I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 48

Hana’s body collapsed.

She knelt on the ground, staring blankly at the floor.

Her breathing had become shallow and erratic, teetering on the edge.

The teacher, who had been silently observing her, finally spoke.

“It seems you’re quite shaken. Do you feel betrayed?”

“…There’s no proof. So it’s a lie.”

Her voice was weak.

Was her spirit still unbroken?

But the man just smirked, a derisive sneer crossing his face.

There was no trace of will left in her voice—only denial for the sake of denial, a last-ditch effort to shut everything out, a reflexive form of self-defense.

“Proof, you say. Just the fact that your ability information was recorded in the demonic energy should be enough. The academy knew you weren’t powerless, yet they ignored the hardships you endured. Do you know why?”

“…”

“It was all deliberate. They were waiting for you to be mentally broken, for your spirit to give in.”

“No. No, it’s not true.”

She struggled to deny it, but her eyes were already shaking violently.

Watching her struggle brought a twisted pleasure to the teacher, who smiled widely, feigning sympathy in his voice.

“I understand. It’s hard to believe. But this is reality. All the trials you’ve faced—did you think they were merely due to bad luck? They were all orchestrated by the academy’s elders.”

“…Is that… is that really true?”

“Yes. So, come with us. Become a demon, and I’ll give you everything you’ve been denied as a powerless student. I’ll help you cleanse all the pain and resentment.”

Hana’s trembling ceased.

The trembling that had consumed her came to a sudden halt.

An eerie silence filled the science lab.

Finally, she responded.

“No. I refuse.”

“…Why?”

“Even if the academy tried to use me, you demons are no different. In the end, you’d use and discard me all the same.”

For a brief moment, the teacher was impressed.

She lifted her head, and he saw that spark of life still burning in her eyes.

Though darkness covered her, a single flame continued to shine brightly.

I’ll have to extinguish that light, he thought, moving on to his next plan.

“I was hoping to resolve this peacefully, but it seems I have no choice.”

He removed his eyepatch, revealing his piercing red eyes that shone menacingly.

And the world around her began to distort.

“There’s no more time.”

“Hngh…!”

Hana bit down on her lip, trying to keep her mind steady.

But mere willpower wouldn’t be enough.

As his power manifested, reality started to shift.

The once-normal science lab transformed into a dark, damp basement.

A narrow, ominous space devoid of light.

On the walls hung various terrifying torture devices, like grotesque ornaments.

“Mmph…!”

Hana, who had been kneeling on the floor, was suddenly bound to a chair.

Her arms and legs were tied, even a gag was forced into her mouth.

“A quiz for you. Is this place an illusion, or is it real?”

“Mmm! Mmph!!”

“Did that little mouse tell you about my power? If so, you might think this place is an illusion.”

The teacher grabbed a large pair of tongs from the wall, examining them with satisfaction.

“But what if this place is real? What if the science lab you were in before was an illusion? Which do you think is true?”

Hana struggled in the chair, but the ropes wouldn’t budge.

Was this really an illusion?

Everything—her vision, her touch, the sounds, the smell—felt so real.

“Once you start doubting, you can’t help but question everything. Can you be sure of what’s real? Where are you right now?”

With his words, the basement transformed into her dorm room.

A noose dangled from the ceiling.

The rope lowered on its own, slipping around her neck.

“And who is the person before you now?”

He transformed into the science teacher.

No, he became An Kyunga.

Then, Hong Yeonhwa.

The Black Goat.

Perhaps even Kim Si woo.

“Isn’t it fantastic? Here, you can become anything. You can do anything. You become an omniscient god. When that happens, the line between reality and fantasy blurs. It becomes meaningless.”

Then, Sophie appeared in front of her, smiling gently.

Unscathed, pure Sophie spoke.

“Eventually, you’ll wonder.”

“Why bother distinguishing reality? If it makes you happy, isn’t that enough?”

“A despair-filled truth or a happiness-filled lie—which would you choose?”

With a weary voice, Hana finally answered, as the gag vanished.

“…I’ll choose a happy reality.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“Is it… such a big sin to want that?”

Sophie approached her, gently caressing her cheek.

“Hana, each person has a destiny. If you defy it, it will inevitably lead to great suffering.”

