1.
A brief reunion.
After the moment when even exchanging a mere two words felt precarious.
“…Cough. Cough, cough!”
With intense coughing, Nahan, who had been standing upright, suddenly collapsed.
“Se, Sect Leader!”
Selena, who had embraced him, barely managed to catch him, but due to her emotional state, they both ended up falling.
Kerang!
An unexpected fall.
The Selena who had Nahan lying on top of her checked the back of her head, which was vulnerable, but his hand had already cushioned the blow.
“Uh… Cough, huuu…!!”
Even amidst his writhing in pain, he had instinctively extended his hand to protect her.
Instinctive goodness.
Regardless of how much stronger she was, without hesitation, he protected her.
– Mommy! Why did you meet Daddy? He’s much weaker than you!
– …Because he was strong.
– Huh? Strong?
– His heart, his heart was stronger than Mommy’s.
The faded memory became vivid again because of the man before her.
– Then Selena! Selena wants to marry someone with a strong heart!
Unexpected memories made her flustered, but at the moment, the Sect Leader’s safety came first.
Selena hastily took an elixir from her embrace.
“Sect Leader, take this!!”
“Glug!”
Nahan had no time to refuse as the elixir was quickly forced down before he could protest.
However, because he had no prior ailments and drank too quickly, he only induced hiccups, exacerbating his coughing.
What’s more, the unexpected collision of her teeth during the hurried administration caused a minor bleeding, leading to a worsening situation.
“Cough, whooooltch!!”
“Sect Leader!!!”
Ultimately, what began with an estimate of five minutes of Nahan’s declining vitality dragged on for closer to ten, during which they shared additional stories.
Apologies for misunderstandings,
The health check,
The reassurance that he was truly well,
And the promise to procure more medicinal essence before leaving.
“…How many years have you been using it?”
A question about his lifespan.
After a brief moment of consideration, Nahan shook his head with a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry too much.”
“But…!!”
“Truly, I’m fine. However, I’m a little tired. Today, I apologize but would prefer it if you returned home.”
…Guuuuk.
Selena, overwhelmed by guilt, bowed her head and hesitated for a while before murmuring softly.
“I will definitely repay you more than what I received.”
Bowing deeply with reluctant determination, her eyes turned away from him.
This made Nahan ponder.
‘After spending just a few hours together, I now find myself wishing he doesn’t die.’
The reason for Selena dying in the original story was to save Asha from danger.
‘…Maybe I should just lower the difficulty a bit.’
Together with the members of his team, killing a few high-ranking priests unnoticed would be possible.
‘That’s better anyway. It’s pointless to extend his life when he’ll just become someone who sacrifices others for human sacrifices.’
Ultimately, Nahan decided to intervene, softly whispering to her.
“This may be an odd thing to say, but please don’t hate the Black Wolf too much. In a way, they might be victims as well.”
“…What?”
“I’ve heard that one of those members had a connection to Hero’s mother. Like you, treating them like family… She was said to cherish her as if she were her own daughter.”
As expected, Selena was caught off guard.
Not only was she defending the Empire’s most wanted group, the Black Wolf, but also divulging the relationship between Mother and Luna. There was reason for her confusion.
‘If Black Wolf continues to be misjudged as they operate for the good of the world, it might cause trouble later.’
What’s more, there was a lingering sense of frustration.
Though it was a pro-Black Wolf, perhaps anti-Empire remark, Selena hesitated before responding softly.
“Sect Leader, I thank you for the advice, but such words shouldn’t be spoken to just anyone.”
Her courteous response, despite her earlier lack of decorum, clearly showed concern for him.
‘Asha’s favorability must’ve increased.’
With that understanding, Nahan gently took her hand and smiled.
“Because Hero isn’t just anyone.”
“Ah, th-that…”
Could it be a trick of feeling?
Or perhaps deeper than even Mother’s, his ashen eyes appeared to glow with a newfound vitality.
As Selena’s gaze lingered deeply in Nahan’s eyes, she quickly snapped back to her senses and fumbled.
“I will take my leave. I will revisit soon with the medicinal essence.”
“The medicinal essence is fine. Please feel free to visit anytime for a rest.”
“…Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
“May the blessings of the Goddess be with you.”
With a smile, Nahan waved until she completely disappeared.
“Alright, then. Shall we try out the reward?”
Nahan, who had raised his hand, turned his body with a smile that contrasted sharply with the one from earlier.
“Ring of Iaso, right here…”
Let’s lower the difficulty.
