Ayumi was sleeping soundly however I wasn't able to sleep at all. I had this heavy feeling on my chest that I can't seem to get off even when Koneko's sleeping right beside me. It was more like a feeling that something is wrong.

Something does seem wrong.

The room was dim and enough for me to see. On the window, houses and shops could be seen closed and dark. The people here already fallen asleep but I can't.

The night sky was covered by clouds, yet the moon was bright enough to pa.s.s through it. It felt a very gloomy night.

I needed this feeling to disappear, or if it won't, at least make it a bit small so that I could get it off my chest. I had woken Koneko and all she did was turn over her other side and mumbled. She didn't want to wake up but I can't go out without her. If she didn't come, my negative feelings would only swell up even more.

"Koneko.. wake up.. Koneko.." I whispered.

"... hmmmm.. emf... hm.. w-what is it, master?" She reluctantly replied with her eyes closed.

"We're going out for a walk."

"But it's already late... Monsters this time are high level and dangerous, Master.."

"Don't worry, we'll only walk on the Easy Gra.s.s Valley. Daffolums will be the only thing there."

"But I'm too sleepy.." She got up feeling groggy. Her hair was a mess and her lips had dried drool on it. She was wearing brown clothing that Ayumi lend her. It was basically long enough and reached out to her knees covering her soft skin.

"I'll reward you tomorrow morning. I'll buy you your favorite fish."

"Really?!" Her eyes suddenly shone wide in happiness.

"Shh! Keep your voice down.."

"R-really?" she asked in a much softer voice.

"Yes, really. Let's go Koneko."

We slowly got out of bed. My first step on the floor creaked a noise. How was that even possible? The floor was clearly made out of bricks.

The creaking noise continued, it was actually coming out from the outside. Someone just pa.s.sed through outside our room. From the footsteps that I heard, there were two of them.

I got into the door successfully without making a noise. I held the doork.n.o.b and twisted it. As soon as I opened it I heard a movement.

"Where are you going, Yakiro?"

I looked behind my back and found Ayumi was awake. She rubbed her eyes and gave out a long yawn. Her skin was really visible through that nightgown she was wearing. It was made out of a drop item you get from the spider called spider silk.

"Umm... Eee. I'm going to the bathroom."

"Together with Koneko? Don't do anything weird." She replied and went back to sleep.

I sighed in relief.

"That went better than expected," I whispered. We got down to the main hall and found Ymil, Elena and Arnel drinking.

"So, it's only 2 weeks before the Pillar opens huh?"

"Yes. We need Yakiro to level up fast."

"That kid will do a lot of help for us."

"Let's make sure we keep this from Ayumi and Yakiro."

They started drinking beer and continued discussing. Elena wasn't wearing her mask but it was too dark for me to see her face. I only saw her lips. It looked familiar. Like I've seen those lips before.

I sneaked out the inn and went on the stroll. Koneko was basically silent the whole time. I looked at her and she was basically still smiling. She's so happy and excited about my reward for her that she couldn't stop thinking about it. She even started drooling. I bet she was thinking of buying the most expensive and largest fish on the menu. It basically cost 20 gold if I remember. It was called a Golden Marlin.

We have arrived at the Castle gate. There were no guards at all. Even the archer towers seemed empty. Where are all the knights guarding this place?

It was weird that there were no one around. What if monsters got inside the village?

Koneko has been holding my hand ever since we arrived. Her expression was different. It was filled with horror and her eyes were wide. Her hands couldn't stop shaking.

"What's wrong, Koneko?"

"I-i... I... I smell blood, master.."

Blood?

"Blood? Must be monsters. Now let's go back. It's too dangerous. There's no guard here."

"No! It's not from monsters. The smell is human blood, Master!"

H-human? H-how could this possibly happen? Who would go out this late at night?

"Master Yakiro-sama.."

I looked at her. Her eyes were in horror, her body trembling, and her lips were s.h.i.+vering.

"It belonged to the children.."

Koneko started to tear. An image popped out of my head. Rina, Ryan, Edward... those three couldn't possibly...

