Lance charged forward, his sword crackling with chaotic mana. As he closed the distance, time seemed to slow, his focus solely on the behemoth in front of him. With a fierce battle cry, he unleashed his ultimate technique, [Tempest Strike]. The blade glowed a brilliant blue, arcs of lightning dancing along its edge. He struck the beast with a wide slash.
A strangled gasp escaped the demonic creature, its blood springing forth into the air like a fountain. The ground heaved, throwing up a storm of debris as a shockwave rippled outward, leaving a crater at the point of impact. The demonic blood, dark and viscous, sprayed in all directions, hissing as it hit the ground.
With a final, despairing bellow, it collapsed, its colossal body crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud that reverberated through the cavern. Dust and debris were thrown into the air, creating a choking cloud that obscured the fallen beast.
Lance stood over the defeated creature, his chest heaving. He raised his sword in the air, a triumphant silhouette amidst the settling dust.
The remaining heroes stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath and surveying the carnage around them. Serena, the group's skilled healer, wiped the sweat from her brow with a trembling hand. Despite her exhaustion, a weary but genuine smile spread across her face. "We did it," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the settling debris. "We actually did it." Marsh, the stalwart tank who had borne the brunt of the demonic creature's relentless onslaught, stood tall despite his numerous injuries. His armor was dented and scorched, yet he exuded an aura of unyielding strength. He nodded solemnly, his deep voice resonating with quiet pride. "It was all worth it in the end." Lance turned to face his companions, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "And with this victory, peace will finally reign over Kladin. The people will sing of our deeds for generations to come."
His gaze then settled on Haru, the unassuming member of their group who had remained largely in the background throughout their journey. Haru's eyes were downcast, his demeanor as stoic as ever. Lance's expression shifted to one of disdain as he addressed him. "Speaking of which, Haru, I don't suppose you have any objections if the Hall of Heroes only names the eight of us? After all, you weren't exactly the most useful member of the team. All you did was use your [Minus Strength] skill, while the rest of us carried the weight of the battle."
Without even paying Lance a glance, Haru merely shrugged his shoulders, seemingly unfazed by the backhanded comment. "It's fine. I don't need the recognition."
Without another word, Haru stepped forward and climbed onto the fallen corpse. He took out a gleaming knife and carved a vertical slit before reaching into its chest cavity, his hand disappearing into the bloody mess. With a sickening squelch, he pulled out the creature's still-beating heart, holding it aloft like a trophy.
Lance, his handsome features twisted in disgust, stepped forward. "What in god's name are you doing?"
The rest of the heroes murmured among themselves, their faces mirroring Lance's revulsion. Haru, however, seemed unfazed by their reaction. He met their gazes with a calm, almost detached expression.
"Reveal," Haru said, his voice barely above a whisper.
As the word left his lips, the heart in his hand began to change. The bloody, pulsating organ transformed before their eyes, revealing itself to be an ebony crystal which sent out shimmering waves. The heroes gasped, their eyes wide with shock and confusion.
The moment his fingers brushed against its surface, his vision erupted in a rush of blue light and a screen appeared before him —World Knowledge activating at full force.
> World Knowledge
> Item: Temporal Fragment
>
> Description: A fragment of condensed temporal energy, capable of manipulating time and space.
>
> Notes: Highly unstable. Handle with extreme caution. Improper use may result in temporal anomalies.
>
> Usage Limitations: Can only be used once.
>
>
As Haru read through the information, the creature's corpse also began to dissolve. Its flesh and bone disintegrating into a fine mist that dissipated in the wind. Within moments, there was no trace of the once-mighty creature, as if it had never existed at all.
“Explain yourself! What is happening here?” Lance shouted. As the leader of the heroes of Kladin, he was furious. Haru, the weakest member of their group, was doing something unknown to him, and it made his blood boil.
Haru's expression was maddeningly clam, almost as if he didn't even register what Lance has asked. "We were lucky," he said simply. "I wasn't certain the temporal shard would appear."
He retrieved an intricate artifact from his storage, its surface etched with lines of near perfection. Carefully, he placed the temporal shard into the designated slot. The artifact hummed to life, and a holographic display materialized before him. A foreign alien language danced in the air, casting an eerie glow on Haru’s face. Yet, despite the foreign language, with the help of [World Knowledge], he could somewhat make it out. His eyes widened with intrigue as he fidgeted with the controls, navigating through its complex interface.
