As Luibel stroked Piya’s head feathers, the quest was immediately completed, and the lantern arrived as a reward.

Thanks to that, Luibel activated the minimap right away and ran towards Anselot’s location on the map.

Soon, she was able to find Anselot.

“Anselot!”

But Anselot’s state was a bit strange.

As if he couldn’t hear Luibel’s call, he continued to walk with a blank look in his eyes towards somewhere.

“Anselot! Where are you going!”

Luibel quickly followed him.

Then she stopped abruptly.

She had discovered the black mist in front of Anselot.

The wide-spread black mist gradually gathered in one place and then transformed into a human shape.

It had no eyes, no nose, no mouth.

Yet, it was a form made entirely of wriggling black mist.

The frail figure and the fluttering long hair were clearly modeled after a young woman, copying Luibel.

“……!”

Startled.

For a brief moment, Luibel felt as if her gaze had met the black form’s.

‘What, what is that…’

An unsettling sensation made her feel uncomfortable.

Just as Luibel was about to shake off that chilling feeling and approach Anselot.

The black form embraced Anselot.

Anselot, without resistance, embraced the black form back, and drooped his head onto its shoulder.

Drip―

Tears flowed down Anselot’s cheek.

Anselot was crying, embraced in the arms of the black form.

The white hair glittered silvery-white under the pale moonlight, like a flame blooming in darkness, a pair of red eyes fixated on one place.

You, fluttering your light pink hair in the spring breeze, bursting into laughter.

You are the hero of the humans. The master of the oracle. The emissary of light.

The child of prophecy who will grasp the heart of the dragon devouring the world’s light.

You were the humans’ only light and hope, and I loved you.

In the slowly passing time. That love turned into a tragedy.

You became the plunderer who would take my life, the slayer who would extinguish my breath.

The revelation of light became a destiny that plundered my life, extinguished my breath, shattered you, and tore my heart to pieces.

In the place swept by the fierce flames of the great dragon. Left as a handful of ashes in the desolate ruins, I reminisced about you.

For a long time, in the same place.

As a sin against providence, you became an eternal punishment for me.

Now so distant, forever lost, you.
Now, even yearning for you has become an eternal sin.

Now, I dare not even claim your name as mine, you who have forever departed.

Engraved, re-engraved, and deeply carved over my broken heart… if only my soul could remember.

‘Why do you have such sad eyes?’

Cool fingertips brush my cheek. Following their trace, I look down to see you, looking at me with a worried expression.

‘Did you wait for me?’

With a gentle laugh, you ask me.

Strange.

Why, why are you here in front of me?

Laughing so heartily.

Without a trace of resentment towards me, who failed to protect you.

Thump.

I let my body fall into your open arms, daring to lower my head onto the shoulders I couldn’t protect.

Embracing you, whom I cannot lose again, as if my whole body would shatter.

Daring to plead.

…I’m sorry.

…I’m sorry.

…Don’t go.

…Now, let’s be together.

With a hot soul in the damp eternity, I dare to plead and cling.

To that sorrowful and heart-wrenching whisper, you smile at me.

‘Yes. We’ll be together forever.’

Returning the wish I longed for so much.

‘Hel. My hell. My…….’

“……I’m sorry.”

A faint, whisper-like voice squeezes through Anselot’s wet lips.

“……I’m sorry.”

The moment I hear that, I feel a tightening sensation around my heart.

Anselot hugs the black figure tightly, begging.

“……Don’t go. Now, let’s be together.”

Maybe it’s because I saw the man’s tears, which I thought I’d never see.

My heart uncomfortably churns.

Unknowingly, I grip the hilt of my sword.

The black figure nods at Anselot and slowly begins to consume him.

“No!”

I draw my sword and shout.

Then, the black figure’s head smoothly turns towards me.

Where there should be features, there’s only writhing black smoke, sending chills down my spine.

I gather strength in my trembling hands and point the sword towards the black figure.

“Give me Anselot!”

The black figure does not respond.

Just as I’m about to charge at the black figure watching me.

Clang!

A spear, crafted from white energy, counters my attack.

It was Anselot’s spear.

“Never again…….”

Still embraced in the black figure’s arms, Anselot looks at me and mutters.

“I won’t lose you…….”

A chill of killing intent briefly flashes in his hazy eyes.

White spheres created by Anselot bloom in the air.

He hugs the black mist tighter and looks at me with cold eyes.

White spheres from Anselot fly towards me all at once.

Boom! Boom! Bang!

Amidst the loud explosions, Piya screams.

Squeak!

―Lulu Nim! Anselot has gone mad!

Squeak!

―Look at those dazed eyes! Anselot has finally lost his mind, Lulu Nim!