Chapter 95.2

(Continued)

She had come to despise herself.

The sense of déjà vu I had felt when we reunited and talked… that was the source.

Dalbi must have unleashed the true power of her unique ability in the original story, losing countless memories along the way.

In the end, only the parts of herself she loathed would have remained in her mind.
Recognizing what she had become, she must have shattered completely.

And today, Dalbi had pushed herself to her limit, using her utmost power to save me.

It seemed she had lost a lot of her memories.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled deeply.

I felt disgusted with myself for telling Dalbi she was hateful, just because our relationship had become more than just a personal issue, just because we were now standing on opposing sides—me defending the city, and her breaking it.

‘How much of a pathetic idiot was I?’

The image of Baek-seo, having her unique ability forcibly extracted,
and the sight of Dalbi, lost and confused from her forgotten memories,
highlighted my foolishness.
They reflected my helplessness.

I bit my lip, clenched my trembling fist tightly, and felt blood seep out.

I was furious. It felt like my insides were being ripped apart.

I wanted to destroy everything.

The Six Sinners, the Head Principal, the Spartoi, Goliath.

I wanted to crush them all.

“Hey…?”

Dalbi’s cautious voice pierced my ears as I remained silent.

I had never really thought about how I would react if I learned the whole truth about Dalbi.

But now, I knew.

I decided to abandon the façade I had kept as the Disciplinary Committee Leader, the mask I had worn to fight against the coming dystopia.

All those complicated relationships.

The city’s repulsive underbelly.

The principles and rules that bound me, that had shaped my dignity.

I would throw it all away.

I would take off the mask that made me a pathetic worm and live as I pleased.

I would seize the power I needed.

I would love the people I wanted to love.

Something that had been tightly wound like a string in my mind snapped. I felt like I had finally found a clear answer.

“I see… You’ve forgotten who I am.”

I bent slightly to meet Dalbi’s eyes.

Now that I had cast aside the mask of the Disciplinary Committee Leader and everything else, I could finally understand the feelings that had always lingered in my heart.

It was lingering attachment.

I still harbored a pathetic attachment to Dalbi.

“Then I’ll remind you.”

What emerged next was the smile I had shown Dalbi in childhood, free of any emotional barriers.

“I’m the guy who likes you.”

It was a pure, untainted smile.

Dalbi’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked just like a startled puppy.

I could guess that Dalbi had held onto precious memories of me until now. How could I not know that she still harbored lingering feelings for me?

So now, I would fight for you too.

Because I still liked you.

“You… like someone like me?”

I nodded.

“Who am I to talk? Someone like me likes you, don’t I?”

“I don’t… know.”

“I said some harsh things to you last time. We fought too. I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“Even if you say that, I don’t remember any of it…”

“I remember.”

Dalbi’s head trembled at my firm declaration.

“I remember everything.”

Dalbi looked like she didn’t know how to respond. She was probably confused.

The absence of memory does not erase the existence of the past.

Even if every trace of what you’ve built is gone, it’s the same.
As long as I remember, Dalbi’s past doesn’t become something that never happened.

I smiled gently, trying to reassure her.

“Can you move?”

Dalbi shook her head.

“I can’t… I’m out of magic too. What happened?”

“Well… There was a battle. We barely managed to escape. Just rest. I’ll explain everything when you’re feeling better.”

“…….”

I gently patted the blanket over Dalbi, treating her like a child.

“It’s okay. You’re okay.”

“Mm…”

Dalbi, who had only been alert due to the confusion, was still heavily exhausted.

Perhaps because of that, or maybe thanks to my comforting smile, Dalbi soon drifted off to sleep, as if the lights had gone out.

Her soft, peaceful breathing was endearing. I stroked her hair, then leaned back against the wall to rest.

Ten minutes later.

My senses sharpened.

A mass of magical energy was approaching. Hong Kyu seemed to be drawing near with the remaining Army of Gluttony.

‘So, they’re coming.’

Judging by how they had stopped searching and were now heading directly this way, they were likely relying on the abilities of his sister, Hong Bin.

‘And this feeling…’

I looked down at my hands.

After resting and concentrating my senses throughout my body, I could feel it even more acutely now.

The sensation of the God of Gluttony’s magic forcing its way through my magic circuits, piercing through my entire body.

‘The God of Gluttony burrowing into my magic circuits… Something’s changed.’

It was clear that the magic the God had used to try to consume me had stimulated my magic circuits. It felt like a bomb about to explode.

It was similar to what I felt when fighting Han Seo-jin, but heavier, like a dam filled with water on the verge of bursting.

My magic was exceptionally pure.

With greater potential for growth than anyone else, it might have been violently reacting to the strong stimulus.

I clenched my fist tightly and stepped out of the hospital room.

The hallways were illuminated by the magical light radiating from the Heavenly Banquet Offering outside the window. I walked down the corridor, pulling out the baton from my belt and swinging it.

Click!

The metal rod extended from within, revealing the Iron Dragon Staff.

I exited the abandoned hospital.

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