Chapter 101 42. Earth's End
Earth's Final Tower
Chapter 102
A nearly collapsed building.
From the forcibly transformed rooftop of the crumbling staircase, we looked down at the cathedral.
The people who had gathered seemed reluctant to see Tirpe leave.
"They all seem like good people. No one stands out in a bad way."
"Yes. They're far too good for someone like me."
"No, they're exactly the kind of people who suit you."
Tirpe smiled awkwardly. But soon, her gaze softened, brimming with warmth.
"To you... I have nothing but gratitude."
"It just felt unsatisfying to end things like you were simply walking away. I despise those sacrificial, Prometheus-style endings—'for the sake of a better future' and all that."
If a better future exists, there's no reason not to seize it.
"I always thought I'd be resented. But it turns out there were people looking out for me in places I never knew."
Tirpe had always been someone burdened by expectations. That weight had crushed her endlessly. This time, that burden became mine to bear—and I gladly accepted it.
"I..."
A warm breeze swept between us, lifting her pale black hair as it fluttered long and free.
Now, with her face fully revealed and nothing left to hide, Tirpe looked at me and spoke.
"I love you."
「Tirpe's Affection Level — 101/100」
"I'll remember that fact forever. That even when I was lost, there was always a place to return to..."
Tirpe smiled, radiant as sunlight.
"Because you showed me."
She interlaced her fingers with mine.
"So I..."
From her other hand, a light—once chaotic, now clearer than ever—began to glow.
From that light, a mask took shape.
A pure white mask, revealing only the hollows of eyes.
Tirpe caught the floating mask and pressed it to her face.
Through the eyeholes, clear cross-shaped pupils gazed back.
"I will spend my life supporting you from the shadows."
"Why go that far?"
"I... can no longer show my face to anyone, can I? So this is only natural. Besides, there's nothing more inefficient than two people monopolizing information the way we have. ...It's fine. The memories I've made with you are enough."
Behind the mask, Tirpe smiled.
"Just knowing I'm acting for your sake... that alone makes me happy."
In that moment, the last of Tirpe's hesitation vanished.
『Tirpe's 「შემობრუნდი (Turn Back, Turn Away) ⅔」 undergoes Alteration.』
A radiant message appeared before my eyes.
『「Remember and Return ⅔」』
A message, pure and bright.
『「შემობრრუნდი (Turn Back, Turn Away) ⅓」 alters into 「Remember and Return ⅓」.』
She no longer turns away. No longer turns back. No longer runs.
Now, she simply remembers.
『「The Self-Sacrificing Bride」 undergoes transformation.』
"I will dedicate this time you've given me... to you."
『「The Noble Bride」』
Tirpe's figure grew luminous.
"Alright."
If that is your choice—free from all shackles—then I will respect it.
"You know where we need to go first when we reach the First Floor, don't you?"
"The Temple of Trials."
I nodded.
"Meet me there."
The masked Tirpe nodded back. Then, after sweeping her gaze over my face, she pressed her thighs tightly together. Her stockings rubbed against each other restlessly.
"...Just one last time... on your lap..."
"...."
Even in this heartwarming atmosphere, she remained an enigma. But what could I do?
If this is who you are, then this is who you are. And I didn't dislike that about you.
"One time, and that's it?"
I wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her close.
Our gazes locked, hotter than ever. I removed the white mask, revealing her bare face. A beauty who smiled at me—and only me.
Though she would live a life of atonement for her sins, she was no longer drowning in the abyss as before.
Her cross-shaped pupils shone clear and bright.
I pressed my lips to hers, now flushed with color. Tirpe, too, placed her hands on my shoulders and returned the kiss.
This is the story of a Possessor who saved a Regressor. Just one of countless happy endings.
No—it's the story of a Regressor who found her own path and saved herself.
* * *
After parting ways with Tirpe, I returned to the Han River.
『Earth's Tower will open in: 0 hours, 7 minutes.』
It was so damn far that I had to sprint at full speed.
"Ugh, fuck, I swear cardio is the worst. Absolutely the worst."
I grumbled between gasps for air, but it didn't last long.
After reading the traces of people nearby, I entered a residential area.
Then, familiar faces began to appear.
"Huh? You—you—where the hell were you?! You crazy bastard! We thought something terrible happened!"
From a distance, Park Se-eun spotted me and came running, startled.
Her side-tied ponytail was the same bright silver-blue as ever.
Even in the scarcity of the Apocalypse, her beauty shone brilliantly—though her rotten personality made her a regrettable little sister.
And then—
"Park Si-hyun?"
A stiff-faced beauty with twitching eyebrows turned to look at me.
Her long brown hair suited her aloof expression, which hadn't changed a bit.
Kang So-eun, who had been looking after her 8-year-old sister, spotted me and glared with dagger-like eyes.
"What the hell? Where were you, showing up only when everything's already over?"
Kim Seon-hwa, her dyed hair tied into a ponytail, also scolded me with an irritated expression.
Beside her, the black-haired kendo beauty with a ponytail—who I didn't even know she'd gotten close to—stood watching.
