Chapter 60
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: The Trial's End
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The effect of the thunder potion, painstakingly crafted with various rare materials, was extraordinarily potent.
No monster of an Aura Master could possibly withstand that destructive surge of lightning.
"…Time to finish this."
Faust watched the knight convulse for a moment before moving in to deliver the killing blow.
But his body refused to obey his will.
Thud.
'Damn… the backlash already?'
He had known the side effects were coming after chugging incompatible potions to fight the knight.
Moreover, the antidote he'd taken just moments ago was a universal one that neutralized all potion effects, not a tailored version.
As a result, Faust's body had reverted to the level of a slightly above-average human.
The agony hadn't hit yet, but his trembling hands drew a sharp tsk from him.
"Even if I collapse afterward, I have to cut that bastard's throat…."
Muttering under his breath, Faust suddenly whipped his gaze aside.
The knight had stopped convulsing and was staggering back to his feet.
"You monster! You took that hit and you're still standing?!"
"Grraaah… unforgivable… gurk… I will… grrr… kill you…!"
Was it because this being had transcended the limits of both body and mind?
Despite pain far beyond the ordinary, the knight lurched toward Faust.
His entire body charred black, eyes gleaming with feral fury—the sight was pure terror incarnate.
Like a zombie or ghoul shambling forward, the knight approached, and Faust hastily raised his sword.
But a body pushed to its limits wouldn't heed its master's command.
"Ngh…!"
"Kill… you…!"
The knight's sword, raised high to the heavens, flashed down toward Faust, who couldn't dodge in time.
'…Tch. Is this it?'
As the blade hurtled toward him, Faust grimaced despite himself.
And then.
"Gahk—."
With the knight's short death rattle, the descending sword froze mid-swing.
The knight glared in outrage at the blade protruding from his chest.
"Vile scum of the Empire…."
"The scum are you lot, not us."
Schwick—the sword slid smoothly from the knight's body.
The once-unyielding form crumpled lifelessly to the side.
"How was that? Pretty cool, right?"
"…You insane bastard, showing up only after it's all over and spouting nonsense…."
Faust scowled at his grinning friend, who flashed a thumbs-up.
Mephisto chuckled at the sight.
"Heh heh. I was just biding my time for the perfect moment."
"…The guy who was too scared to move the whole time… ngh…."
Pain crashed in belatedly, wrenching a groan from Faust.
"Whoa! You okay?! Did that bastard get you?"
"Just side effects from overdosing on potions… Not fatal."
"Phew. That's a relief."
"Relief my ass… I feel like I'm about to pass out."
"If you can say that, you're still kicking."
Mephisto plopped down beside him with feigned nonchalance.
Faust shot him a sidelong glance and frowned.
"You sure we can relax like this? What about the allied forces chasing us?"
"They'd never dream an Aura Master like that could fall. We've got time to breathe."
"…I see."
Faust nodded slowly before flopping flat on his back.
Mephisto smiled at his friend's utterly defenseless sprawl—a rare sight.
"You must be wiped."
"Shut it. No energy left to even reply."
"Heh heh. Fair enough. Taking down a Master like that ain't nothing."
Mephisto's eyes drifted to the knight's corpse, sprawled haphazardly, face twisted in resentment even in death.
Gazing silently, he spoke up.
"Who'd have thought we'd take down a Master."
"…Watch your words. It wasn't 'we'—it was me who did it."
"Hm? I delivered the finishing blow, though?"
"Thrusting in at the last second and acting all smug…."
"I told you—I was waiting for my moment. Anyway, you owe me your life. Let's call it even, yeah?"
"…Piss off."
Faust furrowed his brow but said no more.
Mephisto had only acted at the very end, but it was thanks to him that Faust had survived.
As the knight's sword bore down, Faust had truly thought it was over.
He hadn't said it, but he was genuinely grateful.
Though he was still pissed about the late entry.
'This shameless prince.'
Mephisto grinned at Faust's resentful glare.
"Anyway, this drive home the point."
"…What point? That you're a lunatic? Bit late for that revelation."
"Haha. You must be exhausted to talk such nonsense."
"It's no nonsense. Dead serious."
Ignoring Faust's addendum, Mephisto pressed on.
"I need you, Faust."
Faust grimaced at the calm declaration.
"…I'm not into guys."
"Haha. I prefer women myself…. That's not what I meant."
Mephisto shook his head lightly and locked eyes with the prone Faust.
"I mentioned it in passing before… but let me say it clearly now. I need you, Faust. Help me fix this rotten Empire?"
A grave atmosphere, utterly devoid of his usual playfulness.
Faust fell silent for a moment.
"I couldn't care less what happens to this damned Empire. But…."
He trailed off, then met Mephisto's steady gaze.
"Leaving a dimwit like you alone leaves a bad taste. I'll tag along."
Mephisto beamed at Faust's averted gaze.
"Haha! Thanks, truly! With you, we can do anything! I promise—I'll make you the greatest there is!"
"The greatest in the Empire is the Emperor, isn't it?"
"If you want the throne, it's yours…."
"Wouldn't take it if you handed it over."
"Then I'll make you someone even an Emperor can't touch."
"…Gonna turn me into a dragon or something?"
"Heh heh. Just trust in me!"
"…You always did have a way with words."
Faust let out a soft chuckle before closing his eyes.
Mephisto's nonstop chatter filled his ears.
Listening quietly, Faust opened his eyes.
"Enough already."
With his flat pronouncement, everything vanished.
The dense forest, the corpse-strewn field, and his dear friend's form—all dissolved like an illusion.
Yeon Sung-hun gazed impassively at the now-empty surroundings.
[When did you notice?]
A calm, resonant voice echoed not in his ears, but directly in his mind.
Utterly unfazed, Yeon Sung-hun replied flatly.
"Figured it out pretty quick."
[Then why didn't you break out sooner?]
Yeon Sung-hun didn't answer right away, instead recalling his vanished comrade.
"It was a pretty enjoyable time."
[…'Humans' are truly hard to understand. Enjoying that hellish ordeal?]
"It was tough, sure—but it was also the time I gained the most."
Gaining a lifelong friend right off the bat made it the most valuable chapter in Faust's long life.
Even more than when he'd brewed an Elixir or Philosopher's Stone.
'Though that one was exceptionally brutal.'
Looking back now, it wasn't a bad memory at all.
Even if it felt like cringing at his foolish youthful black history.
[Hm. I can't comprehend it. Humans are so peculiar.]
"Anyway, why not show your face? Talking to thin air is awkward."
[Very well. It's been ages since I last greeted a challenger.]
A hazy, ghostly figure materialized in the empty void.
Gender indeterminate, yet a paragon of flawless beauty that defied such concerns.
Like an artist's masterpiece, sculpted stitch by stitch.
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly at the apparition.
"Hm. High Elf, as expected. That form means you're a spirit body?"
[Indeed. I am the final trial's overseer and caretaker of this proving ground. Pleased to meet you, 'Magnus (the Great One).' ]
Yeon Sung-hun gave a wry smile at the familiar title from his Faust days.
He'd suspected as much since the first memory glimpse—the entity could peer into his mind.
'Gotta snag some mental defense gear after this.'
Essential for blocking future intrusions.
"Caretaker, huh. No other name?"
[I discarded my name upon forsaking flesh to become this site's guardian. 'Caretaker' suffices.]
"Fair enough…. Showing yourself means the trial's over? Or just beginning?"
[The final trial tests the will. Magnus, you have amply proven yours.]
"Hm. Got it."
Yeon Sung-hun nodded slowly before asking,
"What about my companion who came with me?"