274. Since It’s Become a World Overflowing with Monsters

The Final Chapter

“All’s well that ends well”… that’s the kind of thing that only happens in stories. In reality, a mountain of unresolved problems still remains.

For starters, after I finished suffering through the death-like agony of the Heroic Hymn backlash, a meeting was held regarding the future, including Libera-san and the remaining members of the Vanguard.

“Regarding the future, I’ve decided to return to the other world for a while with the members of the Vanguard.”

“Return? Wait, you can actually go back?”

I thought that was impossible without the Master Key?

“I can. My unique skill Transference of Merit, which awakened through Kazuto’s Heroic Hymn, seems to be a much more powerful version of Coordinate Exchange. It makes travel to the other world possible. Moreover, by combining it with Sui-chan’s Verdant Emperor Territory, we can do it while minimizing the strain on the system and our bodies.”

“Sui’s unique skill?”

Come to think of it, what exactly was the effect of Sui’s unique skill? I didn’t have time to check during the battle…

『—It’s like a strengthened version of Otherworld Fixation, Papa.』

Just as I wondered, Sui hopped onto my lap and explained. Otherworld Fixation was the racial skill Treants had, right? I recall it having an effect like obstructing the assimilation between this world and the other?

『Not just obstruction; I can now also connect a temporary path to the other world. It’s limited, but we’ll be able to grasp the state of affairs over there.』

“That’s incredible.”

Moving forward, that is an incomparably beneficial skill. As expected of the reincarnation of the Divine Tree.

“So, does this mean you’ll be traveling back and forth between there and here?”

When I asked, Libera-san wore a slightly regretful expression.

“……No, that’s not possible. I can only do it once. Once I go back, I’ll be forcibly removed from your party. I think the next time I come to this world will be after the ‘Continental Fusion’.”

Continental Fusion. The full-scale merging of Libera-san’s world and ours. It’s still unknown what kind of world will result from it. However, at the very least, if the words of that white girl are true, it won’t end up in the same chaotic state as when the monsters first overflowed.

“I won’t be able to return to this world for a while, but with Sui-chan’s unique skill, our movements should be communicated to you to some extent. I’ll tell the people of the other world everything. Including the truth about this world. And I will persuade them. I swear I won’t let the time you all bought go to waste.”

Then, Gashmash, who was standing behind her, spoke up.

“The rest of us in the Vanguard decided to cooperate with Libera-san too. We’re heroes in that world, after all. We have quite a bit of influence, you know?”

Now that Randall is gone, they have no reason to fight us. If they’re willing to cooperate, they are more than welcome.

“Are Shuri and Beld going to be alright?”

Shuri the Ninja God and Beld the Spearman, whom I fought. Both of them survived as well. They are currently being restrained and treated inside Libera-san’s shadow.

“They’ll be fine. Both Shuri and Beld joined more out of personal grudges against me or Ivar than loyalty to Randall. I’ll talk to them. Well, even if they say no, I’ll force them to obey.”

Looking at it this way, more than half of the Vanguard members survived. Only four died, including Randall. But considering the future, their survival could be called a stroke of luck. After all, the time we have left is only ten years.

“By the way, we destroyed the Master Key; was that really okay?”

“It’s fine. That was an item for outsiders to interfere with the system. Now that the system is running normally, it’s just a nuisance.”

True, if it remained, there’s no guarantee a second or third Randall wouldn’t appear. It would be a lie to say I have no anxieties about the system itself, but the fear of it being misused is far greater. Excessive power eventually destroys its wielder. I understand that well enough after seeing Randall’s end.

“Now then, next is—……”

Various discussions followed. Our future movements in this world. The whereabouts of other unique skill holders and named monsters. Predicted movements in the other world. The characteristics of the system and the knowledge held by Libera-san and the Vanguard. After several days of meetings, the day finally came for Libera-san and the others to return.

“Are you really…… heading back to the other world already?”

“Yes. Because if I stay any longer, I won’t want to leave. I want to go back before my resolve wavers.”

“……I understand.”

To be honest, I still wanted Libera-san to stay in this world and help us. But if she did, as she said, her resolve would probably weaken. Not just for our world, but to make both worlds coexist—that is what she has worked so hard for until now.

