I opened my eyes, feeling as though I had already grown accustomed to this. As the tension drained from us, Lee Jihye and I collapsed onto the floor.
"That was exhausting..."
"Tell me about it..."
Kim Dokja, who had been watching us, approached and spoke.
"You two rest here for a while, then come up. We’ll save Yoo Joonghyuk."
"But..."
Kim Dokja cut Lee Jihye off firmly.
"Do as I say."
"..."
With that, Kim Dokja and the others ran off to save Yoo Joonghyuk. As we watched them leave, Lee Jihye and I chatted for a while. This time, it was my turn to talk.
"I told you before that I’d tell you about myself, remember?"
"You did."
I slowly closed my eyes and sorted through my memories of life in the hospital and everything that had come before it. After thinking for a moment, I began my story.
I told her about the warm, ordinary days I had spent with my family, the horrific tragedy in which they had all died, and how I had tried to pick myself back up only to be struck by an incurable disease. I also gave her a brief summary of how I had finally met people I could call family, only for the events of the first scenario to happen.
[The constellation, ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire,’ wipes away tears after hearing your story.]
"I’m sorry... I don’t know what to say..."
"Just listening was enough."
As she listened, Lee Jihye seemed to think of a question and opened her mouth.
"But are you okay now? You said the incurable disease made it hard for you even to walk."
"Ah... Yes, I’m fine. Somehow, I got better after the first scenario."
"That’s a relief..."
"It is."
Thinking about it now, my incurable disease had most likely been caused by my [Child of Good and Evil] attribute. I hadn’t mentioned it because there were far too many eyes watching and ears listening.
Someday, I’m sure I’ll be able to tell her.
After hearing my story, Lee Jihye hesitated before speaking.
"Um... If you’re okay with it... when this scenario is over, would you like to come with m—"
That was when it happened.
KABOOOOOM!!
At the sound of an explosion, we hurriedly sprang to our feet.
"It looks like we should go."
"...Yeah."
Lee Jihye looked somehow disappointed as we rushed toward the source of the noise. The moment we arrived...
"...■■."
"Han Seoyun! Watch out!"
Yoo Joonghyuk’s enormous, powerful fist was hurtling straight toward my face.
[66th Page—Chimaris]
[The Demon King, ‘Black Knight of Courage,’ gazes at you.]
Claaang!
Before his fist could reach my face, I activated [Goetia] and blocked it. Transformed into a knight clad in jet-black armor, Han Seoyun drew her sword and brought it down upon Yoo Joonghyuk, but—
Thud!
"Ugh...!"
His sweeping kick lifted me clean off my feet. My airborne body was sent hurtling into the wall.
Booom!
"Haa... Haa..."
"Han Seoyun!!"
As if intending to finish me off, Yoo Joonghyuk closed the distance in an instant and raised his arm. However, Lee Jihye had already rushed over and swung her sword at him.
Yoo Joonghyuk hastily dodged. After confirming that he had retreated, Lee Jihye came over to me.
"Are you okay, Han Seoyun?"
"Yes... I’m fine..."
I spat out the blood pooled in my mouth and sank into thought.
■■... Just one hit, and I’ve already suffered internal injuries.
Kim Dokja shouted while confronting Yoo Joonghyuk.
"Yoo Joonghyuk is being controlled right now! Aim for the theater’s owner!"
At Kim Dokja’s words, I urgently looked around and spotted an old man sitting leisurely nearby.
"I’ll hold off the captain, so please take care of that monster over there."
Lee Jihye nodded and readied herself. I drew my sword and assumed a stance as well.
Ta-at!
We moved at the same time. I charged Yoo Joonghyuk while Lee Jihye rushed toward the monster. However, Yoo Joonghyuk kicked Lee Jihye away with overwhelming speed. He raised his sword to finish her off, but I swung my own blade and blocked his path.
[The exclusive skill, [Illusion] Lv. 2, has been activated.]
Countless copies of me surrounded Yoo Joonghyuk.
[The exclusive skill, [Wings] Lv. 1, has been activated.]
Enormous wings sprouted from my back.
[The stigma, [Halo] Lv. 1, has been activated.]
A ring of light formed above my head.
[All stats have increased by 5.]
[7,500 coins have been consumed.]
[Stamina Lv. 20 → Lv. 25 (+5)]
[Strength Lv. 20 → Lv. 25 (+5)]
[Agility Lv. 20 → Lv. 25 (+5)]
[The stigma, [Bible] Lv. 2, has been activated.]
[Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."]
[You have temporarily acquired the attribute, [Faith (Rare)].]
[All hesitation vanishes from your movements.]
