Chapter: 369
Not being able to see, not being able to hear, is a significant obstacle in doing anything.
If it were a normal situation, I would have become someone utterly helpless at this point of sensory deprivation.
In that sense, I was quite a fortunate person.
I had a special partner named Ari.
‘…What’s going on, Ari?’
Although proper conversation was impossible for me, perhaps due to the special relationship between a witch and a demonic beast, Ari and I were able to communicate with each other through our thoughts.
[…The magic is starting to fall.]
Thanks to that, even in my current condition, I could understand the situation through Ari.
The overwhelming magic that I had been sensing was, in fact, descending towards the city—the despairing situation.
‘…I see.’
Hearing this, I made up my mind.
Then, it seemed that Ari noticed what I was thinking.
Just like Yoon Si-woo, who was holding my hand in front of me.
From the flames rising from my back and Yoon Si-woo’s hand holding mine, intense emotions were transmitted.
Yet, I had no choice but to say this to them.
“Yoon Si-woo, tell everyone. I have a method.”
This was the moment to ignite my last remaining spark.
*
As I was conveying my plan to Yoon Si-woo and slowly gathering my strength for preparation.
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, I sensed the presence of others around me.
While they must have been busy evacuating the citizens, for a brief moment, I thought there was no reason for them to gather in such a place, but then I realized there was only one reason for them to come here, and I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
“…Ha ha, could it be that everyone came here to say goodbye?”
If they didn’t stay as far away as possible from the epicenter during the remaining time, it would be dangerous, but how foolish…
While I had such thoughts, at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel joy thinking about the hearts of those who came all the way here to see me off.
Thus, each person who had come began to say their farewells to me one by one.
Perhaps it was because they had come to see me enough times during my hospital visits that they were so close to me.
Even though I couldn’t see, and couldn’t hear.
I could still clearly distinguish who was in front of me without needing to ask Ari.
I felt a deep sense of responsibility from the hand patting my shoulder—it was Martina.
This gentle hug that felt affectionate was from Mei, I thought.
As I shook hands with Dwight, held Marin’s hands for a moment, and tightly embraced Florene to the point that I could hardly breathe.
I profoundly felt that I had encountered many connections here.
Then suddenly, I recalled the time when we held Eve’s funeral.
At that time, while seeing countless people mourning the teacher’s death, I thought, “I hope that someday, many people will grieve my death like this.”
Looking at the people who had gathered for me today, I felt naturally relieved that I had not lived my life for nothing.
…Yes, for now, I was glad that my eyes and ears were like this.
If both had been fine, I surely wouldn’t have been able to hold back my tears.
And while I was lost in such thoughts, I felt the presence of someone most familiar to me approaching.
“…Sylvia.”
Sylvia’s body was trembling lightly.
Even without needing to see, I knew she was crying uncontrollably.
“…What, are you crying again? Sylvia, you really are a crybaby.”
I wiped the tears from Sylvia’s eyes with my fingers, but her tears didn’t come to a halt easily.
I couldn’t help but smile bitterly at that.
Although Sylvia looks young, she is surprisingly strong.
She wouldn’t easily show tears over minor issues.
Yet, she often cried so easily whenever standing before me.
That meant I held that significant place in her heart.
Just as Sylvia was such a presence for me.
Because of that, I wished even more that Sylvia wouldn’t be too painful over our parting.
“Sylvia, I have something to give you.”
I took out the item I had kept lovingly tucked away in my embrace.
It was the same ring that was now worn on Sylvia’s left ring finger.
Did she think of it as a farewell gift?
Not wanting her to burst into tears again, I continued speaking to Sylvia.
“Do you remember, Sylvia? The day I received this ring back from you.”
Yes, it was the day I received it back.
When I first received this ring from Sylvia, I couldn’t think of her as a true friend, and soon after, I returned it to her.
However, despite being started by my selfishness, Sylvia always cherished that relationship.
She never gave up her intention to be my friend.
That’s why I can’t forget it.
The day when you, Sylvia, came to rescue me when I was chased out of the city as a witch.
The sky on that starless night when you handed the ring back to me.
“I really was happy to become friends with you, Sylvia. I’ve hardly ever experienced that much happiness in my life.”
That was my salvation.
“Every time I see that ring, it brings back those moments, making me feel happy. So for me, it’s the most precious thing in the world.”
You gave me such a happy memory that I could draw strength just by recalling it, even amid tough moments.
So, Sylvia, my dear friend.
“I hope you keep this. I hope you remember that there was a friend named me by looking at it.”
I wish you would treasure the memories with me as your treasure.
Don’t cry because of me; instead, smile while remembering me.
“Think of it happily that you met me and became friends with me.”
With such feelings in my heart, I asked Sylvia.
“Can you do that for me?”
When Sylvia accepted my request, I felt joy blooming in my smile.
But just as I was smiling, I suddenly felt the next person hugging me, unable to hold back a bitter smile on my face.
“…Yoon Si-woo.”
…It seemed the real crybaby wasn’t Sylvia, but rather him.
Yoon Si-woo, who was hugging me, was crying.
Not with tears, but with the heart.
He was crying inside, shouting at me not to go.
I knew.
How much Yoon Si-woo cherished me.
How could I not understand the feelings of not wanting to let go of someone precious?
But,
“Yoon Si-woo.”
I had my own reasons to leave.
I gently pushed away Yoon Si-woo, who was hugging me.
I felt his hand grabbing mine tightly.
As I slowly grasped his hand, I thought of all the countless things Yoon Si-woo had done for me.
I wouldn’t have been able to endure this world without you.
But because you were here, I could come this far.
Because you were here, I learned to like this world.
So Yoon Si-woo.
“Thank you so far, really.”
Let me protect this world where you are.
With such feelings, I spoke to Yoon Si-woo.
Then it seemed Yoon Si-woo felt something, and he released the hand he had been holding.
Then, no lengthy words were needed.
I smiled and asked Yoon Si-woo.
“Please take care of everything behind me.”
Then I asked Ari.
What did Yoon Si-woo answer to my request.
Ari conveyed that Yoon Si-woo said to leave it to him.
Hearing that, I chuckled softly.
…Still, he really was terrible at lying.
But nonetheless, it was reassuring to know that, even if it was a lie, Yoon Si-woo was someone who would always keep his word.
So now, I could leave without hesitation.
I lifted my gaze to the sky, where the falling magic was, and requested Ari.
‘…I’m sorry, Ari, this is my last request. Please take me there.’
If we entered the magic, I knew Ari would likely perish as well.
That was why I told Ari so.
[…There’s no need to apologize.]
In response to me, Ari spoke.
[If it’s what you wish, I will be with you until the very end.]
Ari flapped her wings and soared toward the sky.
And at that moment, I could feel it.
“What is…?”
Flames flying toward me from all directions.
As those mystical flames wrapped around my body, I felt my ruined senses miraculously recover, even if just for a moment.
Blinking my newly revealed eyes in astonishment, I muttered.
“…How?”
Confused and awestruck, I was met with Ari’s addition to her earlier statement.
[We are together until the very end. All of us.]
Then I realized.
That every single one of those flames was a demonic beast of wrath.
They had all sent their power, sacrificing their lives to help me.
“…Thank you, everyone.”
As I embraced the gathered flames, I ascended into the sky with Ari.
Now I could see the black sun clearly.
To protect the world from the falling doom.
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