Chapter 35: At What Cost

A fountain of blood emerged before my eyes. It was as if a bloody volcano erupted in front of me, with the wailing words lingering inside my ears. A blaring scream came right beside me as that figure loitering around also witnessed the event at our fore.

It came not from a monster. That voice came from someone I knew.

I could only call the old man a hero after saving someone who he barely knew. And that someone was me, of all people in this world. That man also called me his son, despite us being a stranger in his eyes.

I did nothing but excused myself from helping the village. This family that sheltered me knew it from the get-go. And, yet, those people gave it their all. Aferous fed me, his son gave me entertainment, and Rain cared for me.

However, I repaid their kindness by killing their father…

"You're like a son to me."

Those were the last words that Aferous told me after pushing me from death's door. That man traded his life for the sake of mine, knowing that his children would lose a father…

Without a hint of fear, Aferous charged straight to battle and blocked the approaching foot. That attack from Uruk-hai meant for me to die, and yet here I was, alive.

Afenos, the one who could not stop screaming from afar, witnessed the scene. With his last ounce of energy, the little kid crawled towards us. But alas, his body gave up, with the tears still cascading from his eyes.

Uruk-hai chuckled up a storm, knowing that the assault took the man's life.

"It was a shame that you didn't die, Arthur. But I believe that would scar you for life!"

Those were the words thrown to me, forcing it to enter my head. I did not retort, since that sentence weighed me on the ground. It continued pressing me until all my cells accepted my death, or so it seemed.

But the move that Aferous did created a window for me, since Uruk-hai got pushed to the sides. I took the chance and unleashed all my strength on my arms and legs, praying that it would last even for a minute.

My body heeded my wish as it let me leap from the ground. A surge of power flowed down to my veins, calling out for me for the last time. I was like a frog with superpowers as I almost reached the heavens above.

Uruk-hai noticed my figure at the last minute, but it was too late. I grappled the muscular body and pushed and pulled with all my might at the monster. Gravity did its work as Uruk-hai slipped from my assault. My sudden movements rewarded me with the beast falling to its demise, bringing me along with it.

"I cannot let your death be in vain, Aferous… and I'm sorry, Afenos and Rain, for all I've done… if I were a second early, this would not have happened," I murmured, as I closed my eyes while plummeting on the cliff.

"You fucker! You planned to take me with your grave, Arthur!" Uruk-hai finally realised its position.

However, no matter how hard the ogre struggled, we were already in the air. That monster kept clenching my puny figure, but I already did what I could.

A smirk emerged from my face as I returned Uruk-hai's stare. It was me who won the match, but at what cost? Since Aferous died during the skirmish… I couldn't say that we stood out victorious from the battlefield.

"My demonic clan will come after you, Arthur… We will change this world and govern the greedy humans with the help of the holy grail…" Those were the last words that escaped Uruk-hai's mouth before the two of us crashed against the stream.

All the memories from my past life came haunting me, even at my death. I couldn't remember anything pleasant from my experience, so dying became a gift rather than suffering. However, I died alone.

Even on Earth or here, I was still alone…

There was no pain upon splashing myself in the water. It was as if my entire body forgot to feel anything at all. But I knew I was sailing the grimmest lake, wondering where it would take me.

"You're a winner! You're the hero that saved the kingdom!"

An automatic voice resounded in my ears. The sound did not come near me, since I was endlessly floating to my death. Within a few seconds, I recognised that tone of voice.

'Ah… it came from the game,' I thought, and listened to the scene.

"I won… I became the hero...," the child-like voice of mine exclaimed.

Upon opening my eyes, a figure of my younger self playing a computer game flashed before my eyes. I expected something like a forest of some sort or the river bringing me elsewhere… but I guess my mind wanted to play tricks on me.

The smile on the little guy's face never left his mouth…. Never left my mouth. The real me and my body also flashed a beam after witnessing the scene. A warm sensation bathed me and my heart as I continued observing everything.

'This is the first time someone told me I was special… that I lived in this world to save someone…,' I pondered. 'A hero that everyone would adore…'

The spark that the kid I saw was still kindling my tired heart. Throughout the years of existing in that wretched world, that game pushed me forward.

It was the only motivation I had in my life.

'That this reminds me… are Rain and Afenos safe?... Would they be alright without living with their father?' I asked, but nobody gave me an answer. I could only assume, but never confirmed.

The little guy turned around and faced me. It was as if that bitter memory that I had knew my existence. But instead of cursing me like the rest of my pessimistic thoughts, the boy flashed me a smile.

"I want to become a hero just like you!" the boy claimed, with his hands clasped together.

Behind him was an old man who caressed his head. It was not my father, since I knew he wouldn't do such a warm thing. Upon squinting my eyes, the figure of the old man became more crystal.

My mouth gasped as I mentioned his name. "Aferous?"

"Thank you for saving my children, Arthur."

After saying his fill, Aferous and my younger self turned around and met the angelic light shining from above. As time passed by, their shapes slowly disintegrated into thin air, taking their souls with it.

The two of them physically died, but their spirits remained inside of me. For the first time in my life, somebody called me a hero.

My body was still floating somewhere in this land, but my eyes remembered how to cry.

"Wait!" I called out, hoping to meet them one last time. "Thank you, you two!"

After saying my words, the two figures vanished before me. They left me alone… but I was never isolated in the first place...

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Third Person Point of View

A girl with a white cloak rushed through the forest, escaping from the land of monsters chasing her behind. She had white and silky hair flowing behind her back, fluttering from every step she took. Clipped in her hands was a magical staff that the villagers made for her recent celebration. A precious gem stood on top of the cane, which served as the source of her magic.

The girl's clothing told her age. She was around eighteen years old, with a curved body and average melons in front of her chest. The poor fabric would have collapsed from all the jiggles she had experienced. If it were not for the clip that her father gave her as a gift, that would have happened.

At first glance, everyone would know that the girl was a magic-user. She had the proper tools and arcane aura surrounding her. She was not an ordinary village but a mage, with high class and immense mana enveloping her skin.

However, if those people knew her more, that girl could not conjure any magic. She knew those spells, but never used them once after that incident.

Every time the lass planned on activating her powers, her dead mother's face cursed her vision. Her hands would violently quiver and would soon let go of her staff. That stick was the only thing that kept her safe. She did not dare lose it after using such a senseless magic show.

A village nearby caught itself in flames as the horde of monsters disrupted their peace. A cloud of smoke followed close behind, with the girl running for her life.

After reaching the exterior borders of Cornwall land, a raging stream of water entered her sight. That girl planned to stay in for the night to regain her lost strength. But as she blinked a dozen times, a figure floating from afar caught her attention.

"Merlin found something! Merlin will go towards that figure!" Adventurer as she was, the brave girl charged straight for the eerie shape.

But for some reason, she did not feel afraid, since the girl found was a human, not a monster.

And yes, that girl had a name. And the world called her Merleen.