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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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‘I’ve gotten stronger.’
Perhaps from absorbing three Archdemons. I could now control my demon form without exuding black magic. Of course, it was also thanks to the absorption abilities of the Ashy Dispersion and the Black Dragon’s Sinews.
The power of my wind arrows had long since reached the level of a master archer. And with Darian’s power, I would continue to grow endlessly.
I immediately selected the two core skills I needed from Raykan and Macleod.
Ding.
First, Evasion. Just like in [Reincarnated Hero], skills with simple names like Snipe seemed to be the best. Intuitive and effective, without any conditions.
‘I need to increase my trait slots with skill points.’
With three unique traits – Hermit, Sniper, and Evasion – stacking, the aggro reduction effect would be high, and with the synergy of the anti-magic barrier, my survivability would increase significantly.
‘Next…’
Like Nicolseta’s skill, it was a single-use but overwhelmingly effective skill.
Normally, I would have to embark on a long journey to reach the demon territory, but with this skill, I could instantly teleport to Pandemonium whenever I wanted. However, since I would be arriving in enemy territory, it was best to use it with caution.
‘By the way, I was careless.’
I hadn’t expected Psyche to be targeted so openly. Following the [Reincarnated Academy] storyline, Psyche, with her powers fully intact, was supposed to return to the Imperial City, handle some business for about two weeks, and then transfer to Clarice Academy.
I had rashly assumed that any incidents would happen after that. Kaelan, Heisman, Crow Fey, Yellody… I had taken care of all the troublemakers, so as long as the demon army didn’t invade directly, it should be safe for a while…
‘The number of heroines I need to protect keeps increasing…’
I remembered how, while playing [Reincarnated Hero], my greed to save every single character had led to a great disaster.
‘And I’ve used up my resurrection too.’
I had wanted Psyche to protect me, but since she had split her power with Aria, unlike in the original story… it couldn’t be helped.
‘Let’s deal with the current situation first.’
I had left Yeriel, who was completely exhausted from insomnia, sleeping. She might have woken up by now.
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Psyche helped Aria up and asked in a calm voice,
“Aria, can you walk?”
“Psyche…”
She smiled faintly.
“…Go ahead. Leave the rest to me.”
Psyche called for her Holy Knights and Edwin, and Aria walked towards the train with all her might. Her destination was the temple where the ashen-haired man was, as confirmed by her surveillance magic.
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“Lev…”
Perhaps because it was late at night, a dreamlike, excited feeling overwhelmed Aria. Her legs trembled, but it didn’t matter. She could endure any pain if she could hear his voice one more time.
But she was also anxious. What if it was really a dream? His voice, everything… what if it was all a magical illusion she had created?
As she entered the temple…
“!”
…the ashen-haired man stood with his back to her at the hallway fountain. Aria also froze.
“Ah…”
It was a sight she hadn’t even dared to hope for in her dreams. To be reunited with him was a luxury greater than any treasure, so she had buried her feelings deep in her heart.
She, who only brought misfortune to those around her, had only wanted to be used until she could find her purpose. But what was this?
The Saint had saved her, the pain of the black magic that had been pressing down on her was gone, and the man she loved had even saved her. Happy events, the complete opposite of the weight she had to bear and the punishment she had to receive, had occurred.
“…That’s right. It must be a dream.”
That’s why it felt like a mirage. She was afraid that if she took a step closer, he would disappear like the water flowing from the fountain. She couldn’t bring herself to take a step. But all of Aria’s thoughts vanished. Because the man turned and faced her.
“!”
“Aria, it’s been a while…”
He slowly approached and took her hand. It was warm. As if he were really alive. And he still said with a hint of awkwardness,
“I made you wait a long time.”
Aria, her gaze fixed on Lev, moved her lips and said, “The Lev… I knew is dead… dead…”
It was a mixture of doubt and denial. Lev, as if he had no excuses, immediately apologized.
“I should have told you I’d be back. I’m sorry I couldn’t.”
“…”
“I wasn’t sure… and I didn’t have much time. I’m really sorry…”
“…”
“So… Aria? Will you forgive me…?”
This man… what was he saying? Instead of blaming her, he was apologizing. His voice was so gentle. Just like that last moment.
‘It’s okay, Aria.’
‘I’m sorry….’
‘I know.’
His soft, warm voice was so painful… she felt like she was about to faint. And Aria’s memories came flooding back.
‘Kill me! Kill me! What are you doing! Kill me! Kill me! Don’t hesitate, just kill me! Now!’
