Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Thud. It was a bizarre sight. A blood-stained blade suddenly pierced through the void, creating a rift of darkness. Splash. As he stepped out of the rift, blood and fragments that had clung to his armor poured down like rain. "Hah, hah...! An Archdemon- ah, it was Risir." The Hero of Knowledge who had been waiting at the location practically picked up his heart that had briefly dropped. Whew. He let out a deep breath and continued speaking. "Good heavens, Risir. What on earth happened inside to make you look like that?" "I subdued all the demons that were inside." "...Ah, that would explain it then." Just then. The grotesque blade stained with blood and flesh resonated. Surprisingly, it was the Sacred Sword of Advancement, Jallak. He spoke to Felix's Sacred Sword of Knowledge—Pochena. -Ahh... Pochena, I'm sorry... that we monopolized such a glorious moment...! The achievements that Risir and I accomplished together in that place will become legend and be praised for eons to come... Yes...! Risir and I have written legend!!! You and your master should have been part of that incredible moment too!!! -...I'll just take the sentiment. Pochena was horrified. To think she should have been inside that rift together. Was he thinking of killing her master? From the beginning, even she, a Sacred Sword, had no confidence in maintaining herself inside that rift. -By the way, Jallak. Are you alright in that condition? Pochena voiced her concern. After fierce battle. If one had to worry about either the hero or the Sacred Sword, it would naturally be the hero with a fragile body trying to keep up with the Sacred Sword. But right now, Pochena was naturally worried about Jallak's condition. The plight of the fragile Sacred Sword(?) that had to follow that man. -There's nothing to worry about me now!!! I'm advancing tremendously together with Risir!!! Did the word 'advancing' always sound so dangerous? The Sacred Sword of Knowledge and the hero felt doubt, but didn't dare voice that doubt aloud. What if they suggested that they advance together too? They, being just an ordinary hero and Sacred Sword, had no confidence they could endure that. Just as Knowledge was conducting such rude yet reasonable thinking. "Mommy!" The World Tree Spirit approached the Magic Swordsman's feet and looked up at his body. Soon after. The World Tree's verdant foliage that filled the room carefully enveloped the Holy-Demonic Swordsman. As the foliage returned to its place, the traces of the subjugation were erased, revealing the Holy-Demonic Swordsman restored to his original state. "Ah, Ding-Ding! Thank you!" Only then did Risir cast off his armor. (E/N: Honestly I'm a bit confused since I thought Felix left at some point. He was in Bondaless all this time?) It was to pat the head of that teal-colored girl. "Mommy! Mommy!!!" Like that, leaving behind the teal girl who was excitedly running around— "Were you waiting for me, Felix?" "Something like that." Their conversation began in earnest. "First, I'd like to ask about what you experienced on the other side, but that would be too long a story, so I'll get straight to the point. Risir. Quite a lot has happened during the two days you were going back and forth inside the rift." Two days have passed? Risir set aside the first question that came to mind. "Is it a serious situation?" "Well. It's serious if you consider it serious, and not if you don't—" Felix, who had been organizing his thoughts, extended his hand to Risir. "For now. Let's move. Everyone should be gathered by now." *** "Everyone's here? Lord Palag! Master Meltas! Lord Lunadien! And even Fienne!?" When Risir arrived at the location following Felix, familiar faces welcomed him. It was a conference room located in another building of Gus's Mansion. "Risir, you're here?" "Ah, Master Meltas! I've just returned! I'm sorry for causing you concern, you must have worried a lot, right?" "What are you talking about?" "Pardon?" "There are other people to worry about, why would I worry about you?" At first glance, it seemed like a heartwarming reunion. If only there were warm smiles on their faces, it would have been so without a doubt. However, Meltas and the others were wearing serious expressions. -Worry about you? -Why would we? They seemed genuinely puzzled. Was it called the return of all streams to the source? Risir inevitably realized that when trust exceeds a certain level, it becomes indistinguishable from indifference. "...Ah! Please worry about me a little!" "Haha, why is this fellow suddenly acting like this? Alright. It'll be difficult, but I'll try to make an effort." After exchanging such otherworldly conversation for a moment. "By the way, everyone. What brings you all together like this? From what I can see, I seem to have unintentionally interrupted an important meeting—" Risir examined the faces of those present. Not only Karoer and Palag, but also Bondaless-related figures including Fienne and Meltas. It was a level where one could say that all the big shots residing near Bondaless had gathered in one place. There must be another reason besides 'needlessly worrying about Risir.' "What? You're back?" "Lady Remier!?" Even the Gray Tower Master was there. "You've returned. Was the problem resolved