THE END OF THE CHURCH [3]

Regressor's instructions Manual Episode 992

The End of the Church (3)

'What's this...'

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[Please don't do this. Please...(0/1)]

'Who's this?'

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[Please come back.(0/1)]

'Who sent this?'

Of course, I had a rough idea. After all, the number of people who could send such a quest was limited. It couldn't be Altanus, and the possibility of it being Lucifer was even lower.

I thought it might be someone from the future, but I couldn't comprehend how they could send me a message in this manner. Sending this type of message directly to someone in a different time period was impossible. It's not like they used an object to transmit the message to me.

Nevertheless, these mandatory quests continued to pour in.

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[The place where Kiyoung should be is not there.(0/1)]

It's probably Kim Hyun-something. I can't seem to recall the name well... but there's a high chance that it's Kim something-or-other, the sunset-colored something.

The connection had been severed, but that was about the only thing that could support this likelihood.

Still, since our souls were once connected... He might have found an unknown method... or something happened due to an incomprehensible variable.

'Have you remembered?'

I couldn't know what was happening over there. But eventually, I could sense something pushing into me like a tide.

A sensation I had experienced once before, forcibly reattaching the shattered sense of connection from the past, was very similar.

Breaking through the tightly sealed wall, it wrapped around me in an instant.

And...

"..."

A faint ache started to register in my eyes.

The corners of my mouth twitched.

It wasn't Morse code or anything like that, but the eyes intermittently emitted light as if transmitting a signal.

The mild pain that gradually intensified felt like it was explaining the current situation.

While I can't properly confirm my appearance, my iris color is probably continuously changing. It's likely shifting between the original color and gold, emitting light just like a flickering lightbulb.

Somewhat strangely, there seemed to be excitement on the other side, separate from my story.

"0... Ughhh!!"

'This guy... seriously.'

Before I knew it, the golden aura had established itself as a symbol of divine power and was regaining its strength... probably because it was intensely resisting the devil's seed.

"Ughhhhh!!"

This time, there was an even louder roar, and the powerful aura of divine power spread fiercely.

'It's not because of you, okay? Don't overdo it. Don't hold onto unnecessary hope, just accept the end of the story.'

"Ahhhhhh!!"

'No, it's not because of you.'

Well, I even said my farewell. I had just said, "It's been really fun." Since the timing was just right for the climax, it became even more awkward. A perfect goodbye might not exist, but the atmosphere just now was the closest thing to a perfect farewell.

"Ughhhhh!!"

'Geez, you're really noisy.'

Of course, I couldn't just leave him to his tantrum. As the loud aura increased in decibels, the body of the Angel of Sacrifice began to show wounds.

Sharp black spears made a whistling sound as they either passed by me or attacked. There was already blood splattered all around me.

The one who had roared out his aura realized that his actions were pointless.

Rather, the more he roared, the more wounds appeared on my body.

"Ah... Aaaa...."

Even though a desperate sound echoed, the Angel of Sacrifice didn't stop in his tracks.

Guiding his worn-out body forward, he illuminated the darkness with the Mirror of Light, walking towards the path of benevolence.

It was an astonishingly devout and holy sight, almost to the point of making one forget their words, so sublime and beautiful.

The sight of him illuminating the darkness with light and heading towards the path of benevolence reminded me of an enigmatic and sacred ritual.

-What do you think you're doing! Angel of Sacrifice! Haha... Hahaha! You're truly pitiful and foolish. Sacrificing yourself for the devil's seed? Is there a reason to protect this blade, even pushing yourself into the thorns of benevolence?

For him, not really...

-You'll suffer for a lifetime. Angel of Sacrifice. Eternal suffering will follow you. Those who cared for you will forget you, and eventually, you'll be alone. All this for a vessel... to think that the last moments of an angel who has protected the light for an inconceivable amount of time are for the devil's seed!

A kind explanation for Bahamut who doesn't understand the background of this narrative.

Perhaps due to the dialogue that flowed naturally, he would soon realize the situation even if he didn't fully understand it.

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[It's all my fault. Please... please don't do this. Please, don't leave this place. (0/1)]

I'm not throwing it away.

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[Don't leave all of this behind. Everyone is waiting. Everyone is waiting for you, Kiyoung-ssi... Didn't you say it's all over now? Didn't you say that we should carry any burden together? Didn't you say that even if there are difficulties, we can overcome them together? (0/1)]

'It's so noisy.'

Still, I need to keep moving. At the end of the path illuminated by the torch, I see the Iron Maiden.

