Chapter 76: Conclusion

Gram’s figure began to blur, dissolving into the air as the arena finally reverted to its original state.

Maybe she was worried about the strain on my body, I thought, watching her choose to return to my inner realm of her own accord. She gave me a lonely little smile.

"See you... Let’s have a real talk next time, okay?"

"Yeah. I’d like that, Gram."

"I’m leaving the others in your hands, alright?"

With those parting words, she vanished completely. I barely had a second to process her departure before the sheer physical toll hit me like a freight train. I doubled over and hacked up a mouthful of blood. Luna and Baal scrambled toward me, but they were too late to catch me. Meryl looked like she was in just as much pain from the backlash of the summoning; there was no one left standing who could patch me up.

"Reima!?"

"Your [Magic Organs] are trashed! Dammit, man!"

Ayane and Shiki rushed to my side. My "best friend" checked my vitals, his expression twisting into shock at the miserable state of my internals.

I couldn't even muster the mana to cast a basic diagnostic spell, but I didn't need magic to tell me I was a wreck. Every fiber of my being was screaming. Even the simple act of breathing felt like inhaling shards of glass.

"...You’ve overexerted yourself again. You really never change, do you?"

"Step back. I’ll heal him."

Kushinada-san approached my collapsed form. She clasped her hands together as if in prayer, weaving words into a chant.

"[Residing in Takamagahara—Grant Healing Unto This One]."

It wasn't a complete recovery, but it was enough. My breathing stabilized, the suffocating pressure in my chest easing just enough for me to function.

Once I had recovered enough to stand, I offered her a nod of thanks. Then, I turned my attention to Volnyux. She was a fading shadow, hovering on the brink of non-existence after taking Gram’s finishing blow.

"Hey, Volnyux. Tell me something. Who was it that summoned you?"

"I cannot say. My contract forbids it," she replied, her voice airy and distant. "But... let's just blame it on the [Dungeon]. More importantly, you’re actually concerned about me? You’re as soft as ever."

"Stop that. It’s awkward."

"It’s the truth, so why hide it? You were kind, and once again, you have brought me to my end. For that, I truly thank you."

It was the exact same exchange as before.

Back when I had defeated her in that other world, she had vanished with those same words of gratitude. Even though I had won in the most brutal way possible, she had thanked me... and if I recalled correctly, she’d even given me a reward.

"Still... you actually managed to take down that piece of trash. You really are incredible, Reima."

"Looking back, the [Demon King] was really hated by everyone, wasn't he? Everyone except that third fanatic seemed to despise him."

"Well, that’s only natural, isn't it? His very existence was an insult to the way things should be."

"Hah. I hated him too, so I won't argue. But hey... was killing you really the only option?"

That was the question that had been eating at me ever since I first met her in the other world.

She was the [Spirit of the Earth], the incarnation loved by the land itself. She was the [Will of the World], birthed by the realm of [Mythologia]. She was a being who had watched over humanity for ages, only to be forced into the role of a destroyer for reasons she couldn't control.

The first time we fought, there was no choice but to trade blows. There was no time for dialogue. But now, in this fleeting moment, I could finally ask.

"Volnyux, why don't you form a contract with me? I can't stand the thought of you just vanishing like this. If you break your contract with the [Dungeon], you can stay in this world, right?"

The shock was palpable. Everyone except my [Summoned Beasts] and Laura stared at me with wide eyes, stunned by the proposition.

But I didn't care. I hated the idea of her fading away as nothing more than a villain.

"Heh... You really haven't changed at all. I remember you making that same offer when we met in the other world."

"Yeah. Well? What do you say?"

"It’s a tempting offer. But... I have already played the part of the destroyer, and I fully intended to fall by your hand. I don’t want to break anything anymore."

"I see... Then I guess there's nothing I can do."

"Don’t make such a pathetic face. It doesn't suit a [Hero]. Or perhaps... it's exactly like you."

I wondered if I was actually making a face, but given how I felt, I couldn't exactly blame her for thinking so. I realized then that I had to see her off properly. I stepped closer to her fading form.

"Goodbye, Volnyux. Rest well."

"Yeah. But... one last thing."

Before I could react, she grabbed my hand and yanked me toward her.

Her face was suddenly inches from mine.

"Fufu... This is my first, you know? You’d better accept it with grace."

The red-haired beauty gave a shy, embarrassed laugh—and then she was gone.

Wait, me too! I thought, but the words died in my throat. Everything around us seemed to freeze for a heartbeat.

And in the next moment, a wave of killing intent—far more potent than anything I had felt even when [Behemoth] signed her contract—suffocated the area.