Author : I am rewriting the entire story. Mainly the reason is because I don't like how it started playing out. I wrote and upload this on pure impulse and when I finally got back onto it, it felt very weird. And I even realized at some point, my oc's backstory? I might've made it based on someone's real life which freaking made me feel terrible.
I am also taking away the idea of Hajime, Kaori, and Shizuku as childhood friends. This is basically already like the original, but I have my reasons. However, the bully to friends for life troupe will still go on. Just improving it more.
Another reason why I want to rewrite this is because, I've felt that the me that wrote this was having a chuunibyou phase. In English; Eigth grader syndrome, though I suppose some or many of you knew that already.
For those who patiently waited for my uploads, thank you very much. May these three chapters I've backed up from the years of my absence quench your thirst for my Arifureta chronicle.
And lastly, there is something I need to warn you all about and I hope I won't be receiving too much hate for this. This idea suddenly came to me after the release of "Life is hard for a Mob" and I really want to do it because I've once fantasized about certain characters–on second thought, not gonna say it here. I'll just write my reason at the end of a certain chapter. I fear the people who hate spoilers.
Well, once you've read it, I'm sure you will know what I'm doing. If you don't like what I wrote at the end of this, feel free to unfollow me. I just want to give out my own share of fantasy to those who may share the same taste as mine.
Oh, and one more thing, I have posted a discord link in my bio. It was made by my friend whom I've met online. I think some of you all read his story before, since it has over 200 followers. Surely it's popular right?
Oh I've said too much. My apologies. Please continue your reading and thank you for giving time to read my fanfic.
Reader's POV
Darkness. That was all he could see as he falls into the dark abyss. Having betrayed by his classmates, he had lost all hope he had for them. Is this what he gets after giving it his all trying to be helpful despite having a trash class ability?
Thinking this is the end for him, he closes his eyes as he lets the hands of death slowly grabbing a hold of him. But just as he thought he was ready, a small glimmer of hope suddenly appears above him.
He saw a man falling towards him with his hand reached out, calling his name. "NAGUMO!!!"
o-O-o
In the darkness deep down in the Orcus Labyrinth, lies a mystical cave deep below the surface. Glistening crystals that cast a gentle, ethereal glow, lighting certain areas in the cave with their enchanting luminescence.
In the distance, a river can be seen flowing through the subterranean maze; whereas a man is swimming in it, desperately going against the tide trying to get to the shore. He was swimming with one arm as the other was holding another man who seemed to be unconscious.
Upon reaching the shore, the man quickly pulled his acquaintance out of the water and quickly checked for his pulse. As he couldn't find any, he immediately start performing CPR to resuscitate him.
Come on! Come on, Nagumo! Wake up!" He pleaded desperately while performing chest compressions. On closer inspection, this man possessed long, raven-black hair styled in a tousled wolf-cut and a pair of deep black eyes. His attire comprised a black coat draping down to his knees over a grey long-sleeved shirt, brown trousers, and a sword fastened to his hip. Additionally, he sported black combat gloves and boots.
A closer examination revealed that Nagumo's outfit resembled the man's attire, with a brown coat instead of black draped over a light brown shirt. He also wore brown trousers and had black hair, yet his eyes were brown in contrast.
" Ke-huk! Ahak!" Nagumo finally let out a cough after a number of chest compression, much to the black haired man's relief. But that was not enough to ease all of his worries.
"Nagumo! Oi, Nagumo! Can you hear me?!" He grasped Nagumo's shoulders and vigorously shook him back and forth in an attempt to rouse him.
"Woah!! I'm awake! I'm awake!!" He cried.
"Finally! Now I can catch a break!" The man lets out an exhausted breath as he falls to his back.
"Urgh, my head..." Nagumo sits up whilst rubbing his head as an effort to relieve the pain he was having. Afterwards, he takes a look at his surrounding, surveying where he is. 'This is...ah right. I fell from the bridge. So this must be the deeper floors.' He thought rationally with a sad feeling. That is until he noticed the other person with him, being completely shocked of his presence. "Wait, why are you here, Katsuragi-kun?!"
"Why else? I came after you."
"You came for me...? Why?"
"Hah! As if I know!" Katsuragi shrugs as he gets up. "By the way, are you alright to move already? We should get going. This place isn't safe." He reaches out his hand towards Hajime whom accepted his hand albeit reluctantly at first.
