Shun

I kicked a pebble near my foot, and it rolled forward. After rolling on the ground a few times, the pebble stopped and the rough ringing in my ears hushed.

I pulled my gaze away from the pebble, and looked at the destruction which the dungeon break had brought.

‘The demons’ army is the bigger problem, and we still have to deal with these dungeon breaks,’ I thought with knitted brows, as I saw the barren land in front of me.

The ground was cracked and fine fissures had appeared all around the land. Many craters had been formed in the area, as moonlight illuminated my surrounding.

Currently I was inspecting the area, and making sure that there were not any monsters left.

There were many destroyed buildings in the distance. Many dried and dead, wrecked over or burned trees, around me. Making my surrounding look haunted.

A soft breeze ran past my body, as I questioned myself for a moment.

Is constant fighting the answer?

Its been almost three years since I joined the battlefield and war against the demons. Five years ago, the demons’ actions became suddenly assertive. And they declared war upon humans.

After fighting for the last three years, I began to question this war. Like it was pointless. I had seen death, so much of it, that I was by now used to seeing people die. I didn’t even flinch on a person’s death now. But nonetheless, I still grieved those who died.

Its kind of scary if one thinks about it. Getting used to seeing people die. I had witnessed my own teammates die right in my arms.

The last of their pleas, their cries, their final moments, I had witnessed a lot. The desperate look over their face, the grim expression most of them had when taking the last of their breath.

But all I could do is to move forward and keep their wishes and desires alive by living. All of them had given me a priceless moment which I would never forget.

I heard fast footsteps approaching from my left side. I turned my gaze in that direction, and saw a youth approaching me.

“I’m clear on my side,” Han said as he caught his breath.

“Me too,” I replied.

Han stood close to me and asked whilst tying his below shoulder length navy hair. “what’s wrong?”

I kept my gaze on the barren land as I spoke. “Nothing! Why’d you ask?”

Han cocked his head towards me and spoke, “you have this complicated expression all over your face, which anyone can obviously see.”

My lips slightly curled upwards as I heard my old friend.

“I see!” I looked at Han, who was also gazing at the land in front of us.

I had met Han two years ago on the battlefield. We were placed in the same team, so after fighting alongside each other, both of us became close friends.

Han had saved me and I had saved Han, multiple times on the battlefield. It was really reassuring to have someone who’s had your back on the battlefield.

“What?” Han asked.

I brightly smiled as I wrapped my arm around Han’s neck, and spoke. “I’m just glad to have you by my side.”

“Where’d that come from?” Han asked as he straightened.

But a moment later, our stomachs growled and we looked at the other.

“Shall we go back?” Han said.

“Yeah, I am starving at this point.”

Then soon after, both of us turned around, and walked back to our base

We slowly walked back to our campsite, and I saw many other teams, either sitting near a bonfire, some eating, some just having a conversation talking about their exploits on the battlefield, or some just cleaning their weapons, off the grime and blood.

Soon we entered a big tent which stood on the further left side of the base.

“We are here to report.” I said, as I stopped near the entrance of the tent, and looked at the General in-charge.

He wore a well tailored red suit, which outlined his physique perfectly. His blonde hair were styled to the side, as his green eyes darted up and down the document which he was reading.

“Come in,” he allowed entry.

After his affirmation, both me and Han stepped inside the tent.

My eyes darted across the inside of the tent, and it was quite simple. A long table placed on the east side, which had several parchments, documents and objects placed over it. Near the table was a stand on which the General's sliver armour rested, alongside it was placed a dull black spear leaned against a stand.

On the west side were placed some big boxes, and on the ceiling of the tent were many LED lights which illuminated the inside. There was a bathroom beside the boxes, and a TV screen.

“Go ahead,” he took his square-framed glasses off and placed them on his desk as he grabbed another document from the mountain which was placed on the right edge of his desk.

“All the parameters were clear, and there were no monsters in sight,” Han reported back to him, as he clasped his hands behind his back.

His brows eased, as the sharp lines over his forehead disappeared.

