In a decrep

  In a decrepit apartment somewhere in Japan, a woman was busy trying to put on her makeup before the bathroom mirror. The attempt has always been a nuisance for her, and she would have skipped it had this not been a requirement for her work.

  As a bank employee, of course, she was required to look as professional as possible. Although that wasn’t her forte, it came with the job, and if there was anything that she had learned during her all her life, it was adaptation.

  It only gets better with time…or not. Someday, it really didn’t feel like it.

  After a moment of meticulously and artificially enhancing her face, she looked into the mirror and saw a woman with long black messy hair staring back, her make-up barely covered the bags underneath her eyes.

  ‘Good enough…’ She shrugged.

  What is she supposed to do? Her made-up skill was self-learned, and was barely enough for her everyday work. In fact, she has never been the one to care that much about her appearance.

  Still…the reflection in the mirror, she admitted, could use a little more flair…it just looked too ordinary.

  Of course… that's who she is…a woman with a plain look, no notable talent, and bottom-line social skill.

  She simply looked miserable…just another day like this, she toiled away her life in vain.

  ‘Wait…stop. This is no time to feel sorry for myself…’ She thought to herself

  It was easy to get tangled into thoughts like that, especially when taking her solitude into account…and her less than stellar reputation…and-

  She grunted at her reflection in the mirror for invoking such thoughts. After a heavy sigh, she begrudgingly began the task of combing her hair. She did feel that combing her long hair was tiresome each morning, but she couldn’t bear to cut it off.

  Why? It was just a silly memory that held her back.

  She remembered that one time in high school, her crush said he liked women with long hair. Desperate as she was then, she grew out her hair with the intention to catch his attention. Before that event, her appearance could be described as tomboyish. It was a silly thing to do, she knew, but she was young, and there were countless things more embarrassing that she had done.

  Besides, the long hair style grew on her. She didn’t think she could bear to cut it now.

  Ah…to think how much time has passed. Now she is just pitiful woman, 38 years old with zero love life, working a thankless job as an accountant of a small bank. The pay wasn’t bad, perse, but the work environment was terrible.

  If only she had tried harder…perhaps everything could have turned out better.

  Yes, if only…that was the magical word, was it? But there was no ‘if’, for she was in the present.

  She fixed her attire, put on her glasses, looked at her reflection for the last time, and got out of the bathroom. Seeing the messy state of the living room, she let out a sigh.

  ‘I will have to clean it tonight…’

  Honestly, Monday is the worst. The ruin from her night of anime marathon was still there. Food wrapping, old DVDs, her assortment of trinkets that she randomly placed on the table, and even her Subaru action figure were looking at her judgingly.

  Shaking her head lightly, she made her way out of the house, closing the door behind her and quickly locking it. Another day would begin, whether she wanted it or not.

  “There has been talk of your…unfriendly conduct toward your co-worker. Again.” Her boss said to her again in that aggravating tone.

  This talk wasn’t all that rare, to be honest. She wasn’t proud of it, but it is what it is.

  From when she was still a student, her friends have repeatedly told her that although she didn’t mean any harm, her personality could be aggravating to other people that don’t know her that well. She did try to improve herself, but accidents…embarrassing accidents in her years in university made her more reserved.

  In the workplace, although she tried to be as diligent as possible, the consequences were that she could be quite standoffish…and besides, her personality crashed with some people. Come to think of it, her frank way of speaking probably offended them, if their egos are fragile enough, that is.

  And she is someone that value efficiency, so might or might not have scolded those who slacked off. Younger generation, with no respect for their senior but with enormous ego…of course they would take offense. She supposed she could just not say anything at all but…

  “…is it from Myo?” She asked in an even tone. Myo was one of the most openly hostile toward her. Every suggestion of that Myo girl was mediocre and inefficient, yet she had the gall, or perhaps the ignorance, to throw them around so confidently, and stubbornly repelled any improvements suggested by others.

  She could only sigh. She didn’t mince words with Myo at all, and perhaps her response caused the brat to resent her. She couldn’t care less, but…

  “Hmm…she must be the one who-”

  “Please listen to me first.” Her boss said with cold finality

  She clicked her jaw in place, but the annoyance from being interrupted did not show on her face.

  “Look, it won’t be a big problem if it came from just one person. But apparently, multiple people were disapproving of your conduct, so it’s in your best interest that you thought about it.” Her boss said sternly, “Our company doesn’t tolerate infighting, and won’t tolerate troublesome individuals. You are one of our better employees, and have worked here for so long…so you must at least understand that, right?”

  What was there to understand? She supported this place through the years, but he would rather believe the word of some pompous brats freshly out of the university. She almost feels offended, if the feeling of disappointment wasn’t so great.

