"I guess."

"How's your leg?" Elena added.

"It still stings. Maybe all I could do right now is watch you guys and hold potions."

"I see. I was planning for you to provide mobility with your Stride ability. Your stride is unique."

"Heh. Thanks."

I scratched my head, gazing at Ayumi who was basically avoiding contact with me. We've rested about two hours here on the 29th floor. My leg wound was still fresh however I was able to walk now. My tendons were finally healed but the opening of my wounds are still there. Overall, it's fine since I could walk already however I won't do much on the boss fight.

I held Ayumi's golden coin by my hand and placed it inside the pocket of my pants.

"Did everyone get a good rest?"

We nodded in response.

"Then let's climb up."

I was mulling over my injury. I don't want to hold them back. I would only hinder them. Come to think of it, the pillar boss is double my level. Maybe I should quit.

"What's wrong, Yakiro?" Elena held my head.

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Tell me. You look like you're thinking deeply over something. Is there something bothering you, Yakiro?"

Elena asks in a soft voice. But the tone felt different. Like there was something else, something suspicious.

"I was thinking that maybe I should go. I don't want to hinder you. Besides, all I could is watch from behind."

"What? No. We need you."

She tightened her grip on my shoulder.

"You're our companion. If you leave now, you won't be able to obtain rewards of the pillar boss. I thought you want to get stronger?" Arnel implied. Ymil nodded in response.

I felt something inside me. Like a bit of happiness. These people... No.. My friends need me. They're going to help me. I felt grat.i.tude towards them.

"Alright! I'll do my best!"

I feel energetic today! I felt like jumping today if only I wasn't injured so badly. But still! This joy is overwhelming! I feel like I could give everything I have!

I held Ayumi's hand but she suddenly pulled her hand away.

"ayumi?"

She didn't reply. Maybe I shouldn't bother her. I don't know what girls are thinking so it's probably much better to leave them alone in a time like this. Koneko was resting on my shoulder like it was the last day she could rest. What's up with this two?

We were climbing up the stairs when our journey finally went to a stop. We were greeted by a giant door covered in black. It had a demon head statue on each side holding a bowl containing a fire. The door had scribbles written on it. I touched the door in hopes that my system could decipher it.

Ye Who Enters Suffer, Thou Will Awaken

That's a creepy way to put it.

Koneko jumped down on her feet and took the form of her Sabertooth Empress. Arnel cracked his fingers as he steadied his grip. Ymil hopped as he wrings his arms to get his blood flowing. Elena lifted a bit of her mask, letting her lips touch her potion and drank it. They were getting their selves ready. Ayumi stayed silent.

"Shadow Strength!" Ymil cast a spell to himself and Arnel. Their body started to envelop a dark aura, slithering like a snake.

"Shadow Flas.h.!.+" Arnel shouted his offensive skill as he charged open the door.

The door creaked open and debris started to fall. The room was dark and silent. On the entrance was a red carpet extending to the darkness ahead of us. As soon as we stepped inside, a series of torches lined up lit bright, lighting the whole room. The room was well designed. There were chandeliers, demonic statues, carpets, and medieval armors that you see in castles lined up by the wall. The wall was made out of marble and had geometric carvings on it and some fluorescent crystals that you see on churches.

This was beautiful and novel at the same time. It felt like I went on a vacation.

On where the red carpet meets its end, a throne was placed by and a statue wearing full armor sat upon it. It had no facial features at all and its sword stands on the ground with his hand holding the pommel. His other hand rests on the arm of the throne.

The room seemed empty. There were no monsters staying by the floor and the floor boss doesn't seem to be anywhere. We went towards the throne and nothing suspicious happened. We tried thras.h.i.+ng the knights and the one who sits on the throne but nothing seems to budge. It only made a clanging sound of metal which echoed by the room.

Behind the throne was a large hole filled with darkness. The edges of the spikes are noticeable since it broke out from the dark barrier that filled the abyss. I threw a rock and it took several minutes before it made its fall on the ground. It was a dark and long abyss. If someone was sure to fall, they would totally die.

Geez. And here I was, getting all excited for nothing.

"Sigh... Nothing seems to be in here. Too much for that 'Ye Who Enters Suffer, Thou Will Awaken' kind of thing..."

I was about to lose hope when the whole floor started to tremble. The door strongly closed which made a thunderous boom and the knights started to shake as if they were trying to move.

We gathered ourselves in one position, like a circle.