"Yeah...alright." He agreed as Katsuragi helps him up before brushing off any dust he got on his brown coat.
Katsuragi and Nagumo began navigating through the caves, trying to figure a way out to get back to the upper floors. As they were walking, they ended finding a lot of horrific things people would find in movies such as dead carcasses of monsters. Other than that, there were ton of beautiful tempting ores and crystals.
"What the hell is this place?! This is so much worse than the upper floors!" {Katsuragi}
"You think we're in levels lower than the 65th floor?" {Nagumo}
"Might be, we did took that shortcut after all." The scene of them falling down together from the bridge plays in the background with Katsuragi pointing his finger at it.
As they continued on walking through the cave, they encounter their first creature since arriving. It was a white rabbit that was bigger than it's kinds' average size. The rabbit had long floppy ears and big hips, definitely the traits of rabbit. But what was most different and notable thing about the rabbit was the red glowing streaks on its legs.
"Is that a rabbit...?" Katsuragi gave an incredulous look.
""I...think so."
"Wha?! Of all creatures that could potentionally pose a threat to humans, why a god damn rabbit?!"
"C-calm down, Katsuragi-kun! It may be just a rabbit but it might be just as dangerous as all the others! And we're still in the labyrinth remember!? Shh! Shh!!"
Just as they were occupied talking about the rabbit, a howl could could be heard coming from the other side of the cave. Having caught their attention and awareness, Katsuragi and Nagumo quickly find a place to hide and lowered themselves to the ground to avoid being seen.
The sounds of rushing footsteps were then heard, signifying that whatever creature made that howl was getting close. Soon, a pair of two-tailed wolves can now be seen, running towards the rabbit they saw earlier.
As mother nature once laid out her law, the predator hunts the prey and the preys runs to survive. Katsuragi and Nagumo hoped that the wolves would kill and then eat the rabbit so they could run while they were distracted, but what they saw afterwards would completely change their opinion about nature.
One of the wolves leaped high towards the rabbit, intending to maul it. But before its mouth could even reached for the rabbit's neck, the rabbit does a backflip spin kick that splits the wolf into halves, killing it instantly. Enraged with the death of it's partner, the second wolf shoots out a lightning charged that scrambles through the area.
But none of the electricity were able to land on the rabbit as the creature moves out of the way at high speed that it seemed like it just vanished. All eyes searches for the rabbit monster, and Katsuragi was first to find it, standing behind the two-tailed wolf, and then killing it with another one of its kick.
The two onlookers that had been sitting at the sidelines watches in horror as they stare at the rabbit eating the wolves with their eyes opened wide, finding it shocking at how powerful and different the monsters down here comparing to the monsters above.
"Ho shit...! Nagumo, we gotta go, now!" Nagumo nodded profusely and quickly turns around with Katsuragi behind him ready to run. Just as they were about to start running, Nagumo trips on a crack and falls to the ground with a small yelped. "Naguumoo!!" Katsuragi squeezes his head in panic.
"I'm sorry!"
Just as they feared, the rabbit heard them and stopped eating, slowly turning its way towards them. In the blink of an eye, the rabbit zooms and now stands menacingly by them as Katsuragi was helping Nagumo up.
Now that the rabbit had more prey, it uses its leg again and throws a kick at the two humans. Katsuragi yelled out "SHIIIIIIT!!" as he sees the attack coming, trying to dodge it whilst dragging Nagumo with him.
The kick it made was so powerful that it created a wind blade that destroyed a chunk of the wall behind them. Thanks to Katsuragi's reflexes, they were able to avoid death, again. But that feeling of momentary relief was soon replaced with sheer horror. Because now standing before them was not only the rabbit, but above them stands a monstrous bear, looking down upon them from the top of the cliff.
The bear was large, much larger than any other bears. Its fur from the top of his head to its feet was covered in white, except for its face and eyes, which were red and yellow. Around its neck and from its arms to its knuckles, red, blood-like energy coursed through them much like the rabbit.
It was a giant bear monster that was higher than any normal human. It was two meters tall. It had yellow eyes and a red face. It's teeth and fangs protruding out of its mouth. Its throat was glowing red showing that the magical energy in its veins was strong there. Its arm was also glowing with red veins.
As the rabbit sees the presence of the humongous bear, it abandons its prey and starts hopping away, fearing the presence of a larger and sronger predator.
The rabbit instincts were right to run away, but no matter how fast it went, it could not escape the bear. The bear had protruded an energy-like claw and swung it in the rabbit's direction, releasing an energy blade that spun around until it cut the rabbit's neck.
