The Manager's Sacrifice

Outside the dungeon, it was still green, trees, flowers, and grass covered the land.

The sun was shining brightly overhead, and birds chirped in the branches.

Everything looked normal.

Nothing seemed out of place.

Expect for the party of heroes in front of the portal.

"Phew! That was tough. Did we lose anyone?" A tall, muscular man asked.

"We're all here, except for Nellas." A female mage answered.

"He probably died. Well, not like he's going to get revived, he has no friends and his parents were dead." A male paladin spoke.

"Yeah, we can leave him alone and just move on." Another man, whose face was covered behind a mask, added.

"Alright then, let's go." The leader, the muscular man said and the party of four began to walk away, leaving the dungeon behind.

Suddenly, just as they were about to disappear, they could see a black-haired girl appearing in front of them.

She was wearing a black suit and a short skirt which was revealing her slim thighs.

Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her glasses were round and thick.

She was carrying a clipboard and a pen, and she seemed to be taking notes.

"Where is Nell?" She asked, her eyes darting between the heroes.

"Uh... Manager, aren't you a little late?" The leader asked, surprised.

"Shut up! Tell me where he is, or else you'll regret it." She threatened, glaring at him.

The leader gulped and pointed towards the dungeon.

"He's inside the dungeon. We were just about to leave." He replied, trying not to show his fear.

The manager nodded and started writing on her clipboard.

"Good. Now, get lost!" She shouted, waving her hand dismissively.

The heroes didn't hesitate. They quickly begin to walk away, leaving the manager alone in front of the blue portal.

After a moment, the manager sighed and looked down at her clipboard.

"Nell, are you still there? Can you hear me?"

She spoke, and a foot came out of the dungeon's blue portal.

It was followed by a pair of legs, and finally a head.

"Yes, Manager. I can hear you." Nellas said as he stepped out of the portal and onto the grass.

The manager of their team smiled and hugged him, ignoring his bloody and torn clothes.

"You were great, Nell. You did an amazing job."

Nellas was surprised. The manager was his neighbor for almost 4 years, but she had never shown him any affection before.

Whenever she saw him, she would always glare at him and then act as if he didn't exist.

There was only one time when she looked at him without shooting a glare.

That was during her last dying breath.

Nellas couldn't help but chuckle as he recalled that moment.

She had been dying, bleeding out on the ground.

But even though she was in pain, she had told him that he was the best hero she ever had the pleasure of working with.

She had said that he was a good person, a hero, and that she was proud of him.

"I'm glad you think so, Manager. Thank you."

The manager smiled, and then her expression turned serious.

"But next time, try not to get hurt this badly." She said, looking at his injuries.

Nellas nodded, "I'll do my best." he promised.

The manager frowned, and her eyes narrowed.

"Here, let me heal you." She said, putting her hand on his chest and casting a healing spell.

A green light enveloped him, and his wounds healed instantly.

Nellas winced slightly, but the pain soon disappeared.

And then he sighed in relief.

"Thanks, Manager."

The manager smiled again, then patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's go."

She turned and started walking away, heading towards the exit of the jungle, followed by Nellas.

While walking, Nellas kept staring at the manager's back and thinking about how she had saved him when he had been dying.

She had done something no one else would have done, and that was the reason he admired her.

She had sacrificed her life for him.

And that was why he was willing to do anything to repay her kindness.

'Marine, thank you for saving me. I will do my best to stop the Ragnarok.' He thought as he continued walking.

And then, Nellas smiled, feeling happy and grateful.

His party manager, Marine had taken the strike which was meant for him, and she had died protecting him.

The sword hit her right shoulder and made its way toward the lower left part of her chest.

She was cut in half.

But, she was smiling while bleeding, her last words were 'You did well.' and 'I'm proud of you, Nellas.'

"Hahaha... Marine... you are still such a weirdo. Sacrificing yourself to save me." Nellas muttered and continued walking, following the manager.

The manager looked back at him and frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Nellas chuckled and shook his head.

"Nothing, Manager. Just talking to myself." He said, smiling sheepishly.

"Yeah, well, quit it." The manager said, turning her head away from him, and increasing her walking speed.

"Alright," Nellas replied, and they continued walking through the jungle, heading towards the road where the car was parked.