Lied was remarkably confused. That person was, without a doubt, the red cloaked figure who fought Martyr. At the same time, he was also the boy he saw that night, as he watched the moon at his home before falling asleep.

“In the meantime, I want you to know that I am your ally” the red-haired young man smiled warmly at him.

“It’s too late. I don’t even have the energy to get up” Lied said.

“If you quit now, who’s going to beat Nachash?”

“What?”

“You heard what Zaccharias said.”

“Why me?”

The guy pointed his finger at the apple in the basket.

“And because you are…”

“I am…?”

“…Defeating Nachash also means ruining the Illuminatus’ plans. You kill two birds with one stone.”

“How are the two connected?”

“Remember the man you met, Lied” he crossed his arms.

After hearing those words, Lied was flooded with memories.

“HAHA, WE’RE JUST TAKING A BREAK… THE BATTLE ISN’T OVER. THE TRUE FIGHT… IS YET TO START!”

“I WILL DEFINITELY WIN! THE ADAM’S APPLE… WILL BE MINE!”

“Martyr. Then, is HE Nachash?” Lied asked.

“I cannot tell whether it’s his main body or a secondary vessel. Anyway, you will have to fight Martyr in order to remember your past and thwart Nachash’s plans” the bloke said seriously.

The battle that was not over, the true fight yet to start. A destined to happen event.

“Forget it. I can’t stand up on my own…!” Lied clenched his fists tightly.

“If you can’t do it alone, why don’t you ask for help?”

He smiled slightly and held out his hand. Hesitantly, Lied took it.

…

 

Lied, who stayed unconscious for a few seconds, was the center of attention in the dark chamber as he slowly tried to get back in action. Lied’s perspective was different from the onlookers. While Luna and the others witnessed his individual effort, Lied was aided by that mysterious boy’s mirage.

“He stood up!” Hector opened his mouth wide in amazement.

“I-Isn’t he a little odd?” Liana gazed at Lied intently.

“His eyes… are white?!” Eduardus noticed, too.

“The first sign of Spirit Mode” Zaccharias stated.

Lied was within the knives’ range.

“You don’t have to hurt yourself any longer…” Luna looked at him.

A thousand sharp blades coming ahead were completely dodged thanks to the strengthened combo of Sensitivity and Visibility properties. 4994 knives were left.

Though his body screamed in agony, his spirit was determined to see the trial through to the end. A new round of a thousand knives tackled the teenager who managed to sidestep them once again. 3994 knives were left.

“If I had not given up, things could have turned out differently…” Luna reflected with sadness on her life.

She embraced her neighbors’ generosity of spirit and made friends as she imagined an alternative future. Her past memories shattered into pieces; a decade-long tragedy was, at last, overcome.

“Is it okay… to believe in miracles just this once?” Luna was moved by his effort.

That was when Lied stumbled at a bad time…

“Go!” Luna cheered him on.

The lad recomposed himself immediately. A knife scraped his bare shoulder, nevertheless he did not slow down. 1994 knives were left.

Lied was pumped up due to their shouts of excitement that filled him with enthusiasm. He dodged more metal blades as he got closer to the exit gate. 994 knives were left.

“Less than a thousand knives left!” the golden-eyed crow said.

Six hundred knives hurled at him, but he successfully avoided them. 394 knives were left. The teenager dodged three hundred more metal blades. 94 knives were left.

84 knives were left. The rounds were of ten knives hereafter.

74 knives were left. He was on the home straight.

64 knives were left. Liana rejoiced at the development.

54 knives were left. Her contagious joy brightened up Hector.

44 knives were left. At no time did Eduardus lose his faith in Lied and now he felt his hope fulfilled.

34 knives were left. Zaccharias was not the least bit surprised.

24 knives were left. Luna was left flabbergasted as she sank to her knees.

14 knives were left. Luna shed tears of happiness.

“Dad, Mom. You know…” Luna thought.

Four knives were left. Three knives were left. Two knives were left. One knife was left.

“…heroes really and truly exist!” the young aztec stared at the hero.

Lied fell to the ground as the gate that led to the next floor opened at a slow speed. Before he passed out, the lad grinned at the talking crow and gave him a thumbs-up sign. Zaccharias returned the smile and adjusted his hat.

 

…

 

In Lied’s soul…

“The journey might be painful, but you must take it. I will be at your side, so don’t falter. Keep moving… always forward” the red-haired boy said.

This is another sad tale. Tragedy is inevitable.

Fate cannot be disobeyed.

It is up to the chosen one to follow the path… for that is his sacred role.

Lied’s current SSL: 15%

Number of knives left: 0

[END OF CHAPTER]