[The Fable, ■■■ ■■■■ ■■, uses divine power.]
Brilliant light enveloped my sword. I finally got to use it. ■■.
I glanced toward Lee Jihye and saw Kim Dokja hurriedly carrying her to safety. After confirming that, I spun my sword and faced Yoo Joonghyuk. He also raised his sword, watching me warily.
I’ve wanted to hit him at least once someday, and that chance has already arrived!
"Here I come, Yoo Joonghyuk."
I kicked off the ground and swung my sword at him. Yoo Joonghyuk calmly countered with his own blade.
Clang! Clack!!
Our swords collided as we tested each other. My divine power scorched Yoo Joonghyuk’s body, while my wings blocked the sword strikes I failed to parry. The numerous illusions attacked him as well, but Yoo Joonghyuk ignored them. He probably possessed a skill that allowed him to distinguish the illusions from the real me.
My stats are higher, but he has me completely outclassed in technique!
I was already struggling just to adjust to my increased stats!
Whenever I swung my sword, he deflected it. Whenever I blocked his blade, he feinted and landed a hit. However, it wasn’t as though he was taking no damage at all.
Clang! Clack! Cl-cl-clang!!
Divine power seeped into Yoo Joonghyuk’s wounds and inflicted pain. Whenever the agony dulled his movements, I took advantage of the opening to carve another wound into him.
[The constellation, ‘Savior of the Corrupted,’ is intrigued by this novel use of divine power.]
[The constellations of the Absolute Evil alignment writhe from their trauma.]
Fortunately, Kim Dokja is approaching the monster!
The instant Yoo Joonghyuk turned his attention toward Kim Dokja as she approached the monster, I carved a wound across his entire body.
Slaaash!!
I saw Yoo Joonghyuk collapse and became certain of my victory, but—
"I did it...!"
Yoo Joonghyuk recovered from all his wounds and rushed toward Kim Dokja.
"Damn it! ■■■■!!"
But before I had time to recover from my shock at Yoo Joonghyuk’s regeneration, a new combatant entered the battlefield.
[The Grade 6 Insect King Species, ‘Titanoptera,’ has appeared!]
"H-heh... Titano..."
"Grooooooar!!!"
Yoo Joonghyuk hurriedly blocked the Titanoptera’s swinging foreleg with his sword.
Claaang!! Screeeeech!
"Kuaaaaaaagh!!"
I spread my wings wide and flew toward Yoo Joonghyuk. Sheathing my sword, I poured all my strength into my fist and smashed it across his jaw.
SMAAACK!!
Yoo Joonghyuk went flying, and Kim Dokja finished off the theater boss.
"■■, I finally got to hit him once... That ■ bastard..."
[The skill, [Illusion], has reached Lv. 3.]
[The skill, [Wings], has reached Lv. 2.]
"Seoyun..."
"Gilyoung!"
[The barrier surrounding the [Theater Dungeon] disappears.]
After deactivating [Goetia] and [Bible], I collapsed onto the floor. Kim Dokja sank down beside me.
"Dokja, Seoyun, are you all right?"
"I’m fine, Heewon."
"I’m fine. What about you, Heewon?"
"I’m okay. Jihye is safe too, fortunately. Her face is so swollen that she can’t talk, though."
As we sat there resting our minds and bodies, a message appeared with a chime.
[The third main scenario is nearing its conclusion!]
"It looks like things are wrapping up below as well."
Jung Heewon couldn’t answer. The barrier had vanished, revealing the scenery outside.
"Ah... Seoul..."
"It really has been destroyed."
We approached the railing to get a better look.
"Everything really is ruined."
"Yeah."
Before we could remain lost in the lingering emotion for long, the kid pointed toward the sky.
"Shooting stars!"
When I looked up, beautiful stars adorned the dark sky.
"Wow... They’re so damn beautiful."
I closed my eyes and made a wish.
May we reclaim our happiness someday.
When I opened my eyes and glanced to the side, Kim Dokja was staring blankly into space.
"Didn’t you make a wish, Kim Dokja?"
"I did."
Curious, Lee Gilyoung asked what she had wished for. Kim Dokja answered.
"I wished that I could see the epilogue of a certain novel."
Kim Dokja’s eyes looked sorrowful as she spoke.
[The hidden scenario has ended!]
...Come to think of it, the angels are unusually quiet today. By this point, they’d normally all have something to say...
---
Meanwhile, in the nebula [Eden].
[■■, I think the Scribe has gone insane!]
[R-Raphael... Your manner of speaking has returned to normal—]
[■■, is that really what matters right now?]
[Hic—]
The archangels had gathered to discuss the Scribe’s behavior.
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