"Koneko! Hold onto me tight!"

"STRIDE!"

The cold night was freezing and silent. I was stupid to go out without wearing my armor. I have to make it, I have to make it, I have to make it. I started das.h.i.+ng through the valley with speed and terror in my chest. There were monsters around but I avoided contact with them.

I HAVE TO MAKE IT ON TIME!

My mana was quickly depleting but I will not allow myself to falter. I clenched my fist and grind my teeth. I was feeling furious and afraid. Why were the kids strolling this late at night? d.a.m.n IT! d.a.m.n IT! d.a.m.n IT!

d.a.m.n IT ALL!

"AHHHHHH! STRIDE!" I forcefully cast my skill again and the burst was even stronger. Just how far did they go? This isn't Easy Gra.s.s Valley anymore! This is the Gra.s.s Valley!

This place gets harder and more wicked! High-level monsters roam at night! Why would they be here? Where are they?!

*Warning! Mana Depleted!*

A warning panel appeared before me and I furiously swiped it away. I can't let myself falter! Those children need me! That's why I was feeling off! I bit my lip and used my own blood as energy to use my stride.

"Somebody! Somebody! Somebody h-help us!"

T-that voice! It's Ryan's voice!

It's within the forest. The forest is even more perilous. It contained monsters Level 20 and above. Please let me arrive on time!

"I'm coming, Ryan!"

I entered the forest das.h.i.+ng. Branches were everywhere and, hit my face and body every time I pa.s.s by.

*WARNING! HIGH-LEVEL AREA!*

-Welcome to Chesprych Forest-

This is no time to go back. I don't care if I die! Just let me save them!

My movement halted by a hard stop. I fell on the ground and my self disheveled in the dirt. My mouth tasted blood and it dripped down to my chin. A flow of blood started flowing from my head. I still haven't practiced my landing.

"M-mister... Please... Please save Rina and E-Edward... Please."

My body started to freeze. My eyes locked in place, my hands trembling, my sweat falling, my lungs became harder to breathe and my knees buckled to the ground.

I can't believe the horror I see. Ryan was drenched in blood and had many wounds. He had lost his left arm and is desperately crawling towards me. I was paralyzed. My body wouldn't move. My heart filled with fear and terror. Koneko immediately jumped off me and a.s.sisted Ryan. This kid.. this kid is losing his life.

Behind him was a green obese orc. His mouth was filled with blood and ripped clothing. His eyes were dark and menacing. He wore a bone necklace around his neck and had a large butcher knife on his hands. This monster... This monster didn't belong here..

Where's Rina? Where's Edward? Where are they!

"HRAH HRAH HRAH HRAH!" the orc laughed. His mouth was wide as a truck wheel. It had no neck and his chin was directly connected to its chest.

He lifted his knife and Edward's body was attached to it. He shook Edward's lifeless body off and stepped on it with his foot smas.h.i.+ng his skull.

The sight of it made me vomit. My arms were trembling like an earthquake. My heart was beating like a beast. Roaring out pain and regret.

I was too late... I was too late...

From afar I can see Rina's head hanging on the tree with her intestines. Her blood dripping wet and that's when I've lost it. I've lost hope.

I couldn't save her.. I couldn't save both of them... No.. I couldn't save the three of them... Namimi... Rina... Edward... I have failed...

I didn't deserve this life... I didn't deserve to be resurrected. I was kneeling before the orc as he approaches us. My eyes were in static like slenderman was in front of me. My ears rang a painful high tone like a broken radio static noises.

I couldn't save them... I couldn't fight this monster... And even if I arrived here on time... My weak and useless self won't be able to do anything.

"Mister... Please save us.." Ryan desperately asked me for help. He tried to stand up but failed as he fell right back into the ground.

"Mister.." He tried again.

and again.

and again...

"A real hero... Never cries..." Ryan told me before pa.s.sing out. He didn't cry and I bet he tried fighting the orc trying to defend them but failed miserably. This kid is stubborn.. no.. this kid is brave.

