After I blinked my eyes, the world seemed to distort and turning upside down. Just like that, the world was dyed with red as the figure of a person went crashing into the wall.

The ground shook. The air trembled. The strong wind forced me to squint yet I couldn't even forget what had happened.

I failed. I couldn't prevent it. I couldn't stop the nightmare from taking shape in reality.

"GRROOAAAAAAAARRRRR!!!!"

As one monster clad in black miasma and 'hazes' I recognized well, my mind couldn't think of anything. There was nothing that entered my head. None except the bloodstained wall where that person was smashed into using the monster's gigantic fist.

I stared and stared. My eyes blankly gazing at the wall as something within me told me.

-You failed. Now he's dead.

"Ah... Aaah..... no...! Nooooo....!!"

My heart beats furiously, my body shaking and my mind assaulted with the realization that I was powerless yet again. I couldn't help him. I couldn't save him... I... I....!!

"...Fei... Fei......!"

I rose from the ground yet I stumbled down. Intense pain stabbed my entire body and an uncontrollable heat seemed to burn every single cell of my body. It hurts. It's painful. It's so painful it was hard to breathe.

Despite the pains I extended my hand forward aimlessly. Tears blurred my vision and I spasmed as if my chest was about to burst open.

I couldn't understand it. Why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this? Am I so weak I'm not allowed to achieve anything? Why can't I do anything ? Am I not even allowed to have a peace of mind after facing failures for so many times?

I don't get it. I don't get it... I don't want this. I don't want this... just why--

"Grrh...." Suddenly there was a low growling sound.

I looked up and there it was. The monster which had transformed into a dreadful existence. Its figure standing around magic beasts and it growled as its dark, dull purple eyes stared at me.

A shiver ran down my back. My heart tightened as if wrenched and something told me to run. I couldn't breathe well. I couldn't keep my consciousness up in the face of such monster. However--what good is there for me to run?

I couldn't... help him. I couldn't prevent my despair from taking shapes. I failed... and now he's nowhere around.

Dead... I'm going to die...... as that thought flashed across my mind, I whispered.

"......then... let it end... already....."

My eyelids grew heavy. As my consciousness blurred and my vision darkened over time, I glimpsed the approaching waves of monsters.

"Harmonize."

*CRACKLE!* A gust of wind blew on me as the sound of thunder clap echoed. My vision went lighter and a different chill caused me to shudder. Suddenly I heard a thumping sound.

Both from my heart... and from something else.

"...Wha...t...?" I opened my eyes and there was light.

Bright, blinding light intense enough to burn my eyes had I not squinted them. Then I saw it.

A tower of light erupted and pierced through the ceiling. Boring through the Dungeon, it was a pillar which shone like a newborn star in the dark heaven above.

As the enormous bright light stunned me, a powerful wave of wind threw me off the ground. I frantically grabbed on a stalagmite and recovered myself but once I did so my eyes widened to the limits.

What stood at the center of the tower of light which seemed to exorcise all darkness was a person.

Despite his haggard states, despite the fact that his left arm dangled like a thin thread which was about to tear off.

The Asura howled in anguish. The magic beasts whimpered. In the face of the abnormality in front of them, they cried as if something they feared had crawled out from the pit of purgatory.

".....Fe...i....?" I called out. Half in doubt and half in certainty.

What happened? What's going on? What's wrong with him? Why is he there? Various questions appeared in my mind yet I couldn't draw a clue about the situation.

However—

"ROAR!!" A magic beast leaped to Fei once the tower of light vanished. It was in a hurry and it moved as if it was cornered and in desperation.

Fei did not pay attention it. He stood silently like a doll and the same fear struck me. I nearly yelled out once the magic beast opened its jaw to lop off his head...

"Manifest: Sword."

At once, a white light burst out from Fei’s right handd and pierced through the magic beast. Its shape resembling the blade of a sword and it was creating sparks of thunder which burned the magic beast into ashes.

As the claps of thunder echoed for times, the Sword of Light wavered before taking another shape. It trembled, changing into thousands of strands of lights. They overlapped with each other, dissolving and condensing to become a long sword fit to be wielded by a human and yet...

