Chapter 341: Evil God Subjugation (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 341: Evil God Subjugation (8)
Whoooosh!
The wave of dark crimson flames irritably unleashed by the Evil God collided with the fierce firepower of my ice magic.
In an area flooded with pure white light, magic circles repeatedly flickered into existence and shattered amidst a chain of explosions.
I observed the state of the battlefield.
The Evil God had seized the Yggdrasil’s Seed and made it her own. Consequently, the only plant magic she could wield was [Yggdrasil]. Her regenerative capabilities were likely enhanced to an absurd degree as well, but within the [Temple of Light], even that effect would be suppressed.
The domain of light significantly weakened all demonic abilities. This included the Authority of Godslaying.
I had heard from Stella that it would still be impossible for a god to intervene directly… but minor aid should be possible.
Stella.
I recalled the plan we had discussed at the Icy Lake. Now, it was her turn.
The time has come for me to reap the seeds I sowed a year ago at the Icy Lake.
*
The world had reached a pivotal turning point centered on Higgs, the mysterious game developer.
Anyone who entered the Higgs building in Ilsan would vanish, only to reappear in abandoned railroad tunnels. Naturally, the entire world’s attention was fixed on them.
Even when helicopters bombed the site, the building instantly restored itself. Even when the CIA was called in, the agents vanished, only to reappear elsewhere in South Korea. Those who returned had no memory of ever entering the building.
Following these supernatural phenomena, the public began to denounce Higgs as aliens or monsters, and the government pressured them for a statement. Higgs, however, insisted on one-sided communication and firmly refused any dialogue. They even expressed irritation at humanity’s hostility, pointing out they had caused no actual harm.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the government took a more cautious approach. This standoff continued until one year ago—the day Isaac met Stella at the Icy Lake.
Higgs released a DLC for ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
The title was 「Isaac」.
“❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ is a completely harmless and pure game, and this applies to the DLC as well. We warn that if sanctions are imposed on the services provided by Higgs for reasons outside the game, we will take coercive measures.”
Allets, the lead developer, delivered this message through the Higgs channel on a video platform. She bowed formally, but the undertone of the announcement was a clear warning directed at the nations of the world.
Aside from the mystery of Higgs itself, people were curious. Isaac, a character who was merely an extra in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, had been made the protagonist of the DLC.
In the DLC story, Isaac knew the future and could even see a Status Window. It had an introduction straight out of a cliché fantasy novel. The DLC excited fans by introducing new scenarios, such as "What if Dorothy Heartnova never self-destructed along with the Floating Island?" and "The answer to Alice Carroll’s secret."
However, the deliberate exclusion of romance and the requirement to play as an extra with predetermined traits—rather than the familiar protagonist Ian Fairytale—were significant drawbacks.
Despite these issues, the gameplay, graphics, controls, action, and physics engine were clearly decades ahead of their time. In the end, the ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ DLC received tremendous acclaim.
New DLC from Higgs! The mysterious gaming company.
Isaac’s Status Window: DLC Content.
The DLC is live… everyone’s going crazy!
God Game DLC Review: A game ahead of its time.
The DLC created a massive ripple effect across the world, matching the mystery of Higgs itself. Many played the DLC for a year, and then…
“Why is the sky like that?”
“What? What is that?”
…The Evil God was revived.
Chaos erupted as the sky was dyed a bloody red. Emergency news broadcasts aired on every channel, and experts were summoned to investigate the phenomenon.
At that moment, Higgs hacked every news channel worldwide to transmit their own video.
“Hello, everyone. I am Allets, the lead developer at Higgs. This broadcast is airing in every language to share an important story with all of you.”
In the squares. In the subways. At workplaces. In restaurants. At home.
Everywhere in the world, people held their breath and watched.
“The reason the sky is dyed blood-red is because the Evil God has been revived. The apocalypse has begun.”
Higgs’ prominence was well-known. The absurd theory that they were a superior race—aliens or gods—was now widely accepted. Because of that, people no longer dismissed the announcement as fiction.
