episode_0455

Though expressing amusement on the surface, his heart felt heavy.

“…There was one more.”

It wasn’t just Angela.

There was another person in the enemy camp who posed a threat to me now.

“I thought he was just a man who liked playing with dolls…”

But that didn’t seem to be the whole story.

“A boundary of denial.”

I feel like I’ve heard the name correctly once.

A line drawn not by walls or shields but by boundaries.

He too was a kind of territory.

A being that one does not want to accept, ruthlessly denying their power and making them disappear.

The divine authority that makes it nearly impossible for humans to evolve on their own.

The gaze of the monster who erased large-scale magic single-handedly turned towards this direction.

“You look familiar, brother. Your name is Kim Dojin…, was it.”

Listening to the familiar name over time, he slowly descended and stepped on the ground.

And facing him directly, I replied.

“Oh, right. And your name… was it Yoon Myungho?”

Yoon Myungho.

The real name of Brain Washer.

But few remember this now.

Because everyone only remembers his villain name.

“Ahaha…! Well, well, young brother, I’m surprised you remember my name.”

And one more thing.

“But it seems you didn’t know. I really hate being called by that name.”

As he himself revealed, he abhors being called by his real name.

Although it’s unclear what problem he has with a seemingly flawless name, no one who called him by his real name in front of him ever returned.

They either became his puppets, tormented by endless suffering, or died.

Only two possible outcomes awaited them.

In a way, it was a provocation.

Spoken outright to agitate the other’s mind.

It was a test.

“So, what can you do?”

The leader of the Bright Church, always hiding behind his devout followers, orchestrating things.

How much power does the chosen apostle hide?

“Hiding behind lackeys and not just chanting ‘brother, brother,’ what can you do besides that? Hm?”

“…Haha.”

Laughing openly at the blatant provocation.

But one eye did not laugh.

There, deep anger and vitality simmered like oil floating on water.

“It seems that before becoming a Bright Church disciple, Brother, you should establish a special educational process.”

I retorted, rubbing my ears.

“You’re good at turning a desire to beat someone into words.”

“….”

I’ve learned one thing in life.

In a verbal fight, even a kid gets half a foot in.

Especially if the age difference is quite significant?

Then the game is over.

Just speaking informally can turn the opponent’s demeanor upside down.

“Just remember one thing, Brother.”

As his energy surged rapidly, he continued with a fierce smile.

“Due to Brother’s arrogant and rude attitude, everyone dies.”

Simultaneously, his hands lightly collided with a soft sound.

Clap!

The change began gradually.

Another wall formed inside the barrier we had set up in advance.

A translucent gray wall reminiscent of a heavily clouded sky.

“The Sanctuary of Pigritia.”

Another sanctuary.

An area-type skill similar to the patience sanctuary used by the Apostle of Patience.

Looking up at the gray ceiling, I pondered the question in my mind.

“Why don’t I have something like that?”

Fortunately, there is an overseer’s domain that can replace it, but it feels like a loss.

Once the operation is over, I’ll have to go see our goddess’s face.

Taking out my domain, he spread his arms wide, smiling broadly as he spoke.

“Welcome to the Hell of Sloth, brothers.”

As his words ended, another change was detected within the domain.

Gradually, something falls from the gray ceiling that has replaced the brightening sky with darkness.

Seems to be of magical nature, unseen by others.

Pieces falling like snow from the sky accumulate on the ground, buildings, and people’s bodies.

Each time.

“Set down the heavy burden on your shoulders and rest here. You all deserve it.”

The body grows heavier.

“How much have you suffered to come this far? What about the wounds you’ve endured?”

The tightly held mind gradually loosens.

I want to sit.

No… I want to lie down.

“What difference will a little rest make?”

Yes, that’s right.

Will anything change significantly by taking a short break?

Grasping onto consciousness being sucked in mercilessly every time he speaks.

In that momentary gap.

Quickly spinning his head, he releases magic to rid himself of the gray pieces clinging to his body.

Swoosh!

“…!”

