I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Sui**de

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Taking the hidden elevator down further below.

No one would probably expect how this ending would unfold.

There were still too many unsolved mysteries and unrevealed secrets.

Shin Woo decided not to be submerged by such things.

He focused solely on what was most important to him right now and poured all his nerves into just that.

There was only one thing he wished for.

He hoped Hana could be happy.

“This place is….”

The elevator, which had continued going down, came to a stop, and the place that unfolded felt somewhat familiar.

It resembled the pure white place where he had been trapped not long ago.

However, the probability that it was the same space was low, as Shin Woo hadn’t used such an elevator to escape from there.

Come to think of it, the one who had confined him back then was none other than Longinus.

Due to how complicated the situation had become, he couldn’t even bring himself to ask why she had imprisoned him.

Looking back, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

Ironically, meeting up with him and Hana had ultimately brought about the destruction of humanity, forcing Hana into a situation where she would have to be sacrificed.

Perhaps she had predicted such a situation and intentionally stopped it.

Now, that was a matter in the backseat. After everything was resolved, it wouldn’t be too late to ask slowly.

In the white space, machines of unknown purpose and tangled wires were scattered around.

Among them, the most eye-catching was a cylinder in the center.

The cylinder felt like a familiar test tube, filled with a suspicious green liquid.

“What the… is this suspicious place?”

Yeon Hwa frowned and moved closer to look around.

And when she observed the inside closely, she stepped back in surprise and gasped.

“Damn…!”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s something in there!”

What could it be that would make her react like that?

Shin Woo approached the test tube, puzzled.

He faintly saw something.

What was floating in the green liquid was none other than a brain.

“…….”

It felt like looking at a human model.

Seeing a brain, which should be safely protected within a skull, inside such a test tube invoked a considerable sense of alienation.

Shin Woo had already guessed the identity of that suspicious brain.

Given the circumstances, the answer was essentially only one.

“Is that brain…?”

“The identity of the artificial intelligence Magi.”

With that clear answer, Shin Woo couldn’t even respond, only gaping a few times.

Questions began to bloom inside.

Is that really artificial intelligence?

So they just crafted a brain model from a computer?

If not, could it really be…?

No. Let’s not think about it.

Deciding against delving further would only darken his mood.

Rather, the confusion of what to do in such a state loomed larger.

“So how do you plan to ask?”

There was only a large monitor around, and no input device to communicate with Magi.

No matter how he looked at it, that brain didn’t appear to have a mouth, so there seemed to be no way to ask.

“…….”

Hana looked at the brain in the tube with a sad gaze and approached it.

Then, she touched the glass with her hand and closed her eyes.

Soon, a white light glittered from her hand and began to grow in size.

Shin Woo, watching the scene beside her, gasped in shock and shouted.

“What are you doing!? Stop!”

“I’m saving it.”

Now it was clear.

Hana was nonchalantly performing miracles.

As if her life meant nothing at all.

With such an attitude, no matter how much he wanted to deny it, he couldn’t help but be certain.

She was trying to sacrifice herself to restore everything.

Si-hyun and Yeon Hwa, who were nearby, felt similarly.

But they couldn’t hastily stop Hana.

Perhaps respecting the choice she made would be the best way to honor her.

Shin Woo slowly became consumed by such thoughts and clenched his teeth.

Is this really the best?

Must Hana sacrifice herself to save the world?

Regardless of the complicated thoughts, Hana’s miracle showed a definite effect.

As the divine light faded, a faint figure of a young boy appeared before her.

No matter how he looked at it, it was merely the appearance of a child.

Shin Woo drew in a breath, unable to hide the shaking light in his eyes.

The identity of the artificial intelligence, which governs the academy and even the whole world, is just that little boy?

Then, does that mean that brain was created by sacrificing a child’s life?

Moreover, why did that boy feel somewhat familiar?

It was a very nostalgic feeling.

“Magi. I want to ask you something.”

Magi looked up at Hana, who spoke to him, and smiled brightly.

“What are you curious about?”

