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"I don’t know what you’re planning, but finish that thing quickly, Jonathan. Stop playing gas."
"I’m not playing gas... Lucifer, you should understand. People deserve second chances."
"Hmph! We’ve killed plenty already..."
"I know, but this is my way. I won’t abandon who I truly am, or what I believe in. Maria gives so people second chances too. Although most of the fighters here don’t seem redeemable, I don’t mind if you take them down. I’m not naïve."
"..."
Lucifer gazed at Jonathan with a slightly irritated expression, yet he couldn’t help but admire his courage and code of honor.
He had hated this man since they t—hated him even more when Maria spared him and let him live among them.
He wanted to kill him when he learned Jonathan had once been Maria’s lover, and yet allowed nobles to publicly behead her.
But now... he was beginning to understand.
People could change.
He had changed.
So had Jonathan.
And maybe even the monster Jonathan was fighting.
Maybe others too.
Jonathan was soone who never let go of hope.
Lucifer hated that.
He wished he could kill him right now.
But at the sa ti... he admired his spirit.
"{Heavenly Blade Arts}: {Sunshine}"
FLAAASH!
Jonathan unleashed his light, fusing it with healing magic, piercing the venomous dragon after narrowly avoiding a deadly claw strike.
The poison was already spreading through his body.
This wasn’t ordinary poison—it was Poison Ki.
Lifeforce itself, corrupted through Internal Alchemy.
And yet Jonathan pushed further.
He pierced through the cursed seals on the man, freeing his form as an explosion of poison erupted.
Amidst the purple mist, the assassin’s body collapsed.
The Poison Needle Assassin gasped, eyes wide.
"What... what happened?"
He looked around, confused.
Gazing at the man before him—short blonde hair, glowing blue eyes, and a smile filled with hope... and trust.
Belief.
"Are you alright? That took by surprise."
"...?!"
The assassin stared in shock.
"I didn’t die... And you’re not dead? Your swordsmanship... it deactivated my transformation without killing ?!"
"It was hard, but not impossible. I simply purified the poison that made you like that."
"...Why?"
"Because I believe you deserve a second chance."
"...Bullshit. You want sothing—from , from the sect!"
"No."
"...No?"
"No. I just want you to open your eyes. You have the strength to fight back—why not use it to protect your world from those who abuse its people?"
"What? That’s... nonsensical. In Murim—"
"In Murim what? I told you before, didn’t I? What makes a world are the actions of its people.
This world never forced you to beco who you are.
It never told you to kill.
It never told you to be ruthless.
This world... can’t you see the gleaming moon, the night sky, the forest, the beautiful mountains?
This beautiful world you have here—do you really think it would ever force you to commit atrocities?"
"..."
"Co on now."
Jonathan extended his hand.
The Poison Needle Assassin slowly reached out, unable to believe himself.
"Up you go."
Jonathan helped him stand, laughing cheerfully.
Never had this man t soone like him.
He had to co from another world to tell him that what he believed might not be what he truly wanted.
That maybe hurting innocents and obeying the orders of those who abused and tortured him into becoming an assassin... wasn’t the brightest idea.
But it was what he was conditioned to do.
What he grew up to be.
Changing that... was harder than Jonathan imagined.
"It looks like they’re losing anyway..."
"Hm?"
Jonathan noticed a small flask of green liquid in the assassin’s hand.
"That’s the antidote to the Ki Poison..."
"Thank you! With this, I can heal everyone."
"And yourself."
"Ah, yes... I suppose."
"Don’t put others before yourself."
"I can’t do that."
"...Why?"
"Because that’s what a Hero does. I have this strength for a reason, right? I want to help."
"..."
The assassin slowly walked away.
Lucifer roared.
"Hey, he’s running away! Kill him already! Or at least capture him!"
"Leave him be, Lucifer."
"...What?!"
Jonathan watched the assassin, still holding the antidote.
It ant more than anyone could guess.
It ant... he trusted him.
"Go."
"...You’re full of nonsense."
The assassin leapt away, disappearing into the forest.
And yet, as he ran...
His eyes filled with tears.
His face twisted into a dumb smile.
"What is this feeling? What sort of person was he? A... a hero? What a strange concept."
The power to inspire hope and dreams in the hearts of others—
That was the true power of a hero.
Jonathan laughed, walking back to Lucifer—then collapsed.
"Ouch... I think my body’s paralyzed... help... help , Lucifer..."
"You damn idiot! See what happens when you’re too kind?!"
Lucifer grumbled but began healing him.
He fed him a bit of the antidote.
It worked—it wasn’t another poison, as Lucifer had feared.
"The Poison Ki was purified...!" Jonathan regained control of his body quickly. "Amazing, hahaha! He really wasn’t a bad person, see? Let’s go—there’s a lot of people we can help."
"Hey, what are you even planning now?!" Lucifer complained.
"I need Maria to synthesize this... Ah, it’s gone?" Jonathan blinked, noticing Maria behind him, inspecting the flask.
"Interesting antidote—and he gave it to you just like that? Wow, Jonathan, your charm knows no bounds," Maria laughed.
"Maria! The battle’s already over?!"
"Been over for a while now," Maria said. "So people are in trouble? Poisoned, right?"
"Yeah... Could you help—"
"Done!"
Maria produced dozens of bottles of the antidote.
Her alchemy skills were supre.
She had consud the antidote and synthesized it within her soul, producing more using her own energy and materials from her inventory and soul realm.
In fact, the antidote had likely evolved into an even more effective version.
"There you go, dear," Maria said. "I know Lucifer got mad at you, but that’s why I love you, Jonathan. I admire the kindness in your heart—it’s truly honest. Sothing very rare nowadays."
"Maria... thank you," Jonathan smiled, then sprinted back into the city, using the antidote to help everyone he could.
"Seriously? He gets all the praise?" Lucifer muttered, already back in his humanoid form. "Maybe I shouldn’t have even bothered trying..."
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