Chapter: 358
As I heard the words mixed in with the spring breeze…
I found myself completely at a loss for words.
‘What did you just say?‘
Did I hear that right?
I caught what Wi Seol-ah was saying, but it felt as if my brain was rejecting it.
It was only natural.
Because the words were too bizarre for me to comprehend.
“What… What did you just say?”
“…”
At my question, Wi Seol-ah made a bitter expression.
Setting aside why she had such a face…
I needed to hear it more clearly.
“You made me regress…”
The entity who turned my time back to the past, not just anyone.
“The Heavenly Demon…?”
This was the being who plunged my already rock-bottom life into an abyss, the master of the Demonic Cult, an existence that would soon bring bloodshed to the Central Plains.
‘You made me regress?‘
No matter how much I thought about it, it was something I couldn’t understand.
“Old Confucius…”
“Explain… explain. What do you mean?”
“…”
I gripped Wi Seol-ah’s shoulder and asked.
Without realizing it, I must have held on tightly because I noticed her grimacing in discomfort.
Seeing that, I hesitated and loosened my grip a little.
“…Calm down…”
“That feels a bit difficult. It’s not exactly a situation for calmness.”
“…”
“You know why I’m living this way right now.”
What have I been rolling around for?
I’ve been almost sleepless, wholly absorbed in raising my level,
Striving forward with sheer determination.
It’s something Wi Seol-ah surely knows.
“…Old Prince.”
Kill the Heavenly Demon and prevent the impending disaster.
This life was meant for that purpose.
Not for me.
If it were for myself, I would have secluded myself in a mountain, living my life alone without meeting anyone.
That might have been better even.
The reason I’m here, rolling around, is not for my peace.
It’s like an apology to those who died for me and lived for me.
But…
“…Why the Heavenly Demon?”
From the moment Yeon Il-Cheon asked if my regression was just a miracle…
I’ve always thought about it.
It seems there’s someone’s intention hidden behind my regression.
If it is true that the Heavenly Demon sent me back to the past, as Wi Seol-ah said,
Should I assume that everything happening to me was something foreseen by the Heavenly Demon or that it consists of the Heavenly Demon’s will?
Thinking that way leaves my mind in a daze.
“Old Confucius…”
“Is it really true?”
“…”
“Really… Was it the Heavenly Demon who made me regress?”
I wanted to hear a no.
I’d rather settle for a joke. It’s too heavy to just be a joke.
Yet…
“…It is true.”
Wi Seol-ah was resolute.
“If it’s not me… she is the only one in this land who could do something like that to you.”
“…That.”
At Wi Seol-ah’s words, I bit my tongue.
If it’s not you, then it’s only the Heavenly Demon.
That sentence was packed with meaning.
It implies that neither Wi Seol-ah nor the Heavenly Demon are human.
Just like the World Tree was, it indicates they are beings of such height that they can turn back time for others.
Moreover…
This signifies that Wi Seol-ah herself is aware she’s not human.
“…You.”
“I think the Old Prince must already know.”
“…”
I know.
That Wi Seol-ah isn’t human. It may have been a vague notion in the past.
Now, I can say for sure.
Wi Seol-ah reads my expression and smiles.
Was that the funny face she had?
“I’m glad.”
What does it even mean to be glad?
“…Even knowing that, your behavior remains unchanged.”
I frowned at Wi Seol-ah’s words.
“Is there any reason why that should change?”
At my remark, Wi Seol-ah temporarily widened her eyes in surprise, then quickly covered her mouth, laughing harder.
“So, what was there to be so terrified about?”
I was a bit worried about her seemingly smaller shoulders, but…
The conversation we had just moments ago was far more important.
“…So, your saying that if it wasn’t you, it would have been the Heavenly Demon who did it, which is merely a prediction?”
“No, it’s a certainty.”
“Why…? Why do you think that?”
The Heavenly Demon was killed by none other than Wi Seol-ah.
