The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 160
Inside the canyon.
We floated in the air, slowly descending deeper into the chasm.
“This is a strange canyon.”
Jenia, flying beside me, spoke in a tense voice.
We were currently relying on her magic to descend.
As she said, this was indeed an eerily bizarre canyon.
A natural labyrinth.
It was disorienting enough to evoke that very image.
“The power harbored by the Earth Dragon is distorting your sense of direction.”
True to its nature as an Ancient Dragon, the Earth Dragon influences its surroundings merely by the energy it exudes.
The Earth Dragon’s Canyon has been called by that name for an exceedingly long time.
Naturally, the dragon’s power has seeped deep into the canyon’s core.
This was also why Baekmokgong had failed to locate the Mysticism faction.
She had never imagined they would make their base within the Earth Dragon’s Canyon.
This was precisely why I had gone out of my way to use Arcrede to pinpoint their location.
Flame Butterfly was a dot-based RPG game.
Even if the academy’s depiction was somewhat accurate, the canyon’s representation had been vague at best.
No matter how many dot-art masters collaborated, it was impossible to fully capture this massive canyon in pixels.
So, even if we knew they were in the Earth Dragon’s Canyon, we had no way of locating their stronghold.
But with Arcrede, the story changed.
Since Narea—her other half—was with the Mysticism faction, their souls continued to resonate.
‘A high-quality navigation system, indeed.’
Arcrede, clinging to Centrior’s back, struggled to maintain her composure.
It seemed she had a fear of heights.
Isabel, of course, was another story.
Already well-accustomed to aerial combat, she descended leisurely with her Goddess’s Wings.
She had even mastered adjusting their output freely.
No doubt the result of rigorous training.
When our eyes met, she flashed me a bright smile.
Now that I thought about it, she really was beautiful.
Her smile had grown noticeably brighter lately.
Fortunately, it seemed she had completely shed the weight of her past.
“……Earth Dragon.”
Meanwhile, Jenia expressed interest in the Ancient Dragon.
As expected of Jerion’s reincarnation—her attention was immediately drawn to it.
“Come to think of it, there’s someone at Jerion Academy who uses Ancient Dragon magic, right?”
Right in front of you.
But Jenia didn’t know that.
“They must be incredible. Throughout history, only the Sages of Transcendence have wielded Ancient Dragon magic. I’d love to meet and talk with them someday.”
Her scholarly passion flared as she spoke earnestly about magic.
“Pfft—y-yeah, they’re definitely incredible.”
Isabel, eavesdropping beside us, barely stifled her laughter.
Well, at least you’re laughing. That’s a relief.
“Are you planning to learn Ancient Dragon magic yourself?”
“No. I must first master Holy-tier magic.”
Jenia was a perfectionist.
Until she perfected Holy-tier magic, she wouldn’t entertain other pursuits.
A very Jenia-like answer.
“If anyone can do it, it’s you, Lady Jenia.”
At my praise, Jenia gave a faint, wry smile.
“Is that because I’m Jerion’s reincarnation?”
“Yes, that’s certainly part of it. But not the whole reason.”
No matter how much talent one inherits from a past life, effort is still a personal choice.
“More importantly, the person who wields Ancient Dragon magic isn’t some prodigy.”
My only innate talent was stamina.
And even that paled in comparison to a true monster like Aisha.
My ability to use Ancient Dragon magic was largely due to prior knowledge and sheer luck.
It was something I obtained because I spared no means or methods.
Even then, I still needed to grow stronger to navigate the scenario ahead.
“……You’re slandering a lot of people right now.”
Isabel whispered, but I brushed it off.
Not my problem if they lost to me.
“Lady Jenia, you’re more sincere about magic than anyone.”
Undoubtedly, her ability to decipher Holy-tier magic was heavily influenced by Jerion’s past life.
But mastering it was entirely Jenia’s own achievement.
She had interpreted Holy-tier magic—something no one else could—through her own power alone.
That wasn’t something accomplished overnight.
It must have required grueling effort.
You might feel the gap in talent, but you should never belittle the effort of those who have it.
“That’s why I believe someone like you, Lady Jenia, could master Ancient Dragon magic as well.”
“…….”
Jenia fell silent for a moment.
