In the world of Opera, the world where I was fulfilling the 14th wish…
A highly advanced world, but utterly devoid of mana due to the lack of a permanent source.
A world where power and wealth are strength — without strength, you wouldn't live long.
That world was known for its mortals having extended lifespans, living between 100 to 150 years instead of 70. As a result, its population far exceeded what a peaceful and simple world could handle.
When I turned seven, as usual, my memories returned — and I was shocked to find that my power would be useless in a world like this. Even my family's authority was nearly non-existent.
And the 14th wish for that world was:
⊕Compulsory Wish⊕
Knowledge? Science? Greed?
Become a genius scholar, and devour all the knowledge this world holds.
Gift of the Compulsory Wish: 〔Superior Memory〕
I questioned how I would even learn, how I would receive proper education in a world that despises the poor and reveres the rich.
Even though I was prepared to die many times over just to fulfill such a strange wish…
For some reason, an old man appeared and forced me to work as his servant. Given his immense wealth, my parents had no choice but to agree.
When I arrived at his home, I was shocked by how his demeanor changed — he treated me like his only grandson.
He kept talking about how we were successors to the same person or the same path.
Thanks to him, fulfilling the wish became much easier than I expected…
But…
He was constantly consumed by rage. He carried out his choices with a terrifying resolve, as if he lived only to carry out his will.
I still remember the advice he gave me once during one of his fits of anger:
"In your entire life, you will always have just one chance. So, my boy, follow your heart, not your mind. Take revenge on those you must, and thank those you must — once you lose that chance, there won't be another!"
Today, I will take my revenge…
And no one will stop this desire!
…
After I left the lake, I flew back to the Empire.
Determined at last to carry out my revenge.
On the way there, I found something I didn't expect.
"To think… you were all here this whole time…"
It was the Chimera group I had once captured — the ones that had escaped.
Well… it looks like fate wants you to join in this revenge too.
Using a simple skill — 〔Taming〕 — and because they're partially beasts, taking control over them was easy.
Unlike last time, I didn't let my guard down or underestimate them.
In the end, I mounted one and made my way slowly toward the Empire…
Me and an army of Chimeras!
…
We've finally arrived…
I hope the two of them have already left the Empire by now.
"Oh Emperor, won't you come out to greet your dear teacher?"
My voice echoed throughout the Imperial Capital thanks to my intentional use of the skill 〔Beast's Roar〕.
'Looks like it's working.'
As they heard my voice, fear crept into their hearts… for no reason at all.
And the more I spoke, the more their fear slowly grew.
All of this… is due to the ◾◾◾.
Yes… I can't even pronounce it, so how could I possibly know what it is?
I didn't use it entirely — I only used pieces of it.
I remember… at the time Rasiel died, as I was losing all my skills and classes, a voice from the skill 〔Black Wish〕 said:
Warning from ⟦Virtue of Pride⟧…!!!
The first fragment of the ◾◾◾ has been discovered!
Something will now happen…
I didn't pay it much attention at the time, but now I understand what it's for.
And I think I've recently acquired another piece.
Simply put, the first and second fragments allow me to control despair in a certain way…
Despair only — not the entire Path of Despair.
The first fragment lets me spread despair through my skills — that's what I've confirmed now!
"Oh great Emperor~ Your beloved daughter's teacher is asking you to come greet him. Are you really this scared~?"
With every word I spoke, the people's fear grew, reaching its limit…
And that fear — which came from me — led them to search for a way to escape it… meaning, to escape me.
Hope.
Their hope now rests in that cowardly Emperor.
"Y-Your Majesty! Please get rid of that demon!"
"Yes, he's right! The Emperor will come out and destroy him and those disgusting monsters!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!!"
All the citizens of the Capital gathered in front of the Imperial Palace, hoping to be saved by him.
Driven by fear they didn't even understand — after seeing the Chimeras and hearing my constant threats to the Emperor…
United under the hope and banner of [The Emperor will save us].
I must admit — humans really are creatures that will do anything to survive.
"S-Silence! His Majesty is ill and can't deal with this problem, but don't worry — we, the Imperial Knights, will take care of these demons!"
That knight — or rather, the Captain of the Knights — tried to redirect that weak hope to himself…
And he succeeded.
"We're saved! It's the strongest human in the Empire, the leader of the Royal Knights!"
Hmm… a legendary warrior, huh?
Alright, enough of this farce — I've had enough of this stupid play.
"Open the gate! The other knights will follow me!"
The Knight Commander left the capital and charged toward me with a few pitiful knights, shouting:
"Die!!"
"For the Empire!!"
Sigh…
I sent one of the Chimeras to face them…
And the result? Complete annihilation.
Even I had my mana sealed by these things, so how could someone — even a legendary warrior — fight them with no mana?
