...
The white light expanded in all directions, filling every corner of the room with an intense, overwhelming glow.
"Gaah! What is that light? My eyes, my eyes!"
Nayun let go of my hand, backing away instinctively as she covered her eyes with her hands. Her body shrank slightly, her shoulders raised in defense against the glare that dominated the space.
The sacred aura I conjured was too strong for someone who wasn't prepared. It wouldn't hurt Nayun, but it was intense enough to temporarily disorient her.
I, on the other hand, remained motionless. My magical eyes, glowing a deep red, stared directly at Jinyoon's body. The demonic energy, previously latent, began to react.
'Hmm! Holy magic seems to affect the demons of this world, even if the concept of energy is different.'
I thought to myself.
I could feel it. The seed inside him began to squirm, to resist. The seed, which had previously seemed dormant, now stirred like a cornered wild animal. Its impure essence tried to hide in the depths of Jinyoon's body, seeking refuge where my light couldn't reach it.
However, there was no escape.
I raised my right hand and let the sacred energy flow through it, channeling it towards Jinyoon's heart. The light condensed into a single point, forming a blinding glow that pulsed like a heart.
Then I cast it.
The whole room fell absolutely silent.
"Bzzz!"
A crack cut through the air, followed by an explosion of demonic energy that erupted from his body. It was as if a black gale had been unleashed, lashing the space around us. The shock made the furniture creak and the medical devices flicker uncontrollably.
"Ah!"
Nayun turned her face away, staggering backwards as she felt the wave of energy.
I, however, stood my ground.
The shadow that emerged from Jinyoon's chest tried to push me away, lashing out like tentacles of darkness. However, before it could touch me, my light burned away its essence. The darkness dissipated with a hissing sound, as if it were being consumed.
The entity inside Jinyoon struggled and squirmed. She wasn't yet fully conscious, but she instinctively knew she was in danger.
I could feel her raw emotions: panic, fury, despair, fear...
The black aura oscillated, and Jinyoon gasped for a brief moment. His fingers trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. This was the first physical reaction he had shown in years.
Nayun's eyes widened at the sight.
"Theo! Oppa, he moved!"
I didn't answer. My eyes were fixed on the violent flow of mana, watching it precisely.
The Devil Seed was still there, rooted in Jinyoon's heart, struggling, totally trapped.
It was a small heap of darkness, throbbing with a red light. A grotesque eye appeared in that black spot and stared at me with a malice beyond measure.
That eye was bleeding, and there was hatred and malice in it, as if a primitive conscience was awakening within the seed. It stared straight at me, and its sharp pupil dilated in recognition.
'Time to end this... You've been a great test subject, but that's it, I've only used a little holy power and you're already dying.'
The Devil Seed shuddered, cracking its black surface as my holy energy consumed it. The grotesque eye blinked frantically, reflecting fury and despair, before being completely swallowed up by it.
"It's over."
My words echoed.
Nayun, who had remained paralyzed the whole time, moved abruptly. She ran to the bed and, with trembling hands, grabbed Jinyoon's hand.
"Oppa..."
Her voice came out full of hope.
She waited, her moist eyes fixed on her brother.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, a slight movement.
Jinyoon's fingers trembled slightly. His eyelashes twitched and his previously pale skin began to come alive.
Nayun held her breath. She squeezed Jinyoon's hand even tighter, as if she feared it was just a passing illusion.
"Oppa... Can you hear me?"
Her voice came out hesitantly, full of fear and hope.
This time, the reaction was more intense. Jinyoon's fingers moved again, this time trying to grasp something. A faint sound escaped her lips: not words, but a hoarse whisper.
Nayun's eyes widened, reflecting the room's dim light in the glare of her tears.
"He's... he's waking up!"
She turned to me, overcome by pure emotion.
I nodded slowly.
"The devil's seed has been completely eradicated. Now it's only a matter of time before he regains consciousness."
Nayun couldn't hold back the sob that escaped from her throat. She brought her free hand to her face, covering her mouth as the tears flowed uncontrollably.
"Thank you... thank you, Theo...! Aaah!"
Her voice faltered, filled with relief and gratitude.
She turned to Jinyoon again, her eyes fixed on him, as if afraid she would blink and he would disappear.
I, on the other hand, remained watching her in silence.
He was, in fact, coming back; and in a few minutes, he would wake up.
It was then that I heard an almost inaudible whisper.
"...Yun..."
The voice was weak, hoarse, as if it hadn't been used for years.
Nayun's eyes widened even more.
"O-oppa!"
She squeezed his hand, leaning close to him.
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Jinyoon didn't open his eyes, but his fingers closed lightly around hers. A simple gesture, but one that made Nayun's heart soar.
She laughed happily.
"You're back... You've really come back..."
I moved away a little, giving them both space.
Then I felt a weak tug on my arm.
Nayun, still holding her brother's hand, turned to me. His eyes, moist and shining with emotion, stared at me.
"Theo..."
Her voice was still choked.
And before I could react, she came forward and hugged me tightly.
The warmth of her body, her arms wrapped around me, the subtle trembling of her chest as she sobbed... It all hit me at once.
I hugged her back and stroked her hair, comforting my beautiful girlfriend.
"So long..."
She whispered against my chest.
"I thought I'd never see my brother awake again... I thought I'd lost him. Thank you... Thank you..."
Nayun didn't say anything else after that, she just tightened her embrace, as if trying to confirm that it was real.
The minutes didn't seem to pass, but finally Jinyoon's eyes began to move under her eyelids. A slight tremor ran through his body, and he slowly opened his eyes, as if trying to adjust to the light in the room.
"Oppa..."
Nayun whispered. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her brother's hands.
Jinyoon blinked a few times, his eyes cloudy and distant, until they finally settled on Nayun. He opened his mouth, trying to form words, but all that came out was a hoarse, disjointed sound.
"Nayun...?"
His voice was weak, but unmistakable.
Nayun let out a ragged sigh, as tears flowed freely down his face.
"Yes, oppa, it's me! I'm here... You're awake... You're back..."
Nayun spoke, laughing between tears and squeezing his hand carefully, as if to make sure he didn't disappear.
Jinyoon tried to sit up, but his body was still weak and he could barely move his arms. Nayun quickly leaned over to help him, putting a pillow behind his back so that he could lean on it.
"Slow down, oppa... You've been lying down for a long time. Your body is still adjusting."
Jinyoon looked at her, confused, but as he looked around, he understood.
"How long...?"
He paused, his voice almost cracking because of the time he hadn't used his vocal cords.
"Four years... You've been asleep for four years."
...