  She thought of her boss as a good person, if a bit misguided, sometimes. There is justice in his blood, and he genuinely wished the best for everyone, but he couldn’t have been aware of the spreading corruption in this place. How poisonous some people can be. He gave all of them equal chances, and that was his mistake.

  “…yes. I understand.” She could only nod her head; there wouldn’t be any good arguing with him now, and she didn’t have the energy to do so.

  “It’s best that you do. And just for clarification, it wasn’t Myo. Try to change yourself, rather than go and bear a grudge.” He looked at her, seemingly gauging her reaction before sighing, “You can go now…”

  She hated those words…his advice, while seemingly for her own sakes, it only felt like oil to the fire within her heart. For how flowery that advice was, he didn’t understand a thing.

  Not a single thing at all.

  But it was fine…

  She left the room quickly.

  Things like this are just fine to her…

  It was lunchtime again. Like every other day, she sat alone, unwrapping the bento box her mom sent her. It was practically a ritual at this point, the need to send her a box every Monday.

  'Enjoy the bento box. It's your favorite food again!’ A message was written on the wrapping, smiling faintly, but this time she saw another note ‘You haven’t return for a while. Can you make time this week? We missed you. Give us a call soon?’

  She sighed upon seeing the message.

  Sure, she would call her mother later...But about going home? Does she have time for that? Can she make time for that?

  And truly, sometimes she wished she could make time. Despite the number of employees, she felt she was always bloated with work in this place

  … Perhaps she could ask her boss for a few days on leave. Now she is even less sure of that, taking into account the earlier argument with her boss.

  But she had to admit...she needed time to put her mind off this fiasco. It wouldn't be good for her health to be so bothered.

  Why did she think about that? This only soured her mood…

  “Are you okay, Senpai?” With black eyes that were full of softness, a light scar on his cheek that was akin to a cat’s whisker, the boy asked. His name is Suigetsu Holmes, a young boy, fresh blood from university. He probably approached her upon seeing her expression. “The boss wasn’t too hard on you, right?”

  “I’m fine, Sui.” She responded, flashing a slight grin at him.

  “Hmm…your eyes said otherwise.” He pointed out, “How about we have lunch together, Senpai? Can I sit here?”

  “Are you sure?” She glanced lightly at a girl sitting not far away, her hair dyed pinkish-red. “That girl seemed to be waiting…”

  “Ena…is a little bit too enthusiastic.” Sui seemed cringed at his own words, “And her speech is too vulgar…you are so much easier to talk to in comparison.”

  “Most people would beg to differ…” She sighed; the events from earlier were like a thorn at her side, and she couldn’t help but scowl every time she thought about it.

  “That was because they don’t understand you, Senpai.” He said in indignation

  “And you do?” She raised her brows, her voice turned to that of teasing

  “I would…like to think so.” Sui blushed a little, scratching his cheek. “You are responsible, caring, knowledgeable, and diligent. You were a great help when I started working here…and even now, you helped me a lot! So don’t be so down, Senpai!”

  “…heh…thanks for that.” She chuckled, her face lightened up a bit. For some reason, Sui averted his gaze.

  “Um…I will get a chair…”

  Being held at gunpoint really wasn’t how she thought her day would go, but she supposed there had to be something to spice her life up.

  “Put the money in the bag!” The generic as ever line was said, but she found no mirth at the knowledge. Being tense really disabled a lot of her funny bones.

  Besides, there was something that put her on edge.

  As luck would have it, Sui was the one standing at the front, and was being threatened by criminal to fill the bag. He couldn’t even press the button beneath the table for help, because they was watching his every moves.

  There used to be another girl, Hiyoko standing there, but this band of thieves, which was consisted of four men seemed especially ruthless. They spreaded throughout the bank, and currently two was standing before the front desk, watching ‘uncessary movement’ like hawk. Hiyoko did try to call for help was rewarded with a shot on the head for her trouble. Now that her only companion at work was in such predicament, she was quite agitated.

  Sui had a nervous tic, and judging by how pale he looked, he might not hold on for long. She couldn’t judge how much it would take for these robbers to snap and put a bullet through his head. They didn’t seem fazed at all when finished Hiyoko off.

  A pained grunt came from Sui. The aggressive robber hit him hard on the head, unsastifactory at his progress.

  “Faster.” The robber growled

  She glanced downward and saw the peculiar object currently hanging on her neck. It used to be just a peculiar pointy stone with unique shape she found in the mountain near her home, but she commissioned it to shape like a shiv. It was a cool thing to bring with her.

  She just need a distraction…

  Suddenly, a clank sound was heard as Myo went unconscious. It seemed that the stress got to her. It seemed that despite her tough act, the little skank was a coward at heart. She didn’t care, however, since this was an oppoturnity.

  Quickly ripping the necklace off, she put the shiv between her fingers then tighten her fist. Punching with all her might, right as the robber turned toward her in surprise, the shiv was lodged deep inside his eyes as his screamed in pain.

