Chapter 1147: A Slightly Early Timing (5)

The radiant light emanating from Nam Goong-Seon pervaded the room.

The light was divine and magnificent, but at the same time, it was heartbreaking and sorrowful. She was clearly overcoming her limits. Regardless of the penalty that she would suffer by casting that holy spell, she had cast a spell beyond what a Level 3 priest could cast.

In other words, she had reached her limit.

The smart and tender-hearted Flower Ki-Young knew how Nam Goong-Seon was feeling better than anyone. There wasn’t an ounce of holy power left within her. Actually, she had long reached her mental and physical limits, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she collapsed at any moment.

I was certain she wasn’t in the condition to move, just like me. No matter how much I struggled, there was nothing I could do, and the only thought in my head was that everything was over.

I wasn’t expressing it with words nor did I show it, but that was what I felt.

“Miss… Nam Goong-Seon…” I mumbled.

The radiant light illuminated the ruined city as powerful holy power rushed out of her.

“

Ah…

stop… stop…” Nam Goong-Seon mumbled.

‘She’s really going to die.’

She wasn’t being kicked off the show like Lim Chae-Ryeong.

She had done as she pleased and cast a euthanasia spell.

Of course, if she no longer wanted to be on the show, I wasn’t going to stop her. If things went well in Rohen, she could be acknowledged for her contribution and receive a respectable role.

I could also take her to our continent.

I had no idea what was going to happen if I were to steal a mortal's soul, but stealing a mortal’s soul wasn't really that hard.

“

Aaaaahh!

” Nam Goong-Seon yelled.

However, this was really ridiculous.

If things went wrong, we could lose both Lim Chae-Ryeong and Nam Goong-Seon.

If I were to make a reckless bet and end up losing both, I’d end up with nothing.

I wasn’t the only one who was surprised. The other members were unaware of the context, but I was sure they were aware of the fact that she was sacrificing her life.

“No… no… Miss Nam Goong-Seon…" No Dam-Hye muttered.

Jung Ha-Yan cast a shocked gaze at Nam Goong-Seon.

‘Come to think of it, Ha-Yan liked her.’

Just as I thought Jung Ha-Yan would stop her, Woo Hyo-Yeol appeared.. There was a

thump

, and Nam Goong-Seon collapsed to the ground.

Woo Hyo-Yeol knocked her out.

Now that I thought about it, I remembered hearing Lim Chae-Ryeong asking us to take care of her unni, but…

‘Are you being serious, Hyo-Yeol?’

“...”

‘Are you doing this because you genuinely want to look after her?’

“You’re stupid even until the end. You… and this incompetent priest. All of you are idiots,” Woo Hyo-Yeol commented.

I looked up at him while crying, but all I saw was his back.

It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I heard his somewhat cold voice.

“Head this way and make your way out,” Woo Hyo-Yeol told me.

“...”

“Did you not hear me? Take Lim Chae-Ryeong and Nam Goong-Seon out of Harizel. I’ll buy you some time,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“

Ah… ah…

”

“Get ahold of yourself, Lee Ki-Young,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“...”

“I don’t like repeating myself,” Woo Hyo-Yeol warned.

“...”

“More importantly… It’s not like you to act like this. What happened to that confident attitude of yours?" Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned me.

“But… but…” I said.

“Make those arrogant comments that you normally make. That suits you better,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

‘You’re going to stay behind?’

“I’ll take care of this place,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

'What the hell are you talking about, you jerk?'

Of course, I was happy that he considered sacrificing himself, but one couldn't have a Woo Hyo-Yeol party without Woo Hyo-Yeol. Sacrificing himself so that others could escape was a cliched but amazing storyline.

However, making sacrifices wasn't a part of his job…

“Lim Chae-Ryeong is still alive,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“...”

“She’s not dead yet. The rescue team will arrive here shortly. That mage can probably take care of the barrier around Harizel,” Woo Hyo-Yeol continued.

I looked up at the sky and saw a few eagles circling Harizel. It seemed like tamers or rangers who had noticed the strange phenomenon were trying to see what was going on here.

Woo Hyo-Yeol had to have noticed them earlier.

“But… but… you’re…”

“Since when were you so worried about me?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

“...”

“I’m much stronger than you can comprehend with that little brain of yours,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

‘Huh? You were getting beaten by Cherubim just a moment ago. I think you’re still bleeding.’

“I-I can’t do that. We should all—”

“You’re really not understanding what I’m saying here, you idiot. Gramps, did you hear me? Get out of here now,” Woo Hyo-Yeol instructed Raymond.

Perhaps we had been talking for too long because I could see Thronus and Cherubim flying toward us.

Cherubim had switched his scythe for a sword, and I saw Woo Hyo-Yeol blocking his attack.

As expected, not a single tear had dropped from his eye.

He hadn't shed even a fake tear, but I could feel his fury. He was usually indifferent, but I could see a tinge of seriousness on his face and hatred in his eyes as he looked at the angels.

‘Not you, damn it.’

No matter how much I thought about it, Woo Hyo-Yeol couldn’t be missing from Woo Hyo-Yeol’s party. If the regressor ended up dying here, who would stop the Demon King of Sunset?

