Chapter 808: The Last (41)

"Every human being grows and cherishes small kindness in their heart. Sometimes they take the wrong options, but those mistakes don't speak for their lives and souls."

-Kiyoung?

He probably wasn't expecting to hear my voice.

-Kiyoung…

Despite being just a voice in his head, he was looking at my body.

I didn't know if he was trying to talk to me face-to-face, but that was probably a natural response. He seemed to be in a hurry, thinking the connection would be lost. I thought that he would refute my words, but I felt that he focused on my voice itself rather than what I was saying.

Of course, it didn't take long for him to come to his senses. There was no way Kim Hyunsung couldn't notice why I appeared like this and talked to him, after all.

He looked like he had a lot of things to say. He was talking about his dissatisfaction and doubts just before, so that was only natural.

He seemed to be thinking over and over, but his first words were…

-I'm sorry, Kiyoung. I'm sorry.

Seeing Hyunsung, who lived carrying guilt on his back, didn't make me comfortable.

'Why are there so many things you're feeling sorry for?'

A line that seemed to contain a lot of meaning. I didn't know if he was saying it was hard to live up to my expectations or because he hadn't been able to save me yet or because of what happened this time, but he was clearly feeling guilty.

'It's not the former, right? I haven't even started yet. You aren't already interrupting me, are you?'

"I don't think that the Sunset Swordsman did anything worth apologizing for. I always, always, have a grateful heart to you."

-I am…

"I… I really want to apologize."

-There is no need for you to apologize.

"However…"

It was then that Kim Hyunsung's face changed a little.

'What's happening? What's wrong with him?'

He looked sorrowful and seemingly distorted. I didn't know why he suddenly made such an expression. It felt like the atmosphere had changed significantly from what it used to be.

Seemingly realizing that this conversation would last for quite some time, a different idea entered his mind.

What filled him wasn't doubt. It was a conviction, and it was also the answer to my first words.

His eyes looked out of energy. He was even angry, which wasn't like him. It felt different to see Kim Hyunsung get angry at me when he wasn't in the Doom state.

-You knew.

"…"

-You knew, didn't you?

"…"

-You must have known!

'Are you yelling at me now?'

-Did you know that this would happen, that your body would be in danger? Why? Why didn't you tell me? Why did you just watch this happen? Why didn't you ask Hyejin for help?

'Are you out of your mind, you bastard? Why are you taking it out on me like this?'

-Why did you leave it alone! How can you still be calm… like that… after going through this… Sh*t!

'Sh*t? Sh*t? You bastard…'

"I can also understand the frustrations that you're feeling."

-No! You don't understand anything! You don't understand what I'm thinking or what kind of frustration I'm feeling. I am not a hero. I'm not as great as you think. I am not the kind that can forgive and accept everything so easily. You said that human nature is inherently good and that they should cherish the light in their hearts. I'm not interested in any of that.

"Sunset…"

-Why! Why did you… just watch it? Why!! How long will you have to abandon yourself to be satisfied? Until when! Can you be satisfied only by sacrificing yourself?! It's your body! Damn! Sh*t! I'm sick of it now. Every time! Every time! Even after you died… You don't have to sacrifice for humans, for the continent… It's okay to be a little selfish. Damn!

'Are you out of your mind? For real?'

It had been a long time since I'd seen him this agitated, though I thought he'd protest to some extent. In particular, he wasn't in his hot-tempered Doom version. He was in his base form, which made it so ridiculous that I couldn't even talk properly.

'Wow, I really want to go down. Let's see if you can say those things even after I show my wound in the stomach. Fuck. I can assure you that you won't be able to say a word.'

Since I was so far away, I couldn't pretend to be sick or scared, so I felt like my weapon had been stolen. It seemed that the shock Kim Hyunsung felt was greater than I expected.

-Answer me! Please answer me!

'I won't.'

-Why were you just watching!

'No. I won't say anything.'

-Kiyoung? Kiyoung!

It felt a little shameful, but I thought it would be better to leave him alone until he calmed down.

As expected, soon, I could see his face flustered.

-Kiyoung… Kiyoung?

'You brought this upon yourself. You need to be able to provide an environment for conversation in order to talk.'

-I'm sorry, Kiyoung…

'Now you've done something to be sorry this time. Really. I can bet that Solomon will raise my hand even if he judges.'

