Gozine

Black Sword.
Naturally, the destructive power of Reinhaver’s swordsmanship is beyond imagination.
A sword that channels black mana into its blade to sever enemies. The basic mechanism of the sword involves absorbing and releasing dark mana, making it difficult to wield, but when mastered, it becomes an unrivaled blade of ruin. That’s exactly the Supreme Black Sword

Moreover, no one knew his own strengths better than Nox von Reinhaver.

Thus, he had strived harder than anyone to achieve the best outcome.
Even if it stemmed from the 27, no, 28 cycles deeply engraved in his mind, Nox was prepared to use it.
There was no reason or room for him to hold back against his enemies.

Nox’s sword danced through the air.
The First form of the initial stage. Black Blade Flash. Soon, it seamlessly transitioned into a beautiful dance, like that of a graceful performer.
The second form of the initial stage. Black Blade Chain of Flashes. The form shifted naturally, carving through the enemy.

“Die.”

You wretched insect.

Nox muttered under his breath. At the same time, a fountain of blood erupted into the air.

Black Blade Flash.
Black Blade Chain of Flashes

The sword techniques Nox used were, in fact, quite simple compared to what he had employed before.
Three forms that any children from the Dark family could learn.

But their power was on an entirely different level.

After attaining enlightenment.
After meeting Altende, something had been erased from Nox’s sword.

Hesitation.

Even if it was a demon, no matter how much he justified it as survival, Nox had endlessly agonized over taking lives. If it were to protect those within his circle, he would survive by any means. That was why he had no choice but to wield his sword, to cut down his enemies.

But now, not anymore.

“I know you’re not dead yet. Get up.”

There was no wavering in Nox’s blade. Yet, at the same time, something felt off.

Why?
Ru couldn’t help but sense a strange, indescribable dissonance as he watched Nox’s actions.

‘Something has changed. It’s not just that his sword no longer hesitates… It’s as if something fundamental has broken.’

Ru was highly perceptive, just like the Three Sword Emperors or the Four Sages. Though he hadn’t reached their level, his sword was comparable, allowing him to recognize just how close the current Nox was to out-of-boundary state.

Most Grand dukes would no longer stand a chance against him one-on-one.

If he desired, he could easily slay not only the Wyverns but even Dragons. And if he grew further, he might one day rival the first head of the Reinhaver family, Jin, a figure from myth.

But Ru felt a pang of sorrow. Though his emotions were faint, he realized something was missing within Nox.

As if to prove it, Nox dragged his sword along the ground as he approached Dantalion.

“I told you to get up.”

“…Hehe. How amusing. Truly amusing….! So this is the future even the Book of Dantalion couldn’t foresee! I can’t help but marvel. The youngest Reinhaver’s sword!”

Whoosh!

Staring at Dantalion, who was on the verge of being split in half, Nox lightly drove Stormbringer into his shoulder.
The pain, amplified by mana, consumed Dantalion.

“Gaaahhh!”

“Speak.”

For the first time, Nox’s pupils darkened. His voice was cold as he tilted his head.

Nox asked.

“Does that book record my future? If it does…. how do I, Nox von Reinhaver, die?”

**********

The 27 cycles and their memories surged vividly through my mind.
Despite repeated attempts, I had never achieved the desired outcome.
Such an unfortunate.

The Inner Lunatic I thought was just a game.
I convinced myself it was a type of simulation, thinking of it in a positive light.
Ultimately, I’ve just gone through many simulations for the sake of the 28th cycle.

‘It would’ve been better to believe that.’

At least then, it wouldn’t have been a failure.
Too many attempts, too many failures. The deaths of companions and my own tragedies.
All of it was reality. A blade piercing through the tragedy of my existence.

It wouldn’t take long to remember everything.

By the time the final story began, I would recall all the lives I had lived.

‘How laughable.’

It was funny how naive I had been.
27 times. Despite repeated, absurd failures, he had acted as if he were someone special, looking after his companions.
In fact, even though getting close to them only brought them misfortune, he had still found some satisfaction in it.
For someone like Zitri, it might have actually helped.
She had lost her family, been abandoned, and was destined for a tragic ending.

But the others were different.
I had never considered the tragic possibility that staying by my side might have made their lives harder.
That’s why I had no choice but to ask.

Even if it meant relying on that damned demon, Dantalion, he wanted to know.
In that fragmented book that revealed glimpses of the future…
Was there even a single line about how his 28th journey would end?
Even if it was a thread of hope, he drove his sword deeper into the demon’s shoulder, emphasizing that he could kill him at any moment. The surging energy spread through the demon’s body. The faint noise of swirling mana separated him from me.

