At that moment, the massive figure reappeared before me without any warning, and an infinite fear spread through my mind.

I felt like I was already a dead person, is this the end?

The heaviest fate for someone without purpose is to turn into ashes.

"Brother!"

"I'm tired. Now I just want to spend time with my sister. That's my goal. Besides that, I have no regrets..."

"That's not true!"

My sister shouted and punched me angrily.

"Brother, you've never been taken care of in your life, right? You've always endured my temper since we were little, and you never accepted our parents' affection. That's the kind of brother you are!"

Two tears streamed down from under her bangs.

"That's the kind of brother you are, always willing to protect me regardless of any danger. When I got lost in the forest, you didn't hesitate to come find me, even though you knew you could be attacked by wolves or bears."

"..."

Once again, the image of my sister appeared before my eyes, replaying memories as if my life was being rewound.

Time passed slowly, making me doubt if there were any signs of life left in the real me.

Huff, huff, huff!!

The person carrying me seemed to be gasping heavily, having carried me for so long, they must be tired.

What just happened?!

I just felt my vitality constantly flowing away, like time was accelerating its flow!

"Brother, you'll be fine. I can share my vitality with you!"

"Can you...?"

I hesitated. I never thought Nana could share her vitality with me, but is it really worth it?

Things are much more terrifying than we imagined. The Evil Entity's supply is too fast, and their attacks can instantly tear any one of us to pieces!

"But... what about Lan?"

"What's wrong?"

"She..."

"Well, she's done for. Her vitality has been completely drained. Even the gods wouldn't be able to save her now."

Hordos, who carried me here, tried to transfer some vitality to Lan, but there was no response at all.

"What?!"

Yukari rushed to the man and glared at him angrily.

"She's our captain. Who are you to say she can't be saved?!"

She couldn't accept such a reality. They finally found a new companion, and now she's gone...

He could only shake his head, helplessly raising his hand.

"Let's check on this young man instead... hmm."

Hordos transmitted some test vitality to my body and raised an eyebrow.

"He still has a bit of life left, maybe there's still hope."

"What do we need to do then?"

Chiyori stepped forward resolutely, hoping they could contribute.

But things were not as simple as they thought. Hordos took off his hat with a wry smile and shook his head.

"It will depend on whether he can hold on himself. What we can do is..."

As soon as he mentioned that Yukari and the others could do something, they eagerly urged him.

"What can we do? Stop keeping us in suspense and tell us!"

"Well... one word: Wait!"

"What did you say?!"

I grabbed my sister's shoulders with both hands, unable to believe what I was hearing.

"You're saying Lan... Lan will die?!"

"Take it easy, big brother. She's already dead. I can't supply life force to two people at the same time."

"Can't supply to two people?"

My sister's words immediately reminded me.

"Nana, are you saying that you can also share life force..."

"That's enough!"

I was interrupted by my sister's furious shout, but she quickly apologized to me in a soft voice.

"Big brother, sometimes you have to think about yourself too. It's okay to be selfish, even if it means accumulating sins. At least this time..."

"Nana!"

I walked up to my sister and gently ran my hand through her hair.

At the same time, I told her my thoughts.

"I have already carried too much guilt. If Lan will disappear from my side, I'd rather trade my life for hers. Only then will I find some peace in my heart."

My sister looked at me with worry, hoping that I would take back what I said.

But I am someone who sticks to my decisions, and she knew I wouldn't change my mind.

However, this time, she pleaded with me in a desperate tone.

"I'm begging you, big brother. Please think carefully. Is everything you've done worth it?"

"Yes."

"...Okay... Fine, I'll save her after all!"

"Nana, thank you for understanding."

My sister, with a face as red as a ball, finally followed my plan. Before leaving, she left behind instructions meant for family.

"Promise me you'll do your best to live!"

"Mm, I'll do my best."

I replaced the farewell with a smile, and tears shimmered in my sister's eyes. Then she smiled and said,

"Well, I'll do my best too..."

My sister and I hooked our pinky fingers together, just like when we were children.

"A promise with a hook, whoever breaks it will be a big liar burned by fire!"

"Hey, I don't remember that part about being burned by fire?"

