Hmmm, a great question, really a great question. It was such a perfect question to be asked in this situation. Like really what she was doing? Instead, would probably make much better sense for the most, including myself of course. Even so, I couldn’t begin to comprehend why she would choose to interrupt at this late.

But, of course, as a proper human being such as myself, I had no right to be furious at her, for making her own choice, which she decided foolishly to pick. However, the good news to me, she was alone, so by a logical conclusion she shouldn’t be able to do much. But, of course, it was but one tiniest wish from mine, besides the leader was wounded as much as mine. It would be no surprise if she could defeat it, with a logical means or maybe beyond.

Yet, even in a case of that happening, it still wouldn’t make any much difference. And why was that, you ask? For I would still die from bleeding out, or perhaps by any other means that I couldn’t predict. It was no surprise really because the world was one but a pandora box, full of surprising things, yet not a treasure box that a child really wanted to open.

Anyway, putting that aside, I finally began to notice one thing. One thing that has been in my mind for quite a while now. But, as she appeared before me, it finally came to me. The answer. Believe it or not, even though their appearance looked exactly the same, there were some slight differences in their voices. Yes, It took me quite a while to figure it out, because I had no familiarity with the one that she imitated before. But, as I met the real one and the mischief one, I finally understood.

Perhaps, she couldn’t change her voice, or perhaps she made a poor attempt while doing it, which resulted in a closer than exact one. But, the real auburn haired girls’ voice actually had a bit of raspiness or roughness in it, perhaps it was the sign of her reaching puberty or something. I felt it was something along that line, perhaps. I wasn’t quite so sure..

But, I swear, I was pretty much confident that there was some slight difference in their voice. Believe me, and, when I encountered both of them once again, I could tell immediately which one was which one, but of course I couldn’t be one hundred percent certain, but at least it was around that much, like eighty percent or something.

What a brilliant discovery, don’t you think?

Indeed, for one time I could feel a bit proud of myself. With this discovery, it should be useful when I encounter such a similar case in the future. Yes, in the future… hmmm, In the future? Why I was talking about something uncertain like in the future. Didn’t I decide to die? O how silly I was. Teehee!

Besides, even until now the mischief spirit didn’t seem bothered to change that ridiculous white pure dress. Was all that discovery really led to nothing? Hmmm, what a let down…

Bam! Something had shook. No, it wasn’t something rather it was the ground under me. From what I saw, apparently she had stomped her barefoot hard. Dust swelling from where her foot before, swirling about to my face, but what saddened me was the innocent grass that had become flat as ground itself. What a poor fellow!

Even so it wasn’t my intention to ignore her right that. But, the cause of effect as I tried to endure the wound on my shoulder, as well all over my body. Like really, I swear, it wasn’t my intention at all.

“I ask once again, why did you give up midway like that?” she asked, her voice was intense.

Give up, she said? Was I? Did I really look like that from unrelated eyes?

Looking back at it, then perhaps she was right. I did look like that, as I literally was just standing like a fool.

“What is so funny?” she asked, but before I could answer she just continued. “I thought you were saying D-rank monsters were easy for you? And I trusted you for that. So, I went to check on the other human girl. But, what I found later? You were lying on the ground like this. Losing.”

Did I say that? I didn’t quite remember. I felt my memory kinda failed me nowaday, was it a sign of me getting older? While, I wasn’t certain, but perhaps I said something along those lines. For I believed, at the very least D-rank monsters like them shouldn’t pose much problem to me as I was a B-rank adventurer myself, two ranks higher than them. When I was active, of course. But, the result seemed different. Perhaps, I had really fallen too low to lose against them like this. How laughable.

“The girl, she tried her best, but why–”

Honestly she could just go on and on, and it would make no difference for me. From my stand of view there was no merit to gain from all of this. I had fulfilled what was my own promise so she should be satisfied with it, and should just leave me alone, instead trying by herself like this.

While, I knew from the bottom of my heart, she meant good. I could feel it from her voice alone, even though I couldn’t see her expression at all, because I laid flat on the ground. But, for me it just wasn’t right. I rode the wheel of my fate myself, not hers, nor anyone. And this time I decided I had enough. And so be it.

As the breeze of wind blew over my face, I saw it once again, the sky. It was between the thick branches, but for me I could see it very vividly like there was nothing obstructing it, the masterpiece. It wasn't a calm blue like before, but an orange one. A tender one.

I could feel it. It wouldn’t be long anymore when I could become one with that very sky, bathed by that very warmness that perhaps transcended to the feeling of mother’s embrace.