The general eyed Han with curiosity, as he lowered his chin and tried to take a peek at his face, which was mostly covered by his long bangs.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I dryly coughed once and the General straightened his back as he looked at me and Han.

“Cough!!!... good work both of you,” He coughed once and spoke. “And Shun...” He directed his gaze at me and I attentively looked at him.

“Yes, General Sir,” I said with a hint of humour in my tone, as I saluted.

I could see from the corner of my eyes, Han trying his best not to laugh. But his lips betrayed him and they curled upwards.

General Moris sighed for a moment, and then opened his mouth to speak, “have you considered the offer?”

I thought for a moment, before remembering what he was talking about. “General, I told you my answer was no!”

General Moris looked at me with a tried expression, as he sighed once again after hearing my answer.

“Shun, its been almost two years since you joined my battalion, ” he leaned in his chair as he wore his glasses back on. “Your achievements are something which even a few higher ups have taken notice of,” he added.

I rolled my eyes, and looked at General Moris with a uninterested look in my eyes, but cleared it a moment later.

A few months ago, I was called by the General, and he told me that I was recommended to become the captain of a team, which was to be assembled. But I outright declined.

I was already content with the team I was in. And becoming a captain was not my thing. I liked working alone most of the time, even if I was in a team myself.

His brows furrowed as he looked at me for a whole minute without speaking.

Well, when I had came here two years ago, I wasn’t that warmly welcomed.

But General Moris helped me a quite a bit. Unlike the previous commanding office I was under, who acted like a dick.

But an idea struck me. I twirled and stepped behind Han, grabbing him by his shoulders, and pushing him a step closer to the General's desk.

“General, I have the perfect candidate for the position of captain, the handsome, insanely tough Han Shu-hui, Sir!”

Han snapped his head sideways and looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

I winked back at him, as my lips tucked into a sly smile.

“What the hell are you talking about Shun?” Han muttered.

“Shun...” General Moris sternly said.

I let go of Han’s shoulders and straightened my posture, as I looked the General straight in the eyes.

“Give me a damn good reason why you don’t want to become a captain?” He asked. His voice was serious now.

I had come to know a few things about Moris after coming here. He was a pretty kind hearted guy, and respected his peers and cared dearly for his subordinates.

He was the one who grieved the most on the death of his subordinates. But the guy never showed it over his face.

But everyone knew, whenever he was serious it was bad news.

I shook my head lightly, as I sighed for a moment longer and answered him honestly.

“Because I don’t think I am the best option... for the captain’s position, Sir” I said with a moments pause.

He rested his elbows over his desk, as he clasped both hands and took a moment to reply.

“And why do you think so?”

“Because... a captain is someone who bears the responsibility for his team’s life, and I don’t think I am suited for such a position. And I believe I am still immature in that aspect,” I honestly answered.

I knew myself the best, and knowing me, I was the kind of guy who fought alone. So bearing such a responsibility was not my thing.

“Fine, you're off the hook for now," he said. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

A moment later, the watch over General’s wrist vibrated and he looked at me and Han.

“Both of you are dismissed,” he said as he tapped over his watch and the TV’s screen lit up.

Afterwards both me and Han exited General’s tent, and made our way back to the tent where our team was. I saw on the further edge, a wide tent, where three people were seated around a bonfire.

“Did you really meant what you said?” Han asked.

I paused for a moment and took a second to respond back.

“You think I was being real,” I said with a forced smile. “I just wanted to get out of that talk, that’s all.”

Han looked at me with a weird expression. But I didn’t catch his gaze and made my way to the tent in the distance.

Every word I said was true. I didn’t wanted to become a captain because I didn’t see myself fit for that kind of position, yet.

Making decisions which affected the entire team, I don’t think I was ready for such a responsibility.

I know I was being selfish, but... I was happy with my current team, and position. I had grown close with them and leaving them all of a sudden, I didn’t want that.

But anyone would love to be appointed to the captain’s position. The merit and resources which the captains were given were really anyone would drool for.

