I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 368

Ian had nearly ended up nurturing a parasite in his soul. The image of the creature from his dream flashed through his mind.

It sure liked to pretend it was helping.

Not that he had any obligation to kindly explain himself to the thing. After all, the choice had been his own. He had been the one to grab hold of those fingers, knowing full well it might be a trap. Still, for it to have tried to tamper with his soul was shocking.

No matter how friendly it had acted, its true nature as an ancient deity—one that could never be trusted—struck him with fresh clarity.

—But it was impossible.

The whisper had continued, unfazed by his icy stare.

—I couldn't burrow into your soul. Something had blocked me. All I could do was cling to it, just like that seed of chaos you carry.

Ian had figured the status window must have been the one to block it. After all, he had experienced similar incidents before. The status window had seemed to possess some absolute safeguard against divine intrusions and chaotic corruption. Although it hadn't been flawless—it hadn't stopped his insides from feeling like mush whenever such incidents occurred.

—I can't survive like that. I needed a vessel. Besides, that chaos within you had tried to devour me.

Ian had let the whispers roll past him, listening with only half an ear as he opened the information window. It had been the simplest, most reliable way to figure out exactly what the thing was.

—Couldn't lose my sense of self right after being born, could I? So, there was no other choice. I had to come in here.

Ian's brow had furrowed slightly at what he had seen next. The status window hadn't been behaving as usual. Scattered throughout the text were strange, incomprehensible symbols and characters.

Mode conflict error?

It had been a phenomenon he had encountered often in the game, though never in reality. Back then, an error message and a game restart usually followed it.

—I couldn't afford to ask for your permission, my friend. I had no other choice but to slip inside.

Now, there was no crashing or restarting—just a momentary flicker as the window scrambled and then reassembled itself. When it stabilized, the symbols vanished, and the status window returned to normal.

Deceptive helper.

His eyes had narrowed as he had noticed the new text had appeared beside Swamp's Resentment. Beneath it, there had been a new skill: Helper's Whisper.

It was a skill Ian couldn't access for more information or use. It was just there, locked away. Beneath it were two more skills, marked only by question marks.

Question marks in item options, not a quest? Could it be because it's a modded item?

Memories of the past tangled in Ian's mind. Unlike DLCs, mods had been custom, unofficial content created by users. The version of the game he had downloaded had included every DLC and mod as a full package. However, while DLCs were easy to distinguish, determining the exact application of the mods was impossible.

Ian had never even played the original version of the game. He only knew what little the walkthroughs mentioned about mods, which wasn't much. The guides mainly recommended installing a few essential mods, such as those for cosmetic changes, but beyond that, they offered little detail.

What kind of mods were applied to this, exactly?

Ian dwelled on a question he had never given much thought to before.

—Ah, I see you're not just angry. What's got you so curious, my friend? If you'd share, it might benefit us both.

A soft whisper tickled his mind.

Despite its gentle tone, the creature had already slipped free from Ian's fingers, as if preparing to flee at a moment's notice. It didn't seem like it could get far, but it looked like it was trying to hide somewhere beyond Ian's reach.

"There's no need for that." Ian finally spoke in a low voice. "I've confirmed everything I needed to."

—So you were checking if what I said was true.

"No. I was confirming whether you're still my familiar and my property." Ian answered, his gaze following the creature as it slithered from his finger to the back of his hand.

—That's a loaded statement...

The snake flicked its tongue, continuing to crawl up his hand toward his wrist.

—Don't forget, my advice has been helpful to you, my friend. And I suspect I'll have more opportunities to help you in the future.

However, the creature's movements were slowing down rapidly, as though invisible shackles were binding its body.

"We'll see. I'm not sure I can trust a word you say."

Those shackles were nothing but Ian's gaze and will. Just as Swamp's Resentment had been under his control, so too was this creature.

"Especially considering what kind of fragment you're a part of."

—Ah... I see. I neglected to mention something important.

The creature stopped, its head barely moving as it turned to look up at Ian.

—My original self left me with an absolute directive: to help you survive. That's the very purpose of my existence. Furthermore, I can no longer leave this vessel. So...

The creature looked at Ian's approaching left hand and added.

—If there are still any misunderstandings, perhaps we can resolve them through conversation?

The black snake hung limply as Ian grasped it effortlessly with his fingers, lifting it to eye level.

"Then let me ask you one thing."

—Anything, my friend.

"How did you know the monster was coming earlier?"

—The smell... or rather, the taste.

Dangling from his fingers, the creature flicked its long, slender purple tongue.

—This vessel's senses are especially sharp in that regard. It also has excellent eyesight. Of course, neither is particularly precise, but something as distinct as that creature's... taste, I couldn't miss.

So, it really is just a snake, huh? Ian scoffed inwardly.

"Then try sensing again. Are there any others nearby approaching us?"

—Hmm...

The fragment flicked its tongue into the air a few times before finally whispering.

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

—There's nothing nearby. That blind one has already moved far away. Its taste is faint.

A distant, indistinct wail echoed faintly as if to confirm its words.

Ian's eyes curved slightly. "Yeah, it doesn't sound like a lie."

—Of course not. Another misunderstanding between us has been resolved, my friend.

"Let's clear up one more while we're at it."

—And what might that be?

"I'm not your friend."

At the same moment, Ian flicked his wrist, tossing the creature into his pocket dimension.

—What is this? Wait, hold on, frie...

The moment Ian let go and closed his pocket dimension, the whispering voice in his mind cut off abruptly, as if sliced by a blade.

Finally, peace and quiet.

Ian snorted lightly.

"So what happened to your familiar?" Lucia, who had been silently observing the situation, finally whispered.

