Chapter 40: The Calm Before the Abyss

Late at night, after the noise of the celebrations had finally settled and the guests had begun to rest,

Y walked through the heart of the Kingdom of Mond.

His eyes wandered over the children who still had energy left to play,

and the adults who were accustomed to staying up late, drinking deep into the night.

Y was here…

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts from behind.

“Come on. You’re the last one.”

Phoenix was calling out to him.

Y joined them.

Everyone was already gathered.

Sarah, sitting beside him, asked,

“When was the last time we celebrated like this?”

Anna answered softly,

“It’s been a long time.”

Leona stepped forward and placed a drink in front of Y.

“This is lemon juice.”

Suddenly, the wolf appeared and sat calmly beside Y.

Y smiled faintly.

“Hello, brother.”

Lara smiled.

“It’s like seeing a younger Y.”

Sarah laughed.

“I’m used to hearing the phrase ‘best friend of animals,’

but this is the first time I’ve heard someone call a wolf his brother.”

“And you won’t hear it from anyone else,” Phoenix added.

Leona approached and gently patted the wolf’s head.

For a brief moment, a strange silence fell…

Then the wolf began to grow larger.

“That’s magic…” Leona said in surprise.

A voice came from behind them.

“It’s a rare kind of wolf.”

Everyone turned.

“Scarlet,” Leona said.

Scarlet began playing with the wolf.

“A rare one indeed.

It must have suffered a lot before making it here.”

The wolf moved closer to Leona and lowered its head.

“What is it?” Leona asked.

Y replied calmly,

“He says you can ride on his back.”

“Amazing!” Scarlet said.

“You can understand him?”

Diona jumped onto the wolf’s back,

and the wolf dashed off through the streets of Mond.

“Be careful!” Lara called out.

“Okay!” Leona replied, laughing.

“Everyone’s here, so why wasn’t I invited?” a new voice said.

“Aris and Kaguya, come sit with us,” Anna said.

On the other side, Jean approached.

“I just saw Leona riding a giant wolf. What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry about the details. Come join us,” Phoenix said.

Jean noticed Lara and hugged her.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Thank you… for everything.”

Sarah smiled.

“You’re really loved, Lara.”

Lara smiled back and looked at Y.

“Not as loved as a certain someone.”

“And he also has plenty of people who hate him,” Phoenix commented.

Sarah laughed.

“Not as many as the people who hate you.”

“They hate me because I’m better than them.”

Sarah opened her hand, and a magical book appeared. She began flipping through its pages.

“Phoenix. Hunter.

Uses spear and sword.

Rank: 10.”

“What is that?” Lara asked.

“My magic.

I can display information I’ve seen in the form of a book.

This comes from the last game we played before coming to this world. I was the one managing player data there.”

“Is Aris listed too?” Kaguya asked.

“Everyone who played long enough is here, with some of their data.”

“Can we join?”

“Ash and L? Of course,” Anna said.

“Who do you want first?”

“Aris.”

Sarah flipped the pages.

“Aris.

Weapons: Dual Blades, Greatsword, Katana.

Rank: 50.”

“Fifty?!” Kaguya exclaimed.

“I expected better,” Ash commented.

Aris lowered her head onto the table.

“This is embarrassing…”

“We warned you about copying Y’s style,” Phoenix said.

“You copied his style?” Scarlet asked.

“I started playing because of him.

I wanted to use the same weapon, but—”

“But?” Kaguya asked.

“The damage was really low,” Aris admitted.

“That’s true,” Sarah confirmed.

“Dual Blades have the lowest damage output, but they’re the fastest.”

“Isn’t that good?” Scarlet asked.

Aris looked at Y.

“It is… but not like Y.”

“And that’s where the problem starts,” Phoenix said.

“Y fought there at the same level he fights here.”

“The same level?” Scarlet asked.

“Games have limits on strength and speed,” Phoenix continued.

“You can’t go beyond them.”

Anna added,

“Monsters could defeat anyone in two or three hits.

Sometimes even one.”

“And losing meant starting over,” Sarah said.

“Combat was limited to four people.”

“I see,” Kaguya said.