My body shuddered at it. At the sword gradually became a solid object and materializing with the color of grey and gold through unknown method. It was an exquisite sword with complex patterns and design yet it retained the form of a weapon while giving off otherworldly beauty.

What is that sword? What is that thing?

A deep throbbing sound came from my heart as the same chills clung to my body. It forced me to stay rooted in place while watching Fei who grabbed the hilt of the sword with his right hand-

"Perish. Creatures of the darkness."

In the next moment-he disappeared. It's... it's as if he was not there from the beginning!

Then I heard a shriek. I turned my head and there he was. A boy with black hair who pierced a magic beast using the strange sword as easily as cutting through butter with hot knife.

In-instant step!? Shundong?! No... I couldn't even feel any aura generated and I didn't even see him moving! Did he just teleport into the center of that crowd of monsters?!!

Fei pulled out his sword without a sound and the magic beast dissolved into black dust. He then moved to slash at another magic beast and it dissolved into black dust again. The other monsters which had snapped back to reality chose to attack him yet Fei didn't even flinch.

He turned then he slashed. He cut down a monster then he performed a circular slash. Again and again he deluded the enemies before mercilessly killing them. Any who stood before him became dust and there was nothing that could stop his sword from reaping lives.

Like a storm. Like a wind which cut apart everything. It was like catching a blurry image with foggy lens and I stared at the Black Hero who reduced the hundreds of monsters flooding from the bottom Floor into mere dozens in less than a minute.

My jaw dropped. My logic couldn't accept the reality in front of me. And yet I realized one thing.

"......wrong..."

The figure of the boy who silently slaughtered his enemies.

"......this is wrong...."

The back of the person who swiftly exterminated all threats like nothing.

"...that's not... you..."

A roar emerged. A maddened Asura which scattered 'hazes' and miasma attacked the Black Hero who dwindled its army. It swung down all of its weapons at him, yet--

"Perish." Fei said indifferently.

Before anyone realized he was already above the Asura. The monster foolishly halted and wondered where his target was yet the sword gripped by the Black Hero was already aimed down.

Like an arrow, he descended.

Like a light of judgment, he dove down.

Like an eagle targeting its prey from the sky above, he flew and brought down his sharp talons.

*SLICE!* The sound of flesh being cut apart appeared. Fei Cruelheart landed in front the Asura and without even glancing back... he uttered.

"Threat exterminated."

The Asura was torn in halves cleanly. The corpse spewed blood, and it soon dissolved into black dust following the same fates of those killed by their enemy.

A lone human. A person who was supposed to be dead. A Hero enveloped with Black hazes made from his fallen enemies.

I gazed at the eyes devoid of light nor darkness. Those eyes which were devoid of any goodwill much less evil intention. It was as if staring at the eyes of something inhuman. Something which is neither dead nor alive.

Is he a human? Is he even a living being?

His movement was without a doubt refined and precise. Lacking any opening whatsoever, it was definitely his way in battle and yet...

Those movements he performed. Those actions he executed. The way he slaughtered his enemy. Those eyes devoid of any will in them…

My body shook in terror as the distance between us grew closer. My teeth chattered, and my breathing interval completely broke down.

Scary. Scary. Scary. My body screamed and ordered me to run away. Yet the sounds of his footsteps alone froze me, reducing my will and wrenching my heart as if the cold hands of death were grasping it tightly. The moment Fei stood in front of me......

"...threat confirmed." He said. Then he raised his sword up and slashed it down at me--

"G-gyaaaaaaaaah!!?"

What...? This voice is...! I turned around and there was him behind me. That Spatula had his leg slashed deeply after having lost his arms. Did that guy tried to do something!!? No, wait...

"Stop it! He can no longer fight, Fei!! Don't kill him!!" I shouted by reflex.

Fei walked by me and approached the trembling Spatula. He's not listening at all! Even though I had no obligation to help that bastard but I knew I must stop Fei before it's too late.

However... the moment I tried to get up, my body shuddered. Chills which seemed to freeze at absolute zero pierced deep into my bones as I glanced.

