Recollection

"You don't have to thank me." Hans passed the water bottle and smiled, "We're all friends here."

Jason received the water bottle before he strode down the hall, leaving his classmates bewildered. Glancing out, they saw a graceful figure sitting on a bench while eating a snack. Donned in elegant makeup, the figure could be said to match a goddess in beauty. 

"Sully."

"Uhm, Jason." 

Seeing the bright smile on their faces, everyone exchanged affirmative glances before leaving the two lovers in their own world. However, Hans stayed and just stared at his friend's sweet moments. 

Jason and Sully were both childhood friends. Despite the difference in status, Jason managed to convince his father that he wanted to marry her. At first, knowing her family status, Jason's father declined and threatened to disown him if Jason brought the topic up again. 

But Jason didn't falter and instead pushed his love a bit way more. It doesn't matter if he gets disowned or something, as long as he follows his heart, there won't be any regrets. 

This was a well known story in the training camp. Even instructors were amazed by how firm and dedicated Jason was. Sully, however, felt bad about how things progressed. Just because of her, Jason even wanted to abandon his wealthy life. 

"It's alright, as long as we're together, nothing can separate us."

He always said this every time she hesitated. Jason's a fine man and she didn't want to shatter his dreams just so he could be with her. But just like a constant stream of water, Jason didn't stop.

As lovely as the heaven is, he'd rather live in the depths of hell if Sully was there. 

Everyone couldn't understand. 

How could someone love like that? How could someone endure like that? 

They lived in a poor household so money was everything for them. Seeing Jason abandoned almost everything for love was just unreal. However, no matter what they said, their hearts were already bound. 

They were both aged 23 when Sully graduated from med school. But their surprise didn't end there as she awakened her mana with a Holy type property. 

Overjoyed, Sully applied for an Awakened test and also for a potential test. As the result came up, Jason, who's more anxious than Sully, suddenly jolted in surprise. 

"Sully Donovan, potential SS-Class… Blessed."

As his father was a retired S-class Awakened, Jason had access to information normal people know nothing of. 

That includes the 'Blessed'.

Only one person has this title and he was also hailed as the strongest Awakened. But what makes him different from other SS-Class was his ability to leapfrog battles. 

The Blessed was a group of people capable of affecting the laws of nature. 

Reality warping, time control, fate changing, mana nullifying, future sighting, and many other abilities. 

The only Blessed as of now was 'him'. According to his father, his power involves changing. As for the definition of that, no one knows. 

"A Holy type mana property. This was a first for humankind so I advise to keep it a secret and only have her an A-class potential." 

Fortunately, the tester was his father's friend. 

"We already have a rising star with an SSS-Class potential… that's enough for public view."

Following Sully's awakening, Jason also awakened his. His potential went as high as S but not enough to surpass Sully's SS-Class. However, his father knew all of this, had a change of mind, and finally decided to support the two. 

They enrolled at the training camp and in there, shared their story. 

They were indeed a lovely couple. 

"Hans, why don't you find a girlfriend for yourself?" Out of nowhere, Jason suddenly asked. 

Hans brows knit and he sat down on the nearest bench a few steps away from Jason and Sully. 

"I have priorities."

"Eh? As long as you level up safely, you'll soon replace the strongest you know?" 

"I wish it's that easy."

With a cheeky grin, Jason rubbed his hand and suggested, "How about I introduce yo—" 

Baam—

"Jason, dear…" 

The two boys looked behind and saw the devil smiling both at them. It's terrifying. 

"Y-yes!?"

"Hmm…" Sully tilted her head but that frightening smile on her face didn't vanish a little. 

Jason's stiff face oozed in cold sweats from the chill he was experiencing. He looked at Hans who was shaking his head in amusement. 

"Oh, by the way, Jason." 

The cold air vanished in an instant the moment Hans changed the conversation. 

"What?" 

"We're raiding a red dungeon tomorrow." Hans moved his eyes to Sully, "... We don't have a Healer so can I borrow her for a little?" 

"Man, you sounded like you were borrowing something." With a soft sigh, Jason continued, "But if Sully wanted to, then go ahead."

Sensing their gazes, Sully shrugged her shoulders and nodded. This would be her first experience in a dungeon too. Since it's a red one, the difficulty shouldn't be high.

"Sully, can I talk to Hans for a minute?" 

Understanding Jason's words, Sully got up and waved goodbye to the two before walking out of the training hall. Jason and Hans were left alone. 

"She's perfect, isn't she?" Watching her disappearing back, Jason said with pride. 

"Nobody's perfect."

"Tsk, that's why you don't have a girlfrie—" 

"I don't need one."

"But you should find one at least." Jason raised his voice, "You can't be alone forever, man."

"I'm still 21." Hans reasoned. 

"That's the point. We're Awakened. Our lives were always on the line. Perhaps we'd die tomorrow and we don't know."

"You should change your occupation to a motivational speaker Jason."

"But I'm telling the truth and you won't listen." Jason put his hand behind his head, "... Well, I can consider that too."

"Is that all you'd say?" Hans asked straight to the point. 

"So uhm, anyways, you'll be the raid leader right?" 

"Un."

"That's good. At least, I could rest assured."

Dungeon accidents were pretty common nowadays due to either untrained or some of the Awakeners being overly confident in themselves. Jason sighed in relief knowing Hans was there. As the strongest of their batch, Hans was well known for his amazing combat awareness and strategies. 

After hearing Jason's words, Hans reflexively chuckled, "Ha, haha, you're just worried for Sully, right?" 

