Cheon Ha-rang. After Cheonma’s fall.
The key figures at the center of this subjugation were all feeling a mix of emotions, but there was no time to wallow.
Their mission was to eradicate Cheonma, yet as long as the Cheonma Church—an organization that continued her legacy—was around, the possibility of a second Cheonma emerging could not be ignored.
For instance, there was her disciple, Cheon Mu-myeong.
Thus, they did what needed to be done.
The Demon Realm known as the “Peak of the World,” where traces of the Demon King still lingered, and the Cheonma Church, where she resided, crumbled down in just one day.
In reality, the Cheonma Church was nothing more than a small hut, so it wasn’t that hard to bring down.
…Where so many people resided is unknown, but according to Cheonma’s words, she often mentioned living in a tiny hut, so it must indeed be the right place.
Additionally, traces of the advance party were found during the process.
They were all resting in the hut’s underground with only small scars, suggesting that Cheonma… no, Cheon Ha-rang, who clearly didn’t enjoy taking lives, must have shown consideration.
‘…Damn. If you were going to do this, then why?’
Lucius and his companions felt their eyes welling up unnecessarily but turned away from the hut with effort.
Now was not the time for sadness.
With many eyes watching, they would become the symbols of peace and true heroes who ultimately vanquished evil.
Tears for Cheon Ha-rang, who had become a villain in the eyes of the world, would surely lead to nasty rumors.
Stretching the truth a bit, in the worst-case scenario, it could very well be said that most of the heroes harbored bad thoughts.
To avoid such a thing, they couldn’t afford to be shackled by emotions now.
Instead, they needed to think of her and move to resolve things as quickly as possible.
“Attention! The operation is complete! Return!”
The extermination was completed successfully.
It was expected that they might fail and face annihilation, but they ended without a single casualty.
Such joyous news.
Like the adventure of a hero right out of a fairy tale.
In fact, the soldiers returning to the Empire from the Demon Realm were sporting cheerful smiles, despite their fatigue.
Thinking of the families they would see again and the rewards for their victorious operation, they couldn’t help but feel joy.
Unlike the solemn silence they had experienced when they first arrived, now they chatted with those marching beside them.
Various tales were shared, but the main topic was the exploits of Lucius, who dealt the final blow to Cheonma.
Following that, there were stories of the Saint, who supported such a hero to the end; the Iron Blood of the North; the previous hero Anna and her companion Bell; and finally, a name that was very faint but could still be heard.
Cheonma’s disciple, Cheon Mu-myeong.
His name echoed in the carriage heading for the Empire, where he lay unconscious.
The reason was Lucius’s remark—“Without his help, the subjugation of Cheonma would not have been possible.”
Because of this, the one who had been known by the name “Nameless” was now becoming known to the Imperial soldiers.
How he would react if he were aware of this was painfully obvious.
“…”
Lucius, with a light extinguished from his eyes, gazed at Cheon Mu-myeong with deep-seated heaviness.
‘…For me…’
Then, he turned his head to erase “Nameless” from his sight.
‘It’s too much for me… What on earth can I say to Cheon Mu-myeong?’
Of course, the choice to reveal that he was the one who killed his Master was already made.
It wouldn’t stay hidden, nor could it be hidden given Lucius’s character.
Thus, if the friend and disciple of his Master directs blame at him, he planned to silently accept it.
However, that was the problem.
Could he accept it?
Although he announced Cheon Mu-myeong’s movements falsely at Cheon Ha-rang’s request, in reality, Cheon Mu-myeong had no part in that.
“…”
Lucius frowned at the overwhelming pressure weighing upon him.
‘It’s heavy…’
It seemed impossible to decide.
What should he say to him?
Perhaps saying he had him captured as a prisoner might be the better news for him.
But would that really be the right thing to do?
Was it an appropriate course of action for the path he walks?
“…Ha.”
The hero’s worries grew deeper.
Time flowed quickly.
As always, the moon set, and the sun rose.
Unlike a grand narrative, the journey to the Empire, which would serve as the period, ended all too swiftly.
However, during all this, “Nameless” merely furrowed his brows as if to evidence his anguish but ultimately did not awaken.
*
His consciousness had returned, but his body was half-dead.
His Master was gone.
He might never meet her again.
When he realized this, his body lost all reason to awaken and languished in death.
Only his awakened consciousness clung to the delusion that his Master was alive, leading him to a stream of random thoughts.
“…”
He found himself having a thought.
He once expressed such a desire.
“Please, push me to the edge of the abyss.”
Though the words spoken were not of his own volition, perhaps it was the past self or the future self; a declaration left by someone who could not meet his Master before losing his life.
Was that statement a curse? Or was it merely nature taking its course, since the body was his?
He pondered that perhaps he became this way because of those words, but as his Master said, he need not listen to the voices of the dead.
However, why did such thoughts suddenly arise?
Perhaps it’s because he deeply felt he shared the same nature as the man he wanted to deny as different.
“Ah….”
He missed his Master.
And he knew how to get to her.
Even though he knew it was wrong, he felt it wouldn’t hurt to merely watch.
It was at that moment he opened his eyes.
“I’ll help you.”
And then, as if it had been waiting for him, a being arrived.
“You are—”
“Hey, do we really need to exchange greetings? Let’s get right to the point. I’m here to help you. How about it?”
He was smiling as if everything was falling into place now.
Cheon Mu-myeong had no reason to refuse, so he moved his head to show agreement but.
He backed away, not letting his guard down.
“Enough without your help.”
It was inevitable, for according to Lucius, his Master was already gone, and to meet her again, he had to do what that nameless one did.