"N-no!" I came running at him when he fell. Koneko was terrified of the orc and left Ryan as she hid behind my back. He's still breathing. His heart was still beating faintly.

Koneko who was crying behind me slowly took a step back. She was also terrified. I couldn't make their deaths add to the death of the two suffered.

"Koneko... Leave with Ryan... Bring her to the church immediately and ask a priest to cast healing magic on him.

"B-but... I can't leave you.."

"Go.."

"I can't..."

"Go, Koneko!"

"I can't, master.. uhuhu.." She started crying.

"I AM YOUR MASTER! OBEY ME AND TAKE RYAN WITH YOU! GO!"

"M-master.. uwaaaah!" She came at me and lifted Ryan into her back. She looked at me with tears and melancholy. She was reluctant to leave me behind. The woods were deep and dark.

"Take this ruby... Use that to pay the priest.."

"Master... Promise you'll come back alive..."

"Yes."

She ran screaming then flown away. It was faster for her to get in the village if she flew all the way there. Good thing she knew that. Koneko is a legendary pet, she can fly at a minimum of 10 meters alone and only 7 meters if she carries someone with her. She'll be fine. That way she can avoid monsters that she might encounter.

"Gruggle Gruggle Uhrah hrah hrah!" The orc sneered.

I can save them. I'll buy them off time. I'm willing to die. This life was already useless from the start. d.a.m.n this curse.

The orc approached me and smacked me by his large hand. It flew me to a tree which slammed my back unto it.

My vision started to weaken.

HP 22/75

The edges of my vision started to redden. If only I had brought the fox demon berries, I would be able to last longer here.

He raised his butcher and slashed it right in front of me. I evaded it and rolled unto the other side. Blood was dripping down into my head from the tree. I looked up and saw Rina's head staring blankly at me. Her face was covered with tears and blood. Her eyes had a terrified look. It was painful to see.

I gritted my teeth and my tears began to fall.

I'm sorry Rina... I'm sorry...

I returned my focus and saw the orc preparing for an Arc slash. He has swung it on his back and I know he's going to swing it unto me into his left like an arc.

I ducked down avoiding his attack but my shoulder got swept.

"ARRHHHHH! AHHH! f.u.c.k! f.u.c.k! AHHHH!"

It was agonizing and the pain was excruciating. My blood came rus.h.i.+ng out of me. I'll end up dying because of blood loss, I had already sacrifice some of my blood in order for me to arrive here. I vomited once again and ran away from him. He chased me at a slow pace. I can't run too far from him. I have already exhausted my stamina and mana.

He slashed again and I dodge it. I kicked his leg but he didn't flinch. He swung again and I repeated. I kicked again and punched his side but he didn't take any damage at all. He swung his butcher upwards, indicating that he's going to slash down, I run away before his blade could ever reach me. The butcher knife was more like of a greatsword. It was huge and long.

I tripped over myself as my tension had already fully taken over my head and chest.

I have failed. I'm going to die again without saving someone. I'm worthless. My head was full of darkness and I feel heavy. I couldn't lift my hands and legs. I'm going to die.

-Orc Warrior Level 35-

So I guess I'm going to die by the hands of this hideous monster. He approaches me menacingly with a smile that could put me into a nightmare. His smile was similar to the one who murdered my sister.

"Ef...hmf.. hmf.." I couldn't breathe. My tension and trauma had me paralyzed. My pain and this empty void feeling are killing me.

"I'm sorry Namimi... I won't be able to see.. you.." I can hardly speak. My throat was dry and my eyes had already drowned in red. The orc stood before me. With his devious grin, he lifted his weapon.

"I'm... sorry.."

"GLARGHHHH!"

Blood burst out into me.

The orc got stabbed by a dagger which flew out of nowhere.

"GLARGHH! ARRRRGHHH! GRAAAAAAH!" he screamed in pain.

"Yakiro!" Arnel and Ayumi shouted in unison. Ymil ran towards the orc with his two-handed greatsword grazing the ground.