2.
At the edge of the system.
Deep within the emerald-green forest, in the half-collapsed hunter’s cottage turned underground hideout, even at dawn, a palpable tension hung in the air.
The reason?
“Get ready. Hanlyang will wake up soon.”
Imperial topmost wanted criminals, the third member of the Black Wolf, Tal—Hanlyang.
Ordinarily, he reveres the commander’s word above all else, showing absolute loyalty, but that’s only when he’s awake.
“Ahh, damn!!”
A few times every few months, plagued by deep nightmares from his past,
“Prepare, Luna. Here he comes.”
“Got it, Sister.”
At least two members must stabilize Hanlyang immediately after he wakes.
“Ah!!”
Crack!!
With Hanlyang’s anguished scream, the protective barrier inside the cottage trembled as if it might break.
“Hey, Hanlyang! That’s my bed!! Don’t throw it!! Eeeek, don’t throw it!!”
Luna hastily rushed forward to secure her bed, but by the time she reached it,
Crash!!
It had already flown directly towards Laktea and shattered into pieces.
With a casual gesture, Laktea halved the bear blanket and bed, which then fell limply to the ground.
“Damn!!”
Clutching her lips, Luna quickly turned around Hanlyang and wrapped her arms around his thick neck. His neck was so thick that Luna had to use her entire body to even attempt to encircle it.
Creak…!
“Urgh…!! Ahh, damn it!!”
“Why are your sleep movements so exaggerated, really? Huh!!”
Somehow managing to choke Hanlyang without the Mask’s help, she shouted to Laktea.
“Sister! Now!!”
The next moment.
Tock.
Amidst the clamorous noise of the battlefield, a serene sound of footsteps echoed.
With a single step, Laktea reached Hanlyang and whispered softly.
“Do you regret?”
“To death!! As if my heart’s been torn apart!!”
“What do you regret so deeply?”
“Not accomplishing… Jangseung’s mission!!”
“…But child.”
Laktea’s intense expression hardened.
The shadow that subsequently appeared was of the Empire’s first princess, her kind smile from those days.
All traces of coldness vanished as she grew gentle, and she directed her words to Hanlyang.
“You’ve already lost her, haven’t you?”
“…”
“Because of the ruthless Emperor, your greedy kin, and your own weakness. Haven’t you already lost her?”
“Aaaaah…!!”
Tears streamed uncontrollably from Hanlyang’s eyes, veiled in shadow, his pale gaze.
“It’s my…weaknesss…!”
“Yes, you were weak.”
“I’ve… failed…!!”
“Yes, you failed.”
“I’ve…!!!”
Behind the piercing, desperate screams that made even the listener emotional,
“Murdered…!”
An incredibly soft voice.
“Ah…!”
As the tears streaming ceased and light returned to Hanlyang’s eyes.
“Forgive me…!”
Thus, Hanlyang’s awakening moment concluded.
As always.
“Han… lyang…”
Already emotionally invested, Luna embraced him tightly and wept with him.
“Don’t blame yourself too much…”
Laktea paused mid-sentence, clenched her lips, and turned away emotionlessly.
“In ten minutes. Collect yourself and come out.”
Another chaotic outpouring of the tragedy from four years ago, occurring every few months.
– Officer Halolandas! What do you mean? Reyna is trying to kill me!?
– …I apologize.
– For what reason? Why would Reyna…!!
Thus, every team member who tried to restrain him in the early mornings was reminded of their own tragedies.
And, as always.
…Creeak.
The lone savior who rescued them from the despair devouring their hearts.
“Did everyone behave?”
The leader of Black Wolf, Black Wolf himself.
“Leader!!”
“…Are you h-here?”
With their tears wiped away, Luna and Hanlyang walked toward him as if drawn by an invisible force.
– …How dare you call the princess of the Empire a criminal? Are you in your right mind?
– Aren’t you setting off to die anyway? Might as well think of it as having already died once and live anew. That seems more convenient.
– That’s what you call words…?!!
– Let me at least give you a warm hug.
– What kind of insane person are you…!!
Recalling the day on the battlefield when he saved her, Laktea,
“…Leader.”
Just like that day, she embraced Black Wolf tightly.
Ever so steady you,
Someone we always wish to lean on,
Someone who always saves us.
That’s why,
“From this moment forward, Black Wolf will attack Aria’s main temple and assassinate five individuals.”
“Understood, Leader.”
No matter what happens, we will follow you, Leader.
—
