The Unbearable Heaviness Of Reality

Alicia was shocked to hear Kael's scream and immediately looked back. Her eyes widened when she saw a sharp, pointed leg of the monster heading quickly towards her. Within seconds, Alicia felt as if the world slowed down. She could only stand there, accepting the fact that she would probably die on the 60th floor of this dungeon.

"Eh..." she muttered softly, fear plastered on her face.

However, before the pointed feet reached her, she felt her body being pushed hard to the side. In an instant, she saw Kael's figure leap towards her, taking the attack that should have hit Alicia.

"AARRGGGHH!!" Kael shouted in a voice that echoed throughout the dungeon as the monster's pointed feet slashed at his arm holding the shield. Kael's left arm was separated from his body, blood was gushing out profusely.

Alicia fell to the ground, gasping for air and stunned to see Kael fall to the floor with blood flowing profusely from the horrific wound on his arm. Shock and disbelief washed over him. "Kael!" she shouted, trying to crawl towards his seriously injured leader.

Kael looked down, his face pale and full of pain while holding his left arm, but his eyes still radiated strong determination. "We must... survive..." he said in a hoarse voice.

The monsters recovered quickly, as if their attacks had not had the slightest effect. The wounds they created closed up in an instant, making their struggle seem futile. One of the guild members, with a face full of despair, dropped his weapon on the ground. "This is our end," he said in a resigned voice.

Those words seemed to be a signal for the monster to continue its massacre. With unimaginable speed and power, the monster began to exterminate the remaining members of the 'Rising Phoenix' guild. One by one, they fell without being able to put up any meaningful resistance.

The 'Rising Phoenix' guild, which had been known as one of the strongest guilds, was now being slaughtered without any significant resistance. The bodies of the adventurers fell to the ground one after another, their blood soaking the dungeon floor.

Kael, despite being seriously injured, managed to get up to fight once again. However, his body was too weak, and he could only watch with guilt and helplessness as his members were destroyed. "No... this can't be..." he whispered, blood still flowing from the wound.

The monster continues to attack, destroying any remaining hope. Edwin, who had run out of energy, fell to the ground without being able to do anything. Lily, who tried to protect the injured with her magic, also ended up collapsing under the monster's unstoppable attack.

Alicia watched the horror with a look of disbelief at what she was seeing. She knew that they were facing a force far beyond their abilities.

"Is that so… So, this is the end," Kael muttered as he tried to stand up, his face covered in wounds and exhaustion.

"K-Kael…" Alicia saw Kael standing with difficulty, reaching for the shield lying on the ground. Alicia's heart sank seeing the state of their guild leader so injured.

"Alicia…" Kael called out in a faint voice, almost inaudible over the roar of the battle that had died down.

"Get out of here, and stay alive," said Kael firmly, his eyes full of determination.

"W-what are you saying, Kael!?" Alicia shouted, her eyes turning red and tears starting to flow. The red-haired man, who had always been their pillar of strength, now struggled to lift his shield.

"This is my last order as guild master of Rising Phoenix," Kael said in a strong voice despite his weak body.

"No! I won't go!" Alicia screamed, her heart filled with a sense of rejection and fear of losing even more. she tried to deny the reality before her eyes.

"You can't fight anymore, Alicia. "Your whole body has refused to put up a fight," Kael said, his voice full of pain but also deep despair.

"I-I... can still fight..." Alicia tried to raise her katana, but her consciousness hit hard when she realized her right hand was shaking violently and was unable to grip the weapon properly.

Kael looked at him with eyes full of affection and determination. "Alicia, you have to live. You have to tell everyone about that monster."

Alicia sobbed, her eyes filled with tears, but she knew that Kael was right. She raised her gaze, looking at her fallen comrades one by one. With a heavy heart, she finally nodded slowly.

"Okay, Kael. I will go, I promise I will tell everyone about this." said Alicia in a trembling voice, filled with new determination.

Kael smiled faintly, although the pain was clearly visible on his face. "That's a good promise, Alicia. Now, hurry and go."

With heavy steps, Alicia started to move, looking once again at Kael who was standing straight with a shield in his hand. she knew this was their final goodbye. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she ran away, the roar of the monster resurrecting itself behind her.

Kael stood firm, staring at the monster with unwavering determination. "For the sake of those who have fallen, I will give everything I have," he muttered, ready to give the last fight to ensure his friends had a chance to live.

 The monster's eyes were fixed on Alicia who was running away. Quickly, the monster moved towards him, ready to destroy the last hope of the 'Rising Phoenix' guild. Kael, realizing this danger, immediately stuck his shield into the ground.

"I won't let you pass," said Kael in a voice full of determination.

"GUARDIAN SHIELD!!" Kael shouted, and suddenly a large barrier appeared, covering part of the 60th floor of the dungeon. The monster attacked the barrier with incredible ferocity, but the barrier managed to withstand its brutal attacks.

"DO NOT LOOK BACK!!" Kael shouted to Alicia, who was still running as hard as she could.

Alicia, even though her heart was heavy and full of pain, did not dare to look back. Her tears flowed, but she knew that this was the only way to honor Kael and the others' sacrifice. With newfound determination, she quickened her pace, leaving her comrades behind.

Kael stood behind the barrier, looking at the monster with eyes full of courage. "I will keep you here, until my last breath," he muttered under his breath, ready to fight to the end. The monster continued to attack the barrier, trying to break through to catch up with Alicia.

With every attack the monster launched, Kael's barrier began to crack little by little. However, he did not give up. Kael mustered all his remaining strength to strengthen the barrier. "To all those who have fallen... I will survive until the last drop of blood." he said with determination.

Alicia, hearing the roar of the attack behind her, ran faster, trying her best not to think about Kael's fate. Each step was a promise to come back stronger and end this nightmare.

Kael, on the other side of the barrier, smiled even though the pain haunted every fiber of his body. "This is the end of my journey, but the beginning of yours, Alicia. Never give up," he whispered softly, looking at the monster with eyes full of courage.

The monster let out a final growl, launching its strongest attack at Kael's barrier. With a roar, the barrier finally collapsed. Kael, with the last of his strength, raised the shield and took one more look at the monster. "Come on, face me!" he shouted.

The monster's sharp paw struck down very quickly, causing the entrance to the 60th floor to close with an earthshaking roar. Alicia managed to get out of the 60th floor in time, but her body was covered in wounds and exhaustion. Her breath was ragged, but she knew that stopping right now was not an option.

"I have to keep going," she muttered to herself, trying to calm her mind and ignore the pain that coursed through her body. With shuffling steps, Alicia continued her journey through the dark and winding dungeon.

Her mind was filled with memories of her fallen friends, especially Kael who sacrificed himself so that Alicia could live. "I won't let their sacrifice be in vain," she said, tightly gripping the katana she could still hold even though her right hand was shaking.

Every step felt hard, but Alicia found strength in her determination and promise to Kael. she knows that there is still hope out there, and she must achieve it to take revenge and honor those who have sacrificed so that she can get out of the 60th floor safely.