
He couldn't do anything for Rena even when she was standing there, looking sorrowful because he couldn't approach her.
I became stronger because I didn't want to keep getting in her way.
After Rena broke out of the Black Flame Egg, I tried talking to her. I tried all sorts of ways to stop her from releasing the Flames of Destruction.
Through countless regressions, Seongchan had eventually discovered one thing.
Once the number of living creatures dropped below a certain threshold, the Flames of Destruction would begin pouring out uncontrollably.
So he devoted himself to finding ways to keep the world's population above that threshold.
His efforts continued.
Eventually, the period when he could do nothing but struggle to become stronger came to an end.
He finally reached a point where he could stand beside Rena as an equal.
Together, they searched for a solution.
But even then, Seongchan encountered another limitation.
I regress, but Rena doesn't.
Whenever Seongchan regressed, Rena remained unaware of their previous experiences.
From her perspective, an extraordinarily powerful human had suddenly appeared and started helping her.
As their relationship developed, Rena became increasingly confused about her own existence.
She also grew timid.
Eventually, she began asking him questions.
What am I to you that you, a mere mortal, would go to such lengths for my sake?
Why are you making me feel these emotions?
Why are you helping me so much?
With every regression, Seongchan accumulated new experiences and knowledge.
But Rena only became more confused and burdened by his actions.
Eventually, her timidness developed into something even more troubling.
She began watching his reactions and trying desperately to please him.
That was when Seongchan began searching for another solution.
If Rena could share my knowledge from previous regressions, we could look toward the future together as equals.
But how can I share those memories with her?
He explored countless possibilities.
And eventually, he found the answer.
It lay in his S-rank skill, the Chaos Dragon's Mana Cultivation Technique.
Black mana flowed from Seongchan's body.
It surrounded the Flames of Destruction before beginning to envelop the Black Flame Egg itself.
The Flames of Destruction could choose whom they attacked.
But they couldn't overcome the power of Seongchan's black mana.
Unable to resist, the flames withdrew and wrapped themselves around the Black Flame Egg.
Thump. Thump.
He could feel the pulse of life.
As Seongchan continued pouring mana into the egg, he thought about everything that lay ahead.
What would they do next?
What kind of journey would they share?
How would they save this world during this regression?
Those thoughts accompanied his mana into the Black Flame Egg.
Seongchan felt the mana draining from his entire body.
Crack! Crack-crack!
The egg's shell began breaking.
At the same time, Seongchan was swallowed by the Flames of Destruction.
[Master!]
[Fire control! I'll try to overcome the Black Flames!]
Believing Seongchan had been attacked, Ella and If immediately released water and fire.
Naturally, their attacks accomplished nothing.
Both Ella's water and If's fire were consumed by the Flames of Destruction, disappearing without leaving a trace.
It's okay, Ella. If.
Seongchan reassured them.
Keep watch and make sure nobody approaches us.
After calming his spirits, Seongchan looked into the Flames of Destruction.
His eyes met Rena's.
As the destructive flames began diminishing, a human figure gradually took shape.
Seongchan carefully extended his arms.
Then he gently embraced Rena, who had just emerged from the shattered shell of the Black Flame Egg.
Rena wanted to speak.
But she'd forced her way out of the egg before she was ready.
She barely had any strength left.
Nevertheless, there was something she absolutely needed to say.
Gathering every last bit of strength she possessed, she finally spoke.
"You'll save me in this life too, won't you?"
Rena's voice was weak.
But the words were filled with hope.
She remembered the efforts she'd shared with Seongchan as they struggled to stop the Flames of Destruction from consuming this world.
Through those efforts, she'd discovered that saving the world might actually be possible.
And that hope had saved her.
Without Seongchan, she never would've experienced any of it.
Every regression had brought the world a little closer to salvation.
That steady progress had given her the confidence to believe they would eventually succeed.
Seongchan understood her feelings better than anyone.
That was why he answered without hesitation.
"Don't worry. We're going to save this world in this life."
Satisfied with his answer, Rena settled into Seongchan's arms and fell asleep.
If it hadn't been for Rena, I wouldn't have made it this far either.
Seongchan had been trapped in an endless cycle of regressions.
But he hadn't endured that cycle alone.
He'd been able to come this far because Rena had been there with him.
"Nir, we're changing positions."
"Yes, Master. You're worried about Hero Kim Seongchan's restaurant, aren't you?"
Kosdal wanted to deny it.
But before he could speak, Vantart interrupted.
"Where do you think you're running off to?!"
Vantart swung his demonic-energy-covered sword.
Nir dodged the attack.
At the same time, the sharp edge of his Aura Sword transformed into a thick, blunt, club-shaped mass of aura.
"Running away? Have you lost your mind?!"
Nir avoided Vantart's sword and swung his transformed weapon.
He activated the A-rank skill Single Sword Swing, which could only be learned after mastering aura.
The strike connected with Vantart's waist.
"That tickles!"
Vantart laughed.
The attack hadn't inflicted any noticeable damage.
But Nir's expression remained serious.
He tightened his grip.
Single Sword Swing wasn't finished yet.
"Of course it does!"
WHOOOSH!
Vantart's body suddenly lifted off the ground.
Single Sword Swing wasn't a skill designed to damage an opponent.
It was designed to send them flying.
Vantart had already prepared himself for the impact.
He spread his wings, intending to change direction.
BANG!
But Kosdal kicked off the ground and interfered.
"Block this, or you'll die!"
Along with that helpful warning, Kosdal swung his Aura Sword toward Vantart's waist.
The attack carried enough power to cut him in half.
Vantart abandoned his attempt to spread his wings.
Instead, he raised his demonic-energy-covered sword to block.
BOOOOM!
Aura and demonic energy collided.
Vantart was sent flying into the distance.
He passed over the castle walls and was thrown all the way toward the demons' formation.
What kind of strength is that?!
Vantart felt a painful tingling sensation in the hand gripping his greatsword.
He'd never imagined a human could possess such strength.
"Nir!"
"Are you really planning to go alone, Master? That seems rather dangerous."
"I'll capture him and return."
Kosdal jumped straight up.
Nir immediately activated Single Sword Swing toward the soles of his master's feet.
The impact sent Kosdal flying in the same direction as Vantart.
Before long, the airborne Kosdal and Vantart, who had finally regained his balance by flapping his wings, met again.
"I'll make you regret underestimating me!"
A vortex began forming around Vantart's sword.
His S-rank skill, Wind-Crushing Sword, was ready to tear the approaching Kosdal apart.
"You're the one who underestimated me!"
Kosdal knew there were only demons around him.
