Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Name, Bond, and Farewell Promise
Canis looked extremely upset with me.

“How could you turn me into such a cute-looking creature… You… you heartless brute!” she cried like a child.

“I didn’t expect you to give him a cat form. Interesting… That will definitely shatter Canis’s terrifying image,” said the God of Darkness, smiling.

“No… Master, not you too… you’re siding with him… Huaaa!” Canis cried even harder, devastated.

Envi and I laughed at the sight. For some reason, watching her cry like that was oddly entertaining.

The God of Darkness then said it was time for the final step of forming the contract—the Unification Stage. He explained that in this stage, I would reconstruct Canis’s personality entirely, reshaping her into a new being. Afterward, I had to give her a new name, and the contract symbol would be engraved on my body, fusing with the Blessing of the Darkness emblem.

I understood what needed to be done. I simply had to focus my mind and infuse Canis with my dark magic mana. I held her—she was still wriggling—and began the final ritual.

At first, Canis resisted, but soon he became calm and still, like someone whose power switch had been turned off. I closed my eyes and began envisioning the new traits and personality I wanted to give him.

The God of Darkness said I was free to decide Canis’s personality, but it would be better if it was inspired by the animal closest to me—used as a reference for forming Canis’s body. In my case, that meant forming her personality based on Runa, the cat I had as a child.

I closed my eyes tighter and focused, recalling Runa’s traits.

Runa, that tiny cat, was so affectionate toward me—but shy about showing it. When I tried to cuddle her, she’d sometimes react violently—scratching and biting me. At first, I thought she hated being touched. But then at night, she’d crawl beside me and sleep next to me. In the morning, she’d lick my face to wake me up.

Yeah… she was a total tsundere.If she were human, she’d probably be like Milly, my little sister, who was also a tsundere. I smiled thinking about it.

There was another trait I loved about Runa—she was smart and obedient when I played with her. As long as I didn’t touch her belly or carry her, she’d happily play with me without clawing me to bits.

Thinking about all that made me realize how cute and precious she truly was. But behind all of that, she was also incredibly brave.

Once, I took her out for a walk to the park. She was thrilled. But then, a Chihuahua got loose from its owner. Even though it was a small dog, I found it terrifying—especially its annoying face. I had bad memories of being chased by that very dog.

When it came charging at me, I grabbed Runa and ran—but I tripped and fell. I twisted my body to protect her from injury.

As the dog lunged at us, something amazing happened—Runa leapt from my arms and attacked the dog. She scratched its face over and over again with fierce swipes.

I was in shock. Runa had fought it off and made it run away crying.

I lifted Runa up in celebration and hugged her, thanking her for saving me… and then she scratched my forehead. I had forgotten she hated being hugged.

After that, I bought her the fanciest wet cat food I could find as a reward.

Remembering all this helped me understand her character—shy and loving, but unable to express it properly. And she was a protector—a loyal, fierce one.

I slowly opened my eyes… and saw that Canis had awakened. She was sitting calmly.

“Did I succeed?” I asked the God of Darkness.

“Yes, you did… Now, give her a new name.”

I thought for a moment. Then I looked at Envi, wondering if he had any ideas.

He suggested:”Pantsu.”(It means “underwear.”)

I immediately smacked him on the head.

“OW! Okay, okay! Geez!”

I regretted ever asking that idiot system for a name suggestion.

Then I turned to the God of Darkness and said, “Before that, would you be willing to tell us your real name?”

He seemed surprised.

I continued, “You know… if I ever meet the other gods again—especially the Goddess of Benevolence—I’d like to remember you. Remind them of who you are.”

He gave a faint smile. It looked like a smile weighed down with years of longing.

“Of course… My real name is Nox. That’s all.Nox, the God of Darkness.”

Envi and I were stunned. We had finally learned his name.

“Well then… I shall give Canis her new name.”

I looked at her. She looked back at me—calm and composed.

“From now on, your name shall be… Runa Nox.”

The God of Darkness looked surprised that I included part of his name.I chose “Runa” to honor my beloved cat, as a symbol of protection. I added “Nox” to honor the God who had guided me.

“You are now reborn—with a new body, a new name, and a new soul. Swear your loyalty to me as my familiar… Runa Nox.”

She looked at me and bowed.

“I… Runa Nox, swear eternal loyalty to you, my new master—Naoki von Blackmore, Takahiro Nao.”

As she spoke, the magic circle glowed again, brighter than ever. Its light surged into my body, engraving a new symbol alongside the Blessing of the Darkness mark.

A notification appeared in front of me:

[Congratulations! Darkness Familiar Contract Successfully Formed!][You have obtained a Familiar!][Runa Nox (Unique Monster) has been registered as your Familiar!]

Status:

Name: Runa Nox (Level 100)

Type: Legendary Cat – Former Unique Monster

Skills:

Shadow Devour

Darkness Bombo Impact

Transform

Endless of Shadow World (Locked)

Invincible Body (Locked)

Ultimate Dark Magic (Locked)

Looking at Runa’s status, I was confident she’d be a powerful ally in future battles. Although some skills were still locked, I figured they would unlock under certain conditions.

Suddenly, Runa stood and said,”What can I do for you, Master?”

She said it so calmly, so differently from her wild self before.

“Whoa! She’s completely changed, Nao! That’s amazing!” Envi cheered in excitement.

“Hm… For now, try using your [Transform] skill. I’m curious what it does.”

