"It's my fault..."

"It's my fault..."

"It's my fault..."

Within the darkness, my consciousness was swimming. I saw nothing but a world of hollow. It felt like I was already here in an eternity...

"I have sinned. I have many sins. Forgive me..."

Being embraced by the dark, I was alone. Until a familiar voice was heard.

"It's good to realize your own fault, but overthinking that everything's your fault is bad."

Hearing those words, I could see a flash of memory I vaguely remember.

"However, I am proud of you. While people searching for something to blame, you still try to introspect. You want to know what's wrong with what you've done... You are thinking deeply about the consequences of your own actions. And that is good. Indeed good."

I felt a throb in my heart. The feeling of longing the memory I tried to recall.

"This world is already full of someone who blames everything they could blame. They blame organization, company, race, religion, game... Anything. They're always complaining. Imagine those things never existed, what would they blame?"

'They will blame each other.'

"Indeed. Some people just don't want to admit their own fault. They hurt and complain about each other instead. They yearn for something despite their horrible actions."

I felt a tap on my shoulder. And I saw a familiar face was faintly smiling.

"It's a good thing that they're being punished, not everyone else. They reap what they sow... So, keep your chin up!"

Then everything went silent.

The bright light which leaked through the window was poking my eyes. Uncomfortable, I was squinting my eyes as I woke up.

I tried to move my body, but I stopped when I felt that something was holding my left hand. I turned my head and my eyes widened. My breath stopped as my gaze was pulled toward the figure beside the bed.

Mirage was sleeping peacefully while holding my left hand. Her white silky hair was shining under the sun light. The white dress she was wearing was new, yet it seemed familiar to my eyes.

As if I was charmed, my fingers were unconsciously pulled toward her. Carefully, the tip of my fingers touched her hair. It was smooth and soft.

Then my fingers slowly moved and tucked her hair behind her ears so I could see her face. I could see her red cheeks. I could see her beautiful long eyelashes. And I could see her cherry lips.

She looked innocent and vulnerable.

'Did I pass out?' I sighed as I realized my condition.

After I was spacing out for a moment, I got out the bed and lift her. And then I put her on the bed.

I let my gaze wandering about. When I found a chair, I sat down and thinking. Reminiscing and reviewing what I had been through so far inside the game.

My eyes were opened wide as I remembered that I tortured the player killer party. I instantly got a goosebump whilst my whole body was trembling.

I gasped, my heart was beating against my chest.

'N-no... I-I couldn't control myself...'

I folded my arms and hugged myself tightly.

'I-it wasn't me...'

I threw away my real life and tried to live in this artificial world instead. It was my choice to be a new person. However, I did something terrible.

'No, I did that... But I didn't kill them, right?'

I wasn't killing them, but I left them in critical condition after I was torturing them. Even though I killed them, they would be resurrected again. It wasn't like I did nothing wrong. I was just thinking what I should've done.

What action would be the best for me in those kind of situation? Was torturing worse than killing them?

I inhaled and exhaled deeply. My gaze narrowed as my gaze became empty. I slowly put my hands on my face and rubbed it.

'What am I doing with my life...?'

I sighed.

'Is this what I want?'

I always did this. Questioning about my actions, trying to figure out if what I had done so far was...right.

The inconsistency of mine, I didn't know why I kept questioning myself and doubting if I was right or wrong.

Of course, for the likes of the player killer party, they thought their action was right.

For example, let us think that I was a mafia who owned everything. Guards, wealth, power.

I didn't believe that my actions were wrong since everything that I did benefit me in every aspects. Killing, raping, robbery, swindling.

I got everything from those actions and, of course, I felt that I did nothing wrong. Those benefited me and I was happy. That was the very mindset of those kind of people. And it was unchangeable at some point.

Some of them treated people like shit. And when someone said that they were wrong, they went mad and didn't want to admit their fault.

'Ah... Brain... Please stop thinking...'

