Chapter 35: Yours Truly

When was it that my perception became so skewed?

When exactly did the delusions begin…?

I was blind, I admit, but only from the loneliness clouding my heart which still remained unseen to me.

A mere fantasy weaved from my own misconceptions had become the center of my thoughts.

Pathetic.

Distasteful.

Unsightly.

And for a moment, I'd almost forgotten who I was, lost in a dream that would never come to be.

I was unwelcomed, a painfully obvious sentiment by one being in particular—one of whom I've come to hate quite recently.

It wasn't my place to intervene, yet I was dragged around, pulled along without any thoughts of resistance.

I went with the flow, because I didn't want to go against you.

You had my gratitude, respect, and appreciation, something I couldn't outwardly show as that would be too embarrassing.

And while I wouldn't risk my life or die for you, it wasn't beneath me to protect you from harm's way should it ever come.

There was a place in my heart that existed solely for your presence alone.

From me to you, it wasn't anything special.

But…there was also someone else by your side, why was that the case?

Unacceptable.

You were the one who saved me, weren't you?

You were MY savior.

The one who paved the way for me, lighting up the darkness better than any hero ever could.

You were MY hero.

I placed you on a pedestal for only me to admire, mine alone.

And despite that, I didn't intend to wedge myself between something that had nothing to do with me.

It didn't appeal to me.

It couldn't be salvaged.

Even if you liked that bloodsucking leech for whatever reason, there was nothing I could realistically do about it.

So…

'Please don't look at me with such eyes.'

There wasn't a place for me, I understood, and I accepted.

You would walk your own path and…I would walk mine.

That was supposed to be the end of whatever might've been, a conclusion with no lingering attachments.

So…

'Don't bring me along as if it's natural, you'll give me the wrong idea.'

The profound effect your words and actions had; you likely hadn't even realized it.

But on the off chance you did, you're far too dangerous.

Even as the freezing cold breeze and icy pellets of snow blanketed my skin, you always seemed to be at the forefront of my mind.

How did it come to this…?

Your scent—

I relished.

Your voice—

I shivered.

Your eyes—

I drowned.

Your presence—

I could never forget.

You were an enigma I couldn't comprehend.

You moved with confidence and grace, attacked with ferocity and elegance, bearing the true essence of one who stood above all.

But the words in which you spoke, the attitude in which you presented—were both profane and domineering.

And yet, how exactly were you able to draw me in?

Even as the harsh blizzard raged on, you remained undaunted, like a vast mountain weathering a perilous storm.

Just what were you…?

I hadn't intended to become so invested, so interested in what else you had to offer, but it was already out of my control.

I admired you like an idol, one I favored from the depths of my heart.

Your long, wavy black hair, your radiant pale golden eyes, and your sharp, angular features were like something I'd only seen in a painting.

Captivating.

And only out of spite did I attempt to get closer to you.

My disdain for that blonde haired doll you kept at your side drove me to compete.

Yes, the one who claimed to have you all to herself, the one who claimed to possess your entire heart.

That deranged vampire girl.

From the moment our eyes met, it felt as though I were destined to hate her.

What right did she have to be standing anywhere near you?

Pure absurdity.

I could see it in her eyes, the desperation, the obsession, and the absolute dependence, it was revolting.

You didn't strike me as the kind of person who'd allow one to cling to you so desperately, to hold you in place, and require you to comfort them.

But I wasn't afforded such care, why is that?

'I don't need it.'

You assisted me in times of crisis and had even saved my life, for that, I'm forever grateful.

It might've been selfish of me to hope you'd stick around a bit longer, but I didn't care.

Every trial and tribulation thereafter had been overcome all by my lonesome.

I needed no one's help, not that anyone would've come if I'd asked.

So why…

'Why are you making things so difficult for me…?'

This wasn't a place for me, I didn't want to be trapped, but you also wouldn't let me escape.

I merely wanted to trouble the blonde girl, to make her jealous or disheartened for my own petty revenge.

And yet, at some point, I couldn't seem to get you out of my mind.

Seeing that leech gorge herself on your blood was more than a little infuriating, more than I'd like to admit, even.

