Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 253 Risir still couldn't believe it. Tara Dollin. That she was right before his eyes. A member of the Hero Party that saved the world and the first Saint. Her story was so well-known across the Continent that there wasn't a soul who didn't know it. In fact, when Risir was young, he used to play Hero Party games with his little sister Roera quite often. He was the Hero. His little sister was the Saint. 'Roera used to splash water on my body all the time, claiming it was holy water.' He suddenly felt a wave of emotion. At some point, he and Roera, who used to argue over who was better suited for the Hero role, had both become Masters of Sacred Swords. Moreover, he was now facing that Saint as a Descendant of the Hero. Ever since encountering the Saint, legends of the Hero Party kept surfacing in his mind. Risir had to try not to be overwhelmed by the presence of the Saint, who was part of those legends. It wasn't easy. A member of the Hero Party. A great Hero. The first Saint. True to such titles, the Aura she possessed within was truly profound. Risir was amazed once by that profound Aura- And then he was amazed once again by the fact that this Aura was being controlled as peacefully as possible. 'First, the Grand Master... then, the Nights... and now, even the members of the Hero Party...' Consecutive encounters with transcendent beings. Risir began to seriously worry whether his senses might become strange at this rate. "So-..." Thus, Risir was explaining the whole situation to the Saint in a highly tense state. The reason his injuries had suddenly healed- The ability that caused it. "So. You occasionally experience sudden Status rises, and your body is simultaneously adjusted to optimal condition. The most likely cause at present is having a positive Influence on specific events." "That's correct." Risir answered in a half-resigned state. Based on his experiences so far, he could clearly see the situation that would unfold ahead. Himself, unable to explain this Power That Defies Logic. The other party, unable to comprehend this Power That Defies Logic. Surely this time too, such a mutually frustrating situation would develop and then fizzle out inconclusively. It had become a routine process, familiar as daily life by now. Risir planned to go with the flow and quietly wait for that series of processes to end. "That's impossible..." As expected. The fairy chimed in from beside him. 'As I thought.' Risir was about to let out a bitter laugh at the flow that was steadily following his expectations. "You also had such an ability!?" "Huh?" This was an exceptional occurrence. When discussing abilities, Risir had always been the one to make others doubt their ears. He had become the one doubting his own ears for the first time. The fairy's statement held meaning beyond simply believing in Risir's ability. "You said 'also'? By any chance, do you know someone with a similar ability to this?" Dilated pupils. Risir asked with disbelieving eyes. At that sight, the fairy let out a small laugh. The atmosphere was like an adult dealing with a child. "Of course, how vast is this world. Especially the era when we were active was even more so. Risir. It might be hard for you to imagine now, but in the era when we were active, there truly was everything imaginable." "Molting." As Risir was listening intently to the fairy's words as if entranced, the Saint continued. "As the name suggests, it's the ability to shed old skin and create an optimal state." Risir's heart was beating wildly at some point. It was literally like actually encountering legendary Heroes, wasn't it? That vast knowledge naturally revealed in their words! It seemed to effortlessly incorporate his world as part of a greater whole. In other words, he felt like a frog in a well! Normally, it would have been an unpleasant feeling of feeling insignificant- But right now, Risir was feeling tremendous elation. 'As expected of the Hero Party!?' As revealed by his previous attitude, Risir had largely given up on aspects concerning his ability. If even he couldn't understand the ability, how much more so for others? Therefore, he shouldn't rely on other people. Magic or Swordsmanship aside, at least this ability had to be pioneered by his strength alone. Resignation named acceptance! That was Risir's attitude toward his ability. He thought he would be eternally helpless in this regard. But what was this? They had appeared. Beings who knew the identity of his incomprehensible ability! 'Really, that era must have had everything imaginable. Come to think of it, it was an era when even Nature Magic was considered common Magic...!' Risir thought. The most chaotic era in history- the great Heroes who were at its center. They would be able to perfectly identify his incomprehensible abilities. Furthermore, they would be able to guide him! "Molting, so that was its name...!" First Hero's Legacy! The premonition was very good. His ability had been partially identified right from the start. Risir looked up at them with great excitement. "Was such an ability common in the era when you were active? How much do you know about this ability!?!" Whoa. Whoa. The fairy calmed Risir down with her small hands. "I understand why you're excited, but calm down first." "Ah, I'm sorry. Without realizing it-" "It seems like no one has talked to you about that ability until now- right?" "That's right!" "Well, that would be the case. That ability was rare even in our time, possessed only by an extremely small number." "An extremely small number... to that extent?" "Even combining all our people, we probably couldn't mention more than five beings with that ability." Five. Five, huh. Risir felt a small uneasiness at that strangely realistic and harsh number. 