"Guh, i, e… ——"
The Soul Eater finally ran out of strength.
[Level has increased]
[LV1229 → LV1789]
Before me lies a mountain of rubble mixed with flesh.
If I had to describe it, that's what it looks like.
The zombies have returned to sludge-like remnants.
There's no sign of them moving again.
"..."
Come to think of it, my skill levels rose during the battle.
It was [Paralyze] and [Poison] that leveled up.
They must have reached the required number of uses.
Does skill experience depend on the number of targets used on?
Or perhaps it increases based on the strength of the targets?
What exactly determines skill experience points?
There are still many things I don't understand about the skill system.
However,
"If the skill also affected the souls imprisoned by the Soul Eater, then I ended up using it on quite a large number…"
If the souls suffered from the poison as well.
That doesn't sit well with me.
"Sorry if I made you suffer— hm?"
Suddenly, the Soul Eater's corpse begins to glow pale blue.
""—O… HOOOOOOOO! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO——————!""
A massive swarm of spirits bursts out from the Soul Eater's corpse with overwhelming momentum.
I feel like I've seen something similar on TV or somewhere before.
A school of countless fish racing through the ocean depths.
That's the impression it gives.
The swarm of spirits circles the entire area once.
Finally, they seem to crash into the ceiling.
When the great mass of spirits reaches the ceiling, they scatter and burst apart.
Pale blue glowing particles drift down like snow.
Like quiet snow falling gently on a silent night—
▽
"——————"
Voices.
I can hear voices.
"You were the first one I met here, right? When you noticed the minotaur behind me and ran away, I was really relieved. Man, you did an amazing job…"
The first skeleton I encountered here was the one with only half a skull.
"Sorry about that. My axe couldn't even scratch that four-armed birdman's skin. But you survived. I'm as happy as if it were my own victory."
On the way to the paralyzed bird-head, I found an axe.
I couldn't wound its ultra-hard skin, though.
"I'm glad my cloak was useful to you for a while. It's a little embarrassing that it ended up on the Great Sage in the end, but… anyway… thank you."
The black cloak I wore until I exchanged it in the ruins zone.
That one came from the skeleton at the initial transfer location.
"That dagger was pretty decent quality, but it was no match for the monsters here, huh? Hehe, I was shocked when you tried to eat the minotaur's eyeball, you know? Anyway… thank you for defeating the Soul Eater…"
The dagger I used to gouge out the minotaur's eyeball.
That too came from the belongings of the skeleton at the transfer spot.
"You actually took down that dragon zombie! That's insane! Gahaha! Me, I got cornered and fell into the swamp and died! What a dumb way to go! Anyway, you did great! You're one hell of a guy!"
The skeleton floating in the stalactite cave area's swamp.
"Um, uh—"
A translucent pale blue figure in human shape stands there.
Familiar clothing.
I remember.
How could I forget?
The discarded person whose screams the lizardmen had imitated.
The clothes that skeleton had been wearing.
A woman with gentle features.
Thinking about what happened to her makes my heart ache a little.
The woman clenches both fists tightly.
"I-It might sound a little crude to say it this way, but… beating those cruel lizardmen to a pulp… I-I felt so refreshed! Thank you so much for giving them a taste of their own medicine!"
She bows her head lightly.
I reflexively return a small nod.
With a smile that looks as if she has been saved, the woman fades away.
"I felt refreshed too. Never thought I'd get to see those bastards die… I'm also grateful you went out of your way not to let other monsters play with us. I sincerely wish you luck, young man."
The current outfit looks familiar too.
The man whose death by burning the lizardmen had imitated.
"We felt refreshed too! Those leopard people were really awful…"
"You even took apart their toy and lined us up neatly in the cave hollow, didn't you? Thank you. You're a very kind person."
The two skulls that the twin-headed leopards had used as nunchaku-like toys.
"If you make it to the surface, I'd be happy if you could put our gems to good use. I think they'd fetch a decent price… though I don't know the current economy, so they might actually be cheap now. Um… sorry if they turn out to be worth less…"
"But the silver coins should still have the same value! I think… probably? Hehe, anyway, taking out all the monsters in the ruins zone—you're really something! I'll pray for your safety once you're on the surface! Do your best!"
A pair of a man and woman.
They hold hands affectionately.
Even without comparing their clothes to memory, I know.
The pair of skeletons in the ruins area room who had been holding hands and leaning against each other.
"So… in the end, it's you guys…"
The last to appear are five men and women.
The outfit of the man at the front is extremely familiar.
The robe I am currently wearing.
Great Sage Anglin.
Also known as the Dark Hero.
The ones behind him are probably the discarded people who died in this area.
" "
They seem to be saying something.
But I can't hear the "voices."
I can barely make out "thank you" from the movement of their lips.
I strain to read more, but… I can't.
It's as if the part of my mind that understands is shrouded in mist.
Still, they seem to think it's getting through.
In less than a minute, the five begin to fade.
The Great Sage says something.
" "
After finishing, the Great Sage turns back to the others.
The four behind him warmly welcome him in.
"Welcome back."
That's what it looks like they're saying.
The four behind him wave to me.
I can tell from their lip movements that they're saying "thank you."
I raise my hand slightly in response.
"..."
The Great Sage's final words.
Those alone came through clearly.
"Please… that goddess—"
▽
"…—!?"
I snap awake.
Was I dozing off?
Did sudden drowsiness hit me…?
"And just now—"
Was that an illusion?
It was a strange sensation.
I thought I had been wandering the discarded ruin all alone.
But maybe I wasn't alone after all?
Perhaps the great seniors had been quietly watching over me?
I don't know the truth.
Probably never will.
But it didn't feel bad.
It felt like the same warmth I knew from my aunt and uncle.
"..."
The last words the Great Sage left behind.
What came after that?
"Please, that goddess—"
Stop her?
Defeat her?
Kill her?
Even so, the intent came through clearly.
Perhaps he was speaking for all the discarded ones.
"Well… it's not like I have any obligation to take on that request. Still… don't worry."
I smack my left fist into my right palm.
Smack!
"It might take quite a while—"
I glare at the goddess floating in my memory.
"But in the end, I'll make damn sure that shitty goddess pays the price."
I pick up the golden stone from the Soul Eater's remains and stand.
Next, I retrieve the leather pouch and climb the stairs.
Once I reach the top, I turn back once.
"...See ya."
I don't even know who those parting words were for.
I insert the golden stone into the indentation.
Vibration.
The door begins to open.
From the gap in the opening door, light pours out.
The first thing to greet me is warm sunlight—somehow nostalgic.