*Tudum!*

Regal Vagos opened his eyes as he heard his heart pounding in his head. It was dark all around. His body did not move, and there was a sticky mucus on his skin, as if he was curled up in amniotic fluid.

Did I really need this too...?

It didn't feel like a loss. If the head had been pierced, and not the heart, then whoever he was, he would definitely have died.

He had only one question: How did he get to this state?

It reminded him of a conversation with an old teammate, before he abandoned his principles and doomed himself to a terrible curse.

"Do you want to know why you lose money every time? You bet only as much as you need, and only when you need to. Even at the moment when it comes to winning."

Of course, card games and battles were different. The words themselves were absurd to apply to the current situation, but the context was similar. Until the five cards have been collected and filled, the winner cannot be determined.

*Tudum!*

Simply put, he lacked determination. Passing over and over again, he came to this. He had spent almost a year and all of his time searching for the right item, and he even had to use the [Dragon Tongue]. But these stubborn bastards did not give up. He swung the Dragon Sword several times, risking that it would take at least a year to recover, but they persevered. Now, he was even using the Second Heart.

*Tudum!*

Vagos finally admitted his mistake. Because of the underestimation of the enemy, because he did not risk everything to meet him as a worthy opponent, things have gone so far.

*Tudum! Tudum! Tudum!*

The reborn heart's beat cycle shortened, and the light returned. He brushed off the mucus stuck to his body and stood up.

—…

Across the passage stood the barbarian. He was already on his way here with a hole in his lungs and red blood dripping from his mouth, not even receiving support from the warrior dwarf standing next to him.

*Dragging!*

He had come here with only one goal: to kill his enemy.

Vagos loosened his dagger grip on his belt and reconsidered his decision.

His cursed heart had recovered to some extent after using the [Dragon Tongue]. Although the remnants of the curse remained, the physical abilities had returned to a certain level, and this could also be used. Normally, this would not have happened if it were not for the peculiarity of dragons - the source of their strength was in the heart. For him, this was also a surprise.

It was the first time he had used the Second Heart. Needless to say, it was a happy miscalculation. Thanks to this, the chances of winning were much higher.

*Dragging!*

Of course, they also seemed to have come out of the state of [Soul Depletion], but that didn't change anything. All he had to do was defeat the dwarven warrior. Even this barbarian wouldn't be able to stop him alone with such a wounded body.

That was what he thought, at least until he met his eyes.

It's like looking at someone indestructible.

Instead of a dagger, Vagos drew an arched sword. With the remnants of the curse left in his heart, as soon as he picked it up, he was in excruciating pain. He instinctively felt that if he used this sword, he would never be able to use this hand again. No, he was sure.

But if I want to kill that damn bastard, I'll have to take a chance.

To sacrifice an arm to kill an enemy in order to survive yourself.

— Подходи, варвар.

He was determined to give up everything.

***

Staggering, I walked forward. Hikurod was next to me, and behind us was Misha, who insisted on fighting as well.

— The right choice.

The dwarf said it as if he was worried about Misha, but that wasn't the only reason. Rothmiller had not yet woken up.

If he woke up, someone had to take out the potion and throw it at me.

"So this man killed Dvalki...

"Hikurod, swallow your anger. If you die, we're all finished.

— ... Ok.

The dwarf swallowed hard, trying to suppress his burning emotions.

He himself understood how important his task was now.

*Dragging!*

We took a few more steps and shortened the distance. Soon we could see each other's expressions. There was no need for long words.

— Подходи, варвар.

Vagos stared at us again, arch sword in hand, apparently he wasn't tired of it yet.

What the hell were these conditions under which he could get it and use it when he needed it? Curses filled my throat, but there was no time to vent them.

*Jerk!*

The bastard ran towards us when we didn't move. But what is it?

It was not comparable to the first time, but it moved faster than when I last saw it. In other words, his body had recovered a little.

How? I am sure that these were not short-term injuries.

Unexpected variables appeared from the very beginning.

*Colic!*

Hikuroda's shield was cut like butter, blocking his way. I poked Vagos with a mace that turned into a spear to drive him away, and then handed Hikuroda the litinum shield without any regret.

"Use it.

My shield wasn't in the best condition either, but I rated it as better than the steel one.

*Poke!*

Vagos' subsequent attacks penetrated the shield deeply. The shield was immediately restored with the help of [Emergency Restoration], but Hikurod couldn't use it again and again since [Soul Depletion] had just fallen asleep.

Everything is not going according to plan.

The bastard woke up earlier than expected. Not only the heart, but also its other parts were restored. He even used skills that he couldn't before.

[Regal Vagos used [Advanced Acceleration]].

His blade sliced through space, as if defying the laws of physics. The dwarf decided to dodge rather than block the blow, but the distance wasn't enough. Therefore, he sacrificed his left arm, which did not have a shield anyway.

[Flesh Blast].

My outstretched arm exploded, dumping dozens of pieces of flesh, but he didn't back down.

*Chhhhhhhhhh!*

Covered in acidic blood and groaning, Vagos brandished his sword until it plunged into Hikuroda's thigh.

*Blow!*

Even at this moment, the dwarf struck him in the jaw with his war hammer. Vagos hissed, indicating that the blow had taken a toll on him.

I immediately jumped forward, grabbed him by the shoulder and rolled over.

I put my left hand, which had already become useless, into his gaping mouth and...

