The Returner

“It doesn't matter. ”

Her voice is as bold as it sounds.

Because that's what God is.

It is not God who can contain emotions.

She must witness the birth and death of all living creatures.

A bystander impersonating a Guardian.

That's her role.

Even if you have feelings, they don't shake easily.

“You were just... just there. The moment the world cracks. ”

“You know better. ”

Lee Hyuk reached out and grabbed Latrel's neck.

“I know, I know very well. Whatever's going on with you, why should I understand it? I've tasted hell for thousands of years because of you. And even the world I live in has fallen apart because of you. And I'm supposed to understand you? You have to forgive me? ”

Lee Hyuk's shout echoed to the world.

“I don't care what you do. But at least you shouldn't have dragged me into it! Why should I have been sacrificed by you? If you're a god, answer me! Why, why! Why?”

Lee Hyuk's voice was like the roar of an animal.

His sacrifice was too great to convince him that he was trying to save Beraf. His anger was enormous enough to burn the world to the ground.

“It all comes down to what you want. The path of Beraph is open, so now the Beraphs can avoid destruction. We can cross over to this Earth. And now that the path to the Magic Cube is connected, Mana will fill this world. Happy ending. Everything's good. Right, except for me. ”

Lee Hyuk gritted his teeth.

“Do I have to celebrate? You're celebrating protecting Beraf? Damn it!”

Latrell looks at Lee Hyuk with a slightly grim face. What can she say to him? She's the one who turned his life into hell.

“If only I could save everyone with one sacrifice... Yes, it would be an honor. It should be an honor, even if it has nothing to do with my doctor. Yeah, you should be happy. I was able to save humankind, and I should be thankful that this life can enter the material? ”

“I think you need to calm down a little bit. It's not like you.”

“Calm down? Are you telling me to calm down? ”

“I realize I did something I shouldn't have done to you. ”

Lee Hyuk stares at Latrel with his hollow eyes.

This is how it's gonna be.

Talking to the Holy Spirit.

They don't see the individual.

Because what they see is not an individual, but a world.

No matter how much she screams and vomits, she won't understand Lee Hyuk's heart. A thousand, maybe 10,000 years later.

“Is that why you called me here? ”

“ ……. ”

“If you're done talking, get lost. Yeah, it's better now that I know. There's no better truth to not know. No matter how shitty it is, it's better to know the truth. Thanks to you, I can vanish with a cold, fucked-up mind. Thank you very much.”

Latrell shakes her head.

“You can't die now. ”

“… What? ”

“Your soul is bound to your body. In other words, in order for you to die, you need to regain control of the body. ”

“I'm not saying that because it's impossible! ”

Latrell lets out a few words.

“This is not my land. ”

“ ……. ”

“And even on my land, I don't have the power to take life. ”

Lee Hyuk glanced at Latrel quietly.

She wasn't wrong. If her power had been manifested by destruction, neither the Mage nor the Demon King would have been able to invade Beraf. As soon as she stepped foot in, her powers would have destroyed her.

“My power is resurrection and creation. It's like giving you back your physical memories. You saw everything. ”

“Yes."

“Unfortunately, unlike what they know, it's impossible for me to stop your body. The only thing I can do is regenerate and contact you, which has become convenient. ”

“Is it impossible to stop my body? ”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyuk's face distorted.

“Then……. ”

“Yes, it is. You were wrong to save the world. To be exact, you haven't saved the world yet. because the crisis isn't over yet. If you do not stop your mortal body from becoming a destroyer... Earth, Beraf, and the horoscope will all perish. The world will turn dark. ”

Lee Hyuk's expression became dark.

“So what do I have to do? ”

“Will you help me? ”

“I'm not helping you. ”

Lee Hyuk resolutely said.

“You and I are not helping each other. It's just a relationship that we use and hate. If there's a consensus, I can hold hands for a while, but that doesn't help you. ”

Latrell nods.

“You're right. ”

“Let's cut to the chase. He didn't summon me because he had nothing to do with God. ”

“We need to regain control of the flesh. ”

“... I don't know what you're talking about. I'm already dead. How can a dead man recover his body? ”

“As I said, you're not dead yet. ”

“But it's as good as dead. It's impossible to regenerate from here. ”

“It's possible, if I can help. ”

Lee Hyuk stares at Latrel dazed.

