Chapter 29: The Choice of No Return

The World Terrace now pulsed, as if the heart of the world itself was preparing for Auren's absolute choice. Each pulse vibrated through the earth, and the sky began to crack like shattering glass.

> ULTIMA SYSTEM:

> "Time is almost up. A choice must be made."

>

Auren gripped Lisea's hand.

He looked into her eyes — eyes that held memories, love, and also unhealed wounds. But this time, he saw strength.

> Lisea:

> "Don't choose me, Auren. Choose the world. Choose something greater than yourself... greater than both of us."

>

Tears streamed down her cheeks, but the smile on her lips remained.

Auren screamed inwardly.

His soul and body tore apart. But... he knew. This was no longer about love. This was about the fate of millions of beings.

His hand slowly lifted towards the World Terrace.

> SYSTEM:

> "Choice accepted."

>

Lisea began to glow, her body dissolving into fragments of light that slowly ascended into the sky. She didn't scream. Didn't complain. Only smiled.

> Lisea (last whisper):

> "I will wait for you... in a world that knows no more suffering."

>

BOOM!

The World Terrace erupted in golden light. Waves of power swept across the entire world — healing cracked lands, calming raging beasts, realigning the rotation of the sun and moon.

But Auren... did not return as before.

His body began to change — half human, half system.

He was now the "Guardian of the World Terrace" — an existence that could not be categorized.

He could not die. Could not live normally. Could not love, could not be hated.

He was... eternal.

The final system message appeared.

> ULTIMA SYSTEM:

> "Congratulations, Auren. You have completed the Zhael Arc.

> The world has been renewed.

> A new era will begin — without gods, without systems, without chains.

> But you... will remain vigilant against the shadows."

>

The sky cleared again.

Children ran in green fields. Humanity began to rebuild.

But in the center of the world, atop the highest mountain,

a man in a grey robe stood — gazing at the sky without speaking.

> "Lisea... I kept my promise.

> Now, I await yours."

>