Ch 253
Lisir still couldn’t believe it.
Tara Dorin.
That she was before his eyes.
A member of the hero party that saved the world and the first saint. Her story was known throughout the continent.
Immediately, Lisir, when he was young, often played hero party games with his younger sister, Roera.
Himself, a hero. His younger sister, a saint.
‘Roera kept sprinkling water on my body, saying it was holy water.’
Suddenly, he felt a sense of nostalgia.
Since sometime, both he and Roera, who had argued over who was better suited to be the hero, had become the owners of the Holy Swords.
Even more so, he was in a situation where he, as a descendant of a hero, had the saint before him.
After encountering the saint.
The legend of the hero party kept coming to mind.
Lisir had to try not to be overwhelmed by the saint’s presence, a part of that legend.
It wasn’t easy.
A member of the hero party. A Great Hero. The first saint.
Befitting such names, the energy she possessed was truly immense.
Lisir was surprised once by that immense energy-
and, once again, by the fact that the energy was being controlled as calmly as possible.
‘Grandmaster… at night… now even the hero party members…’
Encounters with successive transcendental beings.
Lisir began to seriously worry that his senses might become abnormal.
“So-…”
Like that.
Lisir, in a highly tense state, was explaining the situation to the saint.
The reason his injury suddenly healed-
the ability that was the cause.
“In short, you occasionally have a surge in your level, and at the same time, your body is adjusted to its optimal state. The most likely cause at present is that it has a positive influence on specific events.”
“That’s right.”
Lisir answered in a half-resigned state.
Judging from his past experiences, the situation that would unfold was clear to him.
Himself, unable to explain the power that defied reason.
The other party, unable to comprehend the power that defied reason.
Surely, this time too, the situation would end in a frustrating stalemate and be vaguely glossed over.
It was a formal process that had become familiar as daily life.
Lisir intended to passively wait for the series of processes to end, leaving himself to the flow.
“It can’t be…”
As expected.
The fairy interjected from the side.
‘As expected.’
Just as Lisir was about to chuckle at the flow following his expectations faithfully.
“You had that kind of ability too!?”
“Huh?”
It was an unusual event.
Lisir, who always made the other party doubt their ears when talking about his abilities.
He was the one doubting his own ears for the first time.
The fairy’s statement.
It had more meaning than simply believing in Lisir’s ability.
“‘Too,’ you say? Do you perhaps know someone with a similar ability?”
Widened pupils.
Lisir asked with disbelieving eyes.
At that sight, the fairy let out a small laugh.
It was an atmosphere similar to an adult dealing with a child.
“Of course, this world is so vast. Especially, the era in which we were active was even more so. Lisir, it’s hard for you to imagine now, but in the era we were active in, there was all sorts of things.”
“Exuviation.”
As Lisir listened intently to the fairy’s words as if hypnotized, the saint continued.
“As the name suggests, it’s the ability to shed old skin and create an optimal state.”
Lisir’s heart was already beating wildly.
It was like actually meeting the legendary heroes, literally?
The vast insight naturally revealed in their words!
It seemed to casually incorporate his world as a part of a larger whole.
In other words, it felt like a frog in a well!
Normally, it would have been an unpleasant feeling of feeling insignificant-
but now Lisir was feeling an immense sense of exhilaration.
‘Is this the hero party?!’
As revealed in his previous attitude.
Lisir had largely let go of the aspects concerning his abilities.
It’s an ability I don’t understand myself, so how much would other people understand?
Therefore.
He shouldn’t rely on others.
Even if he didn’t know magic or swordsmanship, at least this ability should be developed by his own strength alone.
Resignation in the name of acceptance!
That was Lisir’s attitude towards his ability.
He thought he would be alone forever in this regard.
But what do you know.
It appeared.
A being who knew the identity of his unfathomable power!
‘Really, there was all sorts of things in that era. Well, it was an era when nature magic was also common magic…!’
Lisir thought.
The most chaotic era in history━ the Great Heroes at its center.
They would be able to perfectly clarify his unfathomable abilities.
Furthermore, they could guide him!
“Exuviation, that was the name…!”
The Legacy of the First Hero!
The feeling was very good.
Since part of his ability had been clarified at the start.
Lisir looked up at them with a very excited look.
“Were abilities like this common in the era you were active? How much do you know about this ability?!?”
Whoa, whoa.
The fairy calmed Lisir down with her small hands.
“I understand why you’re excited, but calm down a bit.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to━”
“Judging by your appearance, it seems like no one has ever told you about that ability before━ right?”
“That’s right!”
“Well, that’s to be expected. That ability was a rare ability possessed by only a very small number of people even in our time.”
