The world ended again, without anything special happening.
I think it happens sometimes.
You wake up, eat, live your normal life, go back to sleep.
When you repeat the same daily routine, you sometimes wonder, "What day is it?"
And confuse the date or day of the week.
For me, the world's destruction and death are my daily routine.
So it's natural that I'm confused about which death or which destruction this is.
"No, this one is a bit special."
My eyes sting.
The sky is blood-red, as if the sun's belly has been pierced and its contents spilled out.
A pungent smell enters my nostrils.
It's the dark scent of wood, stone, flesh, and all manner of things burning.
Buildings and walls constructed with solid bricks are now riddled with holes and crumbling.
Above all, the swarm of monsters filling the sky like an untimely flock of crows.
The Dragon Corps.
I can only laugh hollowly.
"Haha, well..."
There have been times when the Hero's Party was annihilated by the Demon King, and times when all of humanity was infected with a plague that turned them into undead.
But this is the first time I've seen the Empire get utterly destroyed by a dragon swarm.
"How are we supposed to defeat something like that? Status Window."
―――――――――――
Name: Lars
Surname: None (Gotberg)
Age: 27
Occupation: Healer
Rank: Commoner (Fallen Nobility)
Affiliation: Hero's Party
Talent: ■■■ (S)
■■ (S)
Goal: Clear by avoiding Bad Endings.
Death upon Bad Ending (in progress)
Time Remaining: 17 minutes 42 seconds
―――――――――――
I thought I might finally defeat the Demon King and clear this time, but it's ended like this.
How long has it been since I was possessed into this pathetic fantasy game world?
Hmm, it's hazy.
"They could at least give me more time."
The original game's background time was one month.
I've already repeated the same 30 days hundreds of times.
When I first failed to clear, died, and regressed...
When I realized I couldn't even die properly, chills ran up the back of my neck.
It was like being trapped in prison.
Since then, I've tried everything to clear this, but it's all been in vain.
There's no solution with these conditions.
Not as a pathetic extra healer character with a useless background and locked talents.
Right, a healer.
I was in the middle of casting a healing spell on the warrior of the Hero's Party who had collapsed on the ground.
"It hurts! It hurts! Do it properly!"
"Of course it hurts with fourth-degree burns all over your body. Wait, the cooldown is still active."
The warrior was screaming and bending his back like a shrimp, apparently in unbearable pain.
"Aaagh...! Lars, if you're part of the Hero's Party, show some responsibility! Try harder!"
"The healing efficiency is garbage, I can't help it. The target area is random, and the speed is slow. If you have burns, you should cool them with cold water, apply anesthesia, and excise the skin. I'm just reading the holy book here."
In this world, doing something like that would make me look like a madman trying to kill the patient.
Here, when someone gets hurt, the common sense is to pray first rather than look for treatment methods.
Viva, healing spell.
Despite my kind explanation, the warrior continued to grind his teeth.
"You're supposed to be a healer, but you always say incomprehensible things! If you weren't skilled, someone with such a broken personality would never have made it into the Hero's Party...!"
I'm not the one with a broken personality.
I'm just possessed into someone with a broken personality.
Well, after this much time, even I have trouble distinguishing between us.
"Hey, listen. Despite how I look, I actually studied medicine before being possessed. I wanted to be a doctor back then. A real profession, you know? It's cool. Good money too, and the number one choice for a husband."
I wasn't exceptionally good at it, but still.
Of course. What madman would study because they want to? I was pushed into it by others, like everyone else.
"But I was quite sincere later on. There was a certain fulfillment in treating patients during practical training."
It was treatment based on medicine, not healing spells like now.
"That was futile too. I had a traffic accident and my nerves were shot. What use is a doctor whose hands tremble uncontrollably?"
I could have returned after expensive surgery and rehabilitation, but I didn't have the money.
It's the same in this world—the skilled, expensive healers are monopolized by the high and mighty.
Even the Hero's Party was sent someone as subpar as me.
"I only graduated high school. After that, I just played games like a shut-in until I was dragged here... Ah, the cooldown's done."
"Heal, heal me...!"
The warrior's breath is fading.
Even though the world is about to end anyway, I can't abandon a patient right in front of me, so I decided to fulfill my duty.
I open the holy book and offer a prayer.
But since there's no such thing as a god in this world, I might as well recite any random passage.
"I humbly beseech the almighty Goddess Pingchang, bestow your miserable mercy and watch over this lamb..."
The warrior's arm fell limply.
"Hey, you."
Tsk, he couldn't hold on.
I threw aside the holy book and immediately performed CPR.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It's emergency treatment used on critical patients when no tools are available.
I massage the warrior's heart strongly, but consciousness doesn't return.
...Five minutes pass.
The golden time has passed.
"Haah."