With the rabbit dead, it was the bear's turn to have it's own meal as it jumps over Katsuragi and Nagumo and began devouring the rabbit's carcass.Our protagonists were terrified, their eyes didn't even blink as they focus completely on the bear. There is no way they can beat a monster at that size and power, if it weren't for Katsuragi, Nagumo would have started breaking down.
In so, following a rational choice the two started running with Nagumo following beside Katsuragi. But before they could even manage to go far, the bear monster noticed them and stopped eating the rabbit. Raising its energy claw once more, it unleashes its razor blade towards them.
Nagumo sees the razors and notices that the blades was heading straight for them, especially for his classmate. Without thinking he jumped and pushes Katsuragi out of the way.
"Oi-what are yo--Nagumo!!!" Katsuragi was about to scold him but stopped himself when he sees Nagumo kneeling to the ground, vomitting blood, with a forearm missing and is currently losing a lot of blood. He runs up to Nagumo and carries him in arms(bridal) as he was incapable of running anymore. He then looks around for Nagumo's severed arm but loses his chance to grab it as the bear had beaten him to it and ate it right in front of them. After swallowing it, the bear looks towards them with hunger filled in his eyes.
"Shit...now it freaking wants more!" Katsuragi starts running away with the bleeding to death Nagumo and this time, he was being more cautious to his movements to avoid being hit by the razors the bear was throwing.
Katsuragi was aware that running forever is pointless unless they find somewhere to hide or escape, and Nagumo was still bleeding, he could die at any second if his injury isn't treated. Knowing this, he has to make a risk that he fears to take on but if not, the worse could happen.
"Nagumo, you still with me?!"
"Yeah..." He answered weakly, the effect of bloodlost getting to him.
"Listen, I'm going to distract that thing," He tells him as he dodges another volley razor blades. "while in the meantime, you start digging a hole with your Transmute."
"What?! No! That's too risky! You'll die!"
"At this rate, either that or we both die! And I would rather not take the latter!" Nagumo considers him for a moment before he reluctantly nods.
"Alright, let's do it!"
"Ready? Here goes!" He throws Nagumo ahead of him, the man was surprised as he soar through the air and then landing on his butt.
'Ow! He didn't said he was gonna throw me!' Nagumo groaned, as he starts using his Transmute on the wall behind him.
On the other hand...
"Come at me you son of a gun!!" Katsuragi taunted, with his clothes soiled in Nagumo's blood, he lures it to away from Nagumo. Dazed by its hunger, the bear couldn't even differentiate the change in smell which gave Katsuragi an advantage. "Come on! Got some fresh blood for you! Some fresh meat!!" He taunted him more whilst waving his blood soiled clothes and slapping his arm.
The bear chased after him at first, shooting its razors in attempt to kill him. But it soon got bored and its attention shifted to where Nagumo was.
"Shit! No no no no!!!" Katsuragi runs at it with his sword out and jumps onto the bear, grappling him by the neck. The monster struggles to get him off as he evades its attempts, with the blade in his hand, Katsuragi stabs into its eye.
The bear made a loud, painful roar, and blood spurted out of its destroyed eye. It swung its head back and forth, managing to throw Katsuragi off. The man let out a grunt as he hits the ground and slowly got up. As he stood, he saw the bear glaring at him, growling with its mouth open as it pulled out his blade and threw it away.
"Oh, I am so effin dead..." Now alarmed by its fury, the bear charges towards him, with its non-energy yet massive claws raised menacingly. Katsuragi's eyes widened as the bear loomed over him, anticipating the imminent attack, and with his weapon gone, he instinctively raised his arms to defend himself. "AARRGHH!!!"
The bear's claw scratches deep into his arms and Katsuragi staggers backward. To his surprise, his arms didn't get completely cut off, but now he was in trouble with his own blood spilling out and cracks of his bone could be seen through the big gashes.
"Fuuuck!!! That effin hurts!!! How come my arms didn't popped off?!" He looks up at the bear once more. "Is this how I'm gonna die…?" He took a step backward as the bear steps forward. "Ah hell, mom and Rena is gonna haunt me even in death." A grin curled up on his lips. "Heh, at least I was able to do something better than beat someone up for once."
Katsuragi drops his arms as he closes his eyes, and the bear taking a step closer before raising its claw again. Just as the bear was about to kill him, a pillar of stone rose up from under its foot, causing the bear to fall onto its back.