“What if that destined path is filled with pain?”

“Then surrender. If you accept everything and go with it, at least your heart will be at peace.”

The world changed.

The cramped, dark space opened up into a wide blue sky.

But perhaps, calling it an ‘inside’ was more accurate after all.

“…”

A place left scarred with terrible trauma.

Seeing this scene, always present in her nightmares, Hana’s mind began to drift.

“Are you ready to pay the price for betrayal?”

A man in a black cloak and mask spoke.

The scene began to replay.

Hana, immediately losing her composure, screamed.

“No! Go away! Go away!”

Sophie, in front of her, spoke, tears in her eyes.

“Hana, it’s shameless of me, but could I ask you for a favor?”

“Nooo! Sophie! Sophie!!”

Thud!

An arm pierced the girl’s chest.

A heartbeat. Red petals stained the ground.

“The price of betrayal is your heart.”

“Ah… Ah…”

Crunch!

The Black Goat clenched his hand, and Sophie’s heart shattered into nothingness.

Her blood splattered onto my cheek. Cold and wet.

Sophie, trembling, spoke.

“This is my fate.”

“…”

“To betray my master and save you.”

Soon, Kim Si woo and his party arrived, and a battle with the Black Goat ensued.

But Hana was busy holding the dying Sophie and crying.

As the battle drew to a close, the Black Goat muttered before retreating.

“To think that stalling time with a tamer would lead to this… it worked.”

Was this… Sophie’s fate?

A life that had to end just to buy a few minutes.

With her heart destroyed, Sophie’s form faded, turning into a soft glow.

Sophie, now a small glimmer of light, scattered into the sky.

The noble Sophie beside her spoke.

“So? Do you understand now?”

“…You’re telling me to obediently follow my fate?”

“The one destined to save this world—the Messiah—is you.”

“Joining the demons and betraying humanity… that’s how I save the world?”

Sophie shook her head as she answered.

“Maybe my original fate was different. Perhaps it was my destiny to swear loyalty to that man and betray you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“In the end, fate is just a result of my choice. I chose this, and I have no regrets. Isn’t that enough?”

Boom!

With a deafening sound, the ground cracked open.

The sky shattered, as if the entire world was collapsing.

A brilliant light from the heavens poured down on Sophie.

“Sophie, don’t leave me. Stay with me.”

“I’ll always be watching over you. We’re together.”

As long as they thought of each other.

Shining wings appeared on Sophie’s back.

As they flapped, feathers scattered, and Sophie rose beyond the clouds.

Darkness.

The world was engulfed in pitch-black silence.

In that void, the teacher’s voice rang out again.

“You managed to hold on. You must have seen the most horrific of illusions. Truly remarkable mental strength. Are you the Messiah?”

When Hana opened her eyes, she was back in the science lab.

The teacher, meeting her gaze, muttered.

“Something’s changed. What made you different?”

“…You showed me my most painful nightmare?”

“Yes. I crafted the most dreadful illusion based on your memories. What did you see there?”

After a moment’s thought, Hana answered.

“I can’t tell you. I forgot it all.”

The teacher, raising his eyebrow in surprise, then nodded.

“Of course. So that’s how you maintain your sanity? Perhaps it’s a sort of ability.”

It was impressive, but that wasn’t the point.

Time was running out.

Soon the academy would notice both Hana and the teacher were missing, and it would only be a matter of time before they were discovered.

The time had come.

“Yoo Hana. This is my final offer. Join the demons.”

“…Still no.”

“Why?”

“Because it was Sophie’s wish.”

Destiny, Messiah—she didn’t care about such grand and complex things.

She simply couldn’t let Sophie’s sacrifice go to waste, the sacrifice of one who had refused to give her to the demons even at the cost of her life.

Seeing Hana’s firm resolve, the teacher ran a hand over his face.

When he removed his hand, a deep smile lingered on his face.

“I see. I understand.”

“Do you really? Even if it means my death, I won’t side with you!”

“Of course, I understand. But there’s one thing I forgot to mention.”

He proposed something.

A sweet, irresistible fruit.

The temptation was so alluring.

“I’ll let you meet Sophie again.”

“…What?”

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