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| − | Long ago, there existed a nation called Iaia, in which the land prospered, crops and resources provided from an unknown pit at the centre of the land known only as the Dungeon. For many years, the people of Iaia lived off of the Dungeon's fruits, for which life energy emanated from the pits to sustain the various crops growing on the surface.
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| − | However, one day, the Dungeon stopped supplying the nation with its energy, and soon the nation of Iaia suffered a large widespread famine. Crops would not grow, leading to a decline in food and medicine. Water was not purified, causing a widespread epidemic to plague the land. Because Iaia was secluded from the rest of the world, with little to no connection to the outside, the people of Iaia suffered for years, until one day, a group of seers and priests came together to pray to the gods for salvation and repentance.
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| − | For months on end, the priests came together and prayed to the gods, until one day, the goddess Demeter, along with her disciple, Paladin Koloth descended from the heavens to warn the mortals of the true nature of the Dungeon. The Dungeon was a massive labyrinth created in ancient times to house monsters, and as monsters died, their souls would ascend the Dungeon to the surface. However, due to the monsters being impure, they are unable to enter heaven, and so, instead, spread to the surface of the land, their life energy supplying the world through bountiful harvest. Over time, as the nation of Iaia continued using this resource, their numbers continued to climb, but the deaths of the monsters did not, causing a deficit in the life energy supplied to the land. To continue to live, the people of Iaia must descend the Dungeons to kill monsters.
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| − | Praising Demeter, the numerous people of Iaia swore their allegiance to the goddess, begging for her to stay and watch over their nation. Taken aback by the sincerity of the mortals, as well as feeling satisfied with the increase in her followers, Demeter decided to stay and watch over the people, tasking Koloth with establishing a Folia Level System after his fellow Paladin, Folianon, the Paladin of Harvest and blessing the mortals with the power to become stronger, and wield magic. Equipping the mortals with a means to fight monsters, soon, many became trained to become the first adventurers of Iaia.
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| − | However, as Demeter continued being worshipped, the other gods in the heavens were not happy with the attention Demeter was getting, and decided to descend to the mortal realm themselves to also obtain followers. Realizing the potential for another divine war, Koloth suggested the creation of Legions, groups of humans would choose the deity they want to worship, and the deity may choose those who would be fit to be their followers.
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| − | Soon, Legions began to form, with the big three, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades, Legions being the strongest, and some Legions being smaller than others due to the certain deities being less prominent than others. And for many years, adventurers of these Legions would descend the Dungeon to hunt and kill monsters, becoming stronger and establishing a trade system for monster shards to validate their contributions to the land.
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| − | The gods would return to heaven, with the Legions continuing to frequent the Dungeons and to become stronger, until the nation of Iaia prospered by these adventurers. The day Demeter and Paladin Koloth had come down from the heavens became mere folk tales, after centuries of prosperity, and with this, the rise of adventurer legends soon dominated the scribes, such as Leonidas Swallowtail of the Hades Legion, being the only Level 12 adventurer in existence, and Alexander Rosewald of the Aphrodite Legion, the greatest swordsman in the entire land.
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| − | ==R7==
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| − | Ever heard of the generic anime MC?
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| − | Strong. OP. Noble. Popular with the girls but either too dense or upholding a massive sense of chivalry.
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| − | Sometimes it's comedic. Ending up in some kind of sexual situation with girls and then freaking out.
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| − | Well if you came here expecting I was one of them, then you're in for some major disappointment. Because this type of person isn't me.
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| − | That type of MC goes to my Legion Captain, Jack Flock.
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| − | Haruka handed Jack a bowl of what looked like some kind of cooking.
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| − | "I hope you enjoy it..." Haruka said, her face bright red as Jack took the cooking and ate it.
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| − | "This is so good! You're amazing Haruka!" Jack said, as Haruka blushed.
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| − | Jack held the bowl to me.
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| − | "Want some, Shun?"
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| − | I glanced at Haruka, who was giving me a murderous expression.
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| − | "No thanks, I'm already full." I responded, quickly.
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| − | I got up and left the living area of our Legion headquarters. There wasn't much. If any at all.
