The Villains I Taught Became Heroes - Chapter 95



94 – Religious War – 6

***

I was afraid.

The shadow before me was more terrifying than anything else.

Until now, I had fought countless heretics, never retreating even on the front lines where my life was at stake.

But what lay ahead was different.

It stirred the primal instincts of humanity, rendering everything unable to lift its head before it.

How could my master fight against that?

So-wol stared blankly at Lee Hyun.

The aura emanating from the shadow of Asura was enough to make even the fanatical paladins tremble in fear.

Yet, how could Lee Hyun fight like that?

I tried to strengthen my grip on the Moonlight Sword, but I couldn’t.

I was afraid. I wanted to run away.

But still, the reason I couldn’t escape this place was that Lee Hyun stood his ground against the shadow of Asura without yielding an inch.

“Ugh…!!”

My proud, revered, and beloved master was fighting over there.

Then, what should I, his disciple—his beloved, cherished, and proud disciple—do?

So-wol clenched her teeth and closed her eyes.

Fear still dominated her body.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t move at all.

‘Think.’

I needed to think of something else to suppress the fear.

So-wol recalled the days she had spent with Lee Hyun.

The days that were the most radiant and beautiful for her.

The happy days when her master always looked at her.

As warmth began to settle in her heart, which had been consumed by fear, So-wol slowly rose from her seat.

“…I have to go.”

I need to retreat.

“…I have to help.”

I need to run away.

“…If not me, then who will help my master?”

There are plenty of others here besides me.

Consciously ignoring the cries of her fear-ridden heart, So-wol took a step forward. And then it happened.

“…Teacher…!!”

Arisha was moving.

Even though her face, which always wore a lovely smile, was twisted in fear, she too was trying to approach Lee Hyun.

“…M-Master…!”

Lena was the same.

Being timid and lacking confidence, she was more affected by the shadow of Asura than anyone else present, but she could not accept the fact that Lee Hyun was facing the fear alone.

And so, she was moving.

—

Lee Hyun’s disciples.

His disciples, whom Lee Hyun takes pride in.

“…I’ll go first.”

Since becoming a saint, Sowol had consciously started using honorifics with everyone, and she found herself muttering as she took a step forward.

I don’t want to lose.

My feelings for Lee Hyun are greater than anyone else’s.

I don’t want to lose to those two.

Lena. A disciple of Lee Hyun, just like herself.

A beautiful woman who, despite her position as the colorless pillar of the ivory tower, always walks with her head down, lacking confidence.

Yet her longing for Lee Hyun is no less than her own.

Arisha. A woman who always smiles brightly and isn’t ashamed to be close to Lee Hyun.

A naive beauty who knows how to use her brightness but doesn’t show it.

She cannot allow them to approach Lee Hyun.

“Don’t be ridiculous!!”

Her heart, consumed by fear, was gradually fading away.

What was rising in its place was her feelings for Lee Hyun.

Sowol gritted her teeth and began to run.

And it was the same for Lena and Arisha.

All of them were aware of each other, viewing one another as rivals.

I don’t want to lose.

I don’t want to be taken away.

That’s why they could push past their fear and approach Lee Hyun.

“Haah!!”

Lee Hyun was unaware of his disciples approaching.

How could he be?

He was giving his all just to fend off the enemy in front of him.

This opponent was stronger than any he had faced before.

There was no room for leisure.

Even using a strategy that sacrifices flesh to gain bone, he couldn’t tell if he could defeat the shadow of Asura.

Yet, he could not retreat.

If he backed down now, everything would come to an end.

– Thud!!

The sword held by the shadow of Asura jabbed at his shoulder.

Blood burst forth, and pain was gnawing at his will.

I want to run away.

I want to escape from here right now.

Ignoring the cries of his heart, Lee Hyun gritted his teeth.

– Impressive. You insignificant human. How can you do this?

“My disciples are watching.”

As he cast a heal, Lee Hyun spat out the words.

—

Yes. There was no turning back.

If I retreat now, not only will I fail to fulfill my own wishes, but the future of my beloved disciples will also crumble.

That, I could not tolerate.

– But you, insignificant human. You are not of this world, are you?

“…So?”

It was as he said.

I am not of this world.

But does that mean all the bonds I have built until now will vanish?

No, it does not.