-I'm sorry. I-I got caught up in the heat of the moment. I didn't… I didn't mean it. When I said I wasn't interested, I was lying. It wasn't true that I think that we shouldn't value the light in humans. So…

"…"

-Kiyoung? I didn't mean it. Yes. I know what you are trying to say. I just got so angry… I think my tongue slipped in a moment of rage. I think I thought of something I shouldn't. I'm really sorry if you are disappointed. I'm sorry I disappointed you. I wasn't really serious.

'He seems to be thinking differently.'

He probably thought that the connection was broken because of the malice and disillusionment toward human beings that he had momentarily.

'That's plausible.'

If he thought that the path through which he could connect with the saint of light required a good heart, it wouldn't be wrong to feel that way.

He was desperately denying his own thoughts.

Since Kim Hyunsung didn't have the ability to self-brainwash, it was like pouring water into a sieve, but it seemed that he believed that he had to respect the good heart of humans nonetheless.

Things were working well, but I felt like it was too much to force Kim Hyunsung's morality in this situation. He would definitely have a hard time trying to do something like this.

He had been under a lot of pressure since a lot of things had happened, and the media constantly looking for him probably annoyed him as well…

The sudden crisis of the continent would be something unwelcome to him too.

Since he was morbidly afraid of carrying the burden by himself, he would be afraid of losing connection with the only brother who could carry it with him.

It was a bit embarrassing to say this with my mouth, but the reason he was able to endure a battle with the foreign people was because of the existence of the brightest shining guy, who always silently lit up the darkness of the regressor.

The guy who always sacrificed himself like a fool. From this perspective, it was acceptable that he was angry because he wanted to protect my body.

"Sunset Swordsman."

-Yes! Yes… Kiyoung! Yes! Thank God. Ha… haha… thank God… I wasn't serious. Please forget everything I said earlier.

"It's not your fault."

-Yes. Yes.

It really wasn't his fault.

"I can understand why you were angry. I can fully understand why you feel disillusioned and want to give up the light of faith in humans. I am not saying to forgive them. It is because I know that it is only your choice and will. But…"

-Yes.

"I just don't want to see the Sunset Swordsman losing humanity. It is my little greed and desire. I hope that you can be happy. I want you to forget all the confines and pains and live your own life. I want to see you throw away your guilt and stay healthy. I hope you live like that."

-…

"I don't want to force you to carry this burden, but I hope that you will not give up your faith in humans. I want you to know that many people support the Sunset Swordsman. I want you to realize once again that many people have their faith in you. I want you to remember that there are more humans that had gone down the right path than those who hadn't. I want you to remember that humans are beautiful, warm, and sublime."

-Yes… Yes…

"I know it's hard. However, if the Sunset Swordsman doesn't abandon the faith in light…"

Boooooooooooooooooooooom.

A brilliant light radiated out with a magnificent sound.

'It's been too hard for you so far. Even if I think about it, Hyunsung was in too much pain. It may become painful once more. I have to feed him a potion for now.'

"I will be with you."

What could be seen through the calming light was a holy sword shining brightly.

It was a weapon reminiscent of a red sunset. Like Cho Hyejin, it looked like it has undergone a little customization, becoming a great blade even by my standards.

It could be said to be good enough to carry around as a sub, although I didn't know if its function itself would be lacking compared to Durendal. One problem was that it was expensive.

'How do I make up for that? Really…'

In fact, it was purchased with the divinity earned by the god of sunset, but Kim Hyunsung didn't need to know that fact. The act of sending the sword to the ground itself also spent divinity.

-Kiyoung? This…

'It's easy to understand.'

He was interested not only in griffons but also in equipment. He could tell at a glance that it was a good sword. A tense-looking face stood out. However, I didn't see hesitation about whether he should receive it or not.

The way he took it immediately in case it disappeared was a spectacle. I didn't seem to feel a strong spiritual connection because there was no connection system better than the Regressor Instruction Manual, but he looked pleased.

'It's been a while since he's gotten so excited…'

"I want you to believe."

-Yes.

"I want you to believe in humans and the light that remains in them. I hope you get help again and again. I hope you can find people who can be with you and move forward with everyone's strength. If anything is bothering you, I'd like you to think about it together. If there's a hard time, I want everyone to put their heads together. I know it will be unfamiliar to you."

-… …

"But please remember that I am with you."

-… …

"Faith…"

-Yes… I… I won't… I won't let you down.

He looked like he was telling me that he would follow what I said at all costs.

He had overcome the fear in himself.

It seemed that he made a firm commitment in his own way, but…

It didn't look like he already noticed that the darkness of the continent…

… Was reaching out to the fallen darkness.