Drenched in sweat, I look around.
The proud Hero's Party is all face-down in the dirt with no intention of getting up.
Well, hundreds of dragons from the Dragon Corps poured down from the sky right after we defeated the Demon King, so there's no way to survive.
This is the end.
My divine power is depleted too, making my head dizzy.
I stagger to my feet and slowly walk away.
I inadvertently step on the holy book that had fallen to the ground.
"I said I wanted to be a doctor, not a healer."
If I was going to be possessed, they could have at least made me a swordsman so I could enjoy the combat.
Or let me blast magic spells everywhere.
"I miss modern medicine. How can a fantasy world not even have potions?"
If I could make painkillers here, they would sell like hotcakes.
Then I could have upgraded this miserable equipment a bit.
"Yet I've only made it this far."
These are terrible conditions.
The body I'm possessed into gets out of breath after just a little running, and has severe sleep disorders.
There seems to be hidden talent, but it's locked. I can't unlock it within the one-month condition, and I can't improve my skills at all.
From the start, we're thrown into fighting the Demon King's army with no time to train calmly.
As a bonus, I start with everyone giving me the evil eye because I'm a detestable character.
Still, I've gained experience through hundreds of repetitions.
Before possession, I had only played through once, so I didn't know much about this world.
Now with accumulated experience, I've learned about the characters' pasts, monster attack strategies, and more.
Repeating death also sometimes brings flashes of memory from the body—from Lars.
No, now I am Lars, the rascal healer.
I've even experienced defeating the Demon King quite a few times.
But what's the use?
Another Bad Ending.
I moved my feet dejectedly.
Where should I lie down to die this time?
As I was looking for a place to rest, I noticed someone in the distance beckoning to me from the imperial palace walls.
Seeing her face makes me nauseous. I feel like ripping out my stomach and wringing its contents.
Well, from experience, I've never had a peaceful end after upsetting her.
Even the Hero's Party must kneel and submit before her.
When she says jump, I have to ask how high.
I trudge up the wall stairs.
Even though it's obvious she's the one who caused the world's destruction this time too.
She was sitting on the railing of the wall, which was littered with soldiers' corpses.
Her long hair, which fell past her waist, maintained its dignity despite being tossed about by the wind.
A faint golden hue lingered in her silver hair, the symbol of a powerful witch.
She swung her slender legs gracefully. In her delicate fingers, she held a glass of wine redder than blood.
Her long eyelashes were directed toward the center of the Empire being destroyed by the Dragon Corps.
A slight smile played on her lips.
Seeing that smile, a deep hatred rises along with the traumatic fear of death.
If only this woman hadn't existed, my suffering would have ended long ago.
But since this isn't an emotion I'm experiencing for the first or second time, it disappears quickly like a mirage.
Getting angry here would only hasten my demise.
Now that I know her circumstances to some extent, I'm inclined to let it slide.
The 7th Emperor of the Empire, Asella von Württemfelt, sneered at me like a demon.
"I'm surprised you're not as desperate as I expected, useless healer of the Hero's Party."
I pointed at the Dragon Corps covering the sky and asked.
"Did Your Majesty summon those?"
"Hoho, you're still quite perceptive. That's why you continued your rascal behavior until the moment your family was exterminated."
I cleared away some bricks on the floor with my foot and sat down heavily next to Asella.
When I tried to take the wine placed beside her, she quickly grabbed the bottle.
"How dare you try to touch an offering made to the Emperor of the Empire?"
"That Empire just collapsed, didn't it? Share some with me."
"Kneel and beg like a dog. Then I might consider it."
"Please bestow your mercy upon this destitute beggar, Your Majesty."
After I respectfully paid my respects, Asella granted me the wine with satisfaction.
From experience, it's a hundred times better to be drunk when dying.
Since I won't remember it anyway, it's a good trade to kneel a bit and get some alcohol.
Defying this woman would only result in suffering from her magic until death.
"Nice view."
I watch from the best seat as dragons breathe fire and burn the Empire.
"Isn't it beautiful? The day the curse ends."
Asella stretched out both arms in delight, seemingly pleased with the scene.
"Yes, it's a masterpiece."
"How strange. I thought you would be furious and ready to pull a dagger on me."
"I've rushed at you more than ten times. You didn't even get scratched. Only my head flew off."
I responded casually while drinking more from the bottle.
As befitting the Emperor's possession, Asella's wine was delicious.
"You often make such peculiar remarks. Like a madman."
"Not as much as Your Majesty."
The 7th Emperor of the Empire, Asella, is a mad villainess.
Known by the epithet "Golden Witch."
Almost half of the world's destructions I've witnessed were caused by this woman.
Even during and after fighting the Demon King's army, she commits insane acts that lead the world to ruin, like now.
Whether using her power or magic.
