Episode 547. Confession

Zzzzzzz-

‘Ugh… Mmmph.’

A warm light envelops Moon Surin’s body.

It expels the Underworld’s demonic energy filling Moon Surin’s body and breathes life into her.

After Lee Hoyeon suddenly disappeared. Moon Surin, swept up by an unknown demonic energy that suddenly filled the space, lost consciousness for a moment.

• Lumi, are you okay?

• Mmhmm. … Professor Im Sol. What should we do now?

• Don’t worry. Since Lucifer is dead, we can analyze the magic circle if we have time. But… before that, we need to find Hoyeon.

The voices of the women around her pierce her ears.

Lee Hoyeon?

It’s a name she can’t ignore.

Moon Surin frowned and opened her heavy eyes.

Her vision was filled with Baek Ahyoung’s worried face. Seeing Moon Surin open her eyes, Baek Ahyoung’s face lit up.

“Saintess-nim…. What happened?”

“Student Council President. You’ve woken up. That’s a relief.”

Baek Ahyoung smiled in relief, seeing Moon Surin open her eyes.

Should I call it fortunate, or the people swept up by the demonic energy quickly regained consciousness.

The real problem is that Lee Hoyeon, who was swept up by the unknown demonic energy, has disappeared.

Normally, Baek Ahyoung would have panicked just at the fact that Lee Hoyeon disappeared, but with the patient right in front of her, she could calm down a little.

“My memory is… hazy. What happened? I remember Hoyeon killing Lucifer. After that, an unknown demonic energy enveloped Hoyeon.”

“I know the same things as the Student Council President. As soon as the suddenly appearing demonic energy enveloped Hoyeon, Hoyeon disappeared.”

“That’s impossible. We defeated Lucifer, so why….”

Moon Surin clenched her trembling fists tightly.

The image of Lee Hoyeon collapsing, bleeding, was still vivid.

She had wanted to kill Lucifer with her own hands, but due to her lack of ability, she relied on Lee Hoyeon once again.

“…Thank you. Saintess-nim.”

Moon Surin bowed deeply to Baek Ahyoung and looked around.

Near Moon Surin, Rebecca and Liliana could be seen.

Although she doubted they would have any different information, Moon Surin approached the two.

“Rebecca-ssi.”

“Ah, Student Council President. You’re awake? You were unconscious for quite a while, so I was worried.”

“Yes. By any chance, do you know where Hoyeon is, Rebecca-ssi?”

“Hmm. We were also talking about… baby, cough… Hoyeon.”

Rebecca gave an awkward smile upon receiving Moon Surin’s question.

In reality, there was no way Rebecca would know more.

Moon Surin probably knew that too, but it meant she was that desperate.

“It’s definitely strange. Lucifer is dead, so where did Lee Hoyeon go?”

“I agree. Still, Liliana-nim’s words have gained some credibility.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Because even though Hoyeon-nim took control of the magic circle and Lucifer died, the unsettling demonic energy didn’t disappear. Perhaps Liliana-nim’s words might truly be correct. Then I should apologize for suspecting Hoyeon-nim.”

Scarlet nodded and crossed her arms, while Liliana’s eyes widened.

Although Liliana lived life as it came, she wasn’t a fool.

She also knew the basics of magic circles.

The idea that Lee Hoyeon had fallen into Lucifer’s trap was purely her wishful thinking.

Liliana’s wish that it would be better if it were true.

It would be great if that wish came true.

“Rebecca-ssi. Then, did Hoyeon fall into a trap?”

Rebecca gave a wry smile.

It was Rebecca who guided the party to the center of the magic circle.

That meant it was true that Lee Hoyeon created this dungeon.

Of course, she didn’t voice this aloud.

“Hmm. It’s highly likely, isn’t it…? Since everyone has woken up, let’s search quickly.”

“I’ll help with anything too.”

Rebecca and Nam Daeun’s voices echoed throughout the central area.

Naturally, the Alice and Irene sisters, standing far away, could also hear them.

“….”

