LTTH C26

Chapter 26

With the sanctuary manifesting for the third time, once more a golden radiance began to emanate, centering itself upon Hansol. As always, it began as a gentle, tranquil glow. The beams of light, gradually expanding, first enveloped Sehyun, then proceeded to shroud the dark shadow that followed.

By right, the sanctuary should have driven out all impurity residing within. This was precisely what Hansol had hoped for when he invoked it. Yet the dark silhouette did not recoil beyond the sanctuary’s boundary as it had at the new gate before. Instead, the vivid golden light slowly began to suffuse it. No—rather than merely tinting it,

‘Could it be that it is being erased…?’

(Wh-what is this!! No, this cannot be!! How have I come this far… only to be…!)

It began with the limbs—arms and legs. Then the torso. And at last, even the head itself.

As though bound by the belief that no impurity may remain within the sanctuary, the shadow was literally erased, vanishing as if deleted. This was unlike before. Undeniably, the “declaration of sanctuary” was meant only to create a space that monsters could not enter. Not to annihilate them outright.

In a way, this was a relief. Yet now, the figure most vital to Hansol’s heart was Sehyun. The ground soaked red with his blood. His pallid face. Could he return from this? Hansol knew well it was impossible to save one fallen to death’s grasp. And yet—he was not yet dead.

‘Though his life teeters on the edge, he still breathes… does he not?’

Hansol wished to believe so. Therefore, he must live.

“Hansol-nim!”

“Darling!”

It was James and the Tower Lord. Tears blurred his vision, yet their figures were clear. Judging by their attire and condition, it seemed the sanctuary’s effect had preserved them both unharmed.

There now remained only Sehyun. Should he be revived, Hansol would desire nothing further.

“Sehyun-ssi is….”

The Tower Lord, having drawn near, cast his gaze upon Sehyun lying on the ground and fell silent. The floor and torn garments soaked with blood, the ravaged shoulder—though enveloped in golden light, it was unmistakable that his breath had ceased.

James and the Tower Lord exchanged looks.

“This is Hansol-nim’s second sanctuary.”

“What? When did you see the first?”

“I have spent longer in Hansol-nim’s company than you.”

“You seem not to understand: the future holds greater import than the past.”

James’ tone was more playful than before, while the Tower Lord’s expression grew ever more serious. Their exchange, so exaggerated, sometimes seemed mere performance, yet Hansol was grateful. The heavy atmosphere, weighted with Sehyun’s fate, was slightly relieved by their sparring. Hansol inhaled deeply.

“Whether past or future, I intend to accompany Hansol-nim. Thus, in all ways, I believe myself to prevail.”

“Hey, you cannot know that for certain. Right, Darling?”

“Why pose such questions to Hansol-nim? After all, you are a foreigner, are you not? When this expedition ends, you must return home. How little time remains.”

“That, too, is uncertain. I might yet remain here, following Darling.”

“Do not mistake every utterance for truth. If you are so foolish, I fear for your country’s future.”

‘It must be an act, yes?’

Hansol stared blankly at their growing quarrel. It had surely begun as mere pretense, yet the bickering turned true. As their perfect exchange wove back and forth, Hansol was momentarily dazed before snapping back.

Lowering his head, he saw Sehyun still gently encased in a calm golden glow. With a small flicker of hope, Hansol softly rested his palm upon Sehyun’s chest.

“……!”

It was warm. Was it the glow of light? His face remained pale, yet the heat was unmistakable. Hope for survival surged swiftly within Hansol. Desperately, he unleashed all his healing skills once more.

White lights danced again amid the golden particles.

“It’s working…”

Life returned to Hansol’s once-dimming eyes. He could save him. Using purification anew, the bloodied clothes became spotless. Even the wounds that marred his handsome face began to fade.

Ah, O Lord above.

“…This is troublesome indeed. I wish he would not grow so famous.”

“Indeed. How far might our Hansol-nim’s power extend?”

“Why say ‘our’ when you call him Darling?”

“Because he is ours.”

As their quarrel, briefly paused, reignited once more, Hansol averted his gaze. Behind James and the Tower Lord, hunters who had entered the gate alongside them now watched, their faces brimming with astonishment.

When they first met at the Mage Tower, their eyes had been thick with envy, jealousy, and curiosity. Now, they shone with pure wonder. So this was a healer. A faint thrill stirred Hansol’s heart.

“Thank you, Messiah.”

“Pardon?”

While he basked in quiet joy, a young man with boyish charm silently approached, then knelt so forcefully nearby that the sound echoed.

What was this? Hansol prided himself on recalling every soul whom he had healed or saved. Yet this man’s face was unknown to him. Merely one ranker amongst those who had entered the gate—nothing more. Perceiving Hansol’s confusion, the man smiled gently and pointed to another kneeling beside him.

“Yuki has been revived. Or rather, ‘returned to life’ would be a better phrase.”

Ah, the hunter who had vanished inside the pitch-black hut? His name was certainly Yuki. The man before Hansol must be Yuki’s companion. Yet Hansol’s memories held only that Yuki had disappeared, and whether he lived or died was unknown. Perhaps when the dark shadow—presumed to be a fragment of Bertel—was erased, the captive Yuki had been freed.

In other words, this might not be entirely due to Hansol’s power.

“No, Messiah, look behind you.”

“…?”

As if sensing Hansol’s doubt, the man gestured to turn his gaze back.

Ten hunters had entered this gate in total—the full number permitted. Among them, excluding James, the Tower Lord, and Sehyun, and Hansol himself, six remained. Of those six, two had earlier vanished in the black smoke, so only four should be left alive.

Yet before Hansol’s eyes, six figures stood. Despite excluding his own party.

“Those two, indeed…”

Though their features were blurred, the two bowed deeply, heads lowered in respect. They were unmistakably the hunters who had crumbled into dust in the black smoke before Hansol. This could not be illusion—for everyone here had witnessed that scene.

‘Truly?’

It meant that those deemed dead had risen again. Resurrection. Should other healers learn of this ability, Hansol’s skill would surely be rejected and condemned.

For healers were but lifelines—sustaining life, not returning it beyond death’s reach. They were no ‘extra life coin +1’. Yet if one healer could truly revive the dead, the entire order’s laws would shatter. What worth then for other healers?

Healers who only prevent death versus one who reverses it.

Though Hansol was no ranker himself, he knew with ease which the rankers would choose. Ten hunters, every one choosing the latter. For what good is healing once death claims you? No skill could take hold over the dead. When news of such resurrection spread, power would reverse. Just as Hansol had remained forever a level one healer, least valued amid others climbing levels ten, twenty, fifty, even a hundred.

But why?

Before joy could arise, confusion took root. The system did not change skills at whim, nor without cause. Actions or rewards underpinned its decisions. Yet Hansol was different.

Suddenly mastering healing skills, his declaration of sanctuary changed—twice over, irregularities struck him alone. No bug was this, for the system was no mortal machine.

“The doppelgänger of Bertel has been vanquished.”

“The gate has been cleared.”

“Rewards distributing in accordance with contribution.”

“The portal home has been created.”

Just as Hansol’s doubts swelled, a tardy system alert echoed effusively throughout the space—not to individuals but over the entire realm. This too was an irregularity.

Wait a moment.

“Not Bertel himself, but a doppelgänger?”

Then Bertel… remains?