Chapter 152 Bittersweet Memories Part 5
[: Daniel POV :]
Regaining consciousness, I found myself surrounded by a clear sky yet its expanse marred only by the tears streaming down my face.
Lying on the ground, doubt and confusion flooded my thoughts.
Why?
Why did the monsters strip me of everything I held dear?
Unable to fathom the reasons behind their relentless attacks, a heavy weight settled upon my soul.
It crushed my heart apart, however, in that moment, I realized I couldn't remain stagnant.
The pit of depression and despair had consumed me entirely.
But instead, it ignited a force within me - a seething hatred towards these monstrous beings.
The depth of my anger surged, and I yearned to obliterate every last one of them, not even sparing their ashes.
A few minutes passed, and I rose with a face contorted by fiery rage.
My heart lay in ruins as I gazed upon Areia and Lye's lifeless bodies.
Biting my trembling lips, I couldn't bear to leave their corpses to the mercy of the monsters any longer.
After several hours, I laid them to rest in a solemn burial, positioning their tombstones side by side as a testament to their love.
Engraved on the stones were the words 'Eternal Love,' a proof to the unbreakable bond they shared forever.
"To Areia and Lye, may you find eternal happiness in whatever lies beyond, and I promise that those responsible will pay for their deeds," I murmured.
I knew not whether a place called 'Heaven' existed at this point, but I held a sincere hope that they were now in a realm free of suffering and worry.
They could finally find peace and savor their days as lovers.
As I took one final, tear-filled glance at their resting place, a single tear fell and merged with the earth.
Turning away, I walked away from their tombstone, resolute and unflinching.
I understood that I needed to move forward, to honor their sacrifice.
Areia and Lye, I whispered my gratitude.
"Thank you for everything. I promise you, I won't give in to death. I'll keep on living to eradicate the monsters."
I clenched my fists, hatted coursing through my veins.
However, this time, I won't let you two down.
For my loved ones and in your memory, I'll ensure happiness prevails.
I imagined their voices in my heart, their final will and wish, and I vowed to carry it out.
"Can't you stop asking him to train! He needs some rest!"
Areia declared, her gaze burning with anger as she turned her attention to Lye. Her words jolted me back to the present, and I couldn't help but smile at their ongoing bicker.
"Stop it, you two, and don't fight,"
I interjected, unable to resist.
"B-But..." Lye attempted to protest, only to be promptly silenced by Areia.
"You should listen to Daniel, and you will listen,"
She declared, her tone leaving me to wonder if they were indeed acting like newlyweds.
The mere thought of it made me burst into laughter, and their puzzled expressions only fueled my amusement.
"But it seems like you had some free time, do you have any plans?"
Fara inquired, her voice breaking through the playful atmosphere.
"No, I was just enjoying some fresh air outside and didn't expect to see you guys,"
I explained, my smile growing as I rejoined them.
"In that case, why don't we have lunch while you're enjoying the fresh air?"
"We were on our way to get lunch, and it would be better if you joined us!"
Areia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she held my hand, extending the invitation.
I couldn't resist her enthusiasm, and since they invited me, it seemed like a pleasant idea to accept.
"Well, I don't mind, and I'm quite hungry."
I hadn't been paying much attention to my diet in the past few days, and although I could survive for months or even years without food, I didn't want to ignore my hunger.
"Great! Then let's go!"
Areia took the lead, and as we walked together, they used the opportunity to strike up a conversation with me.
"Who would have expected that the person providing all those incredible resources was none other than you," Fara mentioned.
I couldn't help but smirk in response. "Unexpected, right?"
At a certain point, they came to the realization that I was the one supplying all those resources to the organization, and back then, their astonishment was palpable.
"Thinking about it, it's quite impressive"
"I can't help but wonder how on Earth you managed to amass that many resources,"
Areia inquired, her curiosity evident.
"Well, it's a secret," I replied, choosing to keep my true methods hidden.
They were far from foolish, and I was well aware that they could sense that there was more to the story.
After all, they were individuals who instilled fear in governments, and even someone like Lye would likely suspect that there were hidden layers to my involvement.
Nevertheless, I had no intention of divulging any further information.
"Oh, come on, tell us,"
Lye urged, his curiosity getting the better of him, but I held firm in my decision.
"Sorry, but I'm not going to tell you, and I have my own reasons,"
I replied, understanding that there were certain things I couldn't disclose.
"But you must have your own reasoning for it, but whatever,"
Areia conceded, acknowledging that I had my motives.
"But what's your reason for sharing it with us?"
Old Jack finally spoke up, and as he did, I couldn't help but smile.
He was scrutinizing me, not out of suspicion, but to gauge my capabilities.
Despite his intimidating exterior, Old Jack was like a caring grandfather.