well?" "Well. Right now I can only say it's chaotic and hectic." "Pardon? What do you—" "First, this." Remier placed a fist-sized storage container on the table. The container's form was unfamiliar, but the situation was familiar. "Ah, could it be an Archdemon Fragment!?" Risir brightened up. As if he had discovered a nutritious snack for his child. "Ha." Remier let out a bitter laugh. Several people directed meaningful looks at her. See? What did I tell you? Such voices seemed to be heard. "I was expecting something, but I never imagined it would be to this extent." "Lady Remier?" "Anyway. As we can tell from your reaction just now, the biggest problem the council initially faced can be considered essentially resolved." "...But if you're still saying it's hectic, should I understand that as meaning another problem has arisen in the meantime—" "Exactly." Remier pointed to the various documents filling the table. The first thing that caught the eye was not the content of the documents, but the emblems engraved on them. "This is a letter that arrived for me, and this is a letter that arrived for Lord Palag." Talent Scout Dray picked up two of the letters and said. "Risir. These two letters have— no, all these letters have something in common. What do you think it is?" "...Could it be related to the Archdemon Fragment?" "Very close. Perhaps it could even be considered the correct answer." Dray unfolded one letter and began reading its contents aloud. Then the next letter. And then the next. As the reading continued, Risir's perspective on the situation became clearer. The contents of the letters were all different, but they all followed one flow. The stirring of cultists. Now. Traces of cultists were being reported simultaneously from all over the continent. Remier continued the story. "They haven't taken any significant action yet—" "It's merely a matter of time." "That's right. When they start taking action in earnest— then, it will become impossible for us to gather like this and discuss things leisurely." In other words. Remier raised her index finger to emphasize her point. "This gathering is essentially where we put our heads together to find a way to strike first, one step ahead of them." "...Bondaless is—" Risir, who had been organizing his thoughts by synthesizing the information, said. "Why is only Bondaless quiet?" Currently. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the cultists' movements had the entire mid-western region of the continent where Bondaless was located under their sphere of influence. Risir's question arose from this. While their traces were being found throughout the entire mid-western region, why was only Bondaless quiet? Risir felt unease about that aspect. "Hm? Everyone?" Meanwhile. Risir noticed his companions' strange reactions. Glances... Their gazes were focused on one place. The transparent crystal placed on the desk. It was the Archdemon Fragment that Risir had already purified. It wasn't that only Bondaless was quiet. Originally it should have been the noisiest, but for some reason it was in the quietest state. "Ah...!" Risir realized. The minor anxiety was thus resolved and— "Then, what should we do? If we step forward first and disrupt their plans before they take serious action—" "No." Remier shook her head. "Cultists. Also known as the White Shadow Cult. For those who usually operate in cell organizations to move as one body like this is extremely unusual." "...Something may have united their will." Risir's gaze turned toward the already purified Archdemon Fragment. "Right. I think the same. Using the Archdemon's stirring as an opportunity, they came together as one. So—" Remier moved the container storing the Archdemon Fragment in front of herself. "This is a crisis, but—" Then, she moved the fragment that Risir had purified next to it. "It's also an opportunity at the same time. An opportunity to sweep away all those cultists at once." "...For instance, this. Instead of cutting off the small feelers one by one, let's find the head and strike it—" Snap. Remier snapped her fingers with satisfaction. "Exactly that. As expected of our Gray Magic Tower's swordsman. Wise beyond measure." "Hm?" For a moment. Risir felt a small sense of discomfort. 'Gray Magic Tower's swordsman?' It bothered him that Remier, the Gray Tower Master, would use such a title. Of all the many titles— Even leaving aside the title of Honorary Mage of the Magic Tower. "Gray Magic Tower's swordsman, you say." Sure enough. Perhaps feeling a similar impression to Risir, Palag raised an objection. "Are you serious? As a title to refer to Risir, is that the best you can do? No matter how much you want to boast about your Magic Tower— why not give him an Honorary Mage position instead? If you're in such a hurry." "Come on. It's our Magic Tower's business, so mind your own?" "...?" Risir tilted his head in confusion. Palag's statement, which he thought would scratch his itch, was instead making him feel even more unsettled. 