It wouldn’t be long anymore, I said again. I was certain of it, even if she was able to beat the leader, the night would come sooner, and monsters would be more active by then. I had no idea what monsters were in this area. But, when there were red lychantes, probably around, goblins, wraths, or perhaps even the man-eating owl, strix. My fate was most certainly sealed.

The shock from her step suddenly roused me once again from my thoughts. But this time wasn’t intended, as she took a little step aside, distancing herself. Perhaps, she saw it. For, it was coming.

I have no idea how the situation unfolded at this very moment. But, if I were it myself, I would be very furious, upset and rage boiling up and down right now because she had just interrupted, not just at any other moment, but the only moment that she shouldn’t have interrupted.

“Then why don't you stand up and fight once again!” She shouted. She sounded desperate. Perhaps, sensing the time wasn’t on her side.

Still, fight for what? For what ends? It’s all over, my fight is over. Fight for her? Perhaps. But, on what ends? I have fulfilled what is mine now. I am a coward, and a liar but I always fulfilled what I’d promised. So, I did, didn’t I?

Perhaps, it wasn’t the best result for many, but for one such as myself, it was. Now, it wouldn’t be too late for her to run, or perhaps fly away. And, give me mine only deserved peace.

“...Maybe you thought you had helped them, and indeed, you did,” she said. “But, do you have the heart to let such a young girl like her to witness such a death, at such an early age?”

It literally wouldn’t make that much difference to her. At least one person dies everyday, oblivious to us. Would she shed a tear to every single life who dies. Most certainly she wouldn’t. And, more so, to a person she had barely known. A stranger.

She would be known as the biggest hypocrite if she did that. While, at best she would be saddened, probably for only a moment. But, as the time passed, eventually she would soon forget that there was such a person, and move on to their bright future. As such that was the cycle of life.

“I know,” she said, paused. “I realized, beforehand. That– you want to die– I noticed the red mark on your neck. You tried – to hang yourself didn’t you– but think once again do– you think it was wise a choice?”

She was out of breath as she tried to convey her words, but no matter her words were clearly delivered to me. But what did she say again, a wise choice? Why she thought it wasn’t a wise choice for me to take a path of self suicide. Was it a bad choice? Of course it was. Perhaps, out of ten people, nine would say it was bad, and one person would be the odd one like me. But, still would she just tell me something so obvious. Or perhaps, she meant something else. Perhaps I’d overlooked something? Something important?

I couldn’t unspell the uneasiness of this. So, I cranked my neck to the right to where her voice came from. To look at her expression, what she really meant by that. Soon, I saw it.

While her movement was clumsy, the leader itself was already in a state that was only a little better than mine. Even with that, she still struggled with a dagger in her hand, which looked similar to mine. No, perhaps, it was mine. I should have dropped it near me before, when it bit my shoulder.

WIth hoarse voice, I spoke.

“What.. do you mean?”

Even though my voice shouldn’t be able to travel that far, but seemed she could hear it just fine as she looked in my direction. And, for the first time, her crystal clear blue eyes met mine ever since she was giving her monologue. Her eyes brightened, and a little smile crept up on her face.

She fell silent, pondering a moment before giving an answer, while doing a simple quick step back to dodge the attack from the big red lychantes.

“Exactly like what I was said. Do you think it's wise to give up now?”

Like I said, why shouldn't I find my peace just yet? What’s wrong in that?--

She shouted, desperate, “Sooner or later! She would come! To this spot, yes! It was natural to check on their helper of course! What do you think will happen next? With this big red lychantes alive – the moment it spotted her— What do you think would happen?”

What do I think would happen? Well, for starters, she would definitely get attacked, right? Simple and easy to get by an answer. And, then naturally depending on how her current situation is, perhaps she could have run, or perhaps would be wounded, or even perhaps the worst scenario she would be killed. Of course with the two choices earlier, it wouldn’t spell any bad for me. But, but, what would happen if it were the latter?

Huh?

So, if that were to happen, would I spell a fail on my own promise? Is that what she is trying to imply? As such by natural order, I couldn’t become the bird that I was supposed to become!!? Was it like that!!? Huh!!? HUH!!? WAIT, WHATTT!!!???

“Wha—” my voice was stuck in my throat. But, the look on her face as soon as she heard my response was a delight.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, that’s just tooOO ridiculous. Let’s calm down myself, first. If you think about it thoroughly there is no way it would be my fault, no? I mean I did my best to save them, right? Right? Riiiigght, exactly, just like what I’d originally promised. And I had fulfilled it right? Because she is here, I could safely assume they should be safe, right? Because not long ago she stated that she had followed the other human girl before coming here.

