[Congratulations on defeating Algor, Lord of the Ravagers!]
Staring at the lifeless corpse of my enemy, I felt nothing but emptiness. I had defeated the final boss, yet it meant nothing. Humanity was gone, wiped out, leaving me as the last of my kind. Everyone I had known, everyone I had cared for, they were all gone. The weight of this realization hit me like a tidal wave, an unbearable void welling up inside me as I completed my final task.
"What was the point of all this?" I muttered, my mind replaying the endless chain of events that had led to this moment. Tears blurred my vision as my exhausted body collapsed to the ground.
"Fuck..."
"FUCK!!!"
My voice cracked as I cried out in anger, overwhelmed by the agony I could no longer contain. With what little strength remained, I slammed my fist into the barren wasteland. The ground rumbled in response, but it was a hollow gesture, just like the echo of this broken world.
Though weakened, I was far from death. The wounds on my body would have incapacitated any ordinary person, but for me, they were a temporary inconvenience. I would heal in days, even without treatment.
Lying on the ground, I noticed a golden light begin to shimmer. Slowly, a crack in space formed, and from it emerged a face I knew all too well.
"Alisha."
"James," she replied, her voice as calm as ever. She greeted me with a gentle smile, radiating her usual motherly warmth.
"What do you want?" I snapped, my words laced with bitterness. Just the sight of her was enough to stir a deep, simmering anger within me.
Alisha was no ordinary being. She was an angel from another world. Alisha served as a guide to help humans adapt to the dramatic changes our world has undergone.
Seven years ago, during the dawn of 2026, a phenomenon known as the Great Era of New Beginnings reshaped everything. For the first time, humanity gained supernatural powers unlike anything seen before.
With this newfound power came a cost, a new challenge known as the Trial of Growth. As its name suggests, it was designed to push people to their limits, helping them grow stronger.
The Trial of Growth manifested as a staircase leading to a pocket dimension, a small realm composed of twenty-five increasingly difficult levels.
Upon entering the staircase, you would be greeted by Alisha, the guide of this entire ordeal. Her striking appearance and serene demeanor quickly made her a favorite among the masses, earning her the title of the most beautiful being humanity had ever seen.
Alisha had long, golden hair that cascaded down to her waist, and her gentle golden eyes shimmered with an almost divine brilliance. Her flawless skin and perfectly sculpted figure exuded an allure that stirred desire in everyone who saw her. Yet, despite her captivating presence, she was no succubus. Her charm was entirely natural.
At one point in my life, I had been enchanted by her. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I was young and naive back then. But the longing I once felt for her had long since soured, curdling into a deep, unyielding hatred.
The angels, known as guides, were far from the benevolent beings they pretended to be. Though they claimed they were forbidden from interfering in the war, I had always doubted their sincerity.
"Jason, on behalf of the guides of this world, I want to congratulate you on your victory against the Ravagers," Alisha said, her voice calm and soothing. But her words, meant to encourage, filled me with nothing but disgust. To me, her tone was laced with mockery, a cruel reminder of the devastation left behind.
"What's the point? Everyone in this world is dead!" I snapped, my voice raw with exhaustion and despair.
I didn't care what she had to say anymore. I was done, done with everything. The crushing weight of it all pressed down on me, and the thought of ending it here, of letting it all go, felt almost comforting.
"I'm sorry for what has happened," Alisha said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't want your apology," I bit back, my tone cold and sharp.
"I know I can't truly express how much it pains me," she continued, undeterred. "But please, hear me out one last time."
"..."
"For clearing this world of its evil, I am required to grant you a wish, within the realm of your achievement."
Was she serious? I couldn't help but wonder if I had truly done enough to fix everything.
"Revert this world to the state it was in before the Trial of Growth began," I said without hesitation, placing all my hope in this single wish.
Alisha hesitated, her expression dimming. "Within the realm of your achievement, that is something I cannot grant."
"How about you revive a plot of land and revive 5% of the population, prioritizing those close to mine? Can't you grant that?"
Seeing my first wish rejected, a sense of hopelessness settled over me. That wish had been my only chance, my last shred of hope. Still, I couldn't stop myself from asking. It was something I had to try.
"I have an alternative option to offer," Alisha said, her tone steady. "It's beyond my usual authority, but I believe it's something you deserve."
"What is it?" I asked, my voice flat. I wasn't excited, but I couldn't afford to ignore her suggestion.
She hesitated briefly, then continued. "Do you remember the novels from this world? The ones about reincarnation or being transported to another world? Since the world you live in is already doomed, I can reincarnate you into a new one."
"Of course, this isn't much of a reward," Alisha admitted, "but the reward is that you'll keep your memories intact."
"..."
If this had been offered to me four or five years ago, I might have been thrilled. But now, it felt more like a curse than a gift.
"I don't want that reward," I said firmly. "Reincarnate me without my memories. It would be better that way."
The memories I carried now were a heavy burden. If I wanted a fresh start, there was no reason to drag them along.
"Is that so...?" she murmured softly. Her words were barely audible, but the disappointment on her face was unmistakable. It lingered for only a moment before she replaced it with her usual calm expression.
"Do you wish to reincarnate now?"
I nodded silently, unwilling to say anything more.
"Then I wish you the best of luck," Alisha said gently. "I know it's been hard, but in this new life, I hope you'll find a place you can learn to love. Goodbye, hero."