We the heroes are all currently discussing the division of labor on Cal Mira.We came to the conclusion that we'd work out and go in staying as far away from each other as possible.

"Also, no over hunting! Your main aim is the apex of the Cal Mira, the black Karma animals. Absorbing them will max out all related series to that particular karma species. You CAN hunt regulars too but that is Ill advised. The soldiers will take care of hunting the regular Karma for you, you just need to focus on hunting the black Karma. I will not be participating cause I'm already leagues ahead of you in power and levels, but I will be watching over you to make sure you don't break the rules. We're not the first heroes and we're definetly not going to be the last. Besides that heroes aren't the only ones that benefit from using Cal Mira, we just get priority today cause we have to be strong to fight the waves. Some need to stay to repopulate because-"

*A wild Nikolav bursts through the door* "KNOCK KNOCK, OPEN UP THE DOOR IT'S REAL!!!"

A:..... I raised my boys right!

*beeeeeeeeep!*

"-because we aren't the only ones who benefit from it. I'll be flying above to spot the black Karma species for you, it's up to you to end their lives. Absorb these crystal balls into your weapons right now. They'll allow us to communicate and such." I say as I put down 4 crystal balls for them to absorb and they do.

"These are communication crystals. They're prototypes but they'll allow us to communicate with each other and share information including map data and what we see. I'll go in from the air and locate the black Karma closest to each of you and send you that information as well as anything that may peak your interest like mineral deposits or rare plants and such. Once I've sent that information you can explore you're sector as much as you want. Heading towards the center is the ultimate goal. I'll be going through your areas not just for surveillance, but for observation as well. My passive skill 'world encyclopedia' allows me to gather and document information of places, people, things, and monsters. So I'll be looking for stuff to document on Cal Mira. I'll be taking plants to grow and some animals for repopulation in case you don't listen which is ridiculously likely. Get in my way and you're dead.... or at least with one less limb! It's an easy fix after all hehehehe!"

They all looked extremely uneasy about that but I really could care less. "I've already informed the soldiers of this but if you kill a creature bring it back to the ship. I'll be using it to make stuff for the army and your parties, I got a good teacher to teach my so I can make some nice stuff! And I'll pay you with a free meal and entertainment ticket.... which you can use once you register for my tower. Okay? Okay! Now off you go prepare, rest, or whatever. When we get there we'll do a mandatory sync up before we go. I also have some buffing potions for you guys so make sure you come by for them!"

"But... why are we all leveling at the same time?" Asks Itsuki.

"Because there may or may not be a wave coming soon..."

""""WHAT?!"""" Everyone says.

"Calm down. I don't know for sure, but from my prior knowledge there should be a wave coming soon. So you have to sync up to the hourglass before you do anything else and start leveling ASAP if the glass says there is indeed a wave coming. If there's not then we continue as originally planned. But if there's a wave coming then our relaxation takes no priority. If there is a wave scheduled I will be making arrangements to evacuate the townspeople as well as move as many soldiers as possible. If the wave does happen then it's likely to be related to the activation of Cal Mira. Cal Mira Activating means a experience boost so it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for a wave to be considered a perfect wombo combo for us heroes. I'm more worried about WHAT will come out of the wave rather than why considering the wave boss that was supposed to be is right here." I say gesturing to Glass and Co.

"Just go sync up to it immediately. If it doesn't say there's a wave don't worry about it. But if it does you better be be preparing for the worst. Go now." I say as everyone leaves with a heavy heart except Glass and Co.

"Why are you still here?" I sigh.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Was I supposed to be the wave boss!!" Glass shouts.

"... indeed. Originally L'arc and Theresa infiltrated this world and got close to the shield hero in order to kill him. But the more L'arc hung out with him, the more he questioned whether he was actually a monster. He didn't have time to make a conclusion as the wave came and you were killing everyone. Naofumi nearly killed you in rage forcing him to reveal himself reaffirming to his shallow resolve that Naofumi was evil even though you guys were very clearly in the wrong for acting like monsters. You destroyed Naofumi's trust causing his wrath shield, the shield he used to nearly kill Glass, to upgrade again. You're actions reaffirmed that no one but slaves are trustworthy because he was actually truly enjoying your company and thought you were on his side only for you to betray him and hurt Raphtalia and Filo. It was heartbreaking to watch and it made my blood boil. Just thinking about it makes me want to kill you. But even more than that I'm worried beyond belief. If the wave at that time was not caused by you and you just took advantage of the opportunity, then that means it's still coming. But because I have the goddesses vessel locked up and gang banged daily, and I basically ruined her plans she's undoubtedly pissed off and done with me. However, her ultimate goal is experience points and skills which she gets from heroes. She can easily make more of those, but to her this is a game. And like all games, there are rules. That's why we heroes can't accompany each other, we won't gain levels from it cause it breaks the rules. But there are ways around them. Vassal heroes are one, and waves are another. The leveling restraints don't apply during waves cause we'll die if we don't cooperate. There must be rules that apply to the goddess as well. She never showed her face before the final wave, but she has the princess malty and her reincarnator soldiers to get around that. But when Malty died she didn't show. When Takt died even later, she didn't show. Even when he screamed at her about wanting a do over. The next wave after? A no go. Then at one wave she finally showed in all her glory. At that wave heroes from other worlds came and everyone appeared at one spot, then she came down to congratulate them all for making it that far before shit went down. So she either doesn't care about what trouble we cause to her plans or she's bound by some sort of rule. If I'm being honest I'd say it's the latter." I say.