Sooo, then why I couldn’t become a bird when I died? To be free of anything.

Why!!?

WHY!!? I couldn’t become one, myself?

Because I’d failed my own promise? But I didn’t? It would be her own mistake for her own carelessness, no? To come here, unguarded.

But, was it right to blame others when the fault could be still mine, like she was trying to imply. Because I could still prevent it from happening at this stage. And, yes surprisingly I could still do it even with my current condition.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Would they turn a blind eye for this once only? It would be a one time chance. I couldn’t possibly make such a silly mistake which made me regret the whole thing, in case the afterlife isn’t what I wanted. Imagine getting reborn, to re undo everything or getting reincarnated to another life to start over anew. I didn’t want to imagine that despair.

But, is this really the only choice? Besides, why would she even come here in the first place, when she could just ditch me right away the moment she’d saved her father? To check on their helpers like she said, perhaps? Sure.

Perhaps, it wouldn’t be like this if I told her to not come here when we did some planning shit. But, I didn’t do that right? Right!!!?? Stupid!! Would the outcome be different if I’d told her? Perhaps, it would or perhaps it wouldn’t. But, at least it would be around 50:50. Or maybe even more.

Gaaaahhh!!! My head is so fucking mess right now. Why am I so stupid. Perhaps, in a way it is also God’s plan to try to interfere with mine in their grander game? Or rather, instead of blaming at something ridiculous as gods, it would be more appropriate to say it's just my mind trying to play a trick on its own. Even my mind likes to trick its own kind, huh, really what a peculiar world do I live in. What am I talking about again, I don’t know. Heeehehhe–

“...HahahaaahahahhaHHAAH.”

Soon I found myself coughing, and hacking. I tried to calm myself down from all of these before finally I could come with the term. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the mischief spirit gave me a sidelong glance.

But, for me I didn’t even consider it as a matter. There was one thing that was more important that I should do. From my larynx, up to my mouth, before finally out there to the air, I said the word, not to her, and not to myself, or perhaps not to anyone either. But, still, I felt I needed to say this.

“..Fine.”

A huge relief washed me, as I felt I could finally come with the term myself. Well, no matter, the next one should be decided by all, whether I saved her or not. I tried to get up with my elbows as a pillar but the wound on my right shoulder was more painful than I thought.

But, I was able to get myself up but only by half, and I could see them once again. Apparently they were just running in a circle not far from mine, dodging and dodging.

As soon as she saw me, she couldn’t hide her smile. But, once again, it didn't matter. I stuck my right arm forward, with my left arm supporting the weight of mine. The distance between them and me was about eight meters, so in my calculation I shouldn't be able to hit anything with my current state. But was that really my aim, I wonder?

Chanted under my breath, I recited the spell once more.

“O, The Great Water Spirit King who ruled all over the sunken land, and who is known as the merciful king, please grant me your strength to blast away the enemy in my way.”

“Water sphere.”

Perhaps, sensing something was afoot, the big red lychantes looked in my direction. And for the first time since the arrival of the mischief spirit, our gazes were locked. Its red eyes had lost a bit of color, perhaps also had mine. When it was seeing me once again, a low and tired, yet furious snarl leaked from its mouth.

In its mind, perhaps, thinking that our battle hadn’t finished. Also, there was one thing that surfaced when seeing this extended hand, this only three fingers hand. Yes, most likely that pesky attack was about to happen. How many times, it had been hit by that very same attack over and over, probably at this point it had been engraved clearly on its brain.

So, what choice would it make? To run, or to attack? To charge at her, perhaps? Or was it something entirely different, that I couldn’t possibly think of? Of course as a prideful lychantes and the top of its pack no less, its pride was telling it to charge and attack. So, it did. It rushed toward me at such speed, slow for the normal self, but fast for the wounded. It charged with its whole body toward me with its short legs.

But, if there was one thing that it was mistaken; it was the fact that I had so little mana left to perform such magic, even the lowest-costed mana, known as the basic of basic water magic, Water Sphere. So, then, why did I do that? It was simple really, the moment it turned its back toward me, the person behind it had plenty of opportunity to deal with it.

However, what would happen in case, if she didn’t realize or perhaps decided she wouldn’t do anything? Well, that would be it, no? At the very least I had tried, didn’t I? They wouldn't be against me anymore, right? Right, Even though the plan sounded crude, and half baked It was still the best plan that I could come up with at the moment.