  His companion shouted furiously as they watched one of their own fell down, still screaming. She didn’t waste time and quickly run toward another one, and landed a kick on his head. The stiletto of her high heel collided against his face, spilling blood on the floor. She was quite surprise at her own force, since the man fell down, disoriented and bleeding.

  Guess the days with the karate club at highschool wasn’t for naught, after all.

  “Out of the way, you idiot!“ She screamed at the Su, her body high on andrenaline as she sprinted forward, now without her heels, weaved and bobbed around. The aggresive robber quickly pointed the gun at her, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. If she failed here, she would be killed, without a doubt. Luckily, the one behind him seemed to freeze upon seeing her brutal takedown of his accomplices.

  She tackled the aggressive robber to the ground as she tried to grapple the gun from his grasp. She heard Sui reacted quickly and did the same toward the other one.

  However, it seemed that the situation was dire for her. The strength in her arm was clearly inferior. It was quite pitiful, actually, as the gun was gradually shifiting its point at her under the force of the agrresive robber.

  Why didn’t anyone do anything? Can they do anything else but watch? Do something, damn it!

  All she could do was to resist desperately, a sense of impending doom coated her skin.

  *Bang

  She felt her like she was stabbed in the stomach with a blazing hot fire poker. Her grip slackened for a bit…

  *Bang

  *Bang

  “SENPAI!” The young boy, Sui, shouted, just barely getting out of his encounter.

  She had never heard anything so loud come out of his mouth.

  He grabbed a chair from nearby and smashed it onto the head of the robber, who was still lying down. She could hear a crack…probably his bone. Serve him right.

  But she couldn’t rejoice at the circumstances. With two more bullets lodged into her, she couldn’t hold on anymore and fell to the floor…there was the taste of iron in her mouth, probably blood. Her senses became muddled as the whole world seemed to become blurry.

  She didn’t hear anything from the other robbers…other employees must have apprehended them already. That’s good…fantastic, even.

  It hurts…it felt like her entire body was burning. The bullet must have hit somewhere vital…somehow, she could feel it coming…

  Death…she was going to die.

  “SENPAI! Senpai, look at me! Please…don’t close your eyes…whatever you do.”

  “Hah…”

  “I’m sorry…it’s all my fault! If only I were faster, I could-”

  If only…yes…if only…

  But…she didn’t want someone she was fond of…to regret all their life.

  “Not…your…fault…” She smiled as blood started trickling out of her mouth, indistinguishable from the red of her lipsticks.

  “But…”

  “I…tell my…parent…I…love them…” Her voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.

  “Tell them yourself, Senpai! Someone is calling the ambulance…so please, Senpai. Please hold on!”

  “Glad to…know you…I hope…you will be…happy.”

  “How can I, Senpai? How can…” Sui’s voice was getting smaller…no, it was because she was getting numb

  “S…e…I…lo…”

  Sui said something, but she couldn't quite make out. Her mind was too far gone, sinking into deep mud.

  “…” She couldn’t hear a single thing anymore. Her eyelids closed despite her best effort.

  Her mind desperately clawed at anything. To live. Life was flashing before her eyes.

  There were many things that she regretted. Other than the fact that she died a virgin, that is.

  She remembered her family. She was the only child, so of course she was worried that they wouldn’t be able to take care of themselves once she was gone. At least she had insurance, plus with the pension, she hoped her parents would at least be able to live the rest of their lives peacefully…

  …and not to grieve over this failure of a daughter.

  She remembered her friends. The few friends she had left were all sincere people and accepting of her, despite her quirky personality… She wondered if these people would miss her if she had gone offline indefinitely. Thinking back on memories of her student time, she could only smile bitterly in her mind. When in school, she was a star pupil, constantly dreaming big and leading confidently. Although her personality can be described as…unpleasant by some, she still had lots of friends because of her ingenuity

  …in a selfish way, she hoped she would be remembered. Even if she were regarded negatively.

  She remembered her dreams. As opposed to her youthful self, who dreamed of art, creation, and mystical stories, all these dreams that she didn’t manage to fulfill because she was wasting her life. When she looked back, that young and happy girl that she was had gone out of her sight, her dream out of reach, being held back by her self-imposed chains…she could have reached them…she knew she could, but she never put in the effort. All because she thought it was too late.

  …and now, it was just an aching, bitter sense of regret.

  She remembered all her experiences. Sad memories, happy memories, proud memories, embrassing memories…she wanted to embrace them all. Because those things created the person she is now.

  …and no matter how much she hated this person, she was glad to have lived.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  And that young one Sui? He had a long life before him. She hoped that he will be happy. It was a sincere wish, since his presence made her monotonous work life brighter. It reminded her of when she was younger.

