NOVEL NEXT Chapter 147
[Hwanseangyongsa], [Hwanseangaka] mentions the in-game history and legends with a focus on [Kroon's Legend].
It’s a story about the legendary hero Kroon who eats everything in sight. In this Kroon party, the character serving as the healer is none other than Saint Psyche.
Although the exact narrative isn’t detailed, Kroon’s party, now having entered Pandemonium, encounters a crisis while on a quest to slay the Demon King. To protect his party members and the future heroes, Kroon sacrifices himself and unleashes the power of his thoughts.
Thus, he seals Psyche in a crystal to prevent her from becoming demon food. This explains why Psyche only shows up at Claris Academy in Chapter 5; she has been resting here, recovering her strength.
*
After utilizing Yellody’s levitation magic for half a day, we finally arrived at the unique sanctuary in Pandemonium.
In contrast to the all-red and black world that represented destruction, this place was bright, illuminated by emerald crystals resembling an ice palace.
Kroon really was a monster…
The only flower blooming in Pandemonium shines here.
Psyche’s sanctuary.
At the entrance, two underlings, appearing to be low-level demons, guarded the area.
I immediately whispered to Yellody.
“Go and chew on them.”
“Die… die…”
Obeying my command, Yellody began to snarl like a chihuahua.
“It won’t change anything. Want to taste some authority?”
“……!”
Yellody emitted an intense killing intent but, being my subordinate, had no choice but to obey my every command.
“This is real!”
Ultimately, she trembled and walked forward.
*
A moment later, with a single word from Yellody, the low-level demons cleared the way.
“Die, die! Die!”
Thanks to her, I easily entered the center of the crystal palace.
Ding!
[Sanctuary – Kroon’s Thought: Psyche’s Domain]
[The erosion level gradually decreases due to pure sacred power.]
[Race: Human – Recovery rate increases.]
[Race: Demon – Penalties apply to magic power and movement.]
As I approached the center where Psyche resided, my human form began to recover little by little.
“Seriously. This feels uncomfortable… just like you.”
Yellody, now even more uncomfortable, started grumbling.
Well, it makes sense; demons would have reduced combat power in this place. However, it seems she was tolerating it better than expected since she had consumed a lot of human food.
‘Psyche…’
The central crystal tower maintaining this sanctuary radiated beautiful light with lavender gemstones embedded within.
It wasn’t the kind of frozen human concept you see in movies.
I couldn’t see Psyche herself.
Perhaps Kroon sealed her in the form of a crystal or gemstone. If her true form were visible, the guards wouldn’t be so lax.
‘Maybe they think it’s just a sanctuary…’
I immediately placed my hand on the crystal, waiting for the game’s system state window.
Ding!
[Saint – Psyche (Sealed)]
[Psyche the Saint is sealed here by Kroon’s ultimate magic.]
[Time until unsealing: 10 hours 02 minutes.]
[Caster: Kroon]
‘…Perfect timing.’
It’s not too late.
In exactly 10 hours and 2 minutes… after this, Psyche will descend here fully restored.
Afterward, it will be just like a story.
She will return to the world, Claris Academy, looking for a successor to carry on her legacy.
Of course, executing a dimensional transfer spell, especially from the middle of Pandemonium, isn’t easy like Professor McClone or dealing with minor demons…
But she, as the only Saint in this world, can do it.
‘Aria, Yeriel…’
I want to tell them to wait just a little longer, but it doesn’t reach them.
Especially Aria, who despises causing trouble for others… I worry greatly.
If she sees me again… will she still like me?
Is it too late now?
‘But ending the game here is overkill.’
Regardless, what I must do right now is…
Survive for the next 10 hours without dying.
“What do you plan on doing, I wonder…”
Unaware of my thoughts, Yellody began to smirk, raising one corner of her mouth.
“Do you think coming to the sanctuary will help you survive?”
“…”
“This is the center of Pandemonium. Those guards will be back soon…”
Zwoop…
“What are you doing?”
Ignoring her words, I pulled out some snacks from my bag.
The highest quality chocolate I had brought from Hwangdo.
It was magically wrapped, so it wouldn’t spoil.
“……”
Before long, Yellody’s gaze was fixed on the chocolate in my hand.
She had a setup where she loved sweets…
“Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Good things come to those who wait’?”
*
In Sellafi Black House, only a serene silence lingered.
Originally, with only three residents in the dormitory, one less now due to recent events.
What Aria did upon returning here was just one thing.
Chasing the traces of Lev Denec in his room.
The chair he sat in.
The bed he lay on.
The wardrobe stained with his scent…
Aria thought herself so pathetic for doing this…
But to maintain a sanity that felt about to shatter, she had no choice.
Longing for him…
She cried herself to sleep every night.
Though not out loud, tears streamed endlessly down her face.
And each time she cried and passed out from exhaustion, waiting for her was, of course, a nightmare.
The enemy who killed her parents. Andras.
He greeted Aria with a smile,
And Markosias.
He commanded Aria.
– Kill! Kill! What are you doing? Kill! Kill! Don’t hesitate, kill right now!
– Hah… hah…
In her hand was the cursed sword gifted by Liris.
‘Get away, get away…!’