Then I started hearing the trembling voices of the citizens as their hopes shattered before their eyes.
"Oh no, all the knights have been wiped out…"
"My God… What are we going to do against these demons…"
And finally…
"Don't worry, my people! In the name of all my great imperial ancestors, I swear I'll destroy this insect!!"
The Emperor has crawled out of his hole~
"I was starting to get bored waiting~"
Now then, let the feast begin~
I descended from atop the Chimera, searching inside my Independent Space for the sword I had bought from the City of Frost.
"First, you used Rasiel in your filthy schemes — I still don't know how you survived after hurting a member of the Church — then you even decided to use Maria… I must say, I truly admire how filthy you are."
The Emperor approached me, flying through the sky…
As expected, despite being a Sovereign, he has no Path. His mana is tainted with negative energy.
"Heh… looks like that brat told you a lot. And I wouldn't call it filth — I call it 'correct decision-making'."
While inspecting the Chimeras, he added:
"I really don't understand how you managed to control these abominations without any sacrifice. It would truly be a waste to kill you."
Sigh…
"What about the Dark Continent? Do you think you'll survive after killing me?"
"The Dark Continent? Hahaha! Do you really think I created these Chimeras for nothing!!"
I see…
After he finished talking, I ordered the Chimeras to attack the capital and kill everyone they saw.
Once the attack began, the citizens of the capital sank into despair — their last hope of survival had vanished.
"No! Help!!"
"Don't come any closer — Aghh!"
"Mom!!"
Their desperate cries echoed through the entire capital while my curse continued to feast on their despair joyfully~
"You…!"
Of course, the Emperor grew angry over this.
"Go on~ Aren't you going to save your beloved people?"
"Tsk… I'll I finish you first!!"
At first, I wondered… how much despair would be enough to satisfy my curse and stop these annoying episodes…
Even though I had surrendered to despair, it still wasn't enough!
Even a few citizens from the capital couldn't satisfy my despair — or my curse.
So what would I do?
I decided — if one wasn't enough, I'd bring down two.
If a hundred wasn't enough, I'd bring down a thousand.
If a hundred thousand wasn't enough — I'd bring down a million~
I'll drown them all in despair and keep going until I'm full~
[Saint Empire, known for its massive population]
[Population: 1.8 billion]
Until I'm Full satisfied!!
…
〔Soul for Blood〕 — a skill that takes a part of your soul in exchange for infinite mana for 10 seconds.
The skill itself consumes an enormous amount of mana, but right now, I can only use it once.
"What do you plan to do with a rusty old sword like that? Do you think you're some kind of Sword Saint? Hahaha!"
Laugh all you want — the greater your hope, the deeper your fall into despair.
〔Soul for Blood〕
Ughhh…
Now I understand why there's a 10-second limit…
If this mana keeps increasing beyond that time, my body will explode…
"Emperor… I'll see you in hell!"
〔Sword Intent – Fall of the Galaxy〕
As soon as I used the skill, day turned into night…
The moon vanished, and countless stars lit up the sky…
The Sword Intent I had once mastered — the Sword of Stars — was what I used.
The moment those stars glowed, a dense and brutal energy emerged, as if the star-filled sky began to melt and transform into that energy.
Then it fell upon the earth…
And the result…
The complete erasure of the Empire from the face of the world!
…
So… I passed out again?
But…
What in the hell is this place!!
[Child… how long will you make me wait before you fulfill the terms of our contract?]
Shock!
My heart… my legs… even my soul… they're all trembling nonstop!
I've never felt energy like this before!
It's so vast that I can't even comprehend its size.
Compared to it, I'm like a speck of dust before the universe.
Even my radiant, massive mana doesn't compare to this overwhelming power…
I haven't felt fear like this since I encountered the Virtue of Wrath…
No…
The Virtue of Wrath is like a child compared to this.
[Don't scare him like that~ Remember, his memories are sealed.]
That voice… it felt like it came from every direction at once…
[Don't interfere. Today, our contract ends — no matter what.]
I can't even speak to ask what I'm hearing…
Thousands of questions race through my mind… but I know if I speak, I'll die…
And not just any death — true death. One I wouldn't come back from!
[Child… today, our contract ends. And you will no longer be able to return through space-time like you always did — you're the one who broke the contract first!]
Every word of his angry voice damages my soul…
[Don't be so mean to him~ Here~ here~ I've repaired his soul, but he'll have to undo the seal himself~]
My soul has healed…
And the seal… is she talking about what resulted from using the 〔Soul for Blood〕 skill?
[Remember, child… even though our contract is over, my greatness will still be waiting for you to fulfill your promise.]
[Goodbye, dear~]
Wha…
I woke up?
"Master! You're finally awake!!"
Maria…?
What are you doing here??!!