  …once again, in her dying moment, she desperately clawed at these feelings…

  ‘Just…a little…longer…’

  But the darkness soon swallowed her mind, as she fell deep into the abyss of silence.

  Silence.

  It was all silence.

  Just silence.

  She knew she didn’t want to be here…

  ...

  In a lone church in the outskirt of the cities, a band of about 20 people was making their last stand.

  Outside, beasts created from corruption, horrific creatures that used to be livestock and allies, rip into the bodies of those desperately resisting, their trembling hand failed to hold back the tide of darkness and vileness.

  “Stand strong! The god is always with you! Veil of Courage!” A shimmering light decended upon the surviving ones, enhancing their body, sharpening their mind and dull the feeling of lifeblood gradually gushing out of them.

  Even with such enhancement, Zandal, the one who cast the spell, and a priest of Ardalux, the God of Valor, knew they wouldn’t survive. Their end was set. These beasts would kill them, defile their body, and turn them into instruments of spreading corruption. No help is coming, at least not before they are all dead.

  Their village was one of the unfortunate ones not fast enough to evacuate into the city. The beasts were upon them so swiftly and ruthlessly, especially when they weren’t supposed to be here at this time of the year.

  Something must be wrong…but that was beyond him now.

  “May the water heal and nourish the pain of the flesh. Minor Healing.” The familiar soft voice drew his attention. Zandal quickly ran toward the woman with blond hair kneeling before a wounded soldier, the golden gemstone on her staff let out a warm light.. She was Meryl, his wife, and also a water mage.

  It was a vain effort to heal the soldier. It would be better for him to die from his wound, rather than…

  “Please stop, Meryl. You must conserve your strength.” Zandal said, looking at her belly, which was distended to the size of a watermelon. Their child, almost born, and yet…now this hopeless situation was upon them.

  “I can’t just leave him there!” She glared, but in those eyes held desperation, and fear that was so overwhelming. Zandal hated his helplessness…he wouldn’t be able to protect his wife and son. What use is Valor when there won’t be a future to look forward to?

  Suddenly, a body was hurled through the entrance and hit the altar at the end, moving it ajar. It was the broken body of one of the village guards.

  “Mesa…” His wife whispered. But Zandal didn’t care about what the name was. Something caught his attention

  “Meryl. Come on, get up.” He said, pulling at her arm. With labored effort, she stood up using her staff to push herself up.

  Together, they made their way to the altar. Zandal took a deep breath and, with a determined effort, pushed the altar aside. A hole was covered by the altar, and with the flickering torchlight of the church, he couldn’t see its depth.

  “What…is this?” Meryl whispered

  “I don’t know…” He responded

  “ARGH!” A scream tore through the church, and Zandal turned back just in time to stop the tentacles of a vile beast from piercing through his heart. Its toxin, black and viscous, quickly spread through his arm.

  “Zandal!” Meryl shouted in panic at seeing his injury. The poison would eat his body and turn him into a monster without the help of a mage expert in Detoxification Magic.

  “Shit. Die! Piercing Light!” He chanted, as light gathered in his other palm and quickly pierced through the monster, turning it to black goop.

  The defense has been breached. Everyone will die, sooner or later. That was an undeniable fact, and yet-

  Zandal suddenly thought of a solution. A crude and hopeless one, but it would certainly be better than dying up here, eviscerated by these monsters.

  “I love you.” Zandal put a hand on his wife’s shoulder.

  “What-”

  “I’m sorry.” He said then decisively pushed his wife to the darkness below. Still holding the staff, she looked at him with a look of betrayal as she was swallowed by the darkness, her locks of golden hair was nothing but a memory.

  Perhaps she would live…even if it was slim, Zandal allowed himself to hope.

  He quickly pushed the altar back to its place.

  “The earth reinforces and brings forth protection. Earth Wall.” Sturdy mineral raised, covering the flimsy altar. Zandal smiled at the altar, then looked at the horde of monsters barreling toward him.

  He did all he could. He turned toward the horde with a resolute look on his face.

  Until his last moment, he didn’t know his effort was in vain.

  At the bottom of the cavern lay the breeding ground wolves.

  Zandal couldn’t have known this, but the previous priest of Valor built and used this place to dispose of…certain individuals. Zandal and Meryl came to this place a month ago, since Zandal had been chosen as a replacement for the previous priest, who was getting old. Which, unfortunately, led both of them to this tragedy.

  A month without food…can anyone imagine falling into the den of starving animals?

  If Meryl had been alive after she fell, she would have suffered a horrible fate under the jaws of the pack of ravenous wolves. Yet, perhaps that was mercy in itself when she fell into the heap of bones, which was formed from the remains of countless people that has been disposed of. A particular sharp bone protruded outward, and Meryl, falling head first, had a painless death. The pack of wolves, with only 3 members left, hungrily rip into her body.