“Sounds fun,” Scarlet smiled.

“That makes healing important,” Ash said.

“Exactly,” Anna replied.

“Everyone had to heal themselves or bring a healer.”

“And what does this have to do with Y?” L asked.

“Y went into battles without healing or retreating,” Phoenix said.

“And yet, monsters barely touched him.”

Y said simply,

“I kept forgetting to bring healing items.”

A brief silence followed.

“His reaction speed was exceptional,” Aris said.

“Once I realized that, I changed my weapon.”

“That explains his fighting style here,” Ash said.

“Over time,” Phoenix continued,

“he went from being just a fighter

to someone who tried to make every battle easier.”

“What was Y’s rank?” Scarlet asked.

“Outside the rankings,” Sarah answered.

“Unranked?” Kaguya said.

“I didn’t expect that,” Jean admitted.

“In short,” Sarah continued,

“Anna: 20

Phoenix: 10

Jean: 5.”

Everyone turned to Jean.

“That means you were one of the best there,” Scarlet said.

“I’m still surprised,” Ash said.

“Why is he unranked? Is it because of his weapon?”

“I never participated in the ranking,” Y replied.

“It required completing a solo quest.”

“Y always fought in groups,” Anna said.

“But that ranking is individual,” Sarah clarified.

“As for duos:

Third place: Jean and Y

Second place: Anna and Y

First place: Carlos and Y.”

“I’ve heard that name before,” Ash said.

“He’s called ‘The Caesar,’” Y said.

“An S-rank hunter,” Scarlet added. “Famous.”

“A good person,” Y said, then added calmly,

“By the way… I’m planning to head to a frozen region.

Who’s coming with me?”

He looked at each face in turn.

“No,” Anna said.

“No,” L said.

“No,” Ash said.

“No,” Aris said.

“No,” Kaguya said.

“I’m in,” Scarlet said.

“I’ll join too,” came a voice from above.

It was Leona, riding the wolf.

“Sounds like an interesting mission,” Phoenix said.

“I’ll join as well, but you’ll need to explain a few things first.”

“I will, after the festival,” Y replied.

———

Three days later, at Y’s request, the grand hall of the royal palace was filled with everyone connected to him.

Kings and queens, hunters and huntresses, family and friends—

all gathered in one place.

Y stood at the center of the hall and spoke calmly.

“I apologize for the disturbance.”

He paused briefly, then continued.

“Before anything else, I want to remind you of a few things.

As you know, I have full freedom to make my own decisions—even if they go against your plans.

Additionally, all agreements were made with my team, not with me personally,

and that includes everyone who belongs to it.”

A light silence spread through the hall.

Then he said,

“Let’s keep this brief.

I have decided to enter the Abyss.”

Rosari spoke immediately.

“So you gathered us here to inform us of your decision—not to discuss it?”

“That is correct,” Y replied calmly.

“Some of you have known about this for some time. I am only here to clarify it.”

Kraydon muttered under his breath,

“I expected many scenarios… but the Abyss is something else entirely.”

Nova added,

“It seems everyone is shaken by the news.”

Kraydon continued,

“Everyone here pursues their own goal.

But the one maintaining balance and stability between us… was Y.

His entry into the Abyss will affect everyone—myself included.”

Nova asked,

“Then why announce this in such a large gathering?

Wouldn’t it be better discussed with fewer people?”

“We’ll know the answer soon,” Kraydon said.

On the right side of the hall, Rosari was deep in thought.

Eleanor leaned toward her.

“What do you think of what he said?”

Rosari answered quietly,

“Unfortunately, I have no right to object.

There was an agreement granting him complete freedom to act as he wishes,

even if it goes against our plans.”

“And does that apply to the other kingdoms as well?” Eleanor asked.

“Yes… I believe it does.”

A firm voice came from behind.

“You know what this means, Y… don’t you?”

It was Regon.

Y turned to him without hesitation.

“Of course.

I may never return… but I will not back down.”

“We already knew that,” Kozue said.

Liecht asked,

“Why did you decide this?

What are you seeking there?”

“My target is the sorcerer Soldan,” Y answered.

Rosari reacted in shock.

