“Damn it...”
Whether I wanted it or not, the future wouldn’t change. What was going to happen was bound to happen, and there were extremely limited ways to suppress it.
No, it was actually impossible to suppress it. It was a fact I could understand even without thinking deeply about it. My source of anxiety had become reality.
For now, I thought I ought to just observe and keep an eye on Jung Ha-Yan, but my actions seemed to be meaningless. Jung Ha-Yan had stopped trying to hang herself, and it seemed almost like she was waiting for the right moment.
Recently, Jung Ha-Yan had been spending more time outside than inside the Magic Tower. She often holed up in her room, but now, she was doing things outside the tower.
In the meantime, the world was undergoing dramatic changes. So far, the effects of the war hadn’t reached Lindel, but everyone knew that there was a war against winged angels.
Notable figures on the continent, such as Kim Hyun-Sung and Cha Hee-Ra, major guilds, and even child soldiers were mobilized.
Jung Ha-Yan went on expeditions with them only to return weeks later.
Every day brought news of victories or defeats, and more people began to insist that humanity had to unite. Apprentice mages in the Magic Tower couldn’t participate in the war under Jung Ha-Yan’s protection, but seeing the empty tower had become normal.
In Lindel’s residential areas, death notices came in constantly, and watching families collapse in despair was an ordinary sight. In proportion, more and more people trembled in fear of the war.
All of this was clearly pushing Jung Ha-Yan to her limits.
War was cruel to everyone, but it was especially cruel to Jung Ha-Yan.
“...”
“...”
‘Well... Jung Ha-Yan isn't the only one struggling...’
Of course, Big Boy’s party wasn’t free from the war either.
Their situation was somewhat better than others, but still...
“Please, please don’t go!” I begged.
“...”
“...”
“We’ve already been assigned to the Lindel Defense Force anyway. I don’t know how things will turn out... but there's chaos everywhere,” Big Boy said.
“They said they’re forming a new Lindel Defense Force this time. Don’t volunteer to join a strange group for no reason,” I told them.
“Where would we go without you? Huh? We know how to take care of our own lives, too,” Big Boy said.
“Then what’s this Union of Kingdom expedition about?!” I questioned.
“It was just some minor mission. Just moving supplies... Since things are chaotic over there, there aren’t enough people. We're feeling bad just staying here. Even kids your age are going out to fight... You probably don’t know, but that’s how it is for people who live off the sword,” Big Boy answered.
“You always talk about living off the sword! Stop talking about swords already,” I complained.
“Ah... well, you see...”
“The kid’s right. Big Boy. You saw those winged guys back then, right? They’re not something we can handle,” Carlton joined the conversation.
“You ran into them?” I asked.
“Huh? Well...” Big Boy mumbled.
“I’m asking if you ran into them!” I shouted.
“R-Running into them? No, we just saw them from a distance. The Spear Goddess tore through those guys in no time. Normally, supply missions come with all sorts of risks. Don’t worry, we have no intention of clashing swords with them. At least we won’t do anything stupid like charging at them.”
‘Damn it, how can I not worry?’
'If it's the Union of Kingdoms... that means they can get here pretty quickly.'
“All we have to deal with are the traitors. Those winged guys... unless you’re Epic, you can’t even touch them,” Big Boy said.
I knew the general progress of the war through Jo Hye-Jin, but it was hard to put it into words. It was true that Jung Ha-Yan had quickly distributed anti-air defense magic artifacts, limiting their movement, but still, progress was slow.
It was easier to assume that First Ki-Young had the reins of power. Those guys loved pointless theorizing, so even in the middle of the war, they were probably pondering how best to manipulate humanity.
How many people had to die, and whether it was truly the right thing to do...
Time passed relentlessly and so painfully that Ji-Hye noona’s words pierced me to the bone.
“He’s dead.”
“Who?”
“Valentin Alexandro, the fighter from Ronaf.”
“The Republic’s Five Tiger Generals? That monster?”
“Well, apparently, the opponent was even more monstrous. A blue-haired angel with a scythe... He lost his head before he could even resist. Isn’t he supposed to be a named adventurer over there?”
‘Cherubim.’
The news that he had finally decided to move reached us. The tense front lines began to crumble. Though defeats weren’t the only reports, Lindel’s atmosphere remained dark.
Looking through the Telescope, the continental allied forces were gradually being pushed back, especially in the North, and as the front lines shifted, more people began calling them humanity’s saviors.
The traitors who had betrayed humanity rose up as a group, offering the head of their leader, while others claimed they were true angels, sent from the heavens as saviors to cleanse the fallen humanity.
The continent descended into chaos beyond control.
‘This is a complete mess.’
Unlike the second life, where invisible threats were used to promote them and people rallied around the Continental Protection Management Committee, the first life's situation was vastly different. Desertions at the frontline were common. Some went hungry due to the lack of proper supplies. Conspiracy theories spread everywhere, and cultists even proclaimed the angels as the judgement of Altanus.
