In Ian Volkanov’s memories, Ariel appeared almost like a fool.
While it was nice to be loved by family and those around her, her excessive self-confidence led her to believe she was someone special.
‘Considering how severe her princess syndrome is, combined with her awakening as a hero… It became impossible to stop her.’
From that moment, Ariel’s thoughts turned into reality.
The existence of Ariel Volkanov was a celestial being sent from the heavens, and she began to think that others, no matter how hard they tried, were merely commoners who could not make themselves shine.
‘Actually, that statement held some truth. Even without much practice, whether due to talent or other factors, she easily overwhelmed others.’
Searching the entire continent, not only was she the child of Killain Volkanov, a rare Master-level powerhouse, but she had also awakened as a hero.
Such destructive talent was something ordinary people could hardly hope to catch up to through effort.
She always soared to victory, believing that no matter how strong the opponent, victory was assured as long as she had a little time.
However, that self-esteem was soon shattered.
‘Because of my existence.’
Ian Volkanov.
Originally, he was an irregular that should not have existed.
Created from the power of the Goddess of Peace, Eris, and the Demon King, Belphegor, he possessed talent that overwhelmed Ariel, the hero.
Moreover, the future memories within his mind made it impossible for Ariel to catch up, no matter how hard she struggled.
’As Ariel began to realize she was losing ground, she started to behave strangely. She made impulsive actions that had not been discussed beforehand, desperately trying to be in the spotlight.’
Now that he had lost his memory, he didn’t know the details, but listening to those around him suggested that her behavior had been quite extreme.
‘One thing was certain: the previous Ariel was not a leader of the party, but rather the main culprit behind its downfall.’
Although he disliked framing her this way, he couldn’t help but harbor negative feelings towards Ariel, given what he had heard.
However, things were different now.
‘Was the meeting with Hexar the catalyst?’
He didn’t know what kind of conversation they had, but considering how poorly their previous relationship had ended, they might have clashed.
One thing was clear: Ariel was showing a different side from before.
‘Of course, it seems like she has reached her limits.’
From what he could see, Bianca appeared to be dispelling the barrier, and Celia seemed to have met with misfortune while guarding her.
Reina was helping Ariel with arrows, but that was all; stopping the enemy’s assault was purely Ariel’s responsibility.
Seeing Ariel endure the enemies’ attacks at the forefront made Ian’s brow furrow.
‘Not good. If I’m any later, it could be dangerous.’
The black cadet uniform had long since been torn to shreds by the enemies’ claws and fangs. Blood was seeping from the ragged edges.
With her dilated pupils and trembling arms, the meaning was simple.
‘I have to help.’
If he didn’t save Ariel now, she would die.
Keeping his younger sister safe from the enemies was his top priority.
‘What should I do? Should I just go down, push them back, and then block the monsters?’
In that moment, he had such thoughts, but it didn’t seem like a good idea.
‘Simply pushing back won’t take me out of the enemies’ attack range.’
It wouldn’t be a problem to block the attacks from the trolls and minotaurs at the forefront. However, if he wasn’t careful, the ghouls and imps hiding behind them might leap out and attack Ariel.
‘What I need to do is protect Ariel, not wipe out the enemies. I must not forget that.’
So what should he do? As he pondered for a fleeting moment, something caught his eye.
‘What is that?’
He began to see a familiar object near the wall.
It was blackened from fire, and although it was hard to see clearly, Ian knew exactly what it was.
‘An emergency bunker. I think I’ve seen it often at the Blue Magic Tower when I was playing the game.’
A structure built to prepare for situations where people couldn’t evacuate in time during unfortunate incidents.
While this place might be different, it typically could block external dangers and stored emergency kits and survival supplies.
‘If one enters, it would be a place where no one could escape for 12 hours…’
If he could use that, he might be able to keep Ariel and her party members safe.
Although it might be a bit cramped for four people, there was no time to worry about such details now.
“Neltalion. Get ready to manifest a hand. The moment I go down, I’ll open the bunker and put them inside. Can you do it?”
– Yes! I can!
With the plan set, there was no need to think any further.
“Let’s go.”
Opening the vent’s floor, Ian threw himself downwards.
***
The conversation with her former companion had a significant impact on Ariel.
Hexar, who was straightforward to begin with, lost his restraint after drinking strong alcohol and poured out all the wrongdoings he had committed thus far.
She had to endure words as sharp as daggers.
In a way, it might have been hurtful. It could have damaged her pride.
But Ariel did not see it negatively.
‘It was the path I chose.’
She realized that one cannot grow by turning a blind eye to their mistakes. If she ran away, she would never understand Ian, who had sacrificed so much for her, for the rest of her life.
Though it was hard to endure, she listened intently to Hexar’s words and reflected deeply on her actions.
‘I know it’s already too late for reflection. Still… I have to change.’
While everyone else said no, Ariel had thought she was right and ran forward.
She believed herself to be a special being and thought others were just ordinary people who couldn’t understand her.
However, she realized that was wrong and came to understand that her efforts until now had been a burden.
No matter how she thought about it, there was only one way to wash away the karma she had built up.
‘I can’t be a burden any longer. I cannot cause harm to others because of my shortcomings.’
It might be too late. She might hear people say she couldn’t hope for redemption now.
‘I know. I understand.’