Suddenly the knight sitting on the throne flashed its eyes in red.

"ROOOOOOOOAR!"

It roared! s.h.i.+t! Everything's alive!

Level 30 Pillar King-1

Level 30 Pillar Knights-100

All their eyes radiated a red glow. They started to surround us in one corner.

"ROAAAAAR!" Koneko roared her Uproar skill and we felt a decent increase of damage in our stats.

"With the power of the shadow realm, I cast thee, My name is Elena! Shadow Ring!"

Suddenly a burst of magic exploded as it expanded in a circle, blasting the knights that surrounded us. It was powerful but it didn't take out many of them.

"It's time! Everyone prepare! Dispatch!" We separated from our group.

"Grah!" Koneko used her double psionic blades taking out a single knight. Its armor didn't take damage but the statue inside crumbled to the floor. I remember, her skill can penetrate armor since its a psychic-affinity and air-element.

"Good job, Koneko!".

From a corner, I can see Ayumi performing her kills skillfully, severing several knights. A row of knights charged at her but she suddenly took them out in one line and whirled her body as she halts her movement.

" Shadow Flow!"

A sword flung towards her but she suddenly disappeared. It was like she sunk on the floor. I looked closely and saw a pool of shadow left on the floor. She came out of it and threw a dagger and sunk back in again. She was like those games you play in arcades called smash the hamsters but only she was the hamster. The Knights struggled to catch her.

All I could do was watch.

Suddenly I felt a sword swinging in my direction. I ducked and it missed. I turned my face towards it and sent a punch with all the strength that I've mustered. It didn't deal any damage at all and seemed like I was the one who got hurt. It only made its armor vibrate from the brunt of my attack and my fist felt a heavy pain. I cradled my hand and used stride to escape.

I couldn't do anything. All I could do was watch them in a corner.

The Pillar King approached them, thras.h.i.+ng knights on its way.

Hey! They're your companions, idiot! Why are you taking them out?!

It swung its sword but Ymil blocked the brunt with his greatsword.

Elena casts her magic which sent a ball engulfed in flames towards the Pillar King. It made it flinch and took a step backward, the king tried to rub the flames off of its face.

"RAAAAAH!" now they p.i.s.sed it off.

They were already level forty, the four of them, but it didn't seem to damage the level 30 boss at all. Is this what a boss is like?

I felt useless. All I could do was watch them from behind. I tried striding into battle but I was scolded.

"STAY BEHIND! JUST WATCH AND HOLD OUR POTIONS!" Screamed Arnel in a frustrated voice.

I thought... I thought you guys needed me... I looked at Koneko and she was able to keep up with the others... I envy her... Maybe they didn't want me to go because they need Koneko and not me. Koneko is level fifteen just like me...

All I could do was watch and I felt helpless. Even the knights ignored me and focused on the five of them.

I couldn't just watch...

I couldn't just be helpless...

I couldn't just cry all the time...

I want to be strong...

I need to be strong...

I don't want to suffer anymore!

"AYUMI!" the three of them screamed.

Ayumi was in a tough spot and caught herself captured by the knights. I felt a cold sweat drop from my forehead.

Not Ayumi... Not Ayumi...

Someone! Help her!

I looked and each of them was surrounded. The Knights kept on sp.a.w.ning and reviving like a specter. Even the decapitated ones, the head returned to their decapitated body. The numbers kept on increasing.

What could I do! I'm the only one who's open!

I promised to protect her... I promised!

I want to be strong! I want to be strong!

Zing!

The king raised its sword in the air and Ayumi felt helpless. She was done for. Her hood fell revealing her terrified look.

"AYUMI!"

Beep!

Suddenly an octagonal panel appeared on my vision. It was the same octagonal panel that I upgraded and obtained my stride.

-Alheir

It had a blade on its northeast edge which I upgrade. It forcefully consumed my special skill point and the northwest edge blinked in a radiant light.

*Forceful Special Skill Point Consumed*

*Northwest Edge Blade Unlocked*

I see... This... This is my skill tree.

-Strength +-

-Skill Obtained-

[Burst]

Burst: Consume all SP and gain triple stats for the duration of the battle.

This is it!

"BURST!"

My body suddenly radiated a mixture of blue and red light. An afterglow that lighted the room. I feel my power flowing down my veins. I can feel my strength!

The King got distracted by my light and lowered his sword.

Everyone was surprised by my changes and gazed upon me with a confused look.