“As you wish…”

She activated the skill. A magic circle appeared under her feet, and shadows gathered around her. Slowly, she grew larger—shifting shape.

Finally, the transformation ended.

Envi and I stared in shock.

She had turned into a 12-year-old girl, with long black hair, dressed in gothic clothing—with cat ears and a tail.

“It’s done… As long as there’s dark magic, I can transform myself to mimic human form,” Runa said calmly.

“WHOA! Nao, look at her—she’s so cute now!” Envi ran over to Runa and tried to lift her up like a little child.

But Runa suddenly unsheathed her claws and scratched Envi’s face.

SLASH!

“AWWW!!” Envi instantly let her go.

“Tch! Don’t pick me up, you little insect!” Runa snapped, clearly annoyed.

“Hey, Nao… what the heck?! She’s still rude as ever!” Envi protested.

“Hahaha! She’s exactly as I imagined. You really are like Runa… Remember, Envi, don’t treat her like that. She doesn’t like it. You’re supposed to pet her head gently, like this…”

I stroked Runa’s head and rubbed her ears. She clearly enjoyed it.

“Hik… Th-that’s enough, Master… It felt nice—I mean, it was embarrassing!” Runa looked pleased but was trying hard to hide it.

The God of Darkness had been watching us the whole time. He finally spoke:

“It brings me joy to see you bonding. True power arises from strong, heartfelt connections.”

“Now, I will give you your final gift.” As he said that, the God of Darkness reached into a void of shadow and pulled something out.

It was a sphere of darkness. He instructed me to take out the Grimoire of the Darkness. As I did, the grimoire opened on its own and absorbed the dark sphere.

A notification appeared:

[Congratulations! You have received the Armor of the Dark Hero]Item Rank: Legendary

Abilities:

Increases dark magic manifestation power by 30%

Increases resistance to light and divine elements by 30%

Absorbs 50% of damage from dark magic attacks

Active Skill:

[Darkness Integration] – Can merge with your defensive dark magic skills. Can combine with [Yami no Shogun] to greatly enhance its effects.

Seeing the armor’s status, I was stunned by how powerful it was. The God of Darkness explained that it was once worn by the founding hero of the Blackmore family—Hiro von Blackmore, my ancestor.

He said it would be vital to me in the future. I nodded and thanked him deeply.

With that, the trial from the God of Darkness was complete—and I had received all his gifts.

The God of Darkness then stood before me, Envi, and Runa.

“Now… you shall face the final trial, Child of Fate. The Trial of Sacrifice will begin once you leave this chamber. Are you ready?” he asked with a serious look.

Envi and I exchanged glances and responded confidently: “We’re ready.”

The God of Darkness opened a portal to another realm. It glowed with intense divine energy that lit up the room.

“This is the path. Once you enter, the Trial of Sacrifice begins.”

“What kind of trial is it?” Envi asked, curious.

“I cannot tell you. But I can give you one piece of advice:Make the decision that you desire most.”

“Alright. I’ll remember that,” I said.

Suddenly, cracks appeared all over the body of the God of Darkness. We panicked—me, Envi, and Runa—but he remained calm, as if he knew this would happen.

“I knew this time would come. My strength is truly gone. All that remains is a shell, which will soon vanish.This is my fate. I entrust the world’s future to you.” His eyes showed firm resolve.

“…” Runa looked down, her expression heavy with sorrow.

Envi and I asked if this meant he was really going to die. But the God of Darkness replied:

“Do not grieve… I will not truly die.I will live on within you, Child of Fate.Though my consciousness will fade, my power shall remain by your side.”

He said that with a faint, heartfelt smile.

“It’s time for you to go.”

Envi and I turned away with heavy hearts, preparing to leave Nox, the God of Darkness.But Runa didn’t move. She stood still, unwilling to leave her former master.

I gently held her hand and tried to pull her along, but she resisted.

“Lord Nox… You created me. I should have made you proud and brought you joy… but I became nothing more than a wild monster, controlled by the Outer God. I slaughtered humans… and even gods.”

“I’ve shamed you. I’ve failed you.”

Tears streamed down Runa’s cheeks.

Nox reached out and gently held her face, lifting her chin to meet his eyes.

“Runa… You stayed with me through joy and sorrow. My thousands of years here were not lonely because you were by my side.”

“So now… do the same for your new master.”

“Promise me, Runa.” He looked at her with deep affection.

“I promise…” Runa nodded, tears falling.

Finally, Nox let go of her hand. Together, we walked toward the glowing portal.

As we stood before it, we turned back one last time.Nox’s body was fading—slowly turning transparent, dissolving into glimmering specks of light.

In that final moment, as the portal activated to transport us, he said:

“You made me proud, Runa… I love you, my child.”This time, it was a true smile—full of sincere, fatherly love.

“I love you too, Father…” Runa sobbed.Her tears made Envi and me tear up as well.

“And to you… I entrust the rest, Child of Fate. Farewell…”

Those were Nox’s final words before he completely vanished.

[You get a new title: Heir of the Dark God].

[You inherited the will and magic of the God of Darkness.]

“I’ll carry on your will, Nox… Until we meet again.”

The portal closed—and sent us to the final trial.

A notification appeared:

[You are about to begin the Trial of Sacrifice!]

I gripped the hands of Runa and Envi tightly.

No matter what it takes… I’ll see this trial through.