– Then I propose this. Insignificant human. I shall send you back to your world. Help me descend into this world.

‘What…? Is that even possible?’

Lee Hyun’s sword wavered for the first time.

Noticing this, the shadow of Asura continued in a calm and relaxed tone.

– If you utilize the rift in dimensions that I create when I descend, you will be able to return to your world. So use it. As I said, this world is not yours, is it?

“…Haha.”

Lee Hyun laughed.

Thinking his laughter meant acceptance of the proposal, the shadow of Asura lowered its weapon and smiled benevolently.

– Become my apostle. Thus, fulfill your wish.

Lee Hyun lowered his sword.

And slowly walked toward the shadow of Asura.

At that moment, as the shadow of Asura tried to embrace him.

– …Arrogant!!

Lee Hyun’s sword cleaved through its chest.

The moment the struck shadow of Asura staggered back, Lee Hyun grinned wickedly.

“I can achieve my wish without your help. And I have no intention of destroying the world where my disciples live.”

– You, an insignificant mortal!!!

The moment the enraged shadow of Asura roared, swords, magic, and energy surged from behind Lee Hyun.

He turned his head slightly.

Before he knew it, his disciples had come to his side.

‘My dear children.’

They had overcome their fear to come this far.

Lee Hyun welcomed them with a smile.

“Teacher! We came to help!”

“Thank you!”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Oh, I have never raised a disciple who would let their master suffer alone!”

“Y-Yeah, but you always… reward us…”

“…I’ll give you a praise sticker.”

That’s all I can offer.

Lee Hyun said with a slightly sour expression, and the three nodded with bright smiles.

From noble mtl dot com

– Both master and disciple are equally fearless!!

“I’m glad you realized it even now, right?”

Lee Hyun coldly smiled and extended his sword towards the shadow of Asura.

.

.

.

“Huff… huff…”

Exhausted to the point where he couldn’t even use healing spells, Lee Hyun knelt on one knee.

But it was still okay.

“Haah!!”

The sword of Sowol had severed the third head of Asura.

The last desperate struggle created by the staggering shadow of Asura was halted by Lena’s magic.

And that final blow was struck by Arisha, who had regained her smile in front of Asura’s shadow.

– I will surely descend…

The shadow of Asura slowly began to disperse.

It was over.

The religious war event, the turning point that divides the ending from the true ending.

Lee Hyun, watching it, lowered his head.

“Teacher! We won! We… won…”

Arisha, who had successfully delivered the final blow and defeated the shadow of Asura, turned her head with a joyful face but stopped.

Lee Hyun remained motionless, his head bowed.

A chill ran through a corner of his heart.

Lee Hyun had fought against the shadow of Asura even before they arrived.

What could it mean that he was not even moving?

The smile vanished from Arisha’s face.

Fear was creeping in.

A fear greater than the one created by the shadow of Asura earlier.

“T-Teacher? Please get up… We won… I’m telling you we won…”

Trembling, Arisha approached Lee Hyun and held him tightly.

Lee Hyun, who always pretended to be strong and embraced her, couldn’t even lift a hand.

Tears welled up from an overwhelming fear.

No. No. No.

“Teacher!!!”

“…Be quiet. You brat.”

Arisha, who was sobbing while tightly hugging Lee Hyun, suddenly lifted her head.

She heard his mumbling voice, contorted in a frown.

Realizing he wasn’t dead, Arisha hurriedly rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a recovery potion.

“Teacher! Quickly! Drink this! Okay?!”

“I got it, so be quiet for a moment…”

“Okay! Okay! I’ll keep my mouth shut!!”

—

After drinking the recovery potion that Arisha had handed him, Lee Hyun let out a sigh and lifted his head.

He saw Sowol and Lena approaching after the battle.

Just as he was about to stand up and smile at them, Sowol pulled him into a hug and lifted him lightly.

“You’re heavy. Put me down.”

Sowol, holding Lee Hyun like a princess, smiled brightly.

Even though she was carrying an adult man, it didn’t feel heavy at all.

“Master. You were light.”

“Light, you say?”

“Hehehe…”

“Um, and, M-Master.”

“Yes, yes. The promised praise sticker is…”

“…What did the shadow of Asura say earlier… What does it mean…?”

At Lena’s trembling voice, Lee Hyun fell silent.