The reason the continent was still holding could all be attributed to its pillars—Kim Hyun-Sung, Jung Ha-Yan, Jo Hye-Jin, Cha Hee-Ra, and other so-called heroes of each nation. The group began bringing back occasional reports of victory even amidst the deluge of defeats.
Kim Hyun-Sung had never been a popular figure, but Lindel’s people warmly greeted him upon his return. What else could be said upon witnessing that sight?
“Thank you!”
“Good work!”
“You’re a hero, Kim Hyun-Sung!”
“I knew you had my back, damn it!”
“Welcome back!”
‘These pathetic bastards, seriously.’
These people used to curse him for being a dog of the empire, but now? They were calling him a hero. Kim Hyun-Sung was soaked in blood, and his eyes showed nothing but exhaustion. Though he had returned after a victory, he looked as if he had retreated instead. He was covered in wounds.
‘His face is pretty beaten up, too.’
Still, he looked handsome. Above all, he just seems exhausted. The only noticeable accomplishment was that he had fully reconciled with Cha Hee-Ra. Slowly raising his hand, he forced a smile, responding to the cheers of Lindel’s people.
‘He’s probably going out again in a few days anyway. Why have another victory ceremony...’
For Kim Hyun-Sung, it was just a bothersome event at the moment. It was a decent morale-boosting stunt for the army, but nothing more.
As time went on, Kim Hyun-Sung and Jung Ha-Yan went through their own painful time.
‘Feels like it’s been ages since I last saw her.’
Jung Ha-Yan returned to the Magic Tower, as the frontlines at the Union of Kingdoms had collapsed completely. Her accomplishments hardly needed mentioning, and while Kim Hyun-Sung was impressive, Jung Ha-Yan had become the symbol of this allied army.
She was clearly a pillar of humanity—a myth, and a living legend. She was probably not feeling that way herself, but regardless of her feelings, people revered her, and she was becoming indispensable to everyone.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Miss Jung Ha-Yan?” I asked.
“Yes,” Jung Ha-Yan replied.
“H-how have you been lately?” I asked.
“I-I’m... fine,” Jung Ha-Yan answered.
‘Fine my ass...’
Anyone could tell that she didn’t look fine at all. Habitual magical exhaustion had left part of her hair discolored. She apparently disliked the color, as she plucked those parts out, leaving her hair thinner than usual. Most concerning, however, was her face.
'It’s dead.' That was the only way to describe her face; it was dead, devoid of life. Of course, she had to have witnessed countless people—both allies and foes—dying beneath the spells she cast. The only small relief was that she had opened up her heart to the little apprentice mage, albeit just slightly.
“W-when will you be going out again?” I asked.
“Well... right now, the northern front held by the Union of Kingdoms has completely collapsed. I heard they’re trying to rebuild the front lines. Most of the ongoing battles are small skirmishes... and even the enemy seems to want to hold this line.
"Ah... I shouldn’t be saying this. D-don’t be concerned with the war... You should just study harder,” Jung Ha-Yan answered.
“Heh... heh heh...” I giggled.
“Really... Apprentice mages shouldn’t take an interest in the war,” Jung Ha-Yan added.
‘Still... she looks exhausted.’
“...”
“...”
“So, what will you show me today? How has your research been?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.
“Take a look at this. As you suggested... I searched for people who claimed to have brought artifacts from the Rift Museum! It wasn’t easy since we’re in the middle of a war, but I managed to bring back a few ancient items,” I told her.
“R-Really?” she asked.
“Yes! T-take a look at this. If you look at this power device...” I answered.
“Ah... ahh...”
‘She doesn’t even seem very interested now.’
'How much time do I have left? How long until she dies? It’s been a long time since I realized that neither returning nor saving her would have any meaning. Honestly...'
‘Maybe it’s better to just let her go...’
I couldn't help but think that way. Of course, it wasn't like I had given up on her. I simply thought that letting her go could be the right choice here. Whenever she was alone, she would always cry.
“First, would you like to try this? It’s a potion I researched...” I offered.
“Sure...” she answered.
“This... is a letter for you, Miss Jung Ha-Yan. Many people are thanking you...” I told her.
“Ah... I see. You’re right,” Jung Ha-Yan mumbled.
A faint smile lingered on her lips, but she looked as if merely being alive was a burden.
The guilt of taking lives with her own hands weighed heavily on her.
‘I think she's also a double agent at the moment.’
I couldn’t know exactly what orders she had received, but one thing was certain—that time was approaching. When I heard about how certain incidents had finally occurred, it became clear to me that the destined moment was drawing very near.
“...”
“...”
I heard news about Grandma Giena's demise during a mission.
For the fragile Jung Ha-Yan, collapsing in response to the news was only natural.
‘She looks like an empty shell.’
That was how Jung Ha-Yan appeared in my eyes.