Global Disaster: I Will Slay Gods In This Second Chance!-Chapter 75: Too Pathetic

Ayase had cried until her voice turned faint, and by the end, only whispers of apologies escaped her mouth.

But soon, even the whispers disappeared. The mental and physical exhaustion from everything slowly took her out, making her unknowingly fall asleep in Akihito’s hold.

Surprised, Akihito patted her hair softly, allowing her to rest.

"... Sleep well."

He muttered.

That’s when something around them stirred.

Akihito’s expression turned solemn, his gaze shifting. But as soon as he turned around, his eyes widened in shock.

He was back at the entrance of the town.

"Namita-san, Seiji-san!"

On the left, Namita and Seiji stood together, watching them with a concerned frown.

But seeing Ayase, who was burrowed in Akihito’s hold, their expressions changed, turning ugly.

Akihito was about to explain, but Seiji suddenly appeared in front of them, his expression deeply concerned and anxious.

"What happened to Ayase!?" He asked urgently, crouching down to their level.

Akihito quickly replied.

"The trials..."

Seiji’s heart skipped a beat, raising his head.

"Is she okay?!"

"H-huh?" Akihito was startled, but seeing Seiji’s intense expression, he immediately replied. "S-she’s okay, Seiji-san. Don’t wake her up! She’s tired!"

Hearing that, Seiji sighed in relief, then he glanced at Akihito.

Since the three of them underwent the trial of heart, then what about Akihito?

Was he okay? or was he just pretending to be okay?

"You..."

At that moment, Namita walked up to them.

"It seems Ayase’s trial took a toll on her. Don’t be noisy, Seiji."

Seiji calmed down, sighing in relief. "Yeah..."

"Still," Namita glanced at him. He paused, then added casually, "You care a lot about Ayase, huh?"

Seiji startled and looked at him.

A small, knowing smile formed on Namita’s face.

Akihito also looked at Seiji, not expecting his outburst from earlier.

Feeling everyone’s gaze land on him, Seiji fell silent and looked away.

He cleared his throat.

"... We’re teammates, after all."

Namita nodded slightly.

"Uh-huh."

Seiji clicked his tongue and stood up, seemingly too tired to deal with their suspicion.

As he turned around, his face formed a wry smile.

’It feels like they changed somehow...’

From the ground, Akihito blinked in surprise.

Namita crouched down, holding Ayase’s wrist carefully.

"She’s mostly fine... but you’re right, she’s tired. Too tired. It seems like the trial wasn’t easy for both of you."

Akihito smiled sheepishly. "She was strong... to be honest. I saw her past and interfered with her trial... I’m worried she might get angry at me when she wakes up."

Namita raised his head in surprise. "You interfered with her trial?"

"Yeah," Akihito nodded slightly. "Something was preventing me, so I used my dice. It took all of my spiritual energy... but it was worth it in the end."

Namita fell silent, looking at Akihito calmly.

Akihito thought he was going to say something, but he just kept staring.

His eyes narrowed, confused.

But then, Namita sighed, pressing his forehead.

Akihito stumbled back, surprised.

"W-what..."

"Why would she get angry?" Namita mused, standing up. "You’re too strong for your own good, Akihito."

Hearing that, Akihito’s words were stuck in his throat. He smiled sheepishly, rubbing his cheeks awkwardly.

"But..."

At this moment, Namita’s gaze shifted, looking at Zold, who was still standing at the entrance.

"It seems Captain... is having a particularly hard time."

Seiji and Akihito looked at Zold, their expressions faltering.

...

A while earlier, when they had just stepped inside Tsumogui.

Surrounded by the pale gray mist, Zold walked expressionlessly, showing no emotion.

The calling of his trial grew stronger and stronger.

But unlike the others, he didn’t stop.

He stared straight ahead and kept walking.

Soon, multiple outlines emerged from the mist. Some were human, while some were inhuman. Their faces were blurry, and they barely moved, simply staring at him with an expressionless gaze.

Zold kept walking, his eyes sweeping through each one.

No matter how much time had passed, he could remember them instantly.

Among them, he could even see Chongji, but the weathered and battle-worn one who accompanied him to multiple calamities.

Unlike the others, Zold’s fear or guilt wasn’t centered around one event or person.

Instead, it was his entire life.

Even if his mind can forget, his heart will remember every person he failed to save.

Zold’s hands clenched tightly. He could still recall the promises he made, vows and oaths to save them, to protect their families, and to end the disaster on their behalf.

Like the aftertaste of rotten food, his stomach churned in disgust.

All those arrogant promises, and he ends up here, back to when it all started.

’Pathetic.’

If others felt distaste about Zold’s title, he himself felt extremely disgusted.

’The One Without Equal? In what? Failing people?’

His hands turned white from how tightly he clenched.

His title was the height of arrogance, and if he could actually back it up, perhaps his existence would hold much more weight than the promises he uttered.

No matter how strong he became, it would never be enough for him.

He had started as the weakest and lowliest Awakener with nothing for himself, struggling to survive even against the weakest monsters.

Then, he rose to become the greatest and strongest awakener to ever exist, slaying dragons and titans with his barehands.

Yet even still, he was a human.

From the start to the end, he was just... human.

A human shaped from empty promises, foolish mistakes, and bonds he could never let go.

Granted with the opportunity others could only dream of, Zold knew that he was destined for greatness.

But along with that destiny came a responsibility he must bear.

To end the Ninety-Nine Era Ending Calamities.

As long as the cycle continued, he would never stop.

If he needed to become a monster to kill one, then so be it.

He would bury his humanity with his hands if it meant he could bear the weight of his talent.

Suddenly, Zold exhaled softly, stopping on his steps.

The manifested figures didn’t attack him.

They only stared at him, almost sympathetically.

How odd, for the strongest, to receive sympathy.

It was too pathetic that Zold wanted to bury himself alive, just so he could avoid their gazes.