The early office was colder than usual.
“I’m here.”
“Seems like you’re out of energy today.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night.”
The interior was quiet.
“What about Erica?”
“She’s probably still asleep.”
“Such a sleepyhead.”
“Who has to start work at 6 AM?”
I looked at the clock. The hour and minute hands were aligned.
“Oh…”
So much for coming to work. Am I living here now?
But her hair looks too vibrant for that.
It’s not really important.
“The director contacted us.”
I grabbed the glass bottle resting on the desk. The brown liquid sloshed inside.
“Since that girl will be rampaging in this spirit world invasion, they’re saying they’ll deploy special forces.”
What are they implying? Do they want everyone dead?
I’m supposed to be busy today.
“Is it okay for you to tell me such top-secret information?”
“It’s more beneficial this way.”
I twisted my hair.
“You can inflict as many injuries as you like. Just try to be lenient.”
Even the director would know the outcome of that.
“Those folks must not value their lives.”
“Isn’t that how it goes?”
I opened the bottle cap, and the rich scent of coffee wafted up.
“They’re those who become enraptured by their characters, losing their sanity.”
In a way, that might be the only way to protect the city.
Why not live like me? Commit terrorism when desired, love when desired.
“Shouldn’t you take a break?”
The director pointed to the break room.
I hesitated for a moment.
“I wish Erica was the first thing I saw when I woke up.”
Having Erica wake me up doesn’t sound too bad.
“Sounds nice.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I’ll mention it vaguely when you come to work.”
I smiled discreetly and took my coffee in my hands.
As I headed to the break room, there was a makeshift bed. Once I caught hold of my tired mind, sleep began to rush in.
[ Are you okay? ]
“What’s wrong?”
[ Seran, I mean. ]
I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Alongside the director, we three had traversed many battlefields. I had no doubts about our skills. We had always been in the rankings.
We had bickered but fought often as well.
“I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
But it was enjoyable. At least that’s how I felt. The two seemed too flustered, fighting with each other.
I don’t want to think about it anymore.
“I need to sleep.”
Today, my mind feels a bit…
A lot.
Painful.
“Wake up.”
“Ugh…”
I gasped for breath as my mouth craved oxygen. I rubbed my eyes harshly as if they were foggy.
“Are you alright?”
What I could see was a swaying uniform. I was drawn in by a pleasant scent that teased my nose.
“Wait, just a moment…”
“Just five more minutes…”
“What do you mean, five more minutes? You’re already awake.”
“I just want to stay like this for a while…”
I couldn’t hold back a giggle as I felt her fingers combing through my hair.
“Let’s promise to open our eyes in a bit.”
“…Yeah.”
Why is she being so nice? Did the director say something?
“They said you might be feeling quite ill…”
“Who said that…?”
“You did.”
“No, I’m not…”
I grew uncomfortable and pulled her hand, feeling as though we were floating atop the bed, slightly leaning against her.
“Today, Erica is quite docile.”
“Is it… really painful?”
“I told you I’m not hurting…”
Anyway, she’s someone so full of compassion. She should take care of herself with that energy instead.
I guess I’ll need to educate her later.
“And also… I was told we have an important mission today.”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
What all has been said?
“Right. Something about taking down a giant monster.”
“…”
With the feeling of her fingers running through my hair, a strange unease crept up on me.
Are they lulling me into a sense of security only to stab me in the heart?
A blissful death doesn’t seem so bad either.
I awakened from my fractured consciousness. Perhaps it was because I was cradled, but I could only feel the sensation of her back.
“…I’m curious.”
“What is?”
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
Seeing Erica lower her eyes, I tilted my head.
“Whether it’s this spirit world incident, regular training, or even caring about my health…”
“I want to treat someone I like kindly.”
“Not that again…”
I smiled a bit as I felt the pinch on my cheek.
“Even if you say that, it won’t save you.”
“Thank you.”
I actually wish she would misunderstand.
Wishing to swing everything around her for my sake.
Flickering light filled the room. A moment of calm had arrived.
I blinked my eyes. Honestly, it doesn’t matter why. Despite the twisted relationship, the essence remains undistorted. Even when sharing cozy conversations, when it came time for a hostage situation in the middle of a battlefield, she would mercilessly point a knife.
