The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years (Web Novel KR) Vol 2 Chapter 280

Despite his wishes, the other 'Lukas' didn't disappear.

[I will definitely get out of here and kill all of you…!]

In the past, Lukas wandered all over the Abyss, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Looking at him caused Lukas to remember his past.

It was in this place that he'd learned to not give up. In order to not be broken, he kept thinking about the future.

Although his escape still seemed to be a ways off and there was nothing he could do now, he kept thinking about 'later' instead of 'now'.

…On the other hand.

What about the current Lukas?

Although his existence was slowly disappearing, wasn't he still in a better situation than when he was trapped in the Abyss?

'Why do you want to give up?'

It felt like the Lukas of the past was asking him that question.

With his ears covered, Lukas closed his eyes next.

The Absolute Lukas and the Great Mage Lukas.

There was no need to analyse which one of them was stronger.

0

However, which one of them had stronger willpower?

…In general, it would be the Absolute who had more willpower.

But at that moment…

Lukas, who was looking at his past self, didn't feel like that was true.

[I will not die! You should have ended me directly, Lord!]

It was as unsightly as it was beautiful, even though there was no hope, he refused to give up. A man struggling against fate.

Seeing this man forced a thought into his head.

…Was he… better than his current self?

Past Lukas muttered.

[I still have work to do.]

He knew that.

He knew it, but… it was too hard.

He was so tired.

[I won't pass my responsibility on to someone else. Never.]

That's what he'd said.

But he hadn't thought it would be this hard.

It felt like his mind was being ripped apart every second.

That's why he thought it would be easier to just die, rather than suffer thousands of times a day.

[Thoughts of the weak.]

What do you know?

Do you even know the life I've lived until now?

Have you ever felt the weight that I've had to carry?

[I know. I've felt it.]

Right. That's right…

Because you are me.

Therefore you could be more considerate of me.

You are the only person that can truly understand me.

I've been running for such a long time without ever taking a break.

So even if it's just a little, it will be fine.

I just want to rest.

[But I won't give up. Darkness in my heart, don't try to sway me any longer.]

Lukas was speechless.

It was only at that moment that he realised.

That was the way he looked to the Past Lukas.

“You… why won't you just give up?”

For the first time, Lukas spoke directly to 'Lukas'.

And the answer came back immediately.

[Because I still have work to do.]

“Aren't you really tired?”

[Even so, it is not yet the time for me to rest.]

“You have already saved many people. Even if you were to give up now and rest, no one would blame you.”

Lukas knew that those last words were not directed towards 'Past Lukas', but were an excuse for his current self.

At that moment, 'Lukas' let out a laugh and said.

[I don't care what other people think.]

“…what?”

'Lukas' turned to look at him.

He was looking directly into his eyes.

It gave him goosebumps.

Was this Lukas really a mirage or a remnant memory?

[If I give up here, I will disappoint myself. I hate that. Because I've always cared about my own thoughts the most.]

[So I don't want to give up. I won't give up. Because I don't want to disappoint myself.]

Lukas closed his eyes.

It might sound strange, but he could not look directly at 'Past Lukas'.

“…how can you shine so brightly?”

[Does it look like I'm shining?]

'Lukas' let out a laugh.

[You should know better than anyone else what it was really like when I was trapped here.]

Lukas took a deep breath.

“…ah.”

Suddenly, Lukas Trowman realised.

The outer appearance of 'Lukas' was all a bluff. At that time, he had been incredibly anxious. He was so terrified that it took all of his willpower to not curl into a ball and tremble with fear.

Contrary to his proud appearance, his insides were burning black.

'What if I can never leave this place?'

'Would I have to spend the rest of my existence here? Neither living nor dying?'

'What I successfully escaped but the outside world has already been destroyed?'

Thoughts like this appeared in his mind thousands and tens of thousands of times a day.

Nevertheless, he never showed any of it on the outside. He was patient.

No.

Instead, it should be said that he was desperately trying to conquer his fear.

Without fear, there couldn't be courage.

By knowing your fear, you would be able to take a large step to not being conquered by it.

“Ah…”

Memories of his past continuously flowed in his mind, and it felt like something he'd forgotten was slowly refilling his heart.

—Even if he was bent, even if he was broken, even if he collapsed, he would rise again.

As long as he didn't give up, hope would never disappear.

The greatest strength of the human race, Indomitability.

'It's beautiful because we are so weak.'

Was it beautiful if a being who was strong from birth rose up again after falling?

Was it cool if a being like a Ruler got into a fight and won?

No. It wasn't beautiful or cool because it was expected. It was natural.

But for beings who knew how weak and trivial they were to show courage, hope and indomitability was extremely dazzling.

Sniffle-(TL: Not exactly… but I can't think of a good onomatopoeia for crying. For reference, author used '주륵 – Jurk'.)

Tears began to flow down his cheeks.

Looking at his past self allowed him to gain enlightenment. He'd regained the 'weakness' that he'd lost.

And the fighting spirit that he'd thought he lost long ago soared once again. He didn't want to give up. He wanted to stand up once again.

Because Lukas still had work to do.

But… How?

How would he get out of this place?

It was at that moment that 'Lukas' spoke once again.

[Do you think your situation now is darker than it was then? Seriously?]

[If you think so then it's because you haven't looked around properly.]

“…what do you mean?”

[Remember. Even in the past, you didn't escape the Abyss with your own strength. Look around a bit more carefully and listen. Lukas, are your mind and body really the only things that exist in this place?]

Suddenly, Lukas noticed something in this space that was filled with nothing but darkness.

The only item other than his own body that existed in this place seemed to give off a strange lustre even in the absence of light.

—A black ring.

The ring that Arid had given him back then was also in this place.

“Ah…”

The ring floated towards him and placed itself onto Lukas' index finger once again.

Fwoosh-

And a moment later, pure white light rose up from the ring.

'Coordinates…?'

The coordinates of that universe were engraved on the black ring.

And a strange power was trying to pull Lukas out of the Abyss.

No. That wasn't all. Even with this, it wouldn't have been enough for him to leave the Abyss.

Lukas turned to look at 'Lukas' once again.

“Who are you really?”

[I want to see you have a different end.]

“What…?”

Suddenly, Lukas' eyes went wide.

In the past, he had absorbed most of the Demigod crystals. And although faint, their consciousness still remained in his mind.

Lukas met those Demigods residing in his inner thoughts, and they taught him how to use their authorities.

Thanks to this, he was able to perfectly use the authorities of all the Demigods.

Except for one.

Lord had never appeared in his mind. It was as if Lord's consciousness had completely disappeared.

That was probably the reason why Lukas hadn't mastered the ability to use the 'authority of space'.

He knew of Lord's end.

And initially, he'd thought that since his end was different from the other Demigods, he was completely dead.

But if that wasn't the case…

“No way, you're…”

[No matter what, never forsake your people, Lukas Trowman.]

Lukas didn't get the chance to say anything after that.

Because at that moment, the faint white light grew more intense until it covered his entire body.

As his vision became completely white, Lukas felt like he was floating.

And when the light faded, he was nowhere to be seen.

(TL: I'll admit, while I did think that there might be a reunion with Lord in the Abyss, I didn't expect him to be the 'other Lukas'.)

(TL: Guys, I need ideas for an event. I've wanted to host one for you guys for a long time, but I don't know what to do. Since I did the 300th S2 chapter today, I figured, I might as well.

It'll have to be something that both free and paid readers can participate in. The rewards can be woopcoins or discord nitro, or maybe a giftcard or something.

I'll check the comments of this chapter for your suggestions over the next few days, but it would be even better if you could DM me directly in discord.)

Chapter end