Decision

--- Wiene's POV ---

My hiding place proved feeble and ineffective, as a group of adventurers closed in on my location.

Among them, a woman with radiant golden hair and piercing eyes drew her sword, her gaze devoid of any trace of mercy. I opened my mouth to plead for my life, but the weight of her unwavering intent crushed any words that dared to escape my throat.

She saw me as nothing more than a mere monster, impervious to my pleas or my desperate attempts to explain. The realization of my imminent death washed over me, blurring my vision with tears. My legs quivered, betraying my futile attempts to flee.

I squeezed my eyes shut, shielding myself with trembling arms, bracing for the fatal strike of her sword.

...Which wasn't delivered.

I was filled with a mix of confusion and fear, urging me to open my eyes once more. Through the blur of my tears, I could make out the silhouette of a towering figure. His broad back shielded me from imminent danger, as the lethal edge of a sword was frozen in its path, mere centimeters away from severing my head from my body.

Though the details eluded me, a glimmer of hope sparked within, as if this adventurer held no desire to snuff out my life.

Unable to maintain composure any longer, I released a desperate wail, my fears pouring forth uncontrollably. Why must I suffer like this?

The question echoed within, a plea to the unforgiving world that had condemned me.

--- Ren's POV ---

I hesitated, reluctant to take this course of action.

Part of me wanted to step back, to let Ais handle the situation and offer her comfort later, deepening the bond between us. It would have been so easy to succumb to the darkness within me and stay still, letting her go ahead.

But in that critical moment, I couldn't bear the thought of Ais carrying regrets. She, this golden-haired angel, had already endured too much pain. I couldn't let her suffer further.

"Wait, Ais," I intervened, stopping her sword just in time.

Silence enveloped us, and my eyes locked onto hers. I wanted her to understand, to think before striking. I directed her gaze towards the trembling figure of the "monster" before us.

"Take a look at the monster you wish to slay."

Relinquishing my hold on her sword, I focused solely on Ais. No one else's presence mattered at that moment. She needed to see and recognize this was not what she had to do.

Ais gazed intently at the creature before her. It was...ah yes, Wiene.

The most problematic of all the Xenos. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I braced myself for what would come next.

After a few tense seconds, her gaze once again locked onto me, and she raised her sword once more. But I couldn't back down now.

I shook my head, hoping to convey my plea.

"This creature possesses rationality, Ais. I understand it may be inconceivable for you to spare such a being, but I implore you to consider the weight of regret that may burden you later. You're the most important to me, and everything else comes second. If, even after hearing this creature out, you still choose to proceed, I won't stand in your way."

Avoiding direct eye contact, I knew my expression remained stoic, devoid of any discernible emotion. This was the path I had chosen for myself.

Even if it meant Ais holding me in lower regard, I was willing to shoulder the pain on her behalf. Let it be mine to bear.

"...P-Please...don't...kill..."

I let out a weary sigh.

To my surprise, Ais lowered her sword, her lips tightly pressed together as she nodded in reluctant agreement.

Even in this situation, you still manage to captivate me, Ais.

After Ais and Wiene managed to regain their composure, with the assistance of Riveria and the others who, though taken aback by the fact that a monster could speak, recognized the genuine fear reflected in its trembling form, they began to understand the validity of my words.

I had never been one to blindly trust the contents of a novel. Even prior to this unsettling turn of events, I treated it as mere fiction. Therefore, I made it clear that my judgment was based solely on what I had witnessed.

To avoid any further confusion, I proposed the name "Wiene" for the monster, and she readily agreed.

Although Ais still harbored skepticism, I took the risk of holding her hand, wishing to reassure her. She had made the right choice in placing her trust in me.

She accepted my hand, understanding the intent behind the gesture, even though a misinterpretation could have led to a disastrous misunderstanding.

The mere thought of it sent a shiver down my spine. I would rather take my own life than ever go against Ais.

After engaging in a conversation with Wiene, we managed to gain some clarity regarding the cause of this monster outbreak.

"Someone is manipulating the monsters in a peculiar manner, and we have no information regarding the identity or whereabouts of our enemy. This is a grave concern," Finn solemnly added, concern etched on his face, especially considering Wiene's occasional trembling as even if she held a strong mentality, it was still dangerous for us to be so close to her.

"I believe the culprit is likely situated on the Lower Floors. It's almost certain that we are facing a God-level entity, unrestricted by the limitations of this world. However, the silver lining is that they most likely can't directly interact with this world, only through the monsters. If we can manage to make the God actively use their divinity, they will certainly be forced out" I explained.

This revelation provided some relief, as it meant we at least had a simple strategy, for now.

Our main objective now was to locate and confront this entity.

The time had come to initiate the Hide & Seek operation. While my inner desires urged me to swiftly uncover the culprit's identity, envisioning various experiments to test a divine being's resilience, I halted such thoughts.

"...However, it's crucial that we also prioritize bringing Wiene back safely. While we have the option of either taking her with us or leaving her here, I understand that neither choice would be ideal for everyone. Therefore, we need someone to accompany her back."

With those words, Finn delegated the responsibility of bringing Wiene back to Bete and Gareth, ensuring her well-being while the rest of us pressed on towards the Lower Floors, where our true objective awaited...

---

Author's Note:

Most likely you won't get more than one chap today as well, sadly.

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