Chapter: 1, Betrayal
On an unknown Battlefield.
The ground was soaked with dried blood. Many dead bodies scattered across the field, their corpses eaten in different places. Their bodies were mangled and many similar to each other.
Along with the freshly dead corpses, there were also many old skeletons, some even being ancient.
Along with human corpses and bones, there were also many corpses and skeletons of some unknown and strange beasts and monsters.
The crimson sky loomed over it all as crimson flames engulfed many parts of the land. But one thing was very noticeable in this dreadful land of the dead.
Within the black ground, there stood six people clad in iron armor of very high quality. But the once clean metal surface that could reflect your face clearly was now bloodied and battered. Some part of the set was missing and some were scratched enough to show the skin underneath.
They were a group of three women and three men, as if they had equal numbers to make a ship… romantic one.
But there seems to be something like a dispute among them, since the atmosphere was awkward among them and everyone stood silently.
Among them, one boy with golden blond hair and light blue eyes seems to be enraged by something. His face contorted and his hand was shaking as he couldn't contain his anger.
One girl in Gray hair with golden eyes and a tall frame, her figure was tall and majestic that exuded an aura of something, maybe righteousness. But that's beside the point as she awkwardly tried to calm the blond haired guy
"Dain, you should calm down.
The anger that had been bottled up inside the boy seem to have its cap loose as he shouted at her, his anger and resentment evident in his eyes
"CALM DOWN! How do you expect me to calm down Hess? Do you think you can Calm Down in this situation?"
A sad look appeared in her eyes as she heard his words that were true, after all. As if to express her inner thoughts, the girl in black hair and crimson eyes chimed in, her smoothly crafted figure as if like a doll, but her body was tense as she spoke
"We understand your anger. But you also need to understand that it is necessary for the future of this world. We have already come this far and don't have the choice to turn back. Everyone has high expectations for us. We cannot let them down."
"So you're ready to sacrifice me for them? They're not the only ones who want to survive, I also want to survive, to go back and live a normal life with the people I love and die of old age. Nobody wants to die a painful death, Azaria." Dain stated.
Then the third woman spoked up, a bit annoyed. "Are you comparing the lives of billions of people in front of you? You know that we have to sacrifice a little for the better good of people. And your one life is nothing compared to those many lives."
Her white hair fluttered as the wind blew, a strand of her hair falling over her silver eyes that held scrutiny and contempt.
The other two boys just stood there silently. Everyone knew that Dain was stronger than them, only losing against the three women. But they were also confused as to why they decided to sacrifice him? They all had received a task from the dungeon they currently were in.
Quest: The Last Step
Description: "As one of the few people who have reached the end of this ancient and mysterious dungeon. Your Goal is right ahead with only one remaining step left. Sacrifice the life of one of your comrades to clear the last step."
Penalty: Face against Six Demon Kings.
They were only one step away and they knew the method of saving the world, but it was a heavy price to pay. A comrade, who has faced the dangers of this dungeon with them from the beginning and has faced many life and death moments together, has to die because of the greater good.
"Is it because you like those two?" Dain asked with a choked voice as his eyes turned slightly red.
"…" all of them were silent with awkwardness. They couldn't answer his question. But out of all of them, Hestia's composed face finally showed a hint of anger as she retorted
"What does that have anything to do with you?!"
Dain has already received his answer by their silence, but Hestia's outburst strengthened that doubt. He gave himself a mocking laugh as tears flowed down his cheeks.
"I admit. I was confused before, but I guess there is no value in hiding it anymore." He said.
All of them were confused as to what he was talking about. But the most confused were the three girls, who knew him the most in their previous world.
But after they were summoned, they only cared about the responsibility placed upon them by their class and forgot most of the memories from their time on Earth. Dain choked up as he finally spoke the feeling buried deep within his heart that he never let anyone know
"I was confused… as to who do I truly love among the three of you. I liked all three of you from middle school."
All three of their eyes wide opened as the memories long forgotten by the weight of the responsibility placed upon them resurface after a long five years. The innocent child who looked at them with doting eyes, their feelings for him and the reason the three of them had fought many times over.
Dain let out a laugh as he pulled out a dagger from his space and said "But I guess I don't need to choose anymore. You guys have already moved on and found someone else to be with, so I guess I actually hate you now…"
With that, he thrust his dagger right into his skull that pierced his brain. All five of them stood there, dumbfounded.
Hestia, Azaria and Penelope just stood there, motionless, as the heavy realization of Dain's word broke them.
To be Continued…