Chapter 416 – The Final Battle (9)

The moment Heaven’s body fell from the sky, I caught her just before she hit the ground, like a bullet ricocheting off its target.

– Crash!

As my back scraped against the ground and slid, I checked Heaven’s face, now smeared with mud. The sight of her battered body in my arms was heartrending.

Her skin was split and covered in blood, her right arm torn away, and branches pierced through her stockings at her collarbone and abdomen.

A clear sign of entification. Her skin was cold.

“Master.”

I grasped her shoulder and shook her. Even after using healing magic, I felt a presence from afar for a brief moment.

A Flower executive was standing on a dome-shaped shield—Cistus.

“Impossible… I never thought that the arrogant World Tree would intervene personally.”

Floating above the sky alongside Sistus, a woman with long chestnut hair confronted her.

“…Even going so far as to humanize it.”

The World Tree of Prosperity.
Her figure, with white skin adorned by branches covering her breasts and vagina. A pale brown mana radiated from her voluptuous body.

“I cannot accept your methods, Sistus.”
“I never sought your approval.”

Sistus’s eyes swept over the World Tree of Prosperity.

The World Tree, unarmed. She knew it had descended directly, but… could it be planning to die in place of the civilians? There was no hesitation in its humanization.

As Sistus waved a hand towards the World Tree, countless avatars clung to the barrier. Simultaneously, the magic of the World Tree within the barrier grew stronger.

“So? Are you planning to die?”

The World Tree of Prosperity clenched her fists as if determined not to let a single person perish. Sistus laughed, finding it amusing.

“Ha.”

The World Tree of Prosperity didn’t respond immediately, but her eyes widened as if she had reached a decision.

[Si-heon.]

The voice of the World Tree of Prosperity echoed in my head. I tightly embraced Heaven’s body and replied to her.

‘Yes.’
[Can you save your master now?]
‘I must. And you?’
[This is a divine duty. Including you, we need to save everyone. So… can you grant my request?]

I nodded briefly. I wasn’t sure if she could see it, but it seemed that the World Tree of Prosperity understood.

[There’s an emergency tunnel below. If you follow it, it will lead to the outskirts of Seoul. So…]

Bang!

The voice of the World Tree of Prosperity was drowned out by the explosion.

As the bodies of the doppelgangers clinging to the ceiling burst apart, no substance was left in the space.

Surrounding dust, obstructing concrete, and more. Even the very essence of magical power vanished without a trace, all at once. This was more deadly than the self-destruction of Sistus that I had first witnessed.

If my master had been exposed to that attack… The problem would be severe.

I hoisted Heaven upwards. Despite unleashing the restorative power of healing, which had returned to its original state, the blood still refused to clot properly.

‘…Did they use the Form of the Arm?’

Healing’s effectiveness increases based on the severity of the wound. However, there are many difficulties when treating attacks, such as those from Magina or the explosion of Sistus, that disrupt the very essence of the target.

But it’s not a matter of life or death. They can be saved.

“Please, wait a moment, Master.”

I adjusted my clothes, dug through the debris, and entered the still-intact tunnel.

*Thud, thud, thud, thud.*

Footsteps echoed one after another. Tension made my breath ragged.

Ripples formed in the stagnant, putrid water on the floor. Still too slow. Faster. To the point of breaking my legs.

Space magic cannot be used inside Seoul.
If only one could manage to escape and move to the foreign coordinates memorized…

In that brief moment, Heaven’s body trembled.
Beneath the long lashes, as the eyelids rose, petal-like pupils came into view.

– Tap.

The back of Heaven’s clenched fist tapped my chest.

“Master.”

Heaven remained silent for a long while.
In the steadily passing tunnel, what thoughts had settled in those blinded eyes, just moments from death? A smile graced the master’s austere lips.

“I knew you were alive.”

A cracked voice emerged.

“Yes.”
“How’s your body?”
“I’m fine.”

It was too late. Perhaps persuasion should have been attempted.
Numerous thoughts raced through my mind.

With eyes closed, Heaven still maintained a leisurely smile, offering advice.

“Rather than regretting the path already taken, it is wiser to devise countermeasures.”
“Yes. I apologize.”

