Chapter Seventy-Seven: The True Protagonist
Galgame “Guided by Starlight.”
Also known as “Starlight 1,” it contains a hidden harem ending.
Because players have experienced the individual routes of the heroines, witnessing the nearly total annihilation and the cruel endings, this harem route where all heroines survive seems particularly precious.
Players thought it was the last act of conscience from the “Starlight” producer, and after completing this overly happy ending, they all left positive reviews for the game.
At that time, “Starlight” had not yet been defined as a “complete trash game” by all players.
The existence of this harem ending allowed “Starlight” to have the opportunity to create a “sequel.”
The players who left good reviews had no idea that their actions would lead to the birth of a “true trash game.”
The plot of “Starlight 2” follows the much-discussed harem ending of “Starlight.”
And then—
This is the beginning of hell.
In the original “Starlight 2.”
One of the heroines from the previous work, “Yui,” could not accept the protagonist’s death. She sought the power of dusk to resurrect him.
But after realizing that everything was in vain, she turned to accept the power of the mist.
She returned to Kawano City, where she had once created beautiful memories with the protagonist.
Descending from the sky with her power, she unified the SEMA division researching “artificial deities” here, killed the “White Spirit” they had created, and replaced it.
Transforming into “False God: White Spirit.”
She became the true ruler of Kawano City.
Here, she created a world of dusk, using the power of the mist to fabricate an illusion of living happily ever after with the protagonist.
The Double-bodied Fantasmal Creature witnessed her mother, the “White Spirit,” being killed by Yui.
It witnessed the moment Yui transformed into the “False God White Spirit.”
Thus, it betrayed the other uninformed offspring.
It fled Kawano City.
Determined to avenge its mother.
The monster in its words is the “False God White Spirit.”
It wasn’t until the protagonists of “Starlight 2” entered high school that the existence of the False God White Spirit was discovered.
…..
…..
The twisted and grotesque form of the False God White Spirit lurked within the endless mist.
Nagi, who had played “Starlight 2” countless times and read all related materials and settings, knew that Yui, who had been “cursed,” namely the “False God White Spirit,” was a creature leaning towards the indescribable “Cthulhu” style.
Based on “fox” and “wolf,” its size was as enormous as a small mountain.
With four eyes, thick black tentacles growing from its back, and countless twisted and weird arms hanging from its abdomen, all adorned with golden bells.
Those were symbols of the mist’s power; replacing “reality” with “illusion” was key to the False God White Spirit’s ability to “fulfill wishes and collect costs.”
…..
The flames produced by Nagi’s every attack illuminated the outline of the creature hidden in the mist.
It had two pairs of eyes glimmering with purple-black light, particularly eye-catching against the white fog.
With a blank expression, Nagi charged towards the False God White Spirit in the mist.
Once again, she effortlessly pulled up the two blades Alice had inserted into the ground, blocking the attack coming from the depths of the mist.
Her starry eyes flickered as the two blades she held sparkled briefly, indicating they were activated to use their powers.
In the worldview of the “Starlight” series.
Powers are generally divided into the following three types.
Powers awakened by the wielder in times of despair.
Powers drawn from extraordinary items driven by magical energy.
And powers granted through contracts with fantastical creatures.
Most of Nagi’s powers from her previous life came from the third type.
[Garuda]
Nagi was suddenly lifted by a fierce wind, soaring into the sky and gaining absolute aerial advantage.
Seeing this, the False God White Spirit opened its jaw, capable of extending 180 degrees.
A purple-black breath formed in its mouth.
Nagi concentrated a high-density magical “Wind Ball” in front of her.
—Wind Tear!
The clash between the raging wind and the breath in mid-air erupted, sweeping away the white mist that filled the forest.
At the same time, a thick cloud of dust was raised.
The False God White Spirit did not let this opportunity pass, the enormous tentacles quickly followed.
Using the simplest attack maneuver of “collision.”
In an instant, Nagi’s unprepared right arm “disappeared.”
Although Nagi could keenly sense all magical reactions and breaths, she was not adept at handling physical attacks.
“Tch.” Surprisingly, losing an arm didn’t faze Nagi at all.
[Phoenix]
A golden flame flowed from the stump of Nagi’s disabled arm.
A new arm regenerated amidst the flame.
[Leviathan]
Moments later, several ice serpents made of frost condensed from behind Nagi, launching downwards toward the False God White Spirit hiding within the dust.
The massive impact again kicked up the dust.
But the frost froze the tentacles on the back of the False God White Spirit, preventing it from moving freely.
Nagi continuously used the powers granted by her contract beast, completely suppressing the False God White Spirit to the ground.
This fighting style of hers, in her previous life, was revered as the “Elemental Sovereign.”
Even in her not fully powered peak, it was enough to easily deal with the False God White Spirit with dual powers.
Because as a “deviant player,” Nagi had collected a total of 12 powers in her previous life.
Killing enemies was never a challenge for Nagi.
What truly troubled her was—
The target she had to kill.
High above.
Nagi’s hands trembled uncontrollably.
