Chapter 330
Chapter 330
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: Chapter 330
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: Stormy Waves -3
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"Aaaahhh──!"
Like ripples spreading across a lake under the moonlight, a scream echoed through the dark prison. The mages of the Violet Magic Tower, leading the experiment, found beauty in that sound.
How could they not rejoice? The children's agony marked the progress of their great endeavor. Like a diligent farmer grateful to the rooster crowing at dawn, they too gave thanks to the screaming children.
To them, this was neither inhuman nor cruel. There was a noble cause in pursuing the profound mysteries, and moreover.
Don't farmers, when harvesting their crops, offer thanks to the living rice as they cut it down with their sickles?
The first phase was now complete.
Through relentless oppression, they had ingrained deep into the children's bones the impossibility of escape from this tower, extinguishing any dreams of active rebellion. Now it was time for the true experiment.
The magic circles embedded in the twelve cells of the circular prison activated.
"It's hot, so hot I'm dying. Damn it, the sweat won't stop! Get me out of here!"
"I'm hungry. How do you expect us to finish a meal with just one piece of bread...?"
"It stings, it stings. Why are thorns suddenly sprouting from the floor...?"
Small pains.
Everything begins with small pains. Each of the twelve rooms featured magic circles tailored to its concept—mere trifles now, but destined to escalate into stresses that would make one crave death.
This was a vital step. The "Illusion" that had never existed in this world resided in its impermanence—at least in theory.
Reduce the will to live to near zero, a state neither fully alive nor dead. Only then would the child become the "gate" to drag the fruits of imagination into reality.
Yet simple pain alone could not achieve such detachment. They needed disillusionment with all the world had to offer. Thus, the Violet Magic Tower mages had prepared a game.
"Now, placed in the center of this circular prison is the 'Golden Key'."
Though called a golden key, it was little more than a shabby ticket—a crude key shape scribbled on a scrap of paper. Yet the children instinctively knew it held immense importance.
The experiment overseer, "Goat," explained the rules to the twelve children.
"Every hour, the cells will open and close in sequence, from 1 onward. In other words, anyone can claim this 'Golden Key'. Using it will immediately halt the torture in your cell."
But.
"In exchange, the torture intensity in one other cell will double. The 'Golden Key' generates only once per day. Do you understand?"
It was a brutal game. Seeking comfort with the key meant dooming another child to greater suffering.
The twelve children divided into three camps.
No one should use the key. Don't fall for their schemes.
We must claim the key. Survival leaves us no choice.
We should serve the key's creators. They might yet save us.
In this dire situation, Yuna Yurensuto—
"—That's how it is."
"In summary, the current martial world is under the Heavenly Demon's Curse. The way to lift it is by using the 'Golden Key' from the Heavenly Demon's Tomb, but if one faction uses it, the curse worsens for the other two?"
"Exactly. The 'Golden Key' is the Prisoner's Dilemma in a nutshell."
"No wonder the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic Cult are all swarming the Heavenly Demon's Tomb."
I listened to the backstory from Aisha, who sat demurely with her cleavage modestly covered by a silk-threaded blanket.
When Woo Chaerin and Oh Hyein claimed ignorance, Aisha explained she'd thoroughly investigated while half-conquering the Demonic Cult. As expected of my girl.
"So what's this Heavenly Demon's Curse, anyway?"
"It gradually disintegrates the body over time. In its final stage, the pain is like having your muscles ripped from your bones."
"Good grief."
What a godforsaken world.
But finally, the pieces fell into place. I knew what I had to do. In this tale, the player's role was to determine the 'Golden Key's' fate.
I still couldn't fathom why the 'Stellaria' and 'Magical Girl' elements had intruded... but with direction set, it was time to move forward.
Sensing my thoughts aligning, Aisha scratched her temple with her pipe and asked,
"So, what now? Orthodox route? Want me to spark some Demonic Cult infighting?"
"No. Orthodox route's off the table."
"Then time to unleash that dark temperament and go Demonic route? Just say the word—I've got lovely women versed in demonic arts ready for Daddy. Enough for a three-a-day weekly rotation."
"Suicide's not my hobby. No interest. Demonic route's out too."
No matter the choice, innocents suffer. The key only deepens the curse on the other two factions, right?
Same logic rules out the Unorthodox route. I'll carve the fourth path.
"They're all dancing to the curse's tune from the start. Resolve the curse itself, and there's no need to fight."
"The curse is a map gimmick, Dad. It's baked into the session's core. Even possible? Might not get the chance."
I know.
High odds we can't lift it. This isn't my protagonist session—it's Yuna's reminiscence cloaked as one. But even so...
"Even if the curse sticks, scrapping over the 'Golden Key' is wrong. The future's plain as day. Orthodox seizes and uses it? Think the desperate Unorthodox and Demonic Cult stay quiet?"
They'd think, If we're dying anyway, drag those bastards down too—and unleash a bloodstorm.
They delved the Heavenly Demon's Tomb and clashed for survival, but this story ends with all three factions sinking.
Thus, the optimal play: unity.
"A grand peace crossover, uniting Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic Cult."
I declared the path of harmony and peace, fingers crossed. Aisha nodded indifferently, puffing her pipe.
"...I'd say it's not that simple, but you've already plotted it all, huh? I'll loop in Oh Hyein and Woo Chaerin once briefed. They'll follow orders."
"Yes, Lady Asura Blood Ghost Rakshasa White Heaven Demon. Your will be done."
"...Hmph."