“A very small number… is that so?”
“Even if we add all of us guys together, we wouldn’t be able to name more than five beings with that ability?”
Five.
Five.
Lisir felt a slight anxiety at that strangely realistic and harsh number.
‘Then isn’t the data too scarce?’
But he immediately shook his head.
‘No, no! I’m spoiled, Lisir. It’s amazing that the data even exists!?’
Lisir tried to compose himself and said to them.
“If you happen to know anything about this ability, Exuviation, could you tell me?”
“Actually, I was just about to talk about that.”
Hmm?
Strength entered Lisir’s eyes, which had been filled with excitement.
Fairy. Saint.
It was because he had discovered shadows that they hadn’t completely hidden in their expressions.
“Shall we change locations?”
The saint gestured towards Lisir.
Lisir’s body, which had been covered in bloodstains, became clean in an instant.
Even the clothes he was wearing.
“Oh…”
What is it.
What kind of magic is this again.
It’s subtly different from Cleanse?
As Lisir examined his body and his eyes shone, the saint gestured.
“Over here.”
✦✦✦
Leaving the cathedral where the saint had been praying, they were greeted by the tranquil scenery of a field bathed in the sunset.
Lisir looked around again.
A small wheat field was located on the opposite side.
The well-ripened rice stalks bowed their heads, showing off their golden beauty.
A fence was erected where the rice stalks bowed their heads.
Cows. Sheep. Chickens.
Various animals were freely spending their time in that leisurely space.
“…”
Was it because they had just finished a fierce battle?
Lisir felt the idyllic scenery sink deep into his heart.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
The saint spoke with satisfaction at Lisir’s reaction.
Then she pointed to somewhere.
Below the field.
A small village was formed there.
Even as the sun was setting, children were energetically wandering around the village.
Peace.
It was a village that seemed to embody that concept.
As Lisir was becoming assimilated into that peace, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
The air of the village touching his skin. The warmth. The atmosphere.
It was somehow familiar.
Soon he realizes.
‘Bella’s Forest…?’
Like the Grand Master’s Forest.
The fact that this village was also a space created by the saint’s mental image.
“I have already experienced death. A very long time ago.”
As if she had read Lisir’s thoughts, the saint began to speak.
Her brown hair, which had a golden hue like the wheat in the field, was bathed in the sunset.
Lisir was suddenly surprised.
Saint.
Hidden by her extraordinary atmosphere, the Great Hero unexpectedly had an ordinary appearance.
It was like a pure country girl who received everyone’s love in the village.
Separately, the atmosphere that seemed to embrace the sunset was certainly mysterious. Perhaps sacred.
“But…”
The sunset deepened. A faint shadow fell on the saint’s expression.
“I couldn’t accept my death easily. Regret. It wasn’t such a grand reason. Just lingering feelings. Just before death, things I hadn’t finished came to mind. They weren’t grand things like missions or destiny, but small wishes.”
The saint created a mysterious smile as she looked at Lisir.
“Were you disappointed?”
“Yes?”
“I know to some extent how people talk about me. Especially, I know to the point of being sick of how the Order treats me. The Order says that death is not a curse but a blessing. At the same time, it’s the most fundamental providence that makes up this world. Isn’t it funny that a saint is going against that?”
It could be considered a rather profound question to answer.
However, Lisir’s contemplation wasn’t long.
“Well, I don’t know. I’ve never died.”
“Yes?”
The saint hastily covered her mouth.
A small chuckle leaked out.
“Apparently, death is a concept that is too difficult for a young me. Perhaps because of that, I understand the saint’s position.”
“Understanding means━”
“If I were to die at a moment I didn’t want to, and if there was a way to postpone that death, I would not hesitate to postpone that death. There’s a proverb I know: It’s better to live even if you roll around in a dung heap.”
Above all.
Lisir added softly.
He was remembering his meeting with the Grand Master.
That precious meeting he hadn’t expected.
“I think I would be happy.”
“Happy…”
“At the fact that there is such an opportunity to meet a precious person again.”
Death.
It was too shallow and personal a view to discuss its heavy value.
Even more so when compared to those close to the saint.
However.
Perhaps because of that.
A light smile appeared on the saint’s lips.
A very light smile, without any complex religious or philosophical contemplation.
She looked at the fairy sitting on Lisir’s shoulder and nodded.
“That’s right.”
Was it just his feeling?
Lisir felt that the saint’s atmosphere had become lighter than before.
Her sacred atmosphere, which was difficult to approach, had faded somewhat.
The saint continued the story in a somewhat excited tone.
“Those children are children I’m temporarily looking after.”
The saint said, pointing to the children playing in the village.
