zhIZuDjYGTYwYyiY – Chapter 149

Ch 149

“Ah.”

Dwen’s severe expression wildly fluctuated.

In the case of the two Hero Parties, the fluctuation was even greater.

Lisir took out the Core of Suffering.

He was surprised to see it completely filled, then recalled their recent conversation.

Was Lisir’s Core of Suffering a special item?

‘Did “special” mean it was relatively easy to fill?’

I see.

Otherwise, it couldn’t be explained how that Core of Suffering filled up overnight.

What they experienced.

To fill that Core of Suffering, even hundreds of broken arms and countless lacerations on their backs wouldn’t have been enough.

Above all, Lisir’s current appearance was far too ordinary for someone who had performed and endured such madness.

His usual unkempt appearance showed no trace of the fanaticism seen in fanatics.

“Ugh, yeah. That’s right. It was good for a moment.”

Felix stamped his feet and groaned.

Could one feel the sensation of having something taken back more intensely than this?

Separately.

They felt deep emotion.

“Lisir.”

Dwen looked at him with a complex gaze.

Jane and Felix were Dwen’s disciples, and a great bond existed between them.

For them, sacrificing and enduring pain for Dwen was something that could be considered natural.

But Lisir?

No matter how special the Core of Suffering, it was impossible for it to have filled without any pain.

“With you…”

It shouldn’t matter, but why?

He trailed off, swallowing the unfinished words.

Their relationship wasn’t close enough to firmly reject that favor.

Dwen’s severe eyes wavered.

All she could do was silently look at Lisir.

Lisir showed Dwen a nonchalant smile.

As if to say it was nothing to worry about.

…It was an expression he could make because it truly was nothing.

However, Dwen’s party had no way of knowing that.

Their expressions vividly fluctuated.

“Lisir. You…”

In Jane’s case, she was so moved that she was barely holding back tears.

Like that.

A touching situation was unfolding among Lisir’s party due to a minor incident(?).

“…”

In the group of the True Ones, the opposite aura was rising.

The Core of Suffering.

It is the suffering of others borne by the True Ones.

They gather the suffering of others using a special incantation, filling the Core of Suffering and paying the price for it.

Such Cores of Suffering are classified into three main sizes.

Low-Grade Core, which can be filled by an individual’s power.

Mid-Grade Core, which can be filled by a small-scale ritual.

Finally, High-Grade Core, which can only be filled through a large-scale ritual.

Among these, the Core of Suffering Dwen bore was a High-Grade Core.

It was originally to be filled through a large-scale ritual involving dozens of True Ones, centered around young men who should have become True Ones following their parents.

The young men who are the subjects of the ritual will die from the pain or become invalids, and the dozens of True Ones participating and sharing the burden will also suffer discomfort in their movements for a while due to the influence.

That was the magnitude of pain needed to fill a High-Grade Core.

The magnitude of pain needed for Dwen—

And also the magnitude of pain needed for Lisir’s party, who volunteered to share her burden.

That’s right.

Hella gave Lisir’s party a High-Grade Core.

To show them reality.

To show them how heavy the duties of a True One are.

Hella judged that one day would be enough for Lisir’s party to realize this fact after receiving the core.

At this moment.

If I head to their dwelling, I’ll be able to meet them with the empty core.

With them realizing their arrogance, I’ll be able to correct everything.

That was Hella’s expectation when she set out.

The expectation of the True Ones.

But what’s this?

“…”

Hella received the core Lisir handed over with trembling hands.

Then she carefully observed the core.

‘I must have delivered the wrong core.’

It was a desperate attempt to accept this unbelievable situation.

There are two main distinguishing features of a High-Grade Core.

First, the size.

Unlike the Low-Grade and Mid-Grade Cores, which fit in the hand, the High-Grade Core is distinctly large.

Its weight is enough to overwhelm the True Ones who understand the meaning contained within the core.

Hella was overwhelmed.

She tried her best to open her palm to hold it, but ultimately, the size was too much.

And its color.

“Ah…”

A gasp of ecstasy escaped the fanatic’s lips.

Similar to the color of well-aged wine.

Also similar to the dark red color of blood gushing from a ruptured artery.

It was a color that could only be observed in a High-Grade Core.

It was an undeniable fact.

What she held in her hand was clearly a High-Grade Core.

Another High-Grade Core was filled.

Thus, another immense suffering disappeared.

