LTTH C31

Chapter 31

Swallowing tightly.

“There is no need to venture deeper, Darling. Here will suffice.”

“Indeed. This place should be enough.”

Only a few steps away. With those few steps, reality itself seemed to waver between darkness and light. Despite their protests, Hansol moved forward boldly and stretched out his hand.

The act bore no practical effect. Approaching did not strengthen his skill nor reduce its mana consumption. Yet, for some reason, he felt compelled to do so.

“Purification.”

As ever, a white light blossomed from his fingertips, staining the ground. The gentle radiance pierced the ebony darkness, swallowing it whole. At first, as with the usual Purification skill, Hansol’s power seemed ineffective against the Dark Zone.

“Please, please…!”

American officials and James, their eyes locked on Hansol’s hands, blinked away their exhaustion. Then, the white light seeping inward began to brighten.

Though it started as but a tiny point, soon the Dark Zone’s darkness receded over an area the size of his palm. It was no land radiant with light as in the new gate—it simply regained its original hue. The scarlet shade of the source itself.

“…My goodness.”

“Oh, Lord.”

“Messiah…!”

A miracle.

The lone lifeline capable of breaking twenty-five years’ dominion.

No words could wholly encompass the marvel unfolding.

“Ah!”

The middle-aged officials alongside James fell silent, heads bowed.

Minutes passed—perhaps mere seconds for them—before they cautiously neared. Their hands clenched the now clay-hued earth. Suits wrinkled, once snowy shirts stained with brown soil, but such trifles mattered little to them.

“Ugh…!”

“Ugh… sob.”

Some wiped tears, eyes reddened, cradling soil in their palms. Like children at play, they caressed that earth, unable to rise.

It was a relief—truly. To have fulfilled their hope, to be a beacon of hope.

Hansol calmed his own unease, hands over his chest. At least their wait had not been in vain.

“Darling… truly, truly. Thank you.”

“I promised to do what I could.”

“Still, thank you, truly.”

‘Thank you. Sobs… truly, thank you.’

Why, he wondered, did James’s words evoke the gratitude of the youth met in Britain? That boy surely was not at James’s level, but they shared resemblance.

“…Let us continue.”

“Yes. Darling, thank you.”

“You have expressed enough gratitude; you may stop.”

“No, Darling deserves all such thanks. Truly, words of thanks cannot contain the depth…I simply…”

“It’s disappointing.”

James smiled shyly, awkwardly. His pure boyishness mirrored innocence itself. The words made Hansol feel as if he were something extraordinary, a warmth rising in his cheeks.

‘Truly, just a mere healer.’

Step by step, blackened land beneath his fingertips reclaimed its original hues.

‘A healer who helps.’

The rising joy blossomed slowly into confidence.

With each step forward, the earth dyed black returned to its earthen tone.

It was indisputably different from twenty-five years prior—buildings once stood, streets were paved clear. Yet still, James and the others could not wipe the smiles from their faces. Land lost to monsters and forgotten. To reclaim it alone was enough. Indeed, more than enough.

“Thank you, Messiah.”

“Our gratitude.”

With continuing heartfelt thanks, perhaps one-hundredth of the vast Dark Zone was restored. Mana, once fully abundant, dwindled to near zero. In contrast, a long path of earthen soil now cleaved the dark expanse.

Though small compared to the area, none complained. This land had been utterly lost. Just knowing it could be reclaimed was cause for celebration. Yet wary of hindrance, all those present looked to Hansol with calm, gleaming eyes.

“Wait a moment.”

“Is your mana nearly depleted? We have preparations ready.”

Like a standby team, one official hurried over with a metal box, struggling with the weight. Hansol was no one to order old men about, but could not stop them either, and ceased to act unsurely.

‘Perhaps James could help here!’

Moved by the man’s effort, Hansol reached forward, then withdrew in hesitation. Had he seen incorrectly? Eyes wide, breath held, it was no illusion. The box shimmered full of brilliant blue mana potions.

‘Good heavens. How much could this all cost?’

Their aura distinctly proclaimed, “I am expensive.” Hesitant to touch, Hansol stared dumbfounded. He understood their earnestness in purifying the Dark Zone, yet a single small mana potion easily cost tens of millions. What then of such superior goods? Surely their worth surpassed any imaginable sum.

Observing the official’s trembling arm, Hansol crouched, signaling to set the box down gently. Should it shatter—

‘No, better not.’

“Please, no need to strain yourself. You may put it down.”

Should disaster befall them, the consequences would be grave. A plea emerged from his heart, unspoken but earnest.

“Ah. Use freely. If anything else might be required, just say. We will prepare.”

The man set the box down with effort, wiping sweat, smiling brightly. The boundless trust they radiated was almost overwhelming. Hansol, catching the gleam in those eyes, murmured a hesitant “Ah, yes…” and reluctantly lifted a single mana potion.

Swallowing.

The bottle itself was crafted like a masterwork; perhaps costlier than a single mana crystal.

Wary of breaking it, Hansol clenched the potion softly, closing his eyes and drinking at once. A refreshing surge filled him as near-empty mana soared fully upright. Had his limit been higher than 1150, it might well have overflowed.

A potion beyond his standards. The empted vial felt like pearls before swine.

‘As expected.’

Bitter though it felt, Hansol extended his hand casually. Mana filled quickly transformed into Purification at his fingertips, and the stretch of earthen ground grew steadily.

How many full bottles he drained amid the sparkling gaze, he could not say—until a rounded patch of fertile earth lay amid the Dark Zone. Hansol pressed on without rest.

At times, seeing monsters stirring nearby made him start and halt, but they gave no glance to those entering—perhaps unable or unwilling to see, passing by unheeded. Fortune smiled.

“I shall not finish today.”

Breathing deeply, he surveyed the surroundings. Beyond the patch, all remained pitch black. Half the precious mana potions and stamina yet remained, but purification had started when the sun was bright, and now the sky dressed deep scarlet.

The hunters and Hansol fared well. Yet glancing aside, officials unfamiliar with such hardship showed fatigue and began withdrawing. The task was beyond them.

Tomorrow shall suffice, Hansol thought as he wiped a bead of sweat and turned.

“Tomorrow, we shall continue.”

At that moment, a human flesh tone flickered across his vision within the Dark Zone.

‘A person…?’

Stopping his retreat, he chased the fleeting glimpse.

Could there truly be a person here?

He knew it likely. Yet the fleeting shadow was very small.

“Ah.”

Whether startled by discovery or mere curiosity, the shadow hesitated, cautiously peeking forth from behind a building’s wall. It was indeed a small boy, one of the infected—his face marked with dark bruises.