“In a video we shared before, we left a message. It was all part of a plan to defeat the demons and the Evil God. We have chosen a Brave Hero from among you to save all of creation.”
The video showed a dark space. Under a spotlight, Allets continued.
“The DLC [Isaac] was created based on the path this Brave Hero took. A man who was once a citizen of South Korea is now fighting the Evil God in the body of Isaac. If he fails to vanquish the Evil God, humanity has no future. So please…”
In the video, Allets bowed politely.
“「Final Act: Evil God Subjugation」 will now be updated. Once it is live, please defeat the Evil God.”
Allets raised her head, her expressionless, doll-like face filling the screen.
“All the data you gather while fighting the Evil God will be passed on to the Brave Hero. We, Higgs, are unable to provide direct aid because we must observe and analyze the Evil God’s patterns to reflect them in real-time. This video was also prepared in advance.”
In the video, scenes of Isaac’s life after his transmigration unfolded behind Allets.
He trained relentlessly every day, pouring out sweat and blood.
Dragging a body enveloped in an icy chill, he crawled through a raging frost storm.
Even as his body became battered and broken, he continued to fight.
And despite it all, he kept pressing onward.
The image of a boy smiling despite the hardship was captured in the eyes of the masses.
“As you played the game, you should have come to understand the arduous journey he has undertaken with his blood and tears. Only you can help him now.”
People’s hands trembled. Some clenched their fists, others lowered their gaze, while many felt a fire ignite in their eyes.
“Once again, I humbly ask of you… Please join forces to defeat the Evil God.”
When Allets bowed once more, the video ended.
The streets and the internet buzzed with excitement. People rushed to their consoles. It didn’t matter if they fully believed Higgs; the broadcast was an effective incentive to play.
When the 「Evil God Subjugation」 update was released, the gameplay became even more refined. Players could control Isaac during the Domain Clash between the [Realm of the Eternal Glacial Palace] and the [Black Nest].
However, the Evil God was so powerful and unpredictable that despite the global effort, only repeated defeat awaited the players. Online communities erupted with discussions as people employed every possible means to devise a strategy. Experts analyzed in-game elements to determine the most efficient combat methods, sharing ways to corner the deity.
Meanwhile, the end began.
Black orbs appeared irregularly across the globe, encroaching upon space. Everything they touched vanished. The world descended into chaos. As the true scene of the apocalypse unfolded, no one dismissed Higgs’ words as nonsense anymore.
Rumble!
Suddenly, a grand, dark-blue summoning circle unfolded in the skies over South Korea. From it emerged a massive demon with countless eyes.
Lucifer the Morningstar.
As the Evil God’s seal broke, he revealed himself.
“Ahhh!”
“W-what is that?!”
“A monster?!”
Lucifer repeatedly rewound time for those on the verge of being devoured by the orbs of void, preventing their deaths. Time was a relative concept; rewinding a small area was much simpler than rewinding the entire world.
Remembering Isaac, the Ice Sovereign, Lucifer looked around at the landscape the boy had fought to protect.
Ice King… is this body of mine becoming virtuous?
He posed a question that would never reach Isaac.
Eventually, humanity recognized Lucifer as an ally, and they focused even more intently on the ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ DLC.
After Ian Fairytale’s domain, the [Temple of Light], was activated, Higgs began broadcasting the real-time battle between Isaac and the Evil God. The visuals were too realistic to be dismissed as mere graphics.
“Though the Evil God Nephid has seized the power of life, it has been confirmed that Ian Fairytale successfully activated his Domain Expansion, [Temple of Light]! Its effect is to weaken the authority and power of demons!”
On the broadcast, commentators explained the situation based on the actual battle. Footage of famous gamers struggling to defeat the boss was also shown live. Those unskilled at games prayed for Isaac’s victory, cheering him on through their screens.
Amidst the apocalypse, humanity united toward a single goal: victory. It didn’t matter if they were weak. Every piece of data generated from their gameplay was precious to Isaac.
—I lack wisdom.
Those were the words Isaac had spoken to Stella while seated on an ice chair at the Icy Lake.
