The rhythmic pounding of the rain echoed quietly in space as he spoke again.
"I see. So you want me to go back in time, find you there, and start training you?"
The woman with the silver blade across from him, whose name he didn't even know, nodded.
"Yes, you got that right."
Finlay nodded to her too, that he understood that she understood.
They seemed to be on the same wavelength now.
Perhaps he really had contracted the madness of this world, or perhaps he was originally like this, but he took her words surprisingly easily.
It was something along the lines of, 'Oh, that's how it is.'
Finlay smiled.
"Okay, but can I get your name first? It's going to be weird doing all this for someone whose name I don't know."
"My name... I denied it a long time ago, so it won't help you. But people call me Hope."
"Hope... Hope... wait, Hope...?"
Finlay muttered as the smile on his face froze.
He knew that name. It was one of the few things that remained clearly in Finlay's shattered memories.
And in fact, there was no one in this world who didn't know it.
After all, that name was one of the reasons why this fading world still hadn't completely disappeared.
Even now, as the world was plunged into darkness and despair, there were still those who fought against that darkness.
They were christened "Stars".
The strongest champions of this world, possessing extraordinary powers on par with the divine and using them for the sake of others.
As if lighting the way for people, they shone high in the sky, giving hope to this lost world.
And among them, Hope was the brightest Star.
He now fully realized how she had managed to eradicate all the monsters on this mountain without even letting him feel it.
And at the same time, the long rusty knife in his clothes that he had prepared in case of defense now looked laughably small.
Finlay couldn't help but laugh.
"How silly..."
Hope stared at him.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."
Who would have thought that the light of hope would be shown to him by someone who had lived in this crazy world much longer than he had?
It was refreshing.
"Thank you."
"...What are you thanking me for?"
"Never mind. I will help you. I'm ready to fulfill your order."
At his firm words, she moved closer to him, stopping only when their reflections were in each other's eyes.
"Promise me."
In the most serious voice she had spoken in today, she took his hand.
"Promise me you'll fulfill the order no matter what."
His dark eyes reflected her silhouette, frozen in tension and anticipation.
'A promise... hah.'
Even this childishly silly request brought a smile to his face.
Was there anything else so beautiful in this dark world?
"Of course. I promise I'll fulfill that order."
Finlay was no longer interested in how she knew him, or why him, or even if he could handle it.
Right now he just wanted to help her.
Where did this desire come from? He didn't know.
But this was the first time he wished for anything other than simple survival in this hell. He didn't want to let go of that feeling.
"I'm glad."
With a whisper, Hope raised her eyes to his again.
"Thank you, Mr. Finlay."
"Just call me Finlay. Anyway, the help you need, does it have anything to do with the current state of the world?"
"Yes."
She nodded, not bothering to hide or deny it.
"I see."
He nodded back at her with an expression on his face as if they were discussing what would be for lunch today.
"But don't worry, this world is my concern. I'm not shameless enough to put it all on your shoulders. All you have to do is focus on your part, Mr.... Rhys.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. But don't think it will be an easy task. Even in the past, I wasn't someone who could be approached easily."
Her dainty finger tapped thoughtfully on the handle of her silver blade a few times before she seemed to come to a decision.
"...There is a secret that only I know. I will tell it to you. It's also my weakness, so if you use it correctly, you'll be able to achieve your goal."
Honestly, Finlay was a little intrigued. Star's secret and her weakness. What could it be?
He was enveloped by the pleasant scent of flowers mixed with the faint smell of blood as she leaned into him and whispered.
A couple movements of her lips and his eyes fluttered open.
"Wow… Really?"
He muttered his thoughts aloud again, staring bluntly at her.
"Yes. So just focus on your part of the job."
Was it just me, or was there a trace of embarrassment on her face? Must have been my imagination.
"What about everything else...I alone will be more than enough."
There was absolute confidence in her voice as her hand rested on the silver blade.
The next moment, however, a shadow of regret appeared on her face.
Her gaze fell to the night sky outside his home, and her brightly blazing golden eyes faded as she stared into the darkness.
"If I hadn't been so foolish...if I hadn't been deceived so easily...this could have all been avoided."
It was the first time he'd heard so many complex emotions in her voice.
Hope seemed so fragile now, as if she could crumble at a touch.
But it didn't last more than a moment before indifference reappeared on her face.
"Well, I don't have much time left, so let's get this over with quickly."
Returning to her past self, she approached him.
"Not much time? But you look fine—"
His words stopped when his gaze fell on her clothes.
Because of the darkness around him, he didn't notice it right away, but a red spot bloomed on her chest where her heart should be.
The rain had blurred the traces of blood, but they were still clearly visible and slowly increasing in size.
Star is hurt? No, not just any Star, but a Star of HER level?
Finlay felt a chill run down his back.
"Don't mind that. There are more important things to do right now."
She brushed it off, her voice flat, as if it was about a dog passing by and not about her.
"I will give you one of my powers. It should help you on your journey."
With those words, Hope held out her night-black hair to him.
"Eat this."
Even though his parents told him not to take anything from strangers, he already knew her name, didn't he?
With some sort of expectation, Finlay didn't hesitate to eat it.
'Perhaps my hunger will be a little lessened if I eat this? If it also turns out to be delicious, that would be good.'
Unfortunately, it was tasteless, nor did he feel particularly satiated.
Just when he was about to get upset…
[The trace of the Lineage has been imprinted in your Soul]
[Necessary conditions met]
[You have received a Ex-Rank Origin]
These were the first messages from the 'system' that were different from what he was used to seeing.
'And the Origin? What's that?'
"He's helped me a lot on my journey, so please take care of him."
Though Finlay wasn't quite sure what she meant by 'care', he nodded anyway.
"One last thing..."
Without wasting any more time, Hope extended her pale hand, slipping it under his shirt.
"May my light be with you."
Her cool hand touched his chest and at the same time he felt a pleasant warmth flow into his body.
[The Power of the Transcendent Intervenes in Your Soul]
[Under the influence of the power of the transcendent, the gates of your Soul are open]
[The blessing of the Sun warms your Soul]
[You have received Grace of the Sun]
The long-forgotten warmth of the sun erased all the fatigue in him and healed his old wounds, making him feel ecstatic.
A glint of golden sunshine gleamed in his black eyes for a moment, though it went unnoticed to him.
"That's all I can give you."
Still keeping her hand on his chest, she nodded contentedly.
At that moment, a terrifying presence pierced his very essence.
[Unknown existence has an effect on your Soul]
[Protecting your Soul from outside influences]
[The impact of existence is too great.]
[Protecting your Soul from outside influences]
[The impact of existence is too great.]
[Protecting your Soul...]
His eyes turned white as an almost endless stream of messages bombarded his consciousness.
"Just don't forget your promise, Finlay."
Her words were still coming to him.
"As for paying for the order... discuss that with my past version."
Leaving such an irresponsible statement, a faint smile appeared on her lips for the first time.
"Farewell, Finlay."
And when he was ready to say something,
[The impact of existence is too great]
[The protection of your Soul will be temporarily suspended...]
.
.
.
[Your Soul undergoes Regression]
In the next instant, the very fabric of reality around him cracked and then shattered into an infinite number of pieces, plunging him into a pleasant, soothing darkness.
***
"He's gone."
Still staring at the empty and cold place where he had just been, Hope whispered weakly, left alone.
The smile slowly fell from her lips as if it had never been there.
Her feet soiled in the dirt, weakness took over her body as the blood from her silver blade mixed with the blood of her chest.
"Yes, it was the best choice."