As we make our way back to the village, I see Lili, Lux, and Lian working alongside the villagers, comforting them and helping those left in the wake of the goblin attack. Guild members and the local militia comb through the village, making sure no goblins remain. There's an unsettling quiet, broken only by the cries of those who lost family.

Gustav carries me on his back, his steps slow and heavy as if weighed down by more than just my small frame. Lili, Lian, and Sting walk with us, our group moving in a somber silence. Deo's party has already returned to the guild to report the destruction of the goblin nest. The sun is climbing, but there's no warmth in its light today, the village still feels shrouded in shadow. Ahead, I see our house come into view.

I glance down at Sario's bow, still clutched tightly in my hands. I promised to give it to his child, as he wished, but even now, it feels like a heavy reminder of the lives lost.

Gustav opens the door and quietly steps inside, where Stella is waiting, seated at the table. To my surprise, Ishla is there as well, calmly sipping a cup of tea. She was the one who appeared at the start of this whole goblin mess, supposedly on a mission to exterminate the Goblin King. And now, here she is, in our home, Relaxing while sipping a hot tea.

-- Leon!! -- Stella rises and hurries over to me, taking me from Gustav's back and pulling me into her arms. -- Are you alright, my son? --

-- So this is your son, Stella… now I see why he's able to use magic at such a young age, -- Ishla observes, her voice cool and slightly curious.

Stella looks at me with pride and a hint of worry. -- Yes, Leon, this is Ishla, my friend… -- She introduces her, glancing at me, as if gauging my reaction.

-- Ishla told me everything already… she helped me handle goblins near the farmland, -- Stella explains.

Before I can ask anything more, there's a knock at the door. Gustav opens it, revealing a woman standing there with a young boy, slightly older than me. Sting lets them inside.

We all gather in the dim room, everyone on edge. Gustav clears his throat and begins to explain what happened, recounting the battle, Sario's bravery, and the goblin horde. His voice cracks slightly, and as he speaks, I see the pain etched in his face.

The woman listens in silence, her expression tightening as Gustav's words sink in. And then, as he reaches the end, she begins to cry—a sound filled with all the sorrow in the world. I realize, in that moment, she must be Sario's wife.

-- Leon… -- Gustav says softly, drawing my attention.

Yes, Father. - My voice comes out in a whisper as I slowly place Sario's bow on the table. The woman's cries grow louder as she stares at it, her grief unbearable.

In a sudden burst of rage and sorrow, she lashes out, striking Gustav in the chest with trembling fists.

-- You… you were with the former hero's party! Why didn't you save him?! He died because of you! My husband is gone… and you're still here? You should have been the one to die! --

She breaks down, her words dissolving into tears. Before any of us can react, she pulls out a small knife and lunges at Gustav.

/System: Main Quest…Kill…

Ishla throw the tea cup, deflects the blade from the woman's hand, sending it clattering to the floor.

-- You're getting sloppy Gustav -- Ishla Pointed out.

/System: …

Wait… did the system just say something? I glance around, shaken, but it's hard to focus with the raw emotions filling the room.

Lian kneels beside the woman, her own tears silently falling. Sario's son stares at the bow on the table, his face twisted in grief, his eyes fixed on the last piece of his father left behind.

Gustav's voice breaks the silence. -- I know… I know this is hard for all of us. Sario wasn't just a party member… he was like a brother. We grew up together, the five of us, in this village… -- He looks at Sting, Lian, and finally Stella, his own tears welling up.

The room is heavy with shared loss, every heartbeat filled with the unspoken pain we all carry.

Later, in the quiet of my room, Lili enters, her face drawn with a weariness I've never seen before. She moves around silently, packing her belongings. Finally, she turns to me, a small gem in her hand, and presses it into my palm.

-- Leon… -- Her voice is soft but firm. I look down at the gem, its weight strange and unfamiliar.

- What is this? -

-- It's a Petrification Gem. This gem has been passed down in my family for generations. If you pour enough mana into it, it'll explode, turning anyone nearby to stone.

She hesitates, as if bracing herself. -- There's a strong chance this might be the last time we meet. The demons are relentless, Leon. The war merciless, I want you to keep this gem close and use it if you ever face a truly powerful enemy, like a demon.

Her expression darkens. -- Demons are nothing like goblins. Goblins would seem gentle creature compared to them. You're a strong mage, Leon, but strength alone won't be enough. In the next four years, I want you to attend the Magic University in Cramden, far to the western part of human continent , They'll teach you the advanced magic you need. You have to grow stronger.

She pauses, her gaze softening. -- I believe you have the potential to be something great, maybe even the hero this world needs. You might be the one to defeat the Demon King… --

She's stand up and pat my head, before she leave my room.