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| − | I made my way across the hall, looking at the rooms of the place.
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| − | Here in Folia, adventurers belong in Legions. Each Legion serves a god or goddess. In my case, I serve the goddess '''Vala'''. Vala is supposed to be the goddess of Fortune.
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| − | "Shun!" Vala called out to me from her room.
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| − | I went up to Vala, who was holding a card.
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| − | "By my divine will, I request a coin!"
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| − | I rolled my eyes as I gave her one of my Folian dollars as she scratched the card.
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| − | "As the goddess of fortune, I predict winnings of unparalleled-"
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| − | Vala stared at the empty card. Another blank.
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| − | I leaned in.
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| − | "Listen. I know I'm just some normal mortal, but I'm pretty sure that's not very fortune-like."
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| − | Vala threw the card on the ground and grabbed her hair.
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| − | "Not again! By the heavens! I demand retribution. This is ridiculous!"
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| − | "Tch." I grumbled, as I walked away.
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| − | The Vala Legion.
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| − | In Folia, each Legion houses adventurers. The top Legions are the Venus Legion, Poseidon Legion, Hades Legion. With Venus being at the top.
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| − | And you may have guessed from how low down my living quarters is...
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| − | The Vala Legion is at the dead bottom.
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| − | The only thing really bringing it up is Flock. But at the end of the day, we're just some low level trash that is barely hanging on.
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| − | I left the building and went on a walk.
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| − | My hands were feeling itchy again. They always felt like this.
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| − | I glared at the night sky.
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| − | All those manga I've read. Stories I was absorbed in. Every main character had a purpose. A reason to live. And it was always some kind of motivation.
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| − | When I lived with baba and mama with Wen, my twin brother, we always wished to become someone great. At first, we wanted to become kung fu masters together.
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| − | Wen was a prodigy. He became a master real quick and was able to train with the monks when we were in the temple. But I failed.
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| − | So I changed my dream.
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| − | I wanted to become a warrior like those badass MC's.
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| − | I contracted a demon named Hiiro, and together, we joined the Red Circle Gang. But the moment I saw blood from killing my first rival gang member, I threw up. My nausea and fear of blood ultimately caused the whole gang to fall.
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| − | And so I changed my dream again.
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| − | I wanted to become an adventurer. So I travelled to Folia.
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| − | Only to end up here.
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| − | The lowest of the low. And despite almost a year of being here, I was still a Level 2 Adventurer. The Vala Legion still near the bottom of the ladder.
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| − | Flock had all the girls. He kept levelling up with his crazy Limit Break skill.
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| − | No matter how hard I tried, I would always be some side character.
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| − | And for side characters like me, reality often hits the hardest.
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| − | Hard work doesn't always pay off.
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| − | To make it big requires luck.
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| − |
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| − | And I have had none of that.
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| − | I leaned against a wall. I noticed a group of adventurers were walking down the street, and among them, was a girl with silvery hair.
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| − | Calypso Rosewald. Level 9 Adventurer. Probably the most frightening Level 9 in existence. If not, the most frightening blade fighter in existence.
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| − | Basically a celebrity in Folia, known as the Blade Princess.
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| − | Next to her was another girl with pink hair who was smiling and laughing with her colleagues of the Poseidon Legion.
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| − | I recognized her.
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| − | Leah Cromwood.
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| − | I tried to keep my heart rate in check.
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| − | Leah never talked to me, but for some reason, I felt super attracted to her. It might be because of her positive vibe. When I first met her, a year ago, we were tasked to do a Dungeon clearing together. Flock and I were at the time the only members of the Vala Legion, and we ended up with the Poseidon Legion since some crazy monster upsurge blocked off our exit from the Fortieth Floor.
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| − | Leah always seemed uncomfortable near me. I didn't know why. It was like she was intentionally ignoring me. And that hurt a bit. She fancied Flock a lot though.
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| − | After the clearing, Leah and the Poseidon Legion left Folia to pursue a quest that would take a year. That meant I wouldn't see Leah again for a while.
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| − | And so over the course of the year, I decided to train myself up. I put everything on the line to become stronger so she could acknowledge me. And I went from Level 1 to Level 2. But despite that, it wasn't enough.