“Being tormented by trivial emotions will strangle you.”
“Yes.”
“Because I couldn’t do it.”
“No, sir.”

Cheondo’s hand moved downward, grasping her own clothes.
Heavenly Demon’s collar was caught in her weak grip.

“I still have so much to tell you.”
“So you must live. No problem. As long as we proceed like this, we can survive.”
“There’s no harm in mentioning the uncertainties in this world.”

Cheondo gently wrapped her hand around her neck. She examined my face in that state.
A loving gaze.
It was the first time I received such a look from my master.

“A proud disciple.”
“Yes.”
“This garment was originally made to fit your body. I didn’t expect to hand it over to you so soon… but it’s alright.”
“When did you take my measurements again?”
“I secretly took them late one night. As a teacher, I know everything about you.”
“Ha, is that so?”

Yet there are still many things unknown.

“Yes. Your teacher is more remarkable than you think. Praise her.”
“She truly is.”

She smiles gently as I bow down before her. From childhood until now, the endearing charm within her steadfastness has remained unchanged.

She seems to know everything… and yet, she appears unaware that I once was her executioner. Perhaps this is essential for her to become the perfect mentor. Even as she holds me close, in a somewhat undignified embrace, her face radiates benevolence.

In truth, she was my first love. Should I confess, albeit bashfully?

“You are my most precious person.”

But upon hearing such words, I find myself unable to speak my heart. As her student, I long for her affection. If, by chance, it were revealed that I had once been above her, even if only briefly, I fear it might alter her perception of me.

All I desire is to be wholly acknowledged by my current teacher. Yet, of all moments, it is now that I hear her speak such words.

“I am proud of you.”
“Are you truly proud, despite my constant troublemaking?”
“That’s simply the nature of a student.”

“I don’t deny it.”
“Won, do you know how much I’ve suffered because of you?”

A brief exchange of laughter.

“Ha ha.”
“Hehe.”

Cheondo, who smiled warmly, gradually leaned her face into my embrace, rested her cheek against my chest, and touched her forehead to mine, murmuring contentedly.

“Mugung said that.”
“…Yes?”
“My dream will never come true.”

I recalled hearing something similar before. Cheondo had once spoken of having a dream.

Back then, I assumed her dream was to recreate the lost Do-won. However, Cheondo’s actions did not bring to mind the Do-won of that time. Perhaps it was because the sisters’ bodies had not yet been returned.

“What is your dream?”

It wasn’t long before Cheondo spoke.

“I wished for no one to experience the pain of loss. It’s a naive child’s dream.”

The maintenance of order. The end of war. The ideal Do-won was a dream that even the past Heavenly Demon, the elder, had envisioned.

Though their paths differed, Cheondo too harbored a similar dream. It might have been even more poignant for her, having lost several people in her life and experienced loneliness.

“Is it strange?”
“It’s just like you, Master.”
“What dream do you have?”

As I continued to move my feet, I spoke.

“My nature is quite humble, so my dream is to live an ordinary life with someone I know, like you, Master.”
“…A person named Heavenly Demon speaks of scratching his master’s itch.”
“Ah, I apologize.”
“Heh, it’s alright. Soon, you too shall attain that state.”
“State? What do you mean?”

Ignoring my question, Cheondo chuckled.

“The opportunity to reach such a state often comes from a seemingly trivial event. It seems to me that your time to cross that threshold is near.”
“I don’t understand why you’re saying this so suddenly.”
“One day, you’ll know.”

That state. If one were to borrow the power of the crown, it could be possible even now.

It may be somewhat taxing on my body, but I’ve already adapted to such strain, so I should be able to withstand it just fine.

For a moment, doubt crept in. Cheondo continued speaking, as if to wipe away the uncertainty from her mind. It was as if something was consuming her time.

“You meet me as your master. Have you any regrets?”
“None. There’s so much I want to do. It will be a few years from now. It might even take more than a decade for that time to come.”

Cheondo, who had been quietly listening to my words, opened her eyes. I continued to describe the future I had envisioned.

