‘Why are you guys talking among yourselves?’

"Desert Guides and the one chosen by Sahaga’s gift, I wish you good luck in your future endeavors."

"…"

"…"

The process of delivering Sahaga’s gift wasn’t normal. All Domi had to do was hand it to Lee Ji-Hoo, but she lifted it using her mana. Actually, Sahaga's gift was unknown to me, but it looked like a traditional Desert Elf curved dagger.

Sahaga’s very existence was on another continent, so it wouldn’t shine on its own, but it was emitting a faint light for the sake of visual effects.

Receiving a symbol of a god was a very sacred ritual, but Lee Ji-Hoo’s expression showed that he couldn't care less about it, which was in stark contrast to the situation.

Lee Ji-Hoo mumbled, "What I need is her, not luck."

‘Don’t get too obsessed with saying memorable lines, noona.’

"I see."

‘Dominions, don’t agree with her either. Your wings are going to get bent. Stop spreading them.’

"Dragon who balances the world."

"

Huh?

Domi…

Huh?

Me?"

"Daughter of Sacrifice and Revival. Dragon of Revival. Could I ask for a small favor?"

"Domi, why are you suddenly…"

"…"

"

A-Ahem

. I give you permission to speak, Angel who governs the wisdom of the world."

"I want you to help them so that they can reach the heart of the black typhoon."

Dialuria was surprised by Dominions'[1] sudden change in attitude, but she realized that there were many people watching her, so she tried to look serious.

The others realized what was going on and did the same. The so-called Desert Guides were here, and the children started paying attention to their existence once again.

"Normally, it wouldn’t be right for the Dragon of Sacrifice and Revival to interfere in human affairs."

‘She must like that title.’

"N-Noona?"

"But, angel who governs the wisdom of the world, I’m sure there’s a reason why you’ve made that kind of request. I don’t think you'll make that request without a good reason, so… I will grant your request."

"Dragon of Sacrifice and Revival, if you do that, your seal…"

‘When was that added to the lore? What restaurant are you talking about, Max? What’s wrong with you? She doesn’t have any seal.’

"It’s my choice, Master of the Rift. I have to do it, even if it means making a sacrifice."

"O dragon…"

"That’s my job."

The Dragon of Sacrifice and Revival got up slowly with the determination to make a great sacrifice. I wondered whether she was going to use her Breath of Revival, which was like the antonym of the Breath of Plague.

The sight of the dragon with large horns taking a deep breath with a shining gaze was definitely the highlight of the play, but I couldn’t get used to the children’s serious faces.

‘Had they eaten something wrong?’

Meanwhile, the Desert Guides had their mouths open at the sight.

"What… are we looking at right now?"

"What do you mean? It’s a miracle."

"Who the hell is the Dragon of Sacrifice and Revival? The angel who governs the wisdom of the world? The Master of the Rift?"

"Looks like… there are still many things unknown to us on the continent. There are still mountains of secrets that are waiting to be discovered…"

"Secrets hidden on the continent… It's not surprising, but it feels like we discovered something we shouldn’t have, George."

‘Stop adding strange things to the lore, guys.’

The sudden appearance of the dragon, angel, and the Master of the Rift made them fall into a daze. I wasn’t sure what they meant by "secrets hidden on the continent," but I was sure all of this didn’t make sense to them.

They received a divine message and were forced to cross the black desert for it. Then, they encountered an angel as well as the Master of the Rift. They were then awarded the forgotten god's gift.

These weren’t something ordinary adventurers could experience.

Just as expected, the Dragon of Sacrifice and Revival unleashed a huge Breath, and the black beasts manifested by the black rain disappeared upon getting hit.

A deafening explosion reverberated. It seemed that Dialuria had decided to unleash a Breath that was far beyond what she could handle because she was getting pushed back. Of course, she immediately redirected her breath to the sky.

Her Breath shot toward the sky, and it seemed like it was going to pierce the rain clouds. The black brain stopped, but it continued after just a few seconds. Dialuria's expression became solemn as she mumbled, "Go forth, Desert Guides and the human chosen by the gift."

"Thank you."

"Thank you! Dragon of Sacrifice and Revival!"

"Thank you, O Great Dragon!"

"Yeah, yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such polite mortals."

The party continued their adventure, leaving behind Dilauria, who was grinning with satisfaction.

There weren't many beasts left, so the journey had become an easy march for them, but Lee Ji-Hoo's face became colorful as they ventured further into the typhoon. He was looking forward to finally reaching Lee Ki-Yeon, but he was also scared about what she would think about him. He was really excited to meet his final love for the first time in a while, but his worry about her well-being surpassed all of those emotions.

Lee Ji-Hoo stepped into the eye of the typhoon.

“...”

“This is the place, Master of the Gift.”

“...”

“Mr. Lee Ji-Hoo?” Kennen said.

“...”

“...”

Naturally, he encountered Jo Hye-Jin and Elias, who were staring at Lee Ki-Yeon, but Lee Ji-Hoo’s eyes were already on Lee Ki-Yeon.

What could he say to her?

Based on their lore, they had been apart for a very long time, and he had even betrayed her. What could he say to the woman who was fighting hard to find herself? He knew this internal strife wasn’t simply a fight against Gela.

It was also a fight to find her real self again.

The fight was taking place inside Lee Ki-Yeon, so he couldn’t see anything.