—More than anyone else, I am deeply aware of my inadequacies. Therefore… I seek to borrow wisdom.
—Borrow from whom?
—From everyone.
❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ 「Final Act: Evil God Subjugation.」
The battle against the final boss was not Isaac’s alone. It was a battle for all of humanity.
That was why Stella had burst into laughter. Because they were human. Because they were creatures who formed societies and lived by uniting their strength.
The ice wizard, standing on the verge of divinity, had found a way to fight alongside everyone. It was a plan that diverged entirely from the self-reliant methods of the gods.
Isaac didn’t hope for a miracle. He didn’t expect a dramatic awakening in a moment of crisis. Everything was the culmination of the steps he had taken. The intersection of two inevitabilities.
In the end, Isaac intended to make his victory an absolute certainty.
As the battle raged, the world experienced shifting emotions of joy and sorrow. Then, a single post, accompanied by a video, was uploaded to an online community.
I found a way to defeat the Evil God.
*
[The demon has been recognized as an enemy.]
Like a panorama, memories of countless battles flashed through my mind. They were all memories of the fight against the Evil God Nephid. Thousands, tens of thousands, millions, hundreds of millions… countless defeats and a single victory replayed in my mind.
Using all that information, I calculated the margin of error and accounted for every variable.
…I found it. The answer.
[The unique trait ‘Hunter’ is activated!]
Fwoooosh!
Unleashing the chill of the [Ice Sovereign], I used the final power left behind by Ozma. By triggering it, the effects of [Hunter] were multiplied by 1.5 times. My mana churned like molten lava, spinning so rapidly it felt as if my body would explode.
As of now, all my stats were EX—completely immeasurable.
Crack!
I partially summoned and synchronized with the Frost Dragon, Hilde. My right side was covered in dragon scales, a gray horn protruded from my temple, and my nails were honed into razor-sharp claws. A single, white jade-like wing extended from my back.
Half-human, half-dragon. It was the best way to maximize my mobility. From now on, I would make a single, decisive move.
Fwooosh!
I unfurled the cold wings of the [Ice Sovereign] as well.
Flash!
Releasing a burst of cold energy, I dashed toward Nephid like a bolt of light.
The Evil God unleashed a barrage of dark crimson fire and void magic, but thanks to the millions of data points in my head, I effortlessly predicted the trajectories and navigated through them.
Utilizing the [Ice Moon], I froze the space where I predicted she would conjure her magic circles. Taken aback, she furrowed her many eyes in frustration.
In the midst of my charge, I poured mana into the [Ice Moon] floating in the sky.
Whirr!
The [Ice Moon] expanded, waxing until it became a full moon. Ice mana swirled around it, casting a halo that evoked a sense of divine reverence. This was the result of a year of non-stop training—a power unknown even to the Evil God.
However, Nephid had seized incredible regenerative abilities from the Yggdrasil’s Seed. To deny her the chance to counter, to render her regeneration meaningless, I intended to end this in one strike using the full-moon effect of the [Ice Moon].
I can do this.
The [Temple of Light], unfurling like a blessing, was there to support me.
Fwooosh!
As I savagely cleaved through the air, the Evil God spat out dark crimson flames to incinerate me. I swerved to dodge or clashed with them using ice and rock magic, advancing relentlessly in a fierce exchange of blows.
A continuous sequence of heavy steam explosions erupted, scattering ice fragments and shards of rock. Amidst magic capable of destroying the world several times over, Daikan unleashed absolute-zero ice mana from his mouth.
Kaboom!
The [Temple of Light] was filled with a brilliant blue radiance. A violent explosion tore through the air.
Fwoooosh!
However, the Evil God suffered no significant damage. All I could do was hide myself within the dazzling explosion. In this situation, her patterns became clear.
Whoosh!
The [Yggdrasil of Destruction] shone, and the Evil God conjured a grand magic circle blazing with dark crimson flames. The second form of her world-ending magic.
As she extended her arm, a storm of fiery mana rose, forming a vast wall that spread in all directions.
Fwooooosh!
