Niriyir's interesting resolve

"I am filled with fear and worry as I see this dog approach Ayrimir."

Niriyir patted Ayrimir's inclining head.

She continues,

"That scene was very breathtaking.

As the dog's every step taps the ground, there is no doubt that I am suffocating in fear.

I fear every possible outcome.

How would I save Ayrimir?

How would I stop the dog?

Finally, am I going to be shown the horrifying death of my family in front of me?

I am thinking all of it while walking forward and saying,

At least kill me first.

I am only walking slowly to prevent the dog from feeling threatened, which will make it react fiercely. If I dash off there, I am sure both of us will be minced meat the very moment this dog moves an inch.

After all, whether I run or walk, there is no changing things anymore.

It's just that I don't want to see my family die in front of me.

I wanted to be first, at least.

With my slow steps, hoping to catch up with the dog to block its way, I somehow reached up to Ayrimir's range.

I immediately hurriedly walked, then finally ran to embrace him.

With that, a possibility still popped into my mind. Though I know it's already useless, I still hope for us to escape.

But...

When I grab Ayrimir's hand so that we may escape, Ayrimir is no longer in a condition to run.

Huh? Ayrimir?

I call out to him silently as I check on him.

Tsk.

I just embraced him tightly after seeing his lifeless eyes.

Haa... Sorry, Ayrimir, don't worry; this won't be long, and this won't be painful.

My tears flow out of my eyes. I was thinking this is better; at least both of us will die without anyone suffering from being left out or seeing the horrifying death of a loved one.

This is better. I keep saying that to myself.

Just after a few seconds, I pick Ayrimir up.

I just can't accept our deaths!

I know it's all useless and an utterly futile resolve, but I can't just accept to die without even running.

I think to myself that it's okay to die; at least I am running. "

After hearing what Niriyir said, I suddenly felt like I really wanted to protect her. I hoped that I was around to save her, and I enclosed her shattering emotions with the greatness of being saved.

My eyes sparkled due to sadness, pity, and, for some reason, a feeling of being proud.

There are not many humans who wish for their survival, even if it's only for a mere second.

I steadfastly fix my gaze on Niriyir's pitiful yet beautiful look.

Her eyes, which almost look dead due to how deeply she thinks about the past, are enhanced by their clear, crystal, yet dark-colored iris. Her constant subconscious smile as she talks is very alluring for some reason.

I see that this girl has become so fragile, yet she refuses to break.

I can tell.

I am the only one who is attracted to this. I bet I'm the only one.

Her pitiful state is really making me very happy.

Not because of the troubles that she is experiencing, but because of how she tends to save her life despite being in a hopeless situation.

What makes me most delighted is... I finally found someone who is fighting dearly for her life—in other words, running for her life.

I wonder what she will feel if she finally secures her family and her life. A world where they can enjoy their lives without any trace of worry or fear?

Aaaaah... Bliss of life

Whiooo...

I let out a very relieved breath that even became visible in the air.

"This is Very interesting."

Without me noticing, I subconsciously grinned out of satisfaction.

I am very happy that my mouth has become wide open and I am freely grinning. My eyes are narrowly gazing at Niriyir, for I am filled with interest in her.

I snorted as I deeply breathed.

"Aaaah. Fragile, huh? Aha. Ahaha. Hahaha."

While enjoying my moment of utopia, I sense a disagreeable aura directed against me.

Oh! Sei is having a peek at me. She is neither annoyed nor angry, irritated, or something like that. She is just probably stopping me in her mind.

"Oh... Cough...Cough..."

I was surprised when I realised my condition.

I didn't notice I had been grinning for awhile now.

Needless to say, I muttered about that fragile thing and then laughed a little.

Girvacks here on my side seem to understand why I am very happy. He just sadly inclined his head.

Meanwhile, his daughter Vara, for some reason, is clenching her fist with a look in her eyes, hoping she is strong enough to do whatever she is thinking to do.

"sigh"

Ayrimir, on the other hand, is smiling with steady, happy eyes. He lets her sister lead the story.

Happy, steady eyes, huh? It feels like a frozen happy face to me, though. Well, somehow his smile is not; it keeps twitching after all.

This boy is also forcing himself to endure the sorrow their past is reminding him of.

"Sigh" once again, and I let out a breath.

You should just let yourself cry, you know? Seriously.

Anyway, I continue listening.

"I acted to stand up with Ayrimir in my forearms.

Graaargh... Wraaah...

Hu.. Huh? ... Gulp..

The fierce growl of the dog startled me, but it didn't stop me from standing on my feet to finally run away.

I didn't care even if it pierced its fangs into me while I was running. I will run until there is nothing left of me. Until there is no glint of a way to run away, I will die running, and I will really die running, whatever happens.

