Space station 20: Kafka's Grief

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After defeating the Star Core Demon, as waves of pain coursed through his body, Su Qing realized his life was nearing its end.

He began straining to keep his now heavy thoughts coherent.

Su Qing pondered whether his role as a demon hunter in this simulation had reached a satisfying conclusion?

Yet, he felt something was missing.

The city lay devastated; this time, the losses and casualties would be significant.

However, the mastermind behind it all had been defeated, signifying a new beginning for the planet. As a demon hunter, his ultimate goal had been achieved.

From this perspective, it seemed indeed complete...

From afar, Su Qing couldn't hear Kafka's calls.

Only when she approached closer and called out again did he manage to barely lift his head.

Perhaps a final surge of energy, after a brief pain in his eyes, his vision cleared once more.

At that moment, several images flashed before him.

Unlike the continuous sequence often described as life flashing before one's eyes, these were fragmented glimpses rather than a coherent story.

In the first image, amidst streets engulfed in flames, stood Kafka's slender figure. Her vacant gaze starkly contrasted with the chaos around her.

The second scene showed Kafka's warm smile after defeating the snake demon. To this day, Su Qing was deeply moved by that radiant expression.

As for the most recent memory,

it depicted her thoughtful profile while choosing a coat. Then, Kafka turned towards him, seeking his opinion...

These memories faded away, revealing Kafka gently calling his name in front of him.

Her expression held deep concern, masking underlying anxiety. Her voice was incredibly soft, as if afraid to shatter a fragile dream.

Seeing Kafka's expression, Su Qing instinctively wanted to pat her head. However, as he moved his arm, he realized it could no longer lift high enough.

His hand froze mid-air, unable to reach her.

Su Qing managed only to tug at the corners of his mouth, taking two heavy breaths before forcing out a faint smile. "You've grown taller..."

Kafka shuddered abruptly upon hearing this.

These words drained the last of Su Qing's strength, and he closed his eyes.

Yes.

This was the missing piece in his thoughts just moments ago.

He had always felt that Kafka hadn't truly grown up, still needing his protection, which left him somewhat uneasy.

But with one final glance at Kafka,

Su Qing realized that the once trembling little girl, sheltered under his coat, indeed had grown taller and matured.

Now, there were no more regrets.

As a demon hunter, he personally vanquished the Star Core Demon.

And ever since that day when he pulled young Kafka away from the burning house, he fulfilled his duty by raising her himself.

No more regrets...

Such a life, he found deeply fulfilling.

Su Qing's hand dropped limply from the air.

In a panic, Kafka grasped his hand, only to find that all strength had left Su Qing's body.

Her purple eyes, initially trembling with unease, now shook violently.

Reflected within them was the sight of the person she cherished most deeply, slowly losing signs of life right before her eyes.

An overwhelming surge of emotions, exceeding her emotional threshold, welled up inside her.

Her brain instinctively triggered its protective mechanism, numbing and dulling to temporarily contain these feelings.

Kafka reached out, gently cradling Su Qing in her arms. With both hands embracing him, she buried her head against his shoulder.

***

The demons suddenly retreated, leaving the demon hunters puzzled. Despite not knowing what had transpired, they rushed to the scene immediately.

Amidst the rubble of shattered buildings, they found no trace of the anticipated fierce battle. Instead, under the clear sky and white clouds, at the center of the field, they saw Kafka holding Su Qing tenderly.

Her movements were gentle, as if the one in her embrace was merely asleep.

***

[Firefly: ...]

[Kafka: ...]

[Stelle: Why...]

[Stelle: Why?!]

[March 7th: Waaahh??]

[Silver Wolf: ...So instead of killing Firefly or Kafka, you decided to take down Su Qing, huh?]

[Firefly: Su Qing?]

[Seele: (covering her face) Aaahh! Damn you, demon! I'll kill you a hundred times! No, even that won't be enough!!]

[Bronya: (rubbing her eyes) It's just my eyes feeling a bit itchy.]

[Himeko: (picking up her coffee cup) Oh... (realizing it's empty and putting it down helplessly)]

[Black Swan: Sigh...]

A few days later, Su Qing's funeral was held at the largest church nearby.

Not only did all Gold Chapter Demon Hunters attend, but many prominent political figures also rushed to be present. The church was packed with mourners, and even the back rows overflowed with standing participants.

The crowded scene drew attention from virtually every television station and media outlet on Tianyi-5, broadcasting the event live. People across the entire planet tuned in to watch.

