The loud, annoying cries of the cicadas make it hard to focus on the movie.

“Aah, damn it. It’s already so hot, and now this... so irritating.”

Finally, I got up from my seat and closed the window.

“Don’t be too harsh. They need to survive too.”

My father, who had been watching the movie with me, grinned and said.

“Well, aren’t they basically stuck to the window? It’s so loud...”

“You still need to understand. Those guys have been living underground for seven years. You can’t blame them for being excited.”

“Well, that’s true, but still...”

My father, who had been quietly watching the TV, turned his head toward me.

“Did you know that all the ones making that noise are males?”

“I know. They’re trying to attract females, right?”

“That’s right. And usually, they only live for about fifteen days.”

“I know that too.”

“Then look at it this way, Noah. For those guys, seven years is like a lifetime, you know? For us, it would be like living eighty years doing absolutely nothing, just staying locked up in a room.”

“...That sounds nice, actually.”

Thwack—

“Ouch! Why, why did you hit me?!”

My father’s strong slap hit my forehead.

“It’s not nice at all! You wouldn’t even be able to play your favorite games, idiot.”

“Hm... That would suck.”

“Anyway, the cicadas dedicate their whole life to achieving one goal.”

“They were just born that way.”

“Ha, where’d you get that attitude from? You really talk back like someone else I know... tsk. Just listen.”

Saying this, my father smiled bitterly and patted my head.

“Let’s get back to it. Anyway, the cicadas endure and survive their whole lives just to achieve their dream.”

“Their dream was to be born that way.”

“No, no... those guys endure for an eternity. At the end of all that time, they come out to this dangerous world to achieve their dream.”

My father got up from his seat.

“Just think about it. How scary must it be? If you look under a tree, people are everywhere. But still, they come out. Those guys do.”

He slowly walked over to the window.

“They’re more afraid of never achieving the dream they’ve worked so hard for, than being killed easily in this world.”

He reached his hand toward the window I had closed.

“And they cry, screaming until their throats tear apart, just to make sure the world knows they exist.”

The window slowly started to open.

“Then, after their whole life’s hope, they meet the female they’ve been longing for and lay their eggs.”

The cicada’s cries slowly filled the room as the window opened halfway.

“They die after fifteen days. Without ever meeting their children.”

The sound of the cicadas filled the room completely.

“And the ones making all this noise right now... they’re close to death. They’re struggling with every ounce of their strength right before they die.”

The sound of their cries, which had just felt loud, now seemed...

Somewhat.

Desperate.

“Heh heh... What do you think? Doesn’t it sound kind of romantic now?”

Seeing my father smile, I hesitantly spoke up.

“Do you think... that kind of life is... happy?”

Is that life meaningful?

“Well, the ones who don’t meet their mate will probably be unhappy. But they won’t regret it.”

“What about the cicadas who achieve their dream?”

My father fell silent for a moment after hearing my question.

“…I’m not sure. But, I think those guys—”

At that moment, a plane flew over the villa.

I didn’t get to hear my father’s answer.

But I saw his expression clearly.

A wistful smile.

Eyes filled with strong determination.

A steady gaze directed at me.

A warm sensation wrapped around my body. Something familiar, like a cushion, but...

My whole body hurts. It feels like I might break... I feel like I’m really going to die... ugh...

As I groaned alone, I heard Rubia’s sigh.

“H-Hainzel...”

What? Why Hainzel?

What’s going on?

I sluggishly moved my body and grabbed at Rubia’s sleeve.

“R-Rubia...?”

“Aah, Noah...! Wh-What should we do... what should I do...”

Then water droplets began to fall onto my face.

Huh...?

Why, why is she crying suddenly...?

“W-What’s wrong...? What happened...?”

Rubia pulled me into a tighter embrace.

Aaah! It hurts! I’m in pain just from the wind! If she holds me like that, I’m going to die!

“Rubia...! It hurts... it hurts. I can’t breathe!”

As I screamed in agony, Rubia loosened her grip.

And she was still crying.

Aah, why though?

“Mu... Mussen—!”

My cracked throat made a strange noise.

