The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

I was scared.

The shadow in front of me was more terrifying than anything else.

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

But what stood before me was different.

It stirred my primal instincts, making everything cower before it.

But how can Master fight against that?

Sowol stared blankly at Lee Hyun.

The aura emitted by 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 scared. I wanted to run away.

But the reason I couldn’t escape this moment was that Lee Hyun wouldn’t budge an inch against the Shadow of Asura.

Kuh…!!

My proud, venerable, and beloved Master was fighting over there.

So, as his disciple, what was I supposed to do?

Sowol bit her teeth and closed her eyes.

Fear still dominated my body.

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

Think!

I had to focus on something other than fear.

Sowol thought of the days spent with Lee Hyun.

The most radiant and beautiful days for me.

Those happy days when my Master always looked at me.

As warmth started to seep into my heart, which was consumed by fear, Sowol slowly stood up.

…I have to go.

I have to retreat.

…I have to help.

I need to run away.

…If not me, then who will help Master?

There were plenty of others beside me.

Consciously ignoring the cries of my fear-infested heart, Sowol took a step forward. And then it happened.

…Sensei…!!

Arisha was moving.

Even though her always-lovely smiling face was twisted in fear, she, too, was trying to approach Lee Hyun.

…M-Master…!

Lena was the same.

She was the most frightened and lacking in confidence, so she was affected more deeply by the Shadow of Asura than anyone else present, yet she couldn’t accept the fact that Lee Hyun was facing fear alone.

That’s why she was moving.

Lee Hyun’s disciples.

His proud disciples.

…I’ll go first.

After becoming a saint, Sowol started consciously using honorifics, mumbling to herself 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. My fellow disciple of Lee Hyun.

A beautiful woman who walks around head-down despite being the representative of the Colorless Tower.

Yet her longing for Lee Hyun didn’t fall behind mine.

Arisha. A woman who always smiles brightly and isn’t shy about her connection with Lee Hyun.

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

I couldn’t allow them to get closer to Lee Hyun.

Don’t even joke about it!!

The fear that had consumed my heart was fading.

What arose instead was my feelings for Lee Hyun.

Sowol clenched her teeth and began to run.

And it was the same for Lena and Arisha.

They were all looking at each other, treating one another as competitors.

I don’t want to lose.

I don’t want to be snatched away.

That’s why they managed to overcome their fear and approach Lee Hyun.

Hah!!

Lee Hyun was completely unaware of his disciples approaching.

There was no other way.

He was exerting all his strength just to block the enemy before him.

It was a stronger foe than any he had encountered before.

There was no room for leisure.

Using tactics that sacrifice flesh to take bones, he wasn’t sure if he could defeat the Shadow of Asura.

Even so, he couldn’t retreat.

If he stepped back now, everything would end.

– Thud!!

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

Blood burst forth, dulling his resolve.

I wanted to run away.

I wanted to escape from this place right now.

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

– Impressive. How pathetic, human. How can you do this?

“Because my disciples are watching.”

Casting a healing spell, Lee Hyun spat out his words.

Yeah. He couldn’t retreat.

If he stepped back now, not only would his own wishes be unfulfilled, but the future of the disciples he loved would crumble.

That much he couldn’t accept.

– But, pathetic human, you are not of this world, are you?

…So what?

That was true.

He was not a person of this world.

But did that mean all the bonds he had formed so far would disappear?

No, that was not the case.

– Then, let me make a proposal. Pathetic human. I will send you back to your world. Help me descend into this world.

What…? Is that even possible?

For the first time, Lee Hyun’s sword wavered.

Noticing that, the Shadow of Asura continued in a calm tone.

– If I were to descend and create a rift in dimensions, you could return to your world. So, take advantage of that. As I said, this world is not yours, right?

…Haha.

Lee Hyun laughed.

The Shadow of Asura thought that his laughter meant he was accepting the proposal and lowered its weapon, smiling compassionately.

– Become my servant. Then fulfill your wishes.

Lee Hyun lowered his sword.

And slowly approached the Shadow of Asura.

The moment the Shadow of Asura tried to embrace him…

– …Arrogant!!

Lee Hyun’s sword sliced into its chest.

As the shadow staggered back from the blow, Lee Hyun grinned.

“My wishes can be fulfilled without your help. And I have no intention of destroying the world where my disciples live.”

– You pathetic mortal!!!

As the enraged Shadow of Asura let out a roar, sword energy, magic, and ki flew in from behind Lee Hyun.

He glanced back.

Before he knew it, his disciples were by his side.

Cute kids.

Overcoming their fears, they had made it this far.

Lee Hyun welcomed them with a smile.

“Master! We’re here to help!”

“Thank you!”

“Is that all you’re coming for?”

“Hey! I’ve never raised a disciple who left their Master to suffer alone!”

“Y-Yeah, but you’ve always… um… rewarded us…”

…I’ll give you a sticker of praise.

That was all he could offer.

Lee Hyun said with a distant expression, and the three smiled brightly and nodded their heads.

– It seems both Master and disciples share the same lack of fear!!

“Well, at least it’s good that you know now, right?”

Lee Hyun coldly smiled and aimed his sword at the Shadow of Asura.

…

Huff… huff…

Exhausted enough that he could hardly use healing spells, Lee Hyun knelt on one knee.

But it was okay.

Hah!!

Sowol’s sword had severed the Shadow of Asura’s third head.

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

And the final strike was delivered by Arisha, who had regained her smile in front of the Shadow of Asura.

– I will certainly descend…

The Shadow of Asura began to slowly dissipate.

It’s over.

The Religious War Event, a turning point that divides the ending and true ending.

As Lee Hyun looked on, he lowered his head.

“Sensei! We won! We actually won…!”

After delivering the final blow and succeeding in taking down the Shadow of Asura, Arisha turned her head with a joyful face and then froze.

Lee Hyun was bowing his head, not moving at all.

Thud. A tremor filled my chest.

Lee Hyun had been fighting the Shadow of Asura even before we arrived.

What did it mean that such Lee Hyun was motionless?

The smile faded from Arisha’s face.

Fear was creeping in.

A fear greater than the one created by the Shadow of Asura just moments ago.

“Sense… Sensei? Wake up… We won… I said we won…”

Trembling, Arisha approached Lee Hyun and held onto him tightly.

The one who always pretended to lose and hugged her was now unable to even lift a hand.

Tears welled up from the fear that was unbearable.

No. No. No.

“Sensei!!!”

…Shut up, you brat.

Arisha, who was about to burst into tears while hugging Lee Hyun tightly, looked up sharply.

Lee Hyun mumbled with a frown.

Realizing he wasn’t dead, Arisha hurriedly dug into her pocket and pulled out a healing potion.

“Sensei! Quickly! Drink this! Okay?!”

“I got it, so just be quiet for a bit…”

“Okay! Okay! I’ll stay quiet!!”

After taking the potion Arisha handed him, Lee Hyun exhaled a sigh and lifted his head.

Sowol and Lena were approaching after the battle ended.

Just as he smiled at them and tried to stand, Sowol hugged him and lifted him up effortlessly.

“Heavy. Put me down.”

Carrying Lee Hyun in a princess hold, Sowol smiled brightly.

Even though she was holding a full-grown man, she didn’t find him heavy at all.

“Master, you were light.”

“…Light, huh.”

“Hehehe…”

“A-An-and,”

“Yeah. Yeah. The promised praise sticker…”

…What did that mean by what the Shadow of Asura said earlier…?

After hearing Lena’s trembling voice, Lee Hyun fell silent.

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