Chapter 520: Rising Light (3)
“You’ve really… suffered a lot.”
I didn’t know what else to say. Kim Hyunsung was as emotional as a 15-year-old middle schooler right then, and I felt embarrassed for him.
I wondered what should be my very first line after waking up.
Should I act as if I remember everything that had happened, or should I act as if I didn’t remember anything? If I went with the first scenario, I would have to act out an intense crying scene, as if I was filled with intense guilt.
Of course, I was an attention seeker, and the crying scene was necessary, but I didn’t necessarily have to act so emotionally right at that moment.
‘I guess I will do that scene 3 days later, whatever.’
Right then, I had to act as if I could not fully understand my present situation.
‘Yes, this is right. This is how I should do it.’
Before I took full advantage of the situation, I should let them taste some semblance of victory.
When I looked at the sky, it was already slowly darkening.
I already saw the light beam out from Kim Hyunsung, but I wasn’t able to see the clear, blue sky. It was probably the result of Kim Hyunsung and Belial’s fighting. I looked at the beauty of the sky in awe.
And what about the twinkling lights slowly falling from the sky? It looked as if it was a gift of celebration from the heavens.
In addition to this, in the center of it, Kim Hyunsung stood with tear-filled eyes.
He looked as if he would burst into tears at any moment, and hundreds of emotions were visible in his eyes. Even before I opened my mouth, I felt a prick of guilt.
He stood still with his hand outstretched as if everything was over, as if there was no longer any need for me to wander in the darkness.
He probably didn’t know how his blood-covered face would be reflected in other people’s eyes.
Even his handsome face couldn’t cover how wretched he looked. It made him look even more wretched in comparison. Half of his face was covered in blood from injuries, and he couldn’t even open one eye.
The same could be said for his body. There was not an inch that remained unscathed.
As I got closer to him, I could see just how bad his state was.
I wasn’t in good shape either. However, due to Belial’s mana protection, my appearance was on the decent-looking side. Despite all of that, Hyunsung only worried about me. It felt as if my hard work paid off.
‘This bastard should quickly get treated…’
“Is your b-body all-right?”
“Am I…what…?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“What… is happening…?”
“We should make sure you aren’t hurt anywhere…”
‘Dude, take care of your body first.’
“Are you able to stand up?”
I slowly nodded, and he helped me get back on my feet. After scanning my body carefully to see if I was hurt, he let out a sigh of relief.
It was great timing to share a hug of friendship, but it seemed as if he was concerned about the blood and filth on his clothes.
However, the hand he reached out revealed his intense emotion.
‘Man, I’m so proud of myself. It should be like this.’
I was proud of myself, especially after looking at the state of Kim Hyunsung. I hit the jackpot and chose the right person.
“O-Oppa, Oppa…”
‘Yes, you too, Hayan. You worked hard too. You look especially pretty today…’
I almost wanted to squeeze her cheeks.
It was strange to say that considering how she threw a fireball, but it was more important to make a decisive, rational decision.
When she suddenly came out, I was worried that she might immediately stab Kim Hyunsung. Instead, she had chosen to trust in his decision.
Throwing a fireball at a person’s face was a small step for others, but it was an enormous leap for her.
I could see that her hands were still shaking like crazy, but seeing me, she pushed Kim Hyunsung away and gently held me in her embrace.
“Sor… sniff… I’m sorry. I was wrong… sob… sniff…”
“Hanyan, first…”
“I was wrong… sniff…”
“Ah…”
I pulled back my hair to separate myself from Hayan, but Hayan and Kim Hyunsung’s faces immediately became worried with that movement.
Due to that, I couldn’t even pull my hair without getting them worried, but I was still enjoying that moment.
Everything was finally over. But it looked as if everything was not over for Kim Hyunsung. He opened his mouth again.
“I think we have to take Kiyoung-ssi to where the walls are quick. Hayan-ssi, please take him there.”
“…”
“Why…”
“Our enemies will probably continue their attacks. Our battle is not over yet…”
‘Man, how are you going to fight with that body? Don’t move around so much and just shut yourself in a room.’
At that point, I was kind of getting tired of him clinging onto his sword with his trembling body.
‘Well, I understand. I’m proud of this dude, really.’
“Ah, right now, argh…”
“Don’t try to remember everything. It’s much more important for you to escape right now. With your current condition…”
“You look more hurt than me…”
“No, I’m fine.”
