Efforts Before the End

"Wizard, is something troubling you?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because... you've been busier lately, more than ever before."

"Thank you for your concern, Servia, but there's nothing on my mind."

……

[You became aware of the existence of the Immortals]

[Your once-relaxed escape plan suddenly became urgent]

[In your eyes, maintaining your previous leisurely pace would only lead to the complete failure of the plan]

[You began devoting yourself day and night to the study of cross-dimensional technology]

[You accelerated the slaughter of the undead]

[Through relentless effort, you made daily progress, and the harvested soul flames piled up rapidly—yet it still wasn’t enough]

[The Immortals were far too powerful]

[As a mere Fourth-Circle Wizard, the only possible miracle you could achieve against them was to amass an overwhelming amount of soul flames]

[No one else could do this but you]

……

[Servia was worried about you]

[But each time, you would smile and say everything was fine]

[The Hero didn’t understand your urgency, but she wanted to help—so she became just as frenzied as you, attacking the mindless undead without pause]

[She created opportunities for you to harvest soul flames faster]

[Her efforts]

[Her sacrifices]

[You saw them all]

"Servia, you should rest for a while."

"No, Wizard," the Hero stubbornly shook her head, gripping her heavy greatsword with both hands. "You’ve always taken care of me. I can’t just stand by while you face hardship."

A step forward.

A charge.

A diagonal slash.

Servia’s expression was unwavering as she followed closely behind Xu Xi, cutting down the endless waves of undead that drew near.

The Hero didn’t know the truth, nor was she skilled in reading people’s hearts.

She only knew one thing.

Someone precious to her was struggling, and she wanted to help—even if only a little.

"Servia, this will be exhausting."

"It’s no problem, Wizard."

"Not just for a day or two, but from now on."

"Yes, I understand."

Faced with Servia’s stubbornness, Xu Xi relented. With the explosive firepower of the Wizard Tower, they launched wave after wave of undead extermination.

……

[Simulation Year 40, Age 57]

[Three years had passed since you discovered the existence of the Immortals]

[During this time, you had continued searching for any records related to the Endless Netherworld]

[This was supposed to be an extremely well-guarded secret]

[But in a world on the brink of destruction, no one stood in your way]

[After cross-referencing multiple sources, you confirmed the existence of the Immortals, and your heart grew heavier]

[You gazed out the window—under the effects of the tower’s spells, golden sunlight bathed the green forest, and laughter filled the air]

[Servia brought you a warm drink to soothe your mind]

[As you sipped it, savoring the tranquility, you refused to let this beauty fade]

"Servia, what did you put in the water? It tastes familiar."

"Sandthorn berries, Wizard."

Xu Xi smacked his lips.

Now he understood why his Hero loved sandthorn berries so much.

Aside from her questionable roasting skills, the fruit’s taste was actually quite pleasant—

Sweet and tart.

……

[Simulation Year 43, Age 60]

[You were still collecting soul flames]

[Inspired by you, both Servia and the others in the tower gave 200% effort]

[You never revealed the cruel truth]

[But just seeing you work tirelessly was enough to spur them into action]

[That same year, your cross-dimensional technology advanced further, inching closer to practical application]

[According to your calculations, the earliest the Wizard World could be destroyed was in Year 74 of the simulation]

[That would be the true end]

[Unwilling to rely on blind luck, you prepared to activate the Salvation Tower’s dimensional voyage by Year 70—or even Year 60 or 50—depending on your soul flame stockpile and the progress of your research]

……

[Simulation Year 45, Age 62]

[Servia’s mastery of the Third Circle had grown remarkably stable]

[She became increasingly skilled in the domains of death and souls]

[Under your guidance, the Hero had grown exceptional, shedding her previous limitation of close-quarters combat]

[In her early days as a wizard apprentice, she could only enchant her blade and fight in melee]

[But now]

[When the Hero raised the sword you gifted her with both hands, she could unleash a radiant torrent of souls from its edge]

[It was the culmination of soul energy and necromantic spells]

["Hero Servia, charging forth!"]

[The same words, spoken in a different time—you looked at the slightly childish Servia, your expression a mix of nostalgia and pride]

In battle, Servia always remained in her undead form.

Only within the tower would she allow Xu Xi to restore her flesh, living as a mortal during their daily routines.

Yet—

At this very moment—

Amidst the shimmering cascade of souls, Servia’s face bore soft, radiant contours, as if the light had filled in the gaps of her fragmented features, completing them.

Brilliant. Breathtaking.

"Wizard, I’ve grown stronger. From now on, I can help you even more."

Her first words weren’t a request for praise.

Instead, with emerald-green eyes—clear and deep as spring fields—

She looked at Xu Xi.

And earnestly told him that she could shoulder more of the burden in slaying the undead, so he wouldn’t have to exhaust himself so much.

Xu Xi smiled in response. "Then I’ll be counting on you, Servia."

The one who had lost everything was beginning to "live" again.

That radiance seemed to outshine even the artificial sunlight within the Salvation Tower.

……

[Simulation Year 46, Age 63]

[Your cross-dimensional technology finally reached maturity, and you began modifying your Wizard Tower]

[This was a lengthy task]

[As the only Fourth-Circle Wizard in the Salvation Tower, you had to complete all the work alone]

[Simulation Year 47, Age 64]

[Over twenty years had passed since you became a Fourth-Circle Wizard, but the complexity of cross-dimensional research and the ceaseless harvesting of soul flames had drastically cut into your cultivation time]

[You still saw no hope of breaking through to the Fifth Circle]

[Servia stayed by your side, concerned for your health]

[You often lost track of time, but whenever you needed it, she was there—bringing you meals, warm water, and arcane materials]

[Simulation Year 48, Age 65]

[You devoted yourself entirely to the tower’s reconstruction]

[During this period, the tower’s functions were suspended, and you generously granted the tower spirit its first vacation since the tower’s founding]

[Simulation Year 49, Age 66]

[Simulation Year 50, Age 67]

[Simulation Year 51, Age 68—the modifications to the Wizard Tower neared completion]