The One Who Stops Time

Chapter 144: 23 - The One Who Stops Time

A boy ran through the streets, breathing heavily.

Yes, though he was a boy, he possessed absolute power.

Summoned as a hero, possessing immense magical power, and above all, blessed with a transcendent gift.

When a dragon destroyed the kingdom, he teleported away. Even at his destination, his power remained absolute.

In just a few days, he brought the underworld of that city under his control and lived in the height of luxury.

It wasn't that he was particularly wicked. If anything, he was rather virtuous.

He eliminated those who used violence, and helped the weak. As a result, he simply ended up controlling the underworld.

He told no one of his Gift and acted cautiously. The money that came in was merely a consequence, and even so, he never trampled on people's dignity. Except for the wicked, of course.

And now, this very same boy was being cornered.

The enemy had come in through the front.

Around the same age as him, a hero. Perhaps even younger.

After easily incapacitating his guards, the person had approached him.

Come with me, they said.

He tried to fight. But his Gift was powerless against them.

Time Stop.

For one-on-one close combat, there was hardly a more powerful Gift.

Even so, he didn't become complacent. He tested his Gift, improved his close combat abilities, and trained in magic.

Now his Gift had reached Time Stop Level 10. He could stop time for ten seconds.

Furthermore, if he focused on a single target, the time he could stop doubled.

Twenty seconds. With that much time, he could kill anyone.

Of course, there were weaknesses too. After stopping time, he needed the same amount of time as a cooldown. He couldn't use it consecutively.

That's why he would need magic and hand-to-hand combat abilities against multiple opponents. With that in mind, he had trained himself.

It was all for nothing.

Pressing his back against a wall, he caught his breath. There was no sign of pursuers in the streets he'd come through. It seemed he'd lost them.

"Had enough running?"

A voice came from above his head.

A shadow standing on top of the wall, looking down at him.

"When did you…?"

"Well, you wouldn't understand yet."

"I-I haven't done anything wrong! Sure, I got some perks out of it, but this city has become much easier to live in than before I came!"

"That's true. That's why I'm not thinking of killing or hurting you. I just want you to come with me."

The person's voice was calm, as if trying to soothe him.

"Where do you plan to take me…?"

"First, to where my companions are. I need to tell them I've secured you."

"As if I'd believe that!"

He drew his dagger. His combat style prioritized speed; he didn't need a clumsy sword.

He stopped time. Leaped up and thrust his dagger into the person's chest.

"I told you it's pointless."

He heard a voice from behind in what should have been frozen time.

A light electric shock was sent through him, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Wh-who the hell are you…?"

He could barely get his voice out. In response, the person thought for a moment before answering.

"The Great Sage… but maybe it's easier to understand if I put it this way."

With absolutely no killing intent or hostility, the person said:

"I'm someone who knows far more about time and space than you do."

The hero gave up, praying at least that this city would remain peaceful.

"I'm glad you're a good person."

The person said that, touched his body, and teleported away from that spot.

In a certain city, over the course of a few days, a group that had been abusing violence and power was wiped out.

He did it all alone, and then after a while, he disappeared.

The townspeople were grateful, and later they made a bronze statue of him and placed it in the plaza.

The statue was gradually worn away by wind and rain, but the good deeds he had done were long remembered.

No one knew that he had been a hero.

"Ugh, I've had it!"

She threw herself onto the bed and rolled around.

When that was over, she lay on her back and stared at the canopy.

"So tired…"

Sei's muttered words went unheard by anyone.

Ever since that day, the day the labyrinth was conquered, the city had been in a festive uproar.

First, a parade down the city's main street. Then introductions to influential people, hosting parties, requests for lectures.

Sei couldn't refuse the Governor's requests, which came just short of prostration.

"That's just you being used."

Ria stated flatly when she contacted her.

"Not just by the Governor. The entire city is using you. The Guild is energized, the city is in a festive mood, the residents get to share in the benefits, and naturally the Governor is pleased."

It was the same when it was me, Ria sighed.

Sei, who held the title of Duchess of Orgas, had somehow let herself get swept along, spending her days that way.

Of course, during that time she was also training in combat and magic, but her true objective was different.

Searching for the heroes. Since Labyrinth had made her something like a hero radar map, she no longer had to worry about them moving around. But she still needed to hurry.

Mako agreed with this, and Kukuri and Gantz were also waiting to resume their journey.

Chaos was enjoying this festive atmosphere as a little vacation, and Nero had officially retired from being an explorer.

Now with lectures and training instruction, he was probably the busiest of all.

