《Garden of Thorns *Lit RPG*》V2 Chapter 29: Ending one journey.
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A few weeks pass, Jensen had already cleared out various strong holds owned by the heroes. Smoking a cigarette, his lungs were used to it by now. Standing atop on the bodies of a few hundred heroes. The heroes that serve the Light Hero gave Jensen the moniker, the Hero Hunter. Jensen did quite like it.
"A Hunter's gotta enjoy the hunt and I need my prey." Jensen said as he shouldered the scythes. Roughly 50% of the Light Hero's forces were decimated by Jensen alone. Were the heroes weak? That wasn't the case. They all were powerful and had moments to cause Jensen to be wary but the issue was. Jensen was back at his full power.
Truth be told, the Legendary Keeper class. Is one that cannot be determined to counter any class accordingly, it can counter any class with the right equipment. Jensen could give Silas a hard time if given the chance. Even Fitz too. Glancing to his back to see the Legionnaires doing his bidding, carrying the tools they dropped. Most of them had some decent equipment but it won't be converted to the system in Cresnax until he leaves this place.
More and more heroes are being brought back here and a clash of two giants was bound to happen. The Light Hero made it clear that humans who lacked the powers were inferior and that they needed to change. Live in servitude or die like the inferior beings they were. Jensen could see banners with those words all over the city. A throne of bodies was all to show for those beliefs.
The eyes of the Light Hero that Jensen had seen, it was a reminder of how Jensen looked during his first time of despair. Maybe it's best to correct that by saying the thousand times of despair he had lived in Cresnax. Even the books that told the tales of the other Heroes that he had slain told many stories. Some of them came back but had been dubbed as monsters and thrown aside.
Yet, Jensen felt the detail of this book was being delivered by another individual. Like an individual was observing them, which meant that some of the parts of the book was something Jensen needed to omit from his mind. Might be a trap laid out by one of the Heroes with the Light Hero. Could be that twisted smiling one.
Jensen's body and constitution had been changed drastically. He wasn't a hulking beast. More of leaner built for agility, Jensen's white clothes had been bathing in the blood of the heroes and their servants. His coat was pinned to his shoulders as the wind brushed through his body, swaying the coat's trails. The fingerless gloves that Jensen were wearing was something that was to aid him. Granting him more strength and absorbing attacks that he parried or blocked. At least if that Captain Justice comes around, Jensen could at least punch back.
"Ah. I got stronger but for most of Ye Qiu's techniques to work. I'll need to learn more from his world. It's got some really good body tempering techniques to strengthen my body to greater heights. Guess I'll have to work with what I got. Fuck this is annoying. I got sloppy with the last kill and my grip has been getting messy." Jensen bellowed as he put his scythes down, wiping the blood off his gloves on a near by banner.
"Evil Doer!" Jensen could hear the voice from a thousand kilometers away. Captain Justice was approaching him at high speed, she was flying with one arm forward. Clenching her fist, Jensen was enjoying his break. Guess that break's gone as he lit a cigarette.
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"Need to pay her back for my broken arm after all. Might be a good time to end this." Jensen said as he flicked the cigarette to her direction, Captain Justice broke the cigarette but Jensen had his scythe ready.
"Here I come! I will dispense Justi-" Captain Justice's fist struck Jensen but he didn't move.
"Wh-" Jensen punched Captain Justice back to where she came from. Stretching his arms upwards, then getting himself to a running position. Giving chase, eyes beaming with excitement as he reached Captain Justice. Raising his fist to the dazed super hero. A single punch had sent her down to the ocean floor. A geyser had shot off as a result of the attack.
"You evil doer! A surprise attack suits you!" Captain Justice charged above as Jensen's scythes faded away, clenching his fist. To intercept the blow from Captain Justice. Blocking her fist, absorbing the strength as Jensen threw her aside. Right at the Heroes Headquarters. The impact had startled everyone as Jensen casually strolled into the base.
