Ch.189Final Chapter. In the Name of Flame (6)

Yuri Tarkovskaya saw the spell being activated in the sky.

‘That spell is…’

As if a new sun was rising there. An intensely bright flame emitted light.

Surely the name of that spell was Prometheus.

During the short journey from Busan to Seoul, Yuri had heard about that spell from Lee Minsu.

‘He said it was a Four Elements Resonance Compression spell. That fire is definitely…’

In truth, even Yuri, who had graduated second in her class at Ains, couldn’t fully understand the detailed theory.

But as a fellow mage, she could at least grasp the outline of the spell unfolding before Sethanus.

‘The gear Minsu used at Ains, the Red Jade. It was clearly the power of the Vermilion Bird.’

And Minsu’s plan was to add the powers of the other three divine beasts to create a divine fire that transcended theory.

The Vermilion Bird’s power was the fire authority that formed the core of the spell and the first stage.

Next, the second stage was the wind authority possessed by the Azure Dragon, which amplified the Vermilion Bird’s fire dozens of times.

And third, the metal authority of the White Tiger.

The particle-sized metal fragments created by that power caused countless mana explosions, releasing enormous energy for the spell’s resonance compression.

Like nuclear fission.

But that wasn’t all. Finally, the ice authority possessed by the Black Tortoise. That power was more solid and firm than any other.

And the degeneracy pressure created by that power was the final stage of resonance compression.

The Black Tortoise’s power gathered the divine beasts’ fire—which could devour the world if left unchecked—into one place rather than letting it disperse.

‘That power of the divine beasts compressed into one place…’

Created the very spell Yuri was witnessing.

Prometheus. That sun-like divine fire was burning Minsu’s body.

“Minsu’s body is on fire! W-what’s happening?!”

Yeon Soso cried out in surprise. Yuri was equally shocked.

But soon Minsu’s appearance changed.

Still engulfed in flames, a massive spear began to materialize in his hand.

As Eastern Sages, both women instinctively understood what was happening.

“The spell just now was the key to summoning the sacred spear Epitheous… Senior has succeeded!”

Sung Arin, who had somehow approached the two, explained. Then she shouted:

“Now Senior Minsu will face Sethanus! Everyone move to prevent the archdemons from interfering with Senior Minsu!”

Sung Arin used a holy spell. Verdant sacred power enveloped the two women.

‘My mana is being replenished.’

Yuri came to her senses. She shouted to Yeon Soso:

“We must hold back the archdemons!!”

That shout brought Soso back to her senses. She rushed toward the archdemons again.

And Yuri covered Soso with her Eternal Ice Wall.

KYAAAAK-

Soon, the two managed to eliminate the archdemons trying to fly toward Minsu.

“Haa… haa…”

And just now, Sung Arin was out of breath from using large amounts of sacred power, but she quickly calmed her breathing.

She looked up at the sky.

‘Senior has finally summoned the sacred spear Epitheous. Now we, we need to help him!’

GUUUUUUNG-

The surrounding atmosphere began to vibrate violently.

‘The evil god is reacting to the sacred spear Senior summoned.’

The evil god’s rage spread throughout the area.

It was such intense anger that any living being would be consumed by the fear of death.

Even Sung Arin, who was under Ayel’s protection, trembled all over. But she quickly denied her fear.

‘No. The fear I’m feeling… it’s not that…’

Her eyes were still fixed on Lee Minsu.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWANG-

Thunder roared everywhere as if lightning were striking. No, lightning was indeed striking.

The sacred spear summoned by Minsu. Hundreds of lightning bolts generated by that spear struck at the evil god.

Simultaneously, Seo Duho’s voice came through the earpiece.

[The Saint is driving back the evil god! The Saints of Flame are bringing hope to humanity!]

It seemed Seo Duho was filming the final battle from somewhere not far from here.

This was already a planned operation agreed upon by everyone.

Fear amplifies Sethanus’s anti-divinity.

But if one can face that fear and terror, humans can overcome the evil god’s anti-divinity.

‘That’s why Senior Minsu and the rest of us are standing here.’

So the battle unfolding at Gwanghwamun was being broadcast worldwide.

It was Minsu’s directive, no one else’s.

The Eastern Sages, along with Lee Minsu—the owner of the sacred spear and the Colorless Key—were now facing the evil god as representatives of humanity.

Sung Arin was Ayel’s Saint. So she could instinctively feel humanity’s emotions.

‘The light of hope is spreading among the people of Earth.’

At the same time, light began to seep into Gwanghwamun Plaza, which had already transformed into a hell. And Minsu continued to push Sethanus back.