"Wha? Huh?!" Katsuragi opens his eyes, shocked to see Nagumo in front of him with his back turned.
"What the heck are you doing, Katsuragi-kun??! Come on!" Nagumo grabbed his hand and starts pulling him into a run.
"Ow! Ow! OW!" He cried out in pain as he struggles to follow Nagumo due to the injuries. Hearing a roar coming from behind, Katsuragi jumps onto Nagumo and pushed him down. "Damn it! That damn bear is so freaking stubborn!!" He picks up Nagumo and holds him under his armpit, ignoring the pain thanks to the new added adrenaline. "NAGUMO WHERE'S THE DAMN HOLE??!"
"TO THE LEFT!!"
Katsuragi skids to a stop as he finds it, putting Nagumo down first so he could crawl ahead. Another razor was shot, and he nearly dodges it as he ducks into the hole and crawled behind Nagumo. The bear tries to dig after them but gives up afterwards as they had dug deep into wall far beyond it's reach.
Within their small cave, the two let out a sigh of relief as they finally escaped death, again .
"Damn it…what crazy maniac made this freaking place?! Argh…" Katsuragi groaned in pain and frustration as he leaned onto the wall behind him, shutting his eyes as he takes a small break. "Oi Nagumo, you're alright?" He called out to his friend, but received no reply. "Nagumo…?" He opens his eyes, and they widened as they see the state Nagumo was in.
The young man had lost consciousness sitting up. It was most likely that his own addrenaline kept him awake when he rushed out to rescue Katsuragi. And now that they're safe, the tension must have dissappeared and he fell unconscious. But now is a really bad time for him to fall asleep!
"Nagumo? NAGUMO??? GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF!! OI!!" Katsuragi tried slapping him to force him awake, but such action failed in vain. The skin on his face had turned pale due to the huge amount of blood he lost, and even now he was still losing them. Katsuragi quickly takes off his black coat and rips them apart from the ones soiled in their blood.
After putting Nagumo down on his back, he uses the clean cloths and ties his lost arm. Though his face pales in expression, this wasn't enough for him. And at this rate he will seriously die. It was then he noticed that there was something off about the cave they're in.
'Wait, how the heck can I see so clearly here?' Katsuragi looks above his head and his eyes widened as finds a glowing blue orb embedded into their ceiling. "Oh whichever god watching me now, I effin thank you."
Nagumo's POV
"Listen up! Everyone helps each other in the Labyrinth. No matter what, got it?"
"Yes, Captain!"
This was before we went down the labyrinth…we were listening to Captain Meld giving out another one of his speech. To remember that we must always help out each other no matter what. To protect one another. And I did just that…
Great Orcus Labyrinth
20th floor
"GAH!" I yelped as I fell down from being attack by a ratman. Even though I've been training myself to become strong, my efforts seem to fail short since I couldn't even take a stand against a low leveled enemy.
I haven't even got up yet but the ratman jumped towards me. But just before it land another attack me, I was saved by our class president, Amanogawa Kouki, who cut the monster into two. He and I were just ordinary classmates before we all got here.
No, ordinary might be the wrong word for him. He was the popular guy in our class. Many students looked up to him, even I did.
"I'll keep everyone safe!" Kouki exclaimed as he brandishes his sword, it was a legendary artifact protected by the Heiligh Kingdom. And I hate to say it, that sword looks good on him and matches well with that golden armor he's wearing.
"Thank you, Amanogawa-kun." I thanked him as he helped me up.
"What for you bother yourself with a sword for? Ya can't even use it. You're totally useless."
Hiyama Daisuke…I never understood why, but he has always picked a fight with me. He was basically my school bully. And even after coming to Tortus, he and his gang never stop coming at me. But thanks to a certain someone, the beatings never got too terrible.
"Oi Hiyama! You better shut your mouth before I shove this up your ass!" Katsuragi yelled whilst using his sword to show his point. His full name Katsuragi Ryuga, there's no one in the school that doesn't know him.
In the past, he had committed a crime which got him the title delinquent the first day he arrive, and it caused everyone to fear him. If it weren't for Yaegashi-san and Amanogawa-kun, he wouldn't have been able to be accepted by the class without everyone fearing him 24/7.