Her gaze, despite her confusion, showed concern. It was only natural—she hadn't been able to hear the fragment's whispers.

"Nothing much," Ian replied, shrugging casually.

He glanced toward the valley and added, "Just a fragment of some ancient deity taking up residence in my familiar."

"What?" Of course, it was enough to make Lucia's eyes widen in disbelief. "Wait, what does that even—don't tell me, is it a shard from the avatar we fought?"

"No. Something else. Don't even know its name." Ian gave a vague answer while scanning the empty valley. The thick fog that had blanketed the area earlier was completely gone.

"Let's talk about this later," he said, turning back toward Lucia, who still looked stunned. He tilted his head toward the outside.

"Right now, we need to find another place to hide. This spot's too cramped. Perfect for getting crushed to death. If you can't walk, just say so. I'll carry you," Ian added casually, crawling out of their current hiding spot.

Lucia blinked, processing his words, then let out a quick sigh before following him.

***

Ian and Lucia moved cautiously along the edge of the valley. They exchanged no words, both on high alert as they proceeded carefully.

Not long after, Ian spotted a crack in the cliff side. It was wide enough to fit two, maybe three adults comfortably. The jagged fissure looked like a shift in the earth's crust had formed it.

The interior narrowed slightly as it continued inward, and fortunately, Ian sensed no presence inside. Leading the way, he advanced through the darkness until he came upon a relatively flat area. It wasn't spacious, but it was large enough to stretch out and rest.

"Let's rest here," Ian said, coming to a stop.

"Okay," Lucia replied as she shuffled forward, her hands feeling along the wall to guide her steps.

Unlike Ian, who could make out the faint contours of their surroundings, it seemed far too dark for her to see anything.

"Wait a moment," Ian said, setting down a metal box he retrieved from his pocket dimension.

He completely ignored the whispers clawing at his mind as he kneeled.

Clink—

The box opened with a metallic sound.

It was the largest storage container he had, which he got from Fael of the Hexagonal Alliance, now repurposed to replace the sealed chest. Inside were essentials: blankets, fur clothing, wolf skin cloaks, fur-lined boots, and other useful items. There was also food—two leather water pouches, several kinds of jerky wrapped in cloth, and, most notably, three bottles of Northern spirits.

Ian pulled out a blanket and spread it on the ground before approaching Lucia. Gently, he lifted her and whispered, "We won't be able to start a fire."

"That's fine. I can manage," she replied calmly.

Ian placed her down on the blanket and returned to the box, retrieving a water pouch and some jerky.

"Don't think about anything for now. Just eat. There'll be plenty of time for thinking later."

"Okay," she answered, unscrewing the water pouch to take a small sip. She then held it out in front of her, completely off-target, as if she still couldn't see anything.

"I'm fine with this," Ian muttered quietly, shaking the bottle of liquor he'd just taken out, making it slosh.

Only then did Lucia turn toward the sound, a slightly sheepish smile spreading across her face as she brought the water pouch to her lips. The soft sound of her gulping water followed. Though she said nothing, her thirst was clear.

After ensuring she was eating the jerky she held in her hand, Ian finally placed the fairy's cigarette he had been holding in his mouth.

That was his meal—and his snack.

Fwoosh—

A faint herbal scent filled the air. The clarity it brought to his mind was immediate, and with it came all the thoughts he had been pushing aside.

Though he had told Lucia not to think, the same advice wasn't so easy for Ian himself to follow. Exhaling a puff of smoke, he noticed Lucia looking at him.

He shook the bottle of spirits in his hand and said, "I get how you feel, but my answer is no to both. Don't dwell on it and just finish the jerky you were eating."

"By now, everyone must have realized that we've disappeared," Lucia said softly, her voice subdued. Her words confirmed Ian's suspicion—they were thinking the same thing.

He clicked his tongue. "Maybe I should've just given you a sip," he muttered.

She wasn't wrong. Enough time had passed for the legion's search to conclude. By now, they would have realized that the Black Wall had swallowed the Great Warrior and the Brazier's future saintess.

If they were who Ian thought they were, they wouldn't hesitate to throw themselves at the Wall to search for the Great Warrior. Of course, that didn't mean they'd cross it immediately. The Wall, after finishing its erosion, would remain dormant and impenetrable for some time before stabilizing.

Of course, that wasn't good news either.

"They'll lose their minds. The legion, Miguel, the High Priestess, the other priests... If she hears the news, even my sister... perhaps, everyone who knows us."

Word of their disappearance would spread quickly and more people would prepare to cross the Wall in search of them. It wouldn't be surprising if this formed the largest martyrdom expedition in history.

But that was the last thing Ian wanted.

There was no guarantee that those who crossed the Wall would reunite with him safely. The demonic realm was too vast and too dangerous. Most would likely lose their lives before they ever met him.

Just like the martyrdom expedition that had crossed the Wall with him in the game.

"Even if not me, there should be far more people who believe Sir Ian is alive. Perhaps everyone does. No matter how much time passes."

The light from the cigarette reflected in Lucia's eyes, flickering precariously as she looked at Ian.

Ian, who had been looking at her for a moment, forced one corner of his mouth into a faint smile. "Like the Crown Prince?"

"Yes, like him."

So, I can't just brush this off.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Ian glanced at Lucia, who responded without a trace of humor. He brought the bottle of liquor to his lips.

Meanwhile, Lucia had also reached the same conclusion Ian had.

"That means many will cross over to this side. As soon as the wall stabilizes again, perhaps in a few years. But by then, maybe—"

"Hold on." Ian set the bottle down with a sharp clink, cutting her off. Meeting Lucia's startled gaze, he added, "Say that again. The Black Wall stabilizing—you're saying it's a few years away?"

Not a few months?