Soon we reached our teammates and I sat down on a chair placed near the bonfire.

On the side, Ela—a youth, with long brunette hair, and turquoise eyes—was cooking supper, and Drake—our team’s captain—was polishing his spear with a cloth. A muscular guy, with auburn hair and blue eyes.

I leaned back in the chair, as I tiredly groaned like an old man. The war had really taken a toll over me. Mentally that is.

“Here,” Percy handed me a water canteen.

I took it from Percy and thanked him.

“Thanks!!!”

Percy, another youth who was part of our team. He was a mage, who used elemental magic. His blonde hair were cut short, and his physique was average. But his elemental magic was devastating.

With a bright smile he sat down on the seat beside me and I turned my gaze toward the bonfire, whose flames illuminated our surroundings.

The creaking noise of the burning wood echoed in my ears.

I drank from the canteen and took big gulps and then placed it on the side.

“How did scouting go?” Drake asked from the side. He pulled the spear sideways, and kept eyeing the edge.

“It went well,” Han replied as he took the seat beside Drake and leaned his head back.

“Ela, when will dinner be ready?” Han asked.

At this point, I had also gotten quite hungry.

“A few more minutes,” Ela replied.

“Thank god, Ela is the one making dinner...” I turned to look at Drake and Han with a deep frown over my face. “Unlike you two who cooked us poison.”

Percy chuckled as he heard me, and Drake rebuked. “It was still somewhat edible.”

I pointed my finger at Drake and scowled. “For animals that was. That food was not something meant for human consumption,” I said with a deep rankness in my mouth.

After eating that poison—or the so called food—cooked by Drake and Han, Klen and I had gotten a stomach-ache.

My brows rose very slightly as I looked around me and searched for the last member of our team. Klen!

“Oh yeah, where's Klen?” I finally asked after failing to find him.

Drake thought for a moment before replying. “He must have gone to his usual training spot,” he kept on polishing the edge of his spear and then afterwards with a satisfied expression, he placed it inside his dimensional ring.

“Shun, won’t you go call Klen, dinner will be ready in a minute,” Ela said from the side as she tasted the stew which was cooking over the stove.

“Ok!!!”

I stood up from my seat and made my way down the cliff. Our tent was close to the edge of a cliff, and there was a small open field in the woods, a quarter mile away.

The moist mud made my foot slip on the slippery cliff, but I caught myself and planted my hand over a branch of a broken tree which was sticking out from the side.

This time I channelled the mana inside my body, and formed a single rough surface underneath my feet from the manipulation of wind mana to support each of my steps.

Seriously, that battle maniac just did two things: Fight or train!

It took me a minute to reach down the steep cliff, and I looked in front of me. In the distance, there were long trees, where Klen always went to train.

After a five minute walk, I reached the woods and scanned the area, searching for Klen.

“Klen.... Klen... oy, if you’re there then answer,” I shouted, as I went deeper into the woods.

But I was met with no reply. I heard a rustling noise coming from a bush nearby. I walked close to it and a rabbit jumped out of it.

“Eh, it was just a rabbit.”

“Klen...” I brought my hand close to my mouth and vertically held it near the edge.

But I didn’t get a reply. Damn it, where is that guy?

‘He must be so immersed in his training to not even hear me,’ I thought as I looked around me.

I activated Mind’s Eye, and scanned the area. I searched for the burning mark of Klen’s mana, but I couldn’t see it.

Snapping my head in all of the directions, I saw a small spark which burned brightly in the middle of the woods.

My mind boggled by what I was seeing. Another energy signature was near Klen, and it made the hair at the back of head stand.

I rushed toward that tiny spark—Klen’s mana signature—, and what met my eyes left me perplexed.

A demon was standing over Klen's bloodied body, as he took weak breaths.

“Klen...” I shouted, as I stopped a few metres away from them.

“Oh, your friend is here, human,” the devilish voice of the demon echoed in my ears, as a deadly smile flashed across his face.

“Now I can have more fun.”