Chapter 99: The Day of Reckoning

And so, another three months passed—

Until there were only three days left before the day we’d set to attempt the End Cave conquest.

Honestly, I’d planned to try within a month or two, but the moment we announced to the public that we were going to conquer End Cave, it became a massive sensation. Dealing with the flood of reporters and crowds delayed our preparations a bit.

Maybe thanks to that, the one-month grace period we ended up with allowed Deneb to take the Rank Advancement Exam. Whether my advice actually paid off or not, she managed to become an A-Rank Hunter at last, based on her excellent performance in the upcoming exam.

“…That’s seriously a disgusting number of them.”

I looked out through the office window of the guild office, staring at the reporters gathered outside with a contemptuous gaze.

‘Annoying bastards.’

They were incredibly curious about who I was. Just like before, I told them I was Verdiol’s disciple, and I said this to them:

—I will prove my master’s innocence.

Naturally, my statement became a huge topic and set the media ablaze. When Jihyeok had pleaded my innocence, public opinion hadn’t changed, but now it was about fifty-fifty.

The reason was largely the effect of quite some time having passed since the incident. It was already five years ago now. Partly because what I’d caused was an accident, not a crime, and more than anything, as people and Hunters began to miss those days, there was a natural re-evaluation—people saying things were better when Verdiol was around.

‘Re-evaluation, my ass.’

Even now, recalling those days makes me want to kick my blanket off in frustration. That era when I ran relentlessly, clinging to every chance to gain profit.

A time when I’d commit selfish acts without caring how others felt, as long as it benefited me.

That version of me is gone now. I’ve realized that to live in this world, sometimes you have to give up personal—my own gain.

Picking a fight with the reporters outside would only make Verdiol’s public image worse, so I just cursed them in my head and didn’t provoke them any further.

And so, a few more days passed.

Finally, the day of the End Cave conquest arrived.

* * *

An ominous land shrouded in darkness.

Passing through that land, our subjugation force finally stopped in front of the End Cave Gate.

The Bisang Guild, built around me, and Neveres, who called himself a mercenary.

And the Crescent Guild and Royal Knights Guild, who had promised to support us.

Finally, Mr. Luca, our sponsor, and the organization he belonged to.

Compared to the time when the former Five Great Guilds united to challenge it, it was small, but still, gathering this many people made for a considerable number.

There was a bit of a crowd behind us too—reporters who’d come to cover our End Cave conquest.

“They even picked reporters all from Hunter backgrounds, huh.”

“They’d have to. It’s an S-Rank Gate.”

At Deneb’s words, I glanced over the reporters and answered. Given the Gate’s rank, they were all top-tier reporters, made up of people with skills rivaling active High-Rank Hunters. If they could snag just one scoop, they’d earn enough to never have to enter a Gate again.

‘So the time has finally come…’

Looking at the massive Gate, taller than an apartment building, I felt a mix of emotions.

‘Everything started from that Gate.’

Because I failed there, I am who I am now.

‘It’s time to end this.’

Where there’s a beginning, there’s an end.

Subjugate the Demon God, rescue Iris, and prove my innocence and my promise to Moonlight.

Once that happens—

‘…Once that happens, what’s next?’

A thought suddenly surfaced.

What comes after that?

‘Should I reveal my identity to the world? Say I am Verdiol?’

What would I gain from that? Maybe I’d be treated like a pervert for having been in a girl’s body all this time.

‘Maybe it’s better to keep my identity hidden…’

If I conquer End Cave, I’ll probably become an S-Rank Hunter automatically. And that’s not all. Since I’ll have conquered a Gate that even the other Five Great Guilds couldn’t, my status—and our guild’s status—will soar to the heavens.

And then what?

‘…It’s not too late to think about that after conquering End Cave.’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t come to a clear conclusion, so I decided to put it off for now.

“Senior.”

Shaking off the distracting thoughts, I heard Jihyeok call me from behind.

“What.”

“How about holding a departure ceremony?”

“A departure ceremony? Out of nowhere?”

What was he on about now? Just as that thought crossed my mind, Jihyeok let out a light laugh and spoke.