I sighed and rubbed my face. Before I let my mind to wander even deeper, I opened the system window and read the log.

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698 HP has been healed by Mirage.

523 HP has been healed by Mirage.

746 HP has been healed by Mirage.

0 HP has been healed by Mirage.

Mirage used Song of Purity.

0 HP has been healed by Mirage.

Mirage used Song of Purity.

0 HP has been healed by Mirage.

'...'

I was baffled. As I was about to think something, I heard Mirage's voice.

"Mmmhhh..."

Gasp!

Surprised that she was on the bed, Mirage immediately got up and looked around. Her eyes stopped at my figure. Then she stood and walked toward me.

"Are you...okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I answered as I gave her a little smile.

"I see..."

She smiled back and sat down beside me without saying a thing.

'She kept healing me when I was unconscious.'

I looked at her for a moment.

'This girl...'

It felt like a moment ago I found her inside Norwall Cave. It was strange and it was unreal. We were strangers, yet she always supported me all this time.

Seeing my expression, she began to open her mouth.

"Are you thinking about something?"

I sighed and smiled at her.

"Yeah. But it's not really that important."

"I see..."

"Anyway... Thank you..."

"For what?"

"Brought me here by yourself. I passed out, didn't I? I'm sorry..."

"Oh... Yeah. It's alright. You don't have to apologize."

"Don't you afraid of me?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"There are dangerous people or monsters out there. Even me. I just tortured those people. It's really dangerous for you to follow me. I hope we'll find your parents soon, so you'll safe with them."

"Don't..."

Her tone was raised a bit, and her expression looked bitter. And then her eyes narrowed as she was looking down.

While she was holding her own hands, she continued her words.

"Please don't say that ever again." Her voice was shaking.

I was silent for a moment, confused as to how to respond. So I just apologized to her.

"I'm sorry... A-are you angry?"

"Yes. I am angry."

She folded her arms and put her face away from me. I looked down and bit my bottom lip. The room became silent.

I didn't know what to do. I was being honest. I said what I felt and what I was thinking. But for her to be angry with me, I had no clue.

In all seriousness, I really didn't want to hurt her at some point.

'If I lost control and unconsciously hurting her. I would... I would...'

My mind went blank. And it felt like the silence wouldn't go anytime soon. Thankfully, her voice began to fill the room again.

"You know... Those people. They hurt someone. Whoever hurting someone is bad people. They are worse than monsters. So, you did nothing wrong. Those kind of situation makes people afraid or not strong enough to stand up against them. But you..."

She put her hands on mine.

"You saved those who were being kidnapped. You protected them."

She held my hand tightly.

"Sometimes, inciting fear to those kind of people is necessary. So they'll never do those things ever again."

I looked at her. And a smile was formed on her face.

"I told you before, didn't I? I'm here for you. I'm happy to travel with you. I don't regret a single thing. In fact, I've learned a lot from you. And you try your best to protect me at any cost. I'm really happy for that. You are the safest place I can ever be."

The emotions I was feeling at the moment, it felt familiar yet so distant.

"T-Thank you..." I brushed away the feeling and thanked her.

"I should be the one who said that. Thank you!"

She smiled cheerfully, and the horrible thoughts on my mind were immediately being washed away.

"So, what are we going to do next?" She asked.

"Alright... Let's prepare for another adventure. Our next destination is Mining Canyon." I answered as I smiled back at her. "We're going to beat the Spider Boss. Then we explore the mine."

"Sounds fun!"

"Yeah, it will be thrilling."

"Okay! That's the spirit! Teehee..."

'I really don't deserve her...'

However, I was glad. I was happy that I had her.

・・・

I prepared what I needed for the long travel. I didn't buy food since Mirage could cook, so I filled my inventory mostly with supplies.

We began our journey to Mining Canyon. Along the way, we hunted monsters and trained our combat prowess before we challenged Misty Broodmother. To make sure that we were ready. And to make sure our safety, especially Mirage.

