The ancient evil god Karui, unlike the three remaining gods in the world, demanded an endless price from his subordinates. He showed no mercy, but only fulfilled desperate desires, making no distinction between good and evil. The price had to be sufficient, no more, no less.

"Yes, I do."

The moment he finally heard the answer he had been waiting for, a demonic hand broke through space and tore Ludwig's arm off. When Ludwig came to, he was standing in the place he had only been looking at.

Indeed, it was the power of the devil, especially since it always had to be paid for.

"Victory... my!

The moment he made his decision, the desperate battle was already coming to an end. Ludwig urgently stretched out his hand, and that was enough.

"I'll take her."

He didn't even have to explain to the evil god what he wanted in return.

"Old man!" What are you doing?!

The Dragon Slayer Sword aimed at the barbarian warrior bounced back, meeting fierce resistance.

But in response...

*Tear off!*

Ludwig had both ears torn off – it was an incurable injury sacrificed to an evil god and could not be healed by any divine powers or potions. Ludwig felt a pain that could not even be compared to the pain of fire.

However, Ludwig had only one thing on his mind.

Yes, these people struggled with such pain.

"Old man!" Heal me!

The Dragon Slayer emitted a black light from his eyes and gave the order.

Ludwig's body began to move independently of his will, as if possessed.

Even more than threatening the grandson whose soul Vagos possessed, it was due to one of his abilities, [Enslavement].

As long as this cursed ability bound him, Ludwig could not resist his orders.

But...

"I'll count to ten."

The moment the huge beast's claws tore off his remaining arm, his body stopped moving against his will. But it was still not enough.

He still wanted a lot and did not have time for much. Legs, eyes, heart, lungs - anything. He would have given up his entire pitiful body that had reached sunset if it could help the young heroes on their journey. He would have given up even the hope of ending his exhausting life and resting in Her arms.

Therefore...

"Give me the strength to kill this man," Ludwig said, and the evil god answered:

— Impossible.

This was not a refusal. As much as he valued voluntary self-sacrifice, it was not enough to pay. However, Ludwig brushed aside the surge of regrets. This was different from the resignation he felt every day. Hadn't he already given up hope and decided to do everything in his power?

The freedom that the evil god gave him lasted only 10 seconds. There is no time to waste in despair.

"Then let me protect them," Ludwig spoke again, and the evil god laughed.

"Yes, I do."

Out of the darkness, the monster's arms stretched out, tore apart his body and swallowed it.

***

For a moment, relief came from the exit from the crisis.

Then a question arose.

How did the priest of Karui overcome the four-hour path and why did he need to harm the Dragon Slayer? Maybe this is part of their other plan?

"Old man!" What are you doing?!

Judging from the expression on the Dragon Slayer's face, this was not the case. Simply put, it was also a surprise for him. However, it was difficult to consider it as a positive variable.

"Old man!" Heal me!

A black light flashed in Vagos's eyes, and the priest backed away, even though the bastard didn't have a sword. It was obvious what was going on:

[Enslave] is a rank 3 essence ability possessed by Vagos. It was a cheat skill that increased stats by absorbing souls if used on the dead, and although there were certain conditions for use, it allowed the target to be enslaved if used on the living.

*Top*

Presently the priest stepped forward as if possessed. At the very moment when it seemed that everything was over, his remaining arm was torn off, as if sacrificing to an evil god hidden in the darkness.

*Top*

The priest stopped. To say that his appearance was terrifying wasn't enough. It seemed that his ears and hands had been bitten off by the beasts. However, in this state, the priest spoke.

"Give me the strength to kill this man."

Only then did I understand how things were, who this unknown priest was talking to, and what kind of deal had been made. If all my predictions were correct, then it was possible to survive somehow...

— Impossible.

The answer to the priest's request was a refusal. A voice rang out in the aisle, as if addressing everyone present.

A light flashed in the Dragon Slayer's eyes.

That was the very moment.

"Then let me protect them."

The priest's request continued without the slightest hesitation.

Laughter was heard from somewhere.

"Yes, I do."

The priest fell to the floor. It was natural, because the two legs that supported his body were torn off. However, the evil god was a contradictory creature who gave both hope and despair.

*Oooh!*

In response, a portal formed in the center of the passage, scattering and swirling with black light. The color of the glow was different, but it was a portal, a higher level of magic that could open the exit from the labyrinth to the city.

*Oooh!*

Soon, through the space gate that spewed out a huge amount of mana, the space behind them opened. It was not the familiar gray city of Rafdonia, but a dark and gloomy underground fortress.

"Old man!" What are you doing?! Pull over!

As if driven by an invisible gust of wind, the Dragon Slayer's body slowly pushed back towards the portal.

"You don't care what happens to your grandson!?" The Dragon Slayer shouted in anger, but the priest only stubbornly answered.

"This is what should have been done earlier.

