(Pov Ki-Moon)
I didn't understand what happened.
Even now.
I remain standing in the middle of the corridor as the last sparks disappear from the black blade.
The smell of burnt stone still lingers in the air.
Before me, the hunter's body lies in the rubble.
Immobile.
Dead.
Or at least as dead as a fantasy creature can be.
The silence that follows seems stranger to me than the fight itself.
No one is speaking.
Nobody is making progress.
As if we were all waiting for something to rise again.
That something should return.
But nothing is changing.
Only the flames of the torches slowly begin to illuminate the walls again.
Only the irregular breathing of the survivors.
Only the sound of my heart.
I lower my eyes towards the sword.
The silver engravings have disappeared.
The blade looks ordinary now.
Almost commonplace.
As if she had never crossed that creature a few seconds earlier.
I squeezed the handle lightly; it was light and soft, it was the first time.
A strange feeling washes over me.
No power.
No pride.
Just an impression, it's like receiving a gift after years of absence.
I no longer wanted to let her go.
Especially not after the message that followed it; not even a firearm can compete.
In this game, everything that seems too good to be true always ends up costing something, but I was willing to pay for this one.
I raise my head with a smile on my lips.
Carina was sitting against a wall.
A trail of blood ran down his temple.
His shoulders are still trembling.
She's trying to hide it.
A very bad actress.
It reminded me of the first time I met her.
And then to all the times she appeared at exactly the right moment.
Then to all the impossible things she seemed to know.
It's not so bad.
I tore the sleeve of my t-shirt and moved closer to her.
– I'm going to help you
Part of me wants to trust him.
The other reminds me that in this game, people die precisely because they trust the wrong people.
I remember Kang.
I remember Kim Young with her, I expected it but still.
Fantasy Game taught me something.
It's the world that changes people, even if there are still bastards among them, it's still our fault.
I kneel before Carina.
She immediately turned her head away.
As if she was afraid of my reaction.
As if she were awaiting judgment.
I remain silent for a few seconds.
Then I crouched down in front of her, gently passing the fabric over her forehead.
– Is it going to be okay?
She blinks several times, visibly surprised, but quickly agrees.
– I am doing very well.
His gaze avoided mine.
I simply held out my hand and passed it over my shoulder.
Why is she trembling so much?
The fight is over.
Yet she still seems to be afraid.
As if the danger came from elsewhere.
I'm no longer moving forward simply to avoid dying.
I was looking for someone there.
I will find out.
It doesn't matter how many monsters, owners, or games are placed in front of me.
I'll find you, Mom.
Behind me, the other teams are already starting to advance towards the second zone.
Their caution has returned.
Their mistrust, too.
No one will forget what just happened.
Me neither.
I cast one last look at the hunter's body.