Then, as if slightly embarrassed by the praise, she cleared her throat.
“I think you overestimate me, Ryu.”
“I admire those who work hard. They deserve praise.”
I kept complimenting her, hoping her perfectionism would ease even slightly.
“Is that so?”
A bit more confidence surfaced in Jenia’s voice.
She straightened her small chest and narrow shoulders proudly.
Even so, whether due to her delayed growth, she still had a childlike air—but her eyes were different.
They were the eyes of an adult walking her own path.
Then, Isabel suddenly thumped me on the back.
She even shot me a glare for no reason.
She didn’t seem to know why she hit me either.
No idea what’s going on.
Meanwhile, Jenia hurriedly steered the conversation elsewhere.
“A-anyway, you seem to know the person who uses Ancient Dragon magic quite well.”
Beyond knowing—it’s me.
Since I couldn’t reveal that, I forced a smile.
“Yes, you could say we’re acquainted. If you go to the academy, you’ll meet them eventually.”
“I look forward to it.”
Jenia’s eyes sparkled.
Unfortunately, the truth would come out much sooner than she expected.
If we clashed with Vulcan, I wouldn’t be able to hold back.
Just then, a gust of wind blew, pushing her slightly away.
Jenia took the opportunity to refine her flight magic further.
“I should introduce her to Sharin later.”
As Jenia drifted away, muttering to herself, Isabel sidled up to me.
“……As your fiancée?”
Is that how it works?
Now that I thought about it, Sharin still didn’t know I was Vicarman.
Somehow, revealing my identity kept getting postponed.
‘I should tell her soon.’
Since I’d already revealed my identity to those I trusted, I’d have to clue her in next.
“Introduce me too.”
Isabel suddenly made an absurd request.
“You’ve already met Jenia.”
“It’s different if you do it.”
Does she want to get closer to Jenia?
When I agreed, her face lit up brightly.
By then, we had unknowingly reached the canyon floor.
Looking up, sheer cliffs towered above us.
The walls were so steep that climbing them barehanded seemed impossible.
The roar of rushing water echoed around us.
All rivers here eventually led to the sea.
As such, a tremendous volume of water surged through.
“Musica.”
“We’re not far now.”
Musica was tracking souls beside Arcrede.
It seemed we were nearing the Mysticism faction’s stronghold.
“Boy.”
Then, Baekmokgong called for me.
“What do you think the chances are of the Earth Dragon moving today?”
The sudden mention of the Earth Dragon.
My eyes widened slowly as I processed her words.
“You don’t mean—”
“Yes. Perhaps this is a trap they’ve laid.”
BOOM!
At that moment, the entire canyon shook as if struck by an earthquake.
Everyone’s faces stiffened simultaneously.
Only one being could shake the Earth Dragon’s Canyon to this degree—
The canyon’s master, the Earth Dragon itself.
GRRRROOOOAAARRR!
The tremors grew increasingly violent.
In the distance, draconic creatures shrieked and took to the skies in panic.
Of course.
At the canyon’s edge—
A mountain was rising.
Large enough to blot out the sun.
Awe-inspiring, like facing a natural disaster beyond human comprehension.
Such was the nature of an Ancient Dragon.
These lunatics.
I never imagined they’d wake the Earth Dragon.
‘This is a drastic deviation from the original scenario.’
Even the Mysticism faction hadn’t moved the Earth Dragon before.
So why had they done so now?
‘Baekmokgong.’
The Mysticism faction feared her.
So they’d resorted to any means necessary to stop her.
Even if it meant waking the Earth Dragon—a card that could obliterate their own stronghold.
They’d played their worst hand without hesitation.
A headache set in.
I’d brought a powerful card, and they’d countered with one just as strong.
Was bringing Baekmokgong a mistake?
No.
Without her, we wouldn’t have pushed them this far.
The scenario had already diverged too much from the original.
Even without Baekmokgong, the Mysticism faction would likely have unleashed the Earth Dragon eventually.
They weren’t fully prepared yet.
Cornered, they’d panicked and awakened the Earth Dragon.
In the end, the accelerated progression of Act 5 had spawned another side effect.
Damn this wretched world.
Nothing ever goes smoothly.
“Lady Baekmokgong!”
Her attendant urgently warned her.
