Chapter 455

〈 Chapter 455 〉 Part 1, Chapter 19, Section 11

The battle was over.

Penril’s attack had failed to reach me, while my magic bullet pierced through Penril’s heart.

“……Really, this is so infuriating.”

Even in defeat, Penril glared at me with disbelief. Though his eyes still sought any weakness to tear me apart, I simply shrugged and pointed at myself.

“This is what you call efficient fighting.”

Just before Penril’s blade-like wind reached me, I transformed into Baek Cheonghwa’s form. My smaller stature caused the blade to merely brush past my collar, and Cheongnyeon’s small hands were more than enough to pull the trigger.

“Do you have anything left to say?”

“No.”

Penril shook his head with a bitter laugh. There was no way even Aruel’s vessel, possessed by Penril, could withstand the last magic bullet I prepared. The core-piercing magic bullet had just enough power left for this final strike, and all of Penril’s defensive barriers around the core were shattered.

Penril lost because his beastly wolf form couldn’t adapt quickly enough. Had he fought using Aruel’s body, things might’ve been different.

‘That pattern was new.’

Analyzing it drained me, and maybe I would’ve taken some hits along the way. Moreover, seeing traces of Aruel’s face distracted me slightly.

Whoosh.

Penril’s magical energy began collapsing gradually. Brown streams of magic were extracted from Penril’s body, leaving behind an unconscious, naked woman—Aruel.

Aruel, who was supposed to become the next Queen of England, chose Penril to kill me, knowing full well that aligning with him would lead to the world’s destruction.

“You’re lucky to be unconscious. At least you won’t have to witness your own end.”

“…”

Penril covered Aruel protectively, both shielding her from my gaze and ensuring I wouldn’t harm her further.

“I have one request.”

“Something like ‘you can kill me but leave Aruel alone,’ right?”

“…Yes.”

Penril readily agreed. In this situation, there wasn’t much else he could ask for. Even in the original story, Penril betrayed the Dark Legion out of loyalty; nothing had changed now.

“Alright. I’ll let her live. We’re acquaintances after all.”

“With Aruel?”

“I happened to meet her once passing by. She’ll find out soon enough.”

Back in Rome, I was too busy dealing with Hydra to notice them. If not for Hydra or if I had met them elsewhere in Rome or even visited England, things might’ve gone differently long ago.

‘But there’s no turning back now.’

Aruel saw my face as Baek Cheonghwa and even fought against me directly. Even if Penril’s personality dominated, Aruel indirectly recognized me as Phoenix within her subconscious. With Penril defeated, the only ally left would be Aruel’s father, Sir Gawein—but given our secret pact, he wouldn’t side with her.

Even without the pact, as a member of the Dark Legion who contributed to global destruction, Sir Gawein wouldn’t raise his sword against me for Aruel. Perhaps convincing and calming her would be possible, though.

Therefore, Aruel will live.

“So stop being so tense. Relax. Why so serious?”

“…”

“Ahhh… Is it about the nudity? For heaven’s sake.”

Though I’d seen her body countless times, Penril acted like a protective stepmother, shielding Aruel with everything he had. It was as if he’d rather take the damage himself than see Aruel hurt.

‘And that’s ironically what made him lose.’

“Then this is really the end. Any last words?”

“Words…?”

Penril looked up at the sky briefly before quietly lowering his head.

“…I want to eat a piece of cake from the boss.”

“I agree. Not bad for a dying wish.”

I aimed my hand towards Penril’s heart.

“Farewell, Penril.”

Pfft.

My hand tore out Penril’s heart.

—

Since childhood, the maiden lived alongside cats.

It was a cat who saved her when she was abandoned in the Northern European forest.

When she discovered her father’s secrets, it was a cat who consoled her.

Even when she had to pretend to be a loving daughter in front of her mother who abandoned her, it was the cat who supported her unconditionally.

The cat filtered poisoned soup, intercepted bullets fired by hired villains, and taught her how to defend herself.

That cat, that Penril, had fallen.

Penril, who seemed invincible, ultimately succumbed to overwhelming firepower. The girl wondered if perhaps she herself was lacking in some way.

In the end, the girl merged with Penril but was rejected. Though familiar magical energy coursed through her body, a deep void lingered where her heart should be.

Aruel.

The cat gently shook its head beside the prone figure of Aruel.

Sorry, I thought I could win. But apparently, I should’ve listened to you earlier and trained more.

The cat hung its head shamefully. Aruel stretched out her hand toward the cat, but no matter how hard she tried, her fingers couldn’t reach it.

This body is going to die. Now, the power of this body, the strength of Jeolpung, belongs entirely to you. I’m glad I can leave you with this small gift before I go.

Aruel cried out, begging the cat not to leave. She offered her own body in exchange, pleading desperately. However, the cat remained resolute, shaking its head firmly.