“The coordinates of all members of the academy council.”

The faint figure of the boy began to crumble and fade away.

The effect of the miracle was coming to an end. Nonetheless, Magi answered Hana’s request without hesitation.

As soon as Magi recited the coordinates, a map showing their locations appeared on the monitor.

Hana, staring intently at the locations of the total of seven people, eventually closed her eyes and prayed.

Suddenly, a radiant and fierce beam of light swept around them.

An overwhelming power that evoked awe or fear. It felt truly like the end had arrived.

Soon, the scene of the council was broadcasted through the monitor.

Hana’s light that soared into the sky perfectly performed its duty.

An angel appearing from the highest point cast divine punishment upon the arrogant humans who had dared to dream of being gods on the earth.

The holy light pierced through all matter and reached them.

Humans were rendered blind before the greatness that they could not even dare to look up to.

And without realizing it, they kneeled, shedding tears of repentance, seeking atonement.

But the time was too late.

The wrath of heaven would not subside; they would have to pay the price for mocking the divine.

With not even a trace left behind, the members of the council dissolved.

Except for the tiniest few who witnessed that moment, no one would know what fate befell them.

“All seven members of the council are dead.”

At Magi’s calm report, the others finally regained their wits.

The scene they had just witnessed was so surreal that it was hard to discern whether it was reality or illusion.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be returning now.”

“…Yeah. Take care, Deok-chun.”

At Hana’s teary goodbye, Magi burst into laughter and said.

“It’s Hanseol.”

“…….”

At that moment, the boy completely concealed his form.

Thud!

And Hana, who had barely managed to hold on, ultimately collapsed.

Shin Woo hurriedly checked her condition.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yeah. I just felt a little dizzy.”

But everyone knew that wasn’t the case.

The girl’s appearance looked rather poor in every aspect.

Her complexion was so pale that it was nearly a sickly blue.

And her body trembled so much it was nearly pitiful.

Having used impossible miracles twice in succession with an ordinary ability.

It wouldn’t be strange if she experienced severe side effects, regardless of future lifespan.

Bubbling with worry, Shin Woo helped Hana up.

“How much time does she have left?”

Ten years? One year? Or maybe a month?

Perhaps she might have only a day left.

Shin Woo felt a sense of helplessness for the first time in a long while.

He had believed that as long as he did his best, it would be enough.

Even if it meant abandoning humanity, he thought living for Hana would be sufficient.

But the situation wasn’t looking good.

From Shin Woo’s perspective, Hana seemed already determined to sacrifice herself to save the world.

Could he really stop her?

No, is stopping her even the right thing to do?

He had tried to make her happy.

He had resolved to give up everything for that.

Was she truly happy now?

“…Is this enough?”

Shin Woo’s question, laden with many things.

Hana, who had only just managed to rise with his support, looked at him with a dazed expression.

After a moment, the girl responded with a bright smile.

“No, it’s still not enough. So let’s push just a little more.”

“…But you’re already at your limit.”

“It’s okay. Didn’t you promise you’d believe in me?”

Hana weakly raised her hand and lightly pressed her finger on his nose.

“Believe me. I’ll show you a happy ending.”

The answer Shin Woo could give was already decided.

“Yeah, I’ll believe you.”

Swallowing his tears, the boy replied brightly.

This was the best he could do.

Believing in her.

“……”

Si-hyun quietly watched the two of them.

According to what Longinus said, for the world to be saved, Hana had to be sacrificed.

If things went that way, Hana would die and not be resurrected.

But there was said to be one way.

He already knew that method. However…

“You were already inside.”

Just then, someone came down from above and spoke.

It was a familiar appearance and voice. The Black Goat.

For a moment, his gaze turned to Si-hyun in the corner before returning.

“What about the spirit of the gods?”

“I… retrieved it.”

At Hana’s answer, the Black Goat fell silent for a moment in thought.

The brain in the tube had long disappeared with the boy.

“The council seems to have been dealt with already.”

“……”

“I understand. This means the war is over. Let’s return to the temple.”