**The Worries of Angels (1/1)**

Early morning.

The sky, once shrouded in a murky light, began to brighten gradually from the east as the clear sun rose. The cool breeze slipping through the open window hinted that traces of dawn still lingered.

The fresh air invigorated my mind, and as I slowly sat down, I reached out with my right hand. My fingers found the warmth of a hot teacup—Go Yeon-ju’s signature herbal tea, earned with a morning kiss after breakfast.

Recalling her playful threat that I’d have to pay up if I wanted more tea brought a smile to my lips.

I savored the fragrant aroma for a while before taking a light sip. The pleasant warmth spread through me, and I quietly spoke, loud enough for anyone outside the door to hear.

“Come in.”

I sensed a startled movement outside, followed by hesitant footsteps, and then the sound of someone quickly running down the hallway. Now it was my turn to be surprised.

“…?”

I considered chasing after them but decided against it, settling back into my seat.

I could guess who it was. Likely one of the two who kept glancing at me during breakfast—Ahn Hyun or Vivian. Ever since they heard about the wish to resurrect Shin Sang-yong, they probably had something to discuss with me.

The thought of that issue plunged me into contemplation.

‘Once a user dies, they can never return to Earth.’

I only learned this fact just before reversing time, and I was hesitant to bring it up with the others.

I heard Ahn Hyun feels deeply responsible for Shin Sang-yong’s death, but he’s now determined to use a wish to bring him back. If he learns the truth, he might carry that guilt forever.

Moreover, since this fact is closely tied to the Zero Code, I doubted the angels would readily share it.

I still don’t know why the angels didn’t tell me this in the first round.

I assumed I could return, so I never asked, and the angels chose not to tell me for reasons unknown.

If I tell them, “You can’t go back,” how will they react?

I’ve acted uncharacteristically for a zero-year in the Hall Plain, but I could at least offer some explanation. Most of the information is recorded, thanks to my frequent library visits.

But there’s no record stating that a user resurrected by a wish can’t return.

The keyword ‘return’ is only revealed when tackling Terra, so if they ask for my source, I’ll be in a tight spot.

Honestly, I have no intention of resurrecting Shin Sang-yong. I believe it’s the right decision, and that won’t change.

I’ve only permitted Ahn Hyun to use his wish, and I plan to watch from a supportive distance.

Regardless, I think it’s better to tell them if I can. If Ahn Hyun truly cares for Shin Sang-yong, I don’t want him to suffer the same pain I did.

‘Is the answer with Seraph?’

In the first round, I assumed I could return, so I didn’t ask. Seraph said she didn’t tell me for my sake.

I don’t fully trust Seraph’s words, but I feel the need to visit the temple soon. Her answers will determine whether I can share this with the others.

‘Should I just go now?’

The thought crossed my mind, and I found myself gazing at the sky.

Had I been lost in thought for too long? Time had passed, and the once dull sky now shone brightly. After downing the now lukewarm tea, I slowly stood up.

—

“In the Hall Plain, once a user dies, they cannot be resurrected as a user. Instead, they are created anew as a resident.”

“…One more question. Can residents ever go to Earth?”

“No. The relationship between Earth and the Hall Plain is one-way. Earthlings can return through the path they entered, but residents cannot move at all.”

In the Hall Plain’s summoning chamber, a white-winged angel stood by the altar, and before her, a man sat on the floor—Seraph and Kim Su-hyun.

“Then…”

After a brief exchange, Kim Su-hyun hesitated, and Seraph nodded gravely.

“Users resurrected by a wish become residents. There’s no difference.”

Kim Su-hyun’s eyes flickered at Seraph’s answer.

“…I see.”

He replied calmly, exhaling a short sigh as he stood. Though he didn’t seem shocked, a closer look revealed a complex expression.

“Then why…?”

Kim Su-hyun opened his mouth, hesitated, and fell silent again, deep in thought.

While he pondered, Seraph watched him, reflecting on his demeanor.

His tone and attitude remained cold, but at least there was no hostility. And his once icy gaze seemed slightly warmer.

Even if that warmth wasn’t directed at her, she felt a sense of relief and inexplicable satisfaction.

“Tsk. Never mind. I’ll keep the information to myself.”

“Thank you.”

