Returned to the Past, the Hero is Protected by the Villain?

Chapter 4: You Haven't Changed

A few hours had passed and a black-haired man was breathing heavily as he continued to run.

His legs hurt and he could feel blisters forming on his feet. He had never exerted this much effort and energy before. Perspiration dripped down his face as he tried to catch his breath, but he was never given a chance as he had to keep running.

There was nothing he could do except run.

The second wave of monsters came. Unlike the insects from before, they were actual monsters, similar to the ones that had crossed over to their original world. However, he now knew that inside them were thousands of parasitic maggots squirming about. If he was able to injure them, those parasites would escape and latch onto him, as he had no way of destroying them completely.

However, that's only if he could even injure monsters like them.

He doesn't have the power to be able to even defeat them, so how was he even supposed to close the rift!?

Looking up, with his vision getting hazier and hazier, he looked in disbelief at the man watching him with a lax face. He looked as if the situation didn't involve him like he wasn't the one that had gotten him into this mess. Who would drag a powerless person with them into the rift for no reason!? Did he have a grudge against him!? But, he's never even met him before!

Cursing him under his breath, Hiiro's eyes widened as his tired feet tripped on each other.

"Wah!"

Launching forward, Hiiro tumbled onto the ground with a loud 'Thud" and could only brace for the impact with his arms.

However, he couldn't even take time to think about the pain from the fall, as his eyes were quickly darted to behind him. The monsters, that he was barely able to escape from, soon closed in on him, and he couldn't even run again as his legs had given out. Not to mention, he wouldn't have had enough time to run again if he got back up.

Backing away little by little, his eyes darted everywhere, trying to find something that could get him out of this scenario. He didn't want to die!

However, there was nothing around him.

Everywhere he looked, the faces of monsters of different types stared back at him.

Up above, Deus's eyes dimmed as his brows knit together, his face half-hidden by the light bangs that covered his left eye slightly.

It seems this man was truly just an imposter. How could someone that shined brighter than the sun be this weak? He sighed as he looked away from the end of the young man. Where could the real Hiiro be?

However, he suddenly stopped as his eyes widened.

He turned his head back quickly as he felt a familiar feeling behind him.

A shining bright light that felt warm reflected off of his red eyes.

Amidst a sea of monsters, that light peeked out. Deus could only shield his eyes to not be blinded, but he wanted to look ahead. However, once he opened his eyes once again, only one man was standing upright in a sea of bodies.

Jumping down from his perch, Deus looked desperate and rushed as he ran to him. All he could do is pull the man into an embrace as he tightly clung to him. It was him, really him. There was no mistaking it.

However, he was pushed away, and his eyes could only dim seeing his empty arms that had lost their place. He looked up at the man that was glaring at him. Unlike the scared bunny from before, this was truly the only person that had the guts to stand up to him in his past life. He couldn't help smile, which looked as arrogant and domineering as it was annoyingly handsome, like usual.

"You're back. I've been waiting for this day for so long."

The other party however had a disinterested and serious face, but still meeting his gaze. Despite having the same disheveled appearance and injuries of the Hiiro from before, just from the stance he had, he looked like a completely different person. He radiated the charisma of a leader and a  charming and brave aura.

"This situation... it seems nothing has changed."

He sighed before turning to leave. Deus was confused and could only reach out his hand to grab their wrist. However, he lost his grip as Hiiro shook his hand away.

Hiiro walked away from him, breaking down a branch from the tree. Deus realized what he wants to do and quickly ran up to him and offered his sword to him. However, Hiiro ignored his intentions and only spared the latter a glance before continuing. Deus stood there dejected like a little puppy, not having anything to do.

However, the other ignored him and held the branch he had in his hand. A white and yellow light soon started to cover the branch, and despite the warm feeling, it felt domineering and powerful.

Taking a stance that could only be honed by years of experience, he then swung the branch wrapped in light at the gigantic tree in front of him. It remained silent for a while, until a diagonal seam appeared on the trunk of the tree, before sliding to the ground.

BOOM!!

Air pressure from the impact blew the hair and clothes of the two back, Deus shielded his face a little from the wind with his hand.

Soon, the whole courtyard they were in started to shake and crumble down.

In the country of Gregor, it was known by many that the Great Tree 'Samsa' was the foundation of the country. It was the lifeblood and what supported the whole country. If that tree was destroyed, the whole kingdom would become buried. That's why it is usually a heavily guarded tree in the royal castle, to prevent people from destroying the sacred tree.

With the foundation of the kingdom destroyed, the rift would soon close along with it and the two within it can return home.

However, Deus had other things he was focused on.

Namely, the current Hiiro Seraphim.

He reached out his hand once again to grab the former's wrist. He looked at him head-on, but there was clear affection in his eyes that most people would never expect a cold man like him to exhibit.

"What happened? When did you come back? I've been waiting to see you again for so long."

Hiiro remained silent for a minute before sighing and pulling his hand away.

"You truly haven't changed."

He lowered his eyes.

"I had never expected for you to have stayed behind for that long, nor follow me to this degree."

He then aimed a glare toward's Deus.

"However, neither of us should be here at this time."

Deus looked confused so he pressed forward.

"Do you know what's going on? Why were you acting so pathetic before? Had I known, I wouldn't have treated you so roughly."

Hiiro only closed his eyes before rubbing his temple in frustration.

"I was trying to end this cruel cycle. I had not expected you to come and ruin things. I had hoped you might have changed, but I see you still only focus on your own selfishness."

Hiiro looked up and opened his eyes, getting ready to explain everything to him.

"A person should not be able to turn back time, as it goes against the laws of this world. That's why—"

However, before he could finish explaining, his voice suddenly trailed off as his eyes grew heavier.

He then collapsed forward, Deus catching him in his arms. The latter was confused and worried. However, before he could do anything, they were already transported back into the real world.

The rift disappeared behind them, and thus was the end of the closure of the first rift.