Alice opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it.

Everyone was gathered in small groups, discussing countermeasures, but Alice alone was feeling a bit annoyed.

Everything had been going well.

They were kidnapped into the dungeon and overcame the immense crisis of facing Lucifer.

Of course, Lee Hoyeon’s disappearance was a huge problem, but they would surely find him soon.

Alice believed he wouldn’t die.

‘With so many women waiting for him, there’s no way he’d die.’

If he were going to die, he would have died already.

There was no way that monstrous man who even defeated Lucifer would die so meaninglessly.

Lucifer’s corpse, dealt with by Lee Hoyeon, still lay on the cold floor.

Even if he was caught by something like Lucifer’s final desperate act, there couldn’t be a trap that Lee Hoyeon, who killed Lucifer, couldn’t overcome.

Moreover, there were many people proficient in magic in this dungeon.

Starting with Im Sol, then Rebecca, Alice, the Lucy and Lumi twins, and even Irene.

She didn’t think analyzing the magic circle would take long.

After analyzing the magic circle, if Rebecca, who was familiar with ominous demonic energy, could interpret it, they could rescue Lee Hoyeon quickly.

It didn’t matter even if they couldn’t rescue him immediately.

As long as they escaped the magic circle, they could mobilize the full power of the Iris Guild to save Lee Hoyeon.

The real problem was after that.

‘I don’t think my thoughts are wrong… They all seem to get along so well.’

The women here were all capable individuals.

The magician twins who were recently rising in prominence.

Alice and Irene of the Iris Guild.

The genius mage Im Sol and the top healer Baek Ahyoung.

Student Council President Moon Surin, and even Nam Daeun, who was among the strongest cadets.

Rebecca, Scarlet, and Liliana weren’t famous, but they were top-tier among active individuals.

Capable women who could secure a position anywhere and earn nods of respect from anyone they spoke to.

All these women… liked Lee Hoyeon.

Even if they didn’t say it directly, Alice could guess it with her woman’s intuition.

Alice was convinced her thoughts weren’t wrong.

“Alice. Let’s join them too. My sister Alice should be able to help with analyzing the magic circle.”

“…Unnie. Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“If I told you I hated him, could you give up on Lee Hoyeon?”

“Huh? Wh-what are you talking about, Alice?”

“I mean exactly what I said. If you could only choose one between me and Lee Hoyeon, would you choose me without hesitation?”

“…Of course. I can’t live without Alice.”

Irene was flustered by the sudden question, but the answer was predetermined.

Irene’s reason for living was Alice.

If Alice, who was on par with herself, the most beautiful being in this world, didn’t exist, there would be no reason for the world to exist.

Lee Hoyeon was merely a secondary condition, after all.

…It should have been that way, but Irene’s contemplation continued even after answering.

’70/30? No, 60/40 is acceptable. …… 55/45?’

Irene was inwardly surprised by Lee Hoyeon’s unexpectedly increased weight.

She always thought Alice was the top priority, but hearing that made her vision go dark.

Lee Hoyeon had somehow found a place in Irene’s heart.

And Alice noticed that too.

Her values had changed several times since meeting Lee Hoyeon.

Alice, who had strong principles and pride, didn’t like the fact that her values were changing.

‘And why are these women so nice….’

She couldn’t suppress Lee Hoyeon’s philandering nature.

Even if his womanizing was unavoidable, could she become the queen bee?

Lee Hoyeon didn’t seem like the type to rank women.

Even if Alice abandoned her pride and clung to him tearfully, she didn’t think that trash would abandon the other women.

If she couldn’t be the first, how should Alice act?

‘…Maybe it’s better to just go along with the flow than be left behind.’

When she first entered this dungeon. Alice had felt a sense of relief inwardly.

She had feared there might be women she didn’t know about, but the ones she had identified were the only ones.

Her defenses had already been deeply breached.

“Alice. You look upset. Want to rest for a bit? I’ll go talk to the Professor alone.”

“…No. Let’s go together.”

Alice stopped her pointless thoughts.