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| − | When she got back, she still treated me like I didn't exist.
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| − | Flock and my guild advisor told us that levelling up was a huge deal. It was like accomplishing something that would make one evolve. So on paper, my ascension to Level 2 should have been something Leah would recognize... but the problem was...
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| − | Something special to a normal person would always be eclipsed by something special from special people.
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| − | Flock's Limit Break skill allowed him to progress from Level 1 to Level 4 in that year. And Calypso's accomplishments allowed her to go from Level 8 to Level 9.
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| − |
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| − | My accomplishments meant nothing.
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| − | I clenched my fists.
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| − | Even in the land of adventures, I could never accomplish my dreams.
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| − |
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| − |
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| − | Because I am nothing special.
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| − | I continued walking, my hands in my pockets.
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| − | "Hiiro. I know you can hear me."
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| − | Hiiro didn't say anything.
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| − | I punched a wall.
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| − | "You told me that you would lend me your power again, once I levelled up. You told me everything would be better once I became stronger. Yet here I am with nothing."
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| − | Silence.
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| − | Normally, when a MC gets the power of a demon, they get super OP.
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| − | What the hell was this?
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| − | I went down to the creek as I yelled at the sky.
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| − | "WHY AM I LIKE THIS." I roared, ripping at the grass, as I plunged my face into the ground.
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| − | Why am I like this?
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| − | No matter what world I end up in.
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| − | I'm always destined to be no one special.
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| − | I walked dejectedly back to the Legion home. I opened the door, as no one greeted me. I walked by to see Flock, Vala, and Haruka laughing over something. I wasn't involved, as usual.
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| − | I went to my room and slid into my sweat stained bed.
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| − | "Hey. Something on your mind, Shun?" A female voice appeared in my head. I turned around to see a beautiful woman wrap her arms around me.
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| − | "If you ever feel down, I'm here for you." She said, as she smiled.
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| − | "I wish that was possible. But you're not even real. " I responded, as I watched the woman disappear.
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| − | I wouldn't even mind being haunted by a ghost if it meant having someone to talk to.
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| − | The next morning, I trudged to the kitchen as Flock waved at us.
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| − | "Headed to the Dungeon to train with Calypso!" He said.
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| − | Vala waved back.
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| − | "No funny business! You hear me?!" She screeched like a desperate housewife.
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| − | Haruka frowned as she watched her crush leave out the door with the lunch she packed for him.
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| − | "Tch." I muttered, as I also made my way out the door.
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| − | Another day, another disappointment.
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| − | I walked down the streets as I handed my numerous copies of my resume out to the shopkeepers looking for work. No one would hire me.
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| − | "We're looking for someone with experience." One said.
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| − | Since when did selling hot buns require the experience of a god damn business mogul?!
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| − | I went by another business.
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| − | "Why do you want to work for our company?" The employer asked me.
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| − | Because I'm too weak willed for Dungeons and I owe Vala rent, I wanted to respond.
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| − | I cleared my throat.
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| − | "Because I believe working for your company will allow me to contribute to your business and Folia as a member of society." I said.
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| − | The employer didn't look impressed.
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| − | Fuck.
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| − | I left the building with resumes. The guy straight up returned it to me without even looking at it. Asshole.
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| − | I sighed. Another day, another job rejection.
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| − | "Oh my god, I didn't even know putting syrup on this makes it so good!" A familiar voice said, as I looked up.
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| − | Leah.
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| − | Leah walked by me, as she was surrounded with her friends. All geared up to go to the Dungeon.
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| − | "You might have enough to level up again, Leah!" One of her friends said.
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| − | "Level 7! That's incredible!"
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| − | "At this rate, you might even be promoted to Vice Captain!"
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| − | With each coming positive comment coming her way, the more annoyed I got. Then the final hit came.
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| − | "I saw you talking to a boy from the Hades Legion Leah."
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| − | "Oh my god! I don't know what you're talking about!" Leah stuttered, as her friends laughed.
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| − | "Someone's in love!"
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| − | My hands scrunched up the papers so hard that they ripped. I threw them to the ground.
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| − | I've had it.
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| − | This... this life.