"It's the Hero Hunter!" The whole base was now on high alert as sirens were heard. Light Hero and his allies made their way to see Jensen who casually lit a cigarette standing as he stretched his shoulders.
"So you've come Inferior. Do you have a death wish?" The Light Hero asked as spears of light formed above Jensen. Various chants, magic formation and sealing was used to keep Jensen in a cage.
"Are you going to kneel and beg for mercy?" Jensen chuckled as he raised his right fist, showing the middle finger to the Light Hero.
"Kill him." Everything activated all at once. Leaving a cloud of smoke and dust upheaving the place Jensen was. Glint of a red flame was seen, Jensen was unharmed.
"What?"
"Inferior? Nah. Humans aren't inferior to you. It's just that you all got drunk on power. Was all this worth it? Did you find satisfaction destroying the world? Just because they rejected you? The fact that they'd rather die than live in servitude against you? I think that's the peak of humanity."
"You do know that the bunker's going to be destroyed aren't you?" Jensen switched on the radio, where he heard the screams of everyone from the bunker. Closing his eyes to look at the scene of chaos. Watching the other heroes be tucked away to safety, while Director Myung had her arms gone. She bit a knife charging straight at a hero to stab the hero's neck. The civilians fought on. They were going to die here and they made the decision.
"Hero Hunter. The bunker has fallen. The other Heroes are safe but... We'll be taking the rest of them out with us."
"I hear ya. I could go there and rescue you."
"No... There's no need. Thank you for being the light of hope.. For the world." Static. Jensen pulled out a candle as he lit it up. Putting it in front of him, letting out a sigh. Shaking his head as he pressed the sides of his forehead. Chuckling with his thoughts going off.
"In the end, with all this power. They'd never let me go back. Choosing death over being your servants. I'll have to honor them carefully. It's always the same. Always left behind to just watch everything end. Perhaps that is why... I have to make the oath." Jensen said as he unleashed an intense pressure. The ground was rumbling as a result, the heroes fell to their knees. Jensen picked up a bottle of alcohol, staring deep into it as he poured it away to the ground.
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"Rest well. Humanity's heroes. For humans you may be, you're strength still reached the depths of the stars. I will remember your sacrifice and the loss you suffered. By my oath as the Keeper of legends. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten by me. Even if the world forgets. I'll be sure to keep you in my heart as strength." A deep sigh escaped his lips as the pressure subsided.
"Legion." Jensen called as they see the bodies of Director Myung, the civilians and the soldiers that perished in the bunker appear before them.
"It is up to you, to decide if you wish to remain. You may choose rest, or to serve me as Legionnaires. To fight on battles for humanity until you choose to let go."
They nodded, where Jensen watched Director Myung's body changed. Her body being engulfed in white flames, forming into a white being that wielded a pair of long swords in hand. Featureless with exception of the eyes. A maiden of white flames who yielded the spirit of vengeance.
Director Myung has responded to your will.
She is a Legion Officer.
Her new name?
"Myung the Vengeful." Jensen said as she floated by his side.
"Legionnaires. This is your battle. Not one of mine. You may have died but your soul demands for the heroes to pay for their actions. Pay them back with interest." Jensen said as he took out a handkerchief, where the Legionnaires appeared all around the area, the Crow squadron zoomed past the air while the fleet of ships used their sirens to signal their appearance.
"Wha.. What is this!? Necromancy!?" Aqua Hero raised her voice only to see Jensen shake his head.
"No. It's not necromancy. You force their souls, I... I keep their souls intact. They make the decision to fight and its only fair that they pay you back." Jensen said as he dropped the handkerchief, when it touched the ground. The harrowing sound of artillery began to bombard the area. The war cry of the Legionnaires was heard.
"We will make you pay!" The attacks began with the Light Hero being struck by Myung the Vengeful, pushing the Light Hero back while Markosias and Jaeger joined in. Jaeger fired his rifle to stop the Light Hero from chanting or invoking any sort of magic while Markosias was breaking whatever layers of protection the Light Hero had. Myung had swung her two long swords that cut through the light hero's paladin armor.