> Item: Chrono-Interface Module
>
> Description: A sophisticated device originally part of the (⟊⟋⧫⟟⌰⌬⟒⧫⟊) ship, capable of interfacing with the ship's mainframe to manipulate time. This module will only work when powered by temporal energy.
>
> Notes: Ensure proper calibration before use to avoid miscalculations in time travel.
>
> Warnings: Improper use can still result in anomalies in space time.
"Usage."
> Usage:
>
> - Power Source: Requires the Temporal Fragment to function.
>
> - Activation: Insert the Temporal Fragment into the designated slot and initiate the holographic interface.
>
> - Navigation: Use the hologram to choose the desired temporal destination.
>
> If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
>
> - Execution: Confirm the selection to initiate the time displacement process.
As Haru became engrossed in his own world, Lance's frustration boiled over into outright fury. He strode forward, his hand outstretched, and activated the slave collar that encircled Haru's neck. "Enough of this nonsense!" Lance bellowed. "Tell me what your [World Knowledge] is revealing to you, now!"
The collar pulsed with energy, sending waves of force meant to subdue Haru. But to Lance's astonishment, Haru remained unfazed. Instead, a smirk played across his lips as he continued to manipulate the holographic display. Lance's eyes widened in disbelief as he realized the slave collar, a device designed to enforce obedience, had no effect on Haru.
"What is this?" Lance demanded, his voice a mixture of anger and confusion. "How are you resisting the collar's power?"
Haru glanced up from the artifact, his smirk widening. "It seems there are still many things you don't understand," he said, his tone infuriatingly calm. "We've been together for so many years, and you're still as clueless as when we first met."
The other heroes watched the exchange with shock and growing unease, their minds racing with questions. Why was Haru now acting so arrogant when he had always been so passive? What was the true nature of the artifact Haru possessed? How had he obtained it, and what was its purpose? More importantly, why had the slave collar, a device widely used across the six kingdoms, failed to subdue him?
"I demand answers, you bastard!" he shouted, a vein popping from his forehead. "You will explain yourself, or face the consequences!"
"You never suspected a thing, did you?" Haru taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "The great Sir Lance, leader of the heroes, outsmarted by the 'useless' hero everyone ignored. I was never under the control of the slave collar. I simply played the part so you people wouldn't suspect anything while I gathered everything I needed for my plan to work."
Lance's ego took a massive blow as he realized the extent of Haru's deception. He had been fooled, manipulated like a puppet on a string, and that knowledge burned in his gut like a white-hot flame.
With a final gesture, Haru finished tweaking the settings, activating the artifact. It began to levitate of its own accord, pulsing with an otherworldly energy, its surface shimmering with an eerie light. At the same time, the steel cavern around them began to shake violently, the ground trembling beneath their feet as if the very earth itself was resonating with the artifact's power. A high-pitched screech, reminiscent of a machine in torment, echoed throughout the cavern.
Some of the heroes covered their ears, their faces etched with fear as they tried to make sense of what was happening. Normally, they would have relied on Haru's [World Knowledge] skill to explain the situation. But he wasn't even looking at them. The roar of the trembling cavern was deafening, drowning out their shouts of confusion.
"What have you done, Haru?" Serena cried out, her voice barely audible over the loud rumbles.
Marsh, his eyes wide with disbelief, stared at the levitating artifact. "This can't be happening. The ancient site is resonating with the artifact!" he exclaimed, his usually gruff demeanor cracking under the pressure.
Lance, however, refused to be cowed. He stepped forward, his sword drawn and his eyes blazing with fury. "Enough games, Haru!" he shouted. "You're going to tell me what's going on, even if I have to beat you within an inch of your life!"
Chaos erupted as rubble rained down around the heroes. Lance lunged at Haru with a powerful swing of his blade. However, just as his blade was about to connect, a luminescent barrier materialized around Haru, repelling the attack and sending Lance tumbling to the ground.
Serena's eyes widened in recognition, her mind reeling with disbelief. The barrier surrounding Haru was identical to the one that had protected the Fairy Queen's burial site, once guarded by the formidable Ever Knight, Ophelia!
