Chapter 44

“Sigh… So what do you propose? We don’t have much time left. If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

“We’ll handle the Calamity ourselves, so hand over control of the body to Charlotte.”

“The young lady lacked the time to grow. Had there been more leeway, perhaps, but she is still not on my level. Are you telling me to dump a task I’m not even certain of myself onto her?”

No matter how Reje spoke, Taewoon’s party had already witnessed the results of Reje’s failure with their own eyes.

There was no room for compromise on this point.

“Based on your method, what are the odds?”

“…About twenty-three percent.”

“What! It was that low…!”

Yerin shouted in disbelief, and Taewoon’s impression was not much different.

No wonder the results were so blatantly poor in the first Cycle despite that confidence; wasn’t this practically gambling?

“Even so, those are sufficient odds. It is far better than trusting and waiting for others.”

“If that’s the case, why not just take a chance and leave it to us?”

“I hold affection for this land, and I have no intention of watching the Calamity invade it. Unless there is a convincing alternative, I will not comply.”

Taewoon’s party fell into deep thought at Reje’s reaction, which was even more stubborn than they had anticipated—which explained the strange way she spoke.

At this point, it was no longer a realm where the opponent could be persuaded with logic.

It was a game of chicken where the first one to bend lost.

“My demand remains unchanged. If you won’t hand over Charlotte, I have no choice but to interfere and cling to this until the end.”

“Ridiculous. Are you saying we should all fight and die together?”

“Yes.”

“My… that is an indescribably unproductive course of action.”

Though she spoke bluntly, Reje let out a flustered groan, perhaps sensing that Taewoon was sincere.

After five minutes of staring at each other in silence, Reje finally let out a sigh and met the eyes of Taewoon’s party with a different gaze.

【A Step of Change: Weathered Heart】

▶【Long years, enough to change the mountains and rivers, can break rocks and melt glaciers depending on the time. The Magic Tome – Remegethon becomes slightly more inclined to listen to the words of others.】

“…As I mentioned before, the young lady’s mind is half-assimilated with the Magic Tome. Even if I surrender all control of the body, it will be difficult for her to return to normal.”

“….”

“Ultimately, your claim is that you need the young lady’s power, not mine, correct? If you can restore her reason, I will follow your words. In exchange, if you fail, you must leave this place immediately without further interference.”

There was no doubt that this was the maximum compromise both parties could reach.

Taewoon briefly exchanged glances with his companions and nodded. Soon, Reje descended to the ground and voluntarily returned her consciousness into the Magic Tome.

“…Instructor, please don’t interfere any further. Reje and I—”

“That’s enough, just stay still. Reje agreed to this. You have no complaints, right?”

“….”

Now came the main point. First, they had to restore Charlotte’s half-broken reason by any means necessary.

“Theogenes.”

“I am ready, my friend.”

The Cinema Skill ‘Final Rampart’ fundamentally comes with mental immunity and a Chaos Resistance Effect.

Recalling when they stormed the Gwangseong Church’s chapel, it was clear that it was effective against symptoms such as brainwashing or mental instability.

【Condition 1: A target to protect must exist with a sincere heart】

【Condition 2: A threat or crisis toward the target of protection must exist】

【Condition 3: A suitable casting posture must be taken using a body part or tool】

【Condition Fulfilled】

▶【Cinema Skill: Final Rampart】

【Creating a Level 3 Equivalent Semi-Automatic Protective Zone targeting a 3-meter radius area!】

Taewoon and Theogenes each slammed their weapons into the ground, creating a golden barrier that gently enveloped Charlotte.

“….”

As expected, it worked. Charlotte was clearly reacting, her eyelids twitching and her brow furrowing.

However, it was also true that this alone seemed insufficient.

‘As I thought, I have to use it here?’

Taewoon slightly raised his hand in the air, summoned a small orb, and slowly approached Charlotte, who was trapped within the barrier.

▶【Spider Orb】

• Upon use: Summons a Level 1 Equivalent Mirror Spider.
• Upon use: Summons a Level 1 Equivalent Mirror Spider.
• Upon consumption: Permanently acquires Level 2 Equivalent Chaos Resistance.
• Upon consumption: Acquires Level 2 Equivalent Mental Awakening effect.

Originally, Taewoon intended to use it himself when a necessary situation arose, but now, this was the only thing he could rely on.

Approaching Charlotte, who was sitting blankly inside the barrier, Taewoon placed the orb in her mouth and made her swallow it.

Then.

“…Ugh.”

Charlotte’s expression gradually distorted, and she began to clutch her head as if in pain; this process continued for a long time.

When ten minutes had passed, Charlotte’s face was filled with exhaustion.

However, her eyes alone had completely regained their former light as she met Taewoon’s gaze.