‘……That’s right.’
Aria gathered all her strength and spoke, one word at a time, “Is it really… you, Lev…?”
Half-believing, half-doubting, Aria’s eyes were dead, her pupils completely dilated. Lev answered briefly,
“Yes. It’s me. The scoundrel who confessed to you, Lev Denec.”
His voice was still steady and pleasant.
“Yes… that’s good…”
Suddenly, Aria remembered the blade in her pocket. The dagger she had received from Lilith. The cursed sword… that had taken his life. That’s right. Aria decided she had to die. As long as she was alive, Lev Denec would be in danger again, so it was better to… die in Lev’s arms.
Death was one of the best forms of atonement. To be able to end it in his arms, even in a dream, was a selfish indulgence she could afford, right?
Slide.
Aria gently slipped into his embrace and put her hand in her inner pocket.
“Aria…?”
“I’m sorry…”
“…”
“I’m sorry… that someone like me fell in love with you… I’m sorry, Lev…”
And so, Aria chose her end.
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Swoosh…
The moon-shaped fountain continued to pour sparkling water. And it wasn’t just water that was flowing.
Drip.
Red blood trickled down my hand.
“…L-Lev?!”
Aria’s eyes widened, her face turning pale. I had grabbed her cursed sword.
“I’m sorry. It must have been hard for you.”
“…I… I must die…!”
“No. This is my fault.”
As Aria tried to move the dagger, I gripped it even tighter.
“I put too much of a burden on you.”
“Ah… ah…”
Aria’s mind was more broken than I had expected.
“Why… why me… sob!”
Tears finally streamed down Aria’s face.
“Because I like you.”
“…!!”
My embarrassing confession was warm and soft, like the flowing blood. Aria’s gaze, now closer, trembled violently.
“Lev… you… like, like me…?”
I sat her down on a bench and knelt before her, kissing her. Aria’s eyes widened. This was the only way to calm her down.
“… “
I explored her moist lips, gently rubbing our noses together…
I rested my forehead against hers and said, “I like you, Aria.”
“Don’t… don’t be so kind to me…”
“Remember? During the fire demon incident, and at the train platform… whenever I was about to turn into a demon… you took my black magic for me.”
Without her, I wouldn’t have become this strong, wouldn’t have reached this point.
“…That was…!”
“You’ve saved me so many times, Aria. So if you try to do something bad like that again, I won’t be able to hold back. Without you, I have no reason to be here either.”
“…I… just… mmmph!”
Aria tried to say something, but I didn’t give her a chance and cupped the back of her neck.
Kiss…
This time, it was a proper kiss, our faces intertwined. Sticky, hot, sweet… a kiss.
“!”
I bit her lower lip, trying to cover her negative emotions with pleasure, and caressed the back of her neck, then pushed my tongue in deeper, making her head tilt back.
“!”
I ignored her surprised glances. Her hands, flailing helplessly, were also ignored. A deep kiss that made it impossible for her to think, that forced her to think only of me.
I wouldn’t let her go until she was completely dazed.
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After the passionate embrace, the air was thick with a sensual tension. Aria’s legs trembled pitifully, so the kiss must have been quite effective.
She healed my hand, which had been holding the cursed sword, and then intertwined our fingers, never letting go.
“Hic…! I… I hurt you, again and again…”
“It’s okay.”
“Thank you… sob… for coming back… thank you…”
“Yes. It’s okay, Aria.”
I had probably heard that thank you more than twenty times. Each time, I had to hug her and kiss her gently. Aria also wouldn’t leave my embrace, constantly snuggling against me.
Even when I maxed out Aria’s affection in [Reincarnated Hero], there wasn’t a scene this intense. But it was good. This was a side of the usually stoic Aria that only I could see.
“T-The little fox was you, Lev…”
Aria, having calmed down a little, finally brought up something else.
“Krr.”
“…?”
I mimicked the fox’s cry without changing my tone, and Aria looked up at me.
Hug.
She suddenly giggled and buried her face in my chest.
“You laughed.”
“…No, I didn’t.”
“Where I come from… there’s a saying that if you laugh while crying, you’ll grow horns on your butt.”
“!”
Aria looked up at me again.
“Horns… on my butt…?”
Aria, taking my words seriously, was so cute and funny.
“Yes, you’re in big trouble, Aria.”
“……”
As I was stroking her hair, lost in thought…
“Lev.”
“Hmm?”
Aria asked me with an innocent, expressionless face, “What… were you doing with Yeriel?”
Ah.
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