Let's return to the moment right after the Underground King sealed the tunnel.
At that time, the underground kingdom was packed with survivors. Among them were many who were seriously injured or on the brink of death. This gave rise to a fierce argument—one side wanted to protect the injured, the other demanded their deaths to free up living space.
"They're just injured, maybe we can still save them," someone said.
"So what?" another shouted. "Look at them! One small hit and they'll die. You call that just injured? Are you kidding me?"
"What if they were your relatives?" another person countered. "Would you abandon them?"
"I..." The accuser fell silent, unable to respond.
The conflict escalated, with no end in sight.
"That's too bad," the Dwarf King said calmly.
"You still have the strength to say that?" the Elf King, standing beside him, muttered.
"So what now?" the Dwarf King sighed. "The world's falling apart, people are in chaos, and the one we trust most is hiding from reality."
"You're right." The Elf King smiled. "Want to go have a drink and relax?"
"Oh, that sounds great."
And just like that, the two kings walked away, leaving the people to argue—unaware that this was only the beginning of something far worse.
Elsewhere, the King sat huddled in a corner, his wife and two children by his side, tending to him.
"It's all just an illusion," he muttered.
His wife could only look at him helplessly. His resolve had shattered, leaving only fear and self-doubt.
Time passed.
The people gradually adjusted to life underground, but tensions remained. It was hard to believe they were once united—now they clashed constantly.
The leaders fared no better. Some vanished, some lost their minds, others shirked responsibility. Only a few kept their spirits up and quietly supported the people.
Ironically, the people rejected their help, having lost all faith in leadership. They shouted and cursed, not knowing if their anger was justified—they just needed someone to blame.
Still, the remaining leaders didn't react. If their help was rejected openly, they would work from the shadows.
As for the King, he was doing a little better thanks to his family's care—but he still blamed himself.
"Why didn't I make a wiser decision back then?" he whispered. "If only we'd cast aside our egos and abandoned Utopia, maybe everyone would have…"
His tears wouldn't stop. No matter how much his wife comforted him, she couldn't pull him out of the shadow of his regret.
All she could do was pray, every day, that he'd be better tomorrow.
That night, as everyone slept, a figure wandered through the quiet homes like a soulless shadow.
It was the King.
He hadn't slept in a long time, and only silence gave him any peace. So he walked—aimlessly.
Until—
"Oh, our honorable King. How did you end up like this?" a voice echoed.
"What are you doing here?" the King responded coldly.
"I came to check on my King. Is that not allowed?"
"If so, then show yourself. Stop pretending to be a ghost."
"As you wish."
Suddenly, the King was pulled into a portal, making him dizzy.
"Was there no gentler way?" he grumbled.
"Be grateful," the voice laughed. "This is much gentler than the times you teleported yourself."
The King fell silent, thinking about how far he'd fallen—from a confident leader to a broken man.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself seated on a luxurious chair. Across from him, a stranger sat at an elegant table, steam rising from a fragrant cup of tea.
"Have some," the stranger offered.
"I'm not interested," the King said coldly.
"A shame," the stranger chuckled. "It's my favorite—bitter, with a hint of regret. Just like you."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing at all. Just enjoying my tea."
"Then let's get to the point. Why am I here?"
"I want you to find hope."
Back in the underground kingdom, the Queen woke to find her husband gone.
This had never happened before—he always returned before she awoke.
Panicked, she ran outside, searching through every street and corner, questioning the other leaders. But no one knew anything.
"He must be wandering somewhere…" she murmured anxiously, unaware she was stepping into the most dangerous part of the kingdom—an area ruled by madmen.
As soon as she entered, they swarmed her, overpowering and binding her despite her struggles.
"What are you doing?!" she cried.
"Sacrificing you to the gods," one answered calmly.
"What?! Why?!"
"For happiness. For salvation," another grinned.
"You talk too much for a sacrifice," a third snapped. "Let's take her."
The madmen dragged the Queen to what they called a sacred place.
Back with the King—
He was stunned by the stranger's request.
"Hope?" he said coldly. "That still exists?"
"It does," the stranger replied. "The question is whether you'll seek it."
"How can I trust you?"
"You don't need to. Just listen."
"What's in it for you?"
"Depends on you."
"And if I refuse?"
"Simple." The stranger pointed. "I'll erase your memory. You'll return to your life of cowardice. How's that?"
The King hesitated. Should he search for answers—or return to his numb existence, unaware of his wife's danger?
"Oh, right," the stranger added. "Your wife is in trouble."
"What?!"
The stranger waved his hand, revealing a screen. The image showed his wife—bound and prepared for sacrifice.
"This is fake… right?" the King trembled.
"Think what you will," the stranger said calmly. "Just know this happened because of your weakness."
"What do you mean?" The King leapt from his chair, trying to summon his sword—but failed.
