Apocalypse Cheater

[: Daniel POV :]

"I see. Then, do you have any idea what kind of disease they are having?"

I asked, my voice filled with concern.

"After years of research, the researchers have labelled it the 'Chaos Disease',"

Liam revealed, his voice quivering with emotions.

The name of the disease was familiar to me.

"Chaos Disease?"

I questioned, feigning ignorance even though deep down, I knew all too well what it entailed.

"Yes, the Chaos Disease is said to occur when a pregnant woman becomes tainted with the blood of a monster,"

Liam explained, his words laced with anger and pain.

"It means that someone purposely poisoned my wife with the Blood of a Monster."

As Liam shared this shocking revelation, my anger began to boil.

It had been a relentless pursuit of answers, and to this day, Liam still didn't know who was responsible for his wife and daughter's suffering.

Monsters possess a unique trait known as Chaos, a destructive force that consumes life. 

Sadly, this Chaos had consumed the lives of his wife and his daughter.

Finding a cure for this disease was no easy task.

The Chaos within their bodies could overpower any medication or healing methods attempted unless they had a treasure powerful enough to withstand its influence.

One potential cure was the dew of the World Tree, but obtaining it seemed nearly impossible.

First of all, the World Tree was located on the Elf's Continent.

Second of all, the Elves held a deep disdain for humans and it goes the same for Players as well. 

"I don't expect much, considering we're dealing with Chaos,"

 Liam expressed his lack of hope, but I couldn't accept his defeatist attitude.

"Don't give up so easily. Watch and see what I'm about to do,"

 I declared as I turned my attention to both of them.

Meanwhile, Bella and Liam watched from behind, their curiosity piqued by my actions. 

Bella wondered what mysteries I still held, while Liam desperately prayed that whatever plans I had would succeed.

As I stood before the unconscious woman and child on the bed, my heart ached with sorrow.

Just looking at them, I couldn't help but recall an alternate future ending of Scott.

A man whose life had been shattered when his wife and daughter fell victim to this very disease.

I remembered how Scott's entirety crumbled as he witnessed the devastation wrought by the Chaos Disease.

The very land he had sworn to protect was left in ruins, a testament to the despair that consumed him.

In the end, he was driven to take his own life, a tragic consequence of the Player who had failed to complete the mission.

Knowing that I desire to change the future and his life.

Lifting my hand, I resolved to give it my all and knowing that it was the chaos disease, I executed a perfect skill for this. 

In one seamless motion, flames erupted around their bodies, flooding the room with a radiant white light.

It was as if hope had taken physical form, pushing back the darkness that threatened to consume them.

The skill I employed, the Superior Ethereal Flames, could combat the insidious Chaos Disease.

Its power was unmatched, capable of purging the very essence of the disease and restoring life to the afflicted.

As I watched the vibrant flames dance and flicker around Bella and the child, I couldn't but hope it'll go well.

This was a battle against not only the disease but also the haunting shadow of Scott's tragedy.

I wish to break the cycle and save them from the same fate.

As I mentioned previously, one of the potential cures for this disease was the dew from the World Tree.

Hence, my skill itself was crafted using the essence of the Yggdrasil Heart, making it thousands of times more effective than the World Tree alone.

Simultaneously, the healing essence stemming from the Blue Phoenix played a vital role in this skill.

Being an immortal phoenix, it provided a significant boost in eradicating the disease.

The essence of Jakasaka and the divine power of the White Divider Dragon also proved to be tremendous enhancements.

Their divine essences were so formidable that even monsters would tremble in fear when facing them.

Consequently, the chaotic essence of the disease would not stand a chance against these potent forces.

With these combined traits, there was no ailment or harm that this skill couldn't remedy.

Furthermore, my passive skills magnified the effects of my abilities, augmenting the intensity of the nurturing white flames by a hundredfold.

Utilizing this extraordinary number to multiply the power of my Divine Ethereal Flames, the Chaos within their bodies stood no chance of destroying or consuming it.

As the white flames gently enveloped the bodies of Bella and the child, Liam's instincts urged him to intervene.

Suspicion gnawed at his mind, making him hesitant.

However, Bella, her head shaking with conviction, halted Liam's anxious intentions.