...He's going to kill him... He's going to kill him for certain—

"...I'm a Monster. And no one likes a Monster."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Right at that moment, my body moved before I willed it to.

*CLANG!* Two swords clashed. Sparks scattered and the heaviness which seemed to overwhelm me appeared. My legs trembled and I couldn't help but to bear the deathly chills running down my spine while trying to hold my ground against Fei.

However, under the black strands which veiled dull grey eyes, his lips moved.

"Question: are you a threat?" He said mechanically.

What the hell is wrong with him? Is he role-playing as some robot? A dumb question crossed my mind but I choked upon seeing Fei who raised his dangling left arm.

The raspy sounds of twisting and creaking could be heard. As the torn arm moved unnaturally, something like blue light resembling circuits if not complex lines emerged on it. The lines connected each other which for some reasons covered his whole arm and when a cracking noise was heard—the light shattered into fragments, revealing a completely mended arm.

Without a scratch. Without any scar. It was as if nothing had happened. My eyes widened at the sight but it was my mistake to be distracted.

*BANG!* My sword was deflected through sheer force. The moment I lost sense of balance for a moment, Fei had already sent a punch using his left arm and it struck my solar plexus.

I could hear something cracking and rupturing. As the punch twisted in me, my consciousness faded then blasted away.

*CRASH!!* My back crashed into a wall. My body bent to the limits and I vomited crimson fluid which resulted in a puddle of blood under my feet.

I panted as searing heat ran across my body. It hurts. It hurts..... it hurts so much I want to lie down and sleep…

"Nngh...! Ah...! Rein... force...!!"

I opened the faucet of mana in my soul. Coating my entire body with the fusion of aura and mana which enhanced my senses, hardening my muscles and protecting me with a glowing light.

My mind cleared up at once. Even though my heart thumped so wild as if it was about to burst open. Even though I could feel every cell of my body shuddering in front of Fei and I didn't doubt his resemblance with a killing tool at this point.

In actuality, there's no way I can win. It's impossible for me to not die against him. Of every enemy I encountered... I have never even won against Fei. Not once. Never once. And I doubt I'm going to win no matter how many years of Hell Training I underwent to beat him.

"Question: are you a threat?" Fei asked.

A threat... Though I wasn't sure why he asked but he did react to monsters and Spatula. If Fei is really what I think he is, then it's not wrong to say his personality and memories served as references.

Among those whom he had fought… I don't even deserve to be called as one. I'm just a weak and ill Princess in his eyes. Then again... how stupid am I to regard myself like that?

I chuckled. Really... I can't help but to think the dumbest thing to do whenever he is nearby. Maybe my soul is already tampered by this female body or maybe it's related to my illness. Well, I can guess as much as I want but...

".....If it's to stop you. If it's to prevent you from sacrificing everything including yourself... then......"

I took a step forward. While disregarding all of my pains, fear and anxiety, I paced my way forward as I brought up the rusty and chipped sword.

"Then—even becoming a demon is fine for me."

"Threat Confirmed. Commencing elimination of threat."

I watched Fei posing a stance. In the next moment, he disappeared but I immediately turned around and swung my sword.

*CLANG!!* The weapons sang with profound sound. As sparks scattered and erased the shades on his face, I noticed dots of golden within Fei's pupils which vanished as if they were never there and Fei vanished again from the spot.

I quickly took a step back and he slashed down. His sword carved a wide gash on the ground and caused a deafening sound. I planted my feet firmly and swung my sword horizontally at him yet he vanished and reappeared at the left corner of my vision.

I pivoted the sole of my feet and forcibly twisted my body to evade the sword thrust which caused another deafening sound. However, something twitched and snapped as crimson fluid spurted from my side.

"Gah...! Damn... you!!" I roared as I brought down my sword at Fei.

Once again he vanished and reappeared at my blind spot. But because I knew he would attack from my weak spot that I could predict his next movement.

I defended myself and countered. I dodged then slashed at him. My body grazed his sword and my sword cut him just barely.

Again and again and again. I evaded and attacked without stopping as I continued to expand my awareness over the surroundings.

I mustn't neglect everything.

I can't lose focus.

I can't hold back.