“Then, Kazuto, if you please.”

“Yes. Heroic Hymn—Activate.”

I activated Heroic Hymn for the first time in a while. I added Mayor Uesugi to the party and manifested the unique skills necessary for Libera-san and the others to return.

『—Verdant Emperor Territory, activate. ……Mhm, I’ve confirmed the path to the other world.』

As Sui said this and held out her hand, the space in front of us distorted slightly.

“There it is. —Transference of Merit, activate.”

Next, Libera-san activated her unique skill. The space distorted further, and a giant black vortex appeared.

“……Is this really safe?”

Gashmash let out an anxious voice.

“If you’re so worried, you can be the canary. Here.”

“Ah, wai—”

As Libera-san kicked Gashmash from behind, his body was sucked into the black vortex. How merciless……

“Sui-chan, how is it?”

『—Confirmed. I can feel that person’s presence in the other world.』

“Good, safety confirmed. Alright, let’s get going.”

……So he really was a canary. I felt a tiny bit of sympathy for Gashmash. Also, I realized a bit late that this skill can’t return only the Vanguard; Libera-san’s accompaniment is a condition of the skill.

“Kahkahkah! See ya later! You better have improved your skills by the next time we meet!”

“……Give my regards to Ayame Kujo. Talking with a Sword Saint of this world was truly meaningful. Tell her we shall meet again.”

The members of the Vanguard entered one after another. Finally, Libera-san looked at Ivar-san.

“Ivar, are you sure you don’t want to go back? In the other world, you might be able to become human again.”

“Yes. This is the choice I made. Besides, my power will still be needed in this world. So, please look after Beld.”

“……I understand. You work hard too.”

Libera-san tapped Ivar-san’s chest lightly, then looked at the Sea King. He had also come to see them off.

“Shuram, I’m leaving the rest to you.”

『Rest easy. Even without my interference, the people of this world are strong. They will surely build the future you desire.』

“Heh, I suppose so……”

After lightly stroking the Sea King’s body, Libera-san finally looked at us.

“I look forward to seeing you all again in ten years. When that time comes, I hope we can truly hold hands.”

I shook the hand she offered me.

“Of course. Let’s both do our best.”

“Yes. Let’s meet again, Kazuto.”

And then, Libera-san returned to the other world. Believing that we would meet again in ten years—……

“—Well then, shall we head out too?”

“Indeed.”

“Wan!”

With Libera-san and the others gone, we resumed our activities. Our first task was to spread information about how the world became this way and the upcoming continental fusion and immigration.

Not just us, but Nishino-kun’s group, the City Hall members, and Aya-nee’s group all collaborated to transmit this truth across the globe. First Japan, then overseas. Our means of transport have increased significantly, and our range of action will expand exponentially from here on. While traveling on Sora’s back, Arrogance, who had returned to being a magic sword, spoke to me.

『Sigh…… How tedious. Hey, Kazuto Kudo, won’t you use Heroic Hymn once in a while to release me? Please, just for a few hours.』

“The answer is ‘no,’ obviously.”

Even if the duration of Heroic Hymn has increased and the backlash has decreased after evolving, why should I do that just for your boredom? As I thought that, Sora also spoke up.

『I also think you should use Heroic Hymn occasionally. And while you’re at it, let that magic sword fellow use Demon King’s Praise. I want to see my husband. I want to see him, I want to see him, I want to see him!』

“……Well, I’ll try to do something about that eventually……”

『You better! It’s a promise! If you lie, you won’t get off easy!』

“I know, I know. Honestly, you really turn into a different character when Flamme-san is involved……”

Or is this actually Sora’s true self?

『Hey, isn’t the difference in treatment between me and Sora a bit too much?』

“Of course it is. Unlike you, Flamme-san is a monster who can actually be reasoned with.”

Sora’s husband—Dragon King Flamme—and the other resurrected Named monsters vanished as soon as Arrogance returned to his sword form. It seems Ivar-san’s Perfect Recreation doesn’t work on monsters resurrected by a unique skill; Sora’s grief and subsequent rampage at the time were legendary. She demands to see him every single day. Well, I understand her feelings.

“That’s why we’re going to look for the holder of the unique skill that might be able to do it, aren’t we?”

