Chapter 182

My left eye burns hot.

Where there should be nothing, it’s being filled with pain. Loss. Doubt. Distrust.

Maybe I was tricked after all.

‘What am I even supposed to look at? What do you want me to do?’

Hiba clung desperately to her muddled mind, repeating the thought over and over.

For some reason, her body was being thrown somewhere.

The shock barely lets her regain consciousness, but everything is confusing.

The world that seemed so obvious has become as fragile as if split in half.

It’s like half the world just disappeared.

And on top of that, it hurts so much. If she lets her guard down even slightly, she feels like she’ll burst into sobs without realizing it.

But somehow, she manages to steady herself and sit up.

Then doubt creeps in again.

For what? For what am I doing this…?

“Ahh…”

He’s… fighting.

In the blurry scene before her, he’s struggling on precariously.

But it doesn’t last long.

His sword slips from his grasp and shatters against the woman’s assault.

Even as he steps back defensively, he remains resolute—no hesitation, no wavering—as he stares straight at his opponent.

She lunges forward, and he allows himself to be completely unprotected against her attacks.

In an instant, his body is torn apart—but then something strange happens.

Everything touching him vanishes, becoming useless.

Now free, at the exact moment the girl’s dark power harmonizes into weakness, his shattered blade flies straight toward her face.

But just as it seems to hit, her armor stretches out and wraps around her neck.

His blade aimed for her throat bounces off uselessly.

Already, blood pooling from his wounds soaks the ground.

Somehow, Hiba struggles to rise despite not knowing why.

Instinctively gripping the small dagger she always carried in her right hand, she moves toward the girl choking him with her heavy hand.

She charges forward with all her might, pushing off the ground.

Crack!

Just before Hiba’s blade could reach her, a black tendril erupted from the ground, piercing through her body like paper.

Because of that, she can’t move any closer.

“……”

She knows.

This desperate struggle, this resistance—it’s meaningless. It’s pointless. Worthless.

But my body won’t die.

Gripping the crimson tendril with her hands, she pulls herself closer, gritting her teeth against excruciating pain.

Her vision flashes white.

But she doesn’t stop.

Again, questions flood her mind.

Why am I doing this?

Why?

Is it necessary?

I don’t know. I don’t want to know.

-ومā?

The girl choking him looks up, meeting Hiba’s gaze with curiosity—or is it suspicion?

Amidst her expression of madness, a flicker of doubt crosses her face.

Despite being pierced and shredded until she’s practically rags, Hiba forces herself to reach the girl.

“……”

For some reason, the crimson and shadowy girl only gazes blankly at her.

Slowly, she extends her hand.

Just as her fingers are about to touch the girl…

She’s pierced again.

This time from behind—a thick pillar-like thing pierces through her body, making movement almost impossible.

Was it all just an illusion? The distance that felt so close moments ago now seems unreachable no matter how far she stretches.

Was it all just an illusion?

“Ahh…”

She can’t reach.

Will never reach.

With her remaining eye, she absently looks down at him.

The pupil that once held golden light now lies still and dim.

“……”

Is he dead?

Was I unable to save him?

Do I even have the ability to help him?

When I was little, I thought he was a god when he suddenly appeared as a dark figure.

Then I thought he was a messenger of God, or something close to it.

And one day, he reprimanded me and woke me up.

I thought of it as revelation.

Even after seeing many things since then, I still don’t truly understand him.

Never did.

I first clearly saw him when he surveyed the city while seated on a divine throne.

At that moment, though I don’t know why, I was deeply moved.

We only met briefly, though.

A few more times after that.

But that was it.

Even up to this very moment today, I somewhat expected him to appear before me again.

But not like this.

Even when I foresaw myself facing the military deity, even when I glimpsed futures where I fought him as equals,

I doubted… and doubted whether those visions were wrong.

Ultimately, the future I saw today came true.

But… that’s all it was.

All I could glimpse afterward was the world burning black.

That was my fate, my destiny, and I endured it until now.

Could his appearance today be… to accompany me to my end?

Isn’t it?

Isn’t it?

The world is burning.

Yet because of this ominous girl before me, everything has turned to nothing.