  Yet in the darkness, where the staff Meryl was gifted by her husband lay snapped in half, the golden mana core pulsed as magic gathered.

  Error. Potential vessel compromised. Enacting solution…

  Suitable vessel found.

  it apartment somewhere in Japan, a woman was busy trying to put on her makeup before the bathroom mirror. The attempt has always been a nuisance for her, and she would have skipped it had this not been a requirement for her work.

  As a bank employee, of course, she was required to look as professional as possible. Although that wasn’t her forte, it came with the job, and if there was anything that she had learned during her all her life, it was adaptation.

  It only get better with time…or not. Someday, it really didn’t feel like it.

  After a moment of meticulously and artificially enhancing her face, she looked into the mirror and saw a woman with long black messy hair staring back, her make-up barely covered the bags underneath her eyes.

  ‘Good enough…’ She shrugged.

  What is she supposed to do? Her made-up skill was self-learned, and was barely enough for her everyday work. In fact, she never has been the one to care that much about her appearance.

  Still…the reflection in the mirror, she admitted, could use a little more flair…it just looked too ordinary.

  Of course…that who she is…a woman with a plain look, no notable talent, and bottom-line social skill.

  She simply looked miserable…just another day like this, she toiled away her life in vain.

  ‘Wait…stop. This is no time to feel sorry for myself…’ She thought to herself

  It was easy to get tangled into thoughts like that, especially when taken her solitude into account…and her less than stellar reputation…and-

  She grunted at her reflection in the mirror for invoking such thoughts. After a heavy sigh, she begrudgingly began the task of combing her hair. She did feel that combing her long hair is tiresome each morning, but she couldn’t bear herself to cut it off.

  Why? It was just a silly memories that held her back.

  She remembered that one time in highschool, her crush said he liked woman with long hair. Desperate as she was then, she grew out her hair with the intention to catch his attention. Before that event, her appearance could be described as tomboyish. It was a silly thing to do, she knew, but she was young, and there were countless things more embarrassing that she had done.

  Besides, the long hair style grew on her. She didn’t think she can bear to cut it now.

  Ah…to think how much time has passed. Now she is just pitiful woman, 38 years old with zero love life, working a thankless job as an accountant of a small bank. The pay wasn’t bad, perse, but the work environment was terrible.

  If only she tried harder…perhaps everything could have turned out better.

  Yes, if only…that was the magical word, was it? But there was no ‘if’, for she was in the present.

  She fixed her attire, put on her glasses, looking at her reflection on last time, and got out of the bathroom. Seeing the messy state of the living room, she let out a sigh.

  ‘I will have to clean it tonight…’

  Honestly, Monday is the worst. The ruin from her night of anime marathon was still there. Food wrapping, old DVDs, her assortment of trinkets that she randomly placed on the table, and even her Subaru action figure was looking at her judgingly.

  Shaking her head lightly, she made her way out of the house, closing the door behind her and quickly locked it. Another day would begin, whether she want it or not.

  “There has been talk of your…unfriendly conduct toward your co-worker. Again.” Her boss said to her again in that aggravating tone.

  This talk wasn’t all that that rare, to be honest. She wasn’t proud of it, but it is what it is.

  From when she was still a student, her friends have repeatedly told her that although she didn’t mean any harm, her personality could be aggravating to other people that don’t know her that well. She did try to improve herself, but accidents…embarrassing accidents in her years in university made her more reserved.

  In the workplace, although she tried to be as diligent as possible, the consequences were that she could be quite standoffish…and besides, her personality crashed with some people. Come to think of it, her frank way of speaking probably offended them, if their egos are fragile enough, that is.

  And she is someone that value efficiency, so might or might not have scolded those who slacked off. Younger generation, with no respect for their senior but with enormous ego…of course they would take offense. She supposed she could just not say anything at all but…

  “…is it from Myo?” She asked in an even tone. Myo was one of the one most openly hostile toward her. Every suggestions of that Myo girl were mediocre and inefficient, yet she had the gall, or perhaps the ignorance, to throw them around so confidently, and stubbornly repelled any improvements suggested by others.

  She could only sighed. She didn’t mince word with Myo at all, and perhaps her response caused the brat to resent her. She couldn’t care less, but…

  “Hmm…she must be the one who-”

  “Please listen to me first.” Her boss said with cold finality

  She clicked her jaw in place, but the annoyance from being interrupted did not show on her face.

  “Look, it won’t be a big problem if it came from just one person. But apparently, multiple people were disapproving of your conduct, so it’s in your best interest that you thought about it.” Her boss said sternly “Our company doesn’t tolerate infighting, and won’t tolerate troublesome individuals. You are one of our better employees, and have worked here for almost 10 years…so you must at least understand that, right?”