Sei told the Governor that she had a mission commanded by the Divine Dragon.

Even so, to the Governor who continued to persuade and plead with her to somehow stay, Sei finally snapped.

The mission she had been commanded involved the destruction of the world. It was a threat far beyond mere evil gods or demon gods.

If she had been assertive and intimidating from the start, she wouldn't have gotten caught up in this trouble in the first place.

Besides, if they wanted someone to lecture about the conquest, Nero was staying in this city.

Duchess of the superpower Orgas. That status was what had bound her to this place.

When informed of their departure, her companions largely showed positive reactions.

"Where are we going next?"

To Chaos's question, Sei answered.

"Lemdoria. There are three heroes there."

The Lemdoria region had once been the territory of a superpower called the Holy Lemdoria Empire.

That had split into the Northern and Southern Lemdoria Empires and a group of small nations due to civil wars, internal conflicts, and independence movements.

There was one hero response in a small nation, and one each in the Northern and Southern Lemdoria Empires.

"Then it's on the way home for me. I'd like to accompany you."

Chaos's words were welcome. Honestly, in pure swordsmanship, Sei still couldn't match Chaos. Having a training partner during the journey would be helpful.

"I see, it'll be lonely…"

This was where they'd part ways with Nero. He probably wouldn't see Chaos again either, after all their years together.

"Among lizardman warriors, some travel to see the outside world. If the opportunity arises, I'll bring some here."

"That'd be great. I'll teach the newcomers all sorts of things."

Chaos was a man of his word. He would surely come to visit again.

"You're going to propose, right Nero? Good luck."

"Y-yeah."

Teased by Mako, he scratched his ear.

Kukuri took the reins, and the box carriage passed through the city gate.

It was a gift from the Governor, and the House of Parla's ducal crest was proudly displayed on the side.

There was little shaking, and the seats were comfortable. The number of horses had been increased to four, improving both power and speed.

Many people waved at them. Of course, Nero was among them.

The carriage disappeared beyond the hill, and then Nero murmured.

"Now then."

He bought flowers on the way. A somewhat expensive bouquet, but an amount that didn't matter to him now.

Nero headed to the city's pharmacy.

In a labyrinth city, pharmacies were indispensable. Since many people got injured in the labyrinth, healing salves always sold well, and they also sold magical potions.

He opened the door and stepped into the shop.

It was a spacious shop. The waiting room in particular was large. Several customers were waiting for their prescriptions.

"Oh my, Nero, look who's suddenly in the spotlight."

The one who called out was Cass, the shop's salesgirl.

Nero took a deep breath and walked toward Cass.

Offering the bouquet, he said:

"Cass, marry me."

Nearly everyone in the waiting room's eyes gathered on him. But Nero's attention was focused only on the white cat beastkin before him.

"… I don't want to marry an explorer."

Having dealt with explorers, she knew how harsh that life was.

Even in a labyrinth where you could revive, many couldn't bear the moment of death and broke mentally.

Even without that, she didn't want to watch people enter the labyrinth with pained expressions.

That's why Cass had firmly rejected Nero's advances until now. Even though she was well aware that Nero was a good man.

"I've retired from being an explorer. From now on, I'll be training the next generation at the Guild."

At those words, Cass's eyes went wide.

"… Your dream came true, then."

"I wonder. Maybe I woke up from the dream. From here on, I'll live in reality."

"I see…"

Cass accepted Nero's bouquet and narrowed her eyes.

"It smells lovely…"

Cass narrowed her eyes in bliss. Nero's heart felt like it would burst.

Cass still hadn't answered. He didn't intend to press her. He could come back another time if needed.

This wasn't something that could be decided immediately, after all.

"Alright. I'll become your bride."

At that unhesitating answer, Nero couldn't react for a moment.

Eventually, joy overflowed from within him, and just as he was about to cry out, there was an impact from behind.

"Haha, congratulations, Nero!"

It was only now that he realized all the customers in the waiting room were his acquaintances.

Despite the rough treatment, Nero still looked happy.

Cass got off work early, and together with Nero and their entourage, they headed to a tavern where they drank until they were completely wasted.

With Nero's head resting on her lap, Cass stroked the scar on his cheek.

I wonder how far those guys will go.

Half-asleep, Nero pondered.

Two human girls, both with monstrous power. They'd probably get caught up in all sorts of things on their journey ahead.

Or would they fight evil gods and demon gods? Like legendary heroes.

It would be nice if his name was engraved in a corner of those heroes' adventures.

Thinking that, Nero raised his empty cup.

Labyrinth City Arc - End