LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 91
Chapter 91 The Bitterly Blooming Flower of Paradise 4 – Full Bloom
Whiiiiiing~
I heard the sound of something cutting through the air.
It was the sound of an object with a certain mass being propelled by a powerful force.
It wasn’t the kind of sonic boom caused by an object flying at supersonic speed, but just from the sound alone, you could tell that something was flying at high speed with immense power.
And what was that object, you ask?
Well, what else?
It was me.
Bang!
“…Ugh…”
Ouch, it hurts.
It hurts…
It hurts…
Since becoming the Saintess of the Dead, I had rarely experienced physical pain, but this time it really hurt.
I could feel the pain even though my body didn’t have any sensory perception!
‘Huh, what? What’s going on…’
Let’s sort out the situation.
The small Olgania had fallen into corruption and was swallowed by the larger Olgania, which had become one with the rotten World Tree.
Yujin and I joined forces with an unspoken understanding of “temporary alliance for now.”
And our plan after that?
Well, I wouldn’t even call it a plan.
The Hero and Saintess are invincible, and anyone who opposes us is destined to lose!
I was never one to come up with intricate strategies anyway.
In the previous world, Menelapie or Teresa usually handled everything, so all I had to do was follow their lead, and we would almost always win.
Anyway, my so-called plan was simple.
Yujin and I, as the Hero and Saintess, would combine our powers to subdue the corrupted Olgania, and I would use my miracles or Yujin’s abilities to the fullest to save Olgania from her corruption.
If possible, I wanted to save my beloved small Olgania and also the long-suffering larger Olgania, who had been trapped with the corrupted World Tree.
Honestly, I preferred the larger one.
As soon as I saw the big Olgania with her massive spirit sac, I resolved to save her.
Isn’t that how it usually goes?
You could reasonably guess that if someone had been tormented for a long time by the fragments of the Demon King and the rotten sap of the World Tree, they would lose their intellect and reason, becoming nothing more than a beast driven by instinct.
“By the way, Yujin.”
“What?”
“What were Olgania’s abilities and characteristics when she was alive?”
“Ah.”
Just in case, I thought it was a good idea to assess the enemy’s strength, so I asked Yujin.
“Olgania was the one who stood with me until the very end, fighting against the Demon King…”
“No, I can hear the detailed stories of your heroic adventures later. Just give me the key points.”
“…She used the wind…”
Shiiiick!
“…And she was a spirit fighter…”
And just as I turned my gaze from Yujin’s suddenly pale face, feeling a presence behind me…
“Huh…?”
I found myself face-to-face with Olgania, her crimson eyes gleaming fiercely.
To be honest, our eyes had been meeting for a while.
But in the split second I turned my head to Yujin, Olgania had charged so close that I could feel her breath right in front of me.
And just like that…
[Spirit Martial Arts – Right Fist]
Bam!!
“Ugh, guh!?”
“Shia!”
Fortunately, Yujin used some kind of ability to cover me, blocking Olgania’s follow-up attack. If he hadn’t, I might have ended up with my head embedded in the ceiling, dangling there.
In any case, Olgania’s punch had sent me flying toward the ceiling.
I had to grab onto the ceiling with my tentacle, which I pulled from my waist, while rubbing my numb face.
“Ouch…”
Wow, her punch stings.
Unlike my usual brute-force attacks that just overwhelm, her punch carried some strange, subtle force.
The moment I was hit, I felt like the power of the wind spirit was swirling inside me, trying to crush my skin and bones from within.
Of course, my shattered skin, bones, and muscles returned to normal almost immediately.
But from that one strike, I understood.
‘Strength… about the same as mine. Technique, maybe at Menelapie’s level… Spirit power, I have no idea.’
I wasn’t well-versed in magic or spirit arts, so I couldn’t assess that part.
Anyway, Olgania’s punch was stronger and more dangerous than I had anticipated.
Sure, I was a Saintess of the Dead, immune to most physical pain, but a regular person hit by her punch would die instantly from the sheer impact.
Even a seasoned hunter struck by Olgania’s punch, infused with spirit power, would have their skin, muscles, and bones spiral and twist inside them like a hurricane, rendering them immobile.