Even when she wanted to drop it, it firmly clung to her hand.
‘Urgh..! Ugh…!!!’
As Aria’s emotions escalated, her father appeared without fail.
– Aria, you’re okay.
Those words brought her comfort.
– I’m sorry… I’m sorry…
Just as Aria began to find a bit of stability,
That voice soon changed.
In a low and melodious tone.
– It’s okay. Aria.
Lev Denec.
In that moment, everything froze, and only his voice echoed.
However, unlike then, no one hugged Aria… no one patted her back.
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Lev-san! I’m so sorry!’
Aria’s cries scatter like whispers into the void.
‘Where are you… where are you…! Just once… just once, could you come to me…’
Perhaps facing Andras or Markosias would have been less painful than this moment.
And so, as Aria cried out for Lev, nearing unconsciousness…
Thud!
“NO…!”
Thud thud!
“NO…!”
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud!
The heavy and vivid sensation she wished to forget surged through her hand.
Blood-soaked hands.
The hands that killed Lev Denec.
But the hands that he held.
– …Lev-san is… the worst.
– I’m getting goosebumps… the one I believed in is… worse than I thought.
– I don’t need your help with my revenge anymore.
‘Ugh… ugh… ugh…’
It’s too late to ask for forgiveness… that day’s memory has become unbearable.
‘Lev-san… Lev-san…’
– I’ll help you. With that revenge.
What must he have felt saying those words?
It was truly him who dealt with Andras…
And it was he who tried to save everyone…
But all this time, she only doubted him.
Images of his expressions, sometimes calm and sad, linger in her mind.
‘It’s my fault…’
Had it not been for her revenge…
He never would have said something like that.
In the end, Aria thought it was her fault that this disaster occurred.
‘I’m bad, so I deserve punish… punishment…’
Bang bang!
!!
Then, Lev’s door knocked.
Aria stood up, approaching the door as if enchanted.
She felt somewhat dazed.
Imagining what could happen.
If she opens the door, there he is,
– …What are you doing in my room?
– Hmm… Aria shows her feelings through actions, huh?
Maybe… he would tease her like that again.
And so… she dreamt a sweet dream without permission.
Creek.
When she opened the door,
It wasn’t Lev, but Selena, the Half-Elf.
*
“There you are, I knew you would be here.”
“…”
Even against Selena’s cold remarks, Aria’s eyes remained hazy.
“I have something to ask about Lev…”
Selena was about to angrily question about Lev when she sighed softly, then inspected Aria’s condition.
She looked slightly thin after just a few days…
Loose bandages wrapped around her slender wrists,
“YOU…!”
Blood seeped through.
As Selena lifted her wrist, the bandages naturally fell away, revealing her delicate skin.
“…!”
“Bad kids… should be punished… just a little hurt…”
She naturally healed.
Selena knew.
“…”
She must have partially accepted the Saint’s powers.
She couldn’t merely inflict harm on her own body through simple self-harm.
“Aria Bluebell…”
Selena’s once racing heart had calmed down.
She was supposed to inquire about the last words Lev spoke when she met Aria.
“Selena… I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”
Aria’s eyes seemed to plead for death, or at the very least that it should come slowly and painfully.
– That’s true.
– Selena, excuse me, but I’m the same.
– I’m just the same like you. I’m sorry.
It wasn’t long since she was in a battle of nerves with Aria over Lev.
“…”
Given the circumstances, it seemed Lev was indeed dead because of her.
Selena suppressed her rising emotions and said to Aria,
“Don’t ever do something foolish like that again.”
“…”
“It’s pathetic. Do you think Lev would want this for you?”
“Hu… Huh…! But…! What can I do to…!”
“Sorry, but no matter what you do… the dead Lev won’t come back.”
“…!”
Aria’s eyes regained focus at Selena’s sincere tone.
“Stop being spoiled. Do you think Lev would recognize you showing this kind of behavior?”
“…”
“You and I… We both know the pain of losing someone precious, right?”
“…”
“All you can do for the dead is… to get your act together and keep living.”
Living.
Aria swallowed her tears in silence at Selena’s quiet words.
“And you know what? You’re not alone. I liked Lev too.”
“…!”
“But the human man I came to like… the one who sacrificed his life to save someone… is you!”
“…Selena…”
“So please, stop making the person I like look like a fool.”
Selena said that and turned her back to Aria.
“Yeriel is preparing meals for you every day. Come down and eat properly.”
Thud!
“…”
With the door closed, once again, Aria was alone.
This was the reality she faced.
Yes, Lev… won’t come back.
But she doesn’t want to accept it.
“Lev-san… Lev-san…”
Kneeling beside his bed, Aria buried her face in his pillow.
She still needed his scent.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry… I couldn’t believe you…”
Desperately gripping the tightly made white sheets… she tried to lose herself in his embrace.
Even though she couldn’t properly apologize.
I’m sorry…
In fact, she ended up hearing his apology.
‘Just once would be alright… just once, if I could tell you I’m sorry and that I really liked you…’
How wonderful that would be.
Can… you hear…?
!!
At that moment.
Aria, can you hear me…?
A sacred and noble heavenly voice settled in her ear.