Su Qing's funeral had transcended its simple ceremonial purpose, encompassing much more significance.

Whether they were individuals once harmed by demons or those who lost loved ones to demonic attacks, everyone paid close attention.

This was both a memorial farewell to the hero who saved their world and the beginning of Tianyi-5's rebirth, stepping into a new era.

Yet amidst this collective goodbye,

it remained Kafka's personal farewell alone.

Kafka, of course, participated throughout the ceremony, always positioned in the front row.

No trace of sorrow could be seen on her face; it seemed as if she were trapped in the past, unable to accept reality.

However, given the solemn occasion, no one dared to comment or speculate.

As a Silver Chapter Demon Hunter, Kafka had been inseparable from Su Qing for a long time. Anyone with discernment knew she was undoubtedly the most grief-stricken.

Numerous people delivered eulogies during the funeral.

Among them were prominent figures from the political sphere, some demon hunters with whom Su Qing had worked, and ordinary people he had saved.

A mid-aged demon hunter, his hair already graying, delivered a solemn eulogy: "He was a great demon hunter, a city's defender, and a planet's hero. His strength was as profound as the ocean, while his heart was as vast as the sky."

"Our bond was deep, and I held him in immense admiration. From the moment I first saw him, I knew he was destined to become a legend."

"To protect this planet, he gave much, even his life. His virtues need no elaboration by me, but please allow me on this occasion to express my utmost respect..."

As the mid-aged demon hunter spoke, many who had never met Su Qing developed a profound sense of admiration for him.

Kafka watched calmly, feeling like an observer.

Who is this about?

Listening to the demon hunter describe Su Qing—a flawless individual, seemingly born to achieve greatness and save humanity—she heard tales of someone without flaws, incredibly selfless, embodying all noble qualities.

But exactly who are they talking about?

Kafka knew clearly that Su Qing was just an ordinary person. He experienced joy and sorrow, worried about daily trivialities, and cared deeply about her growth.

Great? Perfect? Selfless?

It was merely an imagined, hollow portrayal.

Kafka turned her gaze towards the congregation below the church's altar.

A group of strangers, seemingly moved by the mid-aged demon hunter's speech, were softly sobbing.

Who were these people? How well did they truly know Su Qing?

How much of their grief was genuine, and how much was simply influenced by the atmosphere?

Kafka felt increasingly disconnected from their emotions.

As she observed them, she couldn't bring herself to cry; instead, she sensed a detachment from their sorrow.

Below the podium, Kafka noticed a young girl with pigtails. The child looked around with wide-eyed curiosity, puzzled by the distraught adults surrounding her.

Her mother seemed to gently tap her, causing the girl slight discomfort. With a quivering lip, she began to cry.

The only sadness that felt real to Kafka was this little girl's.

Beside her, Katherine lightly patted Kafka on the shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

Kafka glanced over and saw that Katherine's eyes were red, indicating she had already been crying.

Perhaps Katherine could understand somewhat.

But wait...

Katherine's feelings would undoubtedly be vastly different from hers.

Tired of the demon hunter's flowery rhetoric, Kafka lifted her gaze to the stained glass windows of the church.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting vibrant colors everywhere.

***

After the funeral, that evening...

Katherine escorted Kafka to her doorstep. Instead of asking "Are you okay?", Katherine gently said, "Would you like me to stay with you?"

"No need," Kafka replied with a composed smile. "I'm alright. You should head back now."

Hearing this response, Katherine became even more concerned. All she could do was repeatedly emphasize, "If anything happens, please contact me immediately."

Kafka nodded in assurance.

Once the door closed behind her, the world once again belonged solely to Kafka.

Having barely slept for days, she felt deeply exhausted.

At the entrance, Kafka lifted her left foot, massaging her slightly sore calf beneath the purple stocking before removing one shoe. Intending to steady herself against the wall nearby, her right hand instead touched the texture of leather.

She turned to see Su Qing's demon hunter coat hanging there.

Her movements halted as she stared blankly for a moment.

Suddenly, without warning, grief surged forth like a torrential tide, overwhelming and intense, threatening to drown her.

Initially, while gazing at Su Qing's coat on the wall, just a fleeting thought flashed through Kafka's mind:

"This coat won't be worn by anyone anymore."

"No one will wear this coat anymore."

It was a simple and obvious truth, yet it served as a breaking point, suddenly unleashing all her pent-up emotions.

Kafka's numbness could no longer contain her sorrow.

Her right hand clenched tightly around the coat.