The flames, distorting time and space, surged forward with an explosive roar. A wall of destruction, sweeping away everything in its path. The density of the mana was near infinite.
As the searing heat approached, I unleashed an even stronger burst of cold to protect myself. The only way to evade was to soar high above the range of the wall. If I used the [Ice Moon]’s effect to stop time, I might have had a chance to launch a surprise attack.
In truth, the time-stop effect had no practical use except for moving quickly or evading an attack already cast.
…But I had no intention of avoiding it.
I let out a scream to drive away my fear. Desperately drawing forth mana, I wrapped myself in the maximum output of the [Ice Sovereign]’s cold and charged forward in a straight line.
Krrrrack!
A chilling, thunderous noise. I felt intense pressure crushing my body and searing heat enveloping my skin. I pierced through the dark flames and arrived right in front of the Evil God.
It happened in an instant.
[…!!]
The Evil God’s many eyes widened in shock. She had already prepared an offensive spell aimed skyward. It was a logical decision; she must have anticipated I would stop time and evade upward to launch an attack.
To anyone watching, that would have been the most rational choice. No one expected someone to break through the flames of destruction head-on.
Based on the data delivered to me, I knew I could just barely break through her first wall of destruction. If there were a next time, it wouldn’t work. By then, she would know exactly how much more power was needed to strengthen the wall.
Even so, I didn’t come out unscathed. My body was riddled with fatal injuries, putting me on the verge of death. I couldn’t move anything except my right arm.
My left arm was gone. The flames of destruction had engulfed it, so I had blown it away with [Frost Explosion] to prevent the fire from spreading.
Well, this level of loss was expected. If anything, I got off easy.
In our battle, even a momentary lapse in prediction could lead to risks beyond imagination. In this fleeting instant, a gap appeared in the Evil God’s defense.
This was no miracle. In all the battles so far, the Evil God had never once let her guard down. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, carefully nurtured by inevitability.
I could only unleash one all-out strike.
In my right hand, frigidity below absolute zero condensed into the 5-star spell [Frost Explosion]. The gathered ice mana glimmered with a mystical blue light, encircled by a halo like that of a full moon.
Chaaarack!
The crisp sound of freezing. The full [Ice Moon] pulsed with a blue glow.
[You know…]
For a brief moment, I smiled and spoke directly into the mind of the Evil God.
[There is nothing I can’t freeze.]
The full moon effect was simple: Absolute Freezing. No target was exempt.
I swung my right arm toward her.
For a heartbeat, the world turned pure white. Cold pierced through the Evil God’s entire body. A late roar echoed piercingly across the eternal domain.
Booooooom!
The roar was silenced by the warping of space. The Evil God and I, subjected to intense gravity, began to be inexorably pulled away. Looking around, I saw a passage of blue light. It was the same sensation as when I traveled to the Nether.
This wasn’t supposed to happen! This is bad.
This was what I had experienced during my battle with Ozma. An excessively powerful burst of energy had shattered space itself.
Ian will have to finish this.
Inside the frozen mass, the female demon’s form appeared before me. The shockwave had hit her directly, stripping away the dark crimson flames to reveal her face and slender neck.
“Grrr…!”
I gritted my teeth and forcibly gathered my remaining mana. The Evil God could only be truly defeated if Ian used the Luminous Sword to cut her down. She couldn't be dragged into a remote dimension with me.
“…!”
At that moment, as if it were destiny, a divine light appeared behind the Evil God’s head.
I was astonished.
Ian Fairytale.
He had regained consciousness. Holding the Luminous Sword, he emitted Divine Power like a combustion engine, chasing us relentlessly like a rocket.
Ah… that’s right.
A smile formed on my lips. Ian was a "Master Fainter"—he had practically trained himself in the art of losing consciousness.
Hadn’t his recovery time gotten noticeably faster?
In other words, he had woken up and finished his "fainting episode" in record time.
Ian roared fiercely, gripping the Luminous Sword. I deactivated my magic, and a pure white sword strike was unleashed at the Evil God’s neck.
Ching!