She also knew that mere apologies wouldn’t suffice for the sacrifices Ian had made, and that no amount of bowing her head in shame would be enough.
Of course, she had no intention of letting it end there.
‘Soon… when the time comes.’
For that day, it was possible to reduce the burden even now.
That was why.
Bang! Crack!
“Gah! What kind of power is this?”
“Booom!”
“Keheek!”
She was holding back the insane horde of monsters that surged forward in place of her fallen party members.
Having not trained diligently, her body was at its limits, and her brain screamed that she could no longer endure. But each time that happened, Ariel bit down harder.
Bang! Scrape!
“Grrrk!”
“Get lost!”
Boom! Crash!
She couldn’t collapse here. She had to support her comrades. With that thought in mind, she was unleashing powerful strikes with her trembling arms.
Clang!
“Hah… hah…”
The moment the holy sword fell from her hands was.
When a sword falls from a knight’s grip, it signifies defeat. Because of that, she reached out to grab it again.
“…Please… please move!”
She had long since lost the feeling in her arms.
She gazed resentfully at her immobile hand, but it showed no signs of moving.
“I can’t stop here… the monsters are still…”
“Ariel! Look ahead! It’s dangerous!”
At Reina’s panicked voice from behind, she raised her head and saw.
“Booou!”
‘Is this where it ends for me…?’
A minotaur, towering high with a massive axe, was poised to strike down!
As the corners of its mouth curled up, the axe slowly began to descend.
‘If I get hit by that…’
She would die. Her consciousness would fade away as she would be split in half.
However, what Ariel truly feared was something else entirely.
‘I haven’t even apologized yet.’
She had just decided to start making amends for her wrongdoings… and now she might have to end it all without producing any results.
At that realization, tears flowed from her eyes as she closed them.
Swish!
“Gah! What’s happening?”
She suddenly felt her body being restrained.
Why did it feel like her body was being held down when the axe was coming down?
As she opened her eyes in confusion, she saw.
Boom!
“Grrraaah!”
“Is that a hand?”
She was floating, caught in a giant hand made of mana.
She wasn’t the only one who had been captured.
Her comrades, including the fallen Celia and Bianca, were also ensnared.
Being caught by something was the worst situation imaginable, but at least this time was different.
There was no sense of malice, and the intent to save was much stronger.
‘Who could possibly…?’
She wondered who could do something like this, and as she followed the hand with her gaze, she saw.
“Stay inside. When you come out, everything will be over.”
“Brother? What are you saying…”
Ian’s fierce glare as he blocked the minotaur’s axe was striking.
Ariel looked at him as if demanding an explanation, but Ian remained silent, merely gripping the sword he had slung across his back.
‘No way… it can’t be…’
The hand that Ian had conjured was opening the hidden bunker door and pulling her comrades inside.
He was clearly trying to get her in there as well. His intention was simple.
‘Again… are you going to sacrifice yourself?’
In place of his sister, who was facing her limits, he was planning to fight a horde of monsters with uncertain odds.
“No!”
That was absolutely unacceptable. It wasn’t just a matter of needing help again; there was a chance she might never see him again if he went in.
“I’ll help too! So please!”
It would be better to fight together.
With that thought, Ariel shouted until her voice broke.
But Ian simply continued speaking calmly, without looking back.
“Are you worried?”
“There are too many of them! You could be in danger too, Brother!”
“That might be true. Not only are they strong individually, but their numbers are overwhelming.”
“Yes! That’s why!”
“However, it’s something I’m used to.”
How many times had he fought up to this point?
From Lilith to Leviathan.
He had faced battles that everyone was certain they could not win, and he had emerged victorious every single time.
Just recalling those victories was enough. If he included the ones he had forgotten, there would be countless more.
‘That’s why…’
He couldn’t end it here.
After repeating countless regressions, it would be disappointing for the final one to end like this.
“Stay inside. And don’t worry.”
Calmly turning his head, Ian looked at his sister’s tear-stained face.
“I’m used to taking care of things from behind.”
“A… ah!”
Bang!
With a thunderous sound, the bunker door closed. Only after confirming that the protective system was functioning perfectly did Ian finally face the enemies.
“Grrrk!”
“They’re coming in swarms.”
There was no doubt the number of enemies was large. However, Ian was not afraid.
[You are facing a large number of enemies! Based on the comparison of overall combat power, significant adjustments will be applied.]
[Using the Guardian’s Silver Ring! Temporarily changes the user’s attribute from Darkness to Holy.]
[Due to mismatched attributes, you have received the Curse of Rebrion! Mental erosion is occurring!]
[Unyielding Will has been activated! You gain strong resistance against mental attacks!]
[The conditions for the urgent quest ‘Lure’ have changed! The enemies are opening a portal connecting Astelgia and the former enemy’s Magic Tower to lure monsters! Survive for 12 hours until the portal stops operating!]
“12 hours….”
Knowing the path he had walked until now, no matter how many enemies there were, he felt no fear.
Whoosh! Crack!
He explosively unleashed the mana within his body. The rapidly spreading mana began to transform from a sticky liquid into a solid form.
Crack!
Eventually, the hardened light mana completely enveloped Rebrion, and Ian smiled.
“Come at me. I’ll hold you off.”
“Graaah!”
The monsters began charging with a deafening roar. Ian lightly swung his sword towards them.
Boom!
In that instant, the darkness that had settled in the corridor vanished.
