Chapter 711: Scenario (2)
‘Wait. But this bastard doesn’t know my face.’
The appearance was gorgeous, and the plan wasn’t bad altogether.
‘Should I have to come with a name tag?’
The way I dropped the feathers of light and slowly blocked the gap between the two felt too sacred even for me.
I couldn’t see myself, but I could assure anyone that no matter how I looked, the divine energy was overflowing. My fragile body, which would seemingly collapse immediately if anyone hit it, was wrapped in pure white light, creating an atmosphere that others couldn’t even touch.
I had to look like a victim as much as possible, and the first step was to look unconditionally pitiful.
No, I shouldn’t just look weak. As if I could give my life for the hero of the continent, I also had to convey an intense gaze that would tell anyone that I would never regret my choice.
I looked like the typical victim. As I said earlier, the only problem was that Thronus didn’t know my face. I hoped that Kim Hyunsung would call my name.
‘Kiyoung!’
I thought I could be a little relieved once he said that word.
‘Should I just introduce myself shamefully at this timing?’
Kim Hyunsung, who was down, couldn’t understand what was happening. It looked like he didn’t expect that even I would go that far for him.
Not only did he seem too distracted to open his mouth, but he also seemed to feel self-defeated at his completely broken appearance. There was no other reaction. He just looked at me with a confused expression. I thought it’d take a little longer before he could get his act together.
‘Fuck, you’re not going to kill me right away, right? You won’t stab me, right? We look like the same kind. Although the types are a little different, we are companions because you have wings, and I also have wings. Please don’t kill me yet.’
If I saw him trying to lift his sword, I thought I should just unconditionally introduce myself.
It was for a very short time, but it felt like time had stopped.
It was then that a voice came. It wasn’t Kim Hyunsung’s voice calling my name. The first one that opened his mouth was Thronus, who was still looking at me.
“…”
“…”
“Lee… Kiyoung?”
‘How does this bastard know?’
“Lee… Lee Kiyoung?”
‘That’s ridiculous. Really.’
“You…”
‘…’
“You are Lee Kiyoung. You… you were Lee Kiyoung.”
I didn’t know what face he was making.
I wasn’t saying I was a bottle of liquor, but he had the same face as an alcoholic looking at alcohol after such a long time. Tears were pooling in his eyes, and his voice was trembling.
“It’s not disgraceful.”
His body was also trembling as if he was under the effects of withdrawal. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I knew I could solve the problem without dying.
“Your face is rather noble, just like I thought it would be.”
‘Thank you for evaluating it like that. Lee Kiyoung does benefit with a bit of light on his face.’
“Even among the fallen, the light has not been lost. The essence is… the essence couldn’t be changed.”
He looked a bit happy.
“Seraphim, are you seeing this? That’s him. My story was right. Look at this human. This one has not lost the light. On the contrary, he has continued to cultivate that tender little light in his heart. Ha… haha… I’m so happy. How could he discover his own brilliance and grow it in such a helpless situation?”
Although it was the power of Benignore, my wings of light seemed to make them act friendly to me. I definitely thought it could work in my favor.
“Finally, we meet again. I keep remembering what you said. I mean, to not forget your name. I thought I’d meet you someday, but… I never thought it would be this soon. There are a lot of things I’ve been repeating to myself, but I don’t know where to start. My friend, my understanding, I am here to save you. Now, take my hand. Human- no, Lee Kiyoung. The demon behind you is your enemy. He’s not worth your life. I will kill him and set you free.”
‘No, fuck. Haven’t you heard me? I told you not to kill this bastard manifest.’
I shook my head with a determined face. Since he could stab Kim Hyunsung, I prepared to block him.
After taking a step back, I immediately began to put my body closer to Kim Hyunsung.
I had to make it clear that he wouldn’t be able to attack Kim Hyunsung without stabbing me. I also had to show him that the light would never go out and that he could never break my convictions.
‘Fuck, that’s cool. Really, I’ll get drunk on myself.’
“You don’t remember me.”
“…”
“Don’t worry too much. It’s hard, but perhaps you can find a way. Even if you don’t remember me, it doesn’t matter. There are more days left to be together. Seraphim, Cherubim, and Dominions are waiting for you and will welcome you in the end.”
‘This bastard is pretending to be too close to me… Hyunsung, you’re not listening to all of it, right?’
It was a bit weird to say that it was a relief, but he was still looking blank. Perhaps he wasn’t in a condition to properly understand the current situation.
It would’ve been an unconscious act to hold my sleeve tight while gasping for breath.
No, not that. As I watched his lips move continuously, he seemed to be aware of the fact that I was here. I didn’t know what he’s talking about, but if I interpreted it slowly…
Run.
‘I won’t run away, Hyunsung.’
There was no way I would run away and leave the hero of the precious continent behind.
“Look down once again at the figure of the one you are trying to protect…”
“I already am.”
“It is the form of a man who sold his soul to the demon. He is a deceiver. It’s dangerous to be with him.”
“It’s not dangerous.”
“He looks dirty…”
“He’s not dirty. He doesn’t look dirty.”
‘Hyunsung. Fuck. Are you listening? You hear my voice, right? Are you listening?’
I spoke one more time, just in case.
“He’s not dirty.”