“……”

The world sinks into decline.

Darkness descends.

It wasn’t cold, nor warm.

Everything is simply… meaningless and empty.

‘Promise…’

Contract…

As her eyelids closed, she faintly noticed something in the distance.

There stood a girl glowing with gold.

From afar, she looked down at me with an unreadable expression—indifferent yet pitiful.

She resembled someone I’d seen before.

…No, it’s not her.

It’s an illusion.

I’ve never seen her before.

Right now.

The future I’m about to see.

Or perhaps some distant past.

[That’s enough. Reigarne. Now you too will see things as clearly as I have foreseen them.]

The words of the ancient Supreme Deity about stealing my eyes vividly returned.

‘Ah…’

At some point, someone was gazing steadily down at me.

He existed as though nothing special, yet was extraordinarily extraordinary.

…As if he were the world itself, carrying an absurd presence.

[If that’s the case, I can’t refuse your request.]

I was properly led by his hand.

And as time flowed on…

A woman with golden hair and luxurious six tails watched me from above.

[Alright. Let’s call this… the Legacy of the Great Demon King. Hmm? Ah, yes. If we spread the word that I’m offering this, greedy adventurers will surely flock here blinded by desire. Hmm? Is it alright? Anyway, it’s not something I can claim. The Demon King was truly exceptional. Yes, correct. This is proof of qualification to face one’s destiny, granted only to those who possess the vessel of a Demon King. So… let’s leave this out, and take everything else.]

She traced the crimson branches and pointed them out, emphasizing this as the sole exception and proclaiming it aloud.

And then…

She extended her hand toward me and whispered softly.

[Rest assured. You will reach your desired destination. Still, keep your eyes wide open. Even without legs, you won’t lose your way. Continue to ponder deeply, wounded flame.]

The gold fades away.

And as time flows on…

I found myself in some dark place.

Many people pleaded, desired, hoped for things from me.

They sought me out.

Specifically, they wanted power.

Power.

They expected wisdom.

Desired desires.

…Desires, indeed.

Everything is fleeting. Meaningless and futile, full of worthless things.

I saw no trace of the purity or sanctity I once witnessed.

I yearn for something. Search for it. Hope and hope endlessly. There’s something I cannot forget, though it seems forgotten.

After such a long time passed…

A child arrived before me.

[I am a sinner.]

A young girl with striking red hair.

Her composed blue eyes made a deep impression as she confessed everything to me without reservation.

[I was told I was originally supposed to die. My mother informed me of such a prophecy.]

The girl introduced herself as a noble bloodline from a great nation.

Still, she needed power.

Not ordinary power, but absolute power.

[Someone took my place in death. He was my most precious friend, more than that. And both the world and me that he wished to protect… I value every single thing. Nothing is neglected.]

However…

That’s the girl’s situation.

It has nothing to do with me.

It shouldn’t normally relate to me.

[Kariel Brendiar.]

Hearing that name, something I had forgotten began to resurface like a waterfall—one by one.

Not much, not lengthy.

Though lacking a physical form, I couldn’t concretely recall or imagine anything.

Somehow, I accepted it.

I… like a puppet, presented my demands to the girl.

Child, I want nothing else.

I want the emotions you feel.

Your love for him.

Your longing for him.

Offer them to me.

And if your heart doesn’t cool, you will forever own and command me.

But the day your heart fades and the embers go out, you will die, and I will take your place.

You’re called Kariel, right?

Do you believe your fervent heart will remain unchanged until the moment of your death?

[…]

The girl asked thoughtfully.

[Do I love him? Are you saying you’ll take away that emotion?]

Yes.

That’s what matters.

[Then how am I supposed to love him? And what happens to me if that emotion disappears?]

Still, memories will remain.

The traces of how you cherished him more than anyone else will stay.

I won’t take those away.

Base yourself on that and continue to love and long for him.

But you will never be able to reveal those feelings.

Knowing that is my privilege alone.

[…Then can you really give me that much power?]

The stronger your feelings for him grow,

the stronger you will become than anyone in the world.

[…]

The young girl deliberated.

