Sense of Kinship (1)

Despite my will, after the stagnant time had passed, my blood-soaked body was healed cleanly as if it had never been red.

Erica’s treatment process must have played a part too. Perhaps it was thanks to raising her healing stats through several acts of blood-drinking.

I was quietly embraced in Erica’s arms when I casually opened my mouth.

“Are you satisfied?”

“……”

“Do you like me that much?”

“…I don’t particularly like you.”

It’s a joke. You don’t need to show such sincere dislike.

“How sad. I like you though.”

“Liar.”

I blinked quietly.

“Why is this a lie?”

“I don’t believe your words anymore.”

“Believe me.”

Unlike her cold tone, she continued to embrace me.

It was warm. Painfully so.

“I can’t breathe.”

“Serves you right.”

“Dying of suffocation wouldn’t be so bad.”

Pain flared in my forehead. When I raised my gaze, Erica had her finger flicked.

“It hurts.”

“That’s the point.”

Is she sulking?

I felt disappointment as the warmth moved away.

“I’ll tidy up a bit… and look around the remaining facilities, so rest here.”

I nodded silently.

I didn’t reach out my hand. It felt like I shouldn’t.

I took a deep breath. Erica seemed to have gone upstairs as she was no longer visible.

I stood up with my creaking body and headed to the adjacent space with the broken door.

The silver-haired man was tapping the ground with a shovel. The remnants of the wraith writhed and screamed.

“Weren’t you hurt?”

“Is that really the issue right now?”

You ruined the plan because of you.

“How could you just take away an attack-type with a modified build like this?”

“I didn’t intend to. My hand just moved on its own.”

“That’s exactly what having an intention means.”

Reaper scratched his head sheepishly. Should I stab him with a knife?

I happen to have one.

“It reminded me of when I was deeply immersed in research. I thought I’d just tinker with it a bit, but it turned out to be a summoning-type. Among the necro race, it has the weakest control…”

“I don’t care. I’m upset. What are you going to do about it?”

Seeing him flustered despite his usual stoic demeanor, this might be easier than I thought.

“Is there something you want?”

“The Behemoth combination formula.”

“That’s hard to get.”

“That’s not my problem!”

“…We’ll need a corpse too.”

I pointed to the ceiling with my finger.

“There are many upstairs. I saw a research lab too. It would be good if you could collect some while filling up your stats.”

“I’ll try.”

“I’m very angry right now!”

I couldn’t help but spew anger at the plan going awry.

“It would be better for you to move as quickly and accurately as possible.”

I pondered for a moment.

I twisted a lock of hair on the side. It was stiff and hard to twist.

Annoyed, I just messed it up.

Come to think of it, quite some time has passed since going out became a habit. Coming all the way here to Gwangju City is quite far.

“Do you happen to know any news about the other rankers?”

Reaper was silent for a moment, then glanced at me.

“Jekyll was looking for you.”

“Why me?”

“How would I know? From what I heard about conquering the metropolitan area or something, she’s definitely up to no good again.”

I blinked. I wish she’d stop looking for me. I’ve quit those reckless terrorist acts now.

“Weren’t you two on bad terms? But it seems you still keep in touch occasionally.”

“What contact? That woman just went around asking everywhere and I happened to get caught in her ridiculous radar network.”

I can picture the scene. Jekyll flying around, drawing suspicious looks from other rankers.

“I can guess how Reaper responded.”

“Of course I said I didn’t know. That I was busy.”

After a moment of silence, the wind blew.

A sound of something breaking through the air filled the space.

In an instant, countless glass shards scattered and a high-pitched voice pierced my ears.

“Kyaa!”

I turned my gaze. Through a huge hole that had just appeared in a window on one side of the room, a large blue missile flew in.

A girl was riding on top of it.

Medium-length green hair and a white lab coat.

In the split second she was about to pass by me, the girl jumped off the flame-spewing missile. She rolled once on the ground and stood up neatly.

There was a sound of destruction. Looking to the side, I saw the missile shattered into pieces after hitting the wall.

“Ow ow ow… Ah, nice to meet you.”

Glass shards fell from her shoulders. Her green eyes shone elegantly. A faint smile appeared.

“It’s Jekyll, returning after a long time.”

“Oh…”

The atmosphere seemed to call for applause, so I clapped while smiling slightly.

“Hello!”

“Oh? This is the first time I’ve seen you smile?”

“Is that so?”

I twisted a lock of hair on the side for a moment.

“It’s because I’m in love.”

“Wow. This is breaking news.”