“The most dangerous sorcerer in the Abyss’s history?

Is that who you mean?”

“I have proof that he is there,” Y said.

Lara stepped forward.

“Look at their faces, Y.

These are not the answers they’re looking for.

If you don’t explain, how can they understand?”

Y took a deep breath.

“After I arrived in this world, I began having many dreams.”

Complete silence fell over the hall.

“One of them was a world drowned in an ocean of darkness…

a darkness that devoured every living being before it.

At first, I thought it was just a random dream.

But later, I saw another one.”

“A palace in a frozen land.”

“I later discovered that this place truly exists.”

He continued,

“Then I dreamed of a world in total ruin.

Its right half consumed by the flames of war,

its left half swallowed by the darkness of the Abyss.”

“I spoke with those experienced in this world.

None of them rejected the idea—unlike you.

That means they know something… something they cannot say.”

“They gave me fragmented information about the Abyss:

its dangers,

how to escape it,

and how it functions.”

Y raised his voice slightly—firm, but not harsh.

“After gathering all of this, I decided to enter alone.

If this were merely combat, I would take L and Ash with me…

but psychological damage is another matter.”

Then, in a heavier tone, he said,

“To sleep peacefully,

to ease my conscience,

and to claim Elishel’s justice—

I will enter the Abyss.”

Phoenix stepped forward.

“Then why tell us, if you’re going alone?”

Y smiled faintly.

“Because you would have searched for me anyway, wouldn’t you?”

A heavy silence followed.

“Entering the Abyss without telling anyone would be a terrible idea,” Y added.

Raiden spoke,

“Let’s change the question.

Why are you the one going in?”

“Because I am the most suitable,” Y answered.

Freya said,

“Explain.”

“First, I do not possess magic.”

Rose nodded.

“And as we know, the Abyss gradually drains magic.

Which means Y will not be affected.”

“Second,” Y continued,

“the monsters there attack anyone who has magic.

That means endless battles.”

“Dansleif himself advised me to go alone.

He understands the Abyss better than anyone.”

He added,

“I don’t know when I’ll enter.

It could be tomorrow—or ten years from now.

It depends on when I find it.”

He looked at everyone.

“All I ask is your trust.

Trust that I will return alive.”

“That is all.”

Kraydon turned to Nova.

“Whose side will you stand on?

Your interests… or the man you respect?”

“That’s a difficult question,” Nova replied.

Akime looked at her husband.

“What do you think?”

“This situation is complicated,” Raiden said.

“Y has trapped us all.”

“A trap?” Robin asked.

Soran answered,

“Among those here, only a few are not indebted to Y.

Supporting him means losing someone like him for a long time.”

Nival added,

“The real issue is contracts and alliances.

Opposing Y now could mean opposing the elves,

the vampires,

and the hunters.”

Zeral spoke next,

“The vampires, the elves, and Mond are allied.

The dwarves, Mond, and the samurai are allied.

The elves and the Mage Academy are allied.”

“And the one who contributed to all of this…

was Y.”

Freya said calmly,

“You’ve made your position clear.”

Liecht added,

“You must have a sound plan.”

“Yes,” Y replied.

“But executing it requires everyone’s help.”

Leona stood up.

“This is your decision, and I still don’t see the full picture…

but I know you don’t act recklessly.

So, with the team’s support, I will wait for you until you return.”

Y looked at her and extended his hand.

“Then you will be the leader after I enter the Abyss.”

Leona smiled and took his hand.

“I can’t replace you,

but I promise to endure until you return.”

“Thank you,” Y said.

“What is the plan?” Leona asked.

Y replied calmly,

“The plan is……”

⸻

After the Plan Was Explained

“That’s everything,” Y said.

“I’ll see you later.”

Then he left the hall.

Lara looked at Ash and L.

“This is your chance.”

The two stood and followed after him.

Silence filled the hall.

That day, everyone agreed to carry out the plan—

not out of complete conviction,

but out of respect for the will of someone

some called a friend,

others a brother… and a leader.

Regon spoke quietly,

“This is the first time he has asked for help with something personal.

Refusing… is not an option.”

———

Y was sitting beneath the shade of a tree in Mond’s garden.