"This is their determination. To make you all pay for the lives you've taken." Jensen said as Aqua Hero watched her limbs be ripped apart as the Legionnaires brought out their knives.
"No! Pl-" The knives rained down against her until her body was motionless. They continued to hunt down the other targets, but the Time Hero was now looking at Jensen. The twisted smile from their first encounter was lost.
"I'll be sure to change this fate." The Time Hero pointed the pistol to his head, pulling the trigger. Jensen chuckled. He expected the Time Hero to do this, but where they will end up? That's a different story. Jensen merely kept watch, lighting a cigarette as he took a deep drag from it. Humming to himself as the chaos and bloodshed before his eyes were ongoing. Captain Justice who prided herself on power was being pushed back by the Legionnaires. She swung them off, but the Legionnaires used their overwhelming numbers to push her down. Loading their large caliber rifles. Pointing it at Captain Justice at point blank range. The roars of gunfire and the blood splashing to their unnatural armors was a good sign.
They were going to be taken to Satanael's prison where he shall judge them in the entirety. Perhaps Jensen had lost what it means to have a heart. In his hands were the book that showed his tales of the past. The timid Jensen who was insecure, who felt inferior to everyone else. A part of him that Jensen despised to his very bones. A thousand deaths because of weakness, he may have became the Legendary Keeper yet he didn't have the time to cultivate his powers.
The Legionnaires had done their duty, every Hero was dead with exception of Time Hero. Though Jensen was a little sorry for that one, the Time Hero's powers had been nullified because of the fact that Satanael decided to have the judgement. Now, it was time for Jensen to do something else.
Taking a book where this world's name had existed. Jensen was going to prepare to do the unthinkable. Keepers archive the worlds but for Jensen, he was going to fix this. The Legendary Keeper who could restore worlds that have been destroyed. Altering the rules of causation and everything all at once.
Satanael has finished judging the souls of everyone of this world.
He has given permission to restore it.
The Time Hero will be judged for a further period of time.
Jensen threw the book into the sky as the world was enveloped in a bright flash. Where the Heroes were back. Captain Justice looked at her hands, then seeing her family in front of her.
"Wha..Didn't we die?!" Aqua Hero shouted, only to see her family rushing over to hug her. The Light Hero was back, readying his blade to strike Jensen but was stopped by his mother. Calling his name and seeing the brother and father hugging the Light Hero. The cockiness and arrogance faded, now breaking down like a child. All of them. All of the Heroes that Jensen had slain were brought back to life, even the Legionnaires whose bodies changed back to humans. Crying as they held their family members.
Director Myung looked at Jensen with confusion.
"What... What did you do?"
"Oh nothing much. Basically unfucked the entire damn world. So everyone's that dead is back to life. The time Hero was the one that set all of this up. You all saved various worlds, came back and got shit for it. Here's your happy ending. Part of my job description is to unfuck situations in worlds and normally I go into places where it's all shit. Oh by the way, Legionnaires. I'm releasing all of you. Markosias and Jaeger too. You're not obligated to follow me. This world will be safe, and it's up to you guys to decide what's going to happen next. But don't expect me to reset this world again if things go haywire. I can't reset this world again or it'll get unstable. Here's your second chance." the heroes looked at Jensen with even more confusion.
"You're not going to ask for anything in return?" Light Hero asked with surprise.
"Nah. why should I? You guys got the happy ending I wanted. I'm still working on mine. You trained in all sorts of things, now might be the time for you to just live normal lives. Or be heroes. Help people. A lot of bad guys got revived. We got tyrants, dictators and even criminals. Your hands will be full from now on. Besides, I'm not going to take you away from your family." The Heroes began to cry, as they knelt before Jensen.
"At least... Let us help you in the future." Light Hero said, speaking for the rest of them.
"Nah. I'll be fine. You all however, have a lot of catching up to do. Talk to your families and this time. Make sure that this world get's so peaceful that you guys end up getting bored from it. Only then, I might take up your offer. You go live your lives. Even if society rejects you, even if the world rejects you. You all have each other. I'm just a blood thirsty villain anyway." Jensen said as they see a portal appear beside him, stretching his limbs as he walked into it.