Haru, a smug grin on his face, revealed a porous green stone necklace. "I see you recognize it. Indeed, it is the Ophelia Stone," he declared, confirming Serena's suspicions.
Lance, still reeling from the shock of his failed attack, stared at the stone in disbelief. "Impossible!" he exclaimed. "We destroyed that stone when we faced the Ever Knight in battle."
Haru laughed, a harsh and mocking sound. "You guys really are dumb," he sneered. "You never realized the true abilities of the Tears of the Fairy Queen. While you wasted the droplets on minor injuries, I snagged a drop just for myself. I took the broken Ophelia Stone which you all forgot about and restored it."
The heroes exchanged glances, their minds racing with the implications of Haru's reveal. It had only been after using up most of the Tears of the Fairy Queen had they truly realized how amazing and rare the tears were. Haru, however, wasn't finished.
"I must admit," he said, his tone turning sly, "I may not have been entirely truthful when I used my [World Knowledge] skill in the past. There are secrets I kept hidden for myself."
Serena's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she confronted Haru, her voice trembling with emotion. "How many of our friends could we have saved if we had the Ophelia Stone?" she asked, her gaze piercing through him. "How many lives were lost because of your selfish actions?"
Haru shrugged, his nonchalant tone a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. "A good dozen or so, I suppose," he admitted, seemingly unfazed by her words.
Marsh's face contorted with rage as he stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're a monster!" he bellowed. "You have no conscience, no soul. How could you stand by and watch our friends die, knowing you had the power to save them?"
Haru's eyes narrowed, a cold fury emanating from his very being. "None of you so-called heroes are people of conscience," he spat, his words dripping with venom. "We've traveled together for years, fought side by side, but in the end, you're all more monstrous and hypocritical than I could ever be."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the stunned faces of his former comrades. "You've opened my eyes long ago to the truth of this world," he continued, bitterness in his voice. "It's a crummy place run by selfish, corrupt, and utterly irredeemable ass-wipes."
Haru's lips curled into a twisted smile, a glint of madness in his eyes. "Since everyone is so selfish, I might as well be one as well. No more pretending to be a hero, no more sacrificing my own desires for the sake of others. From now on, I'll do what I want, when I want, and to hell with the consequences!"
The heroes stood in stunned silence, processing his words.
Lance, his face twisted with rage, was no longer listening to Haru's tirade. He called upon the remaining heroes to take him down. "If we let him live, a second disaster will be born! We must stop him, here and now!"
The heroes, their resolve strengthened by Lance's words, unleashed a flurry of skills and attacks at Haru. Magic bolts crackled through the air, each one a different flavor of magic aimed at piercing Haru's defenses. Marsh's warhammer slammed against the ground with titanic force, sending shockwaves rippling towards their former comrade, the very earth beneath them trembling from the impact.
Their attacks collided with the barrier before sparking and fizzling out harmlessly. The Ophelia Stone's barrier held firm, shimmering with an impenetrable light, rendering their efforts futile.
Haru only laughed at their futile attempt.
As the relentless barrage continued, the cavern continued to shake with tremendous force. Chunks of steel and debris began to rain down from the ceiling, the ancient structure groaning under the strain. "We need to leave!" one of the heroes cried out. "This place is going to collapse!"
But Lance, fully consumed by his rage to take down Haru, paid no heed to the warning. He poured every ounce of his strength into his attacks, his blade striking against the barrier with relentless fury. Each swing was accompanied by a roar of frustration, the force of his blows causing the air to undulate.
Serena furrowed her brow as she buffed her allies with powerful support magic. Shimmering auras enveloped her comrades, enhancing their strength and resilience. Marsh joined Lance in a coordinated assault, his warhammer striking in perfect unison with Lance's blade, their combined might sending shockwaves throughout the cavern.
Despite their valiant efforts, the barrier remained unscathed. Haru yawned, mocking their futile attempts to breach its defenses.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the artifact, bathing the chamber in its radiant glow. Haru, his laughter echoing through the chaos, raised his middle finger in a final gesture of defiance. "See ya, losers!" he taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "I'm going back and taking all the cool stuff. If your lives turn to shit, it's your own fault!"
As the light intensified, engulfing the heroes in its embrace, Lance's voice rose above the din, a primal roar of blinding fury directed at Haru. The scene dissolved into a dazzling white, the heroes' fate uncertain as they were swallowed by the luminous light.