Like a battle between gods, light and darkness swirled in the sky above Gwanghwamun. The divine fire created by the sacred spear blazed fiercely.

‘Senior Minsu’s fire, that sun-like light is erasing even the hellfire.’

Yuri and Soso’s movements had also changed.

Even against the archdemons, the two were holding their ground.

“More…!! We need to push back the archdemons! We will… definitely protect Minsu!”

“We will…!! absolutely not let you get near Minsu!”

Sword strikes and ice spells that transcended human limits were overwhelming even the archdemons. Everyone believed in Minsu.

Sung Arin quickly moved as well.

She continuously healed the two with Ayel’s sacred power.

‘Yes. I too must protect Senior Minsu… I must block these archdemons.’

Minsu and the evil god were engaged in a fierce battle that distorted the surrounding landscape.

That natural disaster-like battle continued.

Until the evil god fully manifested its power on earth, there were only 10 minutes left.

Sung Arin fought against the fear emanating from the evil god while using Ayel’s sacred power to its limit.

‘Senior is fighting like that. Even against the evil god. But… but why do I feel so anxious?’

Humans, encouraged by Minsu’s efforts, began to face the evil god’s fear with their own will.

The same was true for Yuri and Soso. They pushed back against the archdemons with renewed vigor. Sung Arin also steeled her resolve alongside them, but…

Paradoxically, here at Gwanghwamun, only Sung Arin, the Saint, couldn’t completely eliminate her fear.

‘Strange. What is this uneasy feeling… It’s as if… as if Senior is disappearing from this world.’

Sung Arin desperately denied that emotion.

‘No. It’s all… it’s all just my imagination. I must believe in Senior until the end!’

And the archdemons simultaneously launched their final counterattack. They seemed to sense they were at a disadvantage.

Sung Arin shook her head and focused on the battle before her.

“Oh Ayel!”

Verdant sacred power once again enveloped Yuri and Soso.

The final 5 minutes. At last, the end of the battle was in sight.

***

The final battle with Sethanus.

That battle was approaching its end.

[AREL!! DO NOT STAND IN MY WAY!! I… I WILL SURPASS YOU AND BECOME THE GOD OF A NEW WORLD!!!]

Sethanus beat his wings violently.

Hundreds of horns covering the surface of his scales. Black magical fire spewed from those horns.

PAPAPAPAPAPANG-

But I blocked that attack. The sacred spear Epitheous. The power of the divine beasts manifesting from that spear defended against even the evil god’s power.

‘There’s almost no time left.’

The final spell, Prometheus. The spell had been successfully activated.

That spell was the key to summoning Epitheous, the divine spear, to earth, and the source of energy that moved the sacred spear.

In other words, Prometheus and Epitheous were one.

And the immense power created by Prometheus was being generated by burning my body and soul as Arel’s avatar.

‘Yes. I wonder if Arin noticed.’

Arin, Ayel’s Saint, seemed to have vaguely realized that I was disappearing.

But fortunately, Arin continued to fight.

Thus, the three Sages were perfectly blocking Sethanus’s subordinates.

And now, less than 5 minutes remained until Sethanus’s manifestation.

[AREL… YES…!! YOU TOO ARE DISAPPEARING!! WHEN MY POWER… MY POWER AS AN EVIL GOD MANIFESTS ON EARTH! I WILL ASCEND AS A NEW GOD SURPASSING EVEN YOU AND AYEL! DO NOT INTERFERE WITH MY WILL!!]

The pitch-black blades created by Sethanus. 666 blades rushed toward my entire body.

CHIIIIIIIK-

It was a fierce attack that distorted the surrounding air, no, even space itself, but I once again blocked the attack with the power of the divine beasts.

KAKAKAKAKAKAKANG-

Indeed, Sethanus’s power had weakened compared to before.

With my avatar’s authority, I recognized Seo Duho again. I could envision him broadcasting the battle at Gwanghwamun to the world.

And beyond Seo Duho, I saw the will of all humanity.

“Sethanus. You must know by now. Even your fear is being overcome by the humans of Earth. That’s the extent of your power.”

It wasn’t just me standing against Sethanus now. The will of Flame was with me.

That will of Flame had set the world on fire.

That concentrated will made the sacred spear Epitheous even hotter.

The name of Flame was creating a miracle. And in the name of the Red Lake, that ominous name, the evil god’s power was weakening.

‘I can hear their voices.’

And here, at Gwanghwamun Plaza, I could hear the voices of the people with me.

Yuri, Soso, and Arin. All three women I loved were speaking simultaneously.

Saying they would definitely save me. And that they would continue living with me.

I gripped the sacred spear more firmly.