“Wait, since when do elves know martial arts…”
And it wasn’t just some rough imitation.
Her skilled movements were far beyond ordinary.
Of course, this didn’t make much sense.
From what I knew, elves primarily used spirit magic or weapons like swords and arrows, and they generally preferred hit-and-run tactics rather than direct confrontations.
If she had trained in martial arts, I could understand it being more of a defensive or countering style, designed to avoid attacks and retaliate.
But her fighting style just now was all about overwhelming power, crushing her opponent head-on.
“Oh… come to think of it, Olgania was a companion of the Hero, right…?”
It wouldn’t be surprising if she had strength comparable to Menelapie or Teresa, given that she was a companion of the Hero.
And let’s not forget, she’s the child of the World Tree.
Her body, likely strengthened by the concentrated blessings of the spirits and the Great Forest, would be practically perfect, surpassing any privileged noble.
And with the Demon King’s fragment further corrupting her, it would be strange if she weren’t incredibly powerful.
In subcultures and comics, it’s almost a rule that when a protagonist’s companion falls into corruption, they become far stronger than they originally were. Olgania is no exception to this rule.
Bam! Thud! Crash!
As I clung to the ceiling, watching Olgania from above, Yujin continued exchanging blows with her, skillfully deflecting her attacks.
As expected of a former companion, Yujin seemed familiar with Olgania’s fighting style, and though it looked precarious, he managed to fend off her attacks with expertise.
Even though Yujin’s ability, “Soul Transference,” was more about manifesting illusions as reality, it wasn’t for nothing that she was an S-rank Hunter and the Hero.
Her basic physical abilities were more than enough to hold her own against Olgania.
Boom!
Thud!
Crash!
“Hurry up and help! Shiaaa!!”
Ah, maybe not so much.
Well, I could understand being scared, watching the walls and floors get crushed by the wind pressure of her punches, even without being hit directly.
“I’m in pain.”
“I know you’re fine!”
“Che.”
“Did you just click your tongue at me…ugh!?”
In the middle of Yujin dodging Olgania’s punch aimed at his head, the wind spirit wrapped around her fist shattered the wall made from the World Tree’s roots.
Bang!
Yujin and I stared at the broken wall and made eye contact.
“…….”
“…….”
Hmm, I guess it’s no time for jokes.
Baaang!
In that instant, I kicked off from the ceiling and charged toward Olgania.
[…!]
Olgania, who had been fighting Yujin, seemed to sense my presence and looked up at me as I shot toward her like a cannonball from the ceiling, her eyes still weeping black blood.
She seemed to pull her legs back and began wrapping something around both of her hands.
Damn, is that a storm?
Has she really lost her intellect and reason?
I was astonished that she could manifest such powerful spirit energy with nothing but pure instinct.
“Olgania! You probably can’t hear me, but…!”
[Soul Transference – Vengeful Earth]
“Don’t blame me later!”
Just as Yujin clenched her hand in midair, countless hands began rising from the ground at Olgania’s feet, pulling her down.
They were the hands of every monster Yujin had ever encountered.
From goblins to minotaurs, orcs, and even unidentified insects and tentacles, they rose from the ground, trying to restrain Olgania and limit her movements.
At first, she tried to break free with brute force, but as dozens, no, hundreds of hands pulled her down from the ground, she seemed to be getting overwhelmed.
“Good job, fake Hero!”
Alright, the restraints are perfect, so now all I need to do is smash her head with my mace…!
[Spirit Martial Arts – Typhoon Kick]
“Huh…!?”
“What the hell…”
But when Olgania lifted her long legs and stomped the ground, the entire area shattered, and Yujin’s illusions were crushed along with it.
Wait, is this even martial arts?
It feels more like something out of a wuxia novel, with masters of internal and external martial arts!
Bang!
Thanks to that, Olgania managed to back away just before I could smash her head, and I was left swinging my mace at the empty air before landing on the ground.
“Hey, fake Hero.”
“…What?”
“Do you have a good plan?”
“…Weren’t you the one with the plan?”
And I realized one more thing just now.
This fake Hero, Yujin, isn’t exactly the brightest either.
