Chapter 1.3

SLURP//

Perched atop the van, I set my phone aside, momentarily forgetting about it. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I surveyed the tumultuous scene below.

"Take 'em out on the right!"

"They're breaking through on the left! Hurry!"

"Damn it, there's too many of 'em!"

"General Cain, we need reinforcements on the right side!"

"We're getting overwhelmed on the left! Send help!"

Fear gripped the inexperienced soldiers, their panic evident as they pleaded for assistance. Amidst the chaos, our division stood resolute and composed. They moved with purpose, knowing exactly what needed to be done. They fought with determination, relentlessly pushing back the enemy.

"Stay focused! Don't let a single one escape!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise. The remaining soldiers rallied, charging forward to support General Cain's commands.

With unwavering resolve, they clashed with the monster hordes. The air filled with the sounds of clashing weapons, crackling energy, screams and thunderous explosions. Each step forward was met with fierce opposition.

"Hmm," I thought, my eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Something felt off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Shaking off the unease, I took a sip of my cool smoothie, relishing the refreshing sensation that soothed my throat. Little did I know, a brain freeze was lurking in the shadows. The icy chill seized my head, and I winced, instinctively clutching my temples. "Brain freeze!" I groaned, waiting for the discomfort to pass. After a few minutes, I regained my composure and surveyed the scene, realizing that a crowd of anxious civilians had gathered around me.

Undeterred, my attention shifted to a young girl, tears streaming down her face as she sat near a tattered flag that fluttered in the wind. Without hesitation, I approached her, disregarding the curious onlookers. "Are you alone?" I asked with genuine concern. Sniffling, she nodded, her trembling form reflecting her emotional turmoil. Determined to bring some comfort, I mustered a smile and resorted to an old trick: magic. With a flick of my wrist and a wave of enchantment, I dazzled her with illusions, momentarily capturing her imagination and offering respite from her sorrow. Gradually, her tears subsided, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

Seating myself beside her, I observed the weathered book she held tightly in her small hands. Curiosity piqued, I gently inquired, "Do you enjoy reading?" She looked up at me, her eyes brightening with a mixture of longing and resignation. "Sometimes," she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of unfulfilled dreams. It struck me deeply.

"Can you tell me about that book?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Sure! My name is Lucy, by the way," she replied, her bright smile warming my heart.

With her sweet, little voice, Lucy began narrating the story. It revolved around the protagonist, Lucas, a hero chosen by the gods to vanquish the dreaded Demon Lord, Arbatos. As the tale unfolded, Lucas faced countless challenges and battles, but no matter how hard he fought, he couldn't seem to defeat the formidable Demon Lord. strangely, the more they battle the Demon Lord showed human-like emotions, he became self-aware of what he is doing, he seeks to break free from his monstrous form and experience the freedom of being human. This unexpected revelation added a layer of complexity to their dynamic, for it mirrored Lucas's own journey.

Undeterred by his failures, Lucas persevered. Believing in his purpose and the trust placed in him by the people and god, he delved deeper into darkness, his path shrouded in uncertainty. With each step, he felt a part of humanity slipping away, consumed by the insatiable thirst for power he made a deal with the evil god he gave his humanity away and became a mindless monster, The hero's transformation was gradual but inevitable, his once pure noble look changed into a monstrous ugly visage.

The world trembled as Lucas unleashed his newfound strength upon all who stood in his way. His power was awe-inspiring, but it came at a great cost. The hero, now driven solely by his insatiable hunger for dominance, A monster left a trail of destruction in his wake. His actions were fueled by an emptiness that gnawed at his core, a void he believed could only be filled by absolute power.

Meanwhile, the Demon Lord Arbatos found himself torn between his desire for freedom and the burden of his dark nature. The longing to shed his monstrous form and experience the simple joys of humanity became an ever-present ache. He yearned for the ability to laugh, to love, and to be unburdened by the weight of his existence. Though his exterior remained terrifying, inside him dwelled the fragile remnants of a human soul.

Their paths inevitably converged, each driven by their own desires and haunted by the choices they had made. Their clashes were cataclysmic, each battle a reflection of the turmoil raging within. As Lucas and Arbatos exchanged blows, their powers resonated with the clash of conflicting emotions.

As Lucy shared the story, her voice filled with innocence and wonder, I listened intently, captivated by the profound themes embedded within the pages. The book seemed to hold a mirror to our own world, where the pursuit of power could corrupt even the noblest of intentions. It reminded me of the fragile line between humanity and monstrosity, and the importance of empathy and compassion in our own lives.

Lost in the depths of the story, I found myself yearning for the ending. How would Lucas and the Demon Lord's paths intertwine? Could they find redemption or forever remain prisoners of their own fates? Lucy's enchanting voice and the mesmerizing words of the book wove a tapestry of emotions within me, leaving me hungry to discover the outcome of this captivating story.

"How does the story end?" I asked, my curiosity burning.

Lucy paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on the worn pages of the book. "I... I don't know," she confessed softly, her voice sounded sweet and lonely "This is the only book I have of the series, so I keep reading it over and over again."

Her words tugged at my heartstrings, igniting a fierce determination within me. "I promise you, Lucy, when I return. I'll bring you not just one book, but a whole collection. We'll read the ending together," I vowed, a surge of warmth filling my chest.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Lucy embraced me tightly, expressing her thanks repeatedly. In that moment, I realized the profound impact a simple promise could have on someone's life.

Before I could savor the joy of our connection, the blaring alarm shattered the tranquility, its shrill tones echoing through the air. The radio crackled to life, broadcasting a distressing message: "Alert! Alert! Two A-Class monsters have appeared in the west. I repeat, two A-Class monsters. Remain alert and stay calm."

The atmosphere instantly shifted from serenity to panic. Fear rippled through the crowd, infecting both civilians and soldiers alike. Desperate voices filled the air, filled with dread and uncertainty.

"What are we going to do? Two A-Class monsters!"

"This is bad! General Cain can't handle them all!"

"We'll be devoured if we're not careful!"

(author: I didn't explain it well, but for powerscalers here, a Class A monster could destroy kingdoms. also The gap between classes is Huge especially A and S class.)

As chaos erupted around us, I maintained composed, shielding Lucy from the surrounding panic. I knew that keeping her calm was essential, for her sake and mine. It was then that Lucy turned to me, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"uhm.. miss why are you so calm? is it because you are a trained soldier?" she said, her innocent gaze her brown eyes filled with tears searching for answers.

A small smile played upon my lips as I thought of the person who gave me strength. "It's because of my big brother," I said my voice steady amidst the chaos. "As long as he's here, I know we'll find a way through."

With tender care, I lifted Lucy onto the top of the van, finding solace in the brief respite it provided. As she settled on my lap, I handed her a smoothie, hoping to offer a moment of comfort amidst the impending turmoil.