"DAMAGE BOOST! SPEED BOOST! HIGHER DAMAGE! HOLY RESISTANCE! GREAT SHADOW SLAs.h.!.+" Ymil cast spells as he ran and jumped towards the orc.

BLURSs.h.!.+

The orc's blood came showering all over the place but that slash wasn't enough to bring him down.

"I'm sorry... ayumi.." I told her.

"Idiot! What were you thinking! I had a bad feeling when you didn't come back! Good thing I used shadow scope skill and saw Koneko flying and crying while carrying a wounded child!"

"H.. ow.. are they?" *cough *cough

I coughed out blood.

Ayumi wiped my b.l.o.o.d.y face with her cloak.

"They're fine. Elena's taking care of them. You're stupid Yakiro! Stupid!" She started crying.

"Ymil! Step back!" Arnel ordered when he saw the orc's belly bloated. The orc then breathed out fire. But Arnel had a s.h.i.+eld. He was a swordsman after all.

"VOID SHADOW s.h.i.+ELD!"

A large dark s.h.i.+eld appeared floating. It devoured the fire but it couldn't devour all of it which made the s.h.i.+eld reach its limit as the flame pa.s.sed through, burning Arnel in the process.

The fire ended and Arnel didn't look harmed. I guess he had fire resistance but from the look on his face, he still had taken damage. Parts of his face was burned.

"Shadow Pierce!" Two blades suddenly appeared above Arnel and shot the orc's feet. Nailing them into the ground.

"Ayumi! Take Yakiro away from here!"

"No!"

"Why not?!"

"I believe in you! If you defeat the Enraged Orc Warrior! Yakiro will obtain the XP because he's near! It'Il heal him a bit!"

Ayumi pulled out a gla.s.s bottle. It contained a green substance.

HP 1/75

*WARNING! WARNING! DEATH RULE!*

Once the user dies, he is unable to pa.s.s on the other life since he did not complete the repent.

"Drink this."

She lifted the bottle into my lips and poured it, I drank it all dry. It was the same thing I brewed before. Orchista Potion.

HP 47/75

Some of my wounds healed but not all of them. This low potion couldn't heal the damage done by a high-level monster.

"SHADOW PIERCE!" Arnel shouted his skill as he pierced the Orc.

The orc lifted his butcher in a grimace.

"Shadow Cripple!" Arnels sword suddenly released a dark aura which entered the Orc's wound. He pulled out his sword and the orc fell to his knees. It was some kind of debuff skill.

Arnel swung his greatsword in an arc slas.h.i.+ng the Orc's head.

"SHADOW DECAPITATION!"

It sent the orc's head flying as his blood burst out from his decapitated body.

It started to rain. The sky was covered with dark clouds and rain was falling. The cold night made me s.h.i.+ver and tears and blood fell on my face.

Blood and precipitation mixed in the air.

-LEVEL UP!-

Yakiro, Level 10, Cla.s.s ???

Hp 53/340

Mana 0/300

Strength 210

Agility 450

Dexterity 435

Intelligence 150

Charisma 120

Luck 10

-Luck maxed out-

New skill unlocked!

Ren Aura Level 1

Zen Aura Level 1

The octagonal panel appeared again. The northeast edge that I upgraded had now a propeller-like blade with gems and fleur-de-lis design.

-Earned 1 Special Skill Points-

Use now? Y, N

N.

I swiped off the panel and I stared at Ayumi. She was crying.

"I thought I was going to die.."

"Idiot! Idiot!" Ayumi started slamming my chest...

"Ahh ahh ouch! It still hurts!"

"Glad to see you alive, Yakiro." Arnel spoke in a deep voice. Ymil was silent as always.

"Let's go home... I'm sleepy.." I smiled at them teary-eyed. I was still enduring my tension. It was painful and devouring me inside. I need Koneko right now.

"Yes." Ayumi lifted me on her back. Her hair was smooth and smelled nice.

I'm still alive... But the pain of not being able to save Rina and Edward made me cry all the way to the village.