“My body dwells on Earth. This can't be your sacred land. And it's not just the spawn of a lion. ”

“I know. ”

“And yet you say it's possible? ”

Latrell nods.

“If I pledge my extinction, yes. ”

“… extinction? ”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyuk's eyes shook.

“Resurrect me through your death? You're a god. God to take care of everything in Beraf. ”

“Yes, I am God. God bless all of Beraf. But at this rate, all the creatures I have to protect will be gone. I'd rather be extinct. ”

“You……. ”

“And if Beraf disappears and they migrate to Earth, I won't be able to influence them anymore. Watching is all I can do. Then... I guess it's okay if I disappear. ”

Lee Hyuk glanced at Latrel quietly.

It was hard to tell how she was feeling with that expression. Her face wasn't her face at the moment.

“Is that okay with you? Destroying yourself for the sake of creation? ”

“In your own words, we should put it this way. The feeling of giving a child to the water. But... but it's okay. Thanks to you, I found out. You live in a world without God. and pioneered the future. Just like you did.”

Latrell smiles brightly.

“My children could do the same. Living a life that is not tied to God, but by their own will.... ”

Lee Hyuk shut up.

He doesn't like latrel. Rather, he hated it. But I couldn't be mad at Latrell now.

“But that would be a harsh decision for you. I can resurrect you, but not increase your life span. One long moment, and your life is over. ”

“I know. ”

“Maybe I'm trying to use you until the end. Forcing you to live a harsh life again to save my children. ”

Lee Hyuk looked at Latrel with a slightly bitter eye.

“From beginning to end... I can't understand you. Maybe ever. I will always have to run parallel lines with you. ”

But…….

“Nevertheless, I must accept your words. I have people to protect, just like you. I'll die again for that. ”

Latrell closes her eyes.

I salute this little life that has lived through pain that even gods cannot bear, but has never lost themselves.

She slowly reached out and stroked Lee Hyuk's cheek.

“Your fallen gods would be proud to see you now. ”

“That's ridiculous. ”

Lee Hyuk died.

“I don't need a god. We're on our own. ”

Latrell grins.

“May my children be as strong as you. I hope you don't cry like a child who lost a parent. ”

“There comes a time for every child to leave their parents. It's just... It's just now. So don't worry. ”

“That's reassuring. ”

“Well……. ”

Lee Hyuk sighed and swallowed the horse, saying, ’I didn't mean to reassure you.'

At the end of this great god, who had been preparing his own extinction for his children, he did not fit the sentence.

Contempt and hatred are separate issues.

Even if he can't forgive her, it won't stop this god from greatness.

“I have one last thing to say to you. ”

“... I listen. ”

Latrell smiles brightly.

“I'm sorry.”

“ ……. ”

“I didn't feel your pain. You're not my creation. It's not connected to me. I just assumed. That's how I found out. How hard and painful you've been. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Lee Ji-hyuk. ”

Lee Hyuk bit his lips tightly.

That feeling.

A long, long time... Maybe he's been searching for this word.

Only at the end....

“I'm sorry, and.... ”

Latrell whispers in Lee Ji-hyuk's ear. Lee Hyuk shakes his head when he hears her.

“Everything that lives dies. That's the inevitable logic of the world. I... I just die where I belong. ”

“Just like you.”

“And I have one last thing to say. ”

Lee Hyuk smiled bitterly and said.

“It's just a bad story, but thanks to you, I can say my last goodbye. Let's just say thank you for that. And... thank you for being able to protect my world. ”

Latrel and Lee Hyuk smiled and looked at each other.

I didn't need a horse anymore.

We understand each other.

The white world.

The whole white world was full of white light.

The light radiating from Latrel slowly rushes towards Lee Hyuk.

“What can I say? ”

The fading latrel smiles sadly.

[To my children... live a life without losing courage.]

“I will.”

To them.

There was a God who loved them more than anyone else in the world.

A drop of tears fell from Lee Hyuk's eyes, looking at the fading latrel with a bright smile.

[And bless you, who will keep the world from destruction.]

A dazzling light filled the world.