Surprisingly, Aiko sensei wasn't afraid of him despite during meeting him the first time. I mean…he's like a giant compared to her. Other than that, I supposed you could say because of his brash personality…
Back then, he once attacked me at school and it only happened once. I thought that was the end of it. However, I tend to notice him always looking at me with a disgusted look. I wouldn't blame him, even everyone except for Shirasaki-san and Yaegashi-san gave me the same look because of how I always slept in class. But one day, he stopped giving me that look and replaced it with…respectable? I think? I don't know what gave him the change of heart but I'm kinda glad he doesn't hate me anymore. And if anything that's even more surprising, it feels like he's been protecting me? Thanks to him, Hiyama and his gang's attacks on me has been reduced even though by a little.
"Gi-hiee!!!" Hiyama went behind Amanogawa, and hide behind his legs like a coward. Whilst the latter proceeds to scold the aggressor.
"Ryuga-kun! Its bad to threaten others even if you don't mean to do it!"
"I'll seriously do it if he really doesn't shut up! Plus that little prick been's staying at the sidelines for the last two effin waves! He didn't do shit!!"
"I..I…"
"His job is Light warrior, he needs his breaks!"
"Piece of–!! WE'VE ONLY BEEN FIGHTING RATMEN! NOT SOME SKELETONS!! WHAT EFFIN BREAKS YOU TALKING ABOUT?!!"
"That's enough, Ryuga!" We turn to see Yaegashi-san and Shirasaki-san coming our way.
"Shizuku-sama…"
"We're supposed to be fighting together, not against each other. Have you forgotten that?"
Yaegashi Shizuku. A beautiful girl with waist-length black hair. She's known as one of the class beauties along with Shirasaki-san. Her hair is usually tied up in a ponytail with bangs hanging over her forehead and red eyes. Combat attire was a white vest with buttons over a black tank top and a pair of jeans.
She and Katsuragi-kun had the same job apparently, with both of them being Swordmasters. Its a powerful combo really. Yaegashi-san had long already trained in kendo, whilst Katsuragi had been training with her if so I've heard.
"No…it is as you have spoken. Please, pardon my actions." He sheated his sword before giving an apologetic bow to Yaegashi-san. And I almost forgot, he becomes very docile and obedient every time she's involved.
"Are you okay, Nagumo-kun?" Shirasaki-san came up to me. Her full name was Shirasaki Kaori. She's a beautiful young girl with waist-length black hair that is tied back in a half ponytail by a dark-colored bow with big bangs hanging on the right side while there are small bangs hanging on the left side and also has brown eyes.
She wears a light blue and white priest outfit that has golden highlights on it and a green gem embedded in the middle as well as light blue metal plates covering the side of her outfit. She also wears a golden cross on her neck as well as while high heel boots. And well, her class was a Priest if you couldn't tell.
"Huh?! Y-yeah I'm fine, thank you." I assured her as I stood up. Though as I did, I heard Hiyama clicking his tongue.
"Tch".
"You just have to work harder, Nagumo. If I were you, I'd be using every scrap of free time to train and get a little bit stronger." Amanogawa advised me. Speaking as if its some easy feat.
"Hey, what's that?" We all turned to see where Shirasaki-san was pointing, only to find a chunk of glowing crystal sticking out from the stone wall above us. It must have been hidden behind the stones that Amanogawa cut due to the ratman. "Its so shiny…" Shirasaki-san said in admirement as she continued to gaze at the crystal.
"Hmm? Isn't that…"
"That is a Glanz crystal. You don't see big one like that all too often. That crystal is really popular among couples as its used as an engagement ring stone." Captain Meld explained.
"It's really beautiful!" Shirasaki-san continued to gaze on the stone. It must have really caught her eyes. 'Maybe I should try and find one for her.' I thought to myself, but it was then I noticed Hiyama climbing the wall, heading towards the crystal.
"Well then, how about I'll go and grab it then!"
"Hiyama you prick! Stop! You might trigger a trap!!"
"He's right Daisuke! Don't touch it!!" Katsuragi-kun and Captain Meld shouted to him, but it was too late. He already laid his hand on the crystal, and the next thing we know was that all of us were engulfed by a bright blinding light.
Afterwards, we found ourselves teleported somewhere. We were in the middle of a large stone bridge with only two exits, held out over a canyon that seemed to go down to nothingness. Everyone panicked at first, to suddenly find ourselves somewhere we've never stepped before.