  What was there to understand? She supported this place through the years, and he believed the word of some pompous brats freshly out of the university. She almost feel offended, if the feeling of disappointment wasn’t so great.

  She thought of her boss as a good person, if a bit misguided, sometimes. There is justice in his blood, and he genuinely wished the best for everyone, but he couldn’t have been aware of the spreading corruption in this place. How poisonous some people can be. He gave all of them equal chances, and that was his mistakes.

  “…yes. I understand.” She could only nod her head, there wouldn’t be any good arguing with him now, and she didn’t have the energy to do so.

  “It’s best that you do. And just for clarification, it wasn’t Myo. Try to change yourself, rather than go and bear grudge.” He looked at her, seemingly gauging her reaction before sighing “You can go now…”

  She hated those words…his advice, while seemingly for her own sakes, it only felt like oil to the fire within her heart. For how flowery that advice was, he didn’t understand a thing.

  Not a single thing at all.

  But it was fine…

  She left the room quickly.

  Thing like this is just fine to her…

  It was lunch time again. Like every other day, she sat alone, unwrapping the bento box her mom sent her. It was practically a ritual at this point, the need to send her a box every Monday.

  ‘Enjoy the bento box. Your favorite food again!’ A message was written on the wrapping, smiling faintly, but this time she saw another note ‘You haven’t return for a while. Can you make time this week? We missed you. Give us a call soon?’

  She sighed upon seeing the message. She wished she could make time…perhaps she could ask her boss for a few days on leave. She needed time to put her mind off this fiasco, anyway.

  Why did she think about that? This only soured her mood…

  “Are you okay, Senpai?” With black eyes that full of softness, a light scar on his cheek that akin to a cat’s whisker, the boy asked. His name is Suigetsu Holmes, a young boy, fresh blood from university. He probably approached her upon seeing her expression. “The boss wasn’t too hard on you, right?”

  “I’m fine, Sui.” She responded, flashing a slight grin at him.

  “Hmm…your eyes said otherwise.” He pointed out “How about we have lunch together, Senpai? Can I sit here?”

  “Are you sure?” She glanced lightly at a girl sitting not far away, her hair dyed pinkish-red “That girl seemed to waiting…”

  “Ena…is a little bit too enthusiastic.” Sui seemed cringed at his own words “And her speech is too vulgar…you are so much easier to talk to in comparison.”

  “Most people would beg to differ…” She sighed, the events from earlier was like a thorn at her side, and she couldn’t help but scowl every time she think about it.

  “That was because they don’t understand you, Senpai.” He said in indiginance

  “And you do?” She raised her brows, voice turned to that of teasing

  “I would…like to think so.” Sui blushed a little, scratching his cheek “You are responsible, caring, knowledgable and diligent. You was a great help when I started working here…and even now, you helped me a lot! So don’t be so down, Senpai!”

  “…heh…thanks for that.” She chuckled, her face lightened up a bit. For some reason, Sui averted his gaze.

  “Um…I will get a chair…”

  …

  Being held at gunpoint really wasn’t how she thought her day would go, but she supposed there had to be something to spice her life up.

  “Put the money in the bag!” The generic as ever line was said, but she found no mirth at the knowledge. Being tense really disabled a lot of her funny bones.

  Besides, there was something that put her on edge.

  As luck would have it, Sui was the one standing at the front, and was being threatened by criminal to fill the bag. He couldn’t even press the button beneath the table for help, because they was watching his every moves.

  There used to be another girl, Hiyoko standing there, but this band of thieves, which was consisted of four men seemed especially ruthless. They spreaded throughout the bank, and currently two was standing before the front desk, watching ‘uncessary movement’ like hawk. Hiyoko did try to call for help was rewarded with a shot on the head for her trouble. Now that her only companion at work was in such predicament, she was quite agitated.

  Sui had a nervous tic, and judging by how pale he looked, he might not hold on for long. She couldn’t judge how much it would take for these robbers to snap and put a bullet through his head. They didn’t seem fazed at all when finished Hiyoko off.

  A pained grunt came from Sui. The aggressive robber hit him hard on the head, unsastifactory at his progress.

  “Faster.” The robber growled

  She glanced downward and saw the peculiar object currently hanging on her neck. It used to be just a peculiar pointy stone with unique shape she found in the mountain near her home, but she commissioned it to shape like a shiv. It was a cool thing to bring with her.

  She just need a distraction…

  Suddenly, a clank sound was heard as Myo went unconscious. It seemed that the stress got to her. It seemed that despite her tough act, the little skank was a coward at heart. She didn’t care, however, since this was an oppoturnity.

  Quickly ripping the necklace off, she put the shiv between her fingers then tighten her fist. Punching with all her might, right as the robber turned toward her in surprise, the shiv was lodged deep inside his eyes as his screamed in pain.

