I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 87

Si woo looked at the silent Hana.

For a moment, he was flustered. However, he quickly calmed his wavering heart and regained composure.

Frankly, it was impossible not to be surprised. Based on her actions so far, he had never expected her to behave this way.

When she followed him out of the cathedral, Si woo naturally assumed Hana had abandoned her life as White Sheep and returned to her original self. But her actions now shattered all his expectations.

And it wasn’t just Si woo who was surprised. Everyone present was thrown off by Hana’s sudden behavior.

Lena, who had been ready to sacrifice herself for a final attack, crumpled her face in dismay.

“What…?”

The Archmage, unable to comprehend the situation, soon realized something about the light descending from the sky felt familiar. Memories of her recent battle with an apostle resurfaced, and she recognized Hana’s identity.

“You’re an apostle…! How dare you deceive me…!”

“…”

At the Archmage’s bitter murmur filled with resentment and anger, Hana simply hung her head low without offering any rebuttal.

In contrast, the white shark, who had been watching in bewilderment, broke into a relaxed smile and shouted.

“Hah! I knew it! Our rookie would never betray us! This was all a strategy to catch them off guard, right? Am I right?”

“White Sheep, where’s your mask? Hurry and come over here.”

“…”

Despite their friendly calls, Hana remained silent, standing still as though lost in deep thought.

Si-hyun observed the situation with a complicated expression, while Si woo cautiously approached Hana, step by step, and asked,

“Is this your choice? To side with the apostles?”

“Hey, you little brat. Who said you could get close? Hand over the Grail and die quietly.”

Regardless of the unfolding situation, their relationship remained adversarial. To the apostles, Si woo was nothing more than an insolent thief who had stolen the Grail.

Without hesitation, the white shark lunged to tear him apart.

But Hana didn’t allow even that.

Thud!

“What the—?”

A crushing force pressed down on everyone. Everyone except Si woo found themselves bowing to the ground under the overwhelming pressure.

“Stay still. I won’t allow any more fighting.”

“What the…White Sheep! What are you doing?!”

“Shh.”

Hana merely brought a finger to her lips, and immediately, the white shark found herself unable to make a sound or even open her mouth.

“Mmph! Mmph!”

Though she used forceful methods, Hana successfully quelled the situation. Sighing, she turned to Si woo.

When their eyes met, Si woo flinched but quickly regained his composure and spoke.

“Whatever choice you make, I’ll follow.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’ve resolved to act solely for your sake this time.”

Hana smiled sadly. It was so sorrowful that it was almost unbearable to watch.

“Even if it means losing everything?”

“I don’t care.”

Si woo answered without hesitation. To him, the girl before him was everything.

After a long pause, Hana finally nodded.

“All right. Then help me.”

Perhaps she had a plan. Despite merely regaining her memories, Hana felt significantly different than before.

This wasn’t just about being different from White Sheep. Even compared to Yoo Hana from before she left the academy, there was a subtle and peculiar sense of unfamiliarity about her.

Just as Si woo was about to ask what to do next, a strong gust of wind blew down from the sky.

He raised his arm to shield his face.

When he finally lifted his gaze, a massive shadow was growing larger, enough to block out the sunlight. Something was descending to the ground.

He belatedly realized the enormous, flapping shapes were wings. The massive shadow matched the form of a dragon straight out of legend.

When the red dragon landed, it had already shifted into a human form.

The man’s golden eyes scanned his surroundings briefly before settling on one figure—the Archmage, whose body had almost completely liquefied.

She glared back at him with burning eyes.

“So we meet again. I warned you not to rely on something like holy water.”

“Shut up…! I have nothing to say to you!”

“Oh, foolish child. You’ve suffered long enough.”

His farewell, devoid of warmth, felt like a hollow formality. Overcome with resentment, the Archmage couldn’t stop herself from shedding tears.

“Why… Why do you have the same face as my master…? My master would never do something like this…”

“Clinging to meaningless past regrets won’t help you. The person you knew has long since died.”

“I know that… I know better than anyone…”

By now, her body had lost all semblance of human form, fully transforming into a pool of holy water.

Just before losing consciousness completely, Lena muttered her final words.

“Master… Master… please help me…”

Her plea, like that of a desperate child, was the last thing Si woo saw before grimacing deeply. A heavy sense of guilt weighed on him, as though it was all his fault.

The red dragon, glancing at the pool of holy water beneath him, turned his head indifferently.

“I came down after hearing the commotion. It seems someone has fully awakened their powers.”

His golden eyes turned to Si woo. The oppressive aura emanating from his gaze made Si woo hold his breath.

This man wasn’t ordinary. He was on an entirely different level, even compared to the other apostles. Only the black goat had ever exuded this kind of presence.

“You seem to have recovered the Grail as well. Then it’s time to return. Where is He?”

“Mmph! Mmph!”

“What’s going on here?”

The red dragon looked puzzled at the sight of the pink falcon and white shark sprawled on the ground, unable to speak.

Realizing who was responsible, he turned to Hana and asked.

“Do you have a valid reason for binding them? If not…”

His sharp gaze shifted to the two students standing unharmed behind Hana. It was clear that they weren’t restrained like the apostles.

Anyone would naturally suspect foul play in such a scene.

“Have your regained memories caused you to reconsider?”

“I’m not betraying anyone. But please don’t harm these two.”

“Hmm. That’s easy enough. But is that really all you want?”

The red dragon stroked his chin, pondering.

“If you wish to take them with you, that’s not possible.”

“…Why not?”

“They’re human. The only exception is you. If you truly wish to join us, you must prove your sincerity.”

His words implied she had to become a demon.

Si woo flinched but then mustered his courage to speak.

“I’ve made a deal with the Vice Principal.”

“Hmm?”

“I promised to support the apostles in exchange for meeting Hana.”

“Hah. So you’re saying you’ll betray humanity and join the apostles?”

Despite the mocking tone, Si woo answered calmly.

“I have the Grail. I can be of use.”

“You don’t seem to be joking. Are you truly willing to go that far? Even if it means becoming a demon?”

“Yes, I am.”

To Si woo, it didn’t matter whether he was human or demon. As long as he could stay with Hana, he was ready to become anything.

“That’s not for me to decide. Speak directly to Him and gain His permission.”

“…”

Si woo hesitated. It wasn’t because his resolve wavered.

He was simply worried about the black goat’s attitude back at the cathedral.

It was clear the black goat intended to exploit Hana for some nefarious purpose. Returning to him would likely lead to the same situation repeating.

Was this truly the right choice? Though he claimed to act for Hana’s sake, should he really return to that monster?

At that moment, Si woo’s eyes met Hana’s. She nodded slightly and whispered softly.

“It’s okay.”

With just those words, all his anxiety vanished as if it had been a lie.

Right. There was no need for him to bear everything alone. Hana, now far stronger and more knowledgeable than him, could handle things herself.

Trusting in her plan, Si woo nodded firmly.

“Yes, understood.”

“What about other humans?” the red dragon asked.

Si-hyun hesitated before answering.

“I’ll come along too.”

“Well, since White Sheep requested it, I won’t kill you. Do as you wish.”

With that, the red dragon led the way toward the cathedral. The rest followed silently behind him.

Thus, Si woo’s group returned to the lion’s den.