Overlimit Skill Holder Vol 6 Chapter 31

Vol 6: Chapter 31

A Certain Woman’s Death

★　HCf!kM*J-y1 ★

If you were asked to remember what happened yesterday, you would probably be able to remember things fairly accurately.

If you were asked to remember what happened a year ago, you would probably be able to remember a fair amount, regardless of the details.

If you were asked to remember what happened 10 years ago, it would be difficult unless it was an impressive event.

What if it was 100 years ago?

1,000 years ago?

——【HCf!kM*J-y1】-san is truly amazing, right?

——Yes. Such a reliable person!

——Can I ask for your advice next time too?

What remained faintly in her mind was the memory of being surrounded by similar black-haired, black-eyed people for about 20 years.

To be surrounded by people.

To be relied upon.

It filled her heart with satisfaction and made her feel happy.

—— See you tomorrow!

——【HCf!kM*J-y1】-san, please sleep well. You worked overtime yesterday too, didn’t you?

—— That’s right, you’re working too hard!

The woman parted ways with them and then… and then… What happened?

Before she knew it, she had been transported to another world.

It was unfortunate, but was also fortunate in some ways.

She was given a skill.

A skill powerful enough to keep her alive when she was thrown into a forest alone.

In this new world that was clearly not Earth, the skill was the only thing she could rely upon to survive.

【Unyielding】.

The stronger her feelings, the more things she could achieve.

She survived a week of hunger.

She treated elderly people with incurable diseases.

She also defeated a swordsman called the “Sword Saint”.

She recalled the memories of the time when she was once in a place called “Japan”, and strengthened herself with memories from the time when she was relied upon and felt satisfied.

Her skill became even stronger when she impressed people and was appreciated by them.

She learned that the “feelings” of others can also become her strength.

She transcended even her natural lifespan.

She eventually became a rumor, a legend, and a myth.

But eventually she hit a limit.

The world’s population did not increase from a certain number onwards, but rather declined.

The world was heading for a collapse.

She searched for a way to save the world.

She researched the skill which was bestowed to her.

She devised a way to trap skill inside an orb – a deed that transcended the limits of humans and stepped into the realm of godhood.

Before she knew it, she was worshiped like a “god” among the people.

The strength she had collected was vast.

And she put her stake all plan into action.

Divide the world.

Rebuild the world.

She chose two races for that purpose.

She bestowed power of “being eternal as memories are inherited” to “Dragon”, and the power of “ultra-long lifespan” to “Vision Ogre”.

These two species will act as “mediators”.

Having divided the world in two, she, who was even worshiped as a god, was exhausted and fell into a long, long slumber.

The world divided in two fell into turmoil, and those who loved her disappeared and she was eventually forgotten.

A long, long time passed.

The mediators watched over the Covenant and without intervention.

Even though the Pledgers had their mission engraved into their respective race’s memory, they remained ignorant of the ultimate goal of rebuilding the world.

The inhabitants of the world, which was divided into two, used “skill orbs” to survive against the harsh nature.

The population increased in one world and decreased in the other.

Fortunately, the increase was greater than the decrease.

In her long slumber, the goddess vexedly watched the world change.

Occasionally she could do enough to appear in people’s dreams, but that was about it.

The world, which was divided into two, began to crack little by little, heading towards collapse once again.

She thought this was the end, but an Irregular… a reincarnated person just like herself disturbed the world, and eventually led the world towards the path of reconstruction.

Despite her relief, the goddess made a decision.

—— If I don’t control the world with my own hands… The ignorant people will lead the world towards destruction again.

She had designed the world to return some of her power when the world was eventually rejoined.

And when she is restored, she would become a goddess again and gather the people’s faith – a larger population than before, will surely add to her power.

Although there were many unexpected problems, she was able to achieve her first goal of preventing population decline and increasing the population.

With that kind of power, she thought she could protect the world if she continued to reign.

——【HCf!kM*J-y1】-san is truly amazing, right?

That’s right, I’m amazing.

I’m the only one who’s amazing.

Neither the Pledgers nor the Mediators could be relied upon.

——Yes. Such a reliable person!

That’s right, worship me.

All you have to do is give me power.

——Can I ask for your advice next time too?

I am the one who will fulfill people’s wishes and create a world without conflict.

「This is the end.」

She heard the boy’s voice.

(Why……)

She felt the magic activating.

(Why… Why did this happen?)

A single person crossed her mind.

★

Using all my remaining mana, I unleashed a “Flame Tornado”.

I intended to thoroughly burn everything.

Otherwise, I felt that she would just revive again…

A roaring sound was accompanied by a tornado of flames.

The woman was engulfed by the flames without a scream.

The flames were so hot that even my skin began to sting.

「…a…」

Not knowing how long her human form will last… the woman finally opened her mouth.

「…The one… who gave me…Unyielding…if it’s god……I’m…not god……」

Unyielding?

