Despair, anger, unwillingness, all kinds of negative feelings welled up inside Viers’s heart… for two seconds, then he put those emotions in a box.

I can think and deal about the cult later! I’m still in the middle of a fight. This situation if very disadvantageous to me. If I don't do something, I’ll be killed!

The super-powered Leon was in front of him, waiting for the answer to his question.

“...Expect, huh? I didn't even get the chance to think about it, actually. Still, thanks to you, I now have more information about them and my condition. Thanks for the freebies, church guy. I will make use of it very soon.”

Talking was an excellent way of getting information. Chatty enemies often exposed relevant knowledge to a plot like a trusty morning news channel on a television. Especially the talks during or after a fight, whether said fight result was a win, lose, or draw didn't matter.

From Leon, Viers knew some crucial things. The first was the church had a way to break his contract. From the knowledge of the Spring of Wisdom, he knew the contract was breakable. He only needed to choose how he broke it. He didn’t mind to know that the church was capable to break the contract but whether he would rely on the church was another story.

Another information he had was about his temporary affinity and the truth about the red tumors. Viers’s enemy magnanimously gave him a great albeit grim news which he intended to use it wisely.

“You think you’ll live to see the sunrise again? You think I’ll let you?” Leon growled, offended by Viers’s nonchalant attitude.

“Nah, unless someone strong came and helped me… I know I won't make it out alive from this lightning cage… but that doesn't mean I’ll start crying and beg for mercy. I’ll struggle to the very end.” Viers pointed his sword at Leon.

It's a lie of course.

“I will ask for the last time, what is your name?” Leon didn't look so good.

Maybe his condition is worse than I thought, that's good. But whatever the case, time for the curtains to close.

“Name… Fat Cultist will do, I’m someone of no importance. Just a face in a crowd.”

A roar traveled from afar, interrupting the silence between them. The signal for the last clash between them.

“So be it. Prepare yourself! Hah!” Leon ran forward, clad in lighting’s fury.

“Arte — Water Slash...” Unlike his opponent, Viers was calm. He spoke softly, fueling his Arte with as much Victa as he could. Viers himself felt eerie about how calm he was in the face of death. He took a deep breath and started the motion of swinging his sword.

Time was slowing down for the two combatants. Leon swung his sword from the right, Viers’s neck was his aim. Viers could only use his right hand to wield his sword, the left hand was too injured. Viers also aimed for his opponent’s neck.

It really is just Water Slash. It can't hurt me and my sword will reach first before his, I won!

He had a suspicion that Viers would use different Arte despite speaking Water Slash, but he was confident that his observation wasn't mistaken so he followed through with his attack. He would decapitate his enemy first, and if the cultist's Arte fell on his neck after that, it wouldn't harm him much.

Viers’s mind was as calm as still water, he heard the sound of a droplet fell on the flat surface. The sound filled his head with utter clarity, his thoughts were cleared from any disturbance.

I told you… I have the Spring of Wisdom and it will not fail me. I KNOW this story!

“Water Slash… Fivefold!!!”

As Viers’s sword swung through the air, a veil of water formed behind it like a thin cloth, tracing the path his sword took. The water was clear and pure, while it was beautiful, it was actually just the leftovers of the Arte. All the energy was on the sword, the motion, the slash.

Viers cast this Arte for the purpose of killing his enemy, using his otherworldly knowledge, Viers created a technique worthy to be called a Finishing Move. The might of his fivefold Water Slash had broken through the level of elementary Artes.

With his trump card, Viers hit Leon’s approaching sword from the side. He felt a satisfying impact, despite Leon enhanced power, his sword was knocked away from his grasp.

“Wha-”

Leon was perplexed, he could only watch as his sword escaped his grip. He didn’t know what just happened, it was as if Viers’s Arte became a lot stronger all of a sudden.

Viers made a full 360 degrees turn, utilizing his initial momentum. His sword reached Leon’s neck with the ferocity and the swiftness of a raging river. This time, the defense capability of Thundering Lion’s Might was not enough to weather the attack.

I wanted to do a sixfold like that wimpy but badass thunder kid but this is the limit for the current me!

“HAAAAAHHH!!!”