I said the same thing three times. I was kind enough to show him the shape of my mouth, so there was really no way he couldn’t hear it.
“I don’t know why you say you know me, but… you are just looking at his appearance.”
‘Right. Fuck. Who could curse Kim Hyunsung for being disgraceful?’
He had to go through countless pains and trials and lost a countless number of precious people. He had to make an unwanted regression and endure the pain on his own.
I couldn’t even imagine how painful it would’ve been for him. As much as the masked savior, both he and Kim Hyunsung must’ve suffered.
Doom Hyunsung was the result of carrying a large burden, the pressure of being unable to go against his fate, the fear of losing a dear one once more, and all kinds of negative emotions.
In fact, the hero Kim Hyunsung didn’t change even though his appearance had become a little farther away from the light.
“It is you who wears the mask of a demon. I know what this person really is.”
‘Hyunsung. Did you hear what I said? When you stab me later, don’t make it painful. You have to stab me gently.’
It wasn’t much of a remark, but it was fucking touching. From Kim Hyunsung’s point of view, I couldn’t imagine how sweet that would sound.
While he was regretting his own choices, feeling self-doubt, and suffering from his own appearance, what could be more reassuring than having someone like a brother tell him that he was okay?
People’s hearts warmed up even when they were comforted by someone they didn’t know.
If Kim Hyunsung listened to me, he would’ve felt something. His face looked as I expected.
‘Hey… fuck, why are you crying?’
No, it was a more novel reaction than I thought.
‘Why are you crying?’
Was it that comforting?
Tears continued to flow, even as he was lying there, unable to speak properly.
Seeing that he couldn’t wipe it himself, I didn’t think he was psychologically well. Since he used Lucifer’s power, there was a possibility that his mind could be messed up.
I wanted to check his physical condition, but I wasn’t stupid enough to do that right at that moment.
In the meantime, Thronus, located in front of us, had a complex expression on his face.
“You… you are just mistaken. If you talk with us at least a little, you’ll probably be able to agree with our stance soon.”
“…”
“You are being deceived by that manipulator. He’s a wicked man who controls everyone. Even if that’s not what he looks like, he’s already a man that turned against the light. He’s not someone we can trust. Get out of the way… quickly…”
‘No, fuck. I will never get out of the way. Kill me instead. Fucking kill me if you can. No, before that, Hyunsung will rise.’
I could feel the pressure on the sleeves he was holding onto. He didn’t seem to notice, but Kim Hyunsung’s body was moving little by little.
‘He’s trying to stand up.’
He might get rid of Lucifer’s strength and regain his true power.
I began to feel convinced that the 4-star Kim Hyunsung could evolve into a 5-star Kim Hyunsung. He must’ve had a conversation with his inner self, and it was time to get up.
Would Kim Hyunsung go back to the beginning and find his true nature?
‘You can become stronger, right? Fuck, Hyunsung. Get up quickly. My knee hurts.’
His wings were wriggling. It was no wonder that the expectation of the hero’s appearance overcoming the pain was raised.
I wanted to tell him to get up a little faster, but for the time being, maintaining my current position was the top priority. I had to give Kim Hyunsung courage.
“You can do it.”
‘Hyunsung.’
“I believe you will overcome it as always.”
I also loaded in some tears.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you.”
‘Can’t you see I’m prepared for death?’
“I’m sorry for not keeping my promise.”
‘Get up before I really die. You have to stand up and awaken.’
“You will be able to do well. Please, take care of the others.”
Thronus didn’t seem to have any intention of killing me, but I had to make it look like he would anyway. I could see the pigeon’s face that seemed to want to say that he wouldn’t kill me, but there’s no way I could hear his voice in that situation.
Thronus bit his lips as he slowly walked. He realized that Kim Hyunsung was going to stand up.
“Forgive me.”
He apologized for subduing me, who was blocking Kim Hyunsung’s front.
I thought I could buy more time for a while, but he grabbed my hand too easily and lifted me.
It was gentle enough not to feel pain, but I pretended like it hurt and screamed.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!”
‘Hyunsung. Now. Fuck, I’m dying. Are you watching right now? This bastard is trying to kill me. Fuck. Get up quickly.’
“Sniff…”
‘The pigeon caught me. I’m going now. I think he’s really trying to kill me. I just almost broke my arm. What are you doing not getting up?’
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”
As I looked at Kim Hyunsung with a louder scream than before, I saw congested eyes and bitten lips. His red eyes look even redder. I was certain that wasn’t an illusion.
‘I guess this bastard will stand up after all.’
“Sniff… please…”
‘Stand up, fuck. Awaken. Fuck.’
“… Let go.”
‘Awaken! And awaken! Awaken again!’
“Let… Let go of that hand!”
It was our proud regressor who had raised his body that roared. I could see him punching Thronus’s face immediately. His movement and magic power were markedly different from earlier.
‘He has awakened…’
He seemed to have evolved into five stars.
‘He overcame it!’
The only problem was…
‘What the… Why did horns grow on your head? Fuck… I mean… what? What’s wrong with your skin? No… No, what’s wrong with your arms… and… your face… what’s wrong…’
His awakening had taken on a completely different direction.
‘Ahhh…’
It didn’t even look like Kim Hyunsung anymore.