Now, what is happiness?
Is it when you smile? Is it when you laugh? Perhaps it is when you feel good about yourself for achieving something.
Then, what is true happiness? The kind that is not temporary, that is not so fleeting. A kind of happiness that keeps you living, that gives you a reason to fight for another day. Not out of routine, responsibility, or unfinished business, but because you would sacrifice everything just to protect it. That is what I believe in. That is what I should strive for.
Again, what is true happiness? Is it having a stable life? A loving family? Supportive friends? A fulfilling purpose?
Is it love?
And if it is, then what is love? Will I achieve true happiness once I experience it? Will it finally fill the empty void in my heart, always yearning for more even while being content at the same time?
Will I find a purpose in life?
I hope that one day, I will be able to answer these questions.
So, future me, am I happy?
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Kuger stepped between us, silencing the murmurs of the masked men with a raised hand. His tone was calm as always, gesturing toward the woman like he was unveiling a grand prize.
"Hero. This is Seraya. She is blessed beyond measure, touched by Ucliat since her youth, chosen by our Order as High Priestess. She is unlike any other, and it is she who will guide you through what must come."
Guide me through what must come? Zoo wee mama, I'd be a fool to say no!
Seraya bowed her head ever so slightly, though her gaze never left mine. There was no malice in it, but there was resignation, and perhaps even pity.
Then, her eyes lingered a little too long on my face, or maybe not my face, but my skin. It was brief and subtle, that small double take people do when they see something they weren't expecting and don't quite know how to react to.
"…Forgive me," she murmured quickly, lowering her gaze. "You're… different from the ones before."
Déjà vu...
Kuger's eyes flicked her way, but she didn't elaborate, straightening her shoulders again as if to pull herself back into her role.
"You are not the first hero I've stood before," she continued softly, her voice smooth but tinged with weariness. "And perhaps not the last. But your presence here… changes things."
I wasn't sure if it was her tone or the way Kuger hovered at her shoulder like a hawk, watching us as though each word were part of his ritual, but my stomach knotted all the same.
"…A-alright. Uhm, so why am I here? You guys haven't really…"
Seraya's eyes widened a fraction, flicking toward Kuger, who clasped his hands behind his back as he nodded toward me.
"Ah, yes. Please forgive me." He cleared his throat, his words taking on that ceremonial cadence he loved so much. "The hero is not merely a warrior of flesh and steel, nor a beacon of divine light upon the battlefield. He is also the vessel of legacy, the seed of generations, the proof that Ucliat's will endures beyond blade and spell. What you carry within you is more precious than gold, more enduring than any fortress. Your blood, your essence, passed on so that the world may yet be saved when shadows fall anew."
I got the gist of it, but still wanting to be sure, I played dumb. "So… uh, what does that mean?"
With a small sigh, Seraya looked back at me, though her gaze lingered just below my eyes. Her voice was soft, weighed down with weariness, but a faint edge of embarrassment slipped through.
"It seems this idiot didn't explain things properly." She gave a curt nod toward Kuger, who actually flinched at the jab. "To put it simply… y-you're supposed to, well… do your hero's duty." Her words trailed off like she regretted saying them aloud.
She wasn't much better at explaining, either.
I raised an eyebrow, the silence stretching as I gave her the flattest stare I could manage. Hopefully my deadpan look said enough.
She hesitated, her cheeks flushing faintly as she glanced at Kuger as if hoping for backup. "I… I suppose I could give more details, but it's… difficult to explain without context."
Kuger shifted slightly, giving me a piercing, sharp glare, while Seraya's ears twitched faintly, a subtle sign of her frustration or embarrassment. "In short, we will need you to create an offspring with High Priestess Seraya in order to establish a superior bloodline. Certain Skills can be inherited, and if the Skills a hero possesses are among them, they will prove a great boon to humanity."
Yeah, exactly what I thought…sigh
Rubbing the back of my head, an awkward chuckle escaped my lips as I forced a small smile. "W-what? An offspring? I'm kinda young for that, ya know?"
He simply raised a thin eyebrow. "It is common for people your age to marry at your age. Your world simply has naïv–ah, standards we possibly couldn't understand."
Did he just say my world is naïve for not letting kids marry?
"S-still, I can't exactly just… do that with someone I just met. A-and also! You're religious, right? Do they really allow… you know, that before marriage?" My voice grew meeker at the end, and I forced myself to stop.
"Our religion, you say? Marriage exists for inheritance of land and titles. The hero's duty transcends such worldly bonds." His tone was blunt and straight to the point, leaving no room for discussion.
He snapped his fingers and motioned toward me with two fingers, and suddenly two masked men grabbed and held me in place. I struggled faintly to test their grip, then gave up when I realized it'd be too much effort to resist.
Kuger received a dark purple vial from a nearby masked woman, his gaze fixed on me. "Forgive us, Hero.," he began, closing the distance, uncorking the bottle with an echoing pop. "We would not risk force if we thought you'd accept willingly. This potion is not poison, but a sacred mixture to ease doubt."