–

Seeing its back suddenly turned against her, it took Serathiqha by surprise. But, soon a panic fell on her face as she understood its meaning. No! She screamed in her mind, as she without wasting another second, and put her unaccustomed legs to work.

Even though she was a bit tad late, she managed to catch up as the big red lychantes wasn’t nearly fast enough. In no time she was already close behind it.

However, even if she managed to get in front of it, she still wouldn’t be able to stop its charging. Then what should be done to break that momentum? An answer arrived pretty much quickly to her, with a dagger in hand, what another choice left? Exactly, she would need to stab it.

Pushing her body to move faster, she quickened her steps. After readying herself, and taking a small breath, she took a big leap toward it. There was no moment of hesitation, she thought to herself. It was a do or die situation to her.

And, she managed to pull it off. Even with her weight on top of it, it didn’t even flinch or even toppled. Clutching on its dirtied red silver fur, she finally stabbed the dagger on the back. The dagger easily punctured toward its hard fur, and the skin bleed red color.

Her eyes met the human for a second, he’d not much expression on him as he looked at her with no surprise or happiness, as if he didn’t have any slight interest in her action. And she definitely didn’t like that.

But, from under her, the big red lychantes took her action personally. It wasn’t so easy to give up as it tried to get itself up. Its fighting spirit was still strong. In its mind, this battle was already won, it had won against that man. One simple obstruction like this little girl wasn’t enough to stop it. Its pride wouldn’t let this victory go unwasted. Its unyielding spirit told it to stand, and with its last remaining strength, it tried to shake off Serathiqha from its back.

She clung on its fur, desperately trying to keep herself on its back. Eventually it would be exhausted by itself, and she could have an opportunity to land another blow on it. But, alas she wasn’t so accustomed to the body just yet, and before long her grip failed her.

“Kyaaaa!!” A scream leaked out of her lips, as she found her world turned upside down. She was floating in the air, not by her own wings, but by intentional force bought by the red lychantes. She would like to savor this moment, and enjoy it to the fullest, well, if she wasn’t in this perilous situation.

Unfortunately she was. Instead of enjoying it, her mind had been clouded by the same thought. It was over. Even before she could land, she already knew that very answer by herself. The time felt like slowing down, as she could sense her body was floating. She could feel everything.

The breeze of wind, the fresh air from the forest, and her emotion right now. It was such a shame, she couldn’t feel it on her daily basis, but only at this moment. The man would die, she knew it. Without him, the chance of her beating the leader would be less successful. Perhaps, she ought to fly straight to other two humans, and warn them to waste no time to run.

She was about to, but it finally came to her, there was nothing in her right hand. She felt nothing between her slick fingers. The dagger was missing. But to where? She asked herself. She tried to look at it. And by luck she found it. And by another luck, the dagger actually landed near to the most unexpected one, not to her, or even not to another continent either. But, it landed in front of him.

Perhaps, all hopes didn’t leave her just yet. The situation still could be saved, after all. Her face brightened upon this revelation. Yet, surprising to her eyes, the man didn’t even budge. He only stared at the dagger, like a mindless fool. She couldn’t believe it for a moment. Perhaps, it must have slipped out of her mind at that point. It was the fact that human guy was actually a suicidal. It wasn’t exaggerated, really, for the human himself had even tried to hang himself.

Perhaps, among these three creatures here, this situation itself pleased him the most.

She wanted to scream at him, would that be really a wise choice. Perhaps, it would be against Nature's law. She was a spirit by form and by heart, so she was bound by that very law herself. The last action that she did was just in between, it wasn’t defined as one that was against, nor for either. But what about his feelings? Perhaps, he’d really had enough.

She waited until the last moment before she decided to leave. Then, she saw it. There was a sudden change in his expression. She had no idea what that meant. Even though she was a self -proclaimed mischief spirit, she should have understood well enough about human’s expression. But, this time she seemed to have failed in that area.

It was such a mixed expression. Was it rage, but what he was furious about? Or maybe it was sadness because the ending wasn't what he desired? Or was it happiness, for finally he could achieve what his long desire? or perhaps it was resignation over the situation for this eventually ended? Even with that, she still had no idea.

After stabilizing its body, with a heavy breathing, the red lychantes finally fixed its eyes on the man. Its short but fiery enemy that it once fought.

Perhaps, finally it was all over, Serathiqha thought. She could still run to them, and intercept them, but with no weapon, no surprise attack, her attack would be futile. Of course with a little distance she would be late. At the very least, she would witness his end, as nobody, but someone that brought him here, and perhaps eternalized his story in her memory.