Just as all of us were about to calm down, a huge monster spawned in front of us, blocking one of the exits. it was something we've never ever encountered before, but I know what it was; a behemoth. And to make matters worse, our other exit which was our only way up, got blocked by a horde of skeletons called the Traum Soldiers.
At this moment we finally realized and our face paled, we were on the 65th floor of the Great Orcus Labyrinth. The deepest floor that the greatest adventurers of Heileigh Kingdom ever reached.
Great Orcus Labyrinth
65th Floor
"It was a trap! Everyone get back to the stairs, now!!" Meld ordered us whilst he and his guards go forward towards the behemoth. It was chaos, all of us were panicking. We couldn't get our form properly to fight back against the skeletons.
Only a few of us I noticed were still able to fight without wavering, one of them being Amanogawa-kun, Yaegashi-san, and lastly Katsuragi-kun.
Amanogawa-kun being given his Job as the Hero, fought bravely and acted like a leader to everyone. Yaegashi-san and Katsuragi-kun acted like guards for him. Any of the skeletons that got by him gets slain by them. Though, most of the time, they protect us who have trouble fighting.
I didn't want to be a burden. So I gave it my all to help the others to the utmost of ability. My Transmute might not be suitable for combat, but I was still able to make it work by sinking the skeletons into the bridge and seal their movements.
"Thanks, Ryuga-kun!"
"Shut up and focus on the battlefield!"
"Everyone, hurry!" I heard Yaegashi shouted to us, meaning that the skeletons have all been defeated. Quickly, all of us ran towards the exit. But I found myself searching around for Shirasaki-san. I couldn't find her amongst our classmates.
So I turned back towards the behemoth and found her to have stumbled behind us. I quickly rushed to her side, but was beaten by Captain Meld and his guard positioning themselves in front of the behemoth again. If only my body wasn't so weak…
"Go! Keep going! I'm not going to let you younglings die here!" He exclaimed as takes on a stance and began chanting; " O God, grant thy beloved children thy divine protection from all wishing to cause harm, let the soil at our feet become divine ground that keeps our enemies at bay! HALLOWED GROUND!"
A barrier was erected and stopped the behemoth from advancing. However, Captain Meld's effort was in vain. That behemoth smashed through the barrier like it was paper and started moving again. I had to act quick, Shirasaki-san still haven't recovered and we couldn't afford to lose any more time.
As fast as I could, I ran and kneeled in front of them and began Transmuting the path under the behemoth, causing it to sink into the bridge. But this won't hold on for long.
"Nagumo-kun!" Shirasaki-san shouted my name as she sees me behind her.
"Run now! While I'm still able to hold it down!"
"You alright kid?!" I hear Captain Meld behind me.
"I can't hold it back for long! Hurry and get Shirasaki-san to safety!" We hear the behemoth growling again as it struggles to break free my from my Transmute. "Hurry! Now!" I urge them once more before Meld finally picks up Shirasaki-san.
"I promise that we'll come back for you! Just hold on kid!" He and his guards finally runs with Shirasaki-san towards my classmates. So now it was my turn. I hear from behind me as Meld called out, telling me to run as he commands the group to shoot Fireballs at the behemoth to slow it down.
I got closer and closer to them, hoping that soon this nightmare will end if only it was for today. But fate was cruel to me. A Fireball, instead of flying at the behemoth, it flew towards me instead! How can accident–no, WHO WAS IT?! WHO SHOT THAT DAMN THING AT ME!?
Who was it that deliberately shoot me?! Why?! What have I done!? What sin did I commit for you to kill me off like this!?
Everything flashed from white and fade to black as I began to fall along with that damn beast.
Why?! WHy!? JUst WhY!? JUsT WhY HaVE YoU DoNE tHis tO ME!?
Back to the present
"HIYAMAAAAAAAA!!!!" I shouted to the top of my lungs in pure hate and anger. Frustration and rage, these feelings that I bottled up for so long because of him, I finally screamed it out and started breathing heavily as I began to remember everything he had done to me.
"Geez…you wake up and the first thing you do is scream out that scumbag's name?" I turned towards the owner of the voice, and see Katsuragi, leaning towards the other side of the wall, having an exhausted look on his face as he looks at me. And I think I could see some bags under his eyes.
It became apparent to me that that nightmare I was having, wasn't just a nightmare, but something that did happen, and I'm not alone in suffering its consequences.