Though he seemed to have more questions, Kim Su-hyun turned and walked toward the blue portal. Watching him disappear, Seraph let out a quiet breath.

“…Phew.”

Left alone once more, Seraph closed her eyes. Now calmer, her wings returned to their usual state.

Then, suddenly—

A brilliant light burst beside the altar, and an angel emerged from the dazzling glow.

“!”

Startled by the unexpected arrival, Seraph opened her eyes and turned her head. Upon recognizing the summoned angel, she frowned slightly.

“…What brings you here, Uriel?”

“It seems my presence isn’t welcome, Seraph.”

“……”

“Isn’t it rather audacious for a mere high-ranking angel?”

Despite Uriel’s blatant criticism, Seraph remained silent. Uriel glared at her, then brushed back her jet-black hair with a sigh.

“Fine. Let’s set that aside… That user was here just now, wasn’t he?”

“If you mean Kim Su-hyun, the user I’m responsible for, yes.”

“You’re not hiding it… Fine. Then why did you tell him? It’s best to keep Hall Plain’s secrets. If that information spreads across the northern continent, users’ trust in angels will plummet. Surely you know that?”

“I only disclosed what I could. The user reached his own conclusions. I agree with some of your concerns, which is why I made him promise not to spread the information.”

“A vow?”

“…I didn’t take a vow.”

Seraph answered firmly, and Uriel’s briefly softened expression hardened again.

“Seraph, I’ve warned you repeatedly since that user arrived. He’s suspicious and dangerous.”

“…Is that why you requested the revocation of his Tanay-level privilege?”

“Yes. We can’t touch that privilege, but I planned to request its revocation after review. It might be a simple request, but it’s all we can do. And only you, as his guardian angel, can propose it.”

“That’s true. But do you think I’ll agree?”

When Seraph replied calmly, Uriel lost her patience.

“Seems words won’t get through to you.”

Uriel muttered softly, then waved her hand.

What happened next was silent and imperceptible. But Seraph’s body was suddenly lifted from the altar, suspended in mid-air.

Something unseen constricted her throat, and she coughed violently.

“Ugh! Cough, cough!”

“Seraph, I don’t understand your thoughts.”

“W-What! Cough!”

“Why are you so protective of that user? Why are you so obsessed? From granting him the Flame to refusing to change his guardian, to encouraging him to increase his strength. And now, sharing unnecessary information? What have you been listening to all this time?”

Under the mounting pressure, Seraph could only cough helplessly, unable to muster a response. Yet, even in her pain, she refused to yield. Instead, she glared defiantly at Uriel, biting her lip in a silent declaration of her unwillingness to comply.

Uriel, growing more infuriated by her defiance, was about to raise his hand again when—

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Three bursts of light exploded in quick succession, flooding the summoning chamber with a blinding white glow. As the light faded, three angels appeared simultaneously.

Uriel, caught mid-motion, turned his head sharply. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized the figures stepping forward.

“Gabriel…? Michael, Raphael.”

A voice, rich with amusement, echoed through the room just as the light began to wane.

“What are you up to, Uriel?”

The first to touch the ground was a pair of pristine white feet, followed by a cascade of long hair. With twelve pairs of wings unfurled behind her, it was clear the first angel to descend was Gabriel.

“What brings you here…?”

“I asked what you were doing.”

“This is…”

Uriel bit his lip, his face a mask of discomfort, and slowly lowered his hand. Seraph, who had been suspended in mid-air, fell back onto the altar, coughing weakly as she rubbed her sore throat.

“Seraph, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. It was just a minor disagreement.”

Despite her words, both Seraph and Uriel wore expressions of awkwardness. Gabriel glanced between them, chuckling softly.

“A minor disagreement, huh? Don’t lie. Considering Uriel’s actions, it was anything but minor.”

“…I won’t deny it.”

“Good to hear. Then you’ll accept a small punishment and promise not to do this again, right?”

Gabriel tilted her head slightly, her smile unwavering.

“I’ll accept the punishment, but I can’t make that promise.”

Uriel’s response was blunt, almost a direct challenge to Gabriel’s authority as the archangel. Yet Gabriel’s smile only deepened.

“You’re refusing to comply even after doing something wrong?”

“I don’t believe I did anything wrong.”

“Why? Explain yourself.”