“I will save all of you too.”

I confirmed everyone’s will. Now all that remained was my own will.

The power of annihilation I possessed. To plunge the sacred spear Epitheous into Sethanus’s heart.

I created the final blue flame.

That blue fire began to burn my mana heart.

‘I was happy to have known all of you.’

Standing before Sethanus as Arel’s avatar, but as my body and soul were disappearing, I clearly realized:

The will that stands here now is that of Lee Minsu.

Arel’s benevolence, the grand intention to save the world, the desire for revenge against the Red Lake—none of that mattered now.

Yuri, Soso, and Arin.

If I could just protect these three people I loved, that was all I wanted.

‘I wished I could have stayed with you all longer.’

I was afraid.

More than the fear of death, I realized the fear of leaving the three of them was greater.

I will soon be annihilated. Along with Sethanus’s annihilation. A complete annihilation that transcends even the cycle of reincarnation.

‘So unlike Seohwa, I won’t be reincarnated. I won’t be able to meet you all again, even in the distant future.’

But even if I die, even if my soul is annihilated and I can never meet them again,

They will continue to live.

Once, I had hoped that after my death, all three would forget me and live new lives, but now I wanted to honestly tell all three:

“Remember me.”

After muttering those words to myself, I looked at Sethanus. It was time to end all of this.

I could feel my body and soul disappearing.

“Let’s end this now, Sethanus. Our wretched connection.”

At the same time, Epitheous left my hand and pierced Sethanus’s heart.

KYAAAAAAAK-

The world turned completely white.

***

Gwanghwamun Plaza turned white.

In that moment, all three people standing in the plaza instinctively knew.

“The evil god is being annihilated…”

Yuri said quietly. She had just seen it.

The sacred spear Epitheous summoned by Minsu had pierced through Sethanus’s body.

And that light had engulfed the evil god.

That white light spread throughout the plaza, annihilating even the archdemons.

“Minsu has defeated the evil god!”

Soso shouted at the same time.

Just moments ago, Soso had been swinging her Destruction Shadow Sword to her limit, but as she said, everything was now over.

Her expression, which had been filled with madness from using the Blood Demon’s power, returned to normal. Her face brightened.

“I knew… I knew Minsu could do it! Wait… where’s Minsu?”

At Soso’s words, all three looked up.

From the sky still filled with light, someone was slowly falling. It was Minsu. Yuri urgently called out:

“Quickly, to Minsu… we need to catch him before he gets hurt!”

The three moved simultaneously. And at that moment, Yuri saw Sung Arin’s face.

‘Why… is she crying?’

Of course, Yuri too was so happy she could cry.

Minsu had prevented the extinction of humanity. There couldn’t be anything more joyful than this.

She wanted to hurry and share this joy with Minsu as well.

In a peaceful world free from the threats of the evil god and the Red Lake, she wanted to continue the marital bond she had already shared with Minsu.

‘Yes. Surely, as he said, Minsu’s illness must have been cured by the divine beasts’ power!’

The three quickly approached Minsu.

Soso was the first to catch Minsu’s falling body. For a moment, Yuri felt such jealousy that her blood seemed to rush backward, but just this once, she could forgive Soso.

Just this once.

“Huh…?”

And that was the moment.

Soso’s reaction after catching Minsu was strange.

She carefully laid Minsu on the ground. Then, shaking his body, she said:

“Y-you’re okay, right? You’re just… just tired and sleeping for a moment, right?”

Yuri, who had belatedly approached, also saw Minsu’s appearance.

With a peaceful expression as if asleep, Minsu had his eyes closed.

But something was wrong. That excessively peaceful expression.

Suddenly, Yuri’s heart pounded so painfully. Soso wailed:

“Huh? Y-you’re joking, right? G-get up. Why… why are you doing this?”

And Sung Arin buried her face in Minsu’s body. She was crying.

“Senior…”

It was clearly tears of profound sorrow, not joy.

Yuri finally realized. Her legs gave out. She fell to her knees on the ground.

A deflated voice escaped her lips:

“No… this can’t be.”

At the same time, Sung Arin broke into sobs.

“Senior… Senior has… UWAAAAAH!”

Soso’s eyes also darkened. All three now realized.

Minsu had breathed his last.

Yuri’s blue eyes turned back to Minsu’s face.

Just like during their Ains days, when they would meet secretly away from other students’ eyes.

With that warm smile he used to give Yuri then, Minsu’s breath had stopped.

In the distance, the sound of Flame’s van approaching could be heard.

And in Yuri’s ears, Minsu’s final words to the three before defeating the evil god continued to echo like a refrain.

Those words: “Remember me.”