Risha...? Risha...!?

While at it, I realise that the dog's growl is against someone else. And of course, I know who it is.

When I turn my eyes, though I know it is more likely to happen, I am still filled with shock. I feel like my chest is crushed.

It is Uncle that is in a very dire condition.

Though I know it is possible he won't survive that impact, and I know he is filled with damage if he does survive that impact, I still can't believe what I am seeing.

Even though I've already envisioned and accepted it, I still can't get calm after seeing his condition in person.

His limbs are almost all dislocated. Of course, there are twisted, broken, and wide open wounds, as well as blood on him. blood that is soaking a swinging hanging flesh from his widely smiling wounds.

There are even those morsels of flesh that are attached all over his body.

Since Ayrimir is still numb and has no spirit left at all, I hold both of his shoulders and shake him really hard.

Hey... Hey... Run away, hurry!

Fortunately, his lifeless eyes contracted and seemed to release tears. How can we survive here? Can we even run at their speed?

Before he even finished his words, I get irritated.

I then grabbed the back of his collar tightly and said, I am about to throw him away.

I... said... run... now!!!

He has flown a considerable distance.

The moment he landed on the ground, even though he was still crawling due to the fall, he ran very fast to the residential areas without delay, and it made me relieved.

I then immediately ran to save my uncle.

Risha? ... Ri...

He keeps calling out for Risha, but...

It seems he saw the garments of Risha.

I just clicked my tongue at how cruel this world can be.

In his condition, I know that he suffers extreme pain. No... I don't even know why he is still alive.

But in spite of it, he still came here.

And I know it is to save Risha, or to see her daughter for the last time, or to bid his last farewell, as Risha will be left alone in this world. A 12-year-old girl in an uncertain world

Knowing she is, after all, dead, Uncle suddenly drops dead to the ground without any sign of life.

Huh... Aahaaaahaaahaaa!!!

Naturally, I will mourn really hard.

Uncle's reaction upon seeing Risha's scattered body on the wide crumbled road is really heartbreaking.

I grit my teeth as I look at my uncle's sword. I think to myself that I will definitely kill the dog no matter what.

I then sprint towards uncle as the dog approaches his body.

Before I even reach the range of the dog, showers of light rain violently over it.

Despite it, I still continue to approach Uncle with enormous speed.

The dog didn't get hit at all; it's just too fast. It only leaves afterimages in every spot where there are no falling lights.

I grab my uncle's sword with five embedded power stones and immediately follow the dog's tracks.

My speed is at the level of the dog. I can somehow follow its routes.

Now, I have this dog's back only on my watch, and I am just about to slash it.

But it suddenly disappeared.

Though I know where it has gone, it is all too late.

The very moment I turn my head to follow it, its fangs are already on my face and about to devour my head.

Huh?!

I just gritted my teeth after this unexpected outcome.

I am sorry for my thoughtless act.

Is only what pops up in my mind.

A metallic attribute such as a cool vapour awakens my senses as I feel it approaching very fast.

It hits the dog.

My eyes slowly widen as I see a metallic object punch this dog forcefully.

Huh... I was very surprised, and I have no idea what is happening.

But I save the questioning for later.

As the dog is being punched away, I immediately deal with it with a full-strength slash.

Whoosh...

Die now, arrogant!

I yelled as my sword swiftly slashed the flesh of the dog.

And...

Sasssh... Cling... Crack... Shatters... Splattered...

Huh?

My sword shattered the very moment it touches the dog. Or no...

Its claws parry my sure-kill strike, which shatters my sword to pieces.

I only see the power stones embedded on it spread out from the shattered sword and flown in their differing directions.

No way, right?

Is what I uttered as the dog got thrown away from the punches of this metallic object.

I turn towards the dog, very frustrated and really irritated that my teeth are extremely grinding against each other.

It feels like I am the arrogant one.

Now how can I avenge my family?

As the dog got thrown several distances away from us, it immediately stood its ground and barked fiercely and loudly.

Brawghwk... Brawghk...!!!

It then runs away very fast.

I extend my arm to it with my hand stiffly acting as if I am grabbing it.

H.. Hey... It's running away, sir... Kill it, sir. mister... Sir, please kill it, sir!

Please!!!

The man held onto me and brought me to the safe zone, saying...

Let us not risk ourselves too much.

Huh?

I didn't know what he meant, but

When I look towards the ground, his subordinates are one by one being helplessly killed by other beasts that just reached our location.

Needless to say, this man who saves me is already injured.

I mean, his left arm is missing, and the left side of his face is out of flesh, thus showing its inside.

Wha... "