After the deaths of Lye and Areia, he took me under his wing, teaching me everything he knew, from strategy to trading and even the darker aspects of life.
He had even imparted his knowledge of torture techniques.
However, like everyone else, he too had passed away.
The cause of his death inflicted a deeper wound than anything monsters could have done.
Old Jack's demise wasn't at the hands of monsters but rather a result of betrayal by one of our own.
He had fallen victim to a treacherous act, poisoned by a high-tier skill that left his veins coursing with a sinister purple substance.
To make matters worse, we were ambushed by monsters that materialized out of thin air in our very base.
"Old Jack, we have to run!"
I pleaded, clinging to him for support, but the poison was taking its toll.
His voice grew weaker, and his veins darkened.
"D-Daniel," he called out, his strength waning.
"Just hold on, okay?!" I begged.
"No, leave me here, and escape with everyone," he insisted.
"What are you saying?" I protested.
"There's no use in saving a dying man, and if you carry me, we'll both meet our end," he explained, his voice resigned.
"But I'm not leaving you behind," I protested desperately.
"Listen carefully, Daniel"
"You are the will of all of the memories who had give their lives for you, and you must live," he insisted.
"That's nonsense!" I argued, refusing to accept the idea.
"Please, please do not forget what I have taught you," he implored.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Don't speak like a dying person,"
I pleaded, my emotions running high.
"It's fine," he said with a warm smile.
"You need to live, for everyone's sake."
I couldn't bear to let him go.
I believed we could survive this together, but Old Jack was determined to make me leave his side.
"Listen carefully, Daniel. It's rule number 79, in a life-and-death situation, when one is gravely injured, others should prioritize themselves over him. In my condition, I can't survive," he explained.
"Old Jack, no. No, I won't," I insisted, my resolve unwavering.
"Daniel, promise me," he urged.
"NO," I shouted.
"Daniel, promise me. Promise me that you won't try to save me," he pressed.
"You're asking for too much," I stubbornly replied.
But then, he did something unexpected.
"Sigh, I had expected this to happen, and it's rule number 80, when they don't listen to others, they could only use force," he declared.
"What are you talking about!?"
I asked in confusion.
Before I could react, Old Jack punched me in the chest.
"W-What?"
I stammered, bewildered by his actions.
Seconds later, my body stopped listening to me.
"What have you done to me!?"
I shouted in frustration, tears streaming down my face.
"Nothing, Daniel. I didn't want you to die with this old fool, and you must survive!"
Old Jack declared, his voice filled with determination.
I couldn't comprehend what was happening as my body moved against my will.
I began running away from him while the monsters closed in.
The tears flowed freely as I distanced myself, and in the distance, I heard his final words.
"You must survive, Daniel!" he shouted.
At some point, I stopped running, turned, and ran back towards the base.
However, what greeted me was a scene of utter devastation.
The only remnant of Old Jack was his left arm.
Everything lay in ruins and ashes.
The once-thriving base had become nothing more than a desolate wasteland.
Tears continued to flow as I surveyed the destruction before me.
All of them were dead, and the sight of their lifeless bodies was unbearable.
They were alive not long ago, and we had been conversing just moments before.
Yet, now, they were gone, leaving only me as the solitary survivor, still breathing.
"Why?"
I screamed in despair, my voice echoing in the desolation, but no answer was forthcoming.
As I tried to regain my composure, tears welled up, and I couldn't hold back the anguish any longer.
The people I had come to consider my family were no more.
Once again, I had been robbed of those dearest to me, and my knees gave way as I sank to the ground.
"Everyone is dead," I muttered, my voice trembling with grief.
"It was all because of the monsters," I seethed, my anger boiling over.
"IT'S BECAUSE OF THOSE MOTHERFUCKING MONSTERS!" I screamed at the sky.
"YOU'RE ALL GOING TO PAY!" I raged, my fists clenched in fury.
"I will never forgive the monsters, and if this is what the world has become, then damn the world"
"I'm going to burn everything to the ground."
In that moment, it felt as though something inside me had snapped.
Monsters weren't the only monsters, humans could be just as monstrous.
I never thought my hatred would encompass both monsters and humans alike.
I had vowed to track down the person responsible for poisoning Old Jack, and I succeeded in finding him.
My hatred for him ran so deep that I did something unthinkable for a human.
I fed his family to the monsters, watching as he fell into despair, utterly powerless.
Eventually, he took his own life, and I stood by, doing nothing, as I observed his final act.
Strangely, the only emotion I felt was a sense of satisfaction.
I knew what I had done was terribly wrong, yet I felt nothing but emptiness.
It was then that I realized I had become a monster myself.
At that moment, I had an epiphany.
To combat and eliminate the monsters that had taken so much from me, I had to become a monster myself.
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