8 Chapter 8: Dreadful Agony (1/2)

It was already midnight.

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 pass 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 Grass 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 passed 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 doorknob 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 shivering.

”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 dashing 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? DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!

DAMN 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 Grass Valley anymore! This is the Grass 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 dashing. Branches were everywhere and, hit my face and body every time I pass 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 assisted 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 smashing 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 passing 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!”