The Great Mage Returns After 4000 Years (Web Novel KR)

As Arid made the believers listen to him by mixing his voice with ‘Brilliance’, Sedi watched on with a sneer.

“I can’t believe he’s taking the time to persuade that trash. What a waste of energy.”

Kran inwardly agreed with that statement, but he didn’t show it.

Arid, the Saint of Salvation, was one of the Top Three.

He was born with an incredible power called Brilliance.

With his power, he had been able to heal Kran and Sedi, who had been severely injured from their fight with Ugkas and Sipakna, in an instant.

It wasn’t just their injuries that were healed.

Even the fatigue that had built up in their bodies had disappeared.

‘Although, my demonic energy was not replenished.’

But asking for that as well would just be greedy.

Instead, they were grateful that Arid’s holy energy did not conflict with the demonic energy in their bodies.

“Even if we regained our stamina, at this rate, we won’t win.”

“You’re right.”

Kran nodded at Sedi’s words.

At best, they could only cut off a few tentacles or slightly damage Sipakna’s new metal shell. If nothing changed, they would be the ones to eventually be at a disadvantage.

‘I’m slowly using up all my equipment.’

Out of all his weapons, which could pile up to form a mountain, Kran only had three useful swords left.

“What about the gun that you used to take out the tin can? Can you use it again?”

“You make it sound easy.”

Those bullets weren’t items that he had tons of like normal bullets.

Of course, even if he had more, he couldn’t use it at the moment. This was because despite his condition being better, he didn’t have the demonic energy to activate Burnout.

No matter how good the car’s condition was, it wouldn’t be able to move without gas.

This was also the reason why he was fighting in his human form rather than his true, demonic form.

‘…however, my regeneration is still available.’

Kran frowned slightly.

His opponent was one of the Five Dukes, and somehow, it had managed to obtain the power of Ugkas as well.

In such a situation, he would have no choice but to gamble and risk his life.

He’d just thrown a demon grenade into its body, but it seemed to have only a slight effect. This was proof that it had incredible defense or regenerative ability on the outside and the inside.

“When I put the demon grenade in its mouth just now, it seemed to have an effect.”

“Do you intend to attack it from the inside? How?”

“By going inside of it.”

When Kran said those words, Sedi’s expression became strange.

“…you’re not thinking about actually going into its mouth, are you?”

“It seems you are a bit smart after all.”

It didn’t seem like he was joking.

At that moment, Sedi wanted to press her hands against her temples, but she couldn’t afford to.

Sipakna had ‘consumed’ Ugkas. In other words, it had swallowed his extremely durable body and digested it, either with its gastrointestinal fluids or some other means.

And yet, Kran wanted to step into that monster’s mouth of his own volition.

“You’re really crazy.”

“My regeneration is still active. So it will be a gamble. Whether I can kill him first or whether he can digest me first.”

“…”

His voice was cold, but when she looked at him, she realised that he wasn’t worried at all.

‘I’m not the one who made him do it.’

So she had no reason to stop him.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Hold the tentacles back.”

Taht.

After saying that, Kran charged forward without waiting for a response.

Sedi clicked her tongue in annoyance before following him.

She lamented the fact that she had to deal with tentacles all day long.

However, their plan was thwarted before it could even commence.

Thump-

“…!”

As he ran forward, Kran suddenly collapsed.

It happened so quickly and without warning that even Sedi was shocked.

“Hey!”

Sedi rushed towards Kran, but before she could reach him, his body rose into the air and flew somewhere.

It wasn’t to Sipakna. This large monster had also stopped moving. Its tentacles remained frozen in place.

Pong-

Instead, it was a drop of water.

The drop of water slowly grew larger before finally taking on the appearance of a man.

It was a face that Sedi was familiar with.

“This is a surprise. What brings you here? Did you come to look at the ocean?”

“Watch your mouth, mortal. Do you think you and I are still in the same position?”

Thud.

A huge amount of pressure weighed down Sedi’s shoulders. Her knees began to creak, and her thighs felt like they would be torn apart.

Nevertheless, she refused to kneel. That was out of her pride as a former Absolute.

Instead, she spat out in a harsh voice.

“Nodiesop, did you decide to wag your tail for the Demon King in the end?”

Nodiesop sneered.

“It’s just an alliance. And even if I did, it’s still better than you, Sedi Glaston.”