“…You look like you have many questions?”

Instead of answering, I pushed the sword in deeper. The demon grimaced but still managed to sneer.

“Kgh! Haha… You’re amusing. Many humans have asked me questions, but you’re the first to ask about your own death while not fearing it.”

“Enough nonsense. Answer me. How do I die?”

“Hmm….. Truthfully, I have no reason to tell you. Either way, I’ll just return from hell after dying. As long as my soul isn’t destroyed, I’ll never truly die. My knowledge will remain eternal.”

My brow furrowed unconsciously. Dantalion continued.

“But you’re different. If I don’t answer, you’ll never get the knowledge you seek. And that’s truly amusing. Do you know why I’m so obsessed with knowledge?”

“Shut up and answer…!”

“It’s the thrill of knowing what others don’t. The disparity of information. Just that alone determines who lives and who dies. I find it unbearably entertaining. But.”

Whispering like a true demon, he grabbed my collar and pulled me closer.

“Before this life ends, I’ll tell you one thing. Lend me your ear.”

Dantalion’s tone carried a strange persuasiveness, and I had no other choice.
In the end, the words he whispered into my ear were shocking.
A story that seemed to deny everything about my existence.
For a moment, my entire body trembled as if collapsing under the weight of the revelation.

“…What the…?”

“Think carefully. I’ve already given you the key to your own answer.”

“Stop! Explain it properly…!”

I grabbed his collar and shook him wildly for minutes. What stopped me was Ru, the knight captain, who had carried the exhausted Zitri after clearing the dungeon to a safe place.

“He’s already dead. Whatever answer you seek, you won’t find it from him anymore.”

“…Knight Captain Ru. I don’t understand. How have you endured the emptiness of existence? What am I supposed to do now? I truly”

“You must find that yourself. I, too, am still searching.”

Ru said no more. Our conversation ended there.

Eleanor soon returned, and the dark clouds looming over the village quickly dispersed. But, regrettably, I didn’t yet realize that a part of me had begun to crumble, a crack that would eventually shatter not just me, but everyone.

**********

“Thank goodness. Young master, you’re alive. I was so worried….”

“That’s right. Nox, even though this time was chaotic, you’re always in dangerous situations….”

“Thanks for worrying about me.”

“….Yes?”

Eleanor was taken aback by the sincere gratitude.
Since when did Nox give thanks like this?
Whenever they spoke, wasn’t he always sarcastic, looking for ways to tease her?
Why was he reacting like this now?

“…What’s wrong? You’re scaring me. We’ve been through life-and-death situations before. This time is no different. So don’t dwell on it too much.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

With a hollow laugh, Nox leaned against the carriage window, his expression clouded with melancholy. He looked like someone who had just received a terminally-ill diagnosis, barely holding back tears.

“Did something else happen in the dungeon… the labyrinth?”

“…When the time comes, young master will tell you himself. That’s what he told me.”

“Really? Nox. Please answer me.”

“Right. When we get back. Not everything, but I’ll tell you. Why I’ve thrown myself into hunting demons, why I’ve been acting like a madman, why I’m making this damn expression.”

Eleanor swallowed hard. Ellie, in her arms let out a small whimper, as if sensing unease, and burrowed deeper into the crook of her arm.

Zitri held Eleanor’s hand, sensing she wanted to ask more, and shook her head.
The meaning was clear. No matter how much she pressed, he wouldn’t answer.
Eleanor soon realized she had no choice but to grip her skirt tightly. This was the first time she had seen Nox with such an expression, but the biggest shock was knowing he was steeling himself to reveal things he had never spoken of before.

She knew instinctively.

The story Nox would tell upon returning to Eldain was something she couldn’t even begin to imagine, something far deeper and darker.

Kiingg…

But even in this moment, Nox was lost in thought.

The last words Dantalion had whispered to him.
Turning them over in his mind, he realized.

If there’s one lie I could tell my companions, it would be this.
The reason was simple.

— There are two great futures ahead of you.
— One where you live, and all your companions die.
— The other is where you alone die, and everyone else lives.
— In addition, there is one more future.
— And that’s…..

At the end, Dantalion, true to his demonic nature, added one more thing. Whether it was true or not didn’t matter. To Nox, who had already begun doubting his own existence, it was the most devastating blow.

— You will become the new Demon King.
— ‘Baal’… The first evil will be reborn through you, a new calamity upon the continent.
— All by your hand.