I actually wanted to try Soul Connect again, but I was afraid of losing my control. Still, I was interested.

When I checked my system log, it seemed the form I took before had a high physical resistance. However, it also lowed my magical resistance.

It was perfect for me. Since my VIT and physical resistance were low and I had a good magical resistance. The form balanced my stats significantly.

'Not now. Maybe one day.'

I was still unstable from the previous event. But once I was good enough, perhaps I would try to Soul Connect with Mirage again and use Shapeshift in the near future.

Three days had passed so fast, and we were already in Mining Canyon.

In front of us, Misty Broodmother and some Misty Spiders were alarmed. They were ready to attack anytime. I pulled my sword and prepared my fighting stance.

"Are you ready?" I asked Mirage.

"Unh... Let's do it!"

Her answer was a cue, so I began to chant Fire Blessing on my sword. And then I rushed toward Misty Broodmother.

・・・

Three people were running within the forest. No one was chasing them, but they seemed to be in a hurry.

They planned to travel northwest because the track that Nel'Thas found was leading them to Alkronia.

However, a plan couldn't always go as they wanted. It would be dangerous path since the Nightalon assassins were after them.

They had a thought about taking a long path to Karmia Kingdom. From there, they would just go north if they wanted to go straight to Alkronia.

The other long route was through Ghaldaran to the north and then going west to Alkronia, but Vallas declined.

They changed route everytime Nel'Thas sensed the enemy's presence. And currently, they were going to the west.

While occasionally looking back, they were talking to each other.

"How did they want your head?" Vallas asked.

"It's a long story..." Nel'Thas answered.

"Well, just put it short then."

"Hahh..." Nel'Thas sighed. "I just stumbled upon a case which I thought that would lead me to 'him'. However, I was mistaken about one thing. And that was critical. So they thought I was going at them. Then that's that."

"That doesn't even make sense. You are really bad at explaining things."

"Oh... Shut up!" Nel'Thas lashed him out. "You want me to put it in simple words. So that's what you got."

'This bitch...' Vallas looked strangely at Nel'Thas.

Ylvaark, however, tried to comprehend what he was saying.

"Alright. So what I got is... You got a case. Then you misanalysed an important clue, and it was a critical one. That led you to interfere Nightalon's business. Hence, you are hunted by them now. Am I right?"

"See! The lizard gets it! Slime-brain like you need to study more!"

Vallas and Ylvaark looked at each other for a second.

"Okay, we need a plan." Ylvaark suggested. "If they have been tracking you, then they already know where we're going. We need to take a detour."

"They're just sending weaklings." Vallas gave his idea. "Let's just go straight to Alkronia. If we see them, then let's just fight."

"Are you stupid? Even though we kill them all, they'll sending more people. I don't wanna spend my life on a run." Nel'Thas disagreed.

"Well, it's your own problem from the start. And now they know that you have companions. And of course, they will probably hunt us too. That's why, my only solution will be way more easy and simple." Vallas argued.

"First of all. We don't know where their base is. Secondly, they are trained. They will not tell you shit. Not a fucking word. And lastly, you are an idiot."

"Do you have a problem with me, huh? You fake mage!"

"What did you say!?" Veins popped on Nel'Thas' forehead.

And thus, they began their verbal fight.

Ylvaark just looked at them in a shock. He was speechless.

For the Wise Heroic Nel'Thas he knew to be this way. It also the same with the Charismatic and Powerful Arena Champion, Vallas.

A story was always being exaggerated at some point. Those two beautiful images he heard were broken. He was slapped by reality, and his view of them instantly crumbled at that very moment.

・・・

Abandoned Tower - 13th Floor

A light appeared in the middle of the room. It formed a small figure with pink hair and bunny ears. The little bunny girl stretched her arms up and screamed.

"Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."

Bonnie logged in to the game.

Her new adventure awaited.