Sacrifice's Rise: I Became Invincible After Entering Godslayer Temple

"However, if you wish to proceed, there is no real obstacle. Roronora indeed meets the criteria to receive the legacy."

Having said that, Code 1 lifted a hand, and a beam of light split from the orb, falling upon Roronora's forehead.

"I will modify his memories to make your oversight more manageable. But in the end, he remains a fierce beast, potentially turning on you at any moment."

Code 1 glanced at the orb and then at Roronora's body on the stone platform.

"You'd better be clear about what you're doing, and what you're about to do."

"I am clear," Jelia nodded, saying, "How long will accepting the legacy take?"

"Not long."

There seemed to be a touch of melancholy in Code 1's voice.

"What will become of this place?"

"The existence of this place is sustained by that legacy. Without it, this place will likely crumble soon."

Code 1 sighed, saying, "It's a pity I can't see the outside world now."

"There's nothing to regret. It's not a wonderful place out there," Jelia shook her head, persuading Code 1 to abandon such impractical thoughts.

"You don't understand. No matter how bad it is outside, it can't be worse than here. Staying here, I don't even know if I'm alive or dead!"

"Have you ever felt that way? Surrounded by emptiness, where any mana strand could destroy you, and you're just hiding in a fragile matrix, barely clinging to life."

"I've been here for three hundred years! I'm merely a wisp of that person's remaining soul, yet I have to bear all his responsibilities!"

"You've begun to develop a sense of self?" Jelia looked at Code 1, her eyes reflecting a peculiar intrigue.

"Perhaps. I'm not entirely sure about these things." Code 1 shrugged, his crimson eyes shifting back to Roronora's body.

"Lastly, I have a request, one I hope you'll honor."

Jelia nodded, saying, "Speak."

Code 1 opened his mouth, but instead of sound, a voice directly resonated within Jelia's mind.

"I understand. I'll do it for you."

"Thank you."

A burst of white light exploded, twisting the space around them just as the activation of the deep-red wolf's head had done previously.

Jelia knew she was finally about to return to reality!

Through the swirling dust, two figures emerged, one towering and one diminutive, their footsteps a delicate patter against the silence.

The small dwarf, Jelia, had to nearly jog to keep pace with Roronora, whose single step matched two of hers.

What was meant to be a majestic entrance turned comical as Jelia scurried behind Roronora, looking every bit the misplaced child who had stumbled into the scene.

"Ali!"

Upon seeing Ali confronting a group of cloak-clad figures on the clearing, Jelia excitedly waved her hand.

"Jelia! How did you get out?"

Ali positioned his sword defensively, stepping forward to shield Jelia behind him.

"And who is this stranger... No matter, now's not the time for explanations. The moment I make my move, run, understand? Find somewhere to hide, and don't let anyone find you. I'll come for you after the battle ends!"

Ali, now elevated to the strength of a level 1 magus, would naturally find the cloaked adversaries manageable.

However, dividing his attention to safeguard Jelia could prove challenging.

Given the unpredictability of a melee, it seemed wiser to have Jelia take cover.

"Are they all enemies?"

Peering from behind Ali, Jelia scrutinized the cloaked figures standing not far off.

Their movements and attire were uniform, in stark contrast to the eclectic assembly on her side.

Roronora, gaunt as a skeleton, had indeed received the legacy but was far from regaining his prime strength, let alone any semblance of formidable presence.

And there she was, a diminutive figure hardly worth mentioning in a battle.

With a pout, Jelia couldn't help feeling somewhat displeased.

Jelia's displeasure was a harbinger of misfortune for some.

"Roronora, thrash them! Leave none standing!"

Roronora, skeletal in frame, glanced at Jelia.

A moment's hesitation flashed across his crimson eyes, which soon solidified into resolve.

He focused on the cloaked figures some ten meters away.

If the little master demanded a brawl, a brawl she would have.

A terrifying burst of mana ensued!

Roronora vanished from sight, the sheer velocity of his movement whipping up a gale.

Whoosh—

Thump!

The sound of fist meeting flesh!

Roronora moved with a speed Ali couldn't hope to track, ghosting through shifts and turns with the agility of a dragon weaving through the cloaked figures.