Why was she afforded such a luxury?

Weren't you mine?

'That's not what I meant.'

Right, you were mine to idolize, nothing more.

That's why, even if you didn't like me, it was fine.

It was better that way, since we could easily part ways with nothing more to say.

I shouldn't get involved any further, after all, there was nothing for me.

'Right…?'

That was right…

That was indeed correct, but…

'Do you think I'm just trash to be thrown away; you blood sucking skank?'

Why must she speak such hurtful words, I'll end up getting worked up.

She meant to cast me aside like some kind of useless hanger-on, like I wasn't even in the room.

Was I worth so little…?

When did my value get lowered to this extent?

I would've just left her alone had it not come to this, so…

'...I won't hold back then.'

To be treated like dirt on the roadside, to hell with that.

Oops, pardon my language, and here I was trying to be elegant.

I was doing good so far, but…

'It seems this shit just isn't meant for me. At least I tried, right?'

Regardless…

I didn't care to warn her about what was coming, but she'd do well to prepare herself.

'Hope you don't regret it, 'cause I don't give a rat's ass.'

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A field of white stretched on for miles, covering the land in ice cold snow. The harrowing storm raged on, its ferocity ever increasing as a piercing wind wreaked havoc.

Standing amidst the violent blizzard were 3 distinct figures, a young male who stood tall above the rest, holding in both hands the other two seemingly young girls.

Their surroundings were obscured by flitting specks of white, allowing the average person to see only a few feet in front of them.

However, the young man, Aziel, walked assuredly, his back straightened with composure and poise.

One foot after the other, he continued progressing forward, a single-minded determination evident as he kept his gaze trained ahead.

The girl's watching on either side sat in complete silence, their eyes occasionally drifting toward his face before looking away after realizing he wasn't going to speak.

It had been like this for hours.

After their momentary rest, they resumed their search for the entrance to the floor below.

Yue, after having argued briefly with Aziel, was still upset due to that fact and was also unwilling to speak to anyone.

Suzu, on the other hand, remained aloof despite her short-lived emotional turmoil, her face betraying no signs of distress.

In all, it was a rather awkward situation for the whole party, though none of them seemed to care.

With each harboring completely different thoughts from the other, they advanced through the floor rapidly, covering much ground in little time.

Every monster that happened to cross paths with them had met a swift end, perishing before they could even put up a fight.

Suzu's forcefield control, added on with Yue's blood manipulation, made for a terrifying combination that saw any creature brave enough to stand against them utterly decimated.

It was no doubt an unfair matchup.

There was nothing even remotely challenging that attempted to oppose them, this floor's inhabitants proving less of a threat than imagined.

However, Aziel suddenly stopped in his tracks, confusing the two girls with his abrupt actions. They both looked down at him with questioning gazes, wondering why he would stop now of all times.

Though in response to their silent inquiry, he, of course, said absolutely nothing. Instead, he stared into the ongoing snowstorm with rapt attention, his expression unchanging.

After a few seconds of this, Suzu displayed a visible impatience and slowly started opening her mouth to speak.

But before she could even get a word, Aziel unknowingly cut her off.

"Here it comes…"

Just as he said that, the ground beneath them began shaking, tossing mounds of snow into the air at the same time.

Suzu and Yue immediately went on guard, instinctively feeling the difference between whatever was coming and the Frost Trolls they'd fought all this while.

At this moment, a 3-and-a-half-meter tall giant came barreling into view, the direction of its furious charge made it obvious who its target was.

With pale gray skin, hulking muscles, and menacing tusks, the terrifying monster in question was clearly capable of crushing most foes in a single blow.

Its jaws parted savagely, flinging saliva as it released a feral roar that sounded more akin to a war cry than anything.

"And here I'd thought I'd seen it all…"

Suzu openly stated, laugh-scoffing at this monster's unexpected appearance.

Yue gave her a sidelong glance, but ultimately decided against saying anything. The situation between the three of them, or at least, the two girls, had become somewhat stale.

"A Frost Ogre."

Aziel casually declared, watching the monster's barbaric charge with clear disinterest.