Wholeheartedly putting the intention to kill in my sword, I unleashed every technique I have learned so far at Fei. And yet the boy simply reacted by vanishing if not dodging at the barest minimum.

He conserved his strength. He fought with deadly strength and critical precision. He battled just like a machine would.

"This isn't you...! I refuse to accept this is you!!"

The swords sang. Again and again and again. Each time they clashed sparks were unleashed. Each time the blades collided, flashes of light and the reflection of ourselves were seen in them.

"You're not the type to cast away everything like this!! You're not someone that would abandon everything even your humanity so easily like this!!"

Again, the swords sang. The rough and furious swipes of blades reached me and I replied in an exact same manner.

"Are you fine with this!!? Are you seriously thinking that this is the only way!? Answer me, Fei!!"

I slashed at him and he deflected my attack while countering in a speed faster than before. It was as if he's becoming more and more inhuman after each swing of sword.

However—a hard struggle has an end.

*THUMP!* With a sound and my entire body shook for a moment. The changes became apparent as my vision grew dim and the world I saw stopped slowing down.

*THUMP!* The sound echoed again. The sound signaling the limits. The thing showing how weak I am forced me to fall to my knees. Then...

I saw a silver flash. I saw light. And...

The moment I noticed, the world was dyed red as a mix of warmth and coldness emerged from my chest. I gazed down... and there was the blade of a sword. Fei's sword piercing through my body.

Crimson liquid sprayed and stained my uniform. The excess unable to be absorbed gushed down like waterfall while some leaks trailed down the blade of the sword glittering with silver radiance.

".....kah..." I vomited blood as I fell. Yet my cheek touched something soft which was unlike the characteristic of the ground.

I gazed up... and there he was. The boy with black hair and obsidian grey eyes who stared at me indifferently. I thought he would snap out of it. Yet... looks like you're not coming back.

"......reality... Is different after all...."

Unlike those animes, mangas or games. There's just... no way for everything to return back to how it was... Huh...? I'm... Such a fool to the end....

".......In the end...... I lost... again......"

It's dark... and I can't... feel... anything...

....ah... I'm so... sleepy...... maybe... I should sleep..... but... will I dream the same... dream...? Will the nightmare... haunt me again.....? Aah… I don’t want that… Anything but that…

But what can I do…? What should I…

“How can I be so capable, you say…?”

……Uh…?

“Hah ha… There’s no way I am capable. I mean… Unlike everyone else, I can’t do a thing that can make me worthy as a knight… I don’t have the conviction, and I don’t think I can hurt people even if they are sinners.”

…but…

“I’m just doing what I can. What is right for a coward such as I. Something only I will do. Something only I want to do.”

…that… is…

“What do you want to do then, Lady Charlotte?”

…that… is… simple.

“If there’s anything I can help you with, maybe this saying works best.”

What… I want… now…

“’Never give up’—it’s the magic words I was given to by someone very important to me.”

What I want to do… is…

“So, do you wish to fall, or to step forward, Lady Charlotte?”

“Of… course… I…”

The sword pulled out from my body. I felt something slipping out of my body as my wound gave way for blood to pour endlessly.

“…want to…”

But I clenched my hand. As I raised my head, locking my gaze with his.

“KNOCK SOME SENSE IN YOUR HEAD, BAKA FEI!!”

In an instance, a punch was thrown out from below. I grit my teeth even as the wound gradually worsened and expanded. Ignore it! Ignore it all! Just move your damn body and…!

“HaaAaaAAaAaAaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

*SMASH!!* The blow connected with Fei’s chin. With unfounded strength, his feet left the ground as I felt my body becoming heavier. Even so, I exerted all of my strength, all of my passion, all of my will in this one hit—

Then I sent him flying, the white sword he had suddenly fading to dust as the threatening aura he had vanishing as if it was never there.

[I-Impossible…! How…!?]

…Uh…? I… think… I just heard a kid’s voice…

“Ugh… kah.” Unfortunately, I exceeded my limit. Staggering after vomiting a large amount of blood, I felt gravity pulling me down…

And I fell backward, hitting the ground only a moment after I heard my idiotic knight crashing down headfirst. Then darkness finally engulfed me.