Chapter 522: Rising Light (5)

“Are you awake?”

“Urgh…”

“Kiyoung-ssi, can you hear me?”

“Ah…”

I opened my eyes slowly, and I could see multiple faces staring at me.

After being sucked into the unconscious world, it seemed that I had lost consciousness for a moment in the real world. Hearing Kim Hyunsung, I could tell that he had given up the ridiculous thought to fight the demons by himself.

In other words…

‘It seems the contract has been resolved.’

There was no way I would be with all my guild members, otherwise. I looked around my surrounding as if I didn’t know anything and saw some welcoming faces.

The fierce battle had already happened on top of the tower. As expected, I heard Park Deokgu’s voice from afar.

“Hyung-nim? Are you alright? Are you really alright?”

“…”

“Hyung-nim, can you hear me? Hyung-ssi, please answer me! Can you recognize who I am?”

“Yes, Deokgu. So, no… I…”

“Don’t think of anything right now. H-He needs some space, Elena-nim! Hyung-nim woke up. Hyung-nim! Please come here and assess the situation quickly! Quickly!”

“Lee Kiyoung-nim!” The voice I heard was from Park Deokgu calling out to Elena, but the person I saw was Sun Hee-young.

‘What, why is she like that? That isn’t like her usual self.’

She always expressed herself subtly. Hence, it was unusual for her to stick to me like that overtly. Always observing from a step behind, it was unimaginable for her to push all the guild members to the side to hug me.

That showed how worried she was about me, but it still surprised me.

It wasn’t like her. Her shoulders moved up and down as her head was buried into my chest. She looked so sorrowful that I began to feel a bit embarrassed.

Her face was ruined as tears and snot fell from her face filled with concern and anxiety.

“Waaaaa…”

“…”

“Waaaaaaaaa…”

Of course, other people were the same.

Yoo Ahyoung, Kim Chang-ryul, Ahn Ki-mo, Kim Ye-ri.

My friend, Cho Hyejin, and Park Deokgu’s lover, Hwang Jeong-yeon, Yuno Kasugano, and even Elena, were visible as well. They all made me feel proud.

There were also, of course, Kim Hyunsung, Jung Hayan, and Park Deokgu.

Jung Hayan’s expression still appeared uneasy from a distance away, and Park Deokgu’s eyes were swollen and red because he had cried so much.

However, he had a smile on his face at that moment.

Not everything had been settled, but they were at least reassured that their blue Vice Guild Master had come back.

“Thank goodness, thank… thank you, god. Oh god…”

“…”

“Hyung-nim, are you alright? Kiyoung-nim. Hyung-nim…”

“I-it seems that there is nothing seriously wrong with your body. Your head doesn’t seem seriously injured either. You seem to have periodic amnesia, but after resting a bit, you will recover in no time.”

“Elena-nim, could you check…”

“Fortunately, I can’t feel their energy anymore, but we will have to observe for a bit longer… I can’t make an accurate judgment yet.”

“What are you talking about? Amnesia? And right now, this place…”

“…”

“…”

The Blue Guild members stared at me in silence.

I could see that they didn’t know how to explain the situation to me. I probably would have responded in the same way if I was in their position.

They couldn’t say something like, ‘Ah… so, Vice Guild Master became possessed by a demon’s spirit, and in your corrupt state, Lindel became like this. It’s never experienced a demon like you. Do you see the wounds on yourself? You could be proud of that.’

Within a moment, many kinds of expressions passed the guild member’s faces.

They looked at each other and avoided making eye-contact with me. And from behind, Park Deokgu and Kim Hyunsung discussed among themselves privately.

“What should we do? Should we tell him…?”

“It will be hard for him to accept.”

“It’s something he will learn eventually anyway. It will be better to explain the situation to him and get the matter over with. Considering our Hyung-nim’s personality, if he realizes the truth by himself in the future, he might make a rash decision.”

“But…”

‘I can hear everything, Deokgu.’

It took some effort to pretend that my mind was still hazy and that I couldn’t hear anything.

“And think about what will happen. It’s not likely, but what if this nation and other guilds use our Hyung-nim against us. If that happens…”

“Rest assured, I won’t just sit around and watch.”

“What if the worst-case scenario happens?”

“I will have to leave my nation.”

That was very unlikely to happen. Pope Basel going against me sounded as unconvincing as saying that Kim Ye-ri disliked acting.