I felt a knot of unease tighten in my stomach as the scent of the liquid reached me, my heart racing. Not because I was scared, at least not from what I was aware of, but because I could guess what kind of effect the substance had. A "sacred mixture to ease doubts" was most likely an aphrodisiac or some kind of mind-altering potion. Either way, I had no way of resisting, but despite that, a stubborn part of me refused.
Like hell I'd lose my virginity to someone I don't even know! If I am, at least let it be someone I love.
Kuger's hand shot out, attempting to grab my chin, but my body moved before I knew it. I bit down, hard. His skin was rough and salty, the sharp tang of blood flooding my mouth as my teeth sank in.
"AGH!" His scream rang out, raw with pain. He yanked his hand back the moment my jaw loosened, leaving red streaks where my teeth had marked him. I spat out blood, wrinkling my nose at the bitter taste.
Bleh! Is blood really supposed to taste this bitter?
The masked men nearby broke into startled murmurs, their composure cracked by the sudden violence. Even the ones holding me faltered, their grip loosening for just a moment. They clearly hadn't expected their so-called hero to lash out like a cornered animal.
I was stunned at myself too, but there was no point in regretting it. They were the ones trying to force me to drink something suspicious after all!
I thrashed in their grip with more force, taking advantage of their momentary lapse in attention to force every ounce of strength into breaking free.
In a stroke of luck, I managed to escape their grasp, but having little time to decide where to go since the exit was blocked, I darted behind Seraya who yelped in surprise at the sudden movement. She seemed to be the least of my problems, so using her as cover was the only thing I could come up with, peeking out behind her to survey my options.
Dammit…I could try to break through their left flank, but there's still a chance I'll get caught. They're taller, and probably stronger. I could also try going right, but then I'd end up getting cornered.
"W-what are you doing?" Seraya finally managed to squeak out, her face flushed in embarrassment. She looked like she wanted to step away and like she didn't want to leave me at the same time, torn between the two options. "You can't just–" she started, then squeezed her eyes shut as if forcing herself to be calm.
"Don't make a scene," she then mouthed very quickly in a whisper so low I had to lean in to hear it, her tone shifting. "Stay behind me. Do nothing stupid."
Her whisper was half instruction, half plea. I didn't expect her to be an ally, but it certainly gave me a higher chance of escaping from here. If that's the case, her embarrassment was probably also a fluke to get their guard down. Maybe, I don't know.
Either way, doing nothing sounded a lot safer than trying to force my way out of a temple full of zealots. I kept my breathing steady and slid my hands into my pockets, playing it cool for now.
Kuger's laugh then cut through the murmurs, soft and satisfied despite his wound. "How quaint," he said, strolling closer like he had all the time in the world. "He hides behind the High Priestess. How touching."
His eyes flicked to Seraya, then to me, as if measuring us. The masked men tightened their circle but didn't rush, waiting for a cue. One of them brought out another vial from somewhere, dark purple like before. I had bitten Kuger's hand, but it didn't seem to have deterred them in the slightest.
However, instead of using it, he produced an object very similar to a syringe and uncorked the bottle, withdrawing the liquid inside. Clearly, they had given up on giving me an option to consume it.
Seraya shifted in place, her robe brushing against my arm. Despite being accidental, it seemed strangely intentional, almost like a reminder that she was there by my side. And oddly enough, it reassured me slightly. Her jaws tightened, gaze levelled straight ahead.
Kuger lifted grabbed the syringe and lifted it between two fingers, letting it catch the crimson light. "We will be gentle," he said, voice smooth, then added almost casually, "We intend for you to cooperate. You will be honored, Hero. Think of it as… service to the world."
My skin crawled at the way he said it. Service my ass.
For a second my brain went through every option I had. Using Dismantle on the syringe was probably my best bet. Trying a quick spell was off the table since Marcel warned against using it while recovering, nor was running for it a viable option. I also blew my chance of playing along when I fucking bit the guy, so all I could do was be on the defensive.
Then there was this elf cutie, High Priestess Seraya, who seemed to be on my side. Though honestly, I didn't really trust her. There was a chance that her assistance was a plot to get my trust, then pull me into this situation again.
Kuger's hand hovered over the syringe, slow and deliberate. "Hero," he murmured, voice soft and almost casual, "we are offering you a chance to fulfill your destiny. Resist, and… well. That would be a shame." He tilted his head, eyes sharp, watching for any movement that would betray my next move.
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Calm down, Erdan.Just wait for her signal. There's no need to think hard for an escape route until you absolutely have to. Let this woman do all the work. She offered to help, so she must!
I clenched my fists in my pockets, keeping my face neutral, hoping my blank expression hid just how much I was overthinking everything.
Seraya's head dipped ever so slightly, just barely noticeable, but enough for my legs to tense, ready to bolt. If she truly was an ally, then I couldn't let this chance slip. Just wait for her signal, and I'll be free.