"Yes."

Hans patted his shoulder and smiled.

"I get it, don't worry I'll protect the team…" 

"And Sully?" 

"Yes, and Sully."

"Thank you, Hans."

2 Days Later. 

Jason woke up from his dorm because of the constant footsteps seemingly running across the hall. Curious, he quickly prepared himself and immediately strode down towards the place of the building where many trainees were running from. 

It is the red dungeon where Hans' team raided. It was only a few blocks away so Jason arrived shortly. With heavy steps, he pushed himself inside the dense crowd. 

"Really? N-no way?!" 

"You're already late so you didn't see it. Look at the floor there's so much blood right?"

"It's from them?" 

"Yeah, they went straight to the hospital."

"Then who are these guys with covers?" 

"Dead."

"Oh my…" 

As he slinked through the people, Jason heard through their conversations and his heart subconsciously tightened. But even then, he tried to calm it down and still struggled to push his way in. 

Soon, he got past the barrier and quickly swept his eyes around the covered bodies. Their names were tagged on the cover so Jason identified them easily. 

[Sully Donovan, 23.]

"N-no…no… no… no…it can't be."

One of the covered bodies had her name in it. His steps were heavy as he trudged towards the body. The authorities saw him and immediately ordered their personnel to stop him. 

"How did he get in!!" 

"I don't know!" 

"Fuck your reason, get him out of here!" 

"Yes, sir."

The police personnel immediately surrounded Jason but he already undid the cover. The moment he saw her, tears unknowingly fell to his cheeks. Without thinking about the consequences, Jason lifted her head and held her in his arms.

"S-Sully, I'm here… it's okay… huk… why, why!!! … AHHHHHHHH!!!!"

The authorities held his hand and pulled him away.

"Damn it, he's strong!" 

"Quick!! Give me the neutralizer!!" 

"Here."

Tzzz—

At that moment, it was the last time Jason saw Sully. His body fell to the ground powerlessly. His eyes only fixed towards her but his tears obscured his vision. 

..... 

"Sully…" 

Jason's voice sounded muffled and yet Hans understood. 

"I see… you're blaming me for her death."

"Cough —, I wish you were the one who died."

Hans released his grip from the blade's hilt and stepped back. 

"It was an accident."

It was truly an unfortunate accident that even he didn't expect. Hans did his all to prevent it, with all of his power, even sacrificing it just so he could save someone. 

"Cough—, you think cough, I would still trust you?" 

"I am stating the truth."

"Says the man who broke his promise."

Jason stared at Hans' figure. The hate and resentment that built up throughout the time could only be uttered in mere simple words. 

"You…cough—, couldn't protect anything. If I knew it, cough —, I could have prevented her from coming with you." 

"..." 

Drip, drip—

"Haah… death… karma… come...father—" 

Hans allowed him to speak before pulling the blade out of his chest. Jason's body slumped to the ground as the reaper harvested his soul.

Thud—

Tri-ring

The familiar sound prompted in his head but Hans didn't open it and instead walked towards Kyle. His steps were slow and heavy, seemingly ready to collapse anytime. 

"You regretted it?" Kyle asked. 

"I didn't. I just did what I had to do."

"You really are… ." Kyle swept his eyes to the others and muttered, "Haha… you need to silence us, that's why you kill them, right?" 

"..." 

Hans raised the blade and aimed at his neck. However, his hand trembled as if hesitating to swing it. 

"It's okay. I understand. I'm just glad you get to take back what's yours."

With his eyes closed, Hans didn't swing the blade and instead stabbed it through his heart. 

Stab—

Hans took a deep breath before pulling the blade out. Perhaps it was because he was exhausted that his body suddenly collapsed followed by numbness throughout his body. 

Crack—

The dungeon continued to shake and Hans forced his tired body to move. He walked past the bodies of his former teammates and collected all of their items. 

"Plundy, plunder their skills. I'll check it out later."

[Alright.]

The ground broke and the dust obscured his vision. Once the dungeon boss was killed, all of the people inside would be kicked out after 10 minutes. The spawning place was random but it's surely just around the dungeon vicinity. 

However, Hans appeared inside the convenience store. 

Thud—

His body fell to the ground while exhaling heavy breaths. Noticing the loud thud on the back row, the cashier immediately ran towards the place and saw Hans' figure sprawled on the floor. 

The cashier immediately called the authorities guarding the dungeon. At that moment, he saw the large portal form cracks and the ground shook intensely. The yellow portal became orange and then red until it became colorless and vanished. 

It was a sign that the dungeon was cleared. But there's more important than that. 

After he went out of the store, the cashier dashed towards one of the authorities and immediately called for help. 

"T-there's an injured person inside my store."

"A survivor?" 

"He's full of blood."

The 3 policemen exchanged signals before calling for the medic team. It seemed like the dungeon clearance wasn't simple as no other people were appearing outside. 

"I-Is that a dead body?" 

Suddenly, dead bodies began appearing everywhere until their tallies went up to 14.

"Wait, the survivor!" 

"Officer Lee already followed the cashier."

"Is that right? Then call the investigation team!!" 

"Yes sir!!" 

...… 

The moment they arrived inside the convenience store where Hans' body was first found, the cashier's eyes widened in shock.

Officer Lee stood still watching his reaction before finally asking a question. 

"So, Uhm, where's the survivor?" 

Unfortunately, the survivor whom the cashier assumed to be injured was nowhere to be found.