“Looking after them means━”
“Loss of consciousness. The brink of death. And strong will and faith. Those are the children who are connected in that way. I’m helping those children regain their original energy and find their true selves again.”
“…!”
Lisir’s eyes widened.
‘That is, it’s not that. She’s helping those who prayed to her here regain their health-‘
When he interpreted the content of those casually spoken words, the word ‘miracle’ naturally came to mind.
‘It’s not like heaven…’
For a moment, Lisir recalled a statue of the Order he had seen once.
The appearance of the statue that embodied the existence of God-
had something similar to the saint standing beside him now.
This place.
Were those who were saved in the saint’s space returning to reality and expressing their voices and opinions?
He had no way of knowing.
He could only marvel at the transcendental power possessed by the Great Hero.
“We’ve arrived.”
The place the saint led Lisir to was a small house located on a high ground where the village could be seen at a glance.
“You’ve had a hard time, haven’t you? Rest comfortably today. Time flows leisurely here.”
After washing his body in the hot spring located in the backyard of the house.
He enjoyed a simple but warm meal.
As she said, Lisir spent a comfortable and leisurely time.
He felt that the mental fatigue that hadn’t been completely washed away by ‘Exuviation’ was completely gone.
✦✦✦
The next morning.
Lisir had another meal with the saint.
He used the opportunity to have various conversations with the saint.
Lisir’s personal life. And the atmosphere of the world.
Their conversation, which initially started with such topics, gradually began to become heavier at a certain point.
“So, about that ‘Exuviation’.”
The topic that had kept Lisir awake with excitement since last night was naturally mentioned.
And this time, Lisir didn’t miss it.
“…”
“…”
Here it comes.
He noticed serious expressions on the faces of the saint and the fairy.
“Right now, I’m receiving teachings from many excellent people. They generously give me the teachings I desire, except for the things about my peculiar ability. This is because they don’t know anything about this ability either.”
“In that era, countless heroes and villains met their fates. And various powers and skills were lost along with them.”
“That’s right. Therefore, I’m making this bold request. 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 answered readily.
“Of course, we should.”
The fairy was the same.
Lisir’s attempt to express his joy was stopped by their atmosphere.
It was more like they were delivering bad news that was difficult to mention━ rather than a solemn look of wanting to teach.
The saint and the fairy exchanged glances.
Who would speak?
In the end, it was the saint who spoke.
“Exuviation. The power to cast off the limits that cling to you like skin and move forward. It’s a mysterious power passed down as a vision among some heroes. Even in our party, there weren’t many people who could handle that power.”
The saint continued solemnly.
“Lisir. A great power comes with a price.”
“…!”
Determination to tell a cruel truth.
In that which appeared in the saint’s eyes, the anxiety Lisir felt finally took form.
Actually.
He had vaguely anticipated it.
His level surges spasmodically.
His body is restored to a brand-new state.
That phenomenon, difficult to reproduce even with the best elixirs━ it couldn’t possibly come without any price.
Even the Power of Advancement, which temporarily raises one’s level, left injuries that could collapse the body if overused.
Then, would ‘Exuviation’, which permanently raises one’s level, have no side effects?
It’s just that he couldn’t feel it.
Even if the side effects were worsening somewhere he didn’t know, it wouldn’t be strange at all.
“Lisir…”
The saint’s solemn expression soon became filled with worry.
“How many times have you used that power so far?”
The saint and the fairy recalled the appearance of the heroes who used Exuviation at the ‘last moment’.
And they earnestly hoped.
Please-
That the number wouldn’t exceed three times.
If so, it wouldn’t be strange at all if he died right now-
“Damn it, it’s over dozens of times, at least. What’s going to happen to me now?”
The meaningful atmosphere of the fairy and the saint reached its peak.
Accordingly, Lisir’s anxiety also reached its peak.
“…You two?”
But suddenly, the saint and the fairy fell silent.
Lisir was left alone in that heightened emotional current.
✦✦✦
『Title: Wait, but doesn’t this game have any level-up bonuses?』
Content: No, seriously
『The character’s HP is low!』
『Level Up!』
『The character has died!』
Is it possible for this to appear consecutively?
A character who was almost dead leveled up during battle, and a really flashy effect appeared,
but then a normal attack flew in and hit them, and they fell down, so it’s infuriating.
-: I’m sorry, but leveling up is leveling up,
and HP is HP.
If you’re upset, you should have managed your HP as diligently as your experience points.
-: Seriously lol, do you even know what kind of game this is?
-: Seriously lol, who plays games to suffer?
-『Author』: Ugh, seriously.
✦✦✦
✦✦✦
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