YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW [12]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 1005

You reap what you sow (Part 12)

Ah.

It's...

A midsummer night's dream.

Ah.

It's,

A memory of a summer day.

This story is about the intense and impulsive bond between the Sacrificial Angel and the twisted hero, a bond that was short but beautiful.

A story that won't be forgotten by someone for a lifetime.

A story about their memories.

To the Sacrificial Angel who had been dormant for countless years, it might have been a brief moment, but to the fallen hero, it could have been an eternity of waiting that couldn't be compared to anything else.

The hero who tried to hide his wounds and the Sacrificial Angel who revealed all of his wounds.

Their initial encounter might have been a bit mismatched, and they once thought they wouldn't understand each other for a lifetime, but...

But as in all stories, they became a relationship that could embrace each other's wounds.

"Lord Bahamut..."

'I hope that this fool didn't hang onto that feather for so long.'

The length of time they had maintained their relationship didn't define the depth of their bond.

Like a dream on a midsummer night, memories that would seem to fade when you close your eyes and open them again, but for someone, a short moment that they would never forget throughout their lifetime.

Closing your eyes and opening them, like a dream on a midsummer night, the memories seemed fleeting and forgettable.

But for someone, it was a brief moment that they couldn't forget for a lifetime.

Sharing joyful stories, taking walks while hearing the cries of underground cicadas, engaging in deep discussions, and storytelling under the night sky.

'Do you remember?'

Practicing swordsmanship together, their first meeting at the guild, precious memories made in secret on the terrace.

'And...'

And...

Until the regret remained as the last thing.

I wanted to share so many stories. I wanted to tell you it wasn't your fault, it was just an accident, and you didn't do anything wrong.

Now it's all over, now you can rest... I wanted to tell you that.

Because there was a parting that left regrets, the short meeting held meaning.

If there were no lingering regrets, this situation might not have come about.

'I thought I'd be the only one remembering.'

That's the setup.

I didn't think the creature would think of those short memories either. Who could have known that it would depend on a small feather, hurt its own body, and transform into a beast-like form?

Guilt for not realizing that this creature was Bahamut weighed heavily on myself.

Though it was undeniable that the creature's monstrous form was repulsive, I could see Bahamut's inner self beginning to sleep peacefully.

There were so many things I wanted to say. I wanted to apologize and tell you I'm sorry.

No one else could extend a hand to the creature who had been left alone. There was only one who could.

For countless years, the Sacrificial Angel who had been dormant was undoubtedly...

I should tell him quickly.

Before he gets hurt more. I should convey my sincere voice... Of course, before conveying my voice to the creature, there's someone else I need to talk to.

While gasping for breath as I ran, I had no choice but to channel my voice through the communication channel.

'You, you little bastard. Seriously. You troll.'

-You've really caused an accident.

-Damn it.

-- can't believe it. You had an accident in that short time? Hey, General Jin.

-It's not my fault.

-No, you're right. If the person responsible says it's not their fault, does the situation end there? You should have had a sense of responsibility in your actions. To say that it's your my fault after all the trouble I've gone through? It's become so easy to live. Whatever happens, whatever the reason, if there's a flaw in the plan, it's the fault of the person in charge. That's how it is now.

-That's not what I meant. Don't you know too? There were no variables in the plan. We had already reviewed... hundreds of times, how much weight and impact the ground could withstand.

-So you're saying General Jin introduced variables into the operation. What would the answer have been if there were no variables? General Jin introduced variables. Where did I say anything wrong? Where did I say anything wrong?

-You didn't say anything wrong, Oppa.

-See? Even Nuna is saying the same thing.

-.....

-Honestly, it might not be General Jin's fault."

-No, noona. What General Jin is doing is...

-But you shouldn't speak that way when the person directly involved doesn't.

-Right. That's how it is.

It's not like him.

-You're a jerk.

-It's because of this kind of stuff that I can't take my eyes off you. I can't take my eyes off you. See, I let this kid take charge for a moment, and see what happened. Commander Jin. Is the raid a joke? Is dungeon clearing a game? If you really want to play games, go play board games at a casino. Go to the black market and start a Dark Duel. Why did you come here to play games and ruin things like this?"

-.....

-I knew it would turn out like this. I really did. Can't you get your act together? Can't you, Commander? Does it all end if you just keep your mouth shut? Shouldn't the person responsible take responsibility if they have a part to take responsibility for? Didn't you have someone to share the responsibility if you weren't confident to handle it on your own? Say if you're tired. Say if you're tired. Instead of asserting your dignity, what is this about? Really.

-....

-You're the one.

-I apologize. It was my... my mistake.

-....

-So that I can take responsibility in any form, even if I didn't prepare for it in advance.

-So, that's why. You should've done well in the first place, Kim Hyun Sung Anyway, make sure he can't come here. Make him run around like it's an important mission.