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| − | I'm done waiting for the opportunity to come.
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| − | I stomped forward, as I reached into my pockets. I took out a pair of bandages as I wrapped them around my hands.
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| − | If I want something to happen to me, something good, I can't trust the world to give it to me.
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| − | I have to force it.
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| − | I followed the Poseidon Legion to the Dungeon, trailing behind.
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| − | <div align="center">* * *</div>
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| − | I immediately regretted it, as I stared at the monster that the Poseidon Legion had annihilated instantly. The blood leaking out of its caved in skull, as I instantly doubled over and threw up.
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| − | "Calm down, Shun. Calm down. You can do it. Go to the Dungeon, kill one monster in front of Leah. Just do it."
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| − | I continued following as I watched Leah cut down monster after monster with blinding agility.
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| − | This was ridiculous. How the hell was I going to kill a monster this tough?!
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| − | "That's another monster down." One of the adventurers said to Leah. Leah smiled.
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| − | "We can do it!"
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| − | The adventurer returned the smile, when suddenly, it melted, as he pointed.
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| − | "Leah! Look out!"
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| − | Leah turned around, and to my horror, a hobgoblin that had just been slain had regained his posture, leaping to Leah's position. Leah wasn't able to react in time, and time seemed to slow down.
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| − | Was this my chance? Was it?!
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| − | I took a step forward. I gotta save Leah. This HAD to be my chance. I could kill this monster AND save Leah. I could finally show her. My leg flexed as I shot forward, but suddenly, the hobgoblin turned to me.
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| − | "EEK!" I yelped, as my stomach turned inside out.
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| − | Its bloody face.
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| − | Something from my stomach began to rise up. I could literally feel my body turning pale as my punching arm went slack.
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| − |
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| − | I have to fight...
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| − | I have to run...
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| − | I want to save her...
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| − | I want to throw up...
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| − | I closed my eyes.
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| − | "I can't lose! Fight it, Shun! Fight!" I yelled, as I forced my hand to move forward, but it was too late. The hobgoblin screeched as it dug its teeth into my shoulder. I yelled in pain as Leah stumbled back, her eyes wide.
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| − | "What the hell?!" One of the Poseidon Legionnaires shouted.
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| − | "What's a Level 2 newbie doing here?!"
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| − | My shoulder felt like it was burning, as the hobgoblin grabbed me by the throat and held me hostage in front of the Poseidon Legion.
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| − | "H- Help me..." I gasped, as Leah and the others stared at me in surprise.
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| − | The monster leaned in closer.
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| − | "Make another step. And the human dies." It cackled.
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| − | "Speech?" An adventurer said.
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| − | "What do we do?" Another asked.
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| − | Leah gritted her teeth.
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| − | "Let him go. Killing him won't do you any good."
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| − | Good to know Leah had reduced me to some kind of objective.
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| − | "We have evolved. We as one. The monsters have evolved. For our lord has returned."
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| − | "Lord?" Leah asked.
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| − | "Yes..." The hobgoblin grinned sinisterly.
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| − | "The Demon Lord has returned, just as the prophecy had predicted."
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| − | Leah's eyes went wide.
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| − | "Demon Lord... no..."
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| − | Demon Lord? What the hell? This was coming straight out of an isekai.
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| − | "We will prevail." The monster said.
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| − | "We will win. For he has returned. We cannot fall here. I cannot fall here, not until I get one victory. Even if it is this runt of a boy."
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| − | The goblin lifted his blade.
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| − | "Oh god!" I yelped, as I closed my eyes, when suddenly, another familiar voice burst from the corner.
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| − | "SHUN!" Flock shouted as he thrust forward, slashing his sword wildly and disarming the hobgoblin, then kicking him away.
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| − | "Flock?!" I and Leah said in unison.
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| − |
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| − | Flock looked completely battered, like he was just done fighting a huge horde of enemies.
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| − | "It's okay, Shun. I'm here now." Flock said, as he put distance between us, then fought the goblin one on one, eventually defeating him. I could only watched uselessly, as the goblin fell off the edge of the cliff of the Dungeon floor.
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| − | "How?!" I gasped.
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| − | Flock smiled at me.
