Crossroad of the Past and Future- In the face of calamity

''To think you of all people would be the one to help me.''

''Hoo, the little boy seems to be really attached to you, I can't let his motivation to destroy Great demons wither away because you're dead can I?''

''Bah''

When Marie rose had arrived on the battlefield to support Braham, it could be said that the roles were completely inverted.

''Beriache...How... You should have been dead, that wasn't what Baal said!!''

''Can you stop mumbling nonsense? I don't have time to play with you anyway.''

Gamigin who wasn't able to grasp the situation was in a state of confusion. The information about Shizo Beriache's death has been known in Hell for centuries. Yet here she was, standing before him, not only that but she was even stronger than her prime in Hell. In the midst of his confusion, a roar filled the world, it was the same roar that grid would be hearing right now. Enormous wings covered the gray sky, A Dragon, one of the strongest and most feared beings of Satisfy, had arrived at the eastern border of the empire. Shortly after, Ominous energy filled the air around Gamigin and the 3 vampires.

''HAHAHAHAHAHA, who would have believed that you would show up in such a place, Truly Interesting, Beriache's little daughter!''

One could not mistake the identity of the owner of the voice which echoed through the land. The source of evil, The only great demon to have existed before the Genesis, As well as the strongest among them, a being that could be compared to a Dragon. The first great demon, Baal; His mere gaze petrifies the world and his voice horrifies the weak.

''Tch...at a time like this''

Although Marie rose was powerful, without the presence of the Blood king she was still far from being Baal's match. The arrival of Baal on Pluto was truly the prelude to the world's destruction.

''Night of the dead.''

While Marie rose was distracted by Baal's arrival, Gamigin didn't miss this chance and deployed his Strongest field. Night of the dead, as its name suggests, it is the night that symbolizes the return of the souls from the land of the dead. Although his overall physical and magical abilities were subpar compared to the top Great demons; Gamigin still managed to reach the fourth seat. It would not be inaccurate to say that the reasons behind this were both, the strength of his 'soul Burn', and his special field, which materialized the souls and gave them the ability to interact with the world inside his field. For humans, it was perhaps the most terrifying ability, not only because the souls could not be harmed by physical attacks, But also because of the regret each person holds and their longing for the dead.

Millions of souls appeared throughout the world, Be it a mere villager or a Hero from ancient times, they were all summoned today for one reason.

''Destroy everything in your path!''

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While multiple battlefields filled the west continent, There was only one that gathered the attention of the whole world. The empire's capital 'Titan' was now filled with a huge number of soldiers who were prepared to attack at any time. 9 Special people could be spotted among the countless people in this city. It was none other than the 9 members of the tower of wisdom.

''Has it been 200 years since we killed Gujel? Man, that was a tough fight.''

A man with a fit body and huge muscles started talking, regardless of who noticed him, They wouldn't doubt that he would be able to destroy a whole castle with his bare fists. His black hair and yellow eyes gave him a unique aura. He was the 6th seat of the tower of wisdom, the martial artist, Ken.

''Huh? It's not like you did anything though? you kept punching his forehead and getting frustrated because you couldn't break it.''

Jurene, The 5th seat, swiftly replied to Ken's words. His young face that lacked any wrinkles made Ken look like his father.

''HA??? AND WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU DO, A**HOLE? YOU JUST SAT BACK AND WATCHED YOUR MONSTERS POKE HIS SCALES!''

''OH YE? WANNA SEE HOW THEY'LL POKE YOUR EYES OUT NEXT?''

The countless soldiers looked at them with Depressed eyes, one would not need to think much to notice all of them had the same thoughts.

'We're counting on them to stop a Dragon?'

Their quarrels were childish and immature, So naturally, the soldiers started doubting their abilities.

''Now, now, kids. Let's stop meaninglessly wasting time, shall we?''

Fronzaltz, one of the 2 giants who belonged to the tower of wisdom, as well as the second seat opened his mouth while displaying an imposing aura.

''Uh... yes, of course, you're right senior, ha, ha...''

''Haha, yes... how childish we were, haha...''

Ken and Jurene, who had already experienced how severe Fronzaltz's punishments were, softly shut their mouths and put on an awkward and forced smile. Although all the tower's members were in a tense mood, there was particularly one person who was different from his usual self. His blue eyes were slightly dim and his sighs were long.

'Grid...'

The identity of this man was Hayate, the leader, and holder of the first seat inside the tower. His worries were different from the other members, while the others worried about Bunhelier's strength, Hayate was worried about Grid's mental strength.

'Hold on, I am sure you can get through it...'

Hayate had heard about the death of Irene and Lord, Knowing how gentle and soft Grid's heart was; He couldn't help but worry about him after he lost so much in such a short time. To Hayate, Grid was not a simple pioneer or friend, He was more of a disciple and a son; Every time he saw Grid grow and work hard to protect those he cared about, he couldn't help but see his past self in him.