So I felt relief. Paradoxically, I was happy that I could see her smile. I felt exhilarated to manage the situation as I pleased.
I am aware that I am the scum. Being caressed by her hands as she takes advantage of my compassion.
The director probably knew that and said all those things.
For my sake. That’s why I felt gratitude.
When I left the break room and returned to the office, I saw several hunters and employees preparing their weapons for departure. There was a certain coolness about their readiness.
Following Erica, I got into the vehicle that was already running. It felt rough, possibly the combat vehicle.
“Relax a bit.”
“What are you planning to do while I’m asleep?”
She glared at me before turning her head away, so I leaned slightly on her shoulder. As I playfully rubbed my cheek against hers, her hand approached, pinching my cheek.
Reluctantly, I pulled away and looked out the window.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
“I’ve done this countless times before.”
“You’re a pro.”
So cool. Really.
This might just be the continuation of a diligent life I’ve been living for a while. My slightly pained eyes struggled to maintain clarity.
As I forced myself to look outside, I saw a black crack forming. In the distant expansive field, countless flower petals were descending.
The air currents distorted, and the space trembled.
“Please stop for a moment.”
“…Orly?”
As the moving exterior scenery froze in place, the cool air met me as I opened the vehicle door.
I turned back and smiled lightly.
“I’ll see you in a bit.”
After the door closed and the vehicle drove away, I took out my knife.
My shoulders shifted, and wings unfolded. I kicked off the ground and flew into the air.
The wind was cold. The currents were sharp. My floating body disrupted the air.
I spotted a man below and landed. My wings flapped once more, creating noise.
“Lord Orly.”
Seran turned and faced me.
“Glad to see you!”
“It’s been a while. That look too.”
I twisted my hair. It has been about a year.
“Do I look cool?”
“That’s an understatement.”
Well…
My wings are battered.
Seran looked toward the horizon stretched in the distance. Knights were marching out of numerous open gates, lining up.
“This is the result achieved after a year.”
The ground was thriving with vines, and the air shimmered green.
“My grand plan, forged through hardship since the massacre, has no flaws.”
I nodded.
“Had it not been for you, though.”
“Huh!”
“Did you love the human world?”
“No?”
I shook my head.
“If so, you should’ve pushed forward sooner. I thought you had some lingering attachment, so I kept bringing offerings, but that was in vain.”
“The red glass bottle? I feel a bit bad about that!”
“It’s fine.”
Seran extended a rough hand, offering the glass bottle.
“Rather, I feel more sorry. I only recently realized you were living such a life every day.”
I felt bitterness in her calm tone. Was that sincere? Still, it was a relief to know she didn’t dislike me.
“The only person who stopped my first invasion was you, and when I saw those colorless eyes of yours, despair was the first thing I felt.”
“That’s sad.”
“Indeed.”
The bottle fixed in the air.
“That’s not fair. Anyone who has endured and crafted something deserves to be exalted. A beautiful world is about that!”
Gold eyes gazed at me. I blinked at the resentment and sadness reflected in her pupils.
“I respect you, Lord Orly. I respect your life, where countless lives are threatened in a withered city. I bow before you who withstands with a body that bleeds and takes lives.”
“Thank you.”
“But that’s all.”
The glass bottle shattered, beads scattering.
“Such a life is unrecognized by anyone. You end up living like that and then you die. Doesn’t it feel empty? Doesn’t it feel futile? The world has long ceased to exist for both me and you! There’s been no value in living for a while now!”
As I gripped my knife, flowers around me bloomed. In the distance, the gates closed, and knights surged forth.
“The law and order have decayed, rotting away. Flowers and light are tangled and can hardly breathe. Darkness has come, and only horrific howls remain, tearing at our ears.”
“That’s true.”
“So, I created a new world. I built a new project. A grand plan where humanity perishes and the spirit world swallows the earth!”
Her gaze locked onto me. I noticed a black hue shimmer across the gold-rained color. It was a light I had never seen before.
I smiled faintly.
Yet I was happy.
The idea of her doing this for me.
Seran extended her hand.
“Please, come with me. I can draw out as much blood as needed—be it from human corpses or extracted from spirits.”
I briefly twirled my hair as I observed Seran’s face. Through the swaying robe, I could see stretched, marred skin. Her cheeks, warm and flushed, bore traces of weariness.
