Epilogue: The Next Chapter

"I can't believe anyone would be able to survive something like this."

From the look of things, much of the land was scarred from an intense battle. With assistance from a group of knights and merchants, Protag-kun, Mei, and Miyu were able to secure a lift to check on the aftermath of the battle with the Orc Lord. It was there that they spotted Allen and Monica collapsed near the crater.

As the two slept, the party returned to the human settlement under a sky that no longer looked like a corrupted JRPG final boss arena. The oppressive malice had cleared, the remains of the ruins still smoked, and the air smelled faintly of victory—and roasted slime.

Allen slowly woke up as they entered through the city gates, his gaze slowly fixed on Monica.

"Hey, you're finally up," Monica said as she noticed him.

Her expression was like a fan’s after reading the final pages of a beloved manga volume that barely survived cancellation: relief mixed with profound exhaustion.

"The air feels clean," Allen observed, taking a ragged breath.

Mei soon waved at Monica, offering a quiet girl chat before leaving her side.

“Man, you should have seen the epic beat down I gave to that General,” Protag-kun recounted, already wildly embellishing the details.

Allen decided not to say anything, letting him have the win. Everything was fine until Protag-kun kicked a rock, which promptly angered a small clutch of slimes. They were so weak so when they started coming over he could've be beaten them with a stick.

"They're just standard Tier-1 Mobs again," Monica called out.

Miyu rode on top of the cart, Cinnamon perched on her shoulders like a battle-hardened mascot.

“Hmm... Really, really,” Miyu nodded her head as she chatted with her little hamster buddy.

It felt like forever since they’d seen everyone smiling again. As they passed the cafe, the owner—now upright and grinning—raised a mug in salute. The crowd cheered, celebrating with drinks all around.

Monica blinked, the noise pulling her back to reality. "Wait, are we famous now? Like, actual main-character famous?" She pulled out a cracked hand mirror and looked at her face.

Allen groaned. "Please don’t start signing autographs on spell scrolls. Do you know how much paper is worth in a world without the printing press? Don't waste that on fan service!"

“I only did that once,” Monica sniffed, running a thumb over her heavily cracked Locket. The light was flickering. "And it was a limited edition scroll. You can’t blame me for maximizing value." Then her expression softened, turning serious. "The town got its happy ending, but I lost the character I was trying to save. That’s a terrible narrative split."

Allen understood what she meant. They desperately tried to save Orga in the end but his soul was too far corrupted. She must have felt guilty for feeling so powerless.

Protag-kun looked around, eyes wide. "This is weird. People are looking at me."

Mei gave an adorable laugh. "You should be used to it. You're the one who saved the town."

Cinnamon squeaked in agreement, then dramatically posed on his shoulder like a shoujo sidekick ready for a spin-off. Now that the battle was won, the quiet question remained: with their magic spent and gear busted, what was the next stage of their story?

Three days after the battle, the village settled into a strange new rhythm—half recovery ward, half magical girl cosplay convention. The city square was still littered with enchanted debris, but someone had already set up a booth selling “Yumeko vs. Orc Lord” commemorative pins. Allen’s face was on at least three of them, all with entirely too many sparkles added.

“I didn’t even sparkle that much,” Allen muttered, holding one up.

Monica beamed. “That’s what fan edits are for.”

They sat at the café table, their wands and lockets resting next to their mugs. Monica’s Aura Focus Locket was cracked and flickered weakly. Allen's wand felt dead, the memory of his powerful Dimensional Flux all but drained.

“I was talking to a local client,” Monica said, her eyes gleaming with renewed purpose. “There’s a Dwarven City called Kharn. It’s the only place with the ancient runic forges capable of safely handling High-Flux Artifacts like our lockets. We don't just need a fix; we need a Mana Recalibration using Ember-Mithril.”

Allen stared, already sketching a redesign. “So, you’re going for the Tier-Up.”

“Sure,” she said, her smile turning predatory. “Also, I want to see those muscular dwarven men, known for pounding raw, heavy metal into submissive, bendable materials. It’s like watching a blacksmithing anime but in 4D. And I want to see if they have a forge that doubles as a hot spring. For reasons.”

Meanwhile, Mei and Miyu sat nearby, humming softly as their Kitsune Jewel pulsed with gentle rhythm. Miyu was practicing scales, her voice echoing like a lullaby.

