7.) Saving My Savior

Dawn sat on top of an overturned car, holding her chin while in deep thought. Lying on the ground were the dead bodies of three Giant Rats. "World Savior is a story that went on for four years, and despite a few big plot details, a lot more of the small insignificant details are stuck in my head."

Dawn took out her phone and began going over her notes. "If I did end up in World Savior, the people I know shouldn't be here, right?"

The more Dawn pondered on the idea, the more confused she became. "Well, better not lurk around here!" Dawn put her phone away and hopped down from the car. Neko-chan rested, curled upon her head, while Dawn continued her journey when she came upon a distressing scene.

Surrounding a badly injured boy, whose face Dawn could barely make out, was a pack of {Lvl 3: Hunting Wolves}. Their thick fur was coated gray with blue streaks, twice the weight and height of ordinary wolves, and angrier looking.

Dawn stared at the scene before moving her eyes elsewhere. Just because she saw a person in danger doesn't mean it was her job to go out there and save him. She did not have the trait of a hero.

Meaning she wasn't going to risk her life for every desperate person she came across. Her current worry rested on the safety of herself and her family, who she could not reach.

Concealing her presence, Dawn ducked down and began to crawl behind debris and destroyed buildings. Peeking her head out, Dawn saw the group and, this time was able to get a better look at the boy.

'Wait a sec! I know him! He's my savior from the warehouse!'

Dawn could never forget the face of her savior, not just for his kindness, but because the boy's appearance reminded her of those pretty boy band idols that once stirred the heart of girls all over the world.

Recalling how she never had the chance to thank him, Dawn began to move in their direction.

- -

A young man sat on the ground. Bruises marred the handsome features of his porcelain face, such as a black eye and a busted lip. Blisters covered his hands, and the rips of his jeans were stained with blood. The 21-year-old was named Kris, and he was currently facing a crisis.

Death stood at his doorstep, but he refused to give up, using his hand to support his left side, which was flaring.

Kris would never forget the day he opened his eyes and saw the world turned upside down, bringing an end to his life as a second-year college student. Instead of classes, he had to put his life on the line battling monsters.

It reminded him of those comic books he loved reading when he was a kid, wishing he had superpowers. One moment he was riding the bus, and the next, he woke up with a terrible headache. Staring down at his hands, he saw them stained with blood that dripped from his forehead, and that's when he heard the screaming of people.

Fixing his eyes outside the window, he saw burning buildings, sirens blaring, and people in the streets running in distress.

And that was when he heard the heavy stomps of footsteps that felt like small earthquakes and screamed when he saw hordes of Giant Rats picking people off the ground and eating them.

Getting to his feet, Kris ignored the unconscious state of the other passengers, including the bus driver whose bloody head was lying against the steering wheel.

Kris ran for dear life, only pausing when a mysterious blonde girl appeared floating in midair. After the girl explained what was happening, he found himself at a warehouse, where he stayed for two weeks before deciding to leave after witnessing the abuse that was starting to happen and decided to rely on himself.

It didn't take Kris long to understand how to survive on his own and quickly adapt to this new world where morals were twisted and the strong ruled over the weak and implemented laws.

Kris refused to lose himself in this horror film of a new world. Unwilling to submit to someone else's laws. He decided to grow stronger, throwing himself into battles, but it seemed he may have overdone it by rarely allowing himself a moment to rest.

Over the weeks Kris spent battling monsters, his wounds had increased, none given a chance to heal.

The wolves, tired of looking at their prey, pounced but before the one with the closest reach could sink his fangs into the boy's flesh, a blood shower rained from the air as claw-like marks appeared on the wolf's neck before purple flames engulfed its body.

"Now, I can't let you take the life of my savior~!"

Dawn wagged her finger at the gang of wolves as if they were naughty pups. Lying with his back propped up against a car, Kris wondered where this strange girl came from and why had she come to his aid?

'Is this girl even human?' Kris couldn't believe what he was seeing as he watched the pack of wolves surge forward and watched in awe as the cat-girl raced into the pack.

The girl's movements were fast and agile, severing the wolves' necks and stabbing them with her claws. Minutes passed before the battle came to an end, and the girl stood victorious.

Once the girl was finished eliminating the wolves, Kris felt somewhat fearful, despite not showing it, when the girl began to walk his way before crouching down right in front of him.

"Here! This should heal those wounds of yours." She threw him a blue vial of healing potion, which was a bonus reward she got for defeating the Giant Rat King.

"Umm? T-Thank-you?" The boy looked unsure.

Dawn noted that he probably wondered why she was so nice to a stranger she just met. If she was in his shoes, she probably would be on her guard too.

"Look, the only reason I saved you is because of a favor you once did for me, back at the warehouse. I'm the type who believes in repaying favors and treating others just as they treated me. I was too shy to express my thanks back then, and when I finally gathered my courage, you disappeared. So, even though I'm late, allow me to say thank you for saving me that day, hero!"