"Still, you're more honest than before. Oh, don't misunderstand. That doesn't mean I like it. How terrible it would have been if the engagement arranged by our families had been realized."
"Well, who's talking? You were delighted when my family was exterminated for plotting an insignificant rebellion, weren't you?"
"It was the best birthday present."
Asella laughed softly, exhaling a breath.
The scent of grapes grown in the cold fields of the North tickled my nose.
As she said, we were engaged.
A contract made when Asella was still a princess.
I was from a prestigious noble family, but now there's no trace of it.
I wouldn't have lived out my natural lifespan married to such a crazy woman anyway.
...Though I know Asella didn't go mad by choice.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
I inadvertently asked, dropping the honorifics.
Asella didn't answer my question, only slightly raising the corner of her mouth.
It was a beauty that could bewitch you even knowing she was the villainess who destroyed the world.
As if recalling an old story, she stared into space, deeply contemplating something.
With some of the imperial authority lifted from her shoulders, she slowly vibrated her small vocal cords.
"...Young Lord of Gotberg. I've hated you so much all my life."
A grudge held throughout her lifetime.
I don't know how to respond.
"Do you remember? We first met in the flower garden of your family mansion. That day, I hated every inch of you."
"Is that so."
I've heard about that incident.
When I trace back through the memories, I vaguely recall it too.
"How did you summon the Dragon Corps?"
"Ah, since it's a special occasion, shall I tell you? I've reached the 8th Circle, but there's no one to boast to."
Asella began excitedly drawing magic circles in the air like a child.
She always enjoyed talking about magic.
"Look, this is the main magic circle that forms the base. High-level magic is like drawing three-dimensional figures in higher-dimensional space. You place the main circle at each vertex and..."
As I listened to the difficult explanation, the alcohol took effect and I began to nod off.
I think that's when the Dragon Corps' breath engulfed us.
Because a searing heat and suffocating sensation overtook me, with my lungs shriveling from the inside.
Shortly after, everything went dark.
'Hmm, it's black.'
That meant regression was being prepared.
This is a scene I'm tired of seeing. Soon a system notification will appear, and I'll return to the first scene.
―――――――――――
· Notification
Clear Failed
You have collected
Beginning regression.
―――――――――――
Yes, like this.
―――――――――――
· Notification
You have collected all Bad Endings.
[Special Perk] for clearing assistance is now available.
· [Ending List] is now available.
· You can now select the regression point.
―――――――――――
...What is this?
A message I've never seen before appeared.
The word [Special Perk] made me fully alert.
'Wait, if something like this existed, why not earlier?'
I've seen all the Bad Endings?
There were 101 Bad Endings, right?
I've seen them all already? I've died many times more than that?
That's harsh, really harsh.
...But I see hope.
I had a feeling this regression would be different.
Among everything, one thing stands out.
'I can choose the regression point?'
I scroll down to see how far back I can go.
...I keep scrolling but there's no end.
Finally, I reach a number that won't scroll further, and I can't help but laugh.
[Regression Point: 10 years ago]
...Not one month, but 10 years.
I can change so much.
Without hesitation, I select it.
[Proceeding with regression.]
My vision spins, feeling the rotation even in darkness.
And then.
"...Hmm."
I open my eyes in bed.
I get up and look around.
It's a clean, luxurious room I've never seen before.
I check the mirror.
There I am, a fresh, young boy not yet worn down by the world.
"Did I really go back 10 years?"
I check the status window.
―――――――――――
Name: Lars
Surname: Gotberg
Age: 17
Occupation: None
Rank: Marquis Family Heir
Affiliation: Healer Training Center
Talent: ■■■ (S)
■■ (S)
Goal: Clear by avoiding Bad Endings.
Death upon Bad Ending (in progress)
Time Remaining: 9 years 364 days 23 hours
―――――――――――
"It's real."
All kinds of possibilities bloom in my mind.
My family still exists, and my body is young.
If I prepare from now, I can become anything.
There are even more special perks.
"This isn't just about clearing..."
I can change the future where I have to work in dangerous places like the Hero's Party.
I feel confident I can succeed at anything.
I just need to accomplish one thing.
Avoid the Bad Endings where I die.
As I was contemplating what to do first, I noticed a commotion outside and looked out the window.
My room was on the third floor of the annex.
People were bustling at the main entrance beyond the fence.
Knights were everywhere, as if a distinguished guest had arrived at the estate.
The Marquis—my father—was busy greeting them.
'It's the Empress. She's visiting the Marquis's estate.'
Then is she here too?
I moved to look at the back of the mansion.
A well-maintained garden full of greenery.
Among the blooming yellow roses,
A frail girl with abundant golden hair was slowly walking, savoring the flowers.
It was fourteen-year-old Asella.