Clarity returns to his mind.

As the gray magical energy accumulates on his body, his body and mind seem to gradually become sluggish.

Truly a sweet ability of lethargy.

Urgently turning back to scan the allied camp.

“Oh… I’ve definitely sustained too many injuries.”

“If only there was time for a brief rest…”

“After resting, we’ll regain more vigor.”

Even the mentally strong Holy Knights are succumbing one by one, unable to hold their bodies up.

“Is everyone… not regaining their senses?!”

Angela shouts, struggling to straighten her half-bent knees.

“…Unbelievable.”

The leader of the Bright Light Church almost broke the monster’s knees.

Adapting quickly like a woman bearing the name of patience, she seems to be improving steadily, but this alone shows how terrifying lethargy can be.

But what’s this?

“…?”

Amidst everyone staggering and unable to withstand, only one person stands firm.

“What’s going on with him…?”

The person standing nonchalantly is none other than Son Seo-yeon.

Despite being covered in gray magical energy all over his body, he seems unfazed.

Instead, he watches the collapsing individuals as if finding it strange.

Suddenly, the name of the god of restraint comes to mind.

“Restraint….”

Restraint is about setting limits for oneself.

That includes rest as well.

Could it be that his power cuts through even the lethargy prevailing in this domain?

If this speculation is true….

“That nobleman’s nemesis is over there.”

Seo-yeon is nothing short of a nemesis to Brain Washer.

“Hmm?”

A fairly good idea comes to mind.

A way to effectively suppress Brain Washer’s power while also filling in Seo-yeon’s lack of practical combat experience.

“Senior Seo-yeon!”

“Oh, uh…?”

“Let’s fight together.”

Seo-yeon, who was wearing a puzzled expression, brightens up and nods vigorously.

“Yeah…!”

* * *

He realizes anew.

Where he is, and who he is with.

‘Really impressive.’

Even Angela, who effortlessly faces hundreds of hunters.

Kim Do-jin, who drops a huge meteor, extracting the souls of enemies.

Their extraordinary abilities, towering high above, make him feel increasingly insignificant.

It’s not just the two of them.

The skills of the knights fighting against seven, eight hunters were also astonishing.

Each of them, similar to or slightly below him.

‘I’m really nothing special.’

Although he already knew, he keenly feels once again.

That he is just a weak and insignificant being with nothing to boast about.

Realizing his weakness, he tried not to be impatient.

‘…It’s okay. My growth isn’t blocked.’

Wasn’t my potential recognized by the gods?

So, he decided to believe without doubt that the day would come when he could stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

To faithfully do only what he can do now.

Far away, admiring distant figures, wielding a sword as a guiding light, casting spells.

It was then.

As the head of Gwangmyeong Church stepped forward, the situation began to change rapidly.

One by one, everyone fell.

No, they knelt and lay on the cold ground themselves.

‘Why… are they doing this?’

Even the mighty Angela knelt, gritting her teeth.

No matter how forcefully she bit down, blood trickled between her white teeth.

Something had clearly happened.

That’s why it was even more puzzling.

Why was she the only one unscathed?

With astonished eyes scanning the surroundings, pondering what to do, in the midst of it all.

“Seoyeon, senior!”

“Ah, yes…?”

Facing off against an S-class villain, Kim Dojin remained unfazed.

He called out to her.

As if he had discovered a ray of light seeping into the darkness, his face bright with determination.

“Let’s fight together.”

He reached out his hand to her.

Though she didn’t quite understand what was happening, one thing was certain.

The present her could be of great help to him.

It felt so good.

So elated, as if flying.

“Yes…!”

With a resolute answer, she flew over to stand by his side.

Here, she saw it.

His gaze and expression, unseen from behind, vividly revealed themselves.

Beside him, she harbored another dream next to her sense of accomplishment.

‘I want to stay here forever.’

She wanted to faithfully follow him, wanting to be by his side for as long as possible.

Through numerous trials and tribulations, always standing by each other’s side.

‘Like my mom and dad.’

She wanted to become like that.