#084

Seojun’s eyelids fluttered open, and he squinted against the unfamiliar weightlessness that enveloped him. The crushing burden that had been pressing down on him for so long was finally gone, leaving him feeling surprisingly light and free.

Seojun’s eyelids fluttered open, and he squinted against the unfamiliar weightlessness that enveloped him. The crushing burden that had been pressing down on him for so long was finally gone, leaving him feeling surprisingly light and free.

Isn’t there usually a satisfying *Ding!* when you acquire a new skill in a game? I could’ve sworn that in Conclude, every time the cult leader unit gained an ability, that iconic sound would ring out.

Athanas does have some romantic comedy heroine-like qualities - at least, based on this totally made-up setting.
It roughly goes like this:
Athanasia is this insanely talented holy knight who pretty much makes everyone else green with envy. Her only sanctuary from the relentless admiration and jealousy is an old, deserted library where none of her classmates ever step foot in.

Johan took the candy back.
“Looks like we’re not getting out of here anytime soon.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you all along...” Harry grumbled, his body splayed out like a starfish, his voice as weak as a whisper. Johan’s booming clap right next to Harry’s ear snapped him out of his daze.

“Why won’t you use it?” he finally managed, his face twisted with confusion. “Was this our last chance?”

The sharp smell of booze briefly made Johan think he had stumbled into a fight between drunk customers. But instead of punches flying and trading insults, two disheveled guys, identical in their messiness and looks, begged for his attention with an air of desperation. They introduced themselves as Harry and Gary. Johan’s eyebrow shot up in sympathy.

Fabio’s labored breathing filled the room, each ragged gasp ripping through the silence like a jagged knife. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, its coppery tang assaulting Athanas’ senses and causing his stomach to churn.

What do I want?
The question lingered on the tip of his tongue, a humble wish as thick as a stack of outdated phone books. Among his carefully curated desires, winning the lottery took the top spot, followed by reuniting with his beloved lost eye. And last but not least, he yearned to erase from the universe’s memory the cringeworthy words he had said in the past, words that still made him want to rip his mouth off.

Sacrifice?
Is he referring to Adelaide, the Grey Saintess?
What does Andrea remember about Heretic Slayer? How much? In what way? And which version?
...His memories must be distorted.

Seojun finally had the answer. The red-eyed Doade was the devil, and the green-eyed one was human. Relief washed over him in waves, threatening to buckle his legs that felt like chopsticks. Exhaustion tugged at him, urging him to collapse right there at the crossroads, overwhelmed by this revelation.