Still—

as if he were catching his breath after everything that had been said.

Ash and L approached.

Without looking at them, Y spoke.

“I apologize for troubling you.”

L sat down to his right,

Ash to his left.

Ash said quietly,

“I didn’t expect you to explain everything like that.”

“Lara asked me to,” Y replied calmly.

L spoke in a low voice,

“She said you were sad because of this decision.”

“I won’t deny it,” Y said.

Ash took a deep breath.

“At first, we didn’t understand…

but now the picture is clearer.”

L looked at him directly.

“You’re afraid, aren’t you?”

Ash cut in quickly.

“Not of the Abyss…

but of losing people you care about while you’re not there.”

Y fell silent.

The silence lingered longer than usual.

Then he said,

“Yes.

If even one person dies while I’m gone…

I would never forgive myself.”

A voice came from behind them.

“Then you’ll need a way to compensate everyone.”

It was Lara.

Y didn’t turn around.

“That’s my intention.”

Lara stepped closer.

“I have a condition.”

She glanced at L and Ash.

L and Ash exchanged a brief look,

then smiled and sat down in front of Y.

L spoke first.

“We want to form a contract with you.”

“A contract?” Y asked.

Ash explained,

“The moment you enter the Abyss,

the contract will activate as proof that you’re still alive.”

Lara added,

“That way, we’ll know you’re still fighting in there.”

Then she continued, her tone more serious,

“And not just us.

Everyone you’re connected to will be included in the contract.”

Y looked at them one by one.

He didn’t answer right away.

Then he said calmly,

“If that brings you peace…

then I agree.”

He paused, then added,

“It’s time to prepare the field.

Follow me—if you wish.”

L smiled faintly.

“We wouldn’t refuse that offer.”

———

Y stood before a modest house,

with Ash and L behind him.

Y spoke calmly.

“We’re here.”

They entered.

Kraidon was seated on a chair,

his feet resting on the table, as if the place belonged to no one but him.

He broke into a wide smile.

“At last… my turn.”

“Did you enjoy the festival?” Y asked.

“Very much,” Kraidon replied.

“And now, let’s move on to our real business.”

Y sat down.

At the same moment, Nova placed drinks on the table.

She spoke lightly.

“Nothing ever stops you, does it?”

Y didn’t look at her.

“Have you heard of an auction in the black market?”

Kraidon answered immediately.

“Of course.

But it’s no ordinary auction.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“It’s a competition to gather money among the most despicable people alive.

The winner gets the prize.

It’s held inside a personal domain.”

He paused, then added with a cold smile,

“Fighting is forbidden…

but cheating?

Perfectly allowed.”

Then he asked,

“What do you want to know?”

Y replied without hesitation.

“As you know, the bounty on Lara has increased.

I want to know why.

And I have a feeling the auction is connected.”

He paused briefly, then added,

“There’s also a small possibility…

that a young elf girl is being sold there.”

Kraidon’s focus sharpened.

“Who is the girl?”

“Liecht’s daughter,” Y answered.

“Liecht’s daughter?!” Nova exclaimed, genuinely shocked.

“According to Liecht, she was supposed to be dead,” Y continued.

“But there’s a chance she’s still alive.

And she also possesses healing magic.”

Kraidon fell silent for a moment.

“I see.”

Then he spoke slowly,

“So the increase in Lara’s bounty means someone wants her badly…

and if they can’t get her…”

Nova finished the thought.

“Liecht’s daughter becomes the second option.”

Kraidon smiled.

“This is getting interesting.”

He lifted his gaze to Y.

“I’m in.

But just to be clear… doing this may put us in direct conflict with kings.”

Y stood without hesitation.

“I know.

I’m counting on you.”

He said nothing more.

Y left—

with L and Ash following behind him.

———

Y entered the restaurant, with Ash and L following behind him.

Zinger was there.

Y stopped in front of him and said,

“Are you interested in helping gather resources from the heart of a magical zone?”

Zinger smiled without hesitation.

“Ask someone else.”

Y replied calmly,

“The resources are for Scarlet’s weapon.”

Zinger’s expression changed instantly.

“Tell me the details.”