I held my fists on each side, clenched with strength.

I don't want to be saved anymore!

"I PROMISED AYUMI THAT I'LL PROTECT HER!"

Ayumi, who heard me, shot a surprised glance at me. Her eye dropped a single tear.

All of them stared at me. As soon as the light diminished, the King lifted its sword up in the air again.

Not this time! I'll be the hero!

-Ren Aura Skill Open-

While on stride, the burst will be enhanced by light and holy affinity.

I see! So that's why ren aura couldn't activate! It's an enhancement for my stride!

I stiffened every muscle in my body and shouted in anger and frustration.

"REN!"

A burst of pure white light ignited on my feet. It sparkled like a star and an aura covered my body in a color of white.

I began das.h.i.+ng in an instant, knocking the knights holding Ayumi. I held her in my arms and she looked dazed at me. She looks like she doesn't know what's going on. Neither do I.

"Stand back, Ayumi. I'll protect you."

I turned myself to the king who looked fazed. It stared at me with its eyes glowing in fury. I lowered Ayumi on the ground and told her to stay there. All the knights were occupied by the other three.

"Koneko! Cut its legs off!"

"Grah!"

Koneko sent two waves of blades and the king fell to its knees.

"Rah!" It yelps in pain.

An opening!

I dashed forward in a flash using my stride, enhanced by my ren.

I threw a punch on its head and it tilted to the side. I saw a dent on its helmet.

I can do this! Finally! I can be a hero!

It didn't take long enough and the king recovered its leg.

It swung its sword but I evaded it as I slid to his side and sent a punch.

"CLANG!"

It made a metallic noise.

I saw Elena casting an incantation and Ymil rushed towards us with his sword.

"Don't interfere! This is my fight!"

They froze on their position. They looked at each other and nodded.

I returned to the king and saw his sword on his side, ready to slash in an arc. I bent my knees and laid my body on my back as I slide through the blade, feeling the gush of its movement on my face.

I stood up once again and kicked the head.

"Grah! Rah!" It cradled its head in pain and took two steps backward.

It flung its sword and I held it my hand on top of it as I flip over to the other side. I thrashed its breastplate and it broke revealing its ribs made of stone.

I delivered continues punches and felt my hand bleeding as it started to break. Even when I'm strengthened, the backfire of my punch grazed my fists. It started to bleed but I didn't stop.

Don't let it move.

Don't let it breathe.

Don't falter.

Don't stop.

Don't give a single second for it.

Push it back.

Continue.

Continue.

And BREAK THROUGH!

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

I applied the force of my motion into my right fist, with all my strength mustered. This was my final blow.

BOOM!

"Argh! Ugh..." It fell to its knees.

"I-i... I did it! Elena! It's weakened! We should push it down now!"

BOOM!

Suddenly a blast of dark magic severed its head, it perished to ash and rubble of stones was left. The armors clang on the floor as every monster on this floor disappeared, all ashes and rubble were left behind.

"Huh?"

Suddenly I felt a blade piercing my side.

I looked behind...

"Ayumi... Why?"

Her head hung low and tears fell from her eyes.

"Scorpion..."

She activated her skill. Paralyzing me.

Koneko save me...

Suddenly, Koneko's profile disappeared in my vision.

-Pet has left the party-

Why... Why...

"Your abilities are far more valuable than a sc.r.a.p of metal and rubble of dirt. See? You helped us, Ya Ki Ro Kun."

Elena spoke in a malevolent tone. She let out a laugh and I felt my eyes welling up.

I see...

I was used...

I have been used... Again... I have been manipulated.

Ayumi...

Koneko...

Why...

Why have you betrayed me?

Why have you forsaken me?

Am I not enough?

Elena...

Arnel...

Ymil...

Am I worthless?

That's it... I'm too pathetic... They saw me as trash... I see... It was right to dispose of me...

The only thing valuable about me is my skills and stats...

"WHY?!"

My tears began to fall.

Arnel approached me and pushed me by the lip of the hole. I fell...

Darkness started to consume me.

Again.

My pain returned...

I feel my self s.h.i.+vering...

I had now...

...Truly suffered.

Maybe the G.o.d who sent me here is now satisfied.

f.u.c.k you, Nas.h.i.+ki...

I fell into the abyss...

I lost it all.

I lost my life.

I lost my trust.

I lost my love.

Forgive me, Namimi...

I have been betrayed again...