Not just for a day, but for several days, standing or sitting in that spot.

[Alright. I accept your terms.]

The girl decided.

[Even if the emotion fades, my heart will not change.]

That’s because…

[I like him more than anyone else. This isn’t due to receiving protection or gratitude. I purely wish for his path to be smooth. Though I may hope for him to reciprocate my love, I won’t make that my purpose. I’ll just cling to that hope.]

Is that so?

Then good. Since you’ve prepared yourself, I have something to show you.

[Show me what?]

I used to be able to glimpse the future.

I’m not sure about now, though.

Still, since I’ve seen something, you must qualify.

Come closer.

At my request, the girl approached without hesitation.

[I’ll show you part of the future I’ve seen regarding him.]

And now…

[Our path we must walk together. But you will only remember a tiny fraction of what you see today.]

And…

Only when the girl approached did I realize:

I currently lack a form.

Until she lifted me with both her hands as if cradling me,

I had been lost in constant doubt about who or what I was.

[Oh Lord of Flames, may I inquire your name beforehand?]

My name? Name?

It’s fading.

But it comes to me.

Rei… Rei…

No, not anymore.

Now, it’s…

Hiba. Hibaitein.

Call me that.

And with that response, I showed her part of Kariel’s future.

It wasn’t just one.

There were many.

The girl saw many futures—not her own, but Kariel’s countless journeys.

Among them, however, there was one clear truth.

[So that’s how it is.]

He might not choose to bind himself to you.

It could be a better future for him.

Both of you will endure hardships and pain, but he will manage somehow.

You know everything now.

Even if you forget soon, do you still want me?

It’s not too late to back out. If you give up on me now, you can freely confess your love to him and express your feelings.

…

[Hibashi, I don’t seek love expecting repayment. Therefore… there’s no problem. If it means peace for him and the world he protects…]

We know.

What lies ahead.

Only we know.

[Though it’s already an old prophecy… In a world without me, he was said to burn the world. But in the world you’ve shown me, he’s completely different—practicing devotion and sacrifice. I’m proud of him. Yet I also feel sorry…]

He truly is…

[More ideal than the image I’ve dreamed of. Still, we don’t know how he became that way, do we?]

Painting such an ideal picture means embracing unimaginable suffering.

He will surely carry much pain.

[…]

You will forget most of what you’ve experienced here.

And depending on certain choices, you will have to forcefully turn away from him.

Unconsciously.

Sometimes even consciously.

Without fully understanding the situation, as you do now.

There will be situations where you can no longer intervene.

Because for you, those events have already happened and passed.

[Then, was it wrong of me to come here? Should I have stayed by his side instead?]

That too…

Wouldn’t have been bad.

But if that were the case…

He would have died under a cursed fate.

He’s currently suffering from a serious curse.

So, would you wish for his future to vanish just for temporary safety?

[…Of course not.]

The girl sighed briefly.

And then…

[Hmm. Alright. I’ve made my preparations. Still, could you promise me one thing?]

Speak.

[If I ever reach a point where I abandon thinking of and longing for him in any way, please take my place in fulfilling that.]

…

[Somehow, I feel like I already knew that.]

You know things about him and his future that I don’t…

…

…

The crow wets its cry.

I snapped back to reality at the sound.

Every part of my body aches, and my consciousness wavers dangerously,

but suddenly, I see black feathers falling like rain in a dry sky.

‘That’s right.’

Here and now, this is definitely my reality.

But everything I’ve seen so far must belong to some distant future—

something I could never possibly know now.

And one of the most critical turning points in that future…

is right now.

From the sky, a massive blaze descends.

Burning the black feathers, pure white flames engulf the world like the intense white light of the sun, consuming everything one by one.

Even the blue sky turns white.

The sky becomes… completely white.

And from its center, a crow pierces through the air swiftly, followed by two figures plummeting toward us.

It’s like… the intense comet I once saw drawing a white line across the starlit night sky.

That light, those flames, are hurtling toward us.

…Until the moment it engulfs us, wrapping the world and the entire region in its embrace,

there is no sound, no impact, no anything.

Everything returns to nothingness, to emptiness.

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