The tortured image of the False God White Spirit struggling was vividly reflected in her eyes.
Numerous elemental attacks kept it firmly pinned to the ground.
As long as Nagi wished, she could kill it at any moment.
Her strongest attack was enough to pierce through the boundaries of the dusk powers in a single blow.
But—
That was a friend who had grown up with her.
A comrade who had fought alongside her.
A child she had vowed to protect.
Nagi couldn’t save it; the “curse” was too deep.
But if she did not kill it here, the awakened Alice would notify the SEMA headquarters and the academy.
What awaited it then would be a ruthless slaughter.
It was better if she handled it herself…
But the lives associated with it included DD-chan, and Chihana’s senior, “Takahana”…
The starry pupils in Nagi’s eyes flickered wildly.
As long as she wished, she could instantly “perfectly play” the role of a cold-hearted object.
But the memory of killing the False God White Spirit could not be erased simply by canceling the “perfect portrayal.”
“I…”
…..
…..
On the street where dusk and night intertwined.
Kanade and the others finally emerged from the forest, returning to the place where they had previously fought.
Kanade saw a deep ravine.
It was a spectacle created by Alice’s dragon breath.
At the same time, a crack had opened in space right in front of the ravine.
That must be the exit Alice mentioned.
Just then.
Kozuka suddenly felt her legs buckle, and she fell forward.
Fortunately, Kanade quickly caught her.
This commotion.
Woke up Chihana, who was on Kozuka’s back, and Mana, who was wrapped around her waist.
“Kozuka-senpai, are you okay?” Kanade asked with concern.
In response, Kozuka simply smiled wryly: “I… have come to the end.”
“What?” Kanade’s emotions surged upon hearing this: “The exit is right there; we just need to hold on a little longer—”
“It’s no use; I’m the priestess of the White Spirit.” Kozuka said, glancing at her now semi-transparent hand.
“Senpai, your body—” The recovering Chihana noticed something odd about Kozuka’s condition.
“What happened? Why are you like this—” Chihana pressed for an explanation.
“I am the offspring of the White Spirit, a fantastical creature that exists attached to the White Spirit.” Kozuka weakly explained, yet a joyful smile appeared on her face.
“That golden-haired little girl, she did it.”
“What?”
“I can feel the magical reactions and breaths of the White Spirit weakening; it is about to die.”
Kanade understood Kozuka’s implication.
Alice seemed to be on the verge of successfully killing the fantastical creature known as the “White Spirit.”
But if it died, then the offspring, “Kozuka-senpai” and “DD-chan,” would also…
Kanade unwillingly turned her gaze back towards the mountain.
In the fog-enshrouded forest.
DD-chan was still there.
If it was lucky enough to escape the enemies’ pursuit, it would still be there—
Kanade admitted to herself that she was being optimistic.
DD-chan might escape its enemies and catch up to her.
In the end, they might return together to that stable daily life.
But…..
“I’m already satisfied with the chance to meet Chihana-chan once again.” Kozuka raised her hand and gently patted Chihana’s head.
“Senpai, I, I…”
Chihana, having finally reunited with her senpai, became tearful, unable to accept the impending farewell.
“And I can see that there are so many reliable juniors beside Chihana-chan; I can leave in peace…”
“Damn it—” Kanade hated her own powerlessness in this situation.
She knelt on the ground, pounding her fists against the earth fiercely.
Clearly, she had just decided not to give up on anyone after parting with DD-chan.
But now, the cruel reality was laid out before her.
Why? Why is this world so unreasonable?
Isn’t it said that justice will prevail? Isn’t it said that the side of justice will surely have a beautiful ending?
“I don’t want to, no, no, no…” Chihana tightly hugged the now semi-transparent Kozuka.
“Whether it’s a god or anything else—”
“No matter what price must be paid—”
“—surely there’s a way.”
Mana, who had been quietly observing everyone, interrupted Chihana’s speech.
Her crimson eyes had not lost their shine yet.
“That white dog seems to have the ability to grant wishes, right?” Mana asked, recalling her memories just before she fell unconscious.
In that dilapidated shrine, that enormous figure had allowed her to make a wish.
While speaking, Mana reached into her clothing.
She pulled out a protective charm.
“That, that is—!” The others gasped in surprise.
Mana untied the charm’s cord and poured out a golden bell from it.
The emblem of the White Spirit.
Mana did not arrive in this world through a wish.
She was sent to the shrine after being ambushed by Tomita when her life was in danger.
So she—
“Still has a chance to wish.”
Hinata Mana.
One of the heroines of “Starlight 2,” center of the cover.
Regarded by players as “the true protagonist.”
…..
The False God White Spirit is a fantastical creature of mutual exchanges.
This does not depend on its will.
But comes from the “power of the mist.”
It needs to continuously fulfill the wishes of others to collect “costs” to gain the ability to turn illusions into “reality.”
“What is your name?” Mana calmly asked the fading Kozuka.
“Kozuka Tohka…”
“Then let’s wish for ‘Kozuka Tohka’ to be revived?” Mana looked at Kanade, seeking the opinion of her childhood friend.