In short, he would have to twist the very course of time.
Would a mere character like this help with such a feat?
That was absurd.
However, that thought was soon swept away by the shocking words coming from this creature.
“No, you need my help. Otherwise, you’ll just repeat a similar history.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Your Master is alive. You didn’t know, right?”
Despite Cheon Mu-myeong’s astonished expression, the being continued its words without a care.
“If you go alone, the timeline might get confused and go awry. Then I’d have to deal with the mess, so I’ll help you.”
Such a tempting proposal.
Cheon Mu-myeong felt a bit dizzy, but he quickly lowered his head and replied.
“…Thank you.”
That guy’s intentions could change at any moment,
So worrying could wait for later. It was better to act sooner.
Pleasantly surprised by his answer, the being immediately spread its arms and shouted.
“Great! Then shall we start right away!”
With its declaration, it felt like time was frozen.
No, it wasn’t an illusion.
It began to visibly pause.
Immediately after, it etched a large magic circle onto the ground.
Between a massive circle filled with several smaller ones connected by jagged edges that turned fiercely.
He instinctively realized.
If he stepped onto this and poured in his energy, he would be able to meet his Master.
“Don’t you need to say goodbye?”
“I’m fine.”
It might sound a bit hurtful, but what truly mattered to him was only his Master.
After all, hadn’t his Master said?
That she would be his protector, the sky, the world. A lacking disciple was now time to be independent, only needing to heed his Master’s words.
“Ha ha, right. The disciple resembles his Master well.”
The brilliant light obscured his vision.
Gradually, the light dimmed.
What was revealed was a space—familiar yet strange.
He stood before a gateway he once glimpsed through someone else’s memories.
‘Inside, my Master is there.’
An inexplicable thrill raced through his heart.
What if she didn’t welcome him? What if she dismissed him and said to go back, referring to him as unworthy of being her disciple?
Numerous errant thoughts ran through his mind, but Cheon Mu-myeong shook his head, dismissing them.
There was no time to hesitate; he wanted to see his Master as soon as possible.
“Haah…”
Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.
– Knock knock
“…Visitor? Who is it?”
A small voice responded—sweet yet youthful, tickling his heart.
And the owner of that voice was none other than his Master, Cheon Ha-rang.
Cheon Mu-myeong froze.
He had once thought up many things he wanted to say; he had imagined how to phrase them.
But now, he could not recall anything. And then.
– Swing
The door swung open. What appeared was his Master.
“What—how could you—”
He embraced his Master tightly.
Cheon Ha-rang, startled, initially squirmed but then released a deep sigh and melted into his arms.
Upon reflection, there was no need for flowery language.
There was no need to premeditate a topic for discussion.
Simply, he had to be honest about his feelings.
“Master.”
All he had to convey was his true feelings.
“I missed you.”
Her delightful voice rang in Cheon Ha-rang’s ears.
“Uh, yes… It’s been a while, Mu-myeong…”
As she trembled slightly, Cheon Ha-rang shyly lifted her gaze. Their eyes locked, reflecting each other’s faces.
“I missed you.”
“…Is that so?”
Feeling oddly bashful, Ha-rang cautiously turned her head to the right.
“What do you think, Master?”
“…Um.”
Soon, her gaze caught by his hand was held back.
Ha-rang’s hand busily brushed the side of her thigh. Her pupils moved this way and that, as if she were bewildered by the current situation.
Her lips merely stammered.
Cheon Mu-myeong watched her with a small smile, unwilling to wait for her reply, he added.
“I have something to tell you, Master.”
“What do you mean by something to tell…”
Swallow.
He could see her cheeks flushed bright red and pupils dilate.
Surely he appeared that way too.
But in front of his Master. Before the woman he loved, he didn’t want to tremble unattractively.
Cheon Mu-myeong bent down to meet Ha-rang’s eye level and continued.
“If you dislike it, you may kill me.”
“What… what are you…”
Tap, their lips met lightly.
With eyes closed, Cheon Mu-myeong felt Ha-rang’s pupils darting around.
It felt as though her heart had stopped for a moment.
So much so that she almost forgot to breathe.
“Phew… wh-what are you doing…?!”
As their lips parted, Ha-rang let out a breath she had been holding, pushing Cheon Mu-myeong away.
Though they were now apart, he had a huge grin on his face.
“You didn’t kill me.”
“Did you really have to say that—”
Once more.
Tap, their lips met again.
Cheon Mu-myeong’s hand slipped to Ha-rang’s waist. She attempted to pull away, but her grip lacked strength.
He inwardly smirked.
Pulling her waist toward his, he eliminated the gap between them.
Three seconds. Ten seconds. Twenty seconds.
Facing his relentless advance, Ha-rang found it hard to breathe, managing to push him away once more and said in warning.
“Phew…! W-what on earth are you doing?!”
Ha-rang’s face was blazing red.
One more poke and she might really blow up.
Knowing how he had often teased his Master, he could see through her.
‘For now, this is it.’
With a gentle smile, he said.
“Since you took me in, you must take responsibility till the end, right?”
“W-what nonsense…!”
Cheon Mu-myeong grasped her hand, grasping it firmly.
“It’s not nonsense.”
Then, he brought her hand to his lips, flashing a cheeky smile.
“I love you, Master.”
At that moment, Cheon Ha-rang thought.
Ah. The disciple I raised is quite the charmer. I’ve nurtured someone outrageous.
You, the final boss to cap off my story.
And such could be said of him as well.
[You have become the Master of the Final Boss.]
– The End –
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