“It’s sad to hear that our party will be separating,” Mei said, brushing Miyu’s hair. "We’re heading to the Fishfolk Village of Coral's Embrace."

Protag-kun blinked. "To a village full of singing mermaids? Will I need scuba gear?"

Mei shook her head. "It's not entirely underwater. The merfolk use Aqua-Atmokinesis—they sing air into a massive, magically stabilized dome called The Whispering Dome. The mermaids there sing magic into water. Miyu needs to learn their Resonance Magic—how to channel the spirits of the tides to heal and command. Since her Kitsune Jewel is a Soul-Channel, mastering their Elemental Hymns is the only way to stabilize spirit energy against the chaos."

Protag-kun, who had been quietly poking at his soup, looked up. “I don’t know where I’m supposed to go.”

Mei turned to him, her gaze softer than usual. “Then come with us.”

Monica leaned over, catching the blush on Mei’s cheeks. “You realize this is the start of your beach episode arc, right? Prepare for the mandatory swimsuit scene and dramatic misunderstandings.”

Allen groaned, rubbing his temples. “Please don’t encourage her fan service quests.”

Protag-kun grinned, his uncertain face lighting up with interest. He wasn't just joining a quest; he was choosing a path. The next major quest line was officially selected.

The night before their departure, the village felt like the final episode of a long-running anime—quiet, nostalgic, and just a little chaotic.

The café was packed with familiar faces. Soldiers, healers, and townsfolk—all now invested villagers in the heroes' lives—gathered to celebrate. The café owner, now fully recovered and wearing a “Team Cinnamon” apron, served stew, cider, and unsolicited life advice.

Monica sat at a corner table, surrounded by scrolls, sketches, and a half-eaten parfait. She held up a blueprint of her redesigned locket, a concept drawing for her Tier-Up.

“I’m thinking star-shaped. With a hidden compartment for snacks. And maybe a voice-activated sparkle mode for when I deliver a high-value character speech,” she decided.

Across the room, Protag-kun sat quietly. Mei sat beside him, her hand brushing his every so often, completing the classic rom-com setup.

“I never thought I’d be part of a story,” he admitted quietly.

Miyu, curled up beside Cinnamon, hummed a melody she’d learned from some of the townspeople.

At dawn, the city gates creaked open as the heroes prepared to part ways. The sky was clear, the air crisp, and the streets were silent save for the wind.

Monica adjusted her travel cloak, her cracked locket tucked safely away. Allen stood beside her, his weariness evident as he scanned the horizon. He wasn't looking for monsters, but for scouts—he knew their Reputation Boost had painted a target on their backs.

“So,” Allen said, sighing. “Are you sure about this plan?”

Monica’s eyes sparkled with fierce determination. “Yes. The land of forge-scorched abs and emotionally repressed hammer bros. We go for the Ember-Mithril and the Tier-Up.”

“You mean blacksmiths,” Allen deadpanned.

“I mean yaoi potential,” Monica corrected firmly. “Imagine it: two rival dwarves, one with a scar over his eye, the other with a tragic backstory involving molten steel and betrayal. They fight. Sparks fly. Literally. Then they fall in love over a shared anvil. We’re going to fix our lockets and maybe fix their hearts.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I regret everything about this isekai world.”

Meanwhile, Mei, Miyu, and Protag-kun stood at the eastern gate. The wind carried the scent of salt and the soft echo of Miyu’s humming.

“You sure you want to come?” Mei asked, her voice soft.

Protag-kun shrugged, slinging his pack. “I don’t know what I’m looking for. But I think I’ll find my next adventure there.”

Cinnamon squeaked dramatically, leaping onto Protag-kun’s shoulder like his tiny, faithful wingman.

Monica waved one last time. “Don’t forget to write! And if you meet any mermaids with tragic love stories, take notes! I accept cross-platform character submissions!”

Allen quickly tugged her away.

As the two groups headed in opposite directions—Allen and Monica toward the mountains, Protag-kun's party toward the sea—Kon watched from a rooftop. The Khaos Seam in the sky had faded, but the dimensional instability lingered.

She whispered to herself, “The story’s changing. The protagonists have become Destiny Forgers. And they’re the ones writing it now.”

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading my story to the end. It's been exhausting trying to finish everything in two months but I did it. If I make it to the next round, please show your support and vote for me.