Chapter 40: The Mastermind Who Revealed Itself at the Very End

Chapter 40: The Mastermind Who Revealed Itself at the Very End

 She never made a promise…

 If Kallen had chosen to be a little more selfish, she could have lived a peaceful and happy life under Otto's protection.

 But if that had happened, she wouldn't be Kallen Kaslana.

 That was precisely why Otto had said he wouldn't let her go.

 Perhaps no one in the world understood Kallen better than him.

 『Hokuto:』 "Alright, let's continue. The first cycle is coming to an end."

 As his words fell, a message appeared on the screen:

 [A spatial disturbance has occurred.]

 The screen flickered, and the game teleported the player's character to the base of the shrine steps.

 [The disturbance has settled. Your location has changed.]

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Eh? Big brother, what just happened?"

 Seele, who had been completely immersed in the story, was caught off guard by the sudden shift.

 『Hokuto:』 "The first cycle is almost over."

 He repeated himself without further explanation.

 And then, he drove Bronya's motorcycle straight up the stairs—

 Only to be stopped midway by a group of enemies.

 Three skill presses later, the fight was already over.

 Hokuto reached the shrine's entrance and initiated dialogue with Kallen's NPC.

—

 The conversation between Yae Sakura and Kallen appeared on the screen.

 [No. I will never allow anyone to take Rin away from me. Why… why does it have to be Rin…]

 Yae Sakura's voice trembled with grief and pain.

 [Wake up, Yae Sakura!]

 [I tried to take Rin and escape. I cut the ropes binding her wrists and ankles. But… her tendons had been severed. She knelt there… she knelt there, looking up at me with those bright eyes, and she said—]

 "Sister, kill me."

 "To die for the village, I am willing."

 [How… how could this happen…]

 Kiana's stunned whisper echoed what everyone in the chatroom was thinking.

 [I couldn't save her. I couldn't save her! What else could I do?! Her tendons were severed. She must have been in so much pain… And yet she still smiled and told me—]

 "You must protect everyone, okay?"

 [What else could I do? I failed to save her…]

 The moment Yae Sakura uttered those words, her descent into darkness was complete.

 This development was exactly as Otto had predicted.

 For someone who had already read the script, this was nothing more than watching a pre-recorded history unfold.

 [It's too late. My Rin… my dearest little sister… she is already dead.]

 The portrait of Yae Sakura vanished—

 Replaced by a single title.

 "Demon."

—

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "Demon?"

 『Hokuto:』 "Something wrong?"

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "What a fitting name. Demons amplify the darkness within people's hearts, whispering to them, seducing them into corruption. And in doing so, they take what they desire. Isn't that exactly what's happening here?"

 …And what exactly are you trying to say with all that?

 Hokuto felt a wave of irritation.

 『Hokuto:』 "That's it? That's all you wanted to say?"

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "Not quite. I think I may have found a way to alter this story's outcome. I'm curious to see if Yae Village will truly end the way I foresee it."

 A way to change the story…?

 Hokuto frowned.

 Tch. So he really did notice the foreshadowing.

 But too bad, old man—you're already too late.

 As if to prove his point, the game had already reached the next crucial moment.

 [As I thought… Sakura has been bewitched! ...Demon in the Box! Return Sakura to us!]

 The sudden mention of "Demon in the Box" made the already eerie atmosphere feel even more unsettling.

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Demon in the Box? What… what is that?"

 『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "Hmm~? A villain who only reveals themselves at the very end? How shy~ I wonder… will they turn out to be a cute and clumsy girl?"

 『today's performance wasn't perfect:』 "Strange. This character was never mentioned before… Isn't this a bit sudden?"

 The chat was full of theories.

 It wasn't surprising.

 The game only revealed Yae Sakura's side of the story.

 But it never explained why Kallen ended up in Yae Village in the first place.

 To understand that, players needed to read the official manga and learn about Kallen's personal story.

 Unfortunately—

 Seele belonged to Anti-Entropy.

 Elysia and Hua were from the Previous Era.

 So in the entire chatroom, only Hokuto and Otto fully understood this part of the lore.

 『Hokuto:』 "You don't need to overthink it. The game will explain everything later, so just keep watching."

 He casually tossed out a vague reassurance before guiding Bronya's motorcycle up the dreaded steps of despair.

—

 Once at the top, Yae Sakura reappeared.

 But this time—

 She wasn't an ally.

 She was the enemy.

 There was no dramatic monologue.

 No narration in the background.

 Yae Sakura simply raised her blade—

 And attacked.

 …

 Too bad.

 A mere pseudo-Herrscher stood no chance against the real deal.

 One weapon skill + ultimate combo later…

 Her health bar was gone.

—

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "EH?!?"

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "It's over ALREADY? I thought this was supposed to be an epic fight!"

 Hokuto laughed.

 Sorry, Seele. You forgot—this is a beginner-level chapter.

 『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "Hmm~ There must be a second phase!"

 …Unfortunately for Elysia—

 Just as her pink text floated across the screen—

 The game's cutscene began.

 There was no second phase.

 『Pink Fairy Miss:』 "Aww… no? Sakura, don't disappoint a maiden's expectations~!"

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "Hmph. The game already told us—this is the first cycle. That means there will be a second, third… and more."

 Hokuto smirked.

 Damn, old man. Are you sure you weren't involved in the game's development?

 End of Chapter 40