“The master of Bisang Guild is you, Senior, and the leader of this alliance is also you. If it weren’t for you, none of them would have gathered here. I think it’s also the leader’s role to boost their morale and motivation. And if you show them something impressive here, won’t it make your authority seem even greater later on?”

“I don’t really need to do that…”

“I agree with Jihyeok’s words too.”

Deneb backed up Jihyeok’s words.

“……If you’re both going that far.”

In the end, pushed by the two of them, I climbed up onto a small rock nearby.

Then everyone’s gaze turned to me all at once. The reporters were already flashing their cameras.

“It’s the Black Mage!”

“Is he going to say something?”

“That kid is the leader of this alliance?”

“She’s cute…”

Various voices reached my ears.

‘…….’

The unfamiliar sight and the goosebumps it gave me made me think at first that I’d climbed up here for nothing.

Whenever I received this much attention from so many people, I was always in conflict with those watching me.

I could recall it right away. Right after I stopped Royal Knights’ Dungeon Break, I clashed with them.

The number of people is smaller, but that scene and this one are vaguely similar.

But the big difference is—

“Master, fighting!!”

“Don’t lose heart!!”

“He looks really small up there.”

—that I’m not in conflict with them now.

I had become the one responsible for them, the one who had to lead them as their leader.

The moment I realized that, I pushed aside my regret, found courage, and finally managed to open my mouth.

“…N-nice to meet you, e-everyone. I’m Yoschua Verdi, master of Bisang Guild…”

Ah, fuck, I got nervous again and tripped over my tongue.

Just as I was lowering my head in embarrassment.

I saw them looking at me, waiting for my words.

That sight was very different from before.

None of them thought badly of me.

They were listening attentively.

Their eyes were full of expectation.

Of course, not all of it was necessarily positive.

There were reluctant looks, unexpectant looks.

There were even those who had no particular interest in this alliance or were negative about it, but had joined according to their master’s wishes.

Still, compared to before, it was much better. At least they were waiting quietly, as if willing to hear me out.

Seeing that, I let out a sigh, as if exhaling the stifled feeling inside me, and then spoke.

“First, I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have gathered here. Without you, challenging End Cave would have been impossible.”

The moment I got the first words out, my trembling voice steadied, and the words began to flow like water.

“I… from the time my master and the Five Great Guilds’ alliance failed, I vowed that I would conquer End Cave. I’ve been preparing meticulously for five years, and finally, that time has come.”

As I spoke, the emotions that had been simmering inside me began to mix, and my voice started to crack a little again.

“We will not fail.”

In my heart, I wanted to talk about my—Verdiol’s—story, but I held back. Right now, I was his disciple, not him.

“Everyone here will gain honor and glory that cannot be traded for anything else.”

Click, click! The flashes went off. In the past, that light felt unpleasant, but at least now it didn’t. Rather, I wanted them to keep taking pictures of me.

Because I thought that I was no longer the selfish person I used to be, and that those flashes proved it…

Clap, clap, clap—

The moment I finished my speech, our guild members started clapping first, and following them, everyone else applauded.

‘…….’

As the excitement subsided, I felt incredibly embarrassed, but at the same time, I also felt a sense of relief. As I came down from the rock, Mr. Luca greeted me with a smile.

“So you’ve learned to say things like that.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It’s a genuine compliment.”

Mr. Luca patted my shoulder.

“Don’t fail this time. It’s not just you. Everyone’s fate rests on you.”

Saying that, Mr. Luca took off his sunglasses. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since I’d seen his bare face. When I saw his eyes after so long, there were a few tears gathered in them.

Normally, I would have said something like “Why are you being so creepy?” at that sight, but this time I didn’t.

“Of course.”

I just smiled and said that. Whether he was satisfied with my answer, Mr. Luca replied with a short “Right,” then went back to where the group was.

“That was a cool send-off ceremony.”

As Mr. Luca went back, this time the members of Bisang Guild, including Jihyeok, came before me.

Except for Marcel.

“Where’s Mr. Marcel?”

So when I asked where Marcel was.

“Mr. Marcel is with the Royal Knights members right now.”

Deneb answered for me.

“Maybe they want to settle some unfinished business?”

Deneb said that with a playful smile. Unfinished business — was it about Lilian? We’re entering End Cave in 30 minutes. There’s still time, so if I leave them be, they’ll come on their own.