KFBRV Pt 2 Ch 71

This……

No one gains this jewel without tearing it from a heart. A chill ran down Odette's spine as she turned to Johan.

Blood soaked Johan's uniform. Though his wounds were not as battered as Zion's, the Calamity had left deep gashes across his body. Yet, those injuries looked minor compared to his chest. Thick, red stains drenched his clothes. Even with his jacket buttons fastened, the blood spread in a way that revealed his horrific sacrifice.

[You received Johan's Heart. Checking Affection level……]

[Johan's Affection: 100]

[Johan has fallen into ‘Perfect Love’ with you.]

[Congratulations! This is the proper reward for completing the capture.]

[You can now use Johan's supernatural power as if you are its owner.]

A handkerchief, wet with blood as if he had wiped his palms, lay on the floor. That sight, combined with the status window, gave her certainty.

[Odette] "Your Highness!"

She pulled away from Zion and turned toward Johan.

[Odette] "Are you insane? The pollution here is so thick that you won't recover!"

His face was as pale as death. He gasped for air, concentrating every bit of his regeneration power on his heart.

Normally, his heart would heal in an instant.

A Transcendent's heart heals faster than any other body part. The inner beast forces it to recover regardless of pollution levels. Even an F-class Transcendent could heal a heart quickly.

But Johan is S-class, and he is struggling.

The grace of the gods was gone. The calm strength of a man who stood between divinity and humanity had vanished. He looked like a weak, desperate human.

[Odette] "Lean on me."

She tried to support him, but he shook his head. He placed his hand over hers, forcing her to close her fist around the jewel—the reins of his power.

[Johan] "Take it. It is yours."

He tried to sound calm, but his pained breaths gave him away.

[Odette] "Why go this far……? I never asked you for this!"

Her voice rose.

Why now? She didn't want to be tied to any of them anymore. Why did they keep making her feel guilty and worried?

She bit her lip, swallowing her resentment. She could no longer deny that he did this to protect her.

In the game The Only Savior, 100% Affection meant absolute love. Her eyes, which could now see through every lie, forced her to face the truth.

I have to accept it. He loves me.

She had assumed his feelings would eventually change. She thought he would hate her, just as he did in her past life. Her existence felt too small and unimportant to be loved—a fake Purifier, a villainess. That was how she saw herself.

I was a girl destined for one-sided love. A girl who was always hated.

She had been lonely her entire life, but she believed a reward waited at the end. She never asked for equal love. She only wanted someone to recognize her hard work for her family. She only wanted someone to say, 'You did well.' That would have been enough.

But even that was too much. Her love only earned her laughter and mockery. She didn't want to be fooled a second time. She knew how pathetic her love was. Her heart meant nothing.

But now……

What is this……?

Johan's eyes looked exactly like hers did in her past life. Eyes that endured loneliness and pain with joy. Blind eyes that didn't care how pathetic or small they appeared.

Love's reward, which never came when she wanted it, was now forced into her hands after she had given up.

Why did she have to realize this love at a moment like this? It felt like a curse.

[Johan] "I always wanted to tell you something."

He was smiling. He looked more relieved than ever—through the game, her past life, and this one. He looked as if this were his happiest moment.

[Johan] "But it is better if I stay silent."

She realized he was giving his last words. He gave up on his confession because he feared she might hesitate to kill him.

[Johan] "The Basilisk is a sea beast. It will help you move freely in the deep sea."

His meaning was clear. He wanted her to swallow the reins and tear him apart with his own power. Only then could she use his strength freely.

She shook her head.

[Odette] "No. Why? Why must I swallow it? You can kill them yourself!"

[Johan] "A Transcendent's body is just a human shell. It is a prison for the beast. A restrained beast can't fight that woman's monster. There is only one way to use the beast's full power."

[Odette] "I am an ordinary person with no combat experience! What use is your power in my hands? Please stay alive. We have a better chance of surviving that way."

She fought to keep her voice from shaking. She knew her words were a lie, and the truth of his logic was clear.

[Johan] "The moment you swallow the reins, you will understand. The beasts of god are intuitive. The Basilisk is quite simple."

He didn't move. A chime echoed as the status window appeared.

[The Eyes of 『 』 are shared with everyone inside the sphere.]

[This shared vision lasts for a limited time.]

[Everyone inside the sphere can now see the truth.]

The system pushed Johan's choice as the only answer, encouraging him to die without hesitation.

[Johan] "This is the only way to save you, Odette."

Damn this status window. Not now!

Odette felt desperate. She questioned the system.

Tell me another way. I don't care how low the survival rate is!

[Kill Johan using his own power.]

[No other method exists.]

[♥ Don't worry about how to use the power. The status window will help you!♥]

The answer was despair.

No other way……? You really want me to kill him with my own hands?

Her heart sank.

First Transcendent…… are you listening?

She spoke to the system like a desperate believer.

You are behind this, aren't you? You are a god. Find another way to win without Johan dying—'

The status window erased every other word, leaving only one sentence.

[No other method exists.]

The firm statement choked her. Odette felt as if she were sinking into a swamp.

No. That can't be right. Don't panic.

She bit her lip until it bled to stay focused. But Johan was faster. He pressed his finger against her lips. She bit his finger instead of her own skin.

[Johan] "Don't do that."

He asked her to kill him, yet he couldn't stand to see her hurt. The absurdity of it made her want to laugh.

[Johan] "Odette. It is hard, but this is the only way—"

[Odette] "Be quiet. I am not going to kill you."

She meant it. The status window flashed its warning repeatedly, but she ignored it.

Get lost. I won't sacrifice him.

She took a shaky breath.

[Odette] "I have a way, Your Highness."

Outside, Rosaline waited to kill her. The chances of success were low, and the plan was messy. But it was the only option left.

She spoke as if it were the perfect plan, trying to fool everyone—including herself.

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