Even she couldn’t fight the Earth Dragon.
The Earth Dragon was a calamity.
A being capable of reshaping the world’s geography.
Even now, the canyon’s ground quaked violently.
A supreme dragon no human could hope to oppose.
If it attacked head-on, no one could withstand it.
“Boy, if the Mysticism faction slips away now, do you believe we can find them again?”
My gaze shifted to Musica.
Her face was tense as she watched the mountain rise.
I couldn’t guarantee an answer.
Vulcan wasn’t a fool.
After failing to kidnap Jenia, he must have prepared another contingency.
‘If they manage to shake off Baekmokgong just this once…’
He’d be confident they could evade capture indefinitely.
That’s why he’d played the Earth Dragon card without hesitation.
Whether the dragon killed us all or not, he’d use the time to escape.
“I can’t say for certain.”
Beyond this point, even I couldn’t predict the scenario.
This might be our only chance to crush the Mysticism faction.
At that moment, white petals began swirling around Baekmokgong.
Petals born of mystery—of the White Wood.
They multiplied rapidly, filling the surroundings.
As they did, the aura radiating from her intensified exponentially.
“Then I’ll hold the Earth Dragon off as long as I can.”
Her attendant paled, but Baekmokgong smiled serenely.
“Lady Baekmokgong, it’s too dangerous!”
“I’ve lived my entire life in danger. What’s one overgrown lizard?”
She ignored the attendant’s plea.
“Centrior.”
Her eyes turned to him.
He bowed, drawing a holy symbol in the air.
“Not a single hair on the Saintess shall be harmed.”
“Good. That’s enough.”
The overwhelming pressure emanating from her made my skin tingle.
“Boy, you walk the path of a hero.”
I still didn’t fully understand what that meant.
I was merely following in Lucas’s footsteps as best I could.
“A hero’s path is always fraught with hardship. When faced with an insurmountable obstacle, this old woman will break it for you.”
Her indomitable will reached out to me.
“Reduce the Mysticism faction to pulp and return.”
Baekmokgong believed in me.
She trusted that I could destroy them.
My fists clenched tightly.
The Mysticism faction was dangerous.
But they were still incomplete.
They’d inherited the legacy of the old Mysticism, but their packaging was overdone.
The current Mysticism wasn’t yet at the level that once terrified the world.
That was why Lucas’s party had been able to stop them in Act 5.
‘What about me now?’
Was I weaker than Act 5 Lucas?
My fists tightened harder than ever.
‘No way.’
My efforts hadn’t been in vain.
I hadn’t worked so hard just to fill Lucas’s shoes half-heartedly.
I’d seized every opportunity to get this far.
You think I can’t take down a scenario boss?
“I’ll be back.”
“Return before I slay the Earth Dragon.”
Classic Baekmokgong.
KKKRRRAAAAAASHHHH!
At that moment, part of the volcano where the Earth Dragon lay collapsed as its head emerged into the sky.
The dragon’s massive head rose, dozens of yellow eyes flashing as it roared.
The infrasonic shockwave threatened to burst eardrums, reverberating violently.
Even from this distance, its roar made my skin crawl.
Time was up.
As I glanced back at the group, they all nodded in unison.
“This way!”
At Musica’s shout, Jenia accelerated with wind magic.
I heard Arcrede stifle a scream, but this wasn’t the time to worry.
We immediately shot toward the canyon wall.
The cliffs grew closer.
As they did, I pulled my hand back sharply.
I’d wanted to keep this a secret from Jenia, but there was no choice now.
White frost gathered in my palm.
My right eye shimmered with the remnants of an Ancient Dragon, forming a reptilian pupil.
The moment glacial energy condensed in my right hand, Jenia’s eyes widened.
“That’s—”
Before she could finish, my hand shot forward.
The cutting force imbued by the frost struck the wall.
SHIIIIING! CRACK!
As my hand carved deep into the stone, something shattered.
Instantly, the wall before us vanished, revealing a vast space beyond.
A temple-like structure stood within.
“Explanations later!”
I shouted at Jenia as I gathered strength throughout my body.
Mysticism members at the temple’s entrance began shouting in alarm.
“Let’s break through!”
The assault on the Mysticism stronghold had begun.