Death should never feel good. Why?
Despair and regret of a lifetime. And?
The pained face of your loved ones. So?
Live. As painful as it must be.
***
Eerie. My body was stiff from running. I turn back every few steps, checking my behind. Only to be startled by the smallest of sounds.
Here it was—Mara's house. Normally, I should knock on her door and wait. But there was simply no time.
-Rattle—rattle—
The door was locked—no other choice.
-BAM—CRACK!
The door broke down in just one kick. Faster than I thought, maybe it was just that old.
The inside was pitch black. It was a complete mess, even more so than I remembered. Where's Mara?
I looked around for a bit and found nothing. I stood before the only locked door. Her mother's room. I gathered up my courage and spoke aloud.
"Mara, are you there?"
But no one responded.
Silence lingered.
"!!"
Something burst through the door. I didn't get thrown away like last time, but I was still caught off guard by this. Rolling across the floor, I looked up and froze in horror.
Mara's "mother" loomed unnaturally tall. Slender arms and legs. Completely black. Head twitched and turned. Then stopped. Eyes fixed on me.
Its mouth was wide open. Black liquid dripped down. Like a monster wearing human skin.
Past it, something moved.
"...Mara?"
She was unrecognizable. Mutilated, a bloody mess. Limbs torn off. Her eyes were hazy, tearing up when she saw me. Then, a weak voice sounded.
"S-sorry—"
-MAaaaRaaa!!
It gripped her up and screamed at her. Then pulled off her head and mangled her body. Organs, intestines, and blood gushed out in all directions, staining my clothes red. I stood there, unable to do anything. Eyes widened.
It suddenly stared straight into my eyes. I snapped awake immediately.
-WHRRASH!
Just in time to block its claw. I swing back in return but hit nothing. It moved around erratically. Twitching its head constantly. It was not a normal demonbeast. That much was obvious. One mistake and I'm dead.
I calmed down my breath, bracing for its next attack.
-KLANGG!
Not once, but many times. I parried its swipes. Struggling to keep up with its onslaught, I looked for an opening to act.
It extended its claw to crush my arm. I quickly rotated my body, then rushed in. My sword grazed past its skin. It felt wrong, like slicing through sticky ink. I distanced myself right after.
-Mmmaaraaaaa!
"!"
A table was flung at me. I leaned left to dodge.
However, my body abruptly jolted right, barely slipping past the table.
-SKRIT!
A tentacle pierced the table and my left shoulder in one motion. Had I not moved instinctively, my heart would be instead. I gritted my teeth, realising my situation.
It flashed a disturbingly stretched smile, then vanished into the shadows. Damn it.
I looked around frantically, not knowing where it would strike from. Then I stopped, gripping my sword tightly. I waited for it.
-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD
I turned in a flash. Its face was grotesquely contorted forward. Face-to-face. A momentary freeze.
That fatal mistake should have cost my life.
-MAARAAAAA!!
By sheer luck, I leapt aside in time—losing my right arm in the process.
Pain paralyzed me. Could never get used to this sensation. But even more so, the fear of death. So I moved.
I tried to escape. It surged after me, fast, eager. And the moment I leapt outside, it felt as if the world was suspended.
No, it was me who was suspended.
I looked down.
I was skewered mid-air.
"Aagh..."
I could not speak. I could not cry out for help.
I could do nothing. That realization sent me into despair.
-MaaraaA
It brought me closer. Its uncanny face mocked my futile struggle.
I wonder what kind of face I was making? But no matter.
I was doomed. Simple as this.
Well, guess this is it. That's that, I guess.
Sometimes, I'm even surprised at my own indifference toward myself.
I closed my eyes. Terrified at the pain to come.
-WHRRSSK—
Its claw cut through the air.
...
Am I dead yet?
No, I'm clearly alive. Why?
A familiar voice rang out.
"Cain. Haven't we discussed being cautious and not being hasty? What's up with all this mess?"
Opening my eyes, I saw Eirlys, looking as unconcerned as ever. I was floating in the air, away from the demonbeast's grasp. Blood filled my lungs, so I struggled to make out words.
Eirlys stopped me. Her small hand pressed against my wound.
「1-star Spell - Suspension」
The bleeding stopped.
"Stay still. I will handle this."
That single sentence blew away my uncertainty. Though her all-knowing attitude might feel absurd from time to time...
She really seemed like she could do anything.
...On an unrelated note, she looked quite enchanting even without her signature wide-brim hat.
The demonbeast lunged in a blur. So fast that my shock came a moment late.
「1-star Layered Spell - Flame Surge」
With a flicker of her wand, a blazing magic circle swiftly burst open, fire pouring out and cutting the demonbeast short. Eirlys then traced a gentle arc with her wand.