"Don't forget whose domain you're in," the stranger said as he stood. "It's your fault. You wandered like a ghost, making her worry."
"Enough!" the King shouted. "You brought me here. Now send me back!"
"I can't. Not until you choose."
That word again: choice.
Accept—and face the unknown. Refuse—and live in ignorance, forgetting everything.
He was paralyzed.
Until—
Memories of their past flooded in: the beautiful days, the promises they made. The vow to protect his family, no matter what.
He looked up. The stranger was still watching.
"So?" the stranger asked.
"You already know."
The stranger laughed. "I knew you'd choose this. Go save your precious family."
With a snap of his fingers, light surrounded the King.
"Find the book I gave you," the stranger called out. "It holds the hope you seek."
"Is it—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the King had already teleported back to his original position, leaving everyone around him in stunned silence.
"The book… Not now. First, I save her" he muttered.
Immediately, the King rushed forward, using scanning magic to locate his wife.
He darted through countless alleys and tunnels at blinding speed, like a phantom sweeping through the darkness.
Meanwhile, the madmen were nearing the final stages of their twisted ritual to sacrifice the Queen.
She cried and pleaded, but her captors didn't care. They only screamed in manic joy as they lit the fire and set her ablaze.
In that moment, the Queen thought of her two children—and of her husband. She just hoped they would be safe, even after she was gone. Especially him. She never got to say goodbye.
"I'm sorry… and goodbye, everyone," the Queen whispered. She stopped screaming, closed her eyes, and left her fate to whatever would come.
The madmen howled louder, their ecstasy blinding them to the silent death that approached.
In a blink, each of them was cut in half by clean, merciless slashes.
Panic erupted as they realized they were being hunted by something they couldn't see or comprehend.
They scrambled into formation, weapons drawn, eyes wide—but it was useless. One by one, they fell, never seeing their attacker.
Eventually, only the leader remained, trembling in fear.
"W-Whoever you are, come out! We have a guardian deity—we're not afraid of you!" he shouted, though his voice betrayed his terror.
"You guys... or just you?" a cold voice echoed from behind him.
He turned, but before he could even register the source, his vision warped. He watched his body collapse before everything went black.
It was over. Not a single one survived. The King had killed them all without hesitation.
He ran to the burning altar and pulled the Queen from the flames.
Looking at her unconscious face, sorrow filled his eyes.
She wasn't badly wounded—just overcome by smoke.
"Thank goodness I got here in time," the King whispered, tears spilling down his cheeks as he held her close.
Though he had arrived late, it wasn't too late. Yet even that left him frustrated. Why was he always the one who came last—when everyone needed him most?
Lifting his wife into his arms, he slowly walked out of that accursed place.
At the same time, the other leaders were scouring the area, trying to find the missing Queen.
Then, they saw him—walking toward them with the Queen cradled gently in his arms.
"Is the Queen alright?" one of them asked.
"She's fine, just unconscious," the King replied quietly.
"Thank goodness…"
The King moved to hand her over, but his hands wouldn't let go.
"Your Majesty… please let go."
Startled, the King blinked and finally released his grip. They took her to receive treatment.
He stood still, watching her figure disappear into the crowd.
Then he turned to one of the leaders.
"Please deliver a message to her," the King said softly.
"A message?" the man asked, confused.
"Tell her I'm sorry… for making her worry."
"Wait—what do you mean by that—"
Before he could finish, the King vanished into a portal, leaving the leader frozen in place.
A few days later, the Queen awoke.
She sat up slowly, her body still weak.
Someone nearby rushed over to help. "Your Majesty, you're awake!"
"Where am I?" she asked, trembling.
"You're in the kingdom's infirmary," they replied.
Her eyes widened. "Where is my husband?"
The attendant hesitated, unable to answer.
Then the leader from before stepped in.
"Your Majesty… the King saved you," he said gently. "But right after, he disappeared."
"Disappeared? Why would he do that?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"He left a message for you…"
"What message?" she asked urgently.
"He said… 'I'm sorry for making you worry.' That's what he asked me to tell you."
The Queen's eyes filled with tears. "Why… Why did he do that?" Her voice cracked. "You knew I'd worry and still… you just left? You idiot… You selfish idiot…"
Her cries echoed through the infirmary, and no one could console her.
Elsewhere, the King stood atop a cliff, gazing into the endless horizon.
"This way, right?" he muttered. "The gate only opens if you know where to go… but now, every place feels the same."
He jumped, landed safely, and walked forward—toward the place where hope had long been buried.
But the path ahead was perilous. Star Eaters roamed the darkness, hunting for prey.
Still, the King pressed on—not to find death, but to seek hope.
He wouldn't die here.
Not yet.
Because behind him, a family was still waiting.
He had to live on, no matter how difficult it was—because that was the only way he could keep the promise he made years ago.