Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 169

Chapter 169: The Battle of Twin Wills
Nao’s POV:

I finally managed to break the seal that had bound Envi for so long. Honestly, I didn’t really do anything complicated — all I did was punch him, haha. It was almost ridiculous how simple it was after everything we had been through.

But even though I was joking about it, deep down, I understood the gravity of what Envi had suffered. I had seen glimpses of his dreams, the memories he clung to while trapped alone inside that dark, endless room. I could feel the depth of his loneliness and yearning. When I realized just how much he wished to become human, it brought a bittersweet smile to my face. It was such a simple yet beautiful dream.

At first, I genuinely felt sympathy for him. I wanted to reach out and comfort him somehow. But then another thought crossed my mind — a ridiculous but somehow fitting thought. If Envi actually became human, knowing his personality, he’d probably end up acting shamelessly toward every girl he met. That irritation bubbled up inside me, and without thinking, I threw a punch at him.

To my shock, my fist actually connected.

All this time, Envi had been untouchable — a system, an existence made of data and magic, without a physical form. I had never once been able to lay a finger on him. But now… Now, I could hit him. And honestly, it felt incredibly satisfying. All the pent-up frustrations I had — I released them in that one punch. It was strangely relieving.

When Envi finally woke up, dazed and rubbing the spot where I’d hit him, he looked at me with such confusion that I couldn’t help but tease him a little. It was harmless fun. Still, as I looked at him, I could feel a deep understanding forming between us. I knew the pain of having a wish that might never be granted. I knew how much it hurt. In the end, I couldn’t stay mad at him.

After exchanging a few more words and a few more laughs, I made peace with Envi. I helped him regain his spirit, lifting the heavy gloom that had weighed on him. It was then that the dark, crumbling room around us finally shattered like glass. Pieces of it scattered into nothingness, and Envi returned to me — merging back into my body as my system once again.

Now, the two of us stood together, back in the audience of the God of Darkness and Canis, who had clearly been waiting for our return.

The God of Darkness gave me a small, knowing smile and said, “Not bad. Now that you two have reunited, you can finally unleash your full potential.”

Before I could reply, Canis let out a derisive laugh, the sound dripping with malice. “You little insect,” he growled, “I’ve given you enough time. Looks like you’re ready now, haha. Don’t think it’ll save you. I’m going to crush you!” His voice deepened as he reverted to his monstrous, terrifying form, activating his terrifying skill: [Unique Skill Activated: Endless Shadow World].

I immediately warned Envi to stay alert and get ready.

He was still trying to process everything — seeing Canis and the God of Darkness standing there. After all, Envi had been sealed away during the entirety of the Trial of the Blessing. He had no idea about the countless battles, hardships, and miracles I had survived without him.

I quickly explained the situation to him, giving him a short but firm summary. How I had fought through trial after trial, how I had received blessings from multiple gods and goddesses, and how now, I stood on the edge of earning the most dangerous blessing of all — the Blessing of Darkness.

When Envi heard it, he was stunned. His eyes widened, and he immediately checked my status screen for himself. When he saw the truth, he practically exploded with excitement.

“This is amazing, Nao! You’re incredible for achieving all of this! Normally, a single person only receives one blessing in their entire lifetime. But you… you’ve received so many! This is beyond rare — it’s a miracle!”

I let him have his moment of amazement but quickly pulled him back to reality. We didn’t have time to celebrate. We still had to finish this trial — and that meant defeating Canis.

I explained to Envi about Canis’s terrifying ability: how he could absorb any elemental attacks that managed to damage him. That was why my Divine Magic, no matter how powerful, hadn’t been able to bring him down.

Envi furrowed his brows, thinking deeply for a moment. Then, determination flashed in his eyes. “Buy me some time,” he said. “I’ll analyze Canis and find his weakness.”

I nodded. Without hesitation, I charged forward toward Canis, who was already preparing another barrage of shadowy attacks.

With my katana, Divine Dawn, still gripped tightly in my hand, I met his onslaught head-on. I deflected hundreds of deadly claw strikes using the advanced defensive technique [Yanagi-uke], weaving and flowing like water. At the same time, I pushed [Future Sight] to its limits, predicting every vicious move Canis threw at me.

Our battle became a storm of movement and energy — strike for strike, blow for blow.

After what felt like endless minutes locked in a deadly dance, I finally spotted an opening. I seized the chance and activated [Divine Aurora] once again.

My body blazed with golden light, Divine Magic surging around me in a radiant aura. Envi, watching from the side, was visibly amazed — it was his first time seeing me unleash this skill.

But Canis only laughed, mocking me with a sinister grin.

“Hahaha! That damned skill again? You really think that’ll work a second time? I thought you’d come up with something new, but you’re just repeating yourself! HAHAHA! Your defeat is already decided, little insect!”

With a roar, he unleashed [High Dark Magic: Shadow Devour], sending monstrous tendrils of shadow racing toward me, aiming to swallow me whole.

I dodged desperately, weaving through the deadly shadows while charging my next attack. But Canis was relentless, chasing after me, trying to tear me apart with every step.