"!!

Perhaps Vagos also realized that it was impossible to stop the priest's decision, because he looked at me with a roar and turned his gaze to one point. He held out his hand.

*Gnashing*

The arched long sword, left without an owner, scratched the ground, and as if attracted by a magnet, moved towards him. It was quite clear what he was going to do. Wherever he went, he was going to take it with him.

Fucking sword-hater.

I forced my staggering legs to move and rushed forward, not towards the unscrupulous scumbag Dragon Slayer, but towards the sword that was reaching for him.

*Rumble*

My head was spinning from the impact of my torn body on the ground, but I reached out and grabbed my sword.

*Zzzzzz!*

As soon as I touched the sword, it emitted heat, as if it had the brand of its owner. Thanks to the Pain Resistance, the pain was bearable, but I clearly felt my hand go numb. This made me think that a few more minutes and I would no longer be able to use this hand.

... Could it be that this bastard was still using a sword in this state?

I immediately threw all unnecessary questions out of my mind. That's not what I needed to think about now.

"You!! he shouted.

I had to endure it, even if I had to press myself to the ground and sink my teeth into the floor so that the blade that would one day be aimed at me would no longer be in his hands. So that he could not harm my comrades.

*Kakakak!*

In an instant, the force of gravity became stronger. My body began to slide as if it had lost friction. At this speed, it wouldn't be strange if I was sucked into the portal along with my sword.

Damn it, should I let him go?

It was at the moment when such thoughts came to my mind.

*Cough!*

The bastard coughed up blood, and the feeling of resistance disappeared.

Yes, that will be too much for you, too.

"Barbarian..." he soon called me and said laconically: "We'll meet again."

He uttered a phrase that a fleeing third-rate villain would say. He didn't even say what he was going to do after that.

But...

*Tudum!*

My heart pounded at these words.

—…

The stake that sank into my shoulder, the half-shattered jaw, the murderous energy that gave me goosebumps, and the right arm that wasn't even red, but black and smoking, all said that if that day came, there wouldn't be such luck as today. It was clearer than a hundred curses.

But so what?

*Capture*.

That he was a member of the Orcules?

That he was a 9th floor explorer with the nickname Dragon Slayer?

That next time there won't be the [Keeper of Balance]?

I knew it. Yes, I couldn't beat that man right now. If he tries to do something, I'll have to fight as desperately as I did today.

*Shaaa

But I would have survived because that's what I do best. That's what I've always done. That's what I have to do.

I will survive and become stronger, so that one day I will no longer need luck, and then I will find it myself.

"We will meet again, dragon.

You're not the only one who lost something today.

***

*Shaaa

The portal that opened greedily swallowed his body and disappeared. At the same time, a warm light began to penetrate my body. Not only mine, but everyone else's.

… Divine power?

I stared blankly at my hand. Slowly but steadily, the wound regenerated. Unlike the potion, there was no pain, only warmth.

Only then did I come to my senses and look behind me. I saw the priest's body torn to shreds. Could it be called a body? He had no arms or legs. Dark red blood oozed from the empty eye sockets, and the nose was cut off like a corpse on the battlefield. In addition, what should have been in the abdomen, which was opened, disappeared.

"Why...?" What did this old man give so much for, especially for strangers like us?

And then I heard a faint sound coming from the priest.

"A letter... in your pocket...

I couldn't believe my eyes, but I quickly walked over and searched his cassock. A letter was born, crumpled and tattered.

"Reat-...

"Don't worry, rest in peace. I will definitely deliver this letter to the Reatlas Church.

"Thank you...

Soon the priest closed his eyes. His body was covered in blood, but his wrinkled face was clean and calm. Looking at him, I felt like I was in a dream. How could he speak in such a state?

I could not stand it anymore and asked, because I would not have another chance:

— … Why did you save us?

Because it was the right thing to do? Well, if he had such a will, he would have had a chance to free himself long ago. Why did this happen today? It couldn't be a mere coincidence, and I was very curious to know what caused it.

—…

There was no answer. Maybe he is already dead? When I stood up with such thoughts, the priest's lips parted slightly.

"H... The magician...

The proposal was never finished, but it was enough.

- I see. Thank you for saying.

I got up without regret. I wanted to ask a lot, but for some reason it seemed to me that the old man had already left.

—…

I paused and listened to the awkward disparate silence. As if enjoying the aftertaste of this silence, I muttered quietly:

"We survived.

Hikurod, Misha, and Rothmiller survived.

But I cannot say that I have fulfilled my promise in this way.

I smiled bitterly as I looked down the aisle at my teammate's corpse.

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

I spoke so confidently, but in fact it was he who saved us. What allowed us all to return alive was something that could not be called luck, but was closer to a miracle sent by God.

"M... Magician..."

Riol Varb Dvalki was just a mage who fought to the end. That was the legacy he left us.