“Wow, seriously useless. I miss Menelapie…”
“Weren’t you the one who confidently stepped up in the first place?”
“So, you’re scared? Some Hero you are.”
“Why is the word ‘scared’ even coming up here?!”
Honestly, the situation was working against us.
Olgania, the Hero’s companion and a spirit martial artist, had the power of the Demon King’s fragment added to her.
She could attack us with lethal intent, while Yujin and I couldn’t fully unleash our strength to kill her.
Our goal, after all, was salvation, not destruction.
I knew we were putting ourselves in hard mode, but what could we do?
Heroes and Saintesses always fight against such unfair odds…?
…Honestly, I regretted it a little.
I should’ve just purified her before she woke up…
“Sigh, I’ll go in front. Fake Hero, you stay behind.”
“Isn’t that supposed to be the other way around?”
“You’d die if you took a single hit.”
“…..”
Yujin couldn’t quite refute that, so with a slightly humiliated expression, she took a step back.
It wasn’t that Yujin’s physical durability was weak.
It was that the corrupted Olgania, fused with the fragment, was just too overwhelmingly powerful.
But it’s not like we don’t have any hope.
Based on the fact that Olgania had dodged my attack just now, it seemed that the [Scepter of the God of the Dead], infused with Holy Power, was also a threat to both Olgania and the fragment within her.
I dismissed the [Scepter of the God of the Dead] and clenched my fist.
As I drew upon my Holy Power, the tentacles on my waist began to glow with a white light, and I aimed at Olgania.
“Here I go.”
“Understood.”
Bang!
Immediately, I rushed toward Olgania’s face, and she flinched, her shoulder trembling as if she hadn’t anticipated my speed.
Yeah, I’m pretty fast too, aren’t I? Surprised?
Smack!
[….!]
“Surprise, motherf—!”
Oh, wait, Olgania doesn’t have a mother.
Anyway, without hesitation, I swung my fist at Olgania.
Of course, she blocked it.
Olgania’s fist, imbued with wind, flowed like water and deflected my punch.
[Soul Transference – Loss]
Olgania seemed to be trying to use the power of spirits with her punch, but thanks to something Yujin did from behind, it appeared that she was finding it difficult to use anything beyond her physical strength right now.
Yujin’s ability had restricted Olgania’s spirit power to some extent, and since I couldn’t use lethal miracles either…
Fine. If we can only use our fists, then so be it.
And so, the brawl began.
Smack!
Whack!
Thud!
Bam bam bam!
I hadn’t formally learned martial arts, but after living over 60 years in the previous world and going through countless battles, I had enough experience to hold my own in hand-to-hand combat.
While I couldn’t perform anything as refined as actual martial arts, I was confident that in a battle of strength and fists, I wouldn’t lose.
During our fight, Olgania continuously tried to do something with her vast spirit power. But each time, Yujin would interfere, disrupting her spirit energy.
Still, the guy’s no joke.
She knows when to act.
Crack!
Olgania’s fist grazed my face, and my Holy Power-infused claws ruffled her long hair.
Of course, that wasn’t all.
When our fists clashed, the resulting impact tore through the air.
The floor and walls of the underground chamber shattered instantly, and rotten sap from the World Tree gushed out between the cracks.
Olgania and I, as if locked in a prideful duel, planted our feet firmly and attacked each other with nothing but our fists.
They say the dead need their own way to be comforted.
What more could there be?
Let it all out.
Vent all your frustrations.
Release whatever’s been left unresolved—that’s how comfort is given!
Wham!
Good.
In a contest of endurance, I have the upper hand.
I intentionally let Olgania’s fist land and trapped her arm under my armpit while delivering a counterpunch.
Olgania, in response, tried to strike me with her other fist, but…
Crunch!
[…..!]
“Olgania, don’t forget about me.”
[Soul Transference – Loss of Limbs]
In that instant, Olgania’s arm stopped moving.
“Do it now! I can’t maintain this for long!”
“Got it!”
I later found out that Yujin’s ability momentarily made Olgania believe that her arms didn’t exist.
Thanks to that, her punch stopped midair, and I grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the ground.