"Ka-Katsuragi-kun…" I stuttered his name as I look at him up and down, letting out a small gasp as I my eyes fall down to his arms that he was resting on his knees. He bore deep, jagged scars, caused by the bear's vicious assault. The scars ran across his forearms, marring the skin with thick, uneven ridges and discoloration. As soon as he notices where my gaze went he let out a scoff along with a smirk.
"Please, this isn't as bad as yours, stupid otaku," he retorted wearily, lifting a finger to point at something I had temporarily forgotten—my own missing arm. The initial pain when it had been severed had been excruciating, but now, strangely, it didn't feel as severe. Though I did noticed there was some makeshift bandages around the section where my arm was cut off.
"Oh…haha, right…" I let out a sad laughed at my own misery before refocusing my attention to him. "Even so, Katsuragi-kun, you look like…" Before I could finish my sentence, he interjected, completing it in a way I hadn't intended. "Shit? Yeah, I thought so." He leaned his head back against the wall, staring upwards. An awkward silence settled between us until Katsuragi-kun decided to inquire about my injury. "How's your… No-arm feeling?"
"Ok…I guess? I don't even feel the pain anymore." I said in astonishment. "What did you do?" He points towards the ceiling of our cave, and that's where I found my answer. There was a Divinity stone embedded into it. "Ohh, so that's why you're not bandaged yourself."
"Yeah, we were quite lucky to be able to find it here. If not, I wouldn't know what to do about you having lost a huge amount of blood. Could have died even if I was able to stop the bleeding. I had a heart attack you know? You suddenly fainting out of nowhere." He said with a smirk.
"Ahaha…sorry." I laughed sheepishly. "But then again, thank you, Katsuragi-kun." His eyes seemed to widen as he heard me, but then it relaxed before he proceeded to ask me.
"Tell me one thing would ya?"
"Yeah…?"
"Why did you come back out?"
"Eh?" I was confused, genuinely, I was. He looks at me again, dead in the eyes, and asks me the same question.
"I ask you one more time, why did you come back out? Why did you came and saved this bastard of a guy like me?"
'Ooh, that's what he meant.' I thought as I wonder why he asked that, and I'm sure I know why. "Well, why did you come to rescue me then?" I asked him back with a small smile that showed gratitude.
"What…?"
"You came down here and saved me didn't you, Katsuragi-kun?"
"That's not the point, you idiot!" He let out a groan before continuing. "You…you should have just left me there." I let loose a frown at this.
"And why would I do that?"
"You…are you telling me that you've forgotten about it!?" He shouted as he leaned forward. "It was because of me that Hiyama had the guts to bully the heck out of you! Right after I gave you a beating that day just to vent my frustration on you, he was there! I know he was there, and he went to give you kicks of his own after I left you there!"
I became silent, and the frown on my face became more visible. Its true, Hiyama never came and attacked me as violently before. Usually it was just light harrassment, but after Katsuragi arrived, his harrassments on me became much more physical and harder to bear. And that worsen ever since we got here.
I was angry. Without a doubt I was. What have I ever done to deserve that? And I'm still asking myself that even now. But…
"Well yeah, I still remember that day. And your punch that time was hella painful." He and I winced at the memory, though for completely different reasons. "I always wondered why you did that, but I never hated you for it." My face began to soften. "Weird isn't it? Why wouldn't you hate the person who hurt you? Maybe its because I've never had any drive for anything I guess." I shrugged. "I've forgiven you about that for a while already. Wanna guess when?" He hesitated before he went with it, squinting his eyes as he does so.
"...when?"
"The moment when I found you down here with me." He gave me a dumbfounded stare.
"...I still don't find how you could forgive me with that."
"Alright, I get it. To be honest with you, after that fireball hit me…I started to lose hope. Breakdown even." I looked down with a pained expression. "I thought things couldn't get anymore worse but it did. Even with all the efforts I gave in to become helpful for our classmates, I still got thrown off like a disposable tool. At that moment, I really started to lose hope for them. No more I was going to believe in them and help them no matter how much they would beg. But then, I found you down here with me, saving my life, there's no way I could stayed doubtful of you, right?" I look up and gave him a sheepish smile.
Katsuragi stayed quiet for a few minutes, most likely contemplating what I just said to him. Afterwards, he gets up and snapped his finger on my forehead.
"Ow! What was that for?!" I yelped whilst wincing as I craddled my throbbing forehead.