『Exactly. Find them with top priority. Hurry up and let me see my husband.』

—Unique Skill Resurrection. An extraordinary skill that can bring a person or monster back to life once. The owner of that skill is supposedly in the place we’re heading. My source is Aya-nee’s unique skill Wisdom. Being able to look up almost anything you want to know is a much bigger cheat than my Early Maturity.

“Ah, I can see it now!”

“Ooh…… it really is big.”

Where Ichinose-san is pointing is a massive landmass—Hokkaido. Apparently, the holder of the Resurrection unique skill is there, along with holders of Plunder and Severance, and even a Named monster candidate for the Phantom King seat. As expected of the “Land of Trials.” The sense of it being packed with events is incredible.

“……Surely even Schwarz won’t chase us all the way to Hokkaido.”

“Wafun!”

Momo, perhaps remembering what happened back then, is huffing inside my lap.

“Hehe, Momo-chan’s intensity back then was quite something, wasn’t it?”

Ichinose-san seemed to remember too and let out a chuckle. After that battle, Schwarz, having healed his wounds, appeared before us with his pack. He came to challenge us to a fair and square duel, but it was postponed by a single bark from Momo.

“Momo-chan was all like ‘We’re busy right now!’—she was really fuming.”

“Even Schwarz was completely taken aback……”

Faced with Momo in full ‘Refusal-Shiba’ mode, even Schwarz was visibly bewildered. We made a promise to do it after the Continental Fusion in ten years, but he keeps finding excuses to come and challenge us. And every time, Momo’s ‘Refusal-Shiba’ mode activates, and he leaves dejectedly.

……Wait, is he actually coming to challenge us, or is he just coming to see Momo?

I heard the magic stone Momo ate belonged to Schwarz’s mate. However, every time he comes, his power has increased, and many of his pack have evolved. I’m worried he’ll eventually become like a Demon King. I really don’t want to fight him.

“Ten years from now, huh…… I wonder what will happen to us?”

Ichinose-san suddenly murmured.

“Who knows. But we promised Libera-san. That we’d make this a world where we can coexist.”

To be blunt, that’s a heavy burden for someone who used to be a mere corporate drone. Still, I have to do it, and this is something I decided for myself, not for anyone else. If that’s the case, I’ll give it my all. And hey, I might as well travel the world with Ichinose-san and Momo while I’m at it. Facing it with that much levity shouldn’t hurt.

“So, well, I’d be happy if you’d keep fighting by my side.”

“Isn’t that obvious? I said we’d stay together forever, didn’t I?”

“Wan!” “Kyuu!” “……(vibrate)” 『Hmph.』

Momo and the others joined in response to Ichinose-san’s words. Watching them, a smile naturally formed on my face.

“You’re right. Well then, let’s keep living together. In this—world overflowing with monsters.”

We will keep living. From now on, forever in this world. Together with our most precious comrades—

『Since It’s Become a World Overflowing with Monsters, I Want to Live as I Please』

FIN

Thank you for reading.

With this, “Since It’s Become a World Overflowing with Monsters, I Want to Live as I Please” is complete.

It has been about 7 years since I first posted on Shosetsuka ni Naro. Being able to continue writing until the conclusion is undoubtedly thanks to all the readers who read this work. If I’m being honest, I wanted to finish it a bit earlier. The light novel version took a different route, and with various things happening, there was a long gap for the web version. I apologize to everyone I kept waiting.

However, nothing would make me happier than if you read this work and thought it was fun or interesting.

Also, I’d be even happier if you took this opportunity to read the light novel version. Arrogance and Katsuragi-san are practically different people, you know? Randall and the Vanguard members have different settings, but they also have illustrations.

Now that it’s concluded, if you thought this work was interesting, I would be happy if you could click the rating below.

While it is finished, I plan to post occasional after-stories. If there is demand to see the story of their lives ten years later, I might even write it as a new work. Parts that couldn’t be fully written here are included in the activity reports.

Also, I’d be happy if you read the spin-off “Modern Sword Saint Story” or my new work “The Case Where Giving Protein to a Monster Resulted in Something Incredible.”

So, once more at the end.

Thank you very much for reading this work!