12 Future Wife's P.O.V

A moment ago, when Nellas had sent Ember outside of the restaurant, a round, neon blue shield, had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

This shield completely encased the building, preventing anyone or anything from entering or exiting.

The shield was impenetrable, and it was impossible to break.

Whenever a Breakout occurs, a shield would also appear around the location where the gate is.

No one knows why or how this happens, but the heroes and the guilds, and even the normal civilians have always been aware of the fact that a shield would appear during a Breakout.

Everyone who was inside the restaurant had been trapped, and the only way for them to get out was to either defeat the boss or wait for the Heroes to come and destroy the shield.

But, defeating the Boss was an impossible task, especially since the monsters had already started attacking everyone inside.

More than a third half of the humans had already been killed, and the survivors were cowering in fear.

The rich and powerful people, who had been enjoying their meal, were now screaming and crying like weak children.

The ones who had been laughing at the others, the ones who had been bragging about their power and status, were now begging for their lives.

They were no longer arrogant and proud people, they were just scared and desperate, and they were ready to do anything just to survive.

Everyone was running and screaming, trying to find a way to escape.

Nonetheless, it was no use.

The humans had no chance of survival.

They had no choice but to wait for the heroes to come and rescue them.

However, until then, no one would be able to survive the onslaught of the monsters.

"Wait,"

Someone's voice, a surprised person's voice, reached Ember's ears, who was now standing outside of the shield.

"What's this?!"

It was the female waiter, who was leading her outside.

"This is..."

Suddenly, the passersby, who were just coming and going to their respective businesses, stopped in their movements and began shouting.

"What the hell?!"

"Quick, someone inform the Heroes or any guild!"

"Hurry!"

Taken aback by the sudden shouts, Ember instinctively grabbed the waitress's hand and pulled it softly, asking, "I-Is something w-wrong?" Her voice was trembling, and she was stuttering her words, due to the nervousness she was feeling.

"Huh?" The waitress turned her head and stared at Ember for a moment before she realized that Ember was there too, "Ah, yes, you can't see, can't you? Well, a Breakout has occurred, and the shield is here, trapping everyone inside."

"B-Breakout?"

Ember had heard of this before, the Breakout.

It was a phenomenon where monsters would randomly emerge from the dungeons and attack the human civilization.

It would cause panic and chaos, and would often result in many deaths.

"Yes," The woman nodded her head, "It's a very unfortunate thing, the Breakout. It seems everyone inside the barrier will die."

"Everyone will..." As Ember listened to the woman's words, a wave of coldness washed over her.

She could hear the screams and cries of the people inside the shield, and she could feel the terror in their voices as they were being ripped apart by the monsters.

It was a scene of pure horror and tragedy.

"Oh god,"

Tears started to roll down her cheeks as the realization hit her.

"I-it can't..." She couldn't stop the tears, it continued to flow, and she was starting to sob, "I-it can't be true... i-it can't..."

"What's wrong?" The waitress, whose hand was being held by Ember, asked her.

"T-this..." Ember couldn't say anything.

She was trembling, her body was shaking, and her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

She couldn't believe it.

'Is he...'

Her thoughts drifted to the young man, Nellas, who was still inside the shield.

'Is he going to die?'

Was he going to be killed by the monsters?

The thought was unbearable.

'N-no!'

She couldn't accept it.

'No!'

She couldn't let it happen.

'I won't allow it!'

She had to do something.

'I have to save him!'

She couldn't let him die.

"I-I have to..." Even before completing her sentence, Ember let go of the waitress's hand and ran toward the shield.

"Hey!" The waitress shouted, but Ember ignored her.

"HEY!" She tried to stop her, but Ember didn't stop.

'I have to save him!'

'I have to get to him!'

'I have to tell him!'

Those were the only thoughts in her mind.

In her whole life, there was only one, only one person who was kind to her, only one person who had helped her, and that was Nellas.

He had saved her from the bully, he had given her food, and he had given her hope.

'I have to tell him that I...'

Ember had feelings for him, she had realized it after spending time with him, and it was the first time she had ever felt that way.

'I have to tell him that I... That I...'

But, now, the chances of her being able to convey her feelings were getting smaller and smaller.

In just some steps, Ember reached near the barrier, and without her knowing she was going to bump against the blue orb.

But, right when her head was going to hit the surface, the blue shield disappeared and she bumped into something hard and hot.

"Eh?"

It was someone's chest.

"Wha..."

She could feel the person's heart beating.

She could even feel the person's heavy breathing on her hair.

"E-Ember...?"

"Wh-who are..." Ember was startled, and she was about to back away, but the arms of the person, the guy, wrapped around her and pulled her closer.

"Don't," He said, "You'll get hurt if you run around carelessly."

His voice was soft and warm, and it sent shivers down her spine.

"Ember," He called her name, trying to calm her down, "It's okay. Everything is fine now," He tightened his grip on her, and she could feel his heartbeat getting faster.

"Everything is fine. I'm here."

The words were simple, but they held so much meaning, and it touched her heart.

She couldn't help but bury her face in his chest and cry.

"It's alright," He whispered, "It's over."

Ember was unable to respond to him.

The person, whose voice was full of worry and concern, was none other than Nell.

She wanted to answer him, but she was unable to.

Instead, she continued to cry in his arms.

"Shhh," Nell hushed her and gently stroked her hair, "Don't cry."

He tried his best to calm her down, but it was futile.

Ember couldn't stop crying.

"N-Nell, y-you are..." She stammered, unable to control her emotions.

"I'm sorry," He apologized, "I'm so sorry."

"Y-you... you are... s-safe," She mumbled through her sobs, "Y-you, are you... fine."

"Yeah," Nell replied, "I'm okay."

"T-then, about the marriage proposal from before," Ember continued, "is it still valid?"

"Eh?!" A surprised gasp escaped from Nell's lips.