What does she mean?

「……」

The flames went out.

The woman had turned to dust.

There was no trace of her left—only the ashes spreading through the space.

When the embers went out, even the ashes disappeared.

「…………」

She’s not reviving?

There might still be a goddess temple that I missed and she is accumulating power.

Perhaps there is some kind of secret plan that I don’t know about?

「…………」

I stood there without letting my guard down.

However, nothing moved in the darkness. Only silence.

I could only hear the sound of air flowing, as if there was a hole somewhere.

「……It’s over.」

I tried saying it to myself, but I still couldn’t believe it.

——Boom.

「!」

The ground shook, with a stir in the air.

A shock ran through the space.

What is this?

Was there a trap where if the goddess died, this space would collapse?

If that’s the case, it’s pretty bad for me. I have no mana or stamina left.

——Boom!!

The next shock occurred right next to me. Sand and dust fell from above, and then followed by debris.

「I-I have to run—」

——Boom!!!!

The ceiling collapsed in the distance.

The sun’s rays streamed in. And a huge head appeared.

《Reiji!!!!》

I have heard that loud voice which shakes even the atmosphere.

It was emanating from a head covered in scales.

It was a huge, old dragon.

「Sage……?」

The sage, in the form of a dragon, landed in front of me after gliding through space. Fanned by the wind, I fell right on my butt.

《Reiji, are you okay?》

「Yes… somehow. But why are you here?」

《After destroying the temples, there was a change in the sky… Following that change, I arrived at this place. I could faintly sense the presence of the goddess.》

「…I defeated her.」

The giant dragon’s eyes widened.

《……I see. She’s dead?》

「Yes……」

《Thank you, Reiji. But it’s strange… I feel like the presence of the goddess hasn’t disappeared yet.》

「!? What do you mean!?」

Is she still alive?

How stubborn!

《Get on my back, Reiji. Let’s go to that place.》

「Okay!」

I immediately used【Healing Magic】with the little mana which had recovered. And then I got on the sage’s back.

When we flew outside through the collapsed ceiling, I found myself in a mountainous area.

The reason why the mountainside was hollowed out was because the sage destroyed it.

「The sky!」

I finally understood what the sage was talking about earlier.

Black clouds were rolling in. Lightning ran across the clouds.

The cracks in the clouds were stained red, like blood.

(Even though the goddess is dead…Why…. Could it be that she didn’t die? No, even【World Ruler】had judged that the existence of the goddess had disappeared…)

I did not know where exactly I was on the continent, but I soon found out.

A vast lake and destroyed warships can be seen in the distance.

A castle-like Cathedral by the lakeside.

Lake Brunstalk.

Black smoke was rising from all over the cathedral.

《Over there. I can feel the presence of the goddess from that place.》

「Ah—」

I finally realized.

So that’s how it is.

The human whom the goddess was so particular about was over there.

「Her Holiness the Pope……!!」

The Pope was the vessel for the goddess when she descended to the world.

If the goddess had planned something just in case the unlikely scenario were to happen–

(Is she going to revive again!?)

Unyielding.

That’s what she said at the end.

A chill ran down my spine.

Perhaps it’s impossible to kill that existence.

「——Ah, it’s Silver Balance. Please drop me off over there.」

《Understood.》

The battle had already ended on the lakeside meadow.

If the black sorcery-based lifeforms stopped fighting the Shadow Dragons and instead started working together, there would have been no temple knights who could stop the Shadow Dragons.

The knights and guards had already dropped their weapons in defeat. They just stood helplessly as the Shadow Dragons glared at them.

Beside them were the members of Silver Balance.

「Dante-san! Mimino-san! Asha!」

When the sage landed, the temple knights looked startled, fearing if even more dragons were going to show up.

「Reiji! Are you okay!?」

「Reiji-kun!」

「Thank goodness……!」

My legs were wobbly when I got down on the grassland. But Dante-san ran up to me and supported me.

「Reiji-kun, you’re completely worn out… Drink this, okay?」

After drinking the potion Mimino-san provided, my body felt much lighter.

「Dante-san! Where is the Pope!?」

「H-Her Holiness? She should be inside, but–」

「I’m heading over there!!」

When I started running, Dante-san followed me.

「What’s wrong? If I remember correctly, Miss Eva also went inside to confirm Her Holiness’ condition.」

「!」

Right, Lady Eva and her knights were not here.

We passed through the gate and entered the premises.

Perhaps due to the influence of the goddess having dissipated, there were many people who stood dumbfounded.

「Over there.」

「Sage!?」

The sage transformed into his human form and glided through the air, following us.

His white hair and beard flowed in the air.

The sage pointed to the center of the cathedral.

It was the place where the covenant was revoked.

「Understood……!!」

We ran up the stairs leading to the entrance.

I jumped into the hall through the door that was already wide open.

「–Ah.」

That’s when I witnessed it.