I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 76

Si woo frowned as he questioned her.

“Why not?”

“I told you. Right now, the board’s surveillance is too strict, so it’s hard to slip away.”

“But this is different from the promise!”

He had agreed to the deal, believing only the promise of meeting Hana.

But what was he supposed to do now that this was happening?

However, the assistant principal rebutted confidently.

“I’m keeping my promise. If you wait here patiently, you’ll eventually meet Yoo Hana.”

“…What?”

“Soon, the Apostles will attack the academy. Yoo Hana will be coming too.”

The shocking news of an imminent attack on the academy left Si woo in turmoil.

“Is that true?”

“The heroes are already here at the academy or ready to come at any moment. A full-scale war is inevitable.”

“Then… what about me…?”

“Don’t you already know what you have to do?”

“…”

At that moment, the phone in the assistant principal’s office rang.

He clicked his tongue, muttering under his breath.

“Tch. Those board members. Here we go again.”

Answering the call with brief responses, the assistant principal sighed after hanging up.

“I’ve got things to do, so you should go now. Prepare yourself, as the attack may start sooner than expected.”

“…”

Forcibly ushered out of the office, the boy walked down the hallway, steps echoing in the empty corridor.

The academy’s atmosphere had become tumultuous lately, with the ongoing war against the Apostles.

Despite being future heroes, they were still just students. It was not easy to maintain composure, especially when they received news that their hometowns and families were being trampled by the Apostles.

And whispers have been spreading recently.

Rumors were circulating about heroes losing in battle against the Apostles, and even an S-class hero losing their life. Such news was enough to plunge everyone into despair if it were true.

Smiles had disappeared from the students’ faces.

Everyone wandered around with dark expressions and eyes full of anxiety.

If the Apostles really attacked the academy in such a situation, it was obvious how things would turn out.

The boy continued his steps and left the school building.

Crossing the street and passing the dormitory, he arrived at a small, deserted park.

“…Yoo Hana.”

There was no reply to his lonely call, leaving his words to scatter into the air.

This was the moment he had longed for.

He had heard he would reunite with her soon.

He should be happy.

But only a heavy, bitter feeling remained in his heart.

Wasn’t there a chance that things could have turned out much better than this?

The choices he missed due to his own immaturity kept resurfacing in his mind.

He sat on the swing and reminisced about the nights he had spent here with her.

At that time, he seemed to have been truly happy without any worries.

Just like in those innocent days of childhood.

No matter how much he agonized and conflicted, the conclusion was always the same.

His resolve hadn’t weakened; instead, it only grew stronger.

He wanted to see her again.

To keep the promise he made in this park to make her happy.

“There you are.”

Startled by the voice from ahead, Si woo looked up.

A girl with purple hair stood there.

Seeing her again for the first time since that day, he was noticeably taken aback.

Why was she here?

“Longinus.”

“Long time no see.”

“Did you come to find me? Why?”

With her usual expressionless face, she replied.

“I have to protect you from the Apostles.”

“…Protect? I don’t need it.”

“Sorry, but refusal isn’t an option. Please cooperate.”

Si woo rose from the swing and glared at her.

“What if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll have to take you by force.”

A purple spear appeared in the girl’s hand.

***

“Ha, damn it, how irritating.”

A woman who had just emerged from the gate pulled down her hood, grumbling.

Her ragged appearance, with blood and flesh stuck to her clothes, showed just how fierce her battles had been.

But this was nothing to her.

These trials were all part of her training to grow stronger.

Hearing from her benefactor had given her a chance to sort out her thoughts and strengthen her resolve, even though the person wasn’t who she had expected.

Since that day, she had been fighting endlessly inside the gate, not breathing fresh air for an entire week.

Satisfied with her achievements, she had finally stepped out.

But as soon as she exited, Yeonhwa tilted her head in confusion.

For a moment, she even doubted if she had come out correctly.

She was definitely outside, but the air was filled with the thick stench of blood.

Realizing she was indeed outside, her expression grew serious.

It seemed something serious had happened while she was inside.

Yeonhwa immediately heightened her vigilance and moved cautiously.

The gate she had entered was in a secluded place, which allowed her, a first-class criminal, to come and go freely.

Yet, the smell of blood was overpowering here.

Even with her sensitive sense of smell, this was beyond normal.

Something was definitely wrong.

As she approached the city, the smell of blood became even more intense, almost unbearable.

Yet, the presence of people felt substantial.

If a massacre had truly occurred, as she suspected, then the number of people should have dwindled, but it hadn’t.

Moreover, an unfamiliar, machine-like feeling mixed with the ordinary presence.

When she finally reached the city, she was horrified by the sight before her.

Countless people wandered around the city, all with twisted appearances.

If you looked closely, each bore wounds that could easily have killed them.

Not just unnatural – they had indeed died.

Yet, here they were, walking around.

Undead? Zombies?

Were these some kind of beasts?

But could ordinary people become beasts, even without being demons?

“…”

Then, she sensed two distinct presences, completely different from the corpses filling the city.

As soon as she noticed it, she hid herself, trying to identify the two figures.

One of them soon spoke, her voice reaching Yeonhwa’s ears.

“Hmm. Seeing it in person, it’s less exciting than I thought. An Apostle commanding undead. Just hearing about it made my heart race, you know? Maybe I’m just too tired.”

It was a woman with a seductive voice, speaking with an air of leisure that didn’t fit the situation at all.

“Anyway, thanks for the show. There’s really no one like our new recruit.”

“No problem. It wasn’t hard.”

The other voice made Yeonhwa stiffen.

A voice that felt strangely familiar.

Unbelievable as it seemed, an image of a girl flashed through her mind.

“You used your one-day break just for me? Can I take that as a sign you love me that much?”

“You’re quite mischievous, Fox.”

“Oh my. Would you like me to show you what real mischief is? Hehe.”

But just from their voices alone, she couldn’t be sure.

She needed to see them, though that meant risking exposing herself.

From the way they spoke, it was clear they didn’t sense any danger and might even be behind the current situation.

In other words, they were highly dangerous enemies.

“So, are you planning to leave these guys here? Using them for tomorrow’s academy attack wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“It’s hard to control them all. They might even attack us.”

“Hmm… Are there more?”

“Yes. Every city we attack has them.”

“I see. Then, we’ll just leave them. But maybe we could use them to clean up any pesky survivors, like the bug eavesdropping on us behind that wall.”

She had been discovered.

Realizing this, Yeonhwa attempted to flee.

But in a blink, her opponent appeared in front of her.

A woman with flowing purple hair and a fox mask. The image of a black goat from her past flashed in her mind.

An Apostle.

Only an Apostle would be here, wearing an animal mask.

Yeonhwa quickly judged her options and lit her fist with fire to strike.

“A fiery one. Not bad.”

Her punch was easily blocked.

Soft fur wrapped around her arm, rendering her unable to move.

“Damn it…!”

Even at her best, she couldn’t be sure of victory against this opponent.

Let alone in her current, exhausted state after a week of intense training.

The other Apostle approached slowly.

Yeonhwa turned her head, momentarily forgetting to resist.

A white cloak, a horned sheep mask.

And cream-colored hair tied up in a single ponytail.

“…Yoo Hana. It is Yoo Hana, right? You’re Yoo Hana!”

At those words, the White Sheep’s gaze shifted to Hong Yeonhwa.