Hella, the True One, felt overwhelming fulfillment.

“Ah, ah…”

The emotion was so rich that it even produced physical happiness.

Hella twisted her body in place for a while.

“Ah. Sister.”

Poera, Hella’s servant, and many other True Ones were converted by her appearance.

Gasps and moans erupted from all around.

Even to an outsider, the air in the place seemed to suddenly become muggy and hot.

-By the way, the True Ones are separated into women and men and operate separately. This is because of the rituals performed periodically among them.

This was today’s knowledge (Source: Sword of Insight) conveyed to Lisir’s party, who were both overwhelmed and disgusted by the sight.

“Oh…”

Lisir unconsciously let out a gasp.

So there are only women there.

Uh? Wait a minute.

Then the other group of True Ones—

“Ah.”

All the men present became transcendent, possessing unwavering composure.

“Ah.”

At the same time, Hella regained her composure.

This wasn’t the time for this.

She looked at Lisir, feeling the weight in her palm.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes?”

That listless sound was a sufficient answer.

In fact, the answer was already decided before the question.

Lisir. He looked fine at a glance.

Even though he had filled a High-Grade Core overnight.

This was in stark contrast to Jane and Felix, who had only filled a tiny amount of the High-Grade Core and were intermittently showing physical discomfort.

There’s a problem with the core.

Or, Lisir filled the core in the wrong way.

Hella reached a perfectly reasonable conclusion from her perspective.

“May I ask one thing? How did you fill this core?”

“I have training I usually do, and when I did that training, the core filled up.”

“Training…”

Lisir’s answer subtly changed the expressions not only of the True Ones but also of the Hero Party.

They all knew that it was impossible to fill a High-Grade Core through the act of ‘training’.

“By any chance, could you guide us to the place where you performed that training?”

Lisir shrugged and said.

“Follow me.”

The True Ones and the Hero Party followed Lisir.

✦✦✦

“This is it.”

The place they arrived at following Lisir was the backyard of the Hero’s Mansion.

They looked around as if they had lost something.

“This is…?”

Someone’s murmur spoke for their collective state of mind.

Clean walls of the mansion.

Green grass covering the ground.

They couldn’t find any ‘traces’ anywhere.

Traces of an act that could fill a High-Grade Core.

Given Lisir’s state, they expected the place they would arrive at wouldn’t be a secret space filled with traces of sadism and masochism—

But they never expected it to be this empty.

Their doubts and suspicions deepened.

What exactly did he do?

Why is the High-Grade Core full?

Lisir diligently went to find a spot for those who were confused.

“It was probably here.”

However, his calm swordsmanship stance only increased their confusion.

“If we ask him to reenact it…”

“Sister, what are you…!”

“Yes? No, I know! I know, but—”

Absurd talk went back and forth among the True Ones.

To reenact the painful ritual that filled the High-Grade Core.

Die again.

Become an invalid again.

Go insane again as a group.

It was a reckless suggestion.

The True Ones scolded the sister who had first brought up the idea.

However, they also understood her.

Whoosh.

The grass swayed in the sudden breeze.

Along with the young man’s collar and hair as he took a swordsmanship stance.

How could one imagine a ritual of pain stained with blood and suffering while looking at the peaceful appearance of the High-Grade Core’s owner?

“…”

Hella checked the High-Grade Core again.

It looked perfectly fine.

The High-Grade Core, and Lisir.

“Ah…”

She was so confused she felt like she was going insane.

The vast world that formed the basis of the True Ones’ thinking was shaking.

At that moment.

Lisir offered a helping hand.

“Should we reenact the situation back then?”

Flinch!

The True Ones’ bodies trembled.

Their eyes shook violently.

No.

Knowing what he did, knowing what he will do.

He is an outsider unrelated to the duties of a True One.

It’s impossible to impose the duties of a True One on him anymore.

Clearly, reason was shouting that.

However.

That voice of reason gradually fades.

Is there any reason not to?

Look at his condition now.

Is that really the state of someone who filled a High-Grade Core?

Above all, it’s impossible for him, who isn’t even a True One, to fill a High-Grade Core.

It’s impossible for him to bear the heaviest duty of a True One.

“Please.”

Their faith and pride as True Ones led them to one conclusion.

That something was definitely wrong.

Hella reached out to Dwen.

“…”

Dwen, without hesitation, handed over her High-Grade Core.

