The words that ca in response to the question of wanting to die.
"You don’t have to die. You can beco a constellation of another star and live happily with your wives."
My expression turned blank without aning to.
What was this supposed to an?
"But, wasn’t it said that once the sanctuary is set up, it can't be undone? That’s what Hypnosis-chan and that spider said."
"That’s right."
"Then, if I don’t die… humanity will perish instead, right? So, I’ll die regardless, right?"
Was I shouting that I could just die and be done with it?
It was because I had no other choice but to think that way.
The whole human race, my wives, and even myself would die.
Then, just dying.
Anyone could see that the latter was the overwhelming advantage.
It wasn’t that I hadn’t thought about it at all.
But now, what? She says I don’t have to die?
I was left speechless, unsure whether this was even possible...
"Well, if you were born and raised in this dinsion, that would be true. Your soul is strongly bound to the star, and you would have to beco a constellation of this star."
"...No way?"
"Yes. You’re from another dinsion, right? That star doesn’t have a constellation, so you can go there instead."
"Ah."
If I were to compare this to sothing in Korean terms, it was like this.
The mont I beca a constellation, an obligation was imposed on . Like being dragged off to the military, "Congratulations on your new role as a constellation~".
But since I was from another dinsion, I had dual citizenship, and I could choose between two stars.
One was a star on the verge of collapse, and the other was the fresh and eternal Earth.
The choice between these two.
‘Why is the Saintess telling this?’
The question was why she was telling this.
For the Saintess, it would be best to let die.
Then the sanctuary would be undone, and she could collect the divine power afterward.
But why was she kindly informing of this?
I briefly wondered, but...
"And, before I made you regress, I promised you. That no matter what happened, I wouldn’t abandon you."
"Eh? ? If it had been back then, I would have been grateful just for you to regress …"
"You would have, but your three wives were quite persistent."
"Aha."
I understood imdiately upon hearing the three wives' nas.
Of course, my sharp wives wouldn’t let their husband beco a fool without a fight.
Perhaps Aika wouldn’t care, but Shia, who checked everything down to the last detail, wouldn’t allow it.
So, it seed like the Saintess was pressured into changing the contract.
I would regress, but she promised never to discard .
Moreover, in the final monts, she would reveal the truth to .
The last mory I had locked away was surely related to this contract.
"…If I beco a constellation of that star, what about my wives?"
"Take them as your apostles. Three will be easy."
"Hmm."
The contract even included my wives.
The Saintess explained that I could beco a god and leave this star with my wives.
...It made sense that we agreed to the contract before the regression.
If it worked out, we could live happily forever.
‘The problem is...’
"Then what about you, Saintess? No, what about the people of this dinsion?"
I looked at the Saintess again.
If I followed this suggestion, the sanctuary problem would remain.
The issue of all souls being crushed under the weight of the sanctuary’s divine pressure would still exist.
What would happen then?
I blinked my eyes as I silently asked this question.
A gentle smile spread across the Saintess' lips.
"It can’t be helped."
"...What?"
"It’s our fate to perish. It was a final gamble. You were asked to die for us. A selfish coin toss. If it misses, what can we do?"
"But still, we’re all going to die."
"You see, giving up divine power is incredibly difficult. I know well how terrifying it is to fall from a higher state of existence. It’s like feeling the sharp pain in your horns."
"……."
"I can’t ask for that kind of sacrifice. No one can."
After saying that, her hand reached toward .
Her small, plump hand gently patted my head.
"Don’t make that face. I told you, even if you can’t give it up, I won’t hate you."
"Saintess..."
"You’ve done enough. Now you can be happy. With your wives. Forever on another star."
"But, if that happens, this star..."
"Don’t mistake it. Even though this star has fallen, I am the constellation of this star. You don’t need to feel responsible."
Squeeze.
Then, she hugged tightly.
As I sat there, she rose and embraced .
Why was it? From the small, delicate Saintess, I felt a maternal love, tender and soothing, like a mother.
"Still, thank you. Everyone was destined to die, but thanks to you, three are alive. And one of them is a transcendent, so it’s the best outco."
"……."
"Just one request... In the future, if your wives beco constellations, please take care of this star again."
But her voice began to grow soft.
The tragic end, the impending destruction, seed to be inevitable and sad.
In response, I...
"———No. Why do you keep squeezing out my essence when I’ve clearly told you not to?"
"...Huh?"
"Who needs a constellation? I’d rather refuse even if you gave it to ."
Contrary to her thoughts, after hearing everything, I concluded.
This was an unacceptable proposal.
"Why?"
"You said only three could survive."
"For your level, three is the limit... And that was the contract from the start."
"It’s not enough. Sorry, but I only have two daughters."
What we had to abandon for our survival.
Our precious Haru and Winterer. The rice cake sisters who would never hurt even if we put them in our eyes.
Kkong, a ten-year-old friend, and the director, to whom I’ve grown attached in many ways. Sibylla, who stepped up to help us in Korea.
