Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Save My Family or the World?
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—the state of the outside world was far worse than I had imagined. All four screens in front of me displayed scenes of chaos and despair. Every battlefield was on the verge of collapse, every ally backed into a corner. And I… I couldn’t decide. I couldn’t choose who to save first.

“Stop this madness already! What the hell do you want from me?!” I shouted in desperation, glaring at the mysterious notification floating before me.

“Damn you! How dare you force us into such a cruel position?! You’re not only endangering Nao’s sister’s life on Earth, but also Amelia, Serena, Lyra, Freya, Patriarch… and everyone else we care about in this world!” Envi screamed, his voice trembling with rage.

Our emotions were boiling over. We were on the edge, unable to hold back the storm within us. Frustration and helplessness consumed us like wildfire.

“Calm down, both of you!” Runa’s voice broke through, stern yet steady. “This is the Trial of Sacrifice! It’s designed to shake your mind, to cloud your judgment. Don’t let it!”

But before we could even catch our breath, the notification glowed and shifted again.

[Trial of Sacrifice]

[You are faced with a devastating choice.][You must make a decision.][You must sacrifice one… and save the other.]

Your choices:

[-Save your sister’s life on Earth]

OR

[-Save the worlds of Aetheria and Cosmoria]

My heart stopped. My breath caught in my chest. I was paralyzed, staring at those words as if they were claws digging into my soul.

How was I supposed to choose? How could I let anyone die? I couldn’t bear the thought of losing the people I love again—not after everything we’ve been through together in this world.

But… I also couldn’t abandon my sister, Nana. I came to this world with one reason: to protect my family back on Earth. She was my everything.

If I fail to save Nana, then what about my mother and Naki? They’ve already lost me once. Will they now have to grieve Nana too?

I won’t allow that to happen. I can’t.

The torment in my mind was overwhelming. I could feel Envi pacing in frustration inside me, his voice shaking with anguish.

“Nao… this is wrong. This damn fate is toying with us!” he roared.

“I want to save Amelia, Serena, Lyra, Freya, the Patriarch… everyone in Aetheria… and the gods of Cosmoria who have helped us. I want to save them all…” he muttered, his voice cracking with grief. “But I also understand… your sister—she’s the reason you reincarnated in the first place. But… DAMN IT ALL!” His scream echoed as he tried to unleash his Dark Magic—only to fail. The realm had sealed our magic completely.

We were breaking. Losing ourselves.

Then—Runa’s shout snapped us back to our senses.

“YOU TWO DAMN INSECTS! GET A GRIP, YOU IDIOTS!” Her usual venomous tone returned, fierce and raw. “You keep flailing like this, and you’ll lose them all anyway! THINK STRAIGHT!”

Her words hit like a slap. Both Envi and I froze, stunned by her outburst.

“Eh…” We exchanged awkward glances. We thought her harsh side had softened, but clearly, in times like these, it still burned brightly.

Still… thanks to her, we managed to take a breath. A moment of clarity. A moment to think.

“You’re right, Runa… thank you,” I said quietly, my voice calming. “Sorry for showing such a pathetic side of myself. Envi, we have to find a way out of this.”

“You’re right, Nao… And yeah, thank you, Runa, for snapping us out of it,” Envi added, also more composed.

“Nao…” Envi hesitated. “Looking at all this… do you think it’s real? What if this is just an illusion meant to break us?”

“No…” I shook my head. “This is the Trial of Sacrifice. It’s too real. These aren’t lies or illusions. These are glimpses—real-time visions of what’s happening outside this realm.”

“I want to help you save everyone you care about, Master,” Runa said quietly. “I, Runa Nox, will be your fangs against the enemies of our world. If only… we could save them all…”

Her words lit a spark within me.

“Runa… you’re right. If only we could save them all… then maybe… just maybe…”

“I’ve tried casting my Dark Magic, but nothing works in this realm,” I said, thinking hard. “Even Envi can’t summon a single spell.”

“What are you planning, Nao? Wait—don’t tell me… you’re thinking that, aren’t you?!” Envi gasped, eyes wide.

“Yes, Envi. That magic… it’s the only way we can break through this impossible choice. The only way to save everyone.”

“But how?! Our magic is sealed!” Runa asked in disbelief.

“It can be done,” I said, firm and confident.

“How, Nao—wait, oh gods—[Power of Incarnation]!!!” Envi’s voice was filled with sudden hope.

“That’s right, Envi.” I clenched my fist. “The [Power of Incarnation] transcends rules, defies logic, shatters boundaries. With it—I can break the seal. I can unleash the full force of our magic… and save them all.”

….

I closed my eyes tightly, shutting out the chaos around me. With every ounce of will left in my soul, I began to pray—to plead to the one divine being I still had faith in: the Goddess of Benevolence. I poured my entire heart into the prayer, fueled by desperation and unshakable love for those I refused to lose.