Judging from Lisir’s state, she was confident that nothing would happen to him.

Above all—

They were just as curious.

What on earth is going on?

What is making those fanatics so confused?

“Ah, this time, are we filling that?”

Lisir brightened upon seeing Dwen’s High-Grade Core.

Hella didn’t know how to react and changed the subject.

“Just in case, let’s perform the ritual formally.”

“Ritual?”

“Yes. The one who loses. The suffering of you, the subject of the ritual, will be shared by others.”

“Is that possible?”

“We True Ones can share the sensations felt by the target through our unique incantation.”

“Oh.”

Leaving Lisir, who showed interest, behind, the True Ones began preparing for the ritual.

Swish.

They simultaneously drew daggers from their sleeves.

And—

“No—”

They cut their palms with the daggers.

Lisir’s eyes widened at the flawlessly executed madness.

“It’s alright.”

Hella reassured him with a gentle smile and continued the ritual.

After collecting the True Ones’ blood in a silver cup taken from somewhere, they applied the mixed blood to the True Ones’ hands.

“If you do that, can you share Lisir’s pain?”

Dwen asked during the ritual, and Hella answered.

“Yes.”

“Then, I’ll participate as well.”

“…”

Nod.

Then, the Hero Party also stepped forward and expressed their willingness to participate.

Worry. Determination. Doubt. And curiosity.

Various emotions were mixed, and the ritual preparations were completed.

“…But, is it really alright?”

Lisir expressed his worry before the ‘reenactment’.

He couldn’t guarantee how the sensations he felt would be transmitted to them.

“Rest assured. We True Ones are always ready to bear the suffering of others.”

Compared to the suffering we’ve endured, the suffering you’ll experience is insignificant.

Hella’s smile, full of composure and confidence, seemed to say so.

“Above all, only sensations including pain are shared. You don’t have to worry about any unforeseen circumstances.”

“…”

Persuaded by that smile, Lisir nodded.

‘Well, what could possibly happen?’

Former Sword Master.

Hero Party.

Fanatic.

There was no way that this splendid group couldn’t endure the pain that he could endure.

“Let’s begin.”

Then.

“…It’s done.”

“…?”

Done?

What’s done?

A strange flow of mana occurred, but that was all.

Was a High-Grade Core filled with this?

They stared blankly at Lisir.

His usual calm face.

Trickle.

“?”

Then, blood flowed from every opening on that calm face.

No.

Blood gushed out.

Gulp gulp.

He violently vomited, like a ruptured artery.

Lisir nonchalantly laughed and said.

“Since you’re helping me, I gave it my all.”

“…?”

All out?

Hella felt an indescribable ominousness at those words and checked the High-Grade Core.

The dark red liquid, which had been only a tiny amount until just now, was filling up at an unbelievable speed.

“…”

Oh.

You who lose.

That was the moment Hella muttered blankly.

Thump!

The incantation that bound them together activated.

“Ah.”

One of the True Ones rolled their eyes and collapsed.

Thud.

The sound of bodies falling onto the grass was heard from all around.

“…Everyone?”

It was as if lightning had struck a lightning rod and spread in all directions.

Lisir looked around with a confused face.

Hella.

Dwen.

Jane.

Felix.

Except for those four, everyone was convulsing, having lost consciousness.

Even those four were on the verge of losing consciousness, writhing in pain.

“…!”

Lisir felt a hand reaching for his feet.

“Ah…! Ah…!”

Hella.

She, who had collapsed right in front of Lisir, was desperately holding onto his leg to endure the pain.

There was no sign of the fanatic enjoying the pain.

That’s when it happened.

“Huh?”

Lisir looked down at his hand.

“This feeling…”

✦✦✦

▷Fate 99: One-Armed ━ Deactivated.

The corresponding bonus will be given.

『Level has increased!』

■Lisir

Level: 60

✦✦✦

A tremendous surge of exhilaration as his level suddenly increased.

At the same time, a refreshing feeling as if reborn.

That mysterious sensation engulfed Lisir’s body.

And—

That sensation is transmitted to others through the incantation.

Thrash.

Thrash!

Those who had been writhing in pain until just now began to writhe in pleasure.

Overwhelming gasps and moans poured out from all around.

“…No.”

Lisir stood alone, looking around.

He blankly raised his head and looked up at the sky.

“What is all this.”

His face, which showed his incomprehension, was covered in blood.

✦✦✦

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