Chapter 69: Completing All Preparations (4)

Could a life without regrets exist in this world?

This was precisely what I had felt deeply since falling into the world of the novel.

My thoughts had changed after seeing the characters I created with words breathing and living.

'Honestly, I didn't feel much guilt when I discontinued the serialization in my past life.'

It was a free serialization that wasn't even monetized, and the view count was hovering in single digits with no signs of recovery.

Since famous authors often "rewrite" (continuously rewriting novels until they become popular), I thought I could do the same.

'Back then, I wanted even one more person to see the traces Seolhwa left in this world.'

There was also personal greed. I wanted to create a successful work as a web novel author and carry on Seolhwa's last wishes.

At some point, I became conscious of others' gazes, envious of rankings, and started to see only the bad parts of my writing, making me doubt writing novels.

However,

Looking back now, I should have enjoyed the act of writing itself, regardless of the view count.

That's the difference between an amateur and a professional.

Taking responsibility for one's work where anything can happen and leading the readers to the conclusion.

'It was something Seolhwa used to say often...'

That it's our job as authors, that if we create a world and set up characters, we should help them all reach a happy ending.

'If you hadn't died and stayed by my side, many things would have been different.'

Yu Seolhwa, who always loved my novels. Come to think of it, she and Shub-Niggurath had similarities.

The Outer God also always left recommendations and emoticons saying she enjoyed my novels, and even left long comments with her own interpretations on chapters where plot points were resolved.

'......'

Unable to sleep, I tossed and turned, organizing my thoughts. Tomorrow, Shub-Niggurath would probably arrive here.

The fortification of the sect was complete and people had been evacuated, Azazel had regained consciousness and been trained, and we had finished all preliminary practices in preparation for any situation.

Could we really kill Shub-Niggurath, an Outer God?

Even if we were lucky enough to recover Seolhwa, there was a high chance we couldn't return to our old relationship.

Seolhwa and I were now trapped in the bodies of Bing Yeon and Bing Seolhwa, set up as half-siblings.

'And, I should properly settle my relationships with the disciples.'

I shuddered slightly as I recalled the final bosses from the three novels I had written.

The Ten Thousand Year Extreme Yang Blood Pill was now in my sleeve. If they surpassed my realm and reached the state of flower viewing, I might really have to mingle bodies with beings I had raised like daughters.

'How could I, after raising those children...'

I sighed deeply. Even as the original author who wrote the novel, I never knew they would show such affection towards me.

Bi Wol's case was especially uncomfortable. I remembered all her misdeeds from when she was a snot-nosed kid, and even when she cried secretly in the corner because she couldn't eat sweets.

I had raised her with utmost care, in place of Bi Wol's parents who couldn't properly fulfill their roles.

'...I still can't imagine those children becoming my lovers.'

I couldn't have an improper relationship with them while they were still underage, even if they became adults.

When that time comes, their thoughts might change.

There are plenty of people in this world who don't keep the love promises they made when young. They might meet other men in the meantime.

'It's better to set a grace period as long as possible.'

I didn't know if I'd live until then, but I didn't want to turn the final bosses of a novel I had imagined and loved since childhood into widows who had lost their husband.

"Master, are you awake?"

Just as I made that resolution, I heard a voice from outside.

"...Bi Wol? What brings you here? Can't you sleep?"

The source of that presence was Bi Wol. I startled awake, got up, and opened the door.

Her red eyes visible through the door crack, her jet-black hair like the night sky was reflecting the moonlight.

"Yes, thinking that we're about to face an important battle, I can't sleep worrying about your well-being, Master..."

"......"

"Master, couldn't you possibly sit out this battle? Please leave all the troublesome and painful tasks to us disciples and hide somewhere else."

Bi Wol was gently whispering to me like this. She also knew that my physical condition wasn't good right now.

"Master's lifespan won't last more than a year now. Considering it's winter now, there's really not much time left."

Bi Wol, with her qi sense superior to others, couldn't have missed this point.

"...Since when did you notice?"

"I've known for a long time, but I tried not to show my sadness. I thought that was what a disciple should do for their master."

Bi Wol spoke while gently stroking my cheek. There were sparkling tears in the corners of her eyes.

"But, this is a fight I must participate in."

"In the end, even if you're siblings, aren't you half-siblings? No matter how blood is thicker than water, it's not something you should face in your poor physical condition."

Bi Wol, not knowing that Seolhwa was my lover from a past life, kept trying to persuade me to sit out this fight, worrying about my physical condition.

"...It's not for you to worry about."

"Why shouldn't this girl worry? This girl admires you, Master. This girl has learned that it's natural to worry about the person you love."

It was a calm confession, far from her usual demeanor.

Not forcefully imposing or showing a gloomy side, but yearning as if asking me to understand her feelings again.

"...Is even this feeling something this girl shouldn't harbor? You who saved my life and changed my fate are like a guiding light to me, Master."

Bi Wol was firmly saying what she had to say while on the verge of tears. It was as if she was asking me why I was forcibly pushing her away.

"Are you saying this girl shouldn't admire such a guiding light, the moon illuminating the night sky?"

"......"

Bi Wol seemed to have sensed that many things would change due to this battle, and she was pouring out her true feelings.

Bi Wol had gathered her courage to speak the truth. Then, was it right for me to continue lying like this?

'No. At least Bi Wol didn't lie to her own heart.'

Then, it was right for me to respond to Bi Wol's feelings as well.

"...Bi Wol, what if I were the one who established the Heavenly Demon Cult, and the culprit who ruined your life?"

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth, organizing what I had to say as much as possible. Since I was about to die anyway, I shouldn't leave any regrets.

I let slip to Bi Wol the fact that I was the author who wrote the original "The King of the Vajra Fist." This would be better than the absurd claim that the novel I wrote out of boredom had become reality.

"......"

"Would you believe me if I said I was the mastermind behind the Great War between righteousness and evil, and that I saved you all out of guilt for causing the deaths of many innocent people?"

Bi Wol remained silent as she listened to what I was saying, and I began to reveal even more shocking facts to her.

Above all, I thought Bi Wol, who had suffered the most damage, should know the truth.

"Moreover, what if I'm a foolish man who was lovers with a woman named Bing Seolhwa in a past life, and have the heart to save her?"

"...It doesn't matter."

Whoosh.

Bi Wol pushed me down on my chest and opened her mouth with a fierce gaze. I closed my eyes tightly, thinking I was about to lose my life due to her sudden change in attitude.

"......?!"

Chu, chu...♡

The next thing I felt was a soft sensation covering my lips. Bi Wol kissing me repeatedly and briefly.

"Even if Master is a sinner cursed by everyone in the world, even if you were someone who tried to kill me, it doesn't matter."

Bi Wol was continuing to speak to me in a resolute tone. She kept covering my mouth so I couldn't make any other excuses.

"Haup, so that's why you suddenly said you had to go save your sisters... This girl, I'm starting to understand a little now..."

Bi Wol was kissing me while pouting slightly, as if upset about something.

"Bi, Bi Wol..."

"Yes... Please stay still... Isn't it difficult to kiss your lips...?"

Due to the karma I had accumulated, I was frozen in place, receiving her shower of kisses.

"Even if that's the case, it doesn't matter to me at all. I know better than anyone that you're a good person who tries to take responsibility even for such sins, Master."

Bi Wol smiled slightly, showing an attitude that she didn't care about the wrongs I had mentioned.

"So, won't you accept this girl's feelings someday? After this battle ends, when I come of age, we'll truly form a marital bond...♡"

Leaving a deep kiss mixing tongues at the end, Bi Wol made a promise for the future to me like that.