In the lost flow of time, within a faint and shadowy space, a metallic gleam flickered in the darkness.0

“Professor!” Yulie said, running toward Deculein, her body covered in wounds, but she didn’t hesitate for a second. He leaned against the wall, standing firm as always, refusing to collapse or lie down. "Your wounds are severe!"0

Blood surged from his wounds. Yulie’s instincts as a knight kicked in. She moved quickly, assessing his injuries and controlling the bleeding, applying the first aid she had mastered over twenty years of training.0

“You’re remarkably composed, Yulie,” Deculein said.0

“Don’t try to speak,” Yulie said, her heart pounding in her chest, though there was no time for emotion. She carefully inspected his wounds and prepared to use her mana to heal him.0

At that moment…0

Grip—!0

Deculein grasped her hand firmly. Yulie looked up at him in confusion. He gave a faint smile and said, “... It’s fine.”0

“No! You are certainly not fine!”0

“If I’m not fine...” Deculein said, placing his hand on her cheek, making her flinch. “... Then, am I dying slowly?”0

Yulie examined his injuries closely. His abdomen, pelvis, and other vital areas had all been pierced. She clenched her teeth and said, “... You are dying.”0

The tremble in her voice stirred Deculein’s distant memory, pulling him back to when he had been Kim Woo-Jin. Long ago, he had seen her on a screen as she delivered the final blow. As he lay dying, his last words came out in a faint whisper, cursing her under his breath, “Damn you…”0

“Even Iron Man dies, it seems... Yulie, I have witnessed my own death before.”4

“Stop, please stop talking!” Yulie said, desperate to silence him.0

The more he spoke, the more blood flowed from his wounds, yet Deculein persisted, saying, “How...0