But, once again she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The man didn’t give up. He tried to stand up against the advancing red lychantes. On his face there was a smile. But it didn’t resemble any of it all. It was awkward, uncanny, and empty. It looked like a mockery instead, but to whom. She thought it didn’t look like to her as he never spared a glance in her direction at all, perhaps, it was to the enemy in front of him? Or perhaps… no. That wasn't right, she still had no idea.

The man plunged himself forward, pushing every single muscle on his body, scrambling himself up to pick the dagger in front of him. And with one last push, he crashed against the big red lychantes. Its claw was about to meet his body, but he didn’t seem to care.

He tackled it, and pushed it forward, and slightly changed its direction so the back of it met against a tree. But, a big tree. The body collided, spewing a handful of air out of its lungs. But, even with that it didn’t seem like it had given up yet. Its claw was still searching for a victim, scratching lightly over his body.

In his right hand, which seemed missing two fingers, he sunk the dagger on it. The red lychantes cried weakly in pain. But, it seemed the man didn’t stop just yet. He stabbed it again, and again. Until it finally stopped struggling, and dropped to the ground. After that, he also fell to the ground with his back on it, exhausted.

The fight ended so fast. And, for the third time she couldn’t believe what she was seeing, the human had just won. She always believed he should be capable. Then what actually restrained him from this victory. She knew it almost immediately, and a small sigh escaped from her mouth.

She walked toward him, carrying her slightly bruised body toward him, to thank him. But, even with that, she still believed it was a mistake to ask for help. When looking at the progress toward it, it wasn’t the best one whenever you looked at it. While, she was one but an asker of helper. But the human guy didn’t make it anything easier, instead he seemed to make it harder.

Like for that one last time when she arrived maybe a bit tad late and helped him. If he could be more cooperative, it wasn’t like she wanted him to help him in the fight or anything. But perhaps, give her some pointer or even help to distract the enemy or any kind of support help. But what did she get? He just stared at the sky like a mindless fool.

What in the great spirit king is wrong with this human, she shook her head without her even noticing. Well, perhaps, it wasn’t as much of a mistake as she believed, while it wasn’t the best outcome that she desired, but at the very least it was better than any of the worst ones. And for that she was really grateful for him.

“Thank you,” she said softly, as soon as she was near him, but he answered nothing.

And if there was one thing she was grateful for was the fact he was actually a good human, if he weren’t not. Perhaps, she wouldn’t even arrive in this very situation. She had encountered quite a few bad people, and it didn’t leave any good impression on her, and kept her distance from them.

While he seemed broken inside, but seemed he wasn’t so hopeless. Perhaps, with good humans along the way, he could be fixed. She nodded.

No, no, no, all this event seemed too much serious for a giddy and jolly character like herself, the mischief spirit. Even after all of this she didn’t have any chance to put any prank on any humans. Perhaps, she would need to postpone it for the next encounter. But she had no idea when the next one would be.

A flash of inspiration came up as she looked at the lying human. Perhaps, she wouldn’t need to, she thought in her mind. It’s rightly justified if I were to play some trick on him, right? I mean, if looking at the trouble that he’d give. It’s totally right for her to do that, right? she mused.

He was the first target he wanted to play a prank with, but some circumstances made her abstain from that idea. And, after all that work she was put on, probably it was right for her to give herself a tiny bit of reward, no? When looking at him, lying like a dead corpse like that. It was like telling her to do it, even more, didn’t you think? Like, draw some fake mustache on his face or something. Well, probably she would do that, if time was on their side.

Or rather perhaps, I would still do that? It's not that time consuming either. But the problem was I don’t have the right tools for that right now….hmmm…, She contemplated. The alternative was she could go back home, and pick up the tools but that would be too much time.

Besides, she could play another trick on him. if there was only one thing that he desired, and by robbing that very thing itself, she would be none other than a mischief spirit. Maybe she could do both, well, even if it was just one she still could be satisfied, she mused, once more. Her rose lips blossomed to smile as she hurriedly left the scene, but this time her steps were lighter, and a hum could be heard from her.

After making sure nobody was watching. Her body was enveloped by multiple brilliant particles of lights. The big body from before shrunk into tiny form, and her auburn hair turned into dazzling golden locks, which tied neatly into a braid, up on her small head. And on her back, a small pair of translucent white wings sprouted with multiple colors lined beautifully, flapping lively in the air.

Once again, she had returned back to her original form. And, soon her magnificent plan would also follow. Later, the sound of a tiny giggle resounded in the dark deep of the forest, putting a cold shiver into anyone who heard it, animals or monsters alike.