I was stuck — completely on the defensive. It was far from an ideal situation. And still, Envi hadn’t given the signal that he was ready.

Gritting my teeth, I decided to take a risk. I poured more power into my aura, activated [Kasoseki] to boost my speed, and prepared to counterattack.

Gripping my katana tightly, I unleashed [Blackmore Katana Style: Judgement, Divine Version] — a strike honed to cut through even the darkest of enemies.

It was a devastating technique — a mighty aura slash shaped like a massive meteor, wrapped in shimmering layers of Divine Magic. One of my strongest attacks. Yet, despite its overwhelming force, Canis once again blocked it effortlessly, his shadowy defenses absorbing the blow.

I pressed forward relentlessly, refusing to back down. However, as our clash dragged on, it became obvious — Canis was slowly gaining the upper hand. His monstrous strength was beginning to push me back.It was at that moment I realized the brutal truth: my Divine Magic had been completely countered by him.

Then, in a sudden surge of ferocity, Canis parried my skill entirely and lunged at me with terrifying speed. His sharp claws sliced through the air, aiming straight for my chest. I barely managed to block with my katana, but the sheer force of his strike sent me flying, crashing across the floor.

“…Are you serious…? So it’s true… he really did defeat the gods and goddesses,” I muttered to myself, gritting my teeth as I struggled to stand back up. His strength was no empty boast — he truly was that powerful.

Just then, I heard Envi’s voice ring in my mind, clear and urgent.”Nao! I’ve figured out Canis’s weakness!” he said excitedly. “When your attacks land and he absorbs your Divine Magic, he focuses entirely on that absorption. It leaves him wide open for other attacks!”

Hearing that made my heart race. So my instincts had been right after all.All this time, I had been feeling something strange — why hadn’t Canis used his [Shadow Devour] skill to absorb me while we were locked in close combat?

“You’re right, Envi,” I responded quickly. “And maybe… while he’s busy adapting to Divine Magic, he becomes vulnerable to other elements or types of attacks. That must be how he defeated the gods and goddesses too. While they overwhelmed him with their Divine Magic, he adapted — and since even their elemental magics like Flareth’s Divine Fire were imbued with divine essence, they couldn’t hurt him.”

I laid out my analysis to Envi, and he wholeheartedly agreed. Still, knowing this alone wasn’t enough. Even if I had the opportunity, how could I attack him while he was absorbing? I couldn’t move freely in that moment.

As I racked my brain, Envi suddenly came up with an idea.

“What if,” he proposed, “We create a new skill? I could form a second body made of Dark Magic, and transfer my consciousness into it. It’d be something like a shadow clone — but it would actually carry my mind inside.”

At first, I thought it sounded reckless. But the more I considered it, the more sense it made.To do this, however, I would need to temporarily deactivate my [Blessing of Sealing Magic], release my suppressed Dark Magic, and invoke [Power of Incarnation] to create the new skill.

Envi assured me that it was worth the risk. After a moment of hesitation, I nodded.”Alright. Let’s do this.”

I sheath my katana and begin the delicate process of deactivating the [Blessing of Sealing Magic], allowing the swirling black energy of Dark Magic to reawaken within me.

Canis watched with a puzzled expression, as if wondering what I was planning. He launched a few attacks, but I dodged, carefully keeping my distance as I prepared for the next step.

Summoning all my focus, I activated [Power of Incarnation]. I poured my willpower into it, visualizing the skill Envi had described. Envi, on his side, concentrated as well, both of us synchronizing our thoughts, combining our hopes and imagination into this single act of creation.

I thought of how I needed to defeat Canis — quickly. I thought of the gods and goddesses counting on me. I thought of my family on earth, and Aetheria… and Amelia’s sad eyes as she saw me off. I couldn’t lose here. I wouldn’t lose here.

“Damn it, let’s go!” I roared, my voice overlapping with Envi’s. We were one in this moment.

Finally, a series of notifications popped up:

[Power of Incarnation activated!]

[Creating desired skill…]

[Processing…]

[Skill created: Dark Magic Manifestation — Second Body!]

Without hesitation, I activated the new skill.

Dark Magic erupted from my body, twisting and swirling into a thick black mass. It gathered together, condensing into a humanoid form — one that looked remarkably like me. It was as if a clone had been born from my very shadow.

Then, Envi separated from me, his consciousness transferring into the new body.

We now stood as two separate entities — two warriors sharing a single soul.

Envi flexed his fingers in amazement, a grin spreading across his face. “I could totally go flirt with girls with this body, huh?” he joked mischievously.

I shot him a glare. “Focus idiot! We’ve got a battle to win!”

Chuckling, Envi nodded and turned his gaze toward Canis.

“Nao, we will end this quickly!” Hearing Envi’s words, I nodded.

We both tightened our grips on our katana, side by side, ready to fight.

Canis sneered at the sight of us. “What difference does it make? Whether it’s one insect or two, you’re still beneath me.”

But we didn’t care about his taunts.We knew the truth now.We had a chance — and we were going to take it.

Together, Envi and I braced ourselves, launching forward to take Canis down once and for all.