This fact is crystal clear.
And I faced my death a few days later in the dungeon of the Meng.
So, the Heavenly Demon should have been dead a long time ago.
That made the assertion that the Heavenly Demon made me regress seem rather problematic.
But why is Wi Seol-ah so sure?
After hearing my question, Wi Seol-ah averted her gaze and replied.
“Because it’s something I can’t help knowing.”
“…What does that mean?”
“It’s just how we are.”
The phrase that you can’t help but know particularly seeped into my heart.
“So what the hell are you guys?”
“…”
“What connection do you have with the Heavenly Demon?”
It couldn’t be said that they have no connection.
It was evident just by looking at them.
It was more than just a resemblance; it was as if Wi Seol-ah and the Heavenly Demon were identical reflections in a mirror.
Everything about them was the same except for hair and eye color.
Despite the many coincidences and miracles in the world, can all that truly be considered coincidences?
“What sort of relationship do we have? It’s tough to define.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“It’s just… it should have been one person from the start, not ‘we’.”
“Do I really have to explain this in such a cumbersome way? You know I’m not that sharp.”
“…I’m sorry, please understand.”
Wi Seol-ah smiled melancholically as she grasped my wrist.
I could sense a slight roughness in my voice due to my frustration with myself.
While her grip on my wrist felt somewhat calming, it didn’t mean all my agitation had dissipated.
I only restrained myself because I didn’t want to ruin this unexpected reunion.
‘So is it true that the Heavenly Demon made me regress?‘
According to Wi Seol-ah, it could be true.
Yet, doubts linger.
Aside from the fact that the Heavenly Demon had that kind of power initially.
The World Tree, the master of this world, was imprisoned in a false world in exchange for allowing a guy named Yeon Il-Cheon to regress.
The World Tree was confined, and all existing records and memories of its existence vanished.
Not even a trace was left.
If it’s true that the Heavenly Demon made me regress…
‘Why can the Heavenly Demon exist?‘
What about the Heavenly Demon I saw the day before?
Could it be something that wouldn’t earn punishment?
‘And above all.‘
If the Heavenly Demon has such power, shouldn’t it regress by itself?
Why go through the bother of making me regress?
Moreover, if we take Wi Seol-ah’s words into account,
It suggests that while Wi Seol-ah can’t potentially do it, the Heavenly Demon could.
‘That means…‘
That might imply the Heavenly Demon’s power surpassed that of Wi Seol-ah.
It’s a thought I once absentmindedly entertained.
The divine sword was strong.
Although I’ve never fought her directly, I could observe how incredibly powerful Wi Seol-ah was during her prime from a distance.
She is strong.
So strong that I can confidently assert I wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight against her.
‘Was the Heavenly Demon… weaker than the divine sword?‘
If asked whether the being called Heavenly Demon (天魔) was weaker than the divine sword,
I couldn’t possibly answer.
That entity seemed to belong to an entirely different league.
Thus, when I heard that the Heavenly Demon had died near the end of the last war,
Along with the peace that had settled softly in a corner of my heart, a question arose.
It was a question of how the Heavenly Demon could die.
“The more I learn about something, the more my questions multiply, even though they seem to be resolved.”
Just when you think you’ve unraveled one thing…
The world throws out another secret.
“As if… it was waiting for me to unravel the mystery.”
“…”
Wi Seol-ah remained silent at my somewhat exasperated voice.
“Do you have no choice but to do this?”
“…Old Prince.”
“You said you didn’t hate me. You even said you were sorry. So…”
“I’m sorry…”
Wi Seol-ah offers an apology once again.
“I want to tell you everything you’re curious about… everything I know.”
“Then just say it!”
“…”
If you know and want to share it, can’t you just say it?
What the heck does this messed-up world want from me anyway?
If the Heavenly Demon’s intentions about making me regress can be revealed, it should be fine.
Everyone acts like they have something to say, but then they keep quiet.