「2-star Spell - Freezing Ray」
It accurately hit the retreating demonbeast, immobilizing it. Eirlys pointed the wand forward, aiming at the demonbeast.
"Flammae urentes. Ventus turbulentus..."
-MAARAAAAAAAA!
The shriek carried far, drawing demonbeasts from every direction. They converged on her in a frenzy. And yet, Eirlys remained unfazed, finishing her chant.
"...Necte."
「2-star Layered Spell - Flame Repulsion」
An exertion of flames burst outward. All other demonbeasts were consumed by it, returning to ashes. Wow, magic is really overpowered.
But that demonbeast was still alive, broken free from her restraint. It screeched and retreated into the shadows again. Had it left?
「1-star Spell - Gust Shot」
A shot in the dark, grazing a moving shape. It had not left yet.
I was tense beyond belief, and yet Eirlys still looked calm, as always.
"!"
Eirlys suddenly pointed the wand at me. Eh?
「2-star Spell - Flashing Bolt」
The lightning bolt streaked past me, striking at the silhouette behind.
It missed. The demonbeast didn't go for me. Instead, it pounced straight for Eirlys. It was a bait!
Right when its vicious claw made contact with Eirlys, a shockwave erupted. Both of them got knocked away.
Eirlys rolled against the ground, then quickly stood up. She frowned faintly as the demonbeast rushed at her.
「1-star Layered Spell - Flame Surge」
With a light flick of her wand, flames engulfed the demonbeast.
-MARAAAA!
But it charged on, uncaring of the burns it took, intent only on tearing Eirlys apart.
Eirlys ducked instantly, its claw scraping past her robe. Then its tentacle stabbed down in a heartbeat, moments before landing—
「1-star Spell - Illuminating Light」
A blinding light. I couldn't see a thing, and when I did, somehow, Eirlys had avoided the strike, though she was covered in dust.
Without missing a beat, Eirlys snapped her wand, a colorful magic circle flaring to life beneath her.
「1-star Layered Spell - Burning Ground」
With that, the demonbeast hesitated to attack, buying time for herself. Eirlys still looked as confident as ever. Not a single hint of fear could be seen.
But I knew Eirlys was nearing her limit. I'd never seen her use that many spells in such a short time. She had long been pushing far past her limits.
The demonbeast repeatedly engaged and disengaged. It knew Eirlys would eventually be exhausted, and Eirlys could do nothing but shoot spells to pressure it. She needs a window to chant a stronger spell, but the demonbeast won't allow it.
I must do something.
...
Oh well, whatever, let's do this.
I forced my body to move. Each step sent agonizing pain throughout my body. Yet, I must stay silent. I must endure the pain.
I must help Eirlys.
Keeping a close eye on the demonbeast movement, I waited. Finally, it leapt back with a sharp screech, eyes locked on Eirlys, its body turned wholly toward her.
I jumped at it, holding down its legs with my remaining arm. Its head snapped back with a dry, wrong motion, eyes rolling downward until they found me. Horrified, I almost loosen up my grip.
"Ventus scindens..."
But the die was cast, and there was no turning back.
"...Collige et preme..."
Its claw slammed down for my skull. I closed my eyes tightly.
"...Erumpe."
「3-star Spell - Violent Windburst」
-BHOOM!
The demonbeast was hurled through the air, crashing into the wall with a deafening crack. It slumped down, motionless. Black blood oozed from its body.
So it was finally over.
Eirlys walked toward me. Expressionless, though not cold. I wanted to say something to lighten the mood.
"Ahk... Why look so serious? Everything is fine now—"
「2-star Spell - Fireball」
The demonbeast suddenly jolted awake and lunged at us, only to meet its end by Eirlys's fireball. I looked at her, flabbergasted.
Eirlys dropped her guard at last. That battle must have left her completely exhausted. Covered in soil and dust. Disheveled clothes. Cuts and tears. I had never seen her like this.
She then turned to look at me. Silently. Well, this is awkward.
I didn't listen to her words and moved, and now my injuries have worsened. The spell couldn't hold up and was dispelled long ago. I'm going to bleed to death. Right in front of Eirlys.
"..."
"..."
My vision blurred. I'm going to pass out soon. It would be convenient if she had a spell that could teleport me to the church, but oh well, too bad.
Guess this really is the end, huh? Better than dying alone, I guess.
At least I could say that I saved Eirlys. Might be taking too much credit for myself, though.
Entertaining such foolish thoughts, my consciousness faded away. And in my blurred vision...
'..?'
Why did it look like her face was glistening?
***
Waking up, I scanned my surroundings. Brick wall, dimly lit touches, and cold floor. Typical dungeon.
You know. The usual.
Seems like I really do have regression.