If I wanted to end this event with the “Leave me” cliche, someone else was more fitting for that role.

‘No… don’t look at him.’

“...”

‘Don’t look at Grandpa Raymond.’

“...”

‘I really want to look at him… but I feel like I shouldn’t.’

'Don’t look at him, Ki-Young. It’ll be too noticeable…'

‘I can’t force him to do it. Don’t look at him. Lee Ki-Young!’

Woo Hyo-Yeol was busy fighting with Cherubim and Thronus.

And he was right; we were running out of time…

Despite his arrogant demeanor earlier, he was having a hard time against Thronus and Cherubim. He had spoken confidently, but the truth was that he would most likely die with them, and he probably knew that as well.

He was going to go down with them. He couldn't care less whether he died or lived; he only cared about doing his best. He wasn't considering the possibility of a second chance at life.

This wasn’t strange at all, as Woo Hyo-Yeol had always been like that.

This was his true self.

He always acted as he pleased, and if there was something he wanted to do, he would always do it. He never cared how strong the enemy was or how much at a disadvantage he was in.

That was how he survived his first life and grew into the person he was today...

‘But you know…’

“...”

‘You can’t use the same method to grow stronger in this life.’

He wouldn't achieve anything if he were to use the same method as his first life.

And that was when I felt someone patting my head…

“Ki-Young.”

“Grandpa…?” I said.

“...”

“...”

“Thanks,” Raymond said.

“What? What do you…” I asked.

“It was short, but I’m really glad I met you…” Raymond said.

“Why… are you acting like this all of a sudden?” I asked.

“Thanks for giving me hope to live once again,” Raymond added.

“...”

“Thanks for helping me so that this long life of mine won't end in a meaningless way, and… thanks for appearing before me,” Raymond said.

“Grandpa?” I said.

“Our connection will never break. We will always be connected,” Raymond added.

“What are you saying… right now?” I asked.

“Even if things end, it’s actually not the end. A smart boy like you should understand what I’m saying,” Raymond said.

“...”

“Don’t think today is the end for you and me. Don’t blame anyone and live true to yourself. I want you to… live this life doing what you want, achieve the things you want to achieve, and enjoy life,” Raymond said.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

“...”

[He Who Sits on the Golden Throne♥ is starting to take an interest in Raymond Bolt.]

“Trust your comrades and love them. And most importantly, don’t forget to love yourself the most,” Raymond added.

[He Who Sits on the Golden Throne♥ is showing interest in Raymond Bolt, the Level 4 warrior.]

“The fact that you came to me… the fact that you appeared before this old man…” Raymond trailed off.

[He Who Sits on the Golden Throne♥ wants to get into a contract with Raymond Bolt, the Level 4 warrior.]

“I was really happy,” Raymond added.

The old man smiled at me.

“

Ah…

”

A golden light engulfed Raymond.

There was no need for me to explain that he had broken through to reach Level 5 upon getting chosen by a GENIUS.

Unfortunately, the influx of power was more than he could handle.

The power was too brilliant to dwell inside an aging, washed-up warrior. His frail body couldn't handle that much power, and the sight reaffirmed what I knew.

Before I could say anything, Grandpa Raymond patted my head and rushed toward Woo Hyo-Yeol. I saw them fighting together and talking to each other.

Grandpa Raymond was yelling, and Woo Hyo-Yeol seemed to be displeased because I saw him biting his lips. Perhaps it was because of the explosions everywhere or because I was really exhausted, but I couldn’t hear their conversation.

Strangely enough, I could clearly hear the words that Raymond Bolt muttered to me.

“We will always be connected.”

“...” “Our connection will never break. I’m sure my connection with you will remain,” Raymond said.

“...”

“Take care of my grandson,” Raymond requested.

Just then, I saw Woo Hyo-Yeol leaving Grandpa Raymond and running toward me.

Before I could say anything, Woo Hyo-Yeol carried me away from Harizel. Grandpa Raymond was moving farther and farther away.

I struggled against Woo Hyo-Yeol, but little by little, he was getting further and further away.

“Grand… Grandpa! Grandpa!” I roared.

The enemy seemed to have attacked us, as Woo Hyo-Yeol and I rolled on the ground.

However, Woo Hyo-Yeol quickly grabbed me and ran away once again.

Now, I could no longer see Raymond's back.

“Let go of me… let go! Grandpa! Grandpa is…!” I yelled.

“...”

“Let go of me!” I yelled.

“...”

“I said, let go!

Heuk

… I said to let go… please…

heuk

… please…” I cried.

Eventually, we managed to escape the battlefield. I turned to look at Harizel, and the last thing I saw was a strange wave of something engulfing Harizel.

Then, Harizel disappeared without a trace.

“...”

“...”

“Grandpaaaa!!!” I yelled.

“...”

“

Heuk… heuuuk…

” I cried.

‘He retired faster than I thought…’

“Grandpa…

heuk… heuuuk…

” I mumbled.

‘Rest in peace and don’t worry about the future.’