No one could keep pace with his movements.

In the span of a breath, all fell silent.

Roronora repositioned himself behind Jelia, his gaze lowered, as serene as a statue.

With a thud, the fall of the first cloaked figure acted as a signal, triggering a domino effect.

One by one, the cloaked assailants collapsed in succession.

In a single move… annihilation.

Ali's jaw nearly hit the floor in astonishment.

"How... how... how strong! Jelia, where did you find such reinforcements? He must be stronger than Howard at full throttle, right?"

Ali scrutinized Roronora, a twitch forming at the corner of his eye.

Though Roronora had not spoken a word, his actions clearly showed he was responding to Jelia's commands.

Exactly how powerful Howard was remained a mystery to all, but by Ali's estimation, he couldn't be much stronger than Red Eye.

Without resorting to "Brave," Ali doubted he could best Howard, but with the hero's power, Howard would likely be the one outmatched, just as Red Eye had been.

But what about Roronora?

Ali found himself perplexed by this individual who appeared to be around his age.

"Jelia! What exactly did you encounter?"

No sooner had the question left his lips than Ali paused, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.

It lingered on the heap of cloaked figures before he scooped Jelia onto his shoulder.

"This isn't the place for discussion. We need to find somewhere safer."

Did the cloaked figures have allies?

This was unknown to Ali.

However, their decision to launch an offensive on the village indicated their confidence in eradicating all the subhumans within.

Although the village lacked a magus, the subhumans, hardened by long-term training, were not foes a few preparatory-level magi could easily contend with.

It was almost certain the attackers had reinforcements.

Seeking refuge elsewhere seemed the safer option.

Though still uncertain, Ali had a hunch about who was behind these assailants.

That person had harbored ill intentions from the start!

Seeing Ali scoop up Jelia, a faint crimson glow ignited in Roronora's eyes, his gaze fixated on Ali in a way that sent shivers down his spine.

It was as if he were the target of a ferocious beast.

Just what had Jelia brought back with her?

"Roronora, relax! He's my companion!"

"Com...panion?"

Roronora's voice, unexpectedly youthful and slightly naive, sounded blurred, reminiscent of a sixteen or seventeen-year-

old boy.

Merely from his voice, one would never picture him as a skeletal figure.

"That's right, companion! Just like us!"

Jelia pointed first to herself, then to Ali and Roronora, "Companions! We are all companions!"

"Com...panions! Roronora... protect companions!"

The crimson in Roronora's eyes dimmed slightly, though it did not vanish entirely, merely receding into the depths of his gaze.

His eyes, even in their opening and closing, exuded a predatory aura.

Seeing Jelia could command Roronora's actions, Ali's lingering worries dissipated.

"Hold tight," he said before accelerating.

Staying in the village was clearly no longer an option.

Given the scale of the attack, the village itself was also ravaged by fire.

This incident would undoubtedly attract the attention of passing adventurers, known for their insatiable curiosity.

Greedy and fearless.

As they departed, Ali cast one last glance back at the village engulfed in flames.

The village was destroyed, leaving the fate of its subhuman inhabitants uncertain.

...

Upon leaving the village, with Jelia perched on his shoulder and Roronora following closely behind, the trio wound their way through the forest in a bid to shake off their pursuers.

Despite Ali's swift movements, it was clear that their adversaries were well-prepared, possibly even having them as a specific target.

Thus, it wasn't long after leaving the village that Ali noticed they were being followed.

The pursuer's pace wasn't fast, possibly due to some caution.

Yet, Ali found it impossible to completely lose them.

He resorted to meandering through the woods in hopes of muddling their trail, making it harder for the follower to keep up.

Tracking and counter-tracking, though not essential skills for a hunter, were subjects Ali had tackled back in his days with the elf tribe.

Regrettably, his grades in both were consistently among the lowest.

After some time, the strategy seemed to pay off.

Ali could feel the pursuer's speed drop significantly, and the distance between them more than doubled.

At this range, continuing the chase would be pointless.

It appeared they had successfully given their tail the slip.

Ali breathed a sigh of relief, yet he didn't slow down; instead, he picked up the pace.