Kuger's smile faltered slightly, and I knew he'd noticed something. My heart jumped, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. Instead, I slipped my glasses off and wiped them on my shirt before sliding them back on.
The masked men tensed as if I'd drawn a weapon, then visibly relaxed when they realized it was just a harmless and mundane action. Even Kuger seemed a bit bewildered by my actions, as if he wasn't used to a hero being so passive.
But Kuger was having none of it. A glimmering orb of shifting colors burst in his hand, solidifying into a…quill? Each stroke left a trail of shimmering light, a mesmerizing and graceful sight.
…Huh?
"I'm done giving you options, hero. You're plotting something, but I won't let you ruin the chance our lord has given us."
Moving his hand across the air in rapid strokes, drawing lines in the air with such speed it blurred together, and with a final flick, it came to a halt. The drawing, some kind of spiked circle of metal, suddenly solidified in front of him, which he gripped as it floated mid-air. The quill, however, dissolved into colorful particles.
"Behold: Thousand Arts – my Manifestation Skill!"
…Ah, maybe I shouldn't have played around too much. Also, being able to draw anything into reality is such a cheat!
With a sharp twist of his wrist, the ring warped and snapped open into a jagged line, like some kind of whip, yanking his hand upward.
"High Priestess Seraya, step away from the hero. He's dangerous." His voice was low and commanding, leaving no room for discussion.
The woman clasped her hands against her chest, her "usual" demeanor returning.
"Father Kuger, do we really need to resort to violence? Is there not any other way? We can still try to solve things peacefully!"
His eyes narrowed into a cold stare, the whip vibrating faintly with his restrained anger.
"Peace?" His tone was sharp and disbelieving. "He spat upon the blessing we offered him. He bit my hand like a beast. That is not peace, Seraya. That is rebellion."
Seraya flinched at his words, but kept her ground. "He is still the hero. Should we not… treat him with dignity?"
Kuger's jaw tightened. For a moment he said nothing, looking at her with equal parts scorn and disappointment. Then, slowly, he lowered his head in something almost like reverence, though the gesture was filled with malice.
"Dignity will be afforded to him once he accepts his role. Until then…" He raised the whip again, the glowing metal writhing in the air like a living snake. "…we must remind him of the weight he carries. Even a hero cannot defy the will of Ucliat without consequence."
His eyes shifted to me, piercing and unyielding. "This is your last chance, Hero. Step forward willingly… or I'll drag you through obedience."
I shot an expectant glare at Seraya, waiting for the supposed support. But I was starting to get I shot an expectant glare at Seraya, waiting for the supposed support. But impatience crept in, and before I knew it, I darted past her and straight toward Kuger. I charged with my palms open, bracing for the right moment.
"Hey, wait!" Seraya called out, reaching for my arm, but her hand only snatched at empty air.
Kuger reacted instantly, gritting his teeth as he clenched the whip so tightly crimson dripped from his palm. "Unforgivable. I'm– no, we are giving you a chance to contribute to mankind's future, and you'd stomp over it like this? Unforgivable!" His voice broke through his teeth in a seethe, and the whip lashed toward me.
Please, time it right, Erdan!
I thrust my hands forward, a faint green glow blooming around my palms as I focused.
"Disma-"
But I was too slow, the whip coming at my face with terrifying speed. I snapped my hand sideways and threw my arms up to shield myself, only for a sharp thud to ring out instead.
"Tro-ko Ret!" a familiar voice cried.
Blinking, I lowered my arms to see that the whip had collided with a shimmering blue barrier. Seraya stood behind it, her palms raised and glowing with energy. She had actually helped me.
I quickly snapped out of my surprise and took the chance, shoving my hand through the barrier and gripping onto the golden weapon.
"Dismantle!"
In an instant, a wave of pressure emitted from my hand inside the weapon, cracking the metal in a spreading spiderweb. The cracks spread across the whole weapon until it shattered into glimmering shards with a shudder. Kuger stumbled back, disbelief and fury etched into every line of his features.
With both Kuger and his acolytes stunned, I waved over Seraya before making a break for it, bolting towards the exit. Two masked men at the entrance blocked my path, but they seemed conflicted, their movements hesitant and stiff. It was as if they were wary, or perhaps didn't fully agree with Kuger's ways.
The other acolytes closed in as well, with Kuger manifesting the quill from earlier with the purpose of creating a new weapon.
My reflexes felt sharper than before, letting me weave through the grasping hands that lunged for me. But Seraya wasn't keeping up, caught as the acolytes encircled her. My chest tightened, torn between rushing back for her or running ahead while I still could.
Then the whole building shook. A deep rumble rolled through the chamber, shaking dust from the stone ceiling. Everyone froze, their attention momentarily diverted. However, I barely reacted, because to me it wasn't fear, it was an opportunity.
I darted over and grabbed Seraya's wrist without thinking, surprised at my own boldness but knowing there was no time to regret. I dragged her with me and together we dashed toward the exit.
I held onto her hand tighter when I noticed she was having a hard time keeping up because of