I didn't know how much time had passed, but when I woke up, I was lying in a bed. The room was mostly white, and a white-haired beauty sat beside me, her eyes closed.
"After all that, I still ended up dying and going to heaven," I groaned.
Nephis' eyes shot open. She looked at me in disbelief, then immediately hugged me tightly.
"Ughh… if it hurts, it can't be heaven."
Just as I said that, a few people walked in.
For the first time, I saw Cassie, Effie, and Kai with my own eyes.
After a quick glance, I immediately summoned my [Veil of the Sovereign's Sight].
"Ah… it's still better this way," I muttered.
"You're finally awake!" Effie exclaimed. "It's been almost a day, you know!"
"Hahaha, sorry for the trouble," I said sheepishly.
I looked at the last two people who had remained silent so far and grinned.
"The stalker duo won't even greet me after two years, huh?" I teased.
"I'm not a stalker," Sunny growled. "But… good to see you."
"Nice to have you back," Cassie added with a soft smile.
"Ah, you've all grown so much stronger… What a powerful presence you all have. Especially you, Sunny. Did my advice help that much?"
"Huh? What does that have to do with anything? I still haven't figured it out."
"Hmmm, you'll get it eventually."
Effie decided to change the topic.
"Hey, hey! You know you're quite the celebrity now." she said excitedly. "You probably haven't heard, but they made a movie about our time on the Forgotten Shore! And guess what? The hero himself is the main star!"
She smirked. "We should all watch it together."
"Really? I would be—"
"Absolutely not!" Nephis suddenly cut in.
"Huh? Why?" I asked, surprised.
"Ughh… it's badly made," she muttered under her breath.
I was dumbfounded, but the others burst into laughter.
"Of course she doesn't like it! She's embarrassed about how you confessed your love in it!" Effie said between fits of laughter.
"Heh? How do you know about that? Ohh, did my little Star brag about how this gallant, strong, wise, and handsome man confessed to her?" I teased.
"Strong—okay. The rest…" Sunny muttered.
"I swear, she just blurted it out! Almost killed us all in the process!" Effie was still laughing.
"But the part where you just threw Sunny away is my favorite. It even got adapted in the movie!"
"You still haven't answered who leaked that to them," Sunny growled, clearly irritated.
Effie just started whistling innocently.
I chuckled. "Ah… it's good to know you're all still so lively."
Then I cleared my throat.
"Okay, I have two important things to say."
Everyone quieted down, giving me their full attention.
"First—I'm starving."
A pause.
"And second—which one of you is kind enough to let me crash at their place for a few days? I don't have a place of my own."
Silence.
Then—
A series of facepalms echoed in the room.