I follow her outside my room, watching as Lili prepares to leave.

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-- You’re leaving already, Lili? -- Stella asks

-- Yes, unfortunately. I can’t stay here knowing my homeland may soon be invaded by demons. It’ll be a long journey back, -- Lili replies

-- We’ll follow you to Hanisha as soon as we can, -- Gustav says, his voice steady.

But Lili shakes her head. -- No, Gustav. You should stay here with your family. If Hanisha falls, the demons will surely advance to the southern continent. You’ll need to protect this land, this country. You’re needed here. --

There’s a brief silence. Finally, Gustav speaks, his tone grim. -- Hanisha is the heart of human civilization. If it falls… there’s little hope for humanity. And if that happens, I want you all to flee to the southwestern kingdom and go directly to the elvian continent. Safety will be scarce, but there may still be hope there. --

The reality of a demon invasion feels like the approach of a massive storm. I remember from my previous life when typhoons would be announced on the news. Living near the mountains as a child meant we had to prepare for floods and the chaos that followed. That looming sense of dread is the same now. The demons are like a typhoon on the horizon, terrifying, uncertain, and inevitable. And though I haven’t told anyone about it, I can’t forget the moment that one demon took my life. If a single demon was that powerful… what would an entire army be like?

Lili glances back one last time. -- I have to go now. It’ll take me approximately six months to reach Hanisha. Take care, all of you. Leon… you know what to do. --

She nods at me, her gaze filled with something unspoken. I swallow, feeling the weight of her trust.

Gustav and Stella walk outside with Lili, watching as she begins her journey. She raises a hand in farewell, her figure growing smaller with every step. We wave back, silently wishing her safety and strength.

Suddenly, I feel a rush of dizziness, my heart pounding painfully in my chest.

*/System: Main Quest: Kill Lili Aislein [10 seconds remaining]*

My knees buckle, and the world spins. Darkness creeps into the edges of my vision.

-- Leon!! -- Stella’s voice reaches me, distant and fading, as my consciousness slips away.

/System: Main Quest: Kill Lili Aislein [FAILED] Engaging Last Resort…

Wait… did I just die?

When I open my eyes, I’m in an empty wasteland. Far off, a huge mountain looms against a sky that looks like it’s frozen at sunset. The ground is dry and cracked, lifeless.

- Where… am I? -

Suddenly, strange white figures appear, floating around me. What the hell? Is this the afterlife? Are those… ghosts?

Then, something cold touches my shoulder. I turn to see one of the white figures—a ghost, or something like it. Its form is human-like, with arms, legs, even a face, but no features, just an empty glow. It laughs softly and drifts away.

Then, the ground splits open with a thunderous crack, and a massive, dark tower emerges, rising higher than I can see. It opens an enormous, eerie eye, its gaze piercing. Tentacles emerge from the tower, stretching out in every direction, each one seeking the white figures.

The tower… it’s made of flesh. I can make out human limbs, faces, and other distorted parts embedded in its skin. The tentacles extend, capturing the white figures, dragging them into its gaping maw. I watch as each ghost struggles to escape, flying faster, but the tentacles are relentless.

As each ghost is swallowed, a searing pain stabs into my chest.

-- Ackkk!! -- I scream in agony, doubling over as the tower continues devouring the white ghosts.

I try to cast magic, but there’s no mana here. I can’t feel the elements or even my own power. I’m trapped, helpless, rolling on the ground as the pain intensifies.

Time flies by...

I don’t know how long I’ve been here—days? Weeks? The agony never fades. Most of the ghosts have fled by now, though a few brave ones linger, watching me with what seems like concern.

Don’t come near me! Escape! - I shout.

But as they drift closer, the tower’s tentacles lash out, snatching them up. It’s as if this monster can’t see me, or maybe it just doesn’t care, focused on feeding.

At last, the earth shudders, and the tower collapses, sinking back into the ground.

The remaining white figures approach me cautiously. I’m sprawled on the ground, exhausted but somehow not hungry or thirsty. One of the ghosts floats directly through my body, and suddenly.

Everything goes black....again...

-- LEON!! -- Gustav’s voice thunders around me.

I open my eyes. Lili is kneeling, coughing up blood, surrounded by a shimmering barrier. Around her, everyone else stands, battered and exhausted.

I try to move, but a golden chain binds my wrist. Gustav is kneeling above me, his clothes torn and disheveled. The entire garden looks like a battleground, utterly destroyed.

Lian rushes to Lili, casting a healing spell over her injuries.

I don’t understand. What just happened?

-- Leon, my son, what’s happening to you!? -- Stella’s voice trembles with fear.

Wait… don’t tell me… was I the one who did all this?