“I’ve said it many times before. The user, Kim Su-hyun, is extremely dangerous and suspicious. We need to retract the excessive power given to him and limit the information he can access.”

Uriel’s steadfastness was unyielding. Gabriel calmly seated herself on the altar beside Seraph, who tried to rise but was gently held back by Gabriel’s hand.

“Uriel, Uriel. I really don’t understand why you’re so worried.”

“…From the start, he was granted Tanay-level privileges. He possesses the power of Hwajeong. And his actions in Hall Plain suggest he knows something. Doesn’t that raise any alarms?”

“I’m curious, sure. But nothing bad has happened, right? He defeated Belphegor before and recently took down Nergal. Overall, he’s thwarted the demons’ plans quite effectively. What’s so bad about that?”

“That’s true for now. But Gabriel…”

Uriel tried to speak earnestly, but her words were cut short. A spear, radiating intense heat, was suddenly aimed at her throat.

“I advise you to hold your tongue, Uriel.”

Uriel glanced between Michael, who was staring at her silently, and Raphael, who was crouched nearby, grinning. She gritted her teeth in frustration.

“I was speaking, Michael.”

“Yes, yes, you were speaking. Michael, lower your spear.”

At Gabriel’s casual wave, Michael stepped back, still watching Uriel intently.

Uriel rubbed her neck, then shot a sharp look at Seraph. Gabriel, wrapping an arm around Seraph, continued in a relaxed tone.

“Uriel, did the user you were overseeing die recently?”

“If you’re referring to the potential queen candidate, she was killed by Kim Su-hyun.”

“You don’t need to emphasize his name. Anyway, I’ll handle this matter discreetly. Until a new user arrives, consider yourself on probation.”

“Understood. But I have one last thing to say.”

“If it’s the same thing, I won’t allow it.”

Gabriel’s response was firm, signaling that her patience was wearing thin. Uriel swallowed hard, sensing the finality in Gabriel’s words. Yet, after a moment, she spoke again.

“Hwajeong is a terrifying power.”

The three angels collectively held their breath. Even Gabriel seemed taken aback, her eyes widening slightly.

Emboldened, Uriel continued in a calmer tone.

“And he recently achieved the first awakening of Hwajeong.”

“Uriel, what are you trying to say?”

“If things continue as they are, the likelihood of him obtaining the Zero Code is quite high. I acted to prevent such a disaster from occurring.”

“What…? Wait, a disaster?”

To an angel, it sounded absurd. Yet Gabriel didn’t react with anger. She pondered Uriel’s words, her expression thoughtful, before speaking softly.

“So you’re saying… there’s a chance he might side with the demons?”

“That possibility is slim. They need the Zero Code, and so does the user. Since there’s only one Zero Code, their goals conflict, making an alliance unlikely.”

“True.”

“But.”

Uriel paused, her voice deepening.

“If he learns the secrets surrounding Hall Plain… about us, the demons, and Earth, how do you think he’ll react?”

“Secrets and reactions, huh.”

Finally grasping Uriel’s concerns, Gabriel nodded a few times. Then, shaking her head, she replied in a more composed voice.

“The activation of the Zero Code can only happen through us. I doubt he’d make a foolish decision. In short, your worries are premature and unfounded.”

“Perhaps. But he is hostile towards the angels. Given the past discussions about changing his assistant, you’re all aware of his attitude.”

“…Hmm.”

“You’re all too complacent. Think more deeply. If his strength reaches 100, the second awakening of Hwajeong begins. At 101, the final third awakening starts. And if, by any chance, it goes beyond that, Hwajeong might break free from its constraints and regain its original power.”

“……”

Having said her piece, Uriel stepped back slowly. She surveyed the angels in the room before speaking again.

“That power could edit this ‘world’ itself.”

Her entire body began to glow with a bright light.

“If he learns all the secrets, I can only pray that the blade of Hwajeong doesn’t turn against us.”

With a brilliant flash, Uriel vanished, leaving her words lingering in the air like a fading echo, accompanied by the shimmering remnants of light.

—————————= Author’s Note —————————=

If today’s chapter left you with questions, refer back to episode 121’s ‘After’ section for some clarity. In the end, Seraph lied to Kim Su-hyun once more before the regression. 😀