Despite still being at the door, with only one shoe removed, Kafka crumpled to the ground, half-kneeling, half-collapsing.

Holding the coat close, she bowed her head and buried her face within its folds.

After a moment, muffled sobs escaped from beneath the fabric.

All traces of her usual grace and composure vanished, leaving only relentless tears streaming down her cheeks.

Her nose stung, overwhelmed by pain, grief, sadness, and anguish, each emotion pouring forth with the tears, unable to be stopped, seemingly endless.

The disbelief on the battlefield, the detachment amidst the funeral crowd—only now did reality truly hit her.

From this ordinary fact, Kafka realized many deeper truths.

Though resisting, she had to confront...

Su Qing, he had already left.

The person who would gently wipe away her tears and drape his coat over her shoulders was gone.

The one who foolishly waved a teddy bear to make her smile, never to be seen again.

No one would patiently teach her combat skills hand-in-hand, nor share those ordinary yet cherished everyday moments with her again.

The warmth of the hands brushing her hair and offering comforting head pats, the reassuring presence she could lean on while listening to music—all gone, never to return.

As if a taut string had snapped, Kafka buried herself in the coat, crying helplessly and painfully.

Her entire body's weight pressed onto her legs, but the physical pain couldn't compare to even a fraction of the emotions overwhelming her heart.

You rescued me from despair and emptiness.

But just as I learned to love, before I could express it, you left.

At the door, these stifled sobs continued for a long time.

***

[March 7th: Aaaaaahhhhhh!!]

[March 7th: ?????Aaaaahh...]

[Himeko: Little March is quite emotional; she can't stop crying along.]

[March 7th: Because...I've always been watching Su Qing with her, seeing Kafka grow up all this time, right?]

[March 7th: Sister Himeko, aren't you upset?]

[Himeko: I'm alright.]

[Bronya: Really? (Tears also welled up despite trying to hold back)]

[Himeko: Bronya, I'm not lying. I genuinely didn't cry.]

[Fu Xuan: This venerable one... would also not be shaken by such matters.]

[Qingque: You two sure have remarkable restraint, huh?]

[Himeko gently rubbed her eyes; she too felt overwhelmed by intense emotions.]

[But since no tears actually fell, it doesn't count as crying, right?]

[Silver Wolf: Joyful Simulation...]

[Sparkle: Just admit if you enjoyed it during the process.]

[Stelle: I wish we could find joy at the end instead!]

[Kafka: Don't be sad, these events are all in the past now.]

[Silver Wolf: ???]

[Silver Wolf (silently putting sunglasses back on): Apologies.]

[Firefly: In this situation, can Kafka handle it... referring to the simulation's Kafka, of course?]

[Silver Wolf: Honestly, even the real-life Kafka seems quite distressed.]

[Kafka: I believe in myself.]

[March 7th: Stay strong, Kafka (sobbing) (continuously wiping away tears) (yet still remembering to comfort her)]

[Kafka: Thank you.]

[Silver Wolf: Between March 7th and Kafka, it feels like a peculiar friendship is blossoming.]

One month later.

In Su Qing's city, the municipal government specially constructed a cemetery for him.

During this period, people never ceased to visit and pay their respects.

They came from the local area, nearby cities, and even some who endured the hardship of traveling great distances.

These individuals made the journey solely to express their gratitude. Eliminating the Star Core Demon not only avenged their loved ones but also freed them from their inner demons and nightmares.

[March 7th: Su Qing was a hero, saving so many lives... (wiping tears)(feeling teary again)]

Kafka felt reluctant to appear amidst such an atmosphere. She had visited a few times, but each time, numerous strangers approached her, offering condolences.

However, on this particular day...

She deliberately chose a rainy evening, accompanied only by Katherine, to visit the cemetery.

The rain fell heavily, pattering loudly against their umbrellas, dampening their shoulders and boots.

On such a night, they were temporarily alone. Amidst the monotonous yet soothing sound of the downpour, Kafka's heart found a momentary calm.

Gazing at the gravestone,

for days now, Kafka couldn't help but ponder:

If she could go back, given another chance, would the outcome have been different if she hadn't left Su Qing that fateful day...

Despite knowing it was unrealistic, Kafka couldn't resist dwelling on these questions. Her heart seemed trapped within the circle called "past," unable to move forward.

Under the umbrella, Katherine watched Kafka's face, stricken with grief to the point of numbness.

Seeing her expression, Katherine couldn't help feeling concerned, fearing Kafka might do something irrational...