'Then wouldn't there be too little data?' But he immediately shook his head. 'No. No! You've gotten too greedy, Risir. Where would any data even exist!?' Risir made an effort to compose his emotions and spoke to them. "If by any chance you know anything about this ability, Molting, could you tell me?" "Actually, I was just about to talk about that." Hmm? Tension entered the eyes of Risir, who had been purely excited. It was because he discovered shadows that the fairy and Saint couldn't completely hide in their expressions. "Shall we move to a different location first?" The Saint gestured toward Risir. Risir's body, which had been covered in bloodstains, became clean in an instant. Even the clothes he was wearing. "Oh..." What is this? What kind of Magic is this again? It's subtly different from Cleanse? As Risir was examining his body with bright eyes, the Saint gestured. "This way." *** As they left the cathedral where the Saint had been praying, a tranquil field scene dyed in sunset welcomed them. Risir looked around once more. On the opposite side was a small wheat field. Well-ripened rice plants bowed their heads, showing off their golden beauty. Where the rice plants pointed their heads, there was a fence. Cows. Sheep. Chickens. Various animals were spending time freely in that leisurely space. "..." Was it because he had just come from an intense battle? Risir felt that pastoral landscape seeping deep into his heart. "Isn't it beautiful?" Pleased with Risir's reaction, the Saint spoke to him with satisfaction. Then she pointed somewhere. Below the field, a small village had formed there. Even as the sun was setting, children were energetically wandering around various parts of the village. Peace. It was a village that seemed to embody such a concept. As Risir was becoming assimilated with such peace, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu. The village air touching his skin. The warmth. That atmosphere. It was somehow familiar. Eventually he realized. 'Lady Bella's forest...?' Like Master's forest, this village was also a space created by the Saint as a Mental Image. "I am someone who has already experienced death. A very long time ago at that." Perhaps reading Risir's thoughts, the Saint began her story. Her brown hair, which had a golden glow like wheat in the field, was dyed by the sunset. Risir was newly surprised. The Saint. Hidden by her extraordinary atmosphere so he hadn't noticed, but that great Hero was surprisingly ordinary in appearance. She felt like a pure countryside Young Lady who received everyone's love in the village. Separately, that atmosphere that seemed to embrace the sunset was certainly mysterious. Perhaps it was sacred. "But..." The sunset deepened further. A faint shadow fell across the Saint's expression. "I couldn't meekly accept my death. Regret. It wasn't such a grand reason. Just lingering attachments. Right before death, things I hadn't finished came to mind. Not grand things like missions or destiny, but small wishes." The Saint looked at Risir and created a mysterious smile. "Are you disappointed?" "Yes?" "I know to some extent how people in the world talk about me. Especially, I know sickeningly well how the Religious Order treats me. The Religious Order says that death is not a Curse but a Blessing. At the same time, it's the most basic providence that makes up this world. For someone called a Saint to be going against such things. Isn't it ridiculous?" It could be said to be quite a deep question to answer. However, Risir's contemplation wasn't long. "Well, I'm not sure. I've never died before." "Yes?" The Saint hurriedly covered her mouth. A small chuckle leaked through. "I suppose death is too difficult a concept for young me. Perhaps because of that, I understand the Saint's position." "You understand, meaning-" "If I were to face death at a moment I don't want, and if there were a way to postpone that death, I would postpone that death without hesitation. Among the sayings I know, there's one like this: it's better to be alive even if you're rolling in a dung field." Above all, Risir added quietly. He was now recalling his meeting with Master. That precious meeting he hadn't even dared to expect. "I think I would be happy." "Happy..." "At the fact that such an opportunity exists to meet precious people again." Death. It was too shallow and personal a view to discuss such a weighty value. Even more so compared to those the Saint kept close. However, perhaps because of that, a light smile appeared on the Saint's lips. A very light smile that hadn't gone through complex religious or philosophical considerations. She looked at the fairy sitting on Risir's shoulder and nodded. "That's right." Was it his imagination? Risir felt like the Saint's atmosphere had become lighter than before. Should he say that sacred atmosphere that was hard to approach had thinned? The Saint continued her story in a somewhat excited tone. "Those children are children I'm temporarily caring for." The Saint said, pointing to the children playing in the village. "When you say caring for them-" "Loss of consciousness. The boundary of death. And strong Will and faith. These children are connected in that way. I'm helping those children regain their original Aura and find themselves again." "...!" Risir's eyes widened. 