kscans

Chapter 894 - Opening the Sky to See the Stars

—The sky was visible.

To be precise, the land that had taken the place of the sky on the other side was visible.

""…………………………""

And there, amidst the rubble.

Four eyes stared blankly up at a sky far more distant than the one seen from the surface, belonging to two figures lying flat on their backs.

One pair of garnet, one pair of gray. Two swordswomen who captivated the world with their different radiances were now displaying expressions of exhaustion and relief the likes of which the world had never seen.

"………………Total clear time… over… two hundred and fifty hours… I think?"

"…………Alicia-chan. That's quite enough of your insults toward me."

"…I haven't said anything yet."

"You said 'yet'… I know, I know. I'm just a hopelessly directionless person…"

Their exchange, born from a familiarity so complete and profound, was so frank with emotion that it might have sounded like they were fighting.

But if anyone were to not just listen, but also see—

"…………Ui."

"Yes…?"

Their shoulders were close enough to touch.

"I forgive… everything now. All in all… it was fun."

"………………Then I, too, shall let the matter of being treated like a grade-schooler wash away."

"…Don't let that one wash away. Accept it all, reflect on it, and don't forget it."

—considering how they lay side-by-side, and the soft smiles that graced the edges of their weary faces… it would look like nothing more than affectionate, charming banter.

And so, who knows how much time had passed since they had finished.

It was noon on the second day of the third event.

After waking up before the 'door' they had reached the previous day—they had been locked in an unprecedented spectacle, a fight so fierce that calling it a 'death struggle' would be an understatement, for over eight long hours, from four o'clock in the morning until now.

"………………Can you stand?"

"…………I'd like a little more time, if you don't mind…"

Neither of them could even remember the last time they had been rendered unable to move.

The 'Strongest' and the 'Supreme' lay side-by-side, savoring the long-forgotten sensation of phantom fatigue that filled their avatars' bodies, a look of satisfaction on their faces.

""……………………………………Hehe."

Their eyes met, and after sharing a soft laugh, they turned their gazes back to the sky.

"Then, for a little while longer… —let's relax and think of a 'name.'"

"I agree. Let's take our time…"

And so, at the bottom of the earth, at the very end of all things.

Within the heart of a great mountain that had lost its 'master' who resided in its deepest chamber and collapsed, becoming a giant abyss along with the labyrinth it held inside.

The two crowned swordswomen remained there for a while longer.

They gazed up at the land that colored the sky, exchanging words in weary tones.