= [Chapter 05] =

...

Melromarc in the middle of the night is very different than when it's during the day. Primarily because it's too quiet and the atmosphere is too tense.

People and guards are too alert for a possible monster attack!

But this has been a thing to them for as long as many of them can remember. So, in short, it's the norm.

But what is not normal by many folk's standards is the shady kind of business being undertaken during this time.

Just like this one... Two thugs like people guarding a door and talking to a hooded person.

"... Get in. The boss's waiting." One of them said, motioning for the hooded figure to go in.

"Thank you."

Upon entering the hall towards the main room. The person can already hear the cries and moans of women and men. Both in unwanted pleasure and soul-eating pain.

The noise only gets worse the further he gets in the place. Prompting a frown to appear on his face. Disgust painted on his face.

And upon entering the room, the idea of bolting his way out here and just forget all about this has started to become very appealing.

But all of it was thrown away when a bearded man walked towards him.

"Oh! Now you're finally here! Took you long enough to make me want to just go back playing with my toys."

"I'm sorry, Earness-sama. I was preoccupied when I was called and I have the policy of finishing things before taking another." The hooded man said in a grudgingly respectful tone.

The man before him is one of the biggest shareholders of almost all the illegal businesses one can think of. And has gotten away for most of them, whenever an official takes an action.

It didn't help that the man is in the category of the cool-looking bad guy. Making his business smoother than one would expect in the legal industries. Yes, he has a connection with the legal side of the world.

In short, he is powerful enough to say fuck you to almost anything. And you don't want to cause trouble for the likes of this guy. Bad incidents always happen to whomever that has.

"Don't worry, don't worry. Hahahaha! As long as the task is done right I don't care what you do...!" He took a swig at the bottle in his hand.

"So... Did you do it?"

"Affirmative. I had spread the word and the false bounty has been attracting attention to many hunters. Any days from now, he would die."

"Guwihihihihi! Good..."

The man then looks at his reflection in the mug.

"A position within the church... how exciting!"

.... X ....

Lightning was once called the Lord's judgment. The rage of the heaven.

A light of retribution that will smite down sinners and heretics alike.

It's fast and nigh unavoidable when one becomes the target of the speeding plasmatic energy.

In all accounts, many had died while just being in proximity of the target. It's no brainier that when one gets struck directly they die.

Well, of course, there are those lucky fellows that manage to survive somehow. But they'll be injured for life. Carrying the mark of the lightning.

And when asked what was the experience was like? They all answered the same thing as I am.

White, then black, and then pain.

Even when the Shield had taken the brunt of the attack, it was still too much for me and I pass out screaming!

There was a boom and before I knew it, I was already stuck on a wall. My back-breaking the stone brick wall and lodging myself in it.

CRITICAL!!

[HP - 27%]! [EP - 0]!

My throat's dry and in pain. My entire body was numb and burned. Eyes are shut tight that I don't even know if it's still ok.

Magic Defense of over twenty and the Shield's base defense, all layered with my Energy Point did nothing.

(Shit!)

"Oi, oi, oi! Oi! You had survived that? A level one had just survived a Zweite! Ha!" He sounds impressed by what I had been through.

Not that I can hear him, or anything for that matter.

"Well... that's a Hero for you, even if you're a Demon."

He then slowly walked towards me. Looking all over my form, memorizing it.

A dagger, in a sheath, was then shove in my mouth and use to move my head.

"He~eh... So that's the telltale green eyes of the Shield. Got to say I'm impressed. The legend did say that the eyes of all the Four Cardinal Heroes are like some precious jewels. An orb of pure beauty in an organic form."

A different dagger was brought out, but this one glint with a very different kind of intent, smaller and was specifically made to be used for one purpose.

"I bet that'll fetch pretty high!" That was what he stated before stabbing me in the skull!

"GYAAAaagh! Ghaaaa!"

"Oi, oi, oi! Stop struggling! Damn, even your eyes balls are tough! I love it! Hehehe! Hah! Hahahaha!"

The monster laughs in ecstasy, bathed with my blood, enjoying the agonizing howl that I was screaming.

"I said don't move!" He ordered before stabbing a dagger in each of my palms.

Locking my arms to the wall.

"GE..Rriyaaa!"

.... X ....

~ Earlier, Back in the Heroes Chamber ~

"Huh...Hmmgh... Hahh..."

He always knew this was coming to him when he's about to sleep. That was why he had tried to talk Iruma and Shirou into staying up all night with him.

But like any other person that just had experienced a rollercoaster of events in four hours, his body had demanded him to rest.

And because of it, the nightmares had come attacking him.

Two silhouettes of girls above him, with their smiles so wide that it eclipses their other features.

Eyes that are mad with Glee and desperation.

Stabbing him repeatedly. Again, and again and again!

"Hey... Why...?" One of them asks and the other echoes it back.

But he can't pick which had said and which had echoed. Just like he can't choose just one of them, which has resulted in this.

"If you can't be mine! Then you can't be with anyone!" Both girls said in a creepily synchronized way!

Both knives were raised and then descended to his eyes!

But before both blades can even reach him... He opened his eyes.

Badum! Badum! Badum!

"Just a dream... Just a dream... I'm here now and they're back home... Far away..."

He repeated this process. Telling himself that he's ok, that he's safe here. Far away from them.

He got up from his bed and took noted of his sweaty form... extremely sweaty form.

"I got to pee." He murmured.

Looking around the room, he noticed that Iruma was not there.

"Did he also need to pee? Better hurry up then... I might meet him on the way and ask for company."

He might not be afraid of the dark, but he very much appreciates it better if he's get be accompanied by someone he knew than the lonely hall.

"Huh? Where is the bathroom anyway?" He asked himself, using the spear as a makeshift back scratcher.

Deciding to leap fate he moves right. Directly opposite to where Iruma had run to.