CHAPTER. 141: THE BEGINNING OF THE END (PART 3)

It was something that never crossed my mind. The corruption was gone, and with it, the world reverted. I stared at the azure sky, and while in the far distance I could see blotches of darkness it was hard to imagine the desolate wasteland this place had been. Instead, it looked like a world that was just now beginning to flourish.

The dilapidated ruins that littered the space bustled with life of different shapes and sizes, some were human, others resembled anthropomorphic animals, and there were some that were just beasts. It was a dazzling sight that I never thought I’d be able to witness; something reminiscent of dreams, but somehow it was there, all for my eyes to see.

I stared for what felt like forever before Asok turned to me.

“What, did the space eat your consciousness?” He shook his head and waved. “Come on now, let’s go.”

He treated it as such a normal thing that I couldn’t help but nod and tread along. Though my eyes remained glued at the different species in the distance and at the seemingly quick bond that seemed to be happening between the inhabitants. But even though I wanted to stay and observe, I couldn’t for Asok had other plans in mind.

We weaved through various streets and passed by numerous creatures; some didn’t regard us, some stared at Asok, some at me, some at both of us and some only at Sol’as’ Spear. Interestingly enough and maybe unsurprisingly there was no existence below S Tier, SS being the norm.

However, even then I was quite certain I was stronger than the large majority of beings I had seen, which just went to show how damn strong the corruption made things in the first place. The fact that everyone here had been a mindless corrupted monster, and had probably almost killed me was something that I found hard to digest. But it was even harder to comprehend that everyone seemed to be getting along just fine as if they hadn’t awoken from a deep slumber or something.

I could overhear conversations, somehow still able to understand their languages for the most part, and one thing quickly became clear; everyone seemed to remember their time as a corrupted monster and one being even stared at me with a shameful and apologetic look. Which; well it seemed like they recognized me.

Things were strange, and that feeling wasn’t helped by what I continuously witnessed from Asok, which was a seeming familiarity with everything around. While he didn’t talk with anyone more than necessary, he didn’t waste much time as he passed by different kinds of ruins just checking and asking about various artifacts.

Though unfortunately, whether I understood the conversation or not, I could deduce that the answer was no. Sometimes it seemed like an annoyed no, and sometimes it seemed like a saddened no. It was a bizarre experience that didn’t get any better from all the stares we were getting.

While a lot of beings were busying themselves with their duties, Asok and I were essentially just wandering around and begging for their stuff. This cycle continued for what felt like an hour until⁠— I paused.

I stared at a familiar red-armored man in the distance, he had his arms crossed as he looked around. Asok did not miss my reaction as he immediately turned to me. And raised his brow.

“Space got your consciousness again, or what?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not that.”

Before I knew it he was already looking in the direction of the armored man. “Is that the Hero of Arlas you spoke about?”

“It is.”

“Alright, well I do want to have a talk with him too, so, let’s go.” With a wave of his hand, he began to walk in his direction.

It felt weird following Asok everywhere; given I was just completely lost in this situation. That said, I was also curious about what Asok had to say to the Hero of Arlas. Even though I had met him like a day or two ago, he had proved to be incredibly helpful⁠— and I didn’t know the Hero of Arlas all that well, so there was that.

It didn’t take long before the Hero of Arlas noticed our presence. The first thing he did was look at me for a few seconds, before turning to Asok as he arrived before him.

“You seem to know me,” the Hero of Arlas spoke, his voice clear of corruption.

“Arc told me about you, and I want to ask⁠— what did you think you were doing when you did all of this?” Asok spoke in a hushed whisper, though multiple bystanders still overheard.

The Hero of Arlas took a breath. “This is just the first step in liberating this world⁠—”

“This world cannot be liberated,” Asok spoke sternly. “You’re just creating suffering by trying to cleanse it.”

The Hero of Arlas paused, and stared at the man. “You must be that… corrupted thing in that lab⁠— every time I went there you were mad, but somehow I found more and more notes.”

This time I blinked. “You knew about him and didn’t tell me?”

The Hero of Arlas shook his head. “I believe I would’ve sent you straight to your death.”

“Ha⁠—”

“Yes, I’m that corrupted thing,” Asok interrupted, “and if you’ve read my notes you should know I’m fairly knowledgeable in regards to this entire place.”

And then, they began to go back and forth.

The exchange continued for half a minute before I decided I had enough.

By this point, the argument was growing as other beings began to gather to look at us⁠— it was a strange experience that I didn’t want to partake in, and so I interrupted by sending a cold gust of wind to the both of them before the next reply came.

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“How about we go to a more private place?”

Asok paused, and the Hero of Arlas simply nodded. While I wasn’t privy to the general sentiment of the people, I was already feeling gazes of hostility from others. And well: if I had to choose between walking away and being lost, or interrupting the argument and sticking by, the latter was more favorable.

And so, we left the scene as different beings stared at us, unknowing if it would have ramifications or not later⁠.

◇ ◇ ◇

And it did.

It had ramifications.

In fact, as we were on our way to the lab; which was far from all the other settlements, we found ourselves confronted by a group of chimera-like beings. One of them had the head of a lion, a different one resembled a cheetah, and the last one was closer to a horse but feline still; they all had the body of a man, the tail of a snake and furred legs.