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| − | "I fought my way down here."
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| − |
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| − | Leah smiled.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "I can respect someone who would put in the effort like that. It's refreshing seeing you again, Jack."
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Likewise." Flock said, as the two began hitting it off.
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| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I couldn't believe what I was seeing. What had just happened. I was supposed to be the one to save Leah, but instead, I ended up looking like an idiot again. I froze up, and not only that, I got saved by Flock. And now Leah and Flock were...
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "I'm not done yet!" The hobgoblin screeched, as a hand erupted from the ledge and grabbed Flock's leg.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Flock!" Leah shouted, as she stepped forward, but the goblin had already pulled Flock over the ledge.
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| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "No!" I shouted, as I instinctively dove forward and grabbed Flock. But the sheer weight of the monster and Flock was beginning to pull me off too.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Drop me!" Flock growled, as I shook my head frantically.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "I can't! You're all that's keeping the Vala Legion a thing! I can't!"
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Flock gave me a determined expression.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "No. It has to be you. You have to-"
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I gritted my teeth.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "No Flock."
| |
| − |
| |
| − | A surge of strength erupted in my body, as I let go with one hand, supporting both the hobgoblin and Flock with one arm.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Sh- Shun...?" Flock asked, his face incredulous as Leah and the Poseidon Legion stared at me in surprise.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Wha- What's his strength stat?"
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Isn't he Level 2? Even a Level 9 can't do that..."
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I should have been surprised, but for some reason, I wasn't.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | It all felt natural.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Like I was meant to do this.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I looked at Flock.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "You're the Captain of the Vala Legion. That's who you are. You're way too invaluable to Folia. I'm not. So..."
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I ripped Flock away from the goblin's grip as the three of us tumbled off the ledge.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Flock!" Leah shouted as everybody ran to the ledge. Flock was screaming at me, as I grabbed Flock with my other hand.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Not much... strength left." I muttered, as I looked at Leah one last time.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Yeah.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | That's right.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Flock is the hero of this world. Not me.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I'm just a side character. I'm insignificant and meaningless.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | But even if I am, that just means I'm expendable.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | And if that's the case...
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | My sacrifice can still help them out. Help Flock out.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Go and be a hero, Flock." I said, as we made eye contact.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Shun..." Flock said, as his eyes began tearing up.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "I shouldn't have... neglected you this entire time, I-"
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "Forget it" I said, as we continued free falling.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | "I know in the end, if we both returned to the Legion safe and sound, over time, it'll just be the same thing. You going to the Dungeon, training with Calypso. Levelling up and becoming more and more famous as Folia's Rising Star. Getting more and more girls to fall for you. And becoming a hero. While I continue to be a nobody because I suck as an adventurer. Nothing will change."
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I grabbed Flock and hurled him to the top with what little superstrength I had left, as I confirmed he was safe and sound with Leah and the others.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I closed my eyes as I fell into the darkness. Deeper and deeper into the Dungeon.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | It was a guaranteed death. No one had ever descended below the Fortieth Floor.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | It's fine.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | A Level 2 nobody like me.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | My death doesn't matter.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | It doesn't...
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Tears left my eyes.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | It doesn't matter.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | But at the same time...
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I don't wanna die.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I yelled in desperation, frustration, and pain as I let all of my pent up emotions loose, falling to my death.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | From my days being abused by baba for being worthless, to seeing mama lose her sanity from all the abuse Wen and I had.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To the days Wen and I spent at the Shaolin Temple, where I kept failing and watching Wen pull ahead of me.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To Wen announcing that he would no longer be my brother because of how much of a failure he recognized me to be.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To me acquiring Hiiro's possession to fight for the Red Circle Gang, but having it all fall because of how weak I was.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To me being not strong enough to be an adventurer, and failing to find work in a town of adventurers.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I wanted to be someone great.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I know people like me aren't allowed to dream.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | But part of me wanted to have some kind of a purpose.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Not to die a meaningless death like this.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | And as I watched the light from the Fortieth Floor disappear, becoming smaller and smaller, I began to realize that for the longest time, I always pretend I was okay with being a failure.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | When I really wasn't.
| |
