00964 If You Change, One.

---

The tip of Excalibur pierced Erwin’s neck in one swift motion. I didn’t pull it out immediately; instead, I twisted it hard and then infused it with Hwajeong’s energy. Considering the devil had two lives, I wanted to finish it all at once.

Despite his throat being pierced, Erwin didn’t struggle or utter a single word. No groan escaped him. He only opened his eyes wide and trembled violently.

Soon, his entire body was engulfed in a clear flame, turning to ash that scattered softly in the air. I stood still for a moment, holding the sword, not even a drop of blood dripping from its blade.

“……”

Honestly, I still can’t shake off this dazed feeling. I gained too much power all at once. It’s not so much about adjusting to it as it is a sense of emptiness. After all the hardships, the curtain on the stage I barely climbed felt like it dropped too easily.

…Was it around when I was twenty? When I received my draft notice and enlisted, I had similar thoughts. Every soldier probably imagines this at least once: I want to get out of here. How will I feel when I’m discharged two years later?

Even after entering the Hall Plain, it was the same. I wanted to escape this hellish world as soon as possible. I didn’t know how long it would take, but I was curious about how I’d feel once everything was over and I could finally rest.

And now, that long-awaited moment has come.

“…Ha.”

I don’t know. When I was discharged and left the base, I felt like I was floating, and this feels somewhat similar. It’s hard to put into words.

But there’s one thing I do know.

Finally.

“Is it… over?”

Bang!

Just as I said that, a sudden loud explosion struck my ears.

Startled, I turned around and saw dark energy billowing like smoke. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The one being pushed back through the smoke was none other than Gehenna. Thanatos staggered but relentlessly chased after Gehenna, who was retreating like a wounded boar.

No way. Gehenna is being pushed back?

“Gehenna!”

I shouted in disbelief, and I clearly saw Gehenna glance at me with a faint, almost mocking smile in that desperate moment.

Bang!

Thanatos’s attack landed again. Gehenna’s abdomen folded in half, and he flew through the air, rolling on the ground. By the time I confirmed that, my body was already flying toward them.

“Gehenna?”

“Ugh. Y-You…”

Gehenna barely lifted his upper body, biting his lip in frustration. Then, suddenly, he wore an infinitely pitiful expression and pointed to his struck abdomen as if waiting for this moment.

“That guy, he hit me.”

“…Huh?”

“Thanatos kept hitting me. I was just taking it.”

“……”

It was strange that there wasn’t a single visible wound. But I had seen him being pushed back just moments ago.

Turning around, I was instantly taken aback. The anger that had flared up, ready to tear him apart, immediately died down. Because Thanatos’s condition up close was horrifying.

Wow, that’s brutal. One arm was completely missing, not even visible, and his entire body was riddled with holes in a grotesque way. On top of that, his flesh was melting and festering horribly, probably from severe exposure to fear energy.

This was clearly Thanatos on the brink of death. His energy was extremely weak. That last attack must have been his final, desperate strike, using every ounce of strength he had left.

“Blackie, I just got curious about something.”

“Yes, go ahead, Mercedes.”

Amid the confusion, I heard a man and woman talking nearby. A maid and a Behemoth were sitting together, chatting amicably. Now that I think about it, that’s strange. If Gehenna was being pushed back, why didn’t they help?

“Wasn’t Gehenna just now relentlessly attacking that bastard?”

“Rather than attacking, I’d say he was toying with him.”

“That’s right. Honestly, I didn’t understand why they told us to stay out of it and why they dragged out a fight that could have ended quickly… And just now, he even let himself get hit on purpose?”

“Oh, that’s because, in my humble opinion, it seems he was conscious of his father.”

What does that mean?

“Actually, Gehenna has mentioned a few times about reuniting with his father in the past. Some ancient evil god, or something like that. Apparently, he pretended to be hit back then too, and he said it felt so good to see his father angry on his behalf. In other words… ugh!”

“Oh my! Gehenna? What are you doing?”

I don’t know what happened, but suddenly the Behemoth collapsed. At the same time, an overwhelming murderous aura surged behind me. I didn’t even need to look to know who it was, so I fixed my gaze on the Behemoth, who had fainted with his helmet dented. Looking back now, I felt like Gehenna might kill him without reason.

Right. For now, I need to focus on dealing with Thanatos.

“?”