“Huk!”

How embarrassing.

“Hello to you too, Reaper.”

“Not hello.”

“Aren’t you disliking me too much?”

“You know it well.”

Jekyll smiled slightly.

“I don’t mind though.”

Reaper shook his head as if disgusted, then struck the ground with his shovel. Skeletons that started to emerge smolderingly began to envelop him.

A moment passed. Before I knew it, the column covered in bones collapsed and only revealed empty space.

“He’s still an unsociable person.”

I nodded. Agreed.

“Ah! By the way, you’ve turned into a woman! Congratulations!”

“Thank you. But isn’t your reaction a bit late?”

“Heh. Sorry. I’ve gotten used to it since so many media outlets have been showing Aureli a lot.”

Her light pink lips moved.

“But you don’t really place much meaning on gender, do you? Neither you nor I.”

“Oh…?”

“Such things aren’t important.”

An explosion occurred on the ceiling. A corpse fell down.

“Because what’s essential hasn’t been blurred. Rather, it could be said that it’s become clearer. Our inner thoughts, our identities.”

Jekyll took out an electrified dagger and plunged it into the corpse’s abdomen. Red blood flowed out.

A faint smile appeared. A small, giggling moan echoed. The corpse’s abdomen was mutilated.

“After the incident, strong power allowed us to wield even stronger weapons. We established massive footholds and stood at the apex. The strong were born.”

Blood splattered. Her face got dirty. Her arm moved even faster.

“I felt exhilarated. I started activities right away. It’s the same for you, right, Aureli?”

I hesitated while trying to wipe off the blood on my gothic lolita outfit. The moaning sound grew louder.

My eyes wandered for a moment.

“Hik, hihik…”

“Calm down.”

“Ah, ah.”

The green eyes regained their light.

“S-sorry. I must have caused you trouble. My body does this sometimes.”

“It’s okay. It can happen! Try taking a deep breath in, and then out.”

“Whoo, haah.”

I twisted my hair. It’s enough that I alone can’t breathe properly. I don’t want to see others around me suffering.

“Thank you, Aureli.”

“It’s nothing. I have those moments too. When you follow the predetermined steps, there are times when you can’t control yourself.”

“Are you understanding me?”

I pondered for a moment.

“I’m not in a position to understand anyone.”

It’s overwhelming just to take care of myself.

“But I can at least be a conversation partner.”

“Hehe. That’s just like you from a year ago. Although you were really scary back then.”

“Huk!”

I averted my gaze. Looking down, I saw the blood forming into red cubes.

Two cubes flowed into Jekyll’s hand. One was handed to me.

“The way you beautifully exploded the Association building and glided through the air! The scene where you held a knife to the Association Director’s neck and staged a hostage situation! It was thrillingly terrifying!”

Laughter flowed from her lips. Her trembling pupils met mine. Is she in a lot of pain?

“Jekyll doesn’t seem to be particularly afraid though?”

“No way. I’m still shuddering.”

Her green eyes shone elegantly.

“I revere you, Aureli. You, who disregard countless gazes. I think you’re really amazing.”

“Oh…”

I nodded vaguely and accepted the cube. It’s an unusual color.

“Seeing you start activities again, I realized. Ah, my eyes weren’t wrong. You’re still so cool!”

“…Even if you praise me like that, I have nothing to give you. I’m just a penniless person.”

I held the cube in my hand and examined it under the precariously hanging light.

“Only the clothes I’m wearing are pretty. Even if blood gets on it and it gets dirty, it doesn’t show well because it’s a black dress. In reality, it’s quite disheveled.”

I lowered my arm after seeing Jekyll frozen with blinking eyes. Soon after, her lips opened.

“But… but! The sight of you swinging a knife in mid-air looked really exciting!”

I met her desperate eyes. I was about to open my mouth but stopped.

There’s no point in answering; she won’t hear what I have to say.

“Ah, it’s already time.”

Jekyll’s wristwatch made a beeping sound. Turning my gaze, I saw a small helicopter approaching the window on the other side.

The noise grew louder.

“I have a wonderful dream.”

Her green hair fluttered in the wind. I tilted my head.

“A beautiful dream that the whole world will witness. I’d like to invite you when that time comes.”

“Wow?”

She turned her body and ran quickly. She leapt out of the huge window. As her white outfit fluttered, a ladder came down from the helicopter. Jekyll grabbed onto it in one breath and moved away.

I fiddled with the cube in my hand before carelessly throwing it into a corner.

I really don’t understand why everyone keeps trying to entice me.