A little teasing, and Aisha glared fiercely, pipe clenched between her teeth. She'd masked the flush on her cheeks, but those ears burned scarlet—beyond her control.
Yeah, it'd been... about six months since Aisha's "birth." Prime time for chuunibyou flair and craving a badass name.
Not that I could judge naming sense. Still, this needed saying.
"Gotta study exposure aesthetics more. Flaunting it outright kills the appeal. It's the precarious tease that's key, see?"
"Ah, I'll handle it—shut it, Dad!"
"And naming yourself Asura Blood Ghost Rakshasa White Heaven Demon? Should've matched the color scheme. I'd start with underwear—"
"Hey—!! I said I'll handle it—!!"
I bolted on the spot. The rage in her voice spelled potential father-daughter violence.
Aisha pursued like a tiger, light steps flashing, pipe in hand.
Full spec with free magic? Maybe I'd evade. But session-constrained like this, no shaking the kiddo. Ended up solidly whacked by the pipe. Familiar WWE vibes.
As I took her moves, a fleeting thought.
People face unavoidable ordeals. Like the unpleasant squatter sealed in my skull.
Looking back, we muddled through that fight not via easy outs, but mutual care.
If they'd thought, This thing might break free someday, or warp a mad mage into a monster, and turned blades on me? Instant tragedy fodder.
Instead, love carried us here. I trust this detour—that seems like one... proves the shortcut in the end.
Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic Cult—bind as one, break through. Chase that ultimate happy end.
Like always.
—Yuna Yurensuto spoke.
"We have to pool our strength. Don't let the 'Golden Key' sway us. Ignore the mages' prodding. Convince everyone, swear together: no using the 'Golden Key'... got it?"
Her judgment mirrored that distant mad mage's. The other child, absorbing her plea, nodded gravely after deep reflection.
The motion set their earrings swaying.
"Yeah, okay. You're right. No one touches the key. I'll tell the others. But the greedy ones, the kids tailing those damn mages... think we can sway them?"
"...I'll try."
Unite every child as one, free from the 'Golden Key's' lure.
For all their sakes. Even in this inescapable hell, believing a better tomorrow awaits. Yuna Yurensuto clenched her tiny fist tight.
Back with Oh Hyein and Woo Chaerin, I unpacked the intel haul: Heavenly Demon's Curse, 'Golden Key' mechanics.
Both sank into thought upon hearing it.
"Curse, huh... Reminds me of 'Fallen Magic Demon King Lucifer Zekniel'. Kaijin thrive on despair—maybe the Heavenly Demon's Curse is his scheme."
"A curse...? Echoes the 'Great Kaiju's' nature. Pure malice tormenting humanity. My arrival here might signal its revival..."
"........."
Their gazes pinned me. Realizing I summoned the Great Kaiju and Zekniel into the session. I turned away, staring at distant peaks.
Like with Abraham—once they clocked me as the world-wrecker, the vibe turned awkwardly self-conscious.
Oh Hyein asked point-blank.
"On that note, President... you into self-sacrifice?"
"Huh?"
"Chaerin sister's arc, Centra sister's too. Daesoo oppa self-destructed here at the end. Wonder if you dig all-shouldered, one-sacrifice happy endings..."
"...Not really. Think it's cool, though."
Sacrifice endings aren't happy.
I prefer flawless victory. Bend plausibility if needed—all alive, blooming smiles at the finale.
Back when my session was mere tale, fantasy stayed fantasy. Had to end it so to repatriate players.
Post-NPC sentience? Shifted gears. Heroes deserve marriage, kids, cozy bliss.
Irid's saga, others'—not over. Endings retracted. Extend till they cross joy's finish line.
Mine and Yuna's too.
I clapped for attention, launched the plan rundown.
"Goal's straightforward. We've got one ally per faction: Orthodox, Unorthodox, Demonic Cult. Leverage that to unite 'em all, halt the brawl, lock down the 'Golden Key' untouched."
"Glorious—minus the 'how'. Admin, what's the unification play?"
"Power of love."
".........?"
Yeah.
Persuasion, spoils split, threats? Fight's embers linger. Even if I kneel 'em all.
Lovers don't cross blades.
Heavenly Demon's Tomb makes ideal stage. Traps, pitfalls, perils galore... sealed arena. Romance blooms easy.
Directing nudge, trap tweaks, one man-woman duo—done. I raised a solemn hand, proclaimed the op name.
"Operation: 'Heavenly Demon's Tomb Heartthrob Date ~No Exit Till You're a Couple~'."
"........."
"........."
Cross-faction couples everywhere? No more fighting!
Heavenly Demon's Tomb, the Heavenly Demon's grave.
Once a giant evil whose name rang through the Central Plains. Its wickedness and might pierced the heavens, with tales of turning day to night.
Surely gruesome, vicious traps awaited: flesh-melting poison needles, sawblades lopping heads in a flash.
Yet for sect comrades, to purge the curse shadowing the martial world—they must breach it. At all costs!
...The Orthodox warrior steeled himself, vowing his life to the cause.
"Wh-why am I doing this with a Demonic Cult lapdog...!!"
"Shut it! Orthodox peon—your flapping's jiggling the water balloon!"
Why ferry a water balloon sandwiched between a Demonic vixen's breasts? Why so many suspect two-person traps dotting the Heavenly Demon's Tomb? Why the pounding heart amid it all...
"........."
"This zone's modded. Next."
"Mini-game for next? Twister?"
"Perfect."
The genius scientist, mad mage father-daughter duo, and magical girl were real-time revamping the Heavenly Demon's Tomb. The warrior hadn't a clue.
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