"Thank you!" They shouted as the portal closed where Jensen looked at Lorelei who smiled brightly to him.
"So you know how to use it." Jensen shrugged his shoulders as he showed a bright grin.
"Hey. Legendary Keepers help restore worlds. So, can I go see Ye Qiu?"
"Of course, he's been waiting. It seems his world has reverted back to the original state." Jensen smiled as Lorelei opened the book that contained Ye Qiu's world, the World of Martial arts, magic and all sorts of spiritual things. 9th Haven. Jensen stepped into the portal. Hearing the engines roaring in the streets. Yep, this is exactly how he remembered it.
Ye Qiu. The Avatar of War was Lorelei's Avatar of War, one who wields a myriad of weapons but mainly known for his spear techniques that have made even the Gods jealous. Black hair, golden eyes and in this world. The name he had when he became a legend was the Golden Tiger. His servants were the deities of war of many countries. Now where was Ye Qiu?
Jensen looked up to the rooftops, seeing a figure in a scarf shouldering a spear. A friendly wave, Jensen made his way up there with magic. Taking care to not be seen.
"Brother." Jensen said as he shook hands with Ye Qiu and hugged each other.
"So your world reset?"
"Yep. 50 times. At least things got interesting but Lorelei said she will make things more hilarious on my end. I mean I had my uncles try and kill me. My girlfriend try to kill me. My parents getting run over by a bulldozer. Eh, nothing too crazy like what we went through right?"
"I died a thousand times, man. Don't get me started on the bullshit."
"I heard. Some of the other Avatars wanted to help but the seal was so strong we could barely do anything. Then we all got locked in from our own side. The other Avatars can't do much. It was funny cause this one time, Lorelei made me say words like. Venerable one when I was referring to myself."
"That must have been torture." Jensen said as he passed a cigarette to Ye Qiu where they both lit it up with magic.
"So what're you doing now?"
"Just a university student. So I go to university, ex-girlfriend's a gold digger that made me sign a document that caused my family to be bankrupted and we died on the streets. The usual garbage. What about you?"
"Everyone died. I was last one to die. But then I find out my brother's soul is now fused with the Avatar of Seasons. The Lord of Thorns. I don't know how to feel about it."
"Well. He's alive right?"
"Yeah and he saved my ass a couple of times too. Turns out some piece of shit demi-gods been messing around and there's another Lord of Thorns that has been trying to cause chaos. Same bastard won against me a thousand times." Jensen groaned while Ye Qiu chuckled.
"So what's your family situation like now?"
"It's about time for the scenario of the Lin family kicking my family out. I've managed to make some connections thanks to the regressions. So I got three of the largest families backing me up. Trying to convince them I got a villa from a rich boy. You mind playing the part?" Ye Qiu gave Jensen a set of keys.
"Sure. I'll play that role for ya. Patriarch Yang right?"
"Yeah, Patriarch Yang knows you. In fact when I talked to him about you he remembered you. Just like how we first met. Patriarch Yang has told the world that you're his lost grandson. I had a body double made with my magic. Glad that Avatar of Tricks taught me that. He knows about you since... He is my ancient."
"Right. The Iron Dragon guardian! Alright. Alright. For old time's sake. I'll play as Jensen Yang." Ye Qiu and Jensen traded smiles as they went their separate ways. Where Jensen found Patriarch Yang sitting in his room. The elderly man with white hair, wielding a staff. Clean shaven with neatly trimmed hair.
"Ah, Jensen. It is good to see you."
"Thanks for helping Ye Qiu."
"Ah, think nothing of it." Jensen matched his appearance to the body of the bed, absorbing the memories of Jensen Yang.
"A nice bed. See you tomorrow Patriarch." Patriarch Yang nodded, walking out of the room while Jensen checked his phone. Seeing Ye Qiu's contact number in there, another day. Another world.
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