Boom!
Alright. Now if I can just mount her and pin her down…
Crack!
“Ugh!?”
One kick and four of my ribs were broken.
How is she this strong?
I mean, if we were arm-wrestling or having a direct strength contest, I’m pretty sure I’d win…
But even so, Olgania’s physical power, augmented by spirit energy, was astounding.
“Of course, that won’t be enough.”
[!?]
“You should have aimed for my head! Then you might have incapacitated me for a few seconds!”
Despite her kick breaking my ribs, Olgania didn’t stop and stared wide-eyed at me, who had climbed on top of her.
She probably thought I’d be paralyzed by pain, but too bad—I’m the Saintess of the Dead.
Thud!
[….Guh..!]
Immediately, tentacles imbued with Holy Power wrapped around Olgania’s arms and neck.
If they were just regular tentacles, Olgania would have torn them apart with her strength. But since they were strengthened with Holy Power, they firmly restrained her.
Yes, just stay still.
That way, I can reach into your chest…
Wait, why are you looking at me like that?
Don’t misunderstand.
I’m trying to pull out the Demon King’s fragment lodged in your chest.
How do I know it’s there?
The foul smell is practically stabbing my nose—I’d be blind not to notice.
Crrrunch!
[Screaming!!!!]
It must have been excruciating for Olgania as well because she began thrashing violently.
The Demon King’s fragment was deeply embedded in her body.
From her perspective, it probably felt like her flesh was being ripped out.
Sorry, just hang in there a little longer…!
[Spirit Profanation – Explosion]
“…!”
Olgania’s eyes darkened completely, and then her body exploded in a massive blast.
Dark, rotten liquid filled with malevolent energy exploded outward like fragments from a claymore, spreading in all directions. The explosion hit me directly, sending my body flying backward.
“Shia!”
“I’m fine.”
The damage was severe, but whatever, I’m alright.
It didn’t even hurt that much… Actually…
“Slurp… gulp…”
Oh, right…
It’s been a while since I’ve consumed any malevolent energy, huh?
It tastes good.
Even the tentacles seemed to enjoy the taste, licking their lips.
Yeah, malevolence.
Ever since I came to the Elves’ Great Forest, I’d been eating healthy elf vegan food and World Tree leaf pancakes.
I’d forgotten that it’s been well over a week since I last consumed proper malevolent energy by devouring monsters.
The little bit of malevolence I’d gotten from the World Tree leaf pancakes wasn’t enough.
Yeah, this thick, high-concentration malevolence is what I needed to feel full.
“Shia?”
“…Yujin, back me up. Please…”
Sensing the change in my demeanor, Yujin’s expression became slightly uneasy.
But as expected of the Hero, he quickly understood and wrapped his hands in illusions again.
Ah, my stomach is getting full.
“Ahh… slurp… lick…”
It’s delicious.
The rotten sap of the World Tree flowing into my mouth… It tastes so good.
The sap embedded in my shoulder, and the sap that pierced through my body, were incredibly tasty.
So I devoured it all.
Gulp.
Ah, this feels great. Now that I’m powered up…
[Screams!!]
From the middle of the rotten sap of the World Tree, Olgania rose again.
The only difference was that the black fragment of the Demon King had been half-extracted from her chest.
Alright, now that I’ve recharged my malevolence, let’s finish this properly.
Oh, it feels so good to be full.
I charged at Olgania once more.
Unable to fully recover from the damage I’d inflicted, Olgania didn’t react to me.
[Soul Transference – Sensory Deprivation]
Or rather, she didn’t even realize I was coming, fooled by Yujin’s illusion.
Good. Surprisingly, Yujin and I make a great team!
Boom!
[….!!!]
Olgania hadn’t expected the rotten sap of the World Tree, wrapped around her, to attack.
Yes, this suffocating and rotten malevolence would cause Yujin’s flesh to burn or decay if she even touched it.
But, what a shame.
To me, malevolence is nothing but a delicious meal, a feast.
Especially this rotten sap from the World Tree.
Huh, sap flowing from the body of an elf…
This is rare indeed.
[..Guh, Ah…!]