I smiled slightly.
“Well done. You’re amazing. I could never go that far.”
I raised my knife. A faint line extended, engulfing the knights. A storm roared as the air currents became chaotic.
“How hard must it have been for you to rise to being the Spirit King? How much magic power did you study and experiment with?”
I nodded sincerely. That was the best way I could show my respect.
Seran was that kind of person. Full of passion and fervor.
“But I’m sorry.”
I aimed my knife.
“I still have things I need to know.”
The blood-red rings shimmered.
“So, I can’t join you.”
“Then!”
Her face twisted in distress. The marred skin trembled.
“I suppose we must part here.”
“Yes.”
The ground shook, and swirling smoke engulfed the air. The earth cracked, and gigantic thorns surged upwards. I took flight and withdrew my knife. Twisting my body, I circled around the thorns and charged at Seran.
Cutting through the giant creeping vines, I collected the blood spilling forth. Gripping the massive red blade with both hands, I struck down onto her shoulder. An arm severed, and blood gushed out.
I exposed my abdomen to a flailing spear and spun around. As I pushed my foot in, Seran tumbled backward. I quickly distanced myself and withdrew the spear. Blood gushed out, and pain enveloped my body.
“You will regret this!”
I shattered the sword. Gathering the red droplets, I condensed them into a giant hammer. Flapping my wings, I charged at Seran. The moment her shield was lifted, I halted and struck the ground directly below.
The ground split, and the earth rampaged. Green plants were torn apart and floated into the air. Watching Seran stagger, I quickly shattered the hammer and shaped it into a scythe.
Closing the distance, I swung. The shield ripped apart helplessly as she coughed out blood. Merging the blood, I thrust a dual-edged sword into her abdomen.
“How long will you keep enduring this!”
Seran grimaced as she raised her hand. The air currents swayed, and a gigantic vine surged up from the ground. White flower buds trembled, releasing pure white leaves.
A massive flower bloomed.
It spewed smoke and disrupted the air. Petals shot up like a fountain, flooding the world. My breath seized, and I struggled to inhale. Clutching my abdomen, I spat out blood as long thorns pierced my belly.
“It must be hard for you! Right now! And even in the future!”
I smiled slightly and sliced through my abdomen with the thorns. Blood surged from the ruptured spot. Red droplets spiraled and generated a storm. Petals and smoke were swept away, and the air shuddered.
Clutching my abdomen, I fixed my knife in the air. Turning my body to expose my back caused immediate pain. Three long red streams poured from my back, and round fruits bloomed.
The ones rushing towards Seran soon took the form of a massive beast’s jaws.
Green vines were devoured, and the flower buds burst. The enormous flower broke and was trampled. A moment’s scream rang out as the ground where Seran stood collapsed. The earth tilted, and the air quivered.
The atmosphere distorted and reddened.
Rain began to fall. The gloomy clouds wept tears, sweeping away the darkness.
I flapped my wings and approached where she was. Seran, torn and staggering, finally opened her eyes weakly.
“Well done!”
“Why…?”
I blinked.
“If you were to be with me…”
The invisible black eyes yearned for light. The torn skin oozed fluids, smearing her face.
“A joyful… life…”
“I still have things I want to do here.”
Here.
“I have things I want to know.”
What love is.
“Who am I, just like…”
“A savior, you are…”
I smiled.
“Thank you.”
As the drizzling rain soaked my robe, the gloomy sky remained dark.
“It will be hard for you…”
“Probably?”
“Tired… I want to cry…”
“That’s right.”
The truth is, I doubt myself. I don’t know how much longer I can endure. I can’t tell when the streetlights might turn on along this desolate road.
“But still, for that…”
The movement of the robe became less frequent. Watching her as if to collapse, I smiled.
“I have things I must absolutely do.”
The robe was shed, and her black hair fluttered. Seeing her unable to even open her mouth, I took out the glass bottle.
“When you awaken, you’ll probably have a new body.”
“You’re still… as willful as ever…”
Plock.
As I looked at her collapsed figure, I reached out. Her massive form was enveloped in light and then shrank, transforming into a doll clad in a robe.
I placed her in the bottle and dropped it into my pocket.
“Ha.”
A sigh escaped me as white smoke billowed.
“My eyes hurt.”
My vision began to turn red.
