CHAPTER 24: A HEAVY CHOICE

_Kreeee!

Another group of those veil insects descended from above.

But this time they were stronger and faster.

_Slash!

A flash of red illuminated the space, cutting multiple of those insects.

But for one that was cut, three more took its place.

’This isn’t good.’

I hid under a branch, analyzing the situation.

Needless to say, we were exhausted.

It had been a week without food and water; even the supernatural body had limits.

’If this keeps going, we will be dead in no time.’

I didn’t know how Orran was handling Dream Eater, but I doubt it would last long.

’Why is no help coming?’

The [Scarlet Callstone] was not an artifact that could fail, as it was made by the best of the best.

Maybe it could malfunction, but the chances were very rare.

’Did they abandon Cale ?... No, that’s not possible.’

They may not care for Cale, but they cared a great deal for their heir.

and she would die if Cale died,

So, they couldn’t let him die.

’There must be a reason.’

Suddenly, a hand clasped mine from beside me.

A warm feeling coursed through my body as I felt slightly fresh.

’What...?’

"I-It’s not much but... I hope I-it helps."

Melissa said in a timid voice, the exact opposite of when I met her for the first time.

Thanks to the knight taking all the attention, we could relax a little,

"AGRR!"

But suddenly a golden vein appeared on her arm, as it fell weakly.

Melissa faced darkened,

"I-I a-am sorry."

"It’s alright, this is good enough," I replied, clutching and opening my fist.

I wasn’t lying, I was actually feeling energized right now.

"This is amazing," I muttered.

Melissa’s face relaxed a little.

"T-Thank you."

’It is like a walking battery pack.’

Honestly, if she could control it, I could hardly think of a way to stop her.

She would be an immortal at that point.

Slowly, the golden vein vanished from her arm.

’Only if she can control it.’

"Are you all right? Don’t push yourself too hard."

"I-It’s fine. This is the least I could do." Melissa replied in a low voice.

I went back to surveying the area again,

"Do yo-!!"

But then,

_ssshhk—TʜʜʜUM!

A crushing mental pressure descended upon my mind.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I didn’t know who screamed, was it me? Melissa, or the knight?

I didn’t know...my mind blanked completely,

I couldn’t even think what was going on.

My vision slowly started to lower, and my body was falling.

But I couldn’t feel it.

And this all lasted for a second only.

_KREEE!

The time resumed, as my senses returned.

My eyes widened as I saw the ground closing in on my face.

I quickly stretched out my arm and balanced myself.

"W-What!? W-What was that?"

I looked around, my mental state in chaos.

"NOOOOO!"

Melissa rolled on the ground, her whole body glowing with golden veins.

"STOP!! STOP IT!! STOP IT!!"

Looking at her, I quickly gathered myself and grabbed her arms.

"Melissa!! Snap out of it!"

"NOOO!!NOO!"

I quickly grabbed her by both arms and jolted her hard.

"Oye! Snap out of it."

Her eyes were glowing dangerously golden.

’This is bad. She might explode like this.’

Having no other choice, I punched her in the solar plexus.

"HAA!"

She gasped for a second, the glow subsiding slowly,

Then her body felt limp, and she lost consciousness.

I caught her body and looked around.

_KREEEEE!

The number of monsters had increased drastically.

’Orran!’

I called out to Orran, but,

There was no response.

"AHHH!"

A scream tore through the air.

The knight was still standing and fighting, but his condition didn’t look good.

His eyes were bleeding, and his movements were sluggish.

’He won’t hold any longer.’

The group of monsters passed him and moved toward our direction.

’Was I too careless?’

Time slowed down as my thoughts accelerated.

Did I underestimate the situation?

Well, it didn’t matter.

Right now, I have to make a choice.

There were too many of them;

If we stayed like this, we all were going to die.

But if I ditched them here.

My chance of survival would increase slightly.

’If it is just me, I can survive somehow.’

I knew how to hide and run.

It was my specialty.

And hopefully, I would be able to get a little farther away from that damn tree,

Before it let out another mental attack.

Or worse, it awakens fully.

’I seem to be frying better than them, at least.’

I looked down at the girl in my arms.

My heart is steady and cold.

’No matter how I see it, my chance of surviving alone is better.’

The choice was simple.

I feel sorry for them, but I wasn’t going to risk my life for them.

This life was the second chance given to me.

And I was not going to give it up.

My arms loosen on Melissa’s body as I slowly guide them down.

The memories of a few conversations we had flashed through my mind.

’Well, it wasn’t all that bad.’

I took out my sword and cut the few monsters coming this way.

Then I shouted,

"OYE! You, knight in pajamas! I am leaving you, miss here. She is all you know."

The knight looked around in daze before his eyes widened in realization,

"Wait! Boy, listen to me-"

"No hard feelings, but I want to live too!"

With that said, I turned my back and sprinted in the opposite direction.

"Wait! Boy!.."

I heard his voice but ignored it.

"BOY!!!!"

His scream almost touched my consciousness.

’Poor soul, I actually had started to like him a little.’

If he ever got reincarnated, let’s pray he lives a happy life free of violence and suffering.

And Melissa, too.

’Sorry, I couldn’t keep my promise.’

Life was such a tragedy.

But what could oneself do but keep moving on.

’Rest Well, My fellows. You will be remembered.’

And just like that I ran away.