“Instructor? Where am I…”

Charlotte wrapped her hand around her forehead as if confused, tracing back her memories, and then turned her head with a bitter expression to look at the dark purple Magic Tome.

“Reje… you deceived me.”

[….]

Betrayal and a hint of pity were etched onto Charlotte’s face.

“I saw your past within the fragments of my memory. Even after so much time has passed, you still cannot trust others.”

[I will not deny it. That is the way I have lived.]

Taewoon and Theogenes dispelled the barrier, and Charlotte slowly stood up and approached Taewoon with a bitter expression.

“Thank you for helping me. But… Reje isn’t wrong. I cannot yet handle Reje that perfectly, nor is it possible for me to fully absorb the Calamity.”

It was fine. Taewoon was already aware of that.

However, there must be a way. Considering Reje’s failure and the existence of her contractor, Charlotte, there definitely was.

[The seal has reached its limit… there is no more time. Now, what do you intend to do?]

Leaving the agonizing Charlotte behind, Taewoon pondered deeply.

Why did Reje fail?

What could possibly be possible for Charlotte but impossible for Reje?

And then, by sheer chance, a thought flashed through Taewoon’s mind.

“Reje, regardless, that thing also belongs to the category of ‘Magic Tome,’ right?”

[What a redundant question. Doesn’t it look like a Magic Tome just by looking at it?]

“Charlotte, do you feel anything when you look at that?”

Taewoon was half-convinced. Or rather, he hoped the thought currently in his head was close to the answer.

‘Perhaps, instead of absorption, she needs to form a contract…’

It sounded absurd, but in Taewoon’s mind, that was the only way to stop the Calamity.

Something impossible for Reje, the Magic Tome, but possible for Charlotte, the Magician.

If contracting with the source of the Calamity was the answer, the Theater’s intention also became clearly understandable.

“Something…”

“Something?”

“I feel as if my body is strangely being drawn to it…”

When she said that, Reje began to stop Taewoon and Charlotte, looking appalled.

[Are you in your right mind? There is no way one could form a contract with such a heinous thing. It was impossible in the first place, which is why the altar was created…]

“No, I think it might be possible. I feel… a certain conviction. A strange certainty that I can do it.”

Although she had been deprived of control, Charlotte’s skills as a Magician had grown remarkably while being with Reje.

And such a Charlotte could instinctively feel that her magical power was compatible with the source of the Calamity before her.

“However… even if I contract, I don’t know if I can control the power afterward. So, if things go wrong… I’ll leave the rest to you.”

With eyes that had become peaceful, Charlotte slowly stepped toward the source of the Calamity.

“…Theogenes.”

“Leave it to me.”

Finally, Charlotte reached the book wrapped in chains and extended her hand. Simultaneously, Taewoon and Theogenes deployed their barriers to support her from behind as much as possible.

【Condition Fulfilled】

▶【Cinema Skill: Final Rampart】

Whoosh!

K-boom—!

Two layers of golden barriers enveloped Charlotte and her surroundings, and soon, an infinitely viscous magical power began to flow from the source of the Calamity, encroaching on everything.

Droplets of blood fell from Charlotte’s face. The same was true for the four people watching the scene.

“…Damn, this is too much. Forget the reward, I’m out of here!”

Sensing that the situation was dire, Klein opened his own Magic Tome, blurred instantly, and slipped out past the wall. Charlotte’s expression hardened as her arms trembled, as if she were slowly losing strength.

‘Damn, is it not working…’

Taewoon was already wearing the Red Wax Mask, but despite all conditions being met through his death in the first Cycle, the mask showed no sign of activating a Miracle.

‘If so, then as expected…’

The exact activation condition for the Miracle was clearly when a profound threat befell Taewoon’s physical body while the stacks were fulfilled.

Finally certain, Taewoon planted Barata in the ground and began to rush toward the source of the Calamity.

“T-Taewoon!”

“My friend!”

As the distance closed, the symptoms worsened, and blood continuously flowed from his eyes and ears.

But Taewoon had no intention of stopping. Either way, if they failed here, death was the same.

‘It’s all or nothing now!’

【Conditions have been met! The Red Wax Mask activates a Level 3 Equivalent Miracle!】

In an instant, the mask emitted light, detached from Taewoon’s face, and began to fluctuate.

For a very brief moment, the aura of the curse began to weaken, and seizing that gap, Charlotte desperately reached out with both hands and unraveled the chains entwining the source of the Calamity.

And then.

A flash of light flickered, and a powerful shock left everyone nearby unable to keep their balance.

Finally, silence fell, and when vision returned.

Before Taewoon’s eyes was Charlotte, holding the black Magic Tome with a stunned expression.

【Congratulations! You have cleared the Theater ‘Who Opened It?】

【You will be moved to the Theater entrance in 30 seconds.】