Revenge

--- Ais' POV ---

I find it difficult to convey what resides deep within me, to express the turmoil and hardships that have shaped my existence.

It all began in my childhood when... that monstrous entity took away my beloved parents.

Before that tragic event, I cherish hazy memories of my mother and me, reveling in the simple joy of blooming flowers. Those moments were enough to fill my heart with happiness.

But that abomination stole everything from me, and so I made a solemn vow to myself. I swore to grow, to become a force so formidable that I could penetrate its hidden lair and exact vengeance with my own hands.

I... have always harbored disdain for myself. I could have simply mourned their loss and moved forward, patiently awaiting the formation of adventuring parties in these passing years to join the pursuit of the Three Great Quests.

Yet, my heart yearned for more than that.

Why should I rely on the strength of others to avenge my parents? How could I pass the time idly while awaiting my opportunity?

Would my parents... forgive me if I chose such a path?

The flames of vengeance consumed my every thought for years, even when I was but a tender child. My mind was fixated on honing my skills and devising more efficient methods to kill monsters.

Stronger, faster. I craved an ever-rising level of power.

But reality proved to be a harsh mistress, far from the ideal I envisioned. While blessed with natural talent, I also struggled with the arduous process of leveling up.

Still, I refused to surrender. I relentlessly pursued the strengthening of my abilities.

At times, I found contentment, but often, I was haunted by my own perceived weakness.

It wounded my will to be bested by other adventurers when my ultimate goal was to slay a mythical creature...

My obsession with revenge caused me to inadvertently hurt those within my Familia. They opened my eyes to the folly of my reckless pursuits, the disregard I had for my own life. After all, if I were to perish prematurely, how could I ever fulfill my vow?

Gradually, I began to restrain myself, suppressing my instincts. Perhaps as a defense mechanism, I lost the ability to express myself fully, struggling to articulate my thoughts and emotions. I yearned for others to see me without undue admiration, for I knew deep down that I was not the hero they believed me to be.

And so, I pushed those concerns aside, burying them within. I feared that dwelling on too many memories would cause me to lose sight of my purpose, the reason why I continue to breathe in this world.

With each passing level, with every arduous challenge conquered, I made steady progress, even surpassing previous records in the speed of my advancement. Though satisfaction eluded me, witnessing tangible growth was all that truly mattered.

But, as life often dictates, it...was not smooth sailing. Upon reaching the pinnacle of level 5, my ascent came to a jarring halt. I had reached my limit, and without a formidable trial to overcome, I would remain trapped within its confines.

However, it was at this juncture, a pivotal moment that could shape the course of my growth manifested—a new adventurer on the brink of death, a victim of our inadvertent release of a rampaging Minotaur.

Instinctively, I rushed to his aid, shielding him from the monster's wrath. Yet, it seemed the encounter had left him scarred, his body drenched in its grotesque blood.

After the adventurer fled, I believed our paths would never cross again. Yet, I couldn't resist stealing glances at his progress, and what I observed left an indelible impression on my mind.

This adventurer was an embodiment of unparalleled growth... How could he advance with such astounding speed?

This burning question ignited a fervent curiosity within me, an insatiable desire to unravel the secrets of his unprecedented development. Perhaps, if I could fathom his methods, I too could break free from the shackles that restrained me.

However, the more I observed him, the more mystifying it became. He possessed no extraordinary techniques, yet with each encounter, he emerged stronger.

While it could not serve as a conclusive explanation, witnessing his personal confrontation with a Minotaur—a creature resembling the source of his trauma—and emerging victorious, further intensified the enigma shrouding his ascent.

Yet, the true revelation came when Riveria divulged his statistics to us... All SS, with Agility, ranked as an astounding SSS.

From that moment, I knew I had to delve deeper into understanding him. When the opportunity presented itself, I became his mentor, meticulously studying his learning process. His astounding progress astounded me.

Through our sparring sessions, he continually refined his skills, growing exponentially. Would this enigmatic individual ever encounter a bottleneck?

Even if I mustered the words out, I doubted he could divulge his secrets. Nonetheless, I found solace in the fact that perhaps, through his example, I had discovered a means to shatter the limitations that had hindered my own growth.

Inspired by his unwavering resolve, I embarked on a harrowing endeavor, confronting a Boss Floor surpassing my own strength. Though I was battered and bloodied, my blade was etched atop the creature's head. That battle finally propelled my level from 5 to 6.

At last, I believed I held all the answers, my mind clearing ever so slightly...

But then, everything changed when 'He' made his appearance.

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Author note: Volume 3 is here. We start with Ais' POV!

It'll have two sides. The first is this one, the "Bell Cranel" side, the other you can easily guess.