“Just…”
“I don’t have much time left.”
“What?”
My mouth, which felt the pressure to ask something, closed up at Wi Seol-ah’s next words.
“What did you say?”
A bitter smile appeared on Wi Seol-ah’s face when she sensed my reaction.
No time left?
“What do you mean, there’s no time?”
“… Now I don’t have enough strength to tell you all the stories you’re curious about. The limits are drawn at stories about the Heavenly Demon.”
What on earth is she saying right now?
It feels like the conversation is not flowing as smoothly as it did when we were talking about the Heavenly Demon.
No time left.
“…I’m sorry… I can’t give more details.”
“Wait a minute… What do you mean? Are you saying you’re going to disappear?”
“I’ve already held on for a long time. It’s this poor child’s body; I can’t strain it further.”
Didn’t she say that the current Wi Seol-ah is borrowing the body?
“…Then, who originally belonged to this body?”
“I’ve put that person to sleep for a bit. This child will know someday… but it’s not the story I want to share now.”
“So, does that mean you’re really going to disappear?”
“…”
“Answer me…!”
Although no response came, I felt I could hear a silent answer in Wi Seol-ah’s smiling face.
Suddenly…
Wi Seol-ah’s hand touched my cheek.
It was cold.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen that expression.”
What kind of expression am I making that prompts such a reaction from you?
“I’m glad I can see this kind of face too.”
“How much… time do I have left? A few years?”
“…”
“If not that, then a year? A few months?”
If not that, then surely I should still have a few days left.
If even that isn’t true…
This is seriously a terrible tale.
“Old Prince…”
“Was that what you meant about regretting earlier?”
“That’s not it… I don’t think you’ll regret my disappearance…”
“What’s more regrettable than this?”
“…”
Wi Seol-ah flinched at my finality.
“Would it help if I went back into my body and rested? If so, then do it now.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“For the love of… stop with the damn apologies and tell me the solution.”
I wanted to scream but held myself back.
I still didn’t remove my hand from my face.
All I could do was watch Wi Seol-ah’s wavering eyes.
What expression am I making right now?
All I knew is that it certainly wasn’t a composed one.
Wi Seol-ah, looking at me, smiled again.
“Don’t laugh… What are you finding funny in this situation?”
“How could I not laugh?”
The hand on my cheek started moving.
Should I describe it as a gentle caress?
“You’re looking at me, worried for me.”
“…If that’s the case, should I just curse at you?”
“We’re this close, touching each other’s cheeks.”
“…”
“Did you know?”
She smiles, God damn it, beautiful enough to render me speechless.
“This was my dream. More than world peace, this is what I wished for.”
Her voice quivers.
“Why didn’t I realize that?”
“…Then you can do it now. If I’m not disappearing…”
When I blurted out those thoughts, Wi Seol-ah’s eyes widened even further.
“That’s just greed.”
“What’s wrong with being a little greedy? Everyone’s living greedily.”
I’ve probably lived my whole life without ever being greedy.
That’s how it went for the divine sword.
Seriously, what’s wrong with deciding to live a little greedier now?
Even as those words left my mouth, Wi Seol-ah just shook her head.
“…That’s also foolishness for me.”
As she spoke, Wi Seol-ah tentatively pulled her hand away from my cheek.
“I’ve been too greedy. At one point, I even thought about seizing this child’s body.”
“…”
“Could the Old Prince encourage me to do that?”
The answer floated up in my mind,
But I found myself unable to voice it.
It implied that the Divine Sword would enter and take over the current Wi Seol-ah’s body.
In some sense, that might also be plausible given their essentially shared identity.
Could I say becoming the same being as present-day Wi Seol-ah is feasible?
No answer came forth.
“I suspected you wouldn’t be able to answer.”
“…That’s it.”
“So, I suppose it is fortunate. That you’re that sort of person.”
“…You.”
“This life solely belongs to this child. I have no place to interfere. Hence, this moment we’re sharing now feels like regret to me.”