“Kuk.”

“You fell from grace. No, you were stripped. I can’t even bear to look at you. If I were you, I would have already killed myself by now.”

He shook his head slowly before spreading his arms.

“How about this? Instead of just killing you, I will completely destroy you. That way, you won’t have to be stuck in the cycle of reincarnation. I think it is the best end for a being who used to be an Absolute.”

“Enough of your bullshit.”

Even though she appeared calm as she said those words, Sedi’s hands, which were wrapped around the staff, were white.

To say that this situation was the worst would be an understatement,

It would probably be better to fight ten Sipaknas at the same time.

Nodiesop didn’t need to rest or sleep.

Sedi, who was now a mortal, had no chance of defeating him.

‘I don’t know what to do, Father.’

A drop of sweat rolled down the back of Sedi’s neck.

‘I think I really might die this time.’

* * *

In a ruined city sat beneath an ominous black sky, unknown screams ripped through the air and mysterious vibrations shook the ground.

In this place, which seemed like a world on the brink of destruction, a melancholic voice resounded.

[The souls you saw were not your family members.]

The believers of the Church of Eternal Life stared at Arid with blank expressions.

This was their first time seeing Arid. Because Slei and Reika always made sure to hide him away thoroughly.

Nevertheless, the believers instinctively felt that Arid was an extraordinary being.

The Brilliance which encapsulated his body was the best proof of that.

[I’m sorry.]

Arid apologised.

His voice was filled with sincerity and regret.

In the end, it was his indecisiveness that had caused the situation to become what it was.

This wasn’t a hypocritical self-sacrifice. They were his genuine thoughts.

Swallowing the wave of remorse and regret, Arid continued.

[The souls you met were nothing more than copies of your loved ones’ personalities that had been imprinted on wandering souls. They were no different from the relatives you had and lost, but they were also not truly them. Our Church of Eternal Life cheated and deceived you.]

“…what are you talking about?”

“Copies of their personalities? You deceived us?”

For the first time, the believers looked confused.

They looked at Arid with disbelieving expressions.

Their eyes widened, and their bodies shook. It was almost as if they were about to be consumed by fear.

[I know that it might be hard to accept. I know the depth of your wounds.]

After saying that, Arid shook his head.

[No. I don’t know.]

It wasn’t something that he could understand.

[However, I know that it is unforgivable. That’s why I won’t ask for your forgiveness…. I will bear all the blame.]

It was then.

A middle-aged woman at the front of the group approached Arid.

“A-, are you the Saint?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“…liar.”

“Huh?”

“Stop lying!”

The woman’s face contorted to become like a demon’s as she charged towards Arid and began to strangle him.

“Ku-, urk!”

“Y-, y-, yo-, you are just impersonating the Saint, aren’t you? D-, d-, do you think we would fall for your tricks?! B-, Bishop would never lie to us…!”

He couldn’t breathe.

As he was being choked, Arid could see the fanatical belief that flashed in the woman’s eyes.

It was only then when he realised just how deep the darkness in their hearts truly was. Perhaps, in their hearts, they already knew the truth.

There’s no way that they couldn’t tell Arid’s identity by his hair, eyes, and the brilliance that enveloped his body.

Nevertheless…

They did not want to accept it.

“H-, h-, heathen! This is blasphemy!”

As she shouted this, the middle-aged woman threw Arid to the ground.

Crack!

“Huk!”

Then she began to stomp on him. On his head, on his face. His cheeks quickly became numb.

Most of his Brilliance had already been used, so he had no way to heal himself. His white skin soon became covered in red blood.

But that was only the beginning.

It was as if a wind of madness had overtook the believers. The mob’s fear transformed into a need for violence. Maybe it was because of the many things they had been through that day, but it seemed that none of them were able to make rational decisions.

“He’s the Devil’s servant!”

“Everyone, don’t be shaken!”

“O-, ohh. Bishop, Saint. Where the hell are you…?”

“Teach us! Show us the way!”

As they screamed madly, they stomped and beat his body.

Soon, he felt nothing but pain.

Nevertheless, it was the pain in his heart that hurt him more than the physical pain.

Tears began to flow from his white eyes.

Ahh…. Grandfather.

You’ve done such a terrible thing.

(TL: I really thought Arid was gonna make a badass entrance…)