But Thanatos had already disappeared from where I saw him earlier. More precisely, he was suddenly hanging in midair right in front of me, as if dragged up by the collar. I didn’t even need to see who grabbed him to know.

“Hey, say that again.”

A low voice, boiling with anger, sounded.

Smack!

The sharp sound of flesh hitting flesh followed. A palm burning with red flame slapped the other’s cheek fiercely. It was so strong that Thanatos’s jaw snapped to the side.

“Say it like you did back then.”

Smack!

Is this the original fiery slap? I never dreamed I’d actually see it.

“What? You think you’re so great?”

Smack!

Hot sparks scattered as the slender neck snapped back and forth repeatedly.

Thanatos didn’t resist or even react. He was so limp I worried he might already be dead. This must be proof that Gehenna beat him severely while I was away.

“Want to taste what it feels like to be sealed once?”

Smack!

Of course. There’s no way Gehenna would lose. Especially since Thanatos couldn’t even use his full strength.

…By the way, is this how gods usually fight? Or is this situation special?

“Ha! Why did the god of death tuck his tail? Where’s that confident spirit from before… huh, what?”

Suddenly, Hwajeong’s voice sounded flustered. Thanatos’s body swayed weakly, as if someone was shaking his neck. I felt a sudden unease.

“H-He’s dead?”

What?

“Dead?”

Just as I looked up in surprise, Thanatos was suddenly thrown. Then Hwajeong grabbed my head again, holding it down.

A moment later, I watched flames—presumably Hwajeong’s—slowly consume Thanatos. I cursed inwardly, regretting missing the perfect chance to see Hwajeong and feeling that Thanatos’s demise was too anticlimactic.

After all, I was dramatically rescued and had gained tremendous power for once.

Of course, I didn’t expect a flashy, heroic comeback, but somehow it didn’t feel like proper revenge. It felt more hollow. I thought Thanatos would at least put up a fierce fight.

“You’re slacking off. That’s why I kept telling you to build up your stamina. I didn’t say it just to make things easier.”

Hwajeong scolded me as if reading my thoughts.

“And… I didn’t expect Thanatos to die so easily either. I just wanted to settle a grudge and landed a few hits, but he was already on the brink of death. So it’s all Gehenna’s fault.”

Well, that’s true. Even I could see Thanatos’s condition was dire. Maybe Gehenna pushed him to the edge with just one solid hit and then deliberately toyed with him. After all, it was a battle already won.

Maybe I should just be satisfied that it’s finally over.

“Wait! Why are you making excuses for me?”

Gehenna shouted angrily, clearly offended by the blame-shifting.

“Then you’re saying it’s not true?”

“Yes. From what I saw, your reckless attacks…”

“What? Reckless? You can’t even act properly!”

“What did you say?”

…No, I don’t mind them fighting, but why does the pressure on my temples keep increasing? Don’t take it out on my head.

Well, whatever.

“So… is it really over now?”

Just as I thought that, someone tapped my shoulder. When I turned, I couldn’t help but gasp. Standing there with a wide grin was my older brother.

“Here, I came to give this back.”

As soon as he saw me, he stretched out his hand. In his palm lay a small orb glowing with blue light—the Zero Code.

Without thinking, I reached out and took the Zero Code. For some reason, my hand felt warm.

“So, how do you feel?”

While I stared blankly, a soft voice whispered in my ear. Meeting my brother’s gentle gaze, my body suddenly froze, unable to move. If I had to answer, I’d say I was at a loss for words.

He stared at me for a long moment, then smiled faintly and pulled me into a hug.

“Hyung…”

“Wait a moment. Stay still. Let me hold you for a bit.”

In the end, an arm soaked in blood wrapped tightly around my neck. The grip was so strong that I struggled to breathe. Just as I was gasping for air, the older brother who had been holding me loosened his hold ever so slightly. Still smiling, he patted my shoulder gently.

“I’ll let this slide for now, but I can’t promise what happens next.”

Then, without warning, he stepped aside. Startled, I jerked my head back—and right into someone charging straight at me, slapping me across the face without a word.

“You little—”

My hand swung through empty air as Ko Yeon-ju staggered back, blinking in confusion. I was just as taken aback.

“Why are you dodging?”

“Why are you hitting me?”

When I shot the same question back, Yeon-ju blinked a few times, then slowly straightened up and awkwardly scratched her head.

“I just… felt like that’s what I was supposed to do in this situation.”

“That makes no sense. There’s no such thing.”