It's not to my liking that it stands alone in this dark space, but everything will change after I enter. I'm the Angel of Sacrifice who broke his own wings for the continent. I might not know it, but at least I'll probably have the interior redone.

I'll give some light. Maybe even do some plating. Who knows, maybe some gems will be set too.

-Yes, I'll acknowledge that noble spirit, but don't think that things will go the way you want! Don't think I'll just watch your antics! The seed of evil will blossom. In the end, it will bring bloodshed and ruin to this continent.

"….."

The curse of the plague pours forth. Using the few remaining wings, I protect my body and take another step.

There's a scraping sound, but the look in the eyes of the Angel of Sacrifice doesn't die. Step by step, even though it's tough, each step leaves a trace of light behind.

'I'm kinda like Kim something.'

The hero of the continent. I don't think he's ever directly confronted the power of demons like this before.

-Let's test if you can endure this too.

Even to me, I look divine. The Angel of Sacrifice is already in a state where he can't resist. The body has already reached its limit, just as expected from the usual cliché.

A hero sacrificing themselves usually ends up relying on their mental strength in the end.

Feathers of darkness that cover the entire space try to force me to step back, making a flapping sound. Even if my body can be bent, my spirit won't break. Leaving my unmoving wings as they are, I cover my face with both hands and take one more step forward.

At this point, there's a line that should appear. The timing for the background music to kick in is also good right about now.

-Why!! Why!! How can you move? Why on earth can you move?

Honestly, the answer is already predetermined.

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[Don't sacrifice yourself - Please, don't try to discard everything and give up. (0/1)]

'Haah... huh... The light won't fade.'

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[I won't forget. I won't forget again. So please, don't do that. Don't turn everything into something that never happened. If we're together this time too, we can overcome it. Just like we always have. (0/1)]

Ah, please don't disturb me. Don't break my concentration. This is a crucial moment.

-There's no way you can move for such... such a reason! That's impossible to believe!

"…."

-It can't be true!!!!! I... I couldn't possibly...

But Bellial's acting is really impressive. Seriously. Look at how well he's digesting these solemn lines.

"You too..."

-…..

"Don't you know it as well? O Lord of Lies and Deceit... O Lord of the Plague... Humans always... sigh... always become stronger when protecting something precious... that's what they say."

-Don't talk nonsense!

"I've been watching. Sigh... Ah, I... I've always watched everything right next to them. They are weak... Sometimes selfish... they make many, many mistakes... but... they always... to protect what's precious... they endure pain... they rise from sadness... that's what they do."

-Don't make me laugh! Don't say ridiculous things like that!

"Always... I've been watching. Right by their side... I've watched everything they do. And... how brave their actions are... how remarkable... how much courage they need... now, only now... I finally realized. They are much stronger and... more beautiful beings than you know."

-…..

"I... I don't have that kind of courage... I ran away and hid... but now it's different."

-Grrr...nooo!!!Bastard!

"Perhaps... perhaps I too... might have come closer to them... maybe I... maybe I could take one more step... maybe..."

Sincerely.

Truly from the bottom of my heart…

Seriously...

It's a shame there's only one in the crowd.

Yeah. Honestly, it could be a bit cheesy.

However, this director always remembers that there's no way to defeat the king's road.

There's a reason clichés always work, and considering the current trend, this is a masterpiece that could be placed among the top works without any lack.

Bahamut's face was already filled with tears, anger in his helplessness, gratitude for the dedication of the recently encountered angel, fear and pain for the devil's seed within him.

Bahamut, who was always called the hero of the continent, stared at me with a face so consumed by anxiety that his enormous size seemed insignificant.

When did he ever experience this kind of helplessness?

"No... no..."

Yes, you can.

"Priest... Priest!"

We already said our farewells earlier. There's no turning back twice. Nothing is as pathetic as looking back.

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[Kiyoung-ssi, please... (0/1)]

Come to think of it...

'I wanted a cup of coffee.'

I forgot to include having a cup of coffee in my schedule. I should have had one before I left.

[A Myth-level Mandatory Quest has been activated.]

[Please... (0/1)]

"…."

"Please... don't go."

Someone grabs my hand.

'For heaven's sake... Were you just watching when Bellial came here?'

I reflexively turn around.

And then...

"Let's go back. To where Hayan and Deokgu are..."

"..."

"Back to where Blue is waiting... let's go."

A face I haven't seen in a long time comes into view.

———

It's so sad not having more chapters….