Viers roared, he put his soul in this attack. His sword cut through, a head was flying in the air. Leon’s consciousness was rapidly fading but it didn’t seem that way to him. Using his remaining awareness he had left, Leon watched his killer while his head was falling down.

Incredible, he stacked his Arte five times to unleash such speed and power. No simple feat, I only felt a slight pain on my neck and the next thing I knew, I was defeated.

Captain, everyone, I’m sorry, I’ve failed you all. Rose, I never said how I feel to you. I want to accompany you to the Star Festival but it isn’t possible anymore, that sucks… You’re a kind girl so you would be devastated by the news of my death.

I hope it won’t weigh you down too much. I hope you’ll find someone that cares about you as much as I do and you'll be happy together with him. You’ve been plagued by sadness and grief of your past, but you deserve more than that... I pray you will found happiness.

Mother… unfortunately, I couldn’t achieve my goal. I wanted to help other people but I was lacking and got defeated by the cultist. Now that I think about it, my life is full of failures. I couldn’t help you or protect you. I couldn’t realize my dream. I couldn’t live up to the expectations of Captain Angelo and the rest. I couldn’t make Rose happy. I couldn’t save people from the Ghoul.

I am sorry for being a failure…

As if falling asleep, Leon’s consciousness faded, only void remained. And yet, before his was gone completely, light enveloped him.

“No, you are not a failure. You’ve done well, son.”

“!”

Leon remembered this voice, a kind voice that he heard countless times before. From the light, a hand reached out to him.

“Mom…”

Leon took the hand, he felt at peace. He shed tears of happiness then embraced by a warm light.

***

Viers looked at the bodiless head that had fallen on the ground, the face was facing his direction. Viers was confused by what he saw.

What was that expression? Before the light faded from his eyes, he shed tears then he smiled. His expression was… so peaceful.

“Haaah, so tired…” Deciding that he’d more important things to think about, Viers didn’t dwell on in too much. And my Victa is critical. What should I do next?

With Leon’s death, the cage of lightning dissipated. Viers could still hear the sounds of battle from the distance.

That fight was way too close for comfort! I'm not like those battle maniacs, I prefer to fight an easier battle when my life is at stake. Unlike the Souls game, I can't come back after 'You Died'... And I had no intention of testing it. I'll need a serious power-up after this.

I’ve done my duty and since I got no further instructions, I can do whatever I want. The homework is over, time to play. First things first, loot.

Viers was injured but it didn’t impede his movements. He still couldn’t move his left arm yet so he only use one hand to search Leon’s body.

Oh right.

Viers stabbed Leon’s torso with his knife. Ten times for good measure.

Some enemies pop up later in the stories because the MC is too noble/stupid to desecrate a corpse so they didn’t deliver the finishing blow but not me. Leon may be headless now but who knows what would happen. Maybe the church's guys simply need to sew his neck back and after one night of praying, this guy would open his eyes and walk among the living once again.

Granted just some stab to the chest isn’t a guarantee of absolute death but it will have to do for now. Sooo Leon, after giving me info, what else you got for me bud? Come on, cough it out, don’t be shy, rummaging your body is a bit difficult with one hand. Oh? This seems nice.

On his chest, Viers took out a pendant with the shape of the sun from behind his clothes on his chest. The sun pendant had little motes of light inside it. Besides that, Viers also took out his money pouch.

This pendant is a magic item, yoink. Oh? I unintentionally yoinked the sun!? Like that thief? Huhuhu... Then there’s his wallet, 4 crystals. Well, the dead do not need money but the living does, I will put it to good use.

After making sure he didn’t have anything else worthy of note, Viers stood up and put his hands together to offer some words for the departed.

"You’ve taught me precious news and lessons, I won’t forget it. Truthfully, my intent to kill you was gone after our talks but I’ve come too far. I shouldn’t have let you see my real face. If I didn’t, we might end up not needing to kill each other… a lesson for the future."

"You seem to be a genuine good guy and good guys are an endangered species, in this world or any other. Fare thee well, Good-hearted Warrior, may you find a better life... in heaven or next reincarnation, whichever works best for you."

Viers bowed a bit then went to his next destination, for the battle was still raging and the night was still young.