"Not only that you're a sleepyhead in class, but you're also too kind for your own good. That's why Hiyama and Kouki keep using you as a doormat." Katsuragi remarked, his voice tinged with frusration. I gave him a quizzical look, prompting him to release a weary sigh. Afterwards, he suddenly kneeled down in front of me and did the dogeza. "Nagumo Hajime, I beg for your forgiveness for the cruel things I've done to you in the past."
"W-wait! What are you doing suddenly?! Katsuragi-kun, please lift your head!"
"I won't feel at ease if I don't do this! I've done something unfairly towards you, this is only the least I could do to atone for my mistake! And I must atone for the others that I've done."
"C-come on, Katsuragi, I've already said I've forgive you didn't I?!"
"You don't get it Nagumo, actually, this isn't the first time you've ever helped me."
"Eh?"
"That day, whilst I was gone, as far as I know, my sister was being attacked, and I wasn't there to protect her as I always did. If it weren't for you saving her, my sister could have been taken away from me. For that, I can't express enough how grateful I am to you."
"Eh? I saved…your sister?"
"Rena. Sato Rena, that was her name. That time, a group kidnappers tried to take her away. Those people knew that I was away on that particular day and took advantage of it. I don't know how and why you were there, but if it weren't for you hiding her away from them in your home, I don't know what would have happened to her." He raises his head and gave a firm gaze to me. "Because of that," he brings his head to the ground again. "I'm deeply grateful to you."
"That Rena-chan…was your sister?!"
"Ah, you must be confused because we have different surnames. To tell you the truth, I'm the only one among my family to have the Katsuragi name, my mother and sister are Sato's." He lifted his face before explaining.
"Eh? Why?"
"It's a form of protection for ourselves. My father, Katsuragi Tanaka, once got into a debt with dangerous people. We were in a desperate need for money, so my father's friend from work introduced him to people he could loan from. But we didn't expect those people to be dangerous guys. It was after he got called by them to talk about payment that we found out they were actually criminals."
"Wh-what happened after that…?"
"They gave him a job to do. What kind of job it was I have no idea. But because of that one job, my father became a criminal himself and got locked up in jail. And afterwards, killed."
"Killed?!"
"During his interrogation, some guy sneaked in and assasinated him. And unfortunately, it wasn't identified who the hitman was. But I know for a fact that it was from the people who my father owed debt to and they wanted to get rid of lose ends so they wouldn't be found out. But I knew who they were and got my revenge on them for killing my father."
"You attacked their base?"
"Kind of. I gathered evidences, locate their hideout, and then raided it with the cops."
"Whoa! What are you, some kind of super cop?? That's awesome!" I said in awe.
"Thanks for the compliment, but some of them escaped and now they're plotting for revenge. Once more, Nagumo Hajime, I thank you and beg for your forgiveness!"
"Stop with the dogeza already!! I get it!" I let out a sigh before continuing our conversation. "Welp, I think I can understand the reason of why you two have different names now. But I'm slightly confused about something else now, how did you end up as a delinquent though?" I asked with a furrowed eyebrow.
"...it was a bully case for my sister, and I uhh…got some adults into it and…pummeled them up." He told me with an ashamed look, and I stifled a laugh before it turned into a full blown laughter.
"BAHAHAHAHAHA!" I continued on laughing for the next two minutes whilst Katsuragi just looked away, trying to hide the redness of his face. I know I shouldn't laugh, but its hilarious isn't it? For a moment, he had a chance to become a great policeman in the future, but blew it up just because his sister got bullied. Ok, I really shouldn't laugh, but still; "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to laugh!" I apologized whilst putting on the apologizing handsign.
"No, I don't mind. Even my mother laughed at first before she gave me the lecture of the year."
.
.
.
"Now what do we do…?" I asked.
"I don't know." He shrugged before he went to lie down. "Sleep I guess. I haven't had my turn anyways." I frowned as I heard that.
"You didn't sleep?"
"Was worried about your condition so I kept an eye on you."
"...thank you, Katsuragi-kun."
"Just call me Ryuga from now on." He waved before turning around to sleep. "You should sleep too. We need to conserve energy since we have no idea when we'll ever get out of here."
"Yeah, you're right." I agreed with him before I lean onto the wall behind me. "How long will we be here until help comes…"
I was naïve, still clinging to the non-existent hope. We couldn't even beat that behemoth. We weren't powerful enough. We were nowhere strong enough to even scratch it. Could they even get strong enough in time before we die? In this place full of even stronger monsters? Can they really save us…?
Can they….?
To be continued