I slowly cleared my throat.

“Mm, what... what’s going on?”

After a moment’s pause, Rubia slowly spoke.

“C-Carpen... Carpen has woken up...”

What...?

“Rubia, didn’t you use the scent blocker...?! I told you to—”

“No, I did... I’m sure I did... but... I don’t know... The barrier was definitely set up, but... why... We need to go there... we need to... but why... why... my legs... hhh...”

“A, wait a minute. Just calm down for now.”

I moved my stiff body away from Rubia’s embrace.

And then, I reached for my greatsword.

The greatsword...

Where’s the greatsword...?

No matter how much I fumbled around, I couldn’t find it.

“Rubia... have you seen my greatsword?”

“Hmm...?”

“My greatsword...”

I made the shape of the sword with my hands to explain.

“This one... the one I carry around all the time...!”

Why is she pretending not to know?

“W-What are you talking about, Noah...?”

“No...! Rubia, what do you mean? My greatsword! The one I always carry... and... I was using it earlier to beat all those monsters...”

“Monsters...?”

“I killed them.”

Who did?

“Wait, Noah... For now... H-Hainzel’s arm got severed. And... And Ruchi is fighting alone... It’s better if we hurry... It’s not safe to leave you alone without your greatsword...”

Rubia’s words didn’t sink in.

‘Again,’ my memories were in a chaotic mess.

Whose memories are these?

What is this?

What is going on?

What is... happening?

I can’t tell.

Is this... me?

I have to save Rubia.

Rubia... I can hear her.

Noah... the priestess.

It’s all mixed up.

“Rubia...?”

“...Noah...?”

Rubia’s voice trembled.

“Is it really you, Noah...?”

I slowly nodded my head.

“Yes... It’s really me.”

Rubia’s hands gripped my face tightly.

“You’re really... really Noah.”

“Mm... Yes.”

After nodding vigorously, her hands released.

“Rubia, calm down, and tell me what’s going on.”

Rubia took a deep breath, looking me in the eye. She didn’t seem to be shaking as much anymore.

She quickly started explaining the situation.

Ruchi and Hainzel are fighting Carpen outside the village. The villagers are trying to evacuate...

Even Urspier...?

Impossible.

Everyone’s going to die.

None of them will make it before they even get close to the Karahan Mountains.

And Carpen...

I can’t feel him yet with Giga Sense.

I can’t see him.

But I don’t know what it’s really like.

The goblins I hunted the first time. The Noldos, the Orcs, the Black Bears. All the other monsters.

They were nothing like the game.

They weren’t just weak mobs.

Each attack from the monsters threatened lives.

One wrong hit and you could die.

Just low-level mobs.

What about Carpen?

He must be on a whole other level...

But still.

I can do this.

I’ve done it before.

I’ve defeated thousands of monsters.

Don’t be scared.

Rubia’s behind me.

Ruchi and Hainzel are here.

I can do this.

“I’m going to find a broken greatsword. Do you have one?”

“No... I’ve searched everywhere... All that’s left are broken pieces...”

Even if it’s broken, I don’t know if I can activate Giga Sense with it, but...

I need something.

“Can you bring one of the broken pieces?”

“… Noah, are you sure you want to go there?”

I nodded.

“Alright.”

I could hear Rubia standing up.

I sat still, focusing on the sounds of the village.

I thought Carpen would cause chaos when he woke up, but surprisingly, there’s some hope.

And then, from a distance...

The sound of someone running clumsily.

A rapid pattering of feet.

“Ugh... Hah... Am I late?”@@novelbin@@

“Hephaestus...?”

It was Hephaestus.

“Whew... tearing through the monsters... Hah... Noah! It’s you!”

“Hephaestus, what are you doing here?”

“Ah! I came to give this to you! I thought you might need it... I’ve been working hard on it since last night... I might be a bit late, but... please, take it.”

The cold feeling of leather touched my hand.

Familiar leather, the sensation of a sword handle.

I felt its weight.

“It’s made from expensive... really expensive materials! It’s made to be as similar as possible to the greatsword you used!”

I grabbed the sword handle.