  His companion shouted furiously as they watched one of their own fell down, still screaming. She didn’t waste time and quickly run toward another one, and landed a kick on his head. The stiletto of her high heel collided against his face, spilling blood on the floor. She was quite surprise at her own force, since the man fell down, disoriented and bleeding.

  Guess the days with the karate club at highschool wasn’t for naught, after all.

  “Out of the way, you idiot!“ She screamed at the Su, her body high on andrenaline as she sprinted forward, now without her heels, weaved and bobbed around. The aggresive robber quickly pointed the gun at her, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. If she failed here, she would be killed, without a doubt. Luckily, the one behind him seemed to freeze upon seeing her brutal takedown of his accomplices.

  She tackled the aggressive robber to the ground as she tried to grapple the gun from his grasp. She heard Sui reacted quickly and did the same toward the other one.

  However, it seemed that the situation was dire for her. The strength in her arm was clearly inferior. It was quite pitiful, actually, as the gun was gradually shifiting its point at her under the force of the agrresive robber.

  Why didn’t anyone do anything? Can they do anything else but watch? Do something, damn it!

  All she could do was to resist desperately, a sense of impending doom coated her skin.

  *Bang

  She felt her like she was stabbed in the stomach with a blazing hot fire poker. Her grip slackened for a bit…

  *Bang

  *Bang

  “SENPAI!” The young boy, Sui, shouted, just barely got out of his encounter.

  She had never heard anything so loud came out of his mouth.

  He grabbed a chair from nearby and smashed onto the head of the robber, who is still lying down. She could hear a crack…probably his bone. Serve him right.

  But she couldn’t rejoice at the circumstances. With two more bullets lodged into her, she couldn’t hold on anymore and fell to the floor…there was the taste of iron in her mouth, probably blood. Her sense become muddled as the whole world seemed to become blurry.

  She didn’t hear anything from the other robbers…other employees must have apprehended them already. That’s good…fantastic, even.

  It hurts…it felt like her entire body was burning. The bullet must have hit somewhere vital…somehow, she could feel it coming…

  Death…she was going to die.

  “SENPAI! Senpai, look at me! Please…don’t close your eyes…whatever you do.”

  “Hah…”

  “I’m sorry…it’s all my fault! If only I was faster, I could-”

  If only…yes…if only…

  But…she didn’t want someone she was fond of…to regret all their life.

  “Not…your…fault…” She smiled as blood started trickling out of her mouth, indistinctable from the red of her lipsticks.

  “But…”

  “I…tell my…parent…I…love them…” Her voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyelids.

  “Tell them yourself, Senpai! Someone is calling the ambulance…so please, Senpai. Please hold on!”

  “Glad to…know you…I hope…you will be…happy.”

  “How can I, Senpai? How can…” Sui’s voice was getting smaller…no, it was because she was getting numb

  “S…e…I…lo…”

  Sui said something, but she could quite made out. Her mind too far gone, sinking into deep mud.

  “…” She couldn’t hear a single thing, anymore. Her eyelids closed despite her best effort.

  Her mind desperately clawed at anything. To live. Life was flashing before her eyes.

  There was many things that she regretted. Other than the fact that she died a virgin, that is.

  She remembered her family. She was the only child, so of course she was worried that they won’t be able to take care of themselves once she is gone. At least she had an insurance, plus with pension, she hoped they would able to live the rest of their life peacefully…

  …and not to grieve over this failure of a daughter.

  She remembered her friends. The few friends she had left was all sincere people and accepting of her, despite her quirky personality…she wondered if these people would miss her if she gone offline indefinitely. Thinking back memories of her student time, she could only smile bitterly in her mind. When in school, she was a star pupil, constantly dreaming big and led confidently. Although her personality can be described as…unpleasant by some, she still had lots of friends because of her ingenuity

  …in a selfish way, she hoped she would be remembered. Even if she would be regarded negatively.

  She remembered her dreams. As opposed to her youthful self who dreamed of art, creation, and mystical stories.…all these dreams that she didn’t manage to fulfill because she was wasting her life. When she looked back, that young and happy girl that she was has gone out of her sight, her dream out of reach, being held back her self-imposed chains…she could have reached them…she knew she can, but she never put the effort. All because she thought of it was too late.

  …and now, it was just an aching, bitter sense of regret.

  She remembered all her experiences. Sad memories, happy memories, proud memories, embrassing memories…she wanted to embrace them all. Because those things created the person she is now.

  …and no matter how much she hated this person, she was glad to have lived.

  And that young one Sui? He had a long life before him. She hoped that he will be happy. It was a sincere wish, since his presence made her monotonous work life brighter. It reminded her of when she was younger.

  …once again, in her dying moment, she desperately clawed at these feelings…

  ‘Just…a little…longer…’

  But the darkness soon swallowed her mind, as she fell deep into the abyss of silence.

  Silence.

  It was all silence.

