Chapter: 369
Not being able to see or hear is a huge stumbling block when it comes to doing anything.
Under normal circumstances, at this point of losing senses, I would have become someone who could offer no help.
In that sense, I was quite a lucky person.
I had a special companion named Ari.
‘…How’s it going, Ari?’
Even though normal conversation was impossible for me, perhaps because of our unique relationship as witch and demonic beast, Ari and I could communicate through thoughts.
[…The miasma is starting to fall.]
Thanks to that, I could grasp the current situation through Ari, despite my physical condition. The sheer despair of the massive miasma finally falling toward the city.
‘…I see.’
Hearing that, I made up my mind. It seemed Ari could sense what I was thinking.
Just like how Yoon Si-woo was holding my hand in front of me.
From the flames rising from my back, the intense emotions flowed from Yoon Si-woo’s hand holding mine.
But still, I had to say this to them.
“Yoon Si-woo, tell everyone. I have a method.”
Now was the moment to ignite my last remaining flame.
*
While I was slowly gathering strength to convey the plan to Yoon Si-woo, I suddenly sensed the presence of others around me.
The citizens must be busy evacuating, so why were they here? For a moment, I thought that, but then I realized there was only one reason for people to gather in such a place, prompting a wry smile.
“…Haha, are you all here to say goodbye?”
If they didn’t stay too close to the epicenter for the remaining time, it would be dangerous, but foolishly….
While that thought crossed my mind, I couldn’t help but feel happy thinking of the intentions of those who came here to see me off.
One by one, they offered their farewells.
Perhaps because they had visited me in the hospital several times, they were all close to me.
Though I couldn’t see, and couldn’t hear.
I could distinctly recognize who was in front of me without having to ask Ari.
The hand on my shoulder carried a deep sense of responsibility; that must be Ms. Martina.
That gentle hug filled with affection must be Mei.
As I shook hands with Dwight, briefly clasped hands with Marin, and held Florene tightly enough to take my breath away.
I realized once again just how many connections I had made here.
And then suddenly, thoughts of Ms. Eve’s funeral came to mind.
Back then, as I watched countless people grieving over the teacher’s death, I thought it would be nice if someday I could be someone whom so many would mourn.
Seeing the people who gathered for me today, I realized that I hadn’t lived in vain, which naturally brought a smile to my face.
…Yes, for now, it was fortunate that I couldn’t see or hear.
If I had both intact, I surely wouldn’t have been able to hold back tears.
And while I was pondering this.
I felt the familiar presence of someone closest to me.
“…Sylvia.”
I could feel Sylvia’s body trembling.
Even without looking, I knew she was crying uncontrollably.
“…I can’t believe it, are you crying again? Sylvia, you really are a crybaby.”
I wiped the corners of Sylvia’s eyes with my finger, but her tears wouldn’t stop.
I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Though Sylvia looked young, she was surprisingly strong.
She wouldn’t cry easily over ordinary matters.
Yet, for some reason, she often cried whenever she was in front of me.
That must mean I held that significant a place in her heart.
Just as Sylvia was such a presence in mine.
So, I wished even more that Sylvia wouldn’t be too hurt by our parting.
“Sylvia, I have something for you.”
I took out an item I had kept close in my bosom.
The same ring that was now on Sylvia’s left-hand index finger.
Perhaps she thought of it as a parting gift.
Noticing the immediate urge to burst into tears again from Sylvia, I continued.
“Do you remember, Sylvia? The day I got this ring back from you.”
Yes, it was the day I received it back.
When I first received this ring from Sylvia, I hadn’t considered her a true friend, but before long, I returned it to her.
However, despite that relationship starting from my selfishness, Sylvia had always cherished it.
She never gave up on wanting to be friends with me.
Therefore, I will never forget.
The day I was chased out of the city for being a witch, when you came to my rescue, Sylvia.
The starless night sky when you handed me the ring again.
“I really was happy to be your friend, Sylvia. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been that happy in my life.”
That was my salvation.
“Whenever I see this ring, it always brings back those memories, filling me with happiness. So, to me, it’s the most precious thing in this world.”
You gave me a happy memory that I could summon even in tough times.
So, Sylvia, my precious friend.
“I want you to keep this, Sylvia. I hope it reminds you that you had a friend named me.”
I wished for you to treasure our memories as well.
Don’t cry because of me; remember me and smile.
Think about how happy you were to meet me, to be my friend.
I made that request to Sylvia from my heart.
“Can you do that for me?”
And when Sylvia accepted my request, I could smile joyfully.
But while I was smiling, I suddenly felt the next person pull me into an embrace, and I couldn’t help but wear a wry smile on my face.
“…Yoon Si-woo.”
…It seemed the real crybaby wasn’t Sylvia, but rather this guy.
Yoon Si-woo, who had embraced me, was crying.
Not with his eyes, but with his heart.
He was crying out to me not to go.
I understood.
I knew how much Yoon Si-woo cherished me.
How difficult it was to let go of someone precious; how could I not know?
But,
“Yoon Si-woo.”
I too had a reason to leave.
I gently pushed Yoon Si-woo, who was holding me tight.
I felt him grabbing my hand.
I slowly wrapped my hand around his, thinking of all the things he had done for me until now.
Without you, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to endure this world.
But because you were here, I came this far.
Because you were here, I learned to love this world.
So, Yoon Si-woo.
“Thank you for everything up until now.”
Please, allow me to protect this world where you exist.
I said this from my heart to Yoon Si-woo.
Then, as if he sensed something, he released my hand.
In that case, there was no need for lengthy words.
I smiled and asked Yoon Si-woo.
“Please take care of things behind.”
Then I asked Ari.
What did Yoon Si-woo say to my request?
Ari told me that he said to leave it to him.
Hearing that made me chuckle slightly.
…Still, he really is terrible at lying.
But despite that, I felt reassured because even if it was a lie, Yoon Si-woo was someone who would always keep the promises he spoke.
And so now, I could leave without hesitation.
I looked up at the sky, where the miasma was falling, and asked Ari.
‘…I’m sorry, Ari. This is my last request. Please take me there.’
If I were to enter the miasma, Ari would likely die along with me.
That’s why I spoke this way to Ari, but,
[…You don’t need to apologize.]
She said to me.
[If you wish, I will stick with you until the very end, no matter what happens.]
With that, Ari spread her wings and soared toward the sky.
And at the same time, I could feel it.
“This is…?”
Flames were flying towards me from all directions.
As those mystical flames wrapped around my body, I felt my broken senses temporarily restore.
Blinking my suddenly visible eyes in disbelief, I muttered.
“…How?”
Not knowing what was happening, I looked dumbfounded as Ari added the rest of her earlier statement.
[We’re in this together until the end. All of us.]
In that moment, I realized.
That each of those flames was the Fury Beasts.
That they had sent their power to help me by sacrificing their lives.
“…Thank you, everyone.”
As I wrapped myself in the gathered flames of support, I flew up with Ari.
Now, I could clearly see the Black Sun.
To protect the world from the falling end.
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