That was just among the raid team.
But it didn’t end there.
Yujungcheol, my father-in-law, and the people of the Cheonha Clan.
My ntor’s mother, who had been waiting eagerly for and my master to marry.
Alice’s family and relatives, who might seem distant but always care for us, and Dr. Brooks, who ca to help for Alice’s sake.
Soo-yeon, my dear sister, and Ha-young, too.
And the others.
To live, all of them would have to die.
I don’t know why I made this contract, but...
We, or rather, I could never have truly wished for such a thing.
"So, all that talk was just about this? Whether I die alone or if everyone except my three wives dies?"
"Well, yes..."
"But my wives would never want that, would they?"
I turned my head slightly.
Towards my wives, who were gathered together in the distance, looking over at .
At the sight of them, I couldn’t help but smile.
"I’ve thought about it many tis, but in the end, the most precious thing to is my wives. What’s most precious to them is what’s most precious to ."
"……."
"But if I trample all over the precious things they value—family—how could they possibly be happy?"
And so, I hoped that my wives would be as happy as possible.
Those words remained unsaid. I swallowed them internally because, once spoken, I felt like I would burst into tears.
"But... Can I ask you for one thing?"
"Anything, I’ll do it."
"Make my wives happy. Even after I’m gone, forever."
"I promise. With this horn, and my true na, Mir Witreius Aitheris. Even after you die, they will live happily."
"Thank you, Mir."
After this conversation, my hand again reached toward my abdon.
An indescribable fear and disgust surged through .
Shaking.
‘I have to die, but I don’t want to…’
The world whispered to like a temptation.
No one would stop if I ran away.
I had done enough. Now, according to the contract, I could live happily.
I could be happy forever with my beloved wives.
Honestly, I wanted to give in to the temptation and close my eyes.
‘But…’
Swoosh.
"……!!!? No, this is impossible. How…!!?"
Even through the confusion, my hand moved, piercing my lower abdon.
The shock and disbelief from the foreigner, who had been watching us with disgust, was a bonus.
The Saintess’s eyes squeezed shut.
"…Thank you. For choosing sacrifice, even after knowing all of this. For giving up your happiness."
"…Betrayal…"
"I’ll keep my promise."
"Ughhh!!!"
I squeezed my eyes shut.
When my hand touched the divine power buried within , the entire world began to curse .
If I lose the divine power now?
I would beco nothing but an insignificant insect. A lowly, useless bug.
Do you know how terrifying that is? Do you understand what it ans to fall from existence itself?
I would regret this for eternity, battling with endless loss and despair until the mont my soul vanishes.
These were the kinds of threats pressing down on .
Honestly, resisting was easier than giving in to the temptation.
CRACK… SNAP!
‘The sensation is truly like tearing off the flesh of an egg…’
The divine power, deeply rooted in my body, was ripped out.
Everything before my eyes turned black.
I could hear a siren-like ringing in my ears, deafening and overwhelming.
Liquid I couldn’t identify poured from my eyes, nose, and mouth.
...Whether it was tears, blood, or holy water, who could tell?
Personally, I hoped it was the latter.
At least it would suit the situation more.
In the end, as a final act from the "breeder," this was it.
"……!!!!?"
"Yujin!!!"
Beyond the distorted hearing, a faint sound echoed.
Alice gasped and stood up.
My master inhaled sharply and charged forward.
Finally...
"Hey, you damned… Saintess!!! This isn’t what we agreed on!"
The furious voice of Shia echoed.
Smirk.
"…Thank you for believing in . My child, the one I gave birth to with my heart."
As I desperately reached out for the divine power, the Saintess smiled kindly.
For so reason, when I saw that, a phrase I had heard in the past suddenly flashed through my mind.
[Yujin, there will co a ti when you have to sacrifice sothing. Sothing precious and the brilliant happiness. One of them.]
[When that ti cos… don’t let greed blind you, and move according to what your heart says, not your head.]
‘I understand now, Captain Seo…’
What I had to give up.
The overwhelming power, and the incomplete happiness with my remaining wives.
The happy ending I sought.
The most precious thing I couldn’t let go of.
The true happiness of my wives.
Under the Saintess’ promise, under the constellation’s pact. The salvation of the world where they would live happily.
Maybe that’s why.
Even in the pain of my soul shattering, I could smile.
There was no regret in my choice.
"Guys… I… love…"
Thud.
"My discipleeeee!!!"
With that final sound, the second cycle of the Hypnosis Breeder ca to an end.
***
However, after Yujin's death, those who lost him had no ti to fall into grief.
"Wait, is it really... my disciple...?"
"Yujin, turned to ash... huh?"
"Oh, sis. A shooting star just fell from the sky!!!"
"What are you talking about, Haru, you rice cake. It’s broad daylight… huh. It’s real."
No. They didn’t even have the chance to fully grasp the situation.
Screeeeee!!
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