"What kind of rule do you think?" Glass says.

"The last boss kind. The last boss can send minions and fodder for the heroes but if the heroes die to the fodder then the last boss gets nothing. But if the last boss sends fodder and the heroes grow incredibly strong from them. They get to the last boss but they're so weak in comparison that they die. That's what happens in games. If you fail to prepare for the final battle you for at the hands of the boss. But then what? Where does it all go after? Most games don't show you what happens if you fail to complete your task but some do. Let me tell you what I think would happen to this world, the goddess kills us all and takes our experience and skills growing stronger. She moves on and either resets the worlds or creates new ones to fuck with. This whole tragedy repeats itself and all our struggles and suffering were for nothing."

~time skip to the island after I checked the hourglass~

I'm currently speaking to the caretaker creep about the wave. So far we've agreed to have the non combatant residents evacuate early in the day taking what's most important to them. The guards and soldiers will stay. We'll prepare traps all over the island as far as possible. We're currently talking strategy.

"In addition to the soldiers of melromarc and the heroes, I've got some employees of my own that are highly strong and well trained. I've sent a message to the queen for her to send strong soldiers via the tower. Mages will hide in buildings which we will fortify, and archers will be on top of roofs. This is a common tactic. Mages are vulnerable out in the open so they should hide somewhere they can cast their spells but still see. Archers have better vantages at high places. I have people that are trained in healing and espionage. So they'll be on the battlefield healing and taking soldiers to the tower. We'll put the gate here in the Cathedral since it's in the center of town and it's the most convenient spot."

He nods. "That's great and all but about the repairs?"

"Of course the queen will provide disaster relief... I hope you weren't implying that I should take responsibility?"

"No no no no no! Not at all lady Alyss! You giving your tactics and agreeing to help evacuate the citizens is more than enough."

"Good. As per usual the waves will be broadcasted throughout the world. I have a feeling that this might be the most important wave to document yet..." and I couldn't've been more right...

~timeskip to the wave~

The wave came and as usual thousands of monsters came with it. It didn't end. Hours on end we were fighting with no end and site.

"Alyss, where the fuck is the boss?!" Ren yells over the comms.

"I don't fucking know!" I say as I shoot another bout down with my rail gun. "There's no boss level energy signature anywhere on Cal Mira, so either the boss is really good at hiding, its not here yet, or this isn't the typical wave! Take you're fucking pick but keep fighting and searching for that fucker!" I yell.

"This isn't working! We'll die at this rate Alyss!" Naofumi yells clearly getting tired.

"You don't think I know that?! My mana ain't infinite despite what people seem to believe! I'm really fucking tired of this shit! But like I said, there might not be a boss!" I screech.

"What do you mean by that?!" Itsuki says.

"This might be a time trial! You know how sometimes in games you get a super overpowered boss or hoard and are given the prompt 'survive for x minutes!'? This might be that kind of thing! In any case it's pointless for everyone to be out there, we're risking our lives for nothing. Everyone regroup at the town, grab any wounded you can and bring them here! We shouldn't bother with outside of town, the traps will do. Converge in the town and try to hold it down!" I screech.

"Way ahead of ya!" Motoyasu shouts.

~

The girl starts to glow a brilliant white light before disappearing before the man's eyes. The man is shocked for a moment before uttering a soft "shit." And running upstairs to inform the others.

~Back to us~

We're all holding down the city when I get a call over the comms from one of the people at the tower. It sounded important so I put in to all the heroes.

"What is it? We're busy with this nightmare you know!" I say to the guy.

"Yuusha-sama! The princess, the the bitch! She disappeared in a white light!" The guy says.

"WHAT?!" We all shout.

"Wha- how?! How did she disapear- what happened?! Short version!" I yell.

"She was crying out to be saved by someone named Medea and then she disapeared!" He said.

"SHIT! FUCK! THIS IS BAD, EVERYONE EXCEPT THE HEROES AND PARTIES FALL BACK TO A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! WE CANNOT FACE THE THREAT INBOUND!" I screech.

"Hold on! what is going on, who is Medea? Why should we fall back?" Ren questions.

"Medea is the goddess I talked about before. The one who is obsessed with experience and created us heroes and waves! She's completely unhinged and bitch was her human avatar! Bitch was her eyes and ears. She was meant to experience worldly pleasure for her while at the same time destabilising the world and heroes so they're easier to kill when the time comes! Medea limits herself to only being able to appear during the last wave as a sort of reward for her little experience farmers(us). The waves are meant to destroy the world's and kill us with them which is why they get harder each time. The fact that bitch disappeared in light like a gods means that Medea called her back which means that-" I'm interrupted by a loud explosion. And look at the map flashing warnings as a large energy signature grows even larger.

"SHIT. HURRY UP YOU ASSHOLES! THAT WHORES AVATAR IS COMING! WE DON'T STAND A CHANCE!!! HURRY AND GET THROUGH THE-"

That's when shit immediately started to hit the fan. Medeas avatar pulls some Gilgamesh shit and summons swords cutting a good portion of people down before I shoot at her with my gun as the heroes snap out of it and start to do the same. None of it worked. She cut us down or rather me. She attacked me till I had no mana left and then stabbed me before tossing me to the ground at a ridiculous speed. Laying in the crater I bleed out as I hear screaming of the soldiers dying while Wyndia is shaking me sobbing as I lose consciousness.

willing

ablewilling