“The target is the Storm Crystal,” Y said.

“It’s located atop a mountain, on the southern edge of the continent.

A large mage-controlled region.”

Zinger didn’t ask a single question.

“I’ll move immediately.”

He left the restaurant at once.

Y then approached Margaret.

“Can you help me with something?”

“What is it?” she asked, watching him closely.

Y leaned in and whispered a few words.

Her expression shifted, growing serious.

“Are you certain about this?”

“Yes,” Y said.

“It may be the reason I survive in the future.”

She was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Then I’ll inform the girls, as you requested.”

“I’ll see you later.”

Y left the restaurant.

There was only one place left for him now—

the Hunters’ Guild.

⸻

Y entered the Hunters’ Guild

and found Phoenix, Jean, Scarlet, and Zeral waiting for him.

Phoenix smiled.

“At last… it’s time to go.”

Jean said,

“I prepared cold-resistant clothing for you.”

“No need,” Y replied.

“My clothes are sufficient.”

“Same here,” Scarlet added.

Zeral asked,

“What’s the objective of the mission?”

“Exploring the frozen region for a few days, then returning,” Y answered.

He then turned to Jean.

“Would you like to join us?”

Jean hesitated slightly.

“I wanted to…

but we received a message.

Someone from the Hunters’ Organization will arrive in Mond soon, and I need to wait for them.”

“That’s fine,” Y said.

“We’ll depart tomorrow.”

The three of them left the guild and began walking together.

Y asked,

“Do you need an explanation?”

“No,” L replied.

“Everything is clear.”

Ash added,

“The real question is… what do you want us to do?”

“I want to help you first,” Y said calmly.

“Two things.”

He stopped after a single step.

“First: Rin’s sister.

Second: protecting Lara… until everything is ready.”

L asked,

“And regarding Rin’s sister… how do we find her?”

“I believe I have a lead that can guide us to her.”

“A lead?” Ash repeated.

Y suddenly stopped.

“We’ve arrived.”

L looked ahead.

“The blacksmith’s building.”

Y entered the blacksmith’s building

and found Thuram, Ragnar, and Raiden waiting for him.

Thuram asked immediately,

“Why did you gather us here?”

Y replied calmly,

“I have some questions about the Black Knight.

Rin is searching for her sister, but our information is limited.”

He paused briefly, then continued,

“She said her sister was being held in a castle.

After escaping… she witnessed a Black Knight slaughter everyone there.”

Thuram spoke with certainty,

“There’s no doubt it was him.

But I don’t know which castle you’re referring to.

I saw him killing people in a village outside the borders of the Dwarven Kingdom.”

Ragnar added,

“I heard he first appeared in the far east.”

“I heard the same,” Raiden said.

Y asked,

“What did he look like?”

Raiden answered,

“An immortal Black Knight.

Roughly your height.

He kills any human he encounters.”

L spoke quietly,

“That’s strange.”

“What’s strange?” Ash asked.

“The Demon King described him as a massive man…

with only one arm.”

Ragnar nodded.

“I’ve heard that too.

People disagree on his appearance,

but the one constant is always the same… black armor.”

Thuram said firmly,

“I saw him with my own eyes.

There’s no need for doubt—Raiden’s description is accurate.”

“I understand,” Y said.

“Thank you for the information.”

They left the blacksmith’s building.

Ash asked,

“Do you want us to investigate that region?”

“No, not yet,” Y replied.

“There’s something unsettling about this.”

L agreed,

“Yes…

the Demon King said he saw him personally.”

“And that,” Y said calmly,

“means there are two Black Knights…

not one.”

“There’s nothing that disproves that theory,” Ash said.

Y spoke decisively,

“I want both of you to gather every story related to the Black Knight—starting now.”

“That won’t be difficult,” Ash replied.

“We’ll begin immediately.”

Y said quietly,

“I’ll be setting out on a new journey tomorrow.

It may take some time.”

Ash looked at L and smiled.

“Just this once.”

L replied softly,

“We’ll protect Lara… until you return.”

“And we’ll wait for you,” Ash added,

“until our very last day.”

Y smiled faintly.

“Thank you… for your constant support.”