Why did my sister's attitude suddenly become so strange? I had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

She looked up at me and bid me farewell with a gentle smile that felt unusual.

"Sorry, because I've already been burned by fire."

Mischievously, she flashed a big smile, exposing her flawless white teeth in front of me.

This cheerful and relieved smile made me feel a little confused, so I stupidly asked her.

"What... What are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Well, even though we're not from this world anymore, even though we're already dead, I still care about you, big brother. My existence is the reason for you to keep living!"

Displaying a confident pose as if she had anticipated everything, she explained everything to me.

"Big brother, since you're willing to strive for one person, it means you've found..."

Before she finished speaking, a powerful suction force began to sweep over her, and she gradually disintegrated into countless particles. Then, bit by bit, she was sucked into that bottomless abyss.

"Big brother, it's happening so fast... Looks like it's time to say goodbye."

"Why are you saying such foolish things, Nana!!"

I rushed towards her, but was blocked by an invisible wall of air.

"You've found your new family. If you were to die, they would definitely be heartbroken, so..."

No matter how much I tried to strike the wall, I couldn't break it!

Finally, my sister gradually transformed into a stream of stars, blown by the black hole to a distant place.

I know that place, it's a paradise I can never reach.

"Keep striving to live!"

At this moment, countless memories of my sister started to fade away in my mind.

"Paroni, look! It's a butterfly!"

My sister, wearing a blue and white dress, gracefully played among the flowers, making her proud older brother feel somewhat elated.

Every time someone praised me for having a lively and lovely sister, I felt a sense of pride.

The next scene is when my sister was in her teens.

"Paroni, get out quickly..."

"Why am I being kicked out right after coming home?"

"Well, well, my friends are coming. Do you want them to know that my older brother looks average and has poor character?"

The girl had already grown into a slim and beautiful young lady.

She had a high popularity and reputation at school, but there was one thing she didn't want to admit – she had a worthless older brother!

"Okay, okay, my friends are coming!"

Just as I entered the door and was about to praise my sister for her glamorous appearance, she immediately chased me out of the house.

I was very sad at that time because my sister and I were starting to drift apart.

Fifteen years old was the last time I saw my sister, as a great fire engulfed my home, along with the beautiful hills and forests.

Although it was a terrible event, I no longer felt unbearable pain.

"What is this...?"

In the blink of an eye, I found myself lying in a familiar, all-too-familiar dorm room, with a computer and a dressing table that looked so familiar.

In addition, there was a pure and beautiful red-haired girl lying in my bed, cuddling with me.

"Who are you?"

The girl's appearance was quite stunning, and I felt a strange sense of familiarity, but when I tried to recall her face, my head would start to throb!

But only for a brief moment... very brief.

In the blink of an eye, the girl's silhouette, her reddish long hair, and her eyes resembling rubies vanished without a trace.

All that was left was emptiness, as if she had never been a part of my life.

"Where is my past...?"

I carefully recalled my past memories in my mind, as if gazing foolishly at the dancing butterflies in the flower garden.

I remembered something again, and my body felt light.

As soon as I entered the house, I was greeted by...?

"Paroni... Paroni, are you listening to me?"

My mother urged me with a soup ladle in her hand.

"Come and eat, your father and I are going on a business trip. Is it okay for you to be alone?"

"Hehe, I'm already an adult. A very big adult!"

I slapped my own body with force while calmly telling them.

"Don't worry, I can handle it on my own!"

"Is that so? With your words, I can rest assured. See you in five days."

After saying goodbye to my mom, I had dinner alone and finished off the somewhat surprising meal. Then, as I usually do, I started to clean up the plates and utensils, but to my utter dismay, I made a very silly mistake!

While reaching for the dishwashing liquid, I accidentally grabbed twice the amount needed for two people.

"Oh no, what a waste!"

I quickly rinsed off the excess dishwashing liquid, but my mind was still puzzled.

What's going on? It feels like the silence at home is a bit too much.

Usually at this time...

I thought to myself and glanced over at the adjacent dining table, wondering what would happen now.

"Um, am I just being paranoid, or..."

After tidying up the utensils, I walked up the staircase leading to the second floor until the room directly in front of me came into view.

"Or perhaps... I'm falling ill?!"