“Wait, wait—!” Kanade hurriedly said.
If wishing could truly bring results.
“And DD-chan, Evil Spirit dokidoki-chan, make sure it also revives…”
“No, that is not a life, but a fantastical creature created from nothing; the concept of ‘revival’ may not apply…” Kozuka reminded them.
“How about ‘restoring to original form’?” Mana said, putting her hands together, cradling the bell in her palms.
Time was running short, leaving no chance for more thought.
What was human would be restored to human.
What was an evil spirit would be restored to an evil spirit.
This was the best idea Mana could come up with.
“My wish is—”
“To restore Kozuka Tohka and Evil Spirit dokidoki-chan to their original forms.”
As soon as the words fell.
Mana felt something inside her being rapidly extracted by the light from the bell.
Physical strength?
Life force?
Or was it her soul?
It was unclear.
Mana only knew this was perhaps the “cost” of fulfilling a wish.
Unlike when the False God White Spirit was intact.
When it would first pay the cost and then collect after fulfilling a wish.
Now, without its intervention.
Mana was directly utilizing the bell to command the powers of the “mist,” and was required to pay a price equal to the wish.
—Not enough.
Mana felt all her strength rapidly vanishing.
Her crimson eyes began to dim increasingly.
—As expected, I still can’t save anyone…
“Little Mana—!”
Kanade’s voice pulled Mana’s consciousness back to reality.
At the same time, she felt warmth radiating from her hands.
It was Kanade’s hands gripping her own.
“If the cost isn’t enough, it’s fine to take from me—”
“I am also—” Chihana stepped forward, covering both their hands with her own.
“Everyone…” Mana felt the bell in her hands beginning to tremble.
The surface of the bell started to show cracks, radiant light bursting forth from within.
“Please, make sure to fulfill my, no, our wish—!”
Mana exerted all her strength to grip the violently trembling bell.
Accompanied by her words, a dazzling ray of light flashed through her crimson eyes.
At the same time.
A dark flame surged within Kanade’s heart.
【Finally, I’ve found it…..】
Kanade heard a faint voice.
【This place must change…..】
The black card in Kanade’s pocket glowed with a faint light.
Ding~
…..
…..
“I’m sorry…..”
Suspended high in the air, Nagi stared blankly at the False God White Spirit on the ground.
Though the powers of dusk were repairing its body, judging from the magical reactions and breaths emanating from it, it was on the brink of death.
Nagi raised her right hand towards the False God White Spirit.
Her eyes now appeared dull and lifeless like a layer of black sheen.
——
『Kill it』
『Kill it』
Purple-black starlight congregated in her palm.
That was the last blow capable of killing it.
“Sayōnara (Goodbye).”
——
『Kill it▍』
『Kill▍▍』
『▍▍▍』
『▍▍▍▍』
Scribbling.
『▍▍▍ power』
『▍▍ powers』
『▍ recover powers』
『reclaim powers』
Overwriting.
“Kanade!?”
A thought flashed through Nagi’s mind.
Making her suddenly halt the starlight in her hand.
It was a dazzling beam of light coming from behind her.
Illuminating her dark, lifeless eyes.
It was a beam coming from Kanade and the others.
In an instant, Nagi gathered her starry eyes.
Following that fleeting indication.
She reclaimed the “dusk” and “mist” powers from the False God White Spirit before her.
In the next moment, its enormous form transformed into countless light particles drifting towards the sky.
That was its soul, uniquely belonging to Yui, a soul not yet tainted.
Simultaneously, at the location of DD-chan, a dazzling light particle burst forth.
And they merged together.
“This is—”
—The miracle triggered by the wishes of the true protagonists.
Witnessing this miracle, Nagi revealed a smile of relief.
—Thank you, Kanade… kun.
—Now, I can…
Soon, her vision began to blur, her entire body losing strength.
Her slender and soft form plummeted directly toward the ground.
…..
…..
A snow-white figure swept across the sky.
Catching Nagi.
“…Garuda?” The slowly regaining conscience Nagi opened her heavy eyelids.
“If the contract holder dies, we contract beasts cannot survive either.”
Garuda flew Nagi away from the direction away from the miracle’s light.
“Kanade-kun has already…”
“He has not awakened yet.” Garuda, understanding what Nagi wanted to say, interrupted her despondent words.
“Let us reiterate the plan—”
“You must become the indispensable childhood friend to the future savior ‘Kanade Tsuki’—”
“Because the strength of powers depends on one’s hatred and obsession with the world—”
“One day, you must ‘die’ in front of him—”
“Allowing him to carry regrets for a lifetime and obtain the power to save this world—”
“And then we will take the opportunity to free ourselves from the ‘pollution of the curse’—”
“Finally, we will find some remote corner of the world and spend the latter half of our lives slacking off and being a recluse—”
“Until then, no matter what happens, you must live, you must survive—”
“This is part of the plan—!!!”
“Um… Thank you, Garuda, and everyone.”
“I’m just trying to survive myself…”
“…Tsundere, are we?”
“Better than being a fallen female knight.”
“Ugh, kill me…”