Wi Seol-ah takes a step back.
“The regrets I have are fading.”
“…Regret?”
“If I had met you differently, or if my life had taken another course. The regrets I held are being erased by this child.”
“…”
“I understand the effort from the Old Confucius. Therefore, it amplifies my regret.”
I understand, that she has been observing my strive to change from the past.
“So, I can’t remain here any longer.”
“What does it matter… If you’re against interference, you could just keep watching.”
“That’s not only impossible… Even if that were possible, I would end up being greedy. I would desire to feel that happiness for myself.”
She took two more steps back.
I stepped forward.
But I couldn’t get any closer.
“…!”
A faint light started emanating from Wi Seol-ah’s body.
Anxiety surged.
For reasons unknown, I couldn’t approach.
The woman gazed at the man.
Even through her hazy vision, his face stood out vividly.
The man cried out.
“You…! Wait a moment!”
He looked flustered, as though caught off-guard by the sudden turn of events.
So, he can make that face too.
Today marked the first time encountering numerous new faces.
It made things even better.
Suppressing the surging emotions…
The woman spoke.
“I didn’t want to say goodbye like this. I knew time was short… and ideally, I didn’t want you to find out.”
All those actions…
Because she feared her very existence might become a chain around his neck.
That was the reason for the woman.
“…Still. Seeing you happy, even if just for a last moment like this, makes me feel fortunate.”
The karma of defying destiny and distorting cause and effect piled up in the soul.
Should she disappear like this, punishment would inherently follow.
The fear of that gripped her, but she did not outwardly show it.
She looked into the man’s eyes.
His face appeared a mess. Were those tears threatening to spill?
That seemed unlikely…
Because she had never seen him cry.
‘No, didn’t he cry when she passed away?‘
Hadn’t he mourned when the Demon Swordmaster died?
That childish jealousy resurfaced at that moment.
Recalling those memories, the woman said.
“I’m not in a position to say this, but… I have two requests.”
Even while speaking, the man struggled to move somehow.
It was an awful thing to witness his effort, knowing he wouldn’t succeed.
The world carried out its karmic processes.
It was remarkable merely to observe it with her own eyes.
“Please cherish this child a lot…”
She didn’t want to add the part, “as much as I couldn’t for you” because she didn’t want to burden him with that.
Another request:
“…Please call this child by their name.”
The man, who had been trying desperately to move, froze in place.
Guyangcheon halted suddenly.
He had never, not once, called anyone by their name.
That fact likely held true for everyone, even himself.
The reason for such behavior remained a mystery.
Vaguely guessing, perhaps it’s because they didn’t want to keep someone they considered precious so close.
He, too, was a cowardly man.
Understanding this, making such a request felt selfish and embarrassing.
These were the only two things she could ask in this moment.
Yet, without including all the surrounding women,
She implored only for this child.
It must serve as the one remaining shred of selfishness she could muster.
Psssssssss…
She felt as if she might crumble.
The body wasn’t collapsing.
It was the sensation of her soul disappearing.
This is what disappearing feels like.
What remains afterward?
Regardless of what it might be, he wouldn’t be there.
‘That thought… feels very sad.‘
While lost in this thought, the woman smiled.
Regret still lingered.
There were so many things she hadn’t said to him.
She had failed to express that she missed him.
Most importantly, she could never say the most crucial words.
She liked him.
She dared to love him.
The woman couldn’t voice those few words.
The man who would hear that,
Knowing what sort of feelings he would carry,
She cautiously swallowed those words.
This was sufficient.
‘I regret this for you.‘
Those were the words shared with the younger self resting inside her.
She had numerous things she wished to convey.
Yet, it seemed that time was scant.
However, on some level, she felt envious.
Of her younger self living the life she never experienced.
With that thought, the woman closed her eyes.
At that moment…
Kwadduk-!
With the sound of something tearing,
A warm hand emerged and embraced the woman.
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