Published at 26th of December 2025 7:42 am

Chapter 514: If You Demand Others to Make Sacrifices, You Must Also Be Prepared to Sacrifice Yourself.

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What the hell is this? Seriously this is some sick joke

Muttering curses under my breath, I stitched a patch onto my pants to cover the hole, then pulled them back on. Though my [Strangers Box] probably contained a spare set of clothes, I didnt dare risk using it here. If a simple wardrobe change were flagged as cheating by the dungeon, it would be far too ridiculous to stomach.

So? What kind of place is this supposed to be?

Once Id finally finished adjusting my outfit, I glanced around the area. But all I could see was a pitch-black voidutter darkness stretching endlessly in every direction.

No, it wasnt that there was nothing there. It just wasnt visible. My body and belongings were perfectly clear, so while the surroundings were black, it wasnt as if I were blind. There were no walls or ceilings within reach, but beneath my feet, I could feel the reassuring solidity of a hard floor.

What was this, then? A darkness meant to prey on my fear? Invisible enemies lying in wait? Maybe it was some maze constructed of unseen walls? I wanted to regroup with my companions as soon as possible, so I hoped it wasnt some drawn-out trial.

Hm?

At that moment, a faint white light flickered ahead of me. It slowly stabilized, transforming into the outline of a human figure. As the shape solidified, it revealed a face I knew all too well, speaking in a voice that grated on my memory.

Still loitering around, you useless piece of garbage?

Alexis?!

No matter how hard I tried to forget, the blond, handsome hero with the mocking look in his eyes looked down on me. He visibly distanced himself, as if he didnt even want to be close, and from his mouth came even more insults.

Because of trash like you, my precious comrades got hurt. And yet, you dare to live on so shamelessly? If you had even a shred of human decency, youd cry, beg for forgiveness, and end yourself right now.

What?

At Alexiss feet appeared the battered bodies of Tia and Gonzo. Both stared at me with eyes full of resentment. But nowhat was I supposed to do here?

Its true! This hairless good-for-nothing doesnt know his place and drags everyone else down!

Every time you step foot aboard the ship, it loses its dignity! Do everyone a favor and jump into the seabecome fish food or something!

Waffer?! Rebecca?!

Waffle glared coldly, and Rebecca smirked sarcastically. Their appearances seemed to set off a chain reaction, as more and more figures began to emerge

You, a mere human, dared to pretend to be a spirit? Were you mocking me while I suffered?

You talk big, but the moment things get dangerous, you use me as bait to escape? I trusted you Youre the worst, Ed.

To think I ever considered someone like you my apprenticea lifelong embarrassment!

Indeed. A shameless pervert with no pride or decency.

Guh

Riels words stung the most. Shed actually said something like that to me before, but this wasnt the time to call me out on it!

Such a lecher!

Disgusting pervert!

Ah yes, the embodiment of lust!

A hopeless depraved demon of desire!

Ugh, Ed the perv! Ed the pervyeah, thats you!

One after another, they chimed inElder Gargadore, Eleas, the knight Amelia, the detective Canal, and even Tiateaming up to ridicule me. My heart my poor heart was being chipped away into nothingness!

Stop it! Just stop already! This is heading way off track! And Im not a demon of lustIm Demon King!

Indeed. Youre a failure who creates value only by shattering things, like a broken jar of no worth.

And you only express yourself through destructionnothing more, nothing less.

Gou-san? Harris-san?

Weak man! Fragile man! You are the enemy of all women!

Ed crushed my dream of becoming an idol! How could you do something so cruel and sleep at night?!

Donatella? Rain?!

The number of accusers kept multiplying, flooding in from across different timelines. Heroes from my second timeline, my third, and even those I hadnt yet encountered or had only briefly crossed paths with in the first. In this black void, illuminated by a sinister, blinding light, I was surrounded by exactly one hundred so-called Heroes.

Die!

Atone!

Disappear!

I will never forgive you!

Wow. The whole gangs here, huh?

The overlapping voices of hatred blurred into curses, becoming an oppressive, malevolent hum that echoed ceaselessly in my ears. Amid this cacophony, a single figure stepped forward from the ring of Heroes.

Unlike the others, she wasnt a Hero.

Do you understand, Ed? Everyone here is wishing for your end. So shouldnt you grant them that kindness?

Tia

Step by step, Tia approached me, her gentle smile never wavering. At some point, she had disappeared from Alexiss side and now emerged from the malicious sea of curses like a goddess or an angel.

Its okay. You dont have to be afraid. Remember what I promised? When your journey ends, Ill end mine with you.

Ah, yeah. You did say that.

If youre gone, the Demon King across all worlds will disappear too. Everyone hurt because of you will finally find happiness, and the Happy Ending you aimed for will become reality. So theres no reason to hesitate. See? You wont be alone.

Tias arms wrapped around me tightly, pulling me into a warm embrace. Her tender whispers seeped into my heart, my mind, my soulwith the intent to infect, ensnare, and consume me entirely.

Now, Ed Lets end this together, shall we?

Yeah, no thanks.

I shoved Tia away and smirked bitterly as I pulled out my sword. The curses around me grew louder, and Tias expression changed to one of childlike disappointment.

Dont be selfish, Ed. Look

Just die already!

End it now!

Everything would be better without you!

Tia gestured calmly, the Heroes shouts growing ever more frenzied. She turned her gaze back to me with a gentle but reproachful tone.

Surely you understand? Its not right to burden everyone else just for your sake.

Ah, dont give me that crap. Dont lump everyone together like that.

Leaning on my sword, I glanced around at the so-called everyone.

Theres no one big group here. These guys arent unitedtheyre from different worlds. I dont have me vs. one hundred Heroes. Ive got one hundred individual relationships with one hundred different people. Thats all.

And how does that change anything?

It changes everything. If its a personal issue between me and each Hero, then my sacrifices for themor their sacrifices for mebalances out. Which means

I swung the [Dawnbreaker] sword in a single, sweeping arc. The air whistled as one Heros head flew, and their form dissolved into nothing.

Ed?! Do you even realize what youve done?!

Of course I do. If youre telling me to die for your sake, then dont complain when I decide you can die for mine. One down.

I swung again, cutting down another Hero, whose body vanished just like the first.

Two down. Thats two less problems to worry about. Lets keep this quick and efficient, all right?

Swinging my blade over and over, I mowed through the crowd. One by one, the Heroes heads flew.

Rains terrified expression. Donatellas fury-filled glare. Canal calling out in desperation. Daltons scarlet face of rage

Each in turn disappearedLeal, Ginta, Schwartz, Nico, Magna, Yuto, Anemo, Zinc, and countless others All of them fell.

Curse you. Demon King of ruin and despair.

Alexis spat those venomous words as his head flew last.With that, no Heroes remainedjust me and Tia.

Ed

Sorry, Tia. Im past the point where something like this could break me. So? Is this sick event over now?

Yes. This is the end of me.

With a sorrowful expression, Tia pressed her hands together in prayer and closed her eyes. So I raised my sword and swung, severing her neck in a single blow.

Thank you. Im glad we could talk one last time.

The sensation of flesh and bone yielding to my blade was followed by a spray of crimson. Tias head fell to the ground with a dull thud, her blood pooling around it.

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