'Perhaps that's why I am even more worried...'

Hayate knew how similar Grid was to him. To Hayate, who lost everything after the day he became a Dragonslayer and built the tower, Grid was a ray of hope, proof that he could have taken a different path from the one he chose. Proof that the optimal and perfect end exists and is not just an illusion that Hayate dreamed of.

'Those damned gods... What do they take us for...'

Hayate clenched his fists once again and the air around him turned heavy as he remembered the careless actions of the gods who decided to wipe out humanity because of their own selfishness. Without prior notice, a palm hit Hayate's back.

''Worry not senior, It's not like those damned bastards will escape unscathed now that we're here HAHAHA. Besides that kid is not one who would give up in that kind of situation, quite the opposite, he will rise again, more motivated than ever.''

The man carried a smile on his face and His lightheartedness made Hayate calm down. None could do that in this situation except for the legendary housewi...No, Sword saint Biban.

the sky started turning Grim and 2 distant figures could be seen on the Horizon. Bunhelier and Nevartan were getting closer to 'Titan', their final battlefield.

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''AHHHHHHHHH...ST...AHHHH...OPPPPPP''

[The system has detected the player's willingness to surrender]

[The system will delete the acquire blueprint in exchange for stopping the pain penalty]

[Do you agree?]

''No...what kind of AHHHHH...BULLSHIT''

[The player has confirmed once again your negative answer.]

[The Pain penalty will persist]

Grid had been experiencing Intense pain for the past few minutes. Although he was presented with the choice of stopping it in exchange for losing the blueprints of 'Balmung', His greed and blacksmith's intuition stopped him from doing so.

''Please...else...anything ELSE.''

Grid was on the verge of fainting due to the constant pain he was receiving, however, he knew more than anyone else that he couldn't afford that. His duty was before all to revive his family, and it would still be so even if it meant losing this opportunity. But Grid was special for a reason, it was his greed, one that wished to bring all his wishes true regardless of the odds.

[Your willpower and greed are poison to your soul]

[However, you have adapted to this poison and turned it into your own power]

[The system respects your persistence]

[The system offers you another path]

[Do you wish to stop the pain in exchange for temporarily sealing the blueprint?]

[The blueprint will be unsealed once your status and knowledge reach the required level.]

''YES...YESSS''

[The system has confirmed your choice]

[The blueprint has been temporarily sealed]

[The penalty will stop]

''Ah...fuck...finally.''

He had finally escaped the loop of unbearable pain.

[You have resisted 'Absolute pain' for 12 minutes and 27 seconds.]

[This is an impossible achievement!]

[Willpower and persistence have increased tremendously!]

[Your understanding of 'Absolute' has increased significantly!]

[The possibility of a new sword dance have been opened]

[Increase your understanding to shape the sword dance]

''Wow...I guess it was worth it''

''Start''

He had one duty now, finish the trials as soon as possible, and earn another token.

*ROAR*

Bunhelier's roar, which Grid was already plenty familiar with, appeared again.

[The quest has been generated]

[Trials of a true hero-1]

[The first Hero King, Sigmund, was the only person of the current world who nearly reached the realms of a myth. However, despite having the qualifications in terms of power and feats, He walked a path of despair and solitude. Thus his feats only reached the ears of the people as that of an anonymous person. Experience the life and regrets of 'Sigmund' and prove to him, You, who became a true myth, that another path did exist so that he may find true peace and satisfaction.

Quest warnings:

Quest clear conditions: Show 'Sigmund' the path that would have allowed him to pass on without regrets.

Quest clear rewards:????, linked quest 'Trials of a true hero-2

Quest failure penalties:????

Quest time limit: none.]

''Hey...What the hell is that...''

Live the life of another person? Grid didn't have the time for that, he needed to get out quickly, or else he wouldn't be able to save his family.

'What are you waiting for, Hero king?'

''I am sorry, but I can't accept your request, there's something truly important to me that I need to do right now...''

'If you prove your qualifications, I can grant you any wish within my capabilities. However, you must take responsibility for your greed.'

[If you complete the 'Trials of a true hero' Linked quests, you will be granted a 'Wish token'!]

[However, if you fail them, you will lose the 'Hero king' title]

[Do you accept Sigmund's proposal?]

Grid frowned, nonetheless, knowing that this may be the best development that would happen to him, he answered with a stern look.

''Of course.''

[You have accepted Hero Sigmund's proposal!]

[Good luck!]

[The trials will begin.]

The landscape around Grid changed dramatically, A moment ago he was on a battlefield and was prepared to face Bunhelier. Now he was in a small village in the middle of spring, villagers were shouting and laughing all around him. In front of him was a young girl with a stunning beauty who was smiling brightly. However to Grid, she was familiar, it was someone he had met before, although it was 500 years later.

''Betty?''

Betty, Baal's first contractor and the 4th seat of the tower of wisdom. It was a development Grid could have never imagined.