It was cute as to how they were thinking of so many scenarios.

As the two discussed, the other guild members bought time with fruitless conversations.

I was assured that I had done the right thing when I saw all of their faces, fearful that I would find out everything. And around the time when Kim Hyunsung’s and Park Deokgu’s small meeting was over, everyone looked at Kim Hyunsung as if he would take all the responsibility.

Nervously, Kim Hyunsung opened his mouth.

“I can understand how your mind is a mess, Kiyoung-ssi. But recovering is most important. Afterward, I will explain everything. So…”

“But…”

“Please do as I say this time.”

“Ah, yes.”

He was probably worried about my mental state, but my mentality was much stronger than he thought. It was a good choice to avoid the situation for the time being, but he was the one who was going to suffer the longer he hid the truth from me.

I should plan to regain my memories as fast as possible for the lovely regressor’s mental health.

I nodded to show that I understood with a warm smile, and all the party members’ expressions brightened.

“Ah, I almost forgot, but Benignore-nim…”

“I will also explain that to you later.”

“Okay…”

There was no denying that the situation definitely needed explanation. From a distance, I could see monsters clashing.

Wasn’t it too much to ask me not to question anything?

-The light will burn you.

-Do it if you can, you dirty bitch!

Belial’s immense figure appeared into view, and Benignore was busy blocking his attacks. Colorful lights and absolute darkness continued to clash.

Even amid the battle, Benignore was shielding the humans with her power.

Voices of prayer and gratitude rang everywhere. The sight of her tearing up for the empire’s wounded citizens looked undeniably sacred and holy.

And what of Belial?

He had swung a giant sword and had a more fearsome appearance than he did at Raios.

‘Wow… Those guys, really…’

If I were clueless, I would’ve thought that they were fighting as hard as they could.

‘Wow, it looks really real…her and him, they are all trash, seriously.’

Belial, who talked as if he was going to destroy the empire, worked his hardest for his client.

Benignore, who had tears in her eyes while stamping the contract, was at work too. It was so ridiculous that my mouth dropped.

However, even that didn’t last for long. Belial had to go to Hell, and Benignore couldn’t stay in our world any longer than necessary.

Soon after, Benignore pierced her holy spear into Belial’s chest.

-Ah, ah, I can’t believe it… I got done in…

-Go back, Belial. I won’t let you do as you wish here.

-Remember, you dirty, light whore and those who serve her. I will come back. Today’s victory is not yours forever.

-I will protect this empire.

-Remember, you insects! I am darkness and fear, your greatest nightmare…

‘Kyaah, as expected, Belial’s acting is another level… how could he be so immersed while saying such lines?’

[I’m glad you think that.]

‘Ah, Belial-nim.’

[I said my farewells earlier, but the time has come for us to part again. Many regret that they couldn’t say their goodbyes. I will arrange for another method to contact you.]

‘Please do as you wish.’

[It was enjoyable to watch you, disgusting human- no, my 27th Corps’ external adviser. I will wait for the day that we can meet again.]

‘I will also be waiting.’

[Get lost, Belial.]

[Aren’t your words too harsh, Benignore? I thought we were partners now.]

[Why would I partner up with the likes of you!]

[Whatever you think, it doesn’t change what already happened. It was fun, Benignore.]

[Don’t ever come back.]

The darkness faded, and all of the monsters went back to their original places as well.

Light burst out again, and as if she couldn’t stand it any longer, Benignore also eventually disappeared from view while saying the following words:

-You are all strong. Please don’t give up. Today’s pain will be your strength in the future. Use it to become even more resilient.

It was all over. Everyone embraced and cheered like they were drunk with the light’s victory.

Some still rubbed their eyes as if they couldn’t believe what was happening in front of them. There were also some that sat, all looking dejected on the ground.

I also wanted to smile, but I put on a dumbfounded expression to the public to maintain the setting that I had periodic amnesia.

I wondered how I should go on. Should I act like I had stumbled upon the truth and take more out of the situation?

‘Is this place… Lindel… how… I…’

The thought of wailing and crying while saying such a trashy line filled my heart with joy. I had many plans, but I decided to sleep for the time being. I was already tired from staying awake all night.

“Hyung-nim, hyung-nim! Come… come back to your senses!”

“Kiyoung-ssi, are you alright…”

“Oppa… waah…Oppa!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The voices became fainter. After a while, I opened my eyes.

I then found myself in a room without a single window.