“Oh Goddess of Benevolence… please, lend me your sacred strength. I don’t want to sacrifice anyone. I beg you… give me the power to face these trials, to protect the people I love…”

Yet… nothing.

The skill [Power of Incarnation] had not activated.

But I didn’t give up. I clenched my fists and focused even harder, visualizing them—Nana’s gentle smile… the laughter of my friends… the warmth I had felt fighting beside them.

“I have to save them. I won’t let any of them be taken away from me…”

I called out again, my voice trembling with hope and pain.

“Please, Goddess of Benevolence… let me protect my comrades… the gods and goddesses who believed in me… and let me save Nana—my sister…”

And then—light.

A soft chime echoed through the realm as divine notifications appeared before me:

[The Goddess of Benevolence has heard your wish.]

[The Goddess of Benevolence cheers you on with all her heart.]

[Power of Incarnation – Activated!] my body shines brightly.

[Seal on magic usage lifted! You can now use Dark Magic!]

“It worked, Nao!!” Envi shouted in pure joy.

“You did it, Master!” Runa cried, her voice filled with awe and relief.

My eyes welled up, and I looked up toward the endless ceiling of the realm, trying to speak to her… to thank her from the deepest part of my heart.

“Thank you, Goddess of Benevolence… I’m sorry to burden you again. I know you’re already holding back the power of the Outer God… but still, you reached out and helped me. I won’t forget this.”

I wiped my eyes, steeling myself.

“I’ll finish this… quickly.”

Without hesitation, I invoked my newly freed magic.

[Dark Magic Manifestation – Second Body!]

Dark energy surged violently from within me, shaping itself into a perfect clone of my body. Envi moved into it, taking full control. Now, we were no longer just one—we were two.

“It’s working, Nao… I’m fully synced. Just give me the order—I’ll do anything you ask!” Envi said with burning determination in his voice.

Then I raised my eyes once more, not to the screens—but to the heavens themselves.

“Listen closely, whoever you are—god, goddess, or some twisted arbiter of this trial.”

I didn’t press the options given to me. I defied them. I raised my hand and pointed straight toward the sky.

“I… I will not choose between my sister on Earth and my comrades in Aetheria and Cosmoria.”

“I will make my own path. I will save all of them!”

My voice thundered through the realm, echoing with a defiance so pure it shook the very space around me.

Then, another divine notification descended:

[Your answer has been accepted.]

[Opening portals to Earth and Cosmoria.]

[The god awaits the outcome of your decision.]

Two portals suddenly formed before us.

The one on the left glowed with a serene blue light, a sigil hovering above it:

[Earth Portal]

The one on the right pulsed with golden energy, marked with a blazing title:

[Cosmoria Portal]

And then—a system message appeared. One that shook my soul.

—

[MAIN QUEST – TRIAL OF HERO: FINAL PHASE]

1. Save your sister, Nana.2. Aid the gods in defeating the Unique Monsters Kraytheon and Gor’mundr in Cosmoria.

Rewards:• Complete the Trial of Hero and earn the title Hero of Blackmore• Receive Goddess’s Wish• Mysterious Reward (???)

Failure Penalty:• Death

—-

“We did it, Nao!!” Envi shouted, leaping into the air with joy.

“What now, Master?” Runa asked, standing calmly beside me.

I took a deep breath and turned toward Envi. My gaze met his—serious, unwavering.

“Envi… I need you to save Nana.”

“I’ll face Kraytheon and Gor’mundr with Runa. We’ll defeat them as fast as we can, and then head to Aetheria to rescue Amelia and the others.” My voice was firm, but I felt a lump in my throat.

Envi didn’t hesitate. He looked me straight in the eye and nodded.

“Of course. Leave it to me!” he grinned wide, full of fire. He stepped closer and placed a hand firmly on my shoulder.

“I will save your sister, Nao. I swear it. And anyone who dares to harm her… I’ll crush them.”

I smiled, placing my hand on his shoulder in return.

“And I’ll defeat those monsters—and protect Amelia, and everyone else. Don’t worry.”

“That’s my partner,” Envi laughed.

“I’ll be waiting,” I said, smirking. “Though I think I’ll have beaten all those monsters before you’re back.”

With our resolve firm, we stepped toward the portals.

“See you soon, partner.”

“Yeah. See you, partner.”

We entered the portals, our bodies dissolving into streams of light. Envi was sent to Earth… and I, to Cosmoria.

From within the Grimoire of Darkness, Runa’s voice echoed softly.

“I’ll do my best, Master… You can count on me.”

“I know, Runa. We can do this.”

As I emerged in the realm of Cosmoria, the world of gods and monsters, I knew:

This battle… I’ll end it swiftly.

[The god smiles at you.]

…

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