The familiar pain accompanied by the image of the village scene.

Hephaestus, smiling in front of me.

Smiling?

Huh?

Why can’t I see his expression?

“What... What do you think of the weight?”

Hephaestus’s face was full of questions.

I don’t know his face, but I can see his expression.

His expression is clear.

“Good.”

I nodded roughly.

What is this?

What is going on?

Did I level up?

I looked around.

I can see the expressions of the villagers.

And then, from afar...

Rubia’s expression, distorted, gasping for breath.

I saw it.

“Ah, Priestess! Are you okay?”

Hephaestus bowed deeply.

Rubia was taken aback.

Taken aback! Look at her face!

She’s so confused!

Why are you here?

“No! How did you get here?”

“I... I was making a weapon... It got really late...”

I showed Rubia the greatsword Hephaestus gave me.

“You... you’ve been making this all this time? For us?”

“Yes! I thought the ten crappy greatswords wouldn’t be enough when the monsters came flooding in... So I used everything I had... Now, when the master gets here, it’ll probably break, but... If we die, none of it matters, right? So I made it... So, Priestess, could you... could you please...?”

Hephaestus tried to be brave, but his fear was clear.

Rubia’s expression twisted again.

She’s about to cry!

She’s crying!

“Yes. I’ll... I’ll make sure to tell them. Don’t worry. And... thank you, really, thank you.”

After speaking, Rubia took my hand.

“Hephaestus, we’re in a hurry, so let’s talk after everything’s over.”

“Yes, yes! Hurry... let’s go!”

“Thank you for your understanding. Noah, let’s go.”

Rubia naturally took my hand and led me south.

But.

Something’s off...

“Rubia?”

“Yes?”

“Why are you going?”

“Why?”

“A... It’s dangerous, though.”

“I know. Noah, but we don’t have time. Let’s hurry.”

“Aah... Rubia, you can’t go...”

“Then can Noah go?”

Rubia looked back at me.

Her expression was full of anger.

“I’m not... I’m not weak...”

Thwack!

Rubia slapped my forehead.

“I’m strong too. Anyway, let’s go. Wherever you go, I’ll be right by your side. Don’t reject me.”

Saying this, Rubia grabbed my hand.

Her hand was filled with determination.

So, I nodded reluctantly.

And followed her.

As we got closer to Carpen, my body started to tremble.

My legs felt heavy.

Cold sweat flowed.

A sticky killing intent pressed down on me.

“Phew... huff... huff...”

Rubia was also breathing slowly like me.

“Rubia... if you’re tired—”

“Shut up.”

“Yeah...”

Rubia was acting strange.

I started hearing Hainzel and Ruchi’s battle cries.

I expanded my Giga Sense a little.

It was a mess.

Just like Rubia said, Hainzel had lost his right arm.

His bones were twisted.

But he was still fighting.

Ruchi also had deep wounds all over his body.

He was about to die from blood loss.

And...

Carpen...

He was gathering his bloodlust inside.

Entering Phase 2.

There’s no time.

Ruchi and Hainzel don’t know Carpen.

They only know the Phase 1 Carpen.

So, there’s even less time.

If this goes on...

Both of them will die.

“Rubia, let’s move faster.”

I overtook Rubia and started walking faster.

By the time I could hear Ruchi’s breathing,

A horrible cracking sound echoed.

Ruchi and Hainzel were thrown away and crashed to the ground.

Blood poured from their bodies.

Ruchi’s remaining eye burst out.

Hainzel’s left arm was torn off.

“Rubia! Hurry!”

I let go of Rubia’s hand and ran.

I need to draw Carpen’s attention.

And...

I need to let Hainzel and Ruchi know.

So they can fight again.

Even if it’s harsh, I have to make sure they know I’m here.

Dragging the greatsword behind me, I approached them.

I approached Carpen.

And then.

In my usual voice.

To reassure them.

Just like Ruchi and Hainzel used to do.

I made a light-hearted comment.

“Such a lousy party, huh? At least four people... You didn’t want to buy me a meal... stingy...”

Then, glaring at Carpen.

I gripped the sword handle tightly.