Chapter 138: Ending This Arc With A Bang
[0:08:00]
Rumble—!
The thunder strikes continued to flash behind Scott’s back as Cillian stared into the eyes of the expectant adult before him, someone who was looking to a kid like him for an answer when he was supposed to be the one who had something in mind.
But then again, Cillian was probably the person closest to solving this problem because he was the one who had informed them about the current situation a few hours ago.
A flipping few hours ago!
Cillian had experienced so many things in the span of a few hours. From Arthur becoming impatient and acting earlier than expected, to being trapped in Hensel where the Shepherds tried to capture and kill him after failing to abduct his parents, and finally reaching this place where he fought the not-fully transformed ’God’ while nearly losing his life against the White Shepherd.
And now, Scott was asking Cillian for a solution. Scott wasn’t saying that Cillian must personally carry out after he them whatever solution he came up with. But now that the Hidden One was slowly escaping from the Ancient Ruin and had fully descended into their world, the only thing Cillian could utter was...
"I don’t know."
Scott’s face turned strange. Maybe he was putting too much on Cillian’s shoulders, especially since he was still a kid, but he needed every idea he could get from anyone, and that anyone was someone who was supposed to have some idea of how everything was turning out.
Cillian fit all of these criteria.
However, if Cillian, who had given him a clue about this event a few hours ago, didn’t have any idea how to stop this, Scott found the situation even direr.
’I didn’t even notice something like this was happening right under my nose. The Shepherds are far more of a threat than I could’ve imagined. But that’s not what’s important right now. Stopping that ’God’ first should be the priority.’
That’s why, even though his expression didn’t appear convincing, Scott deeply wished that Cillian would be able to think of a solution.
The scale of this situation was something that even a Grand Strategist himself would struggle to handle, yet he was still relying on someone else to find the answer and do his job.
Eventually, the thunder strikes stopped, not because the entity was tired, but because the Hidden One had already left.
The only aftermath left behind was the sight of fried bodies that weren’t able to escape the countless strikes that had struck them, along with the injured survivors, as those who managed to get away in the nick of time began rescuing the others.
"Shit, leave!"
One of the White Shepherds who had also avoided the Hidden One’s attack tried to call out to the other Shepherds. Among those who managed to survive were a few White Shepherds, while the Black Shepherds who had died at the hands of the Guilds or the Hidden One’s thunder strikes were left behind.
The individuals who managed to follow those White Shepherds could only be counted on one hand.
Cillian watched those Shepherds leave as if the situation had become something they could no longer handle.
Just like that, some of the Shepherds left, while the official guilds didn’t chase after them because they were busy rescuing their fellow people.
Eventually, Cillian heard Scott talking again.
"So... Viola is just going to be destroyed just like that?"
Cillian frowned as the vision from his Death Flag Probe flashed through his mind, albeit slightly different this time since his mother and sister were with him.
The problem now was his father. Cillian didn’t know where he currently was, but he was certain that his father wouldn’t recklessly throw himself into trouble, leaving their family to believe that he had died somewhere right after this while Cillian was trying his best to rescue them.
The main cast was also right beside him. Clove Gray was probably with her sister, Freya. The Rofter Twins had likely already returned to the Elven Kingdom and would at least not be affected by the harrowing situation that Viola was going through right now.
That’s why what was going to happen to Viola is something Scott already predicted already.
’I guess that’s what would happen now.’
[Death Flag]
Cillian pondered inwardly, not sharing the same sentiment as Scott, who probably placed great value on this city. He had to keep the Death Flag above his head in mind, as it still hadn’t de-escalated even after he decided to stay put.
Thus, his decision only became more certain. Either he stayed here and let the Hidden One destroy Viola, or he went to the front lines and fought with his already battered body, risking his life once again.
He knew which choice was better.
’I at least achieved what I needed to achieve. Well, killing Arthur will come at a later date, but for now, let me rest and let Hidden One destroy Viola for all I care.’
Cillian had to find Mouthful Eye, who had fallen from above earlier after the Hidden One pushed him away while trying to influence him when Oliver reached their group and shouted.
"Kid, we need to do something!"
Cillian put the pacifier back into his mouth and ignored Oliver’s words as he removed Scott’s hand from his shoulder.
’You guys are the adults here. Find the solution yourself. I’m out.’
Cillian was making his decision clear. He sat down on the ground beside his unconscious family members and classmates and rested.
This left the two adults silent, wondering what the right course of action was in a situation that seemed to have no solution ahead.
Right now, all they could hear was the thunderstrikes that continued to strike across the land of Viola relentlessly outside.
[0:06:00]
’Hahh...’
Letting out a short sigh, Cillian looked up and began pondering the situation above.
Truth be told, Cillian might’ve tried to do something if he weren’t in his pitiful state or had clear solutions at hand. No, he already had some solutions going through his mind, but they posed great risks.
Even though he was a bored, crazy person, Cillian had a flexible sense of morality even back on Earth. He could become the devil to his enemies, but he was never like that toward innocent people who had done nothing to harm him. He was even respectful toward the elderly as long as they showed him the same respect.
His flexible morals were what shaped him into someone famous among his peers back on Earth while, at the same time, making him a professional hater.
A two-faced person who did his job exceptionally well, the former being him as an angel while the latter was a disgusting, vile human. At least for the most part, no matter how choking his reputation had become on the former side, he was still able to maintain his high status because he’s just that good.
However, in this situation, the cons really outweigh the pros too much.
Still, Cillian felt his hand tingling as he continued to hear the thunder strikes outside.
Was this really what his heart desired?
’Flexible morals my ass... Being safe first my ass... Becoming a hidden manipulator my ass...’
The exhilarating thrill.
The joy amidst the danger.
When he came to this fantasy world, what was the feeling he was trying to quench away? Something he had been unable to do in his previous world?
It was boredom.
Killing Arthur in the latter date?
What if no chances appeared in the future?
His family was also here underground. There was no need to have unnecessary thoughts when fighting the ’God’ earnestly.
’I’m such a fucking complicated person.’
Cillian’s mouth twitched.
He walked forward as he finally decided.
’Let’s fucking end this arc with a bang.’
From this moment on, Cillian would do everything solely for himself.
Just as he did, Cillian saw a screen popping out from his side.
[A scent of Death within you is giggling]
[A scent of Death within you congratulates you for following what your heart desires]
[A scent of Death within you was looking forward to a situation if you continued acting so passively. But this is also better]
Cillian’s eyes froze.
’What is it trying to say now?’
And then...
[A scent of Death within you says, "I’ll help you."]
’Help me?’
For some reason, Cillian soon saw the ’help’ that the scent of Death was trying to relay.
[A scent of Death within you...]
A smile soon appeared on Cillian’s lips.