In an instant, an odd sensation swept through my entire body. It was hard to describe—just a sharp pang deep in my gut.
Then, the scenery at the edge of my vision was suddenly bathed in bright light, and only a listless Thanatos came into focus. Nothing else was visible or audible.
Kill Thanatos. Or don’t.
The feeling was strangely ambiguous.
One thing was certain—I was hesitating. Since the start of this run, I hadn’t once faltered, but now, with the end in sight, I was wavering.
Why?
Was it because I felt sorry for Thanatos?
Come to think of it, I’ve regretted killing outright before, realizing it’s not always the best solution.
No, could it really be over just like this? So easily?
Maybe this was all part of Satan’s plan.
A flood of thoughts raced through my mind. Once suspicion took hold, it multiplied exponentially, weaving an endless web of doubt. I squeezed my eyes shut against the storm of questions. Miraculously, my chaotic thoughts quieted in an instant.
“…Right.”
I’m the one who ran away, leaving my brother’s corpse behind.
I was the one who just watched Han So-young’s near-murderous suicide unfold before my eyes.
Given all that—
What was there to hesitate over now? What was there to struggle with?
Hadn’t I sworn, while rewinding time, never to trust anyone again?
When I opened my eyes, the conflict was gone. Everything had returned to normal, and I grasped my shaken resolve.
I would kill Thanatos. Kill him and lead this war to victory.
Yes, that would be enough.
“Ol…! Bunny…!”
Suddenly, I thought I heard someone calling me. But I slowly raised the sword I had lowered moments ago. Summoning all my strength, I unleashed my magic at full power.
Today, here, I would end this for good.
Fwoooosh!
As if sensing my will, Hwajeong for the first time infused the sword with unprecedented energy. The transparent blade instantly heated to a fiery red, humming with power beyond its limits.
Thanatos said nothing. Still kneeling, he looked up at me with pleading eyes. I focused intently on that face and raised the sword high.
“Farewell.”
I gripped the hilt tightly and aimed.
“W-wait! Please, just listen to me!”
Thanatos, startled, sank back and slowly retreated.
“N-no…! P-please…!”
Then, once again, a faint cry echoed.
Suddenly, I sensed someone rushing here in a panic. Could it be a demon coming to save Thanatos?
Either way, there was no time to delay or hesitate any longer.
Sssiiiiiing!
Just as I thought that, I was already bringing the sword down with all my might.
That was the moment.
“!”
The scene before my eyes suddenly slowed, as if the footage was playing at the slowest speed. The blazing sword’s descent seemed almost gentle.
But before I could even figure out why, three things happened in quick succession.
First, Thanatos’s expression changed. Just a second ago, he looked hopeless, but now, facing the blade, his face twisted into a smile of pure joy, as if he’d been waiting for this moment all along.
Next, his faint form suddenly emitted bright light and black smoke, and through the swirling haze, a flash of dark red light flickered.
Hwajeong gasped in surprise.
As the urgent voice rang out, I instinctively pulled back my strength, but the sword was already descending, about to slice Thanatos.
In that split second—
My vision was suddenly flooded with blinding white.
Snick.
I felt the sharp sting of flesh being cut.
“Ahahaha…! Ah, ah?”
Thanatos burst into laughter, abruptly cutting off mid-sentence.
Then, something shot up like a fountain, splashing against my face, warm and wet.
Wiping my eyes without thinking, I saw not black liquid but bright red blood smeared across the back of my hand.
What just happened?
I was sure I had cut Thanatos.
Hwajeong’s voice rang out, full of excitement. The whole thing had happened so fast my head was spinning, but I managed to steady myself and take in the scene.
Someone in a white robe was blocking Thanatos’s path.
I reflexively looked at their face—and was stunned.
“Ah, Ansol?”
“Brother.”
Ansol spoke weakly, staggering. Her left arm was gone—torn off at the shoulder, blood pouring freely.
What should I do? So, just as I was about to strike Thanatos, Ansol had intervened?
“Y-you…”
“I’m okay. An arm can be reattached anytime. And I’m sorry.”
“N-no…”
“Haah, so…”
Ansol winced, then collapsed to her knees.
She couldn’t not be in pain. With magic poured in full force and Hwajeong at maximum, it wasn’t just a flesh wound—her bones must have been shattered, torn, and burning.
But why? Why did she do this?
The more I tried to understand, the more confused I became. The surrounding battle had completely stopped. Both allies and demons were staring at us.
Every demon wore the same expression—utter disbelief, as if they couldn’t believe it was over.
Hwajeong sighed deeply.
Thanatos remained seated, his eyes vacant, mouth slightly open, as if his mind had completely shut down. Like someone who’d been overtaken just before the finish line.
No, looking closer, his whole form had changed again.
Though still faint, inside his translucent body, smoke curled and swirled, and through it all, a complex pattern of deep red threads appeared here and there.
Could that fleeting light from before have been that?
Hwajeong’s voice was weak.
‘A sealing formation?’
‘That was it?’
Hwajeong snapped, then sighed again.
‘Almost got screwed?’
‘What?’
‘…!’
Hwajeong trailed off, unwilling to say more. I shuddered at the thought.
‘Wait. So I almost broke that seal? Is that even possible?’
‘Damn it.’
As Hwajeong kept cursing, Thanatos’s shoulders began to tremble faintly.
“No way… It was almost over… I could see the end… How…?”
He stammered, clearly distraught.
“Hoowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!”
He slammed his fists on the ground, screaming in frustration. Dark liquid, like blood, gushed from his mouth—and not just his mouth, but his eyes, nose, and ears as well. Yet his cries continued for a long time.
After a while, Thanatos rose, his form distorted and drenched in black liquid, then burst into a mad, hysterical laugh.
“Hahahahahahaha! It’s because of her! Because of that damn Angelus priest, I’m ruined!”
“What now? Satan! Your plan’s fallen apart—what will you do?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. If I heard right, he just said “Satan.”
“What are you going to do, you bastard?!”
Then—
Just as he shouted, a hoarse, rattling groan escaped, and the gas inside Thanatos poured out in a rush. The black smoke took shape, resembling a demon—but somehow, the figure was familiar.
But only for a moment.
Woooooo, woooooo…
Before I could get a better look, the smoke emitted a dark, mournful voice, then shot up like a storm cloud into the sky, disappearing without a trace.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Lots of interesting comments this time.
No, actually, there were a few comments that really hit me where it hurts. ㅡㅡ;
Deciding to add the subheadings later definitely turned out to be a smart move.
I always tell myself, “This time, I can’t let anyone recognize themselves!” but somehow, in every episode, there’s always one or two people who pop into my head and then disappear again. ^_ㅠ