Huff, huff.

I steady my breath, looking ahead.

Finally, after receiving help from countless individuals, I stand before the Witch of Gluttony.

As I stand there with Yoon Si-woo, memories of a passage from a novel flash through my mind.

“The black and massive eyes of the being known as the Witch of Gluttony descended upon Yoon Si-woo and his companions from above. Those who faced it could feel one undeniable truth: this was a being of a different caliber, a foe that should not be fought.”

So this was how the characters in the story must have felt.

This was my impression of facing the witch directly.

“All those who had faced it head-on had perished meaningless. Thus, they had been forced to flee, again and again.”

As a predator that towers over everything.

The gaze of this being, even while one is prepared, possesses a power that invokes fear.

“But now, there was no place left for them to escape. Therefore, the last troupe of humanity, led by Yoon Si-woo, charged at the witch, knowingly making this futile struggle their final stand.”

In the original story, the Witch of Gluttony was, quite simply, an insurmountable foe.

I had despaired when I first fell into this world for that very reason.

I believed that it was a world destined for destruction at the hands of the Witch of Gluttony, and I thought that all I could do was survive for as long as I could.

However, at some point, my thoughts changed.

“The Witch of Gluttony was a strong being in itself, aside from her powers. Countless massive tentacles sprouting from her enormous body posed an overwhelming challenge. Merely swinging those tentacles left the heroes exhausted one by one.”

So many events had transpired, and I received so much help and formed bonds.

I could no longer ignore those who had formed connections with me.

They could not be treated as merely characters from a story.

I hoped that their lives would continue in this world.

“Sylvia fought back against the witch’s magic, which sought to engulf the heroes, maximizing the power of the spirit that purifies magic. Yet, it was for naught. The infinite magic generated by the witch was beyond what she could manage alone. Sylvia, watching the heroes succumb to the witch while desperately resisting, eventually collapsed, spitting out black blood.”

Since some time ago, I genuinely wanted to change the outcome of this world.

“No! Yoon Si-woo, who witnessed the downfall of his cherished ones, screamed out. Tentacles of the witch flew in his direction. Gritting his teeth, he swung his sword at the incoming tentacles. Lucy, the only family he had, and the most trusted sword that had helped him overcome countless adversities.”

For that reason, I stood here, on this battlefield that held the fate of the world.

“Yet, even the sword that cut everything became useless immediately before the witch’s transcendent regenerative abilities. The sword, which was raised to protect, could save no one. Thus, Yoon Si-woo fought desperately until he was the last one standing, but in the end, like everyone else, he met a meaningless demise.”

Thus, the tragic ending I witnessed would not unfold.

Just as Yoon Si-woo had once told me.

“…I will never let it happen.”

And in that moment, as I thought to myself, a loud crack echoed as a massive tentacle flew in from the right.

When I realized the attack, it was already too late to react and dodge.

It had come from my blinded side.

But there was no need for worry.

“—Scarlet, are you okay?”

Out of nowhere, Yoon Si-woo leaped in front of me to block the attack.

“…Yeah, thanks.”

I expressed my gratitude to him and subtly glanced at the severed tentacle he had just cut away.

The tentacle, which should have appeared unharmed as soon as it was severed, was distinctly lying separated.

Moreover, the severed part was not regenerating.

The reason his attack, which should have been ineffective, had worked was simple.

The flames encircling Yoon Si-woo’s sword were the cause.

The flames that burned magic prevented the regeneration of the tentacle.

It felt similar to how Hercules scorched the endlessly regenerating heads of the Hydra with fire.

To confirm, I discreetly asked Yoon Si-woo.

“…So, how is it? Do you think we can win?”

And to that question, Yoon Si-woo responded.

“As you said, if it doesn’t regenerate no matter how much we attack, then we can definitely win.”

If only the attacks could get through and it wouldn’t regenerate, he believed he could win.

Then my task was clear.

I would fully support Yoon Si-woo.

I stayed close behind him to ensure the flames enveloping his sword remained lit.

As I positioned myself closely, I could see the back of Yoon Si-woo.

Seeing that made me reminiscent of the past.

Back when we were at the Academy, you were at the front seat.

But unlike that time, where I was merely an extra sitting behind the protagonist, I could now help him defeat his nemesis.

Thus, I could now say it with confidence.

“Then fight with all your might. I’ll make sure the regeneration is somehow stopped.”

As I said this, Yoon Si-woo nodded, as if trusting me, and lifted his sword again.

Another set of tentacles was flying towards us.

The witch’s size had reduced since using Eve’s ability, yet it remained enormous.

Due to its size, the long and massive tentacles still had plenty of reach to target us, who were a bit further away.

Tentacles slicing through the air, fast and strong.

—Slash.

Yoon Si-woo effortlessly severed them and sprang forward to close the distance to the witch.

I synced my breathing and pace with him.

Following after him closely, it was as if we were one body, and I dashed toward the witch alongside Yoon Si-woo.

—■■■■■■■■■■■■■■!!!!!

Seeing that the severed tentacles weren’t regenerating may have alerted the witch.

It let out a terrifying roar and swung more tentacles at us as we charged toward it.

The onslaught of tentacles nearly filled the front.

For a moment, I almost flinched at the ferocity of the attack.

—Bang!

In that split second, how many times did I slice with my sword?

With brilliant talent, relentless training, and the experience gained from fierce battles against Beatrice, all combined, the red streaks created by the flames of Yoon Si-woo’s sword painted the air.

The swords swung at a speed I couldn’t track with my eyes sliced through the rain of tentacles.

And in that instant, Yoon Si-woo continually advanced toward the witch.

Right now, Yoon Si-woo was undoubtedly gaining the upper hand against the Witch of Gluttony.

However, one issue remained.

“…Ugh.”

It was my side that had to match his superhuman combat pace.

I felt it.

Every time Yoon Si-woo swung his sword, every time he sliced a tentacle.

Something inside me was burning away little by little.

That slight feeling built up gradually, manifesting as a physical sensation of depletion.

The sounds around me grew muffled.

What had been clear in one eye began to blur gradually from the outside.

The pain was one thing, but the sensation of my body deteriorating in real-time was far more horrifying than the pain itself.

However, I couldn’t allow it to show.

If Yoon Si-woo figured out he had to pay that price for him to fight like this, he would be unable to fight effectively, worrying about my condition.

So I bit my teeth tightly, desperately sticking close behind Yoon Si-woo while constantly reminding myself.

If we keep this up, we can win.

We mustn’t disrupt the current excitement, the flow.

So, body, just hold on a little longer.

Until Yoon Si-woo defeats the witch, just hold on without letting it show.

But treacherously, my body didn’t heed my plea.

“Ugh, huh?”

Suddenly, my left leg, which had been moving fine, stopped abruptly.

Though I managed to brace myself and prevent myself from falling in a tangle, I couldn’t halt my momentum.

“…Scarlet?”

Noticing something was off with me as I stumbled, Yoon Si-woo briefly glanced in my direction.

“—!!! Scarlet!!”

I couldn’t stop it.