Chapter 159: The Worth of Life

Chapter 159: The Worth of Life

Chapter 159

The Worth of Life

You have died.

Save point Death has been initialized.

AAAAAGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Recalling the sight, Sylas shuddered. Even having lived through it, he couldnt believe it had happened. In fact, if there wasnt a notification that he kept bringing up over and over again, he might have thought he had imagined the whole fight in his head--he was certainly insane enough for it. However, the notification confirmed it.

Lives taken using Heart Puncture: 1/10

Eerily, the count persisted through death, as though the death itself was inconsequential. Taking a sip of wine, his gaze drifted toward the distant horizon. He was strong. Not merely human strong--but beyond that. Though it did come at the expense of his life, it was an overkill to begin with. It wasnt just the Shadow that had been eradicated--but everything within the vicinity of the two of them.

Remembering that last glimpse before the darkness overtook him... his breathing grew stifled. The shock on the mans face, the utter annihilation of everything... lifting his arm, he looked at it, knowing he had done that. It was possible, now, he knew--possible to march south.

In a few loops, he was confident in beating the Shadow without dying himself. After... therell likely be a new Save Point, but he'd already decided, he'd reject them all. Even if it takes billions of runs, he'll do a single, perfect run from the 'Death' until whatever the last quest he was supposed to complete.

Infinity was equally infinitesimally small compared to the pain of that day, one that still cut and lacerated him every time he died. Taking a sip, the cold winds of winter whipped away at him, but to no avail. They were like homely drafts in the peak of the summers heat to him.

It all feels so small, all of a sudden, he mumbled.

What feels so small? a familiar, yet distant voice, formed a sense of deja vu for him. Glancing back, he saw a woman in a maids outfit looking at him inquisitively. Ah, the chick that leads the cult, Sylas grinned inwardly. After venting a few times, he put the cult on the back-burner, too interested in testing himself against the Shadow.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Join me, Sylas invited her.

I--I wouldnt dare--

We can either talk, Sylas said. Or I can visit your homely village in the mountain and find you on that summit.

!!!! the womans eyes widened into saucers as she stumbled back, seemingly wanting to leap off of the castles tower and into her death.

What choice? the woman asked, frowning.

You spent all this time trying to broker deals with the dead, Sylas replied. Dancing in the shadows in this feeble attempt to weaken the Kingdom, as to have a smidgen of hope that, one day, you may reign the throne. But... wasnt there an easier way out?

What?

Gods.

You monster!! We would rather die!! the woman exclaimed angrily.

Really? How is making deals with the dead any different? Sylas asked. You give up a piece of your soul for a handful of power. Where that piece of the soul goes... does it really matter?

"Humph, what would a child like you know?! Gods... Gods don't ask for a piece--they ask for everything and give nothing in return. They condemned our entire homeland simply because we wanted to be free! Our sin was not wanting the chains to bind us! And they sentenced us all to death for it!"

What was this castles sin, then?

H-huh?

What was this castles sin that you condemned us all to death? Sylas asked.

...

Those looking up too much with feasting anger in their eyes forget to look down, he continued. On your way to fulfill whatever you think your purpose is, you are just perpetuating the cycle. Over and over and over again... we all do it. Gods, too, sought power--perhaps from fear, perhaps from greed, perhaps for the desire to conquer those who gave them that power. I wont claim to know the story of this world, cause I know fuck all. But... at the very least, Gods didnt betray other Gods. They united, instead, against other races. You... you betrayed other people.

Our homeland--

Is ancient fucking history, Sylas interrupted. Over a thousand years ago. Theres no longer any homeland. Theres a myth of a place that once was. And who in this castle had a hand in your homelands downfall? Were all hypocrites, but goddamn, woman. Stop coating your petty greed with some holy cause and crusade. The worth of life... what do you think it is?

H-huh? the woman stuttered a question.

"Never mind," Sylas sighed. "I already promised the Prince his throne. I'm just confused about why you want him on the Throne. Doesn't matter. I've contemplated pointless sophistry enough. There are weird cocks that need to die waiting for me. So should you," he added, abruptly taking out a sword from the scabbard and slashing out, beheading the woman in a singular motion. Her eyes widened further in shock as the last of his voice trickled into her ears. "In another lifetime, though."

Finishing off the wine, he departed from the tower and went toward the castle's training grounds, the same ones that were buried under snow. However, as per usual, the latter melted in his presence, leaving behind slightly wet and muddy dirt. Though he could go south immediately and challenge the Shadow again, there were still quite a few things to mull over from the battle--the slow start, how to build up his 'Berserk' state more quickly, the potential of opening up with 'Heart Puncture' and regenerating the sacrificed heart during the fight...

They were all possibilities, and he had to test them. He also had the feeling that the Shadow never truly went out--namely because Sylas sacrifice was well beyond what he calculated. After all, even Sylas was shocked by it--let alone a stranger who just saw a half-naked man challenge him to a life-and-death duel out of nowhere. The next time, Sylas mulled. Ill bleed him dry of attacks. I need to see how far I can go without using Heart Puncture. Even if I cant kill him, it will take him a long time to kill me. Should be enough to see just what kind of secrets he might be hiding...