'Lord Palag knows that I'm an Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower— no, he should know, shouldn't he?' Risir requested help from Master Meltas with his eyes. Then the braided-hair old man responded with a kind smile and whispered quietly. -Don't mind it, Risir. Even though the Tower Master says that, she's probably dying to give you a proper position. In my opinion, she'll probably create a new proper honorary position soon and grant it to you. -A proper honorary position... Then what about the Honorary Mage position I already have? -Huh? The Honorary Mage position you have? Master Meltas blinked his eyes. As if he had no idea what he was talking about. -...Ah, it's nothing. Please don't mind it. While ending the conversation like that, the sense of discomfort that Risir felt had reached its peak. Their behavior. As if they were denying that he was an Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower— No, it seemed as if they had forgotten. *** [Title: What is this? Why did my base representative character suddenly change????] Content: Suddenly the 2nd party's party leader has become the base representative character??? -: That thing Check your base representative character's status -[OP]: Status ailment oblivion? No, what the hell is this now Did they get dementia or something? -: The opposite lol -: Rather, the people around you got dementia So they can't recognize your base representative character -: What's that character's true name? -[OP]: True name? I have it set to Swordmaster right now, but why -: Not anymore -[OP]: ? -[OP]: No, what is this -[OP]: Why is the true name missing? They said once you set it, you can't change it Damn, what kind of fucking bug is this now -: Calm down, it's not a bug lol -[OP]: This fucking shit isn't a bug? That makes me even less calm???? -: Ah lol -: Your character's activities have been restricted due to buggy gameplay. (Meaning we screwed your character with buggy gameplay) -: Did you recently retrieve a Fragment of Oblivion? -[OP]: No, damn Don't tell me I got a debuff because of that? -: Something like that lol One of the biggest factions in the White Shadow Cult Are those who serve the Archdemon of Oblivion They spread a curse using that fragment This has roughly similar effects to Nad'ga hypnosis app It erases the true name of whoever has the highest level in that region -: (Roughly explaining the setting where the power of oblivion manipulates the memories of everyone except the target) -[OP]: No way They said true name is basically like fate, identity, account information What happens if this gets deleted -: What happens Account deletion -: (Roughly explaining the setting where game characters cast "Who are you?") -[OP]: No, please stop fucking around Don't tell me this shit suddenly blows away the base representative character? If this happens I really can't play the game (really can't) Can't push through the final quest without this character, damn -: Nah, that's soon The apostles of oblivion will come and make a deal They'll give you back your true name If you hand over the fragment -[OP]: No, fuck, I've never seen anyone pull shell game tricks with names before *** "Risi? What's wrong, is there a problem? When Risir's expression suddenly became serious, everyone's attention focused on him. Soon after. Risir shrugged his shoulders. So what if they forgot that he was an Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower? Since it didn't interfere with immediate communication and relationships, it wasn't something to worry much about in the urgent current situation. 'Something seems to have gone wrong, but let's put out the urgent fires first and figure it out gradually later.' That was all Risir felt about the strangeness that had happened to him. "It's nothing, so please don't mind it." Risir tried to resume the meeting nonchalantly. Creak. Just then. Suddenly, someone opened the conference room door and entered the room. "Huh?" Risir looked around. Because no one other than himself was paying attention to the visitor's presence. "You were here." It was a man with a misty, vague impression. His actions upon entering the room were unhesitating. It was the attitude of someone confident that they held the upper hand. "The city's hero who once received everyone's respect and love. Honorary Mage Risir. You were probably trying to convince your old colleagues of your existence, pitifully." Thud. He placed a hazy crystal on the desk as he spoke. "I make this proposal to you. If you help us retrieve our property, I will return your existence that they have forgotten. Your true name—" The man who was speaking as if doing a favor suddenly stopped mid-sentence. "Risir? Why are you like that? You look dazed—" "Remier, isn't it because you called him by that forced name of Gray Magic Tower's swordsman? You might as well have called him Hero of Advancement instead." "Let me make this clear right here and now— Risir is first and foremost the Mother of World Tree. Let there be no binding him with wicked desires." The conversation content of those around him had been bothering him. Was it just his imagination? It felt as if they were discussing a person who had lost their True Name and existence due to the curse of oblivion. "...Ah!" Risir, who had been observing the series of events, opened his eyes wide as he realized something. He spoke to the man. "Just to be sure, which of my true names did you take?" "..." The man's hazy impression became distorted with bewilderment. A true name is a true name. What kind of nonsensical question is "which of the true names did you take?"