[Flesh Blast].

… It exploded.

"Ahhh!" He screamed, pushed me away, and at the same time plunged his sword into my neck.

*Crackle!*

The glass bottle hit the back of my head and shattered, spilling out its contents.

[Your body regenerates quickly with the effect of [Recovery (Supreme)]].

This pain was from an advanced potion.

Wait, it means that Rothmiller got through.

I stepped back, pushing away the fleeting thoughts that flashed through my head.

*Whoosh!*

The sword that had pierced my neck burst out, making me dizzy. That son of a bitch didn't give me a moment's respite.

*Colic*

The sword pierced my stomach and tore through my intestines in an instant.

Seizing the dwarf's initiative, I stepped forward and thrust my short spear into it.

*Top!*

Vagos hurriedly drew his sword and increased the distance, and I did not hesitate to use [Giganthization].

Where are you, your mother, going?

"Kahak!"

I hit Vagos on the shoulder and spat out a fountain of blood. However, this bastard was also ready to exchange blows to mutual destruction. He took a step forward and swung his sword again.

It was too late to dodge. I grabbed the sword with my crippled hand. The fleshless fingers were torn away, and the sword stopped, catching on the bone of his wrist.

[Your HP is below 20%. All resistances are increased by the passive skill [Path of Heroes]].

It was the synergistic effect of [Iron Skin] and [Path of Heroes]. I grabbed the short spear thrust into his shoulder and pressed down on him, but he persisted, applying force to the hand that held the sword. Thus began the struggle for supremacy. Unfortunately, he turned out to be the winner.

[Regal Vagos cast [Sacred Blade]].

With a sword emitting white light, he struck a diagonal blow at my elbow.

*Blow!*

His hand fell to the ground in a state of [Gigantization], and I held the stump so that it gushed acidic blood into his face.

*Chhhhhhh!*

"Ahh!"

A bastard who does not tolerate pain. How do you like this?

[Your Soul Force is not enough. [Gigantization] completed].

Due to the lack of Soul Force, my body shrank to its original state in less than a few seconds. As a result, his legs, which rose into the air, also touched the ground.

Had I underestimated this guy's determination?

*Jerk!*

Instead of retreating, Vagos plunged his sword again.

Bloody hell.

Does the researcher from the 9th floor really have eggs? Why is he so good at dog fighting?

At this rate, my head will be broken, so I quickly stepped back.

As a bonus, I lost a stake, a short spear that was once a mace. Worse, the body's regeneration had stopped.

We're dead.

Even an advanced potion had its limitations. I didn't even drink it, but they poured it on me. Taking into account the fact that my arm was torn off, and my organs were cut into pieces, it was difficult to maintain such a state, not to mention blood.

In this situation...

"Victory... my!

… Vagos rushed to me. It was really hopeless. The most terrible thing was already pictured in my head: inevitable death.

But so what?

I wasn't going to give up and put up with it. I stared at his sword with wide eyes until the very end. As soon as he approached, I rolled to the side. Regardless of whether I would be defenseless against the next attack, it was the best way out in the current situation.

Rolling on the floor, I rose from the recoil. A giant figure with a long sword appeared in front of my eyes. At that very moment...

As if an invisible force pulled him by the collar, and he fell backwards.

How the hell did it happen? As I raised my head for an answer, an old man in a black priest's robe stood in the distance.

"Old man!" What are you doing?! Vagos shouted.

***

Ludwig closed his eyes and ears. But still I heard everything clearly. From the sounds, it was clear how desperately they were fighting.

"Then you won't run away." Defend the dvalki!"

At first, it was painful to watch. He thought that pointless resistance would only lead to more despair and suffering.

Why the hell are they doing this...?

As their desperate struggle continued, Ludwig constantly asked himself questions.

"This is our subject."

Why don't they give up?

"No! Dvalki! Don't die! Please, okay?"

Because they rejected the foreseeable results and harbored vain hopes? No, even if so, why not?

"You can... win?"« Don't worry. We will definitely return alive."

How can they continue to shine so brightly?

The answer was simple: They were strong, unlike him, who lacked the courage to sacrifice himself.

—…

Ludwig also knew that no matter how long he waited, the day he had hoped for would never come. Returning to the city with his grandson... Such a hopeful future has never existed. He just didn't have the courage to accept it.

"May the blessing of the twilight star be with them..."

Ludwig briefly made the sign of the cross over himself. His eyes were open and no longer trembled with fear. He just stared straight ahead, more confident than ever.

"I will follow your will.

The goddess of the stars, Reatlas, was one of the three gods who were in charge of adventures and destinies.

As someone who had once served her and followed her, could he have considered this a coincidence?

Before one who had lost courage, the appearance of those who radiated such a bright light was the last mercy bestowed upon a lost servant.

"Even if I don't fall into your arms.

The old man looked into the void and exclaimed:

"Karui, I offer myself to you.

At these words, the capricious god laughed happily. It is impossible that he does not know what Ludwig is trying to achieve, as if this is the moment he was waiting for.

"What do you want?"

"Send me there."

"Your grandson will not be saved.

His heart shuddered at these words, but they discharged his weakness.

He gave up the idea of compromise. It was too late to turn everything back.

"It doesn't matter.

From a young mage he met in the labyrinth, he learned that a man can always be exalted and noble, if only he wants to.