Sitting atop a mountain of dragon and human corpses, a wrinkled, white-haired old man let out a weary sigh as the voice of the system he had long grown to dread echoed once more in his mind.
[You have slain the Primordial Dragon, Tiamat—the Mother of All Dragons.]
[You have acquired the Unique Artifact: Tears of the Goddess.]
———
「Tears of the Goddess」
■ Artifact Grade: Unique
■ Artifact Description: It is believed that this artifact was formed from the first tears shed by a benevolent constellation upon witnessing the first murder in the history of the universe.
■ Embedded Skill: True Wish
———
"Sigh... I guess everything I went through to obtain this item was worth it. Only one unique artifact can exist at a time, after all."
The old man glanced at the glowing artifact in his hand for a moment, its gentle radiance oddly comforting amidst the sea of blood and carnage.
"...So why do I feel so empty?"
[The Constellation Clown Who Laughs Maniacally says you got exactly what you deserved.]
"I suppose you're right, Clown. I really am just a piece of human garbage."
[The Constellation Clown Who Laughs Maniacally agrees wholeheartedly with your statement.]
"I really didn't want to watch them die, Clown—especially after everything we went through—but I simply couldn't risk them coming after this artifact. After all, in this world, everyone only cares about themselves."
[The Constellation Clown Who Laughs Maniacally is intrigued by your reasoning.]
"You know, Clown... in my younger years, I wasn't like this. I had dreams, hopes. I was even a very moral person."
"But after my parents died in that tragic car crash in my twenties, everything changed. My life spiraled into darkness."
"I became obsessed—with power, with influence. So, when the apocalypse came and dungeons started opening across the globe, I already had the wealth and connections to not just survive... but thrive."
"But by that point, whatever shred of humanity I had left was already gone."
"I did everything to gain power—threatened, poisoned, assassinated. I killed people without hesitation... all for my own advancement."
"That's how I made it to my sixties. My strength, my fame, my success—they're all built atop a mountain of corpses."
"The people of this world call me the Sword Demon. Not out of respect, but out of pure, unfiltered fear."
"I'm lonely, Clown. Utterly alone. I can't trust anyone. Because I know that the moment I show even the slightest bit of hesitation, my allies—my so-called subordinates—will stab me in the back and claim my throne."
"Sigh... But I suppose that's just how things are in this apocalyptic hellscape."
[The Constellation Clown Who Laughs Maniacally starts to feel pity for you.]
"There's no reason for you to feel pity, Clown. I lived a life full of regrets, yes—but at least I lived it on my own terms."
"Even though I became a monster, I never once hesitated in my life—because I knew that hesitation breeds death. And now that everyone who can oppose me is gone... I can finally wish for the one thing that I truly want: a life with no regrets."
[The Constellation Clown Who Laughs Maniacally wishes you luck on your next journey.]
"Thank you, my dear friend. I know I never said it properly, but... thank you for being my constellation. For sticking with me all these years."
[The Constellation Clown Who Laughs Maniacally tells you to stop dragging it out and just make your wish.]
"Hah. Whatever, you tsundere. Alright then... it's time."
———
■ Embedded Skill - True Wish
■ Skill Description - Grants the owner of the artifact the ability to fulfill one of their wishes.
■ Note - This artifact can only be used once.
■ Restriction - This artifact can't be consumed or replicated.
———
"Originally, I planned to consume this artifact to exploit its embedded skill—but I guess the system won't allow such an obvious loophole."
"Sigh... I guess it's time for me to make my wish."
"I, Damon Kyriazis, wish to use this unique artifact to return back in time to August 1st, 2018, with all my memories intact."
[Processing request... Request accepted... Adjusting the time stream.]
[Your wish has been granted.]