Thud.

- Oppa, I think Commander Jin is upset. Did he cut off the communication channel? [[[I'm switching to Commander instead of General since his role in this expedition is a Commander.]]]

No, he's upset. Looking at him now, he's standing up and throwing the chair he was sitting on.

-Nuna, could you please reorganize the forces?

-I've confirmed it. I was trying to rest a bit, but that's not going as planned. Don't forget to withdraw if you think it is too dangerous, Oppa.

-As long as Heera nuna is here, it should be fine.

-That's reassuring.

Although Heera Nuna seemed surprised, she was calmly immersed in storytelling, like water flowing naturally.

No, this noona seems even happier, as if she can face Bahamut directly. Although I'm next to her and can't blatantly criticize her, the possibility of fighting a massive monster filled with overwhelming violence is enough to be content about.

"Honey, should I hug you?"

I nodded slightly.

There needs to be a direct confrontation for meaning. Though a simple pat, it's a pat filled with various emotions. A significant moment as memories resurface.

A midsummer sentiment where breath fills up to the brim, a significant time capable of producing genuine tears, reminiscing the past, shedding tears again while holding onto memories stored in the heart for countless years.

[Woahh!!]

The roar of Bahamut, turned into a monster, rang out. The creature that had lost its feathers was moments away from going mad.

The voice won't reach. Given the distance, the voice won't reach here. It was an irrational action, but once again, I hold his name on my lips.

"Bah... Bahamut!!!"

It won't be heard.

But still, despite that, I call out his name as if my throat would burst.

Your name is.

"Bahamut!!"

'Shit. Isn't he not hearing? He's not hearing, right?'

Going berserk?

Reddish eyes appeared. Flames flared up from the wounded back. As the creature screamed, things around it started bursting with crackling sounds.

From its mouth, dirty and repugnant—or no, it was more like a spittle representing its wounded soul—flowed down. Anyone could tell that the creature wasn't in a normal state.

The rage over its lost treasure, where that rage would be directed, was evident. The creature averted its gaze.

"Bahamut...Baha..."

[Woahh...]

The creature that had been searching for the object of its anger, the wounded monster, froze at that moment.

"Lord Bahamut!"

The beast, which seemed like it could destroy everything in an instant, began to quietly move around its surroundings.

Did he remember?

Was it the Sacrificial Angel's voice that reached the creature that had been sucked into boundless darkness?

The wings naturally began to emerge from my back. The golden eyes emitted light as they looked up at the creature that had been wounded for an incredibly long time.

"Dangerous! Honorary Cardinal."

"Stay put."

"Don't get too close. It's an order."

'Do you remember?'

Unchanged as ever.

Even after countless millennia, the Sacrificial Angel remained unchanged, still radiating light.

It was the same appearance that brought forth memories of summer days.

Taking a deep breath, tears that I thought would no longer come began to fall again with a sound like a drop.

Could it be because the waves of emotions were too rough? I just can't calm down.

[Woah... uh...]

The creature that had turned into a monster started to gaze at the shining wings. It hesitated for a moment, but...

"Bahamut. Ugh... Bahamut..."

The creature remembered my voice.

'Remember for me. Our memories.'

"Come back."

'Please. Come back.'

"Don't yield to the devil's seed."

'You're not someone who loses. You've always been someone who overcomes.'

[Ugghhh...]

"Ugh... Please come back! Lord Bahamut!"

It was a grotesque sight, yet a wounded one. A repugnant odor wafted, but it wasn't dirty at all.

Resisting and defying the power of the devil, his appearance was that of a hero felt on a summer day.

Who could point fingers at this appearance? Who could call his appearance dirty?

[Woahh...]

"Sorry for making you wait so long. Lord Bahamut."

[Woahhh...]

The creature quietly extended its hand.

Whether it was trying to subdue the insects that pained its head or whether it was welcoming the Sacrificial Angel, I couldn't tell, but I had no choice but to close my eyes quietly.

Yes. If that's my fate, I'll accept it.

If my death can free him from suffering, I'll accept any pain and death.

'Shit. You won't kill me right?'

A thudding sound reached me at that moment.

'Kim Hyun Sung?'

That guy shouldn't be here.

Although I momentarily swallowed my breath at Kim Hyun Sung's arrival...

"I'm sorry for being late, Priest."

A massive wolf standing on two legs... was reaching out towards Bahamut.

"Templar... Zen? No..."

'You, too... You evolved into darkness?'

"Templar Jenny?"

[Quaaa!!]

Why did you become so strong?

[Thud!!]

What happened?

"I remember everything now, Priest."

Although I'm not quite sure what's going on...

"Templar Jenny! It's dangerous!"

For now, let's root for this side.

Because that might be the only way to stop Bahamut, on that side.

"We need to purify that demon!"

----

Templar Zen is now Templar Jenny.