[Chimera of Mountains. Tier: SS].

[Chimera of Temples. Tier: SS].

[Chimera of Jungles. Tier: SS].

In fact; I was very sure they had once been Chimeras of Error.

One of them was already baring their fangs looking at Asok.

“You dare try to argue we don’t deserve a second chance at life?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying, I’m saying that we are all doomed and have to experience that feeling a second time,” Asok responded, evidently annoyed.

At that moment, I saw the atmosphere turn into unbridled bloodlust and the Hero of Arlas was⁠— looking the other way, clearly not intending to step in. But, at the same time, I did feel like Asok was about to get murdered right before my eyes. And so as the chimeras bared their fangs, I readied myself.

“You will die⁠—!”

And the first chimera pounced⁠— the shaft of Sol’as’ Spear clinked against the claws reflecting them back, and without hesitation I moved forward, a myriad of skills going through my mind. Body enhancing skills such as [Titanic Strength], weapon enhancing skills such as [Gift of Frost], [Death Rend], [Ice Aura], and lastly a technique skill to seal the deal⁠— [Deadly Impalement].

Sol’as Spear blurred, and with a burst of blue it impacted⁠—

In a single moment a squeal resounded with an explosion of ice, and in the distance a mountain exploded. The ground shook and a deafening silence settled onto the place; one that was broken by a system notification.

[ You have vanquished the: Chimera of Jungles, from the world. Tier: SS. ]

Just like that, an SS Tier being had died. I flicked the spear, chunks of frozen blood splattering to the ground as I looked onward to the chimeras. They stared at me and the next moment, the two remaining chimeras shrieked and ran in a panic.

In a single attack I had killed the Chimera of Jungles. I stared in the distance as the two beings ran downhill, the Hero of Arlas didn’t say a word but Asok whistled.

“Well that sure is terrifying.”

I shook my head.

To be honest, I didn’t think I’d kill them in a single hit. Part of it was certainly Sol’as’ Spear, but also, I was sure I had grown stronger; I had become a lot more efficient at chaining my skills, and a lot more reactionary. I was sure I could’ve done the same job with my ice spears, even if I had to throw in a second hit with [Throw of Death].

“Well, let’s go.” I gestured as I began walking.

“Arc,” the Hero of Arlas called, making me turn around.

“What is it?”

He met my gaze ⁠— or at least it felt like it through his helmet ⁠— and gave me a subtle nod. “I never expected you to survive, let alone be able to thrive in this place. You have humbled me.”

He finished by lightly lowering his head at me.

“Right… I appreciate your acknowledgement, but I don’t have any need for that.” I waved dismissively. “Let’s go so we can continue you two guy’s argument.”

“There is no need,” he spoke before turning to Asok.

There was a moment of silence as they regarded each other.

“I don’t know your name⁠—”

“Asok, the Golden Researcher.”

“My name is Uwell.” The Hero of Arlas coughed. “As I wanted to say. Asok, the Golden Researcher, I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m on my own mission. And I plan to assemble all of the forces gathered here and make them fight the corruption.”

“We both know full well it’s a fruitless endeavor!” Asok said immediately.

“Well, what is the other option? Not fight?” Uwell asked. “I plan on trying to give them freedom. Even if it’s the slightest of chances, I shall continue on this mission until there is no more of this corruption.”

“The Primordial System is not something that can be fixed, no matter how long you try⁠—”

And the Hero of Arlas shook his head. “Whether I have to fix it or destroy it⁠— it doesn’t matter. I have an eternity to do so.” He extended his hand and some corruption flickered. It was in broad daylight, and the Hero of Arlas was still… corrupted even if his voice was no longer.

“You…” Asok blinked. “You still⁠—”

“No matter how many times I must destroy the corruption, or how many times I must give hope to the people of this ruined world, I shall continue on my duty.” He shook his head. “And I hope, you can help me with it, Asok, the Golden Researcher.”

“But it’s a doomed thing…” he said weakly.

“So?” The Hero of Arlas. “So long as hope exists, there is a chance. Whether this attempt is successful or not; it’s the first of many. One must suffer in order to bear the fruits of success. Will you help me, or will you get in my way?”

He said as he summoned his longsword.

Asok blinked before sneering. “You don’t scare me.”

Uwell immediately pointed his sword and Asok sighed.

“But I will help.”

The Hero of Arlas nodded, and in a blink the sword disappeared. There was a silence before the man turned around and looked towards the town.

“Then, let us build a civilization to withstand the corruption; let us be the candle that illuminates the everlasting darkness.”

Meanwhile, listening to his final words and having listened to this conversation I understood something.

Uwell’s plans were insane.

Then he turned to me.

“As for you Arc, I shall help you in your endeavor to return back to Arlas, which is why I will give you this.”

I paused, seeing him take out a runic dagger and before I could even react Asok gasped.

“An Artifact from the World of Eternals...”

I stared at the dagger for a few moments before the Hero of Arlas nodded.

“Fight with us until your departure, corrupt your mana, and become a wielder of the arcane like you desire, but remember. Do not endanger Arlas with it upon your return.”

He presented the dagger.

“Will you accept?”

I took a very deep breath and then⁠— snatched the dagger off his hand.

“Of course I’ll accept, you think I’m an idiot?”

He told me that as if I had any option to begin with!