‘This man is so determined.’
He looked as if he was ready to die, but maybe unfortunately for him, the battle would not continue after that. According to my plans, at about that time…
Flashhhhhhhhhh!!!
Benignore, who had been waiting for her moment, soon took action.
She must have known that appearing right at that moment wasn’t meaningless.
Before I really did anything, a large light began to surround us. The sky divided into two, and light poured out.
“Benignore.”
Even after becoming bankrupt, Benignore pretended to look holy upon appearance. It was thanks to me that she could have an entrance as glorious as that.
She clearly looked like her statue. The way she was surrounded by light made her even more noticeable. She seemed to be enveloped with a holy power that I began to be in awe of even while knowing her true self, which was stupid and foolish.
-I call upon Belial’s 27th Demon Corps.
Her voice sounded elegant. She must have known how important one’s image was. I couldn’t help but nod at her masterful performance.
-Go back to where you came from. This is not where you all should be.
[It must be time for us to separate.]
‘Ah, Belial-nim. Thank you so much.’
[I wanted to linger here a bit longer to enjoy the situation, but it seems like that is no longer an option. This stupid bitch must be fulfilling her role as a goddess and trying to fix the situation.]
‘Man, I was sorry to hear that. Perhaps, the system can…’
[It’s probably right for the outside counsel to handle this. Isn’t this also what you expected? Since the system is operating normally, it takes a considerable amount of price and magic to stay in this world. After everything is over, you wouldn’t be able to maintain the 27th Demon Corps. Besides, weren’t you worried that I would suddenly betray you?]
‘Ah, ah! Belial-nim. How could I dare have such a wicked thought? I already know that you can see through a lowly human like me. I never had such a disgusting thought before.’
[Hahahaha! Don’t worry about that, you disgusting human. Isn’t that your charm? I look forward to seeing what you’ll become in the future. I can’t wait to continue to be with such a disgusting human like you. Even right now, my corps commanders are giving a standing ovation at what you had done. I’m impressed at the fact that you are such a trashy human…]
[Cut that out! Belial!]
[Long time no see. But isn’t it too late now, incompetent Benignore? You are doing well maintaining your appearance in front of these insect-like humans.]
[H-Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung will never join the demons.]
[I had already implanted my seed into him. Aren’t you aware of that already? Rather than being by your side, it is more fitting for him with me.]
[Your dirty devil! H-How dare you do this to my faithful and lovely Saint Lee Kiyoung…!]
What were those guys doing?
I could understand Belial, but Benignore, who had suddenly intervened in the conversation, surprised me with her response.
I thought she would describe me as trash, but she was praising me with all kinds of compliments, saying that I was a faithful servant and a lovely believer.
‘She must be afraid of losing me.’
She must have wanted to keep me at her side rather than watching me join the opposing faction. Since her appearance, I saw her taking glimpses at me.
I didn’t know everything, but I was sure that the situation was very advantageous for me.
Both sides wanted me.
‘It’s tiring to be so popular.’
Both sides were appealing, but I couldn’t make up my mind before I conversed with them.
Since the system had been normalized, Belial and Benignore couldn’t possibly stay in our world for too long. As expected, they used me to communicate with each other. They were becoming more desperate.
[We don’t have time to discuss this, Benignore.]
[What? How dare you!]
[Incompetent Benignore, don’t you have a more pressing matter than discussing about your lovely believer, the disgusting human, who I have my eyes on?]
[That is…]
[What can you do for me?]
[What are you talking about? You also can’t stay here for too long. Why are you saying that as if you are doing us a favor by retreating?]
[I’m saying that I can retreat peacefully. Didn’t you also directly intervene because you wanted to avoid further damage? If I really wanted to, I could easily cause great damage to this empire again. Don’t you know that best?]
[It would also be cumbersome for you if you destroy our workplace… didn’t you already do a lot?]
[I have my honor as the commander of the 72nd Corps. If I don’t reap a lot when I specifically come down to this world, I would be dishonored. I will make it so that it will be beneficial for both of us. Let’s end this now. You also know that we don’t have much time. I will give you 10 seconds.]
[We will never make a compromise with you, Belial.]
‘I’m sorry for intervening in the middle of your conversation, but may I offer some advice?’
[…]
[…]
[Okay, I will at least hear it, external advisor.]
[My lovely and precious servant, Lee Kiyoung! If it is your request, I will do so gladly!]