To him and the two girls, this was merely a single monster of the many they'd slain thus far. Despite having not seen this variant before, it changed nothing—it would die just like the rest.

Suzu put a finger up to her chin in a pondering gesture before speaking.

"Hmm… Should I handle it…?"

"Nah, just sit back and watch…"

"Oh? I see, you're trying to show off now."

"And why would I need to show off in front of you…?"

Aziel replied calmly, leaping into the air as he evaded the Frost Ogre's merciless attack. It smashed its large fists into the deep snow, scattering huge piles of flakey white in all directions.

The ground trembled under its might, forming small cracks and fissures.

The monster's eyes clouded over with murderous intent, oozing bloodlust from its every pore.

Meanwhile, Aziel gazed down at it, his body gliding slowly in midair.

"The hell is this, the last boss or something?"

"Sounds about right…"

Contorting his body upside down, he held both girls securely in his embrace as he kicked off the air above him, once again evading the Frost Ogre's sudden attack before flipping around and landing softly back on the ground a few meters away.

The monster had used its special magic unique to its own race; 'Wind Roar', which allowed it to send out deadly blades of wind whose power was directly dependent on the force of its voice.

"How about you warn a girl the next time you're about to do something like that, I feel like the world is spinning…!"

"It wouldn't be fun if I warned you…"

"You… You're a monster…"

Noticing the Frost Ogre's fierce glare turning toward him, Aziel looked it dead in its eyes, radiating a dignified aura.

As his next words left his lips, the air seemed to fluctuate.

"Crystal Fragments"

Like a whisper, his voice carried a silent chill that nearly resonated with his surroundings.

In an instant, glittering shards of ice began forming around him, a multitude of all shapes and sizes stood imposingly.

Like glass, light reflected off their surfaces, illuminating the entire area in an array of gleaming brilliance.

"Did you steal my move too!?"

In response to Suzu's outrage, Aziel merely shook his head with clearly feigned solemnity, refuting her question in the most assuring way he knew how.

"I didn't steal it…I borrowed it…"

As if on cue, the Crystal Fragments of ice began shooting down toward the shocked Frost Ogre, not giving Suzu any time to reply.

In less than a moment, the rain of death fell, immediately impacting the monster's huge body. Despite its resilience, it couldn't defend against each shard tearing through its flesh.

Blood sprayed from its open wounds; the Frost Ogre's extremely tough skin was ripped open with ease as though it were a fragile strip of paper.

*GRAAAAAAOOOOOHHHH!!!!*

It roared defiantly, but all of its attempts at retreating or fending off the endless wave of attacks proved futile. The monster's towering body was worn down almost instantly, leaving it as a mere heap of torn flesh and meat.

The Frost Ogre's last dying wails echoed out into the distance, its life finally coming to an end.

The supposed final boss of this floor had perished under a sole young man's overwhelming strength.

"What a splendid way to die, I'm almost speechless…"

Suzu voiced in a monotone, casting a gaze filled with pity over the monster's mangled corpse.

Aziel slowly made his way forward, intending to harvest the meat before continuing his search.

Meanwhile, the other girl in his arms remained silent as she watched on with a slightly contemplative expression, seemingly lost in thought.

Although Suzu had already taken notice of her odd behavior, she decided not to pay too much attention to her.

No one knew what she was thinking exactly, her thoughts remaining a mystery.

Not long after defeating the Frost Ogre, the trio eventually found the entrance leading to the next floor.

From here, it would be an 'arduous' trek down to the final floors, but there was no challenge they weren't already prepared to face.

For this overpowered trio, nothing could stop their relentless crusade down to the depths of the abyss.

Well, nothing except…the individuals themselves.

"Hm… This should be interesting, I guess…"

______________________

Not gonna lie, I was stuck.

Like, really stuck, but I managed, I think...

Anyways, yea, leave some suggestions so I'll have a bit more inspiration.

My mind is like dried up or something, I dunno.

I'll probably start posting a bit shorter chapters more frequently since these ones tend to take a while.

And as always, leave your power stones.

Slip em' in my pocket.

You were entertained, right?

Do it.