We both knew this fight ended in defeat. This body has fallen, and victory belongs to the other side. Though I still wonder how they managed to analyze all my attacks so thoroughly… I accept defeat cleanly. Don’t seek revenge. Even if I die, I don’t want to see you perish.

The cat’s body began dispersing into mist.

For twenty years…

Despite its legs already dissolving into smoke, the cat stood before Aruel with a gentle smile.

For twenty years, I was happy. Whether sneaking into Stonehenge, infiltrating the Louvre Museum, or working part-time at a café in Seoul… thanks to you, ‘I’ experienced so many things and learned so much.

The cat’s body was already half gone. Aruel wanted to pass on whatever magical energy she had left, but the cat disappeared far too quickly.

Thank you, Aruel. If, IF we ever meet again…

The cat kissed Aruel’s forehead.

I’d still want to explore the world together with you…

Swoosh.

The cat dissolved into mist. Aruel wanted to scream, to cry, but no sound emerged. All she felt was overwhelming exhaustion and loss, her mind growing hazy.

The last thing she saw was the person she hated most—the one who killed her beloved cat, her only family.

But she had to honor Penril’s last wish. Swallowing her boiling rage, Aruel closed her heavy eyelids.

—

“It’s over.”

The heart in my hand still beat fiercely, but its rhythm slowed gradually. I channeled the remaining magic into my palm, igniting flames.

“Cremation.”

A sour smell of burning filled the air as Penril’s heart caught fire. Charred from the outside, it crumbled into ash that scattered into the heavens, revealing a jade-green core inside.

‘Penril’s core.’

Like how Chang-yeom resides in my core, Penril’s intrinsic Jeolpung lingered in his core. Despite calling out, there was no response—no sign of awareness yet.

“That’s strange… All Terrarists are dead.”

All such entities clinging to Penril’s body were erased by Chang-yeom. As evidenced by Penril’s fur, there was no trace of Terra’s influence left. I had sterilized it completely.

“Neither Penril nor Jeolpung nor Aruel shows any signs of awakening.”

Aruel remains unconscious. Penril has become a core. Jeolpung stays silent.

Regardless of which side, efficiency is key for me. There’s no reason to break up such a perfectly synchronized team. Most importantly, Aruel must contribute to world peace and humanity’s salvation.

“Penril is too valuable to waste killing.”

Referring to past exam questions helps solve similar problems. Since nobody is crossing over into this world anymore, I pulled a round object from my pocket.

“Blazing Phoenix Revival!!”

In my hand gleamed the only SS-Rank Wind Attribute Core in existence.

—

Aruel regained consciousness, her heavy eyelids slowly lifting. Though her body brimmed with magical energy, mental fatigue weighed heavily upon her, making movement difficult.

“The spirit residing within you—it’ll feel unfamiliar for now, but patience will help.”

“…”

Aruel stayed silent. The clear voice chiming in her ears reminded her painfully of what this person did to her and her beloved cat.

“The monster Penril had to die. Just like when Azidahaka perished and left behind a shadow spirit. There are many reasons, but Penril truly chose to serve Seongju wholeheartedly above all else.”

“…I didn’t say anything.”

“Your expression, your eyes, your actions, even your magical aura—all scream hatred toward me. You’re seething, wanting to kill me. Yeah… if I were in your shoes, I’d understand that feeling. But let’s make one thing clear.”

The azure maiden—Phoenix—talked endlessly.

“You’re human, aren’t you? So why choose to aid in humanity’s destruction? You’re neither villain nor monster, but a princess of a nation.”

“…Penril considered the entire world the enemy.”

Aruel spoke weakly.

“My life ended the day I was abandoned in the woods. Without Penril, I’d probably have been assassinated hundreds of times by now. …To me, Penril was like a mother.”

“Hmm.”

Phoenix gazed calmly upward at the sky. He stood with his back turned to Aruel, appearing vulnerable enough for her to stab him with a thorn if she used her magic quietly.

Don’t seek revenge.

Yet Penril’s final words kept haunting her. Suppressing rising grief, Aruel took a deep breath. Crying openly in front of Phoenix would be undignified.

“What if your mother sought to destroy the world?”

“I already said it. The whole world was Penril’s enemy.”

Aruel poured out truths she never got to tell Penril.

“…Even if everyone else called Penril wrong, I had to stand by Penril’s side.”

“What if Penril’s actions led to the world’s destruction?”

“…”

Aruel couldn’t answer. And Phoenix waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright then. Let’s awaken Jeolpung within you. Are we acquainted?”

“…Not particularly pleased.”

Though practically identical beings, since Penril originated from Jeolpung, Aruel harbored no fondness for the entity. After all, Phoenix sacrificed Penril to awaken Jeolpung, so her feelings couldn’t possibly be good.

Whoooom.

Green winds escaped from Aruel, forming a figure—a feline-faced woman with long green hair. Dressed modestly with her hands neatly folded before her, she resembled Penril so closely she could pass as his twin.

“Greetings. I am Jeolpung.”