"Ah, Si-hyun. You've returned at just the right time."
Hayase greeted me with a smile.
Those ample curves of hers were instant healing.
"Si-hyun-kun!!"
"Si-hyun-san!"
My only friend, Jang Yeong-han, and the bespectacled woman I assumed was his fling.
"Si-hyun."
Yu Yeon, the art student with neatly trimmed lavender hair.
"..."
Professor Jang Hye-jeong, adjusting her glasses as she glanced at me.
And then—
"You didn't cut it too close, did you?"
Park Ha-rin, sitting cross-legged atop a building fragment.
Her gaze, fixed on me, shimmered a brilliant amber.
She rose smoothly, her long, snow-white silver hair swaying in the wind.
Under the weight of everyone's stares, I forced an awkward smile.
"Uh, long time no see...?"
I tried to sound cheerful, but—
"Long time no see?"
"You disappear for two days without a word, and now you say long time no see?"
"Hey, you think I don't know you were chasing after some girl again? Do you even realize how little time we have left?"
"W-Wait, everyone, calm down a little..."
Their eyes burned with fury. Even Park Ha-rin was smiling, but behind that, an overwhelming rage seethed.
Only I could see it—and it terrified me.
...This is why being too handsome is a problem.
Trying to lighten the mood, I raised my hands toward the women storming toward me.
"Nice to see you."
A greeting from the heart, genuinely happy to be back from the Outer Dimension.
But sparks flew in their eyes.
"Nice to see you...? You think that's enough when sorry wouldn't even cut it?"
"Seems like he hasn't come to his senses yet."
"Then let's help him come to his senses."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The women loosened up, stepping forward one by one.
Their expressions—no, their entire auras—were murderous.
This feels extremely ominous...
...Wait, wasn't this supposed to be a welcome?
I just suffered for a hundred days in the Outer Dimension, and this is what I get?
...Well, not like anyone would know that.
Life was unfair, but what could I do?
At least one person knew the truth—that was the only thing keeping me from despair.
"Ugh, you bastard!"
Park Se-eun was the first to land a backhand smash. Then my legs were swept out from under me. Face-down on the ground, I was stomped on like a dog. Ah, so this was the family-approved method, huh?
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Since even my family didn't stop them, I curled up and took the beating for a while.
Finally, Kang So-eun, the last to lower her foot, asked:
"Where the hell were you? Another woman?"
"...Something like that, maybe..."
"Hmph!"
"Guhk!"
In a fit of pique, Kang So-eun kicked my butt one last time before turning away. But then, as if feeling guilty, she lingered nearby, stealing glances at me.
"Um... A-Are you okay?"
While even Park Ha-rin turned away in a huff, only Hayase wiped my face with a handkerchief.
Seriously... Don't hurt me and then patch me up. Just stop them in the first place.
I sighed, still seated, and scanned my surroundings.
Park Ha-rin. Park Se-eun. Kang So-eun. Hayase. Kim Seon-hwa. Yu Yeon. Jang Hye-jeong. Jang Yeong-han. And others.
So many people were watching me.
Beyond them loomed the colossal Tower.
The Tower that had brought us crisis.
The great Tower.
How many lives had been crushed beneath its foundation to uphold that greatness?
I could see the countless tragedies buried beneath it.
The ruined city. The tombstones of those who had vanished in death.
But I rose, stepping over them.
Everyone was staring at the Tower.
[『Bid farewell to Earth, the home that sheltered you.』]
[『Earth's Tower will open in: 0 hours, 1 minute.』]
If I said I wasn't sad, I'd be lying.
I had been a silver spoon, guaranteed a worry-free life.
Had Earth not perished, I would've lived in luxury till the end.
But I shook off those regrets.
This was enough nostalgia for Earth.
"So, what now?"
Park Se-eun sidled up to me and asked.
Kid, I told you to stop wearing such short skirts.
I stood up on both feet and glared at the Tower.
"Everyone, secure your classes. Then head to the central plaza of the First Floor."
The women who had trusted and followed me all turned their eyes to me.
Park Ha-rin, still haughty, crossed her arms.
"Your foresight better be accurate, Seer."
I stared straight at her.
Still as beautiful as ever—even her pupils held an otherworldly mystique.
If I couldn't handle her, I wouldn't have even started.
"Of course. I'm Park Si-hyun, after all."
Yeah. I'll protect you. I'll protect all of you.
Park Ha-rin smirked.
"Good."
The women's light laughter faded into the glow.
[『Earth's Tower will open in: 0 hours, 0 minutes.』]
[『Survivors will now enter the Tower.』]
Light erupted from the Tower. Earth was erased in white.
Traces of those who had died, traces of those who had lived—all of Earth's history, the universe's history, was sucked into the Tower.
I never looked away until the very end.
Then—
A faint spark flickered.
A knight, barely visible.
For a moment, I thought I glimpsed a face hidden behind an infinite helmet.
Right before vanishing, they looked at me—and smiled.
I smiled back, then was swallowed by the light.