“We should go see your favorite animated movie together again.”
“…”
“Isn’t there a way for couples to share popcorn? We could buy a single container like this and forget all our worldly worries. Just the two of us, at ease. You understand?”
“…At ease.”
“Yes, at ease. Without the distinctions of master and disciple. No need to wear a stern face or pretend to be solemn. Just laughing together.”

A voice that gently warms the ears.

“Yes. Alright.”

Cheondo’s hand, which had been grasping the neck, lowered.

“Someday, I truly wish to go together.”

The fist unfolds, revealing an open palm.
Within its grasp, the small, precious pink petals catch the eye.

The Peach Blossom Ring.

Received from a young Cheondo, and given to her as she grew into adulthood.
The ring remained unblemished in her hand, unstained by even a drop of blood throughout the fierce battles.
I feigned ignorance when I saw the ring.

– Tak, Tak, Tak.

The sound of hastening footsteps. A tunnel plunged into darkness, with no visibility.

Had we been running for a while?
Cheondo, who had been gazing intently at me, approached once more with a sly smile.

“I am quite greedy too…”

Before her words could fully settle, a sudden presence was felt directly behind us.

Tensely, I waited for my master’s next words.
Soon, Cheondo spoke.

“…Thank you.”

Why would they say that? As that thought crossed my mind, I steadied my nerves and gently lowered Cheondo from my embrace. I positioned her to lean against the wall, then shook my wrist to ease the tension.

“…”
“Please wait a moment.”

– Thump, thump, thump.

The heavy, resounding footsteps of a formidable presence approached. I could sense it just by the nearing sounds and the mounting pressure.

– Flicker!

A sphere of light materialized within the tunnel, casting a bright illumination around us. Stone dust drifted down from the tunnel’s interior. The man who approached me removed his hood.

It was a face I recognized. The sixth executive of Flower, Pianhua.

I too discarded my face cover, as my long black hair – neglected for some time – swayed with the motion.

“…Lee Si-heon?”

The man observed me and muttered, seemingly puzzled. His white hair and crimson eyes gave him a striking, almost vampiric appearance.

—
White Pianhua
Until we meet again someday.
—

Information and flower language surfaced in my mind.
A flower that waits for the one it loves.

It’s not my place to know.
I steadied my breath and reached out.

“You must have died.”

The words he spoke while looking at me. He nodded as if he understood shortly after.

“…”
“Is that so? You’ve unleashed the king’s power?”

A dagger was drawn from the waist of the skin. He held the sword in both hands, then glanced at Heaven behind me and narrowed his eyes.

“You’re wasting your efforts.”
“…What?”
“That woman is already dead.”

Dead?

“Who says so?”
“It’s not about deciding or anything like that. From the moment she was exposed to the bombardment of Sistus, she was already dead.”

That’s absurd.
I tried to dismiss it, but I remembered the words I had just shared with Heaven.

Starting with clothes. Her own dream.
She tried to say many things as if she was pressed for time.

In a moment of unease, I turned my head to look at Cheondo’s face.

Earlier, Cheondo had been covering her neck with her only remaining hand. With that hand now facing the ground, I could finally discern what had been hidden around her neck.

Petals adorned with purple patterns on a stark white background.

The Flower of Sistus.

“…”

Had she known from the very beginning? Cheondo, mechanically turning her head, whispered in a voice only I could hear.

“I’m sorry.”

So she whispered.

– Thump.

My ears felt as if they were tearing. My vision blurred in an instant.

– Crack!

As her eardrums burst, Cheondo’s neck, head, chest, and stomach were violently torn apart.

“No!”

Only half of her body had been blown away, but the damage was critical. I came to understand the reality I desperately wanted to deny.

“No…”

My teacher was dying.

My widened eyes couldn’t accept what was happening.

The blood reflected in my eyes formed a pool, crawling all the way to my feet.

“…The death of a cherished one is always hard to bear.”

A voice from behind.

Flower. That sound.

My thoughts were interrupted.

– Thump, thump, thump, thump.

The emotions brewing deep within my chest began to take shape, like sharp thorns.

Magical power erupted from my body.

– Paang!

The sharp, thorny bullets shot from behind me, piercing the man’s heart.