“Wait a minute. Who are you raising your voice at, saying I did well? You didn’t even pay attention to me earlier on the stage and just left, right? And you lied! Saying you’d only rescue the clan members and come straight back?”

“…Yeah.”

I had nothing to say to that. Yeon-ju grinned triumphantly, her eyes sharp and hands twisting as if she was itching to land a hit.

I sighed deeply. I couldn’t deny I’d been a bit arrogant while away. I resolved to give that cheeky chest of hers a good scolding as soon as I got back, and slowly spread my arms.

“Instead… how about you just lean on me?”

“W-what?”

“That seems more fitting for the situation, don’t you think?”

“……”

I winked playfully, and Yeon-ju gave me a look of disbelief. Then, just then—

“Oppa!”

A familiar figure brushed past Yeon-ju and rushed forward with arms wide open. An Sol was running toward me, her eyes glistening. A perfect surprise attack.

About a meter away—

“Hey! Who do you think you’re—!”

A small, stocky figure shot through the air between us. It was Suna.

Thwack!

With a back kick, Suna expertly pushed An Sol’s face away, using the momentum to fly backward. But why did she scowl the moment she saw me?

“W-who was that? Who dared push me?”

…Does she really think I didn’t see it? And that look on her face, like she’s saying, “I really don’t want to be hugged, but since someone pushed me, I have no choice.” It’s not convincing when she’s flying toward me with arms wide open like she’s been waiting for this.

Then—

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Vwoooom!

Without doing anything, suddenly the Gehenna’s protective barrier activated—right before Suna could fall into my arms.

Thud!

Of course, Suna hit the barrier and tumbled down. I turned toward the voice.

“Hoo… huh?”

There stood Gehenna, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she reached out toward me. When our eyes met, she quickly withdrew her hand and pretended to stare off into the distance with a stern expression.

Now that I think about it, something felt off.

“……?”

Suddenly, I was surrounded.

One thing I couldn’t help but wonder: why were there no men here? Only women.

Gehenna, Suna, Ko Yeon-ju, An Sol, Hwa-jeong—that made sense.

“Hehehehe,” Lim Hanna smiled brightly as she nocked an arrow to her bow.

“……”

Nam Da-eun silently tilted his head.

“Here. This will hurt quite a bit,” Jung Ha-yeon said, summoning a large chunk of ice and handing it to someone.

“Well, I guess.”

Vivian shrugged, accepting it reluctantly.

Then there was Lee Jung, twirling a dagger; Kim Han-byul, calmly selecting jewels; and Han So-young, looking a little annoyed… Wait, why was Han So-young here?

This wasn’t a joke. Every face was serious. My older brother had stepped back, and An Hyun was pairing up with Jin Su-hyun, shouting nonsense about selling popcorn. Seon Yu-woon, who had been standing quietly, looked at me, clasped his hands together, and bowed.

What is this? Some kind of war?

“Seriously. This is just ridiculous.”

Hwa-jeong’s voice, dripping with disbelief, came from beside me. I felt her brush past me lightly, and instinctively, my eyes sharpened.

Could it be… she finally had the courage to show herself?

At that moment, a warm presence suddenly drew close to my face.

“Kim Soo-hyun. Listen carefully.”

A very low voice. When I glanced sideways, I saw pale white cheeks like fresh snow and long, neatly flowing hair. A beautiful shade of deep red.

“Th-then…”

Her tone was so serious I found myself nodding without thinking.

After hesitating for a long moment, Hwa-jeong whispered softly into my ear.

“…I’m going to kill you.”

“What?”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“Why are you suddenly saying that? Why would you want to kill me?”

“Because!”

She snapped irritably, pressing her mouth close to my ear again. I could feel her trembling.

And then—

“If you ever tease me about having small breasts, I will kill you. No matter what!”

It was the last thing I expected to hear.

Pft!

At that moment, the heavy, unexplainable weight pressing down on me suddenly lifted.

“Hahaha… hahahaha!”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

I heard Hwa-jeong’s angry protests, felt strange looks from all around, but the laughter wouldn’t stop. That unexpected line made me truly realize the war was over. I laughed freely, without holding back.

The sound echoed pleasantly through the quiet surroundings, spreading like a lingering warmth along the soft sunlight.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

The illustrations of Kim Soo-hyun & Hwa-jeong have been updated.

I would like to sincerely thank illustrator Silvesta for their hard work over the past few weeks. (__)