'So, that's not it. She's helping people who prayed to her here regain their health-' When interpreting the content of those casually spoken words, the word 'miracle' naturally came to mind. 'It's not like it's heaven or anything...' For a moment, Risir recalled a Religious Order statue he had seen once. The appearance of that statue embodying the being called the main deity- Had some similarities to the Saint who was beside him now. Could it be the result of those who were saved in the Saint's space here returning to reality and speaking out or giving opinions? He had no way of knowing. He could only marvel anew at the transcendent power possessed by the great Hero. "We've arrived." The place the Saint guided Risir to was a small house located on high ground where the village could be seen at a glance. "You've just come from spending hard times, haven't you? Just rest comfortably today. Time flows leisurely here." After washing his body in the hot spring located in the house's backyard and enjoying a simple but warm meal, Risir spent comfortable and leisurely time as she had said. He felt the mental fatigue that couldn't be completely washed away by 'Molting' being completely cleansed. *** The next morning, Risir had another meal with the Saint. He took this opportunity to have various conversations with the Saint. Risir's personal history and the world's atmosphere. Their conversation, which had started with such topics, gradually began to become heavier at some point. "So, about that 'Molting'." That topic that had kept Risir awake with excitement since last night was naturally mentioned. And this time, Risir didn't miss it. "..." "..." Has what was coming finally arrived? Such serious expressions appeared on the faces of the Saint and fairy. "Right now, I am receiving teachings from several excellent people. They generously give me the teachings I desire, except for things related to my peculiar ability. Because even they don't know anything about this ability." "In that era, countless Heroes and villains met their Fate. And along with them, various powers and techniques were lost." "That's right. Therefore, I dare to be rude and ask you. Please, if you know anything about this ability, could you teach me? And if possible, could you guide me on the right path I should aim for?" "Yes." The Saint readily answered. "Of course we should." The fairy was the same. Risir's attempt to express joy was stopped by their atmosphere. Rather than the solemn appearance of wanting to impart teachings- It seemed like they were about to deliver bad news that was hard to mention. The Saint and fairy exchanged glances once. Who would speak? Eventually, it was the Saint who opened her mouth. "Molting. The power to cast off limitations that cling like skin and move forward. It's a mysterious power passed down as a secret among some Heroes. Even within our party, there weren't many people who could handle that power." The Saint continued gravely. "Risir. Great power naturally comes with a price." "...!" The resolve to convey cruel truth. With what appeared in the Saint's eyes, the uneasiness Risir had been feeling finally took form. In fact, he had vaguely expected it too. Status suddenly rises convulsively. The body is created in a state like new. That phenomenon, which would be difficult to reproduce even with the finest elixirs, couldn't possibly come without any price. Even the Power of Advancement, which 'temporarily' raises Status, left injuries that collapse the body if overused. But would 'Molting', which 'permanently' raises Status, have no side effects? He just couldn't feel it. It wouldn't be strange at all if those side effects were adding up symptoms somewhere he didn't know. "Risir..." The Saint's solemn expression eventually became filled with worry. "How many times have you used that power so far?" The Saint and fairy recalled the figures of Heroes who used Molting in their 'final moments'. And they earnestly hoped. Please- Let that number not exceed three times. If so, it wouldn't be strange at all if he lost his life right now- "Well, it's easily over dozens of times. What's going to happen to me now?" The meaningful atmosphere of the fairy and Saint reached its peak. Accordingly, Risir's anxiety also reached its peak. "...Everyone?" But suddenly the Saint and fairy shut their mouths. Risir was left abandoned alone in that heightened emotional state. *** [Title: But doesn't this damn game have level-up Perks or something?] Content: No, fuck [Character HP is insufficient!] [Level up!] [Character has died!] Does it make sense for these to pop up consecutively? A character with low HP levels up during combat with a fucking flashy effect, but immediately gets hit by a basic attack and dies, so it's fucking annoying -: Sorry but Level up is Level up and HP is HP, if you don't like it you should have managed your HP as diligently as Experience Points -: For real lol do you know what kind of game this is -: For real lol who plays games to suffer -[Author]: Damn shit ***