Reluctantly, Liam reluctantly gave in, his body trembling with a mixture of fear and awe before the intensity of the flames.

He couldn't fathom the immense power and overwhelming aura that emanated from them.

It was a sensation that left him feeling small and insignificant in their presence.

"What kind of flames are these?"

Liam wondered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

He couldn't help but question his strength in comparison to this extraordinary display of power.

Though not lacking in strength, by any means, he knew he was far from being a formidable warrior.

The flames before him, however, held a power that surpassed his understanding.

As each second ticked by, my eyes caught sight of a peculiar sight.

From the centre of the mother's and the child's chests, a mysterious black mist began to rise.

Squinting my eyes in concentration, I watched as the black mist intertwined with the pure white flames, seemingly being absorbed by their ethereal embrace.

"Alright"

"I have healed both of them from the grasp of Chaos" 

I announced and I could see hope restoring within Liam's eye. 

"But they will still require some care"

"After all, I can't provide them with the necessary vitamins,"

I assured Liam, my voice filled with relief.

"D-Did you truly succeed?"

Liam questioned, his doubts lingering.

And I understand why he would be in doubt. 

After all, he had been spending years trying to find a clue and it was unreal of me healing his family within minutes. 

"Yes, they have been healed and you can check it out" I smiled and urged him to check. 

Immediately, he checked the monitoring machines.

After a thorough inspection, he found no trace of the dreaded Chaos.

"I-It's gone,"

Liam choked out, tears welling up in his eyes.

He quickly wiped them away, not wanting to appear vulnerable.

However, his emotions were momentarily frozen as a fragile voice reached his ears, a voice he had longed to hear.

"D-Dear...?" The voice quivered, yet Liam needed no second guess to recognize its owner.

"Maiko?" his voice trembled with a mixture of disbelief and joy.

He hurried over to her side, grasping her hand tightly together.

"W-Where am I?" 

Her voice quivered as she struggled to open her eyes.

Liam's heart overflowed with a mix of overwhelming joy and tears.

However, he composed himself, knowing that he needed to attend to his wife who had finally awakened after years of slumber.

"You're safe now. You're in the bedroom,"

He replied calmly, his voice filled with tenderness.

Slowly, he began to explain the events that had unfolded, but he made sure not to overwhelm his wife. 

Bella and I respectfully left the room, giving him the precious time he needed to reconnect with his long-awaited wife.

Knowing that she had just woken up, Liam didn't want to burden her with too much information.

He shared only a brief explanation of what had transpired, relieving her worries and fears.

Minutes later, his daughter awoke, and for the first time, there were no signs of pain or suffering.

Liam spent the time talking to both of them, relishing in the sound of their voices, their presence like a balm to his soul.

With each passing moment, he explained how they would be nursed back to health, envisioning a future where they could finally go on a picnic together.

The priceless reaction on his daughter's face filled his heart with renewed hope and uncontainable happiness.

At the same time, I couldn't help but smile. 

"You look happy Daniel" 

Bella curiously watched over my reaction and her eyes were strangely focused on me. 

"Well, you can't blame me for that. After all, no matter what kind of reasons I had, it still brings happiness to my heart knowing that I had saved a family" 

Perhaps, I'm a selfish person, but I didn't mind being the person who acted basely for his ownself. 

I have murdered and caused countless families to suffer, and saving one family won't make me a good person. 

But in the first place, I wasn't planning to become a good person who's filled with justice. 

That'll only limit me more and I have learned my lesson. 

As long as Mom, Cecilia and the others could live a better life, then I'm glad and that's all that matters. 

"Still, to me, you're a good person," She said with a smile. 

It's weird to hear a compliment from another person telling me I'm a good person. 

But still, I accepted it. 

"Thank you Princess" I replied with a smile. 

"No, I really mean it!" She repeated and this time, it seemed that she was serious. 

Did she perhaps think I wasn't taking her words seriously? 

"I appreciate your words Princess, I really do" I said with a smile and after a while, only then did she smile. 

It was an odd moment but I felt like both of us had gotten closer. 

But I didn't want to get closer any more than this. 

After all, there'll be a point where I'll have to say goodbye to her eventually.