Of course, Olgania struggled to resist, but now that I’d consumed the malevolence and grown stronger, she couldn’t overpower me.
Got it.
Now I can restrain Olgania with just my tentacles.
[Great Miracle – Scepter of the God of the Dead]
[….!]
“This is my payback!!”
Ever since the fight began, Olgania’s gaze had been fixated on the [Scepter of the God of the Dead], so it was clear just how much of a threat it posed to the Demon King’s fragment.
After all, this mace was the very same one that had shattered the Demon King’s skull in the previous world.
“Hey, Demon King. It’s been nice knowing you!”
Clutching the mace in my hand, I brought it crashing down toward the fragment lodged in the middle of Olgania’s chest.
“Now, disappear forever!”
Smash!
[!!!!]
Alright, I broke it.
The Demon King’s fragment shattered pathetically easily.
[Cough…!]
“Oh, Olgania!”
But this is where things got critical.
Now that the Demon King’s fragment had been destroyed, Olgania, the host, was as good as losing her life force.
And the energy that had been sustaining her body up until now was malevolence.
With the fragment gone, Olgania’s body would revert to that of an elf, but the malevol
ence that had sustained her would start to devour her from within.
Using a Great Healing miracle to restore her body would only cause her immense pain, without offering any actual help.
“What are you doing…?!”
So what I had to do was simple.
“Chomp!”
Crunch!
[Guh, Ah…!]
With my tentacles binding Olgania’s limbs so she couldn’t struggle, I sank my teeth into her neck.
Her cool yet soft skin broke beneath my bite.
The rotten sap of the World Tree and malevolence flowing through her body poured into my mouth.
At the same time, I used the Great Healing miracle to purify the area where I drank the malevolence, gradually filling it with Holy Power.
Slurp, slurp, gulp…
I wonder if this is what it feels like to be a vampire.
[Haah, hng… ah…]
Slurp, gulp, slurp…
[Haa, ngh… ahh… ugh…]
Let’s ignore the fact that the atmosphere has turned a bit… strange.
Let’s also ignore Yujin, whose face has turned bright red as she covers herself with illusions to maintain a stoic façade.
“Slurp…!”
[Haa… ngh… aah…]
This is simply…
Healing.
○○○○○○
And after that?
Nothing much.
The Hero and Saintess duo is invincible and divine, and anyone who dares oppose them will be torn apart, piece by piece, including the Demon King and his fragments.
From Yujin’s perspective, I, the Saintess of the Dead, was neither the saintess nor the companion he had once known. But the relationship between a Hero and a Saintess is one that cannot be severed.
The Hero is the hope of the people, and the Saintess brings salvation and miracles. However, they are both human, with their own shortcomings.
That’s why the Hero, the Saintess, and their companions exist to complement each other’s weaknesses and strive to become the hope of the world.
Though I swore from the depths of my soul that Menelapie would always be my one and only Hero… Well, Yujin wasn’t so bad either.
Of course, Yujin still had her shortcomings in my eyes.
While her personal combat ability was impressive, she still seemed to lack the mental fortitude and experience to wield it properly.
But for now, she was worthy of the title of Hero.
“So, are you crying?”
“I’m not crying.”
Ah, the lying Hero.
On the surface, she hides behind the illusion of a man.
On the surface, she speaks in a calm voice, with an expression that shows no emotion.
But what to do?
Lies don’t work on me.
“Do you think I’d cry over something like this…”
Ah, liar.
“I never thought we’d meet again.”
Lie.
You had no proof, but deep down, you believed we’d meet again.
“I’m not happy. I’m not sad.”
Another lie. Lie.
You’re so happy. You’re so sad that you’re about to cry.
Looking at Yujin like this, she’s kind of cute.
Well, with a Hero’s spirit as small as her, I guess she has to fill it with lies and bravado.
I wiped the malevolence from my lips and gazed at the scene before me.
“Happy endings are the best.”
Indeed, I like happy endings the most.
Where no one dies.
Where everyone is happy.
No despair, just happiness.
Because only I need to experience that kind of bleakness.
…But honestly, I kind of want to drink some more.
Well, I guess that’s not allowed, huh?