  Just silence.

  She knew she don’t want to be here…

  ...

  In a lone church in the outskirt of the cities, a band of 20 persons was making their last stand.

  Outside, beast created from corruption, horrific creatures that used to be livestocks and allies rip into the bodies of those desperately resisting, their trembling hand failed to hold back the tideway of darkness and vileness.

  “Stand strong! The god is always with you! Veil of Courage!” A shimmering light decended upon the surviving ones, enhancing their body, sharpening their mind and dull the feeling of lifeblood gradually gushing out of them.

  Even with such enhancement, Zandal, the one who casted the spell, and a priest of Ardalux, the God of Valor, knew they wouldn’t survive. Their end was set. These beasts would kill them, defile their body and turned them into instrument of spreading corruption. No help is coming, at least not before they are all dead.

  Their village was one of the unfortunate one not fast enough to evacuate into the city. The beasts were upon them so swift and ruthless, especially when they weren’t supposed to be here at this time of the year.

  Something must be wrong…but that was beyond him now.

  “May the water heal and nourish the pain of the flesh. Minor Healing.” The familiar soft voice drew his attention. Zandal quickly ran toward the woman with blond hair kneeling before a wounded soldier, the golden gemstone on her staff let out a warm light.. She was Meryl, his wife and also a water mage.

  It was a vain effort trying to heal the soldier. It would be better for him to die from his wound, rather than…

  “Please stop, Meryl. You must conserve your strength.” Zandal said, looking at her belly, which was distended to the size of a watermelon. Their child, almost born, and yet…now this hopeless situation was upon them.

  “I can’t just leave him there!” She glared, but in those eyes held desperation, and fear that so overwhelming. Zandal hated his helplessness…he won’t be able to protect his wife and son. What use is Valor when there won’t be a future to look forward to.

  Suddenly, a body was hurled through the entrance and hit the altar at the end, moving it ajar. It was a broken body of one the village guard.

  “Mesa…” His wife whispered. But Zandal didn’t care about what the name was. Something caught his attention

  “Meryl. Come one, get up.” He said, pulling at her arm. With labored effort, she stood up using her staff to push herself up.

  Together, they both made way to the altar. Zandal took a deep breath, and with a determined effort, pushed the altar aside. A hole was covered by the altar, and with the flickering torchlight of the church, he couldn’t see its depth.

  “What…is this?” Meryl whispered

  “I don’t know…” He responded

  “ARGH!” A scream tore through the church, and Zandal turned back just in time to stop the tentacles of a vile beast from piercing through his heart. Its toxin, black and viscous quickly spread through his arm.

  “Zandal!” Meryl shouted in panic at seeing his injury. The poison would eat his body and turned him into a monster without the help of a mage expert in Detoxification Magic.

  “Shit. Die! Piercing Light!” He chanted, as light gathered in his other palm and quickly pierced through the monster, turning it to black goop.

  The defense has been breached through. Everyone will die, soon enough. That was an undeniable fact, and yet-

  Zandal suddenly thought of a solution. A crude and hopeless one, but it would certainly be better than dying up here, eviscerated by these monsters.

  “I love you.” Zandal put a hand on his wife’s shoulder.

  “What-”

  “I’m sorry.” He said then decisively pushed his wife to the darkness below. Still holding the staff, she looked at him with a look of betrayal as she was swallowed by the darkness, her locks of golden hair was nothing but a memory.

  Perhaps she would live…even if it was slim, Zandal allowed himself to hope.

  He quickly pushed the altar back to its place.

  “The earth reinforce and bring forth protection. Earth Wall.” Sturdy mineral raised, covering the flimsy altar. Zandal smiled at the altar, then looked at the horde of monsters barreling toward him.

  He did all he could. He turned toward the horde with a resolute look on his face.

  Until his last moment, he didn’t know his effort was in vain.

  On the bottom of the cavern laid the breeding ground wolves.

  Zandal couldn’t have known this, but the previous priest of Valor built and used this place to dispose of…certain individuals. Zandal and Meryl came to this place a month ago, since Zandal had been chosen as an replacement for previous priest who was getting old. Which, unfortunately, led the both of them to this tragedy.

  A month without food…can anyone imagine falling into the den of starving animals?

  If Meryl had been alive after she fell, she would have suffered a horrible fate under the jaw of the pack of ravenous wolves. Yet, perhaps that was mercy in itself when she fell into the heap of bones, which was formed from the remains of countless person that has been disposed of. A particular sharp bone protruded outward, and Meryl, falling head first, had a painless death. The pack of wolves, with only 3 members left, hungrily rip into her body.

  Yet in the darkness, where the staff Meryl was gifted by her husband laid snapped in half, the golden mana core pulsed as magic gathered.

  Error. Potential vessel compromised. Enacting solution…

  Suitable vessel found.