Anyway, it was a useless worry without Lee Hoyeon. For now, she needed to focus on the magic circle in front of her.

She had to decipher this to get out and mobilize the Iris Guild.

Alice followed Irene and joined Im Sol.

Meanwhile, Im Sol was analyzing the magic circle.

It was a complex magic circle, but if it was Lee Hoyeon’s demonic energy and not the Underworld’s, it could be interpreted.

“Huh?”

Just then, while concentrating on the magic circle, Im Sol was the first among the group to notice something strange.

Im Sol’s hands, which were preparing to analyze the magic circle, stopped, and she raised her demonic energy with wide eyes.

“Professor?”

Lucy, standing beside her, tilted her head, but Im Sol replied with a serious expression.

“Just a moment… concentrate. You’ll be able to feel it too. Feel the demonic energy with all your senses.”

The ominous demonic energy that had filled this entire space disappeared, and a different demonic energy took its place.

Clean and pure demonic energy.

It was Lee Hoyeon’s demonic energy, so familiar to her.

“Lee Hoyeon was definitely trying to say something at the end. Huh? What could it be?”

“I don’t know what ‘Baby Daddy’ was thinking either. His expression didn’t seem like it was about something good.”

“Because even though Hoyeon-nim took control of the magic circle and Lucifer died, the unsettling demonic energy didn’t disappear. Perhaps Liliana-nim’s words might truly be correct. Then I should apologize for suspecting Hoyeon-nim.”

Liliana’s group, who were approaching, also noticed something strange.

The demonic energy inside the space was fluctuating.

Zzzzzzz-

Im Sol was already adjusting the flow of demonic energy.

She naturally controlled the demonic energy so that the familiar demonic energy would fill the space as quickly as possible.

Just as Lucy and Lumi, who were nearby, tried to raise their demonic energy following Im Sol.

KWAANG-!

A loud noise, like a bomb exploding, filled the center.

A beam of light, descending through a dimensional rift, appeared before Im Sol’s eyes.

“…My disciple?”

Blink. Blink.

The familiar demonic energy filling the space.

Im Sol blinked, looking at Lee Hoyeon lying collapsed on the floor.

A beam of light fell into the spot that had been empty until just moments ago, and in the blink of an eye, Lee Hoyeon appeared.

“Uh… Hello. Professor-nim.”

Lee Hoyeon lifted his head.

As he took Im Sol’s outstretched hand and stood up, Liliana quickly approached.

“Lee Hoyeon! You’re alive?! What the heck! I was just about to start looking for you!”

“Yeah. I’m alive. Everyone seems okay. That’s a relief.”

Lee Hoyeon gently pushed away Liliana, who was hugging him.

Fortunately, it seemed not much time had passed.

The heroines had all regained consciousness and seemed to be in good condition.

“Lee Hoyeon… I thought you were dead….”

“Hoyeon-ssi….”

“Sorry for disappearing suddenly. …But don’t cling too much. I’m still hurting.”

Lee Hoyeon gave a wry smile as he briefly hugged Lucy and Lumi, who had approached him.

The aftereffects of the battle with Lucifer still remained.

Sharp, stabbing pains occurred throughout his body.

“Disciple. What happened? Do you know how surprised I was when you suddenly disappeared?”

“I’m sorry. …It seems like it was Lucifer’s final trap. I was kidnapped into a strange space, but luckily, I escaped.”

Lee Hoyeon brushed the dust off his body and stood up.

There was no need to mention meeting the Demon King.

Even if they found out later, it would only cause them unnecessary worry now.

“…Hmm. First, I’ll disable the magic circle. The others probably haven’t grasped the situation yet.”

Lee Hoyeon raised his demonic energy, looking at the numerous eyes directed at him.

He had a lot to say, but there was something he needed to do first.

Inside the fake dungeon, there were many people besides the heroines. There was no need to maintain this ominous magic circle.

KUWUNG-!

Sssshhh-

After a huge roar echoed.

The ceiling of the central area slowly began to collapse.