It was also a low-budget play, so we had to supplement acting with acting alone.

“Is she…” Lee Ji-Hoo asked.

“She’s still fighting,” Elias answered.

“I went in and met Miss Ki-Yeon… but she didn’t want my help,” Elias informed.

“...”

“I think she wants to handle this on her own, but I’m not sure why…” Elias mumbled.

‘What do you mean why? It’s because I don’t like you.’

Just then, a sweet and quiet voice echoed.

[Child, you should give up now.]

Afterward, there was another quiet voice.

“I can’t… I can’t give up,” I said with determination.

[No matter how strong you are mentally, you’re still a human being. Don’t you hate the world that gave you pain? Don’t you despise this place for leaving you alone?]

How could I not despite the world? I had always been alone. I was betrayed, and I struggled to the point that I felt like the world had abandoned me.

Lee Ki-Yeon was hurt so much that it was impossible to list every single torment she had to withstand.

[I’ll lend you a hand for your revenge, child. I’ll give you the power to make everything you feel and imagine come to life.]

There were times when I would have thoughts. Gela was right; there were times when I wanted to take revenge, so I abandoned everything and tried to leave before I could act on my thoughts. Of course, I wanted power as well.

[The child who betrayed you is here. The one who caused you pain.]

“...”

[Wait, it’s not just him. You’re pretending to be okay, but I understand the darkness inside you very well. I can be someone who can understand you the most, so don’t reject me. Take my hand, child. I’m sure you’re also aware that the darkness won’t go away in the end.]

Regardless of Lee Ki-Yeon’s will, the black storm engulfed her again.

[That’s right, just take my hand. Take my hand, you poor child.]

However, Lee Ki-Yeon hadn't grabbed Gela’s hand. Lee Ji-Hoo got close to her at some point and reached out to Lee Ki-Yeon, who was enduring the black typhoon—a torment painful even for transcendent beings.

As always, those trying to escape from the darkness would end up reminiscing about the good times. Lee Ki-Yeon mostly had bad memories, but people would normally reminisce about their good memories at the end of the world.

Lee Ki-Yeon was not an exception.

‘A warm hand.’

The hand that cared and loved her more than anyone and the hand that showed her that the world had happiness, not just pain. It was the same hand that told her she wasn’t alone; it was the hand willing to endure pain together with her.

“J-Ji-Hoo?” I stuttered.

“Yeah, noona. I mean… Ki-Yeon,” Lee Ji-Hoo answered.

“Is it… really you… Ji-Hoo?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Lee Ji-Hoo replied.

Lee Ji-Hoo was crying. The tears flowing down the scar on his face told me his regrets, but at the same time, it seemed like it was curing his pain. It made me cry as well.

“Ki-Yeon, I actually—”

“No, I-I know everything,” I interrupted him.

‘Why do you like situations like this, noona?’

“I finally understand. Everything you felt and why you did what you did. I-I know you did it all for me…” I continued.

‘Why do you enjoy this?’

I finally realized that many people liked what Ji-Hye noona had chosen as our lore.

“Hang in there. Hang in there, you two!

Heuk!

” Jo Hye-Jin shouted.

‘Seriously…’

Jo Hye-Jin was cheering us on while crying, and Elias was cheering us on with mixed feelings. It was the same for the Desert Guides. One of them wiped away their tears, as they couldn’t stop themselves from crying. What was so touching about this?

Was it

that

heartbreaking watching two people shout out their love for each other in the middle of a pitch-black typhoon?

‘No way. There’s no way people enjoy this kind of thing.’

“Hang in there!”

“Y-You got this!”

‘You’re telling me this is working?’

“I’m sorry, and thanks. Also, I love you, Lee Ki-Yeon,” Lee Ji-Hoo confessed.

“...”

“I always believe in you, and I know you won’t lose to this darkness,” Lee Ji-Hoo added.

‘There’s no way the public enjoys dialogue like this…’

“Ji-Hoo…” I mumbled.

“I’ll be by your side. This time… I’ll protect you. Just as you supported me, I’ll support you,” Lee Ji-Hoo said.

‘She can’t be right…’

“Don’t give up, Miss Ki-Yeon!

Heuk

…”

‘It’s probably because Hye-Jin is too innocent.’

Regardless of my feelings, the play was reaching its climax.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Gela,” I said.

[...]

“I cannot accept your offer,” I said.

[You’ll regret it, child.]

“I’ll carve out my own future. No matter how hard or difficult things might get, I’m not afraid anymore. I-I have someone who supports me,” I continued.

“Ki-Yeon,” Lee Ji-Hoo said.

“Yeah, Ji-Hoo,” I said.

“Ki-Yeon…” Lee Ji-Hoo repeated.

“Yeah, Ji-Hoo?” I answered.

“Ki-Yeon… Ki-Yeon…” Lee Ji-Hoo said again.

Sahaga’s gift shone, illuminating the entire world.

“...”

“...”

Amidst the miracle, there was an elf standing by himself. He was smiling bitterly with some hint of relief.

‘Don’t pretend to be okay…’

Elias didn’t seem to be okay.

1. the children's names have changed to Domi, Thro, Sera, and Cheru, but the author still uses Dominions, Thronus, Seraphim, and Cherubim for the MC's narration. I assume it's because the MC knows that they are the outer gods reborn ☜