A resounding boom echoed as rainbow-colored light erupted. The sword cut through the Evil God’s throat, and a dazzling explosion engulfed her body. Her severed head turned to ash and vanished.
Her last expression… I couldn't tell. My vision was too blurry. Only the fact that we had won resonated in my heart.
“…Isaac!”
Ian shouted something, reaching out to me. As we were pulled toward the unknown dimension, was he trying to save me?
“…sac!”
He seemed to be screaming at the top of his lungs. I couldn't hear him clearly; a high-pitched tinnitus rang in my ears.
But Ian, there’s no need for you to get swept up in this.
The speed at which I was being sucked in had already accelerated. There was no stopping it. Ian, on the other hand, had been blown in the opposite direction by the explosion. I could still save him.
I’m going to die soon anyway.
I could feel my life fading. Even if I returned, it would be meaningless. I had no mana left, and I could sense that Ian was empty too.
With a final effort, I stretched my remaining arm toward him, channeling the last dregs of my mana. I removed the [Ice Barrier] I had placed on him, replaced it with a simple shield, and unleashed a blast.
Boom!
The shockwave sent Ian flying far away, out of the rift's pull.
I’m sorry, but no matter how hard you shout, the distance is growing too fast.
I was pushed further into the depths of the dimensional rift. The surroundings grew darker. I didn't have the strength to think. My consciousness drifted into the void. I could no longer fight the drowsiness.
I slowly closed my eyes.
Ching!
In that moment, I heard a clear, elegant sound. It was the sound of starlight magic—Dorothy’s or Ozma’s.
Thunk!
Someone grabbed my hand. That hand was filled with dazzling starlight, as if it held the entire universe. Even through my blurred vision, I could see how beautiful it was.
She pulled me and flew. I felt the flow of healing magic through our clasped hands. Starting from the void in my left shoulder, my arm regenerated. My dying body recovered rapidly.
My vision sharpened. The calm returned.
“…Huh?”
When I blinked, the sight of the cosmos filled my vision. I sensed a presence. Turning my head, I saw a woman in a black suit standing a short distance away.
It was Allets, the lead developer of Higgs. In other words, it was Stella, the Star Fairy.
[This is our second meeting.]
“…Did you save me?”
Stella nodded.
[I rescued you because you nearly crossed over to the other side. It’s like an abandoned dump; there would be no hope of retrieving you if you ended up there.]
Stella gazed into the distant galaxy.
[Just now, the Evil God Nephid was destroyed.]
I took a deep breath, trying to process the overwhelming emotions stirred by those words. But it wasn't the time for sentiment.
“Where’s Mephisto?”
[She fled. The Evil God’s downfall stripped her of her power, leaving her helpless.]
Stella looked at me again.
[As you know, demons are intrinsically connected to the Evil God. With her disappearance, Mephisto is already collapsing. Moreover, Snow White implanted the mana of night into her, leaving her in excruciating pain. She is hiding in a cave, desperately clinging to life, but she will succumb soon. A tragic and futile end, wouldn't you agree?]
Stella’s voice was flat.
[Why don’t you look for her later? Since you’ve essentially reached divinity, finding her should be a simple task.]
“I see…”
I pulled out the pendant hanging around my neck—the one Dorothy had given me last year.
“Are the others safe?”
[There were many casualties, but everyone you care about is safe.]
“…That’s a relief.”
It truly was. A brief silence followed.
[It seems there’s not much left to say.]
“I suppose so.”
I wanted to see the rest with my own eyes.
[Mr. Han Seong-ho. I have something to tell you.]
Stella smiled.
[The Higgs development team, myself included, will soon leave the human world. We intervened only to defeat the Evil God, and now there is no reason to stay. So, if you are angry, I can accept it now.]
She spoke in a teasing, joking manner. At this point, I felt no bitterness. I gave a gentle smile.
“…It’s fine.”
[Oh? Won’t you regret it?]
“I’m just tired.”
I was exhausted. I just wanted to rest.
[Is that so…]
As if signaling the end, Stella’s body began to shine. Her form transformed into a shape composed of countless stars.
[Mr. Han Seong-ho, no matter how many times I thank you, it will never be enough. You deserve to enjoy everything you desire. You have received the blessing of [Eternal Youth] and a freedom greater than anyone else’s. This is my gift to you.]
As my consciousness faded, the scenery changed. Galaxies and starlight wove together, transporting me through the spiral galaxy. Suddenly, a pale blue dot came into view.
[Oh, Brave Hero.]
Stella bowed to me.
[May you find peace.]
The familiar blue planet. Earth.
As I closed my eyes, a warm sensation enveloped me.
“…?”
I felt a hard surface beneath me. When I opened my eyes, I saw a marble floor. The area was filled with the faint darkness of night. I was in a wide-open plaza.
I stood up and looked around. It was a very familiar place. I turned around and saw a solemn statue of an Admiral. Engraved below it were the characters: 忠武公李舜臣將軍像.
Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
“Gwanghwamun…?”
South Korea. Gwanghwamun.
As the name surfaced, I felt an indescribable surge of emotion.
“Over there!”
“We found him! It’s him!”
“Hey, are you okay…?”
Several people ran toward me. They were all Koreans. I could hear them clearly, but I was too exhausted to answer.
“Isaac-nim! Are you okay?”
They recognized me as "Isaac." It must have been because of Higgs’ broadcast. People supported me, asking if I was alright. Their voices grew distant. A wave of drowsiness swept over me. My eyes closed, and I fell into a deep sleep.
*
It was back when the bar exam was just around the corner.
After my mother’s passing, I couldn't focus on my studies. As I read through thick law books, my vision would blur, and tears would fall uncontrollably. I couldn't maintain my composure for days. The loss left me feeling empty and helpless.
One day, after being holed up in a dark room, I left the house without a second thought. I wandered aimlessly through the exam village, over asphalt roads, past tall buildings and bustling markets.
As I walked, I looked up and was captivated by the wistful glow of the sunset. I realized then that the sky was beautiful.
My gaze returned to the street. I saw college students eating at a restaurant, reading exam summaries. When one of them tried to swallow a piece of food too large and began to panic, the tension eased only after he drank some water.
Across the street, I saw a middle-aged man. Dressed in a suit, his weary frame suggested a long day at the office as he trudged toward home. He walked along the sunset-drenched sidewalk, clutching a bag that wafted the savory scent of fried chicken. At first, he seemed to be talking to someone on the phone, but then a bright smile transformed his tired face as he called out excitedly, "Son~!"
I saw a mother carrying a black grocery bag with green onions peeking out from the top. With her free hand, she held her young daughter’s hand, the two of them chatting playfully as they strolled. The daughter chattered excitedly about cartoon characters, and while the mother didn’t seem to fully understand, she simply smiled and nodded along.
I saw people hurrying out of the subway station, rushing to catch their buses. Each of them seemed to be heading home after a long day of work.
That was how we lived.
Sometimes fiercely, sometimes with sheer grit.
Whether joy or sorrow came our way, we lived each day under a sky that changed moment by moment.
For some reason, the scenery I had always seen looked inexplicably beautiful that day. Perhaps my mind had finally cleared, because I found myself able to study exceptionally well that evening.
“…”
Lost in my memories, I slowly opened my eyes.
The light of the sunset streaming through the window was the same color as the sun I used to see so often.
Is this… a hospital room?
“Oh my God! You’re awake!”
At my bedside, the nurse checking my vitals on the monitor jumped in surprise. She hurriedly left the room.
I cautiously pushed myself up. I was dressed in standard patient attire.
I stared blankly out the window. The cityscape of skyscrapers and the sunset sky blended together in a way that felt deeply familiar. However, because of the "End" that had occurred, there were craters and signs of collapse everywhere I looked.
I wondered if the people out there were safe.
Ssshh.
I looked down at my hands. Ice mana, as familiar to me as my own limbs, flowed gently through them.
I was still Isaac.
However, I could feel a power coursing through my body that was even stronger than when I had fought the Evil God. The fragments of divinity I had touched—the status of a transcendent—remained within me.
Thud!
Before long, the hospital room door swung open, and several doctors bustled in. It was an extraordinary show of attention.
“Isaac-nim! You’ve finally woken up.”
An elderly, balding doctor approached me with a practiced, polite smile. I read the name tag affixed to his chest. He was the hospital director.
“This is the finest VIP ward in our hospital. A directive was issued at the government level, recommending that we accommodate you with the utmost care, Isaac-nim.”
It seemed the game developer, Higgs, had done quite a lot for me. Bringing me here must have been Stella’s decision.
“Excuse me, how long was I unconscious?”
“Yes, you’ve woken up after just one week.”
Could it be because Stella healed me?
I was in remarkably good condition after only a week. Perhaps I felt relatively better because I had once been unconscious for over a month.
Anyway, I pushed the blanket aside and prepared to get out of bed.
“Can you stand?”
“Yes. No issues at all,” I replied with a kind smile to the director's considerate question.
I have to go back, but I don’t know how yet.
“Well then, Isaac-nim.”
“Yes?”
“Would you care to take a look outside the window?”
The hospital director’s smiling face was full of subtle meaning. I moved toward the window and pushed it open.
A beautiful sunset sky. A forest of buildings.
As I looked down, my mouth hung open in shock.
To avoid obstructing hospital traffic, an orderly crowd and news station vehicles filled my entire field of vision. People were sitting right there on the pavement.
Some prayed, some cheered, and others silently stared intently at the hospital. There were so many people. They held signs or had hung banners in various places. Each one conveyed gratitude to me, praised my efforts, or expressed hopes for my safe recovery.
An inexplicable shiver ran through my entire body. For a long moment, I couldn’t utter a single word.
“Thank you, Isaac-nim. For protecting us.”
At the sound of the voice, I turned my head. The hospital director, along with the doctors and nurses, bowed deeply to me.
“Truly, thank you for your hard work.”
“…”
I didn’t know what to say.
Suddenly, a man ran out of the hospital, grabbed a megaphone, and shouted, “Attention, everyone!! Isaac-nim has just woken up!!”
Everyone stood up at once.
“Woooooo!”
The crowd rose as one, stretching their arms toward the sky, shouting "Hurray," and letting out thunderous cheers. Relief and joy filled their faces. Since I could read their thoughts, it wasn't hard to see that they were sincere.
So this is what you wanted to show me… Stella.
I think I understand why you brought me here.
I don’t even know who they are. Yet, they are so overjoyed just to know that I’m safe.
I examined each and every face, trying to remember them all. I tried to etch their cheers vividly into my mind. For a while, I quietly gazed at the sight of the people in a frenzy, as if spellbound.
Whoooosh!!
“Huh, what?!”
Suddenly, a gate shimmering with mana appeared in the middle of the hospital room. The mana felt familiar. The hospital staff looked utterly shocked.
Someone emerged from the gate, stepping onto the hospital floor. When I turned my head, a beautiful woman with pale gold hair came into view.
“Hello, Darling.”
A gentle voice.
Alice Carroll. She greeted me with a serene smile.
“Alice…”
I wasn’t surprised. This was the scenario I had envisioned to make my way back.
“Did Stella give you the coordinates?”
“She did. You figured it out right away, as expected.”
The Gods no longer had to worry about the Authority of Godslaying. They would likely be able to intervene as much as they wanted in the world where Märchen Academy existed. For my sake, Stella seemed to have given Alice the coordinates to Earth.
Alice gently extended her hand to me.
“Let’s go back.”
A smile spread across my lips.
*
Riding Alice’s magic, I arrived at Märchen Academy.
We landed on a building rooftop. Familiar faces filled the campus below, as if they had been told of my arrival beforehand. Alice gestured with her chin, a smile on her face.
I approached the railing, and soon, triumphant cheers of joy resounded. Cries revering me as the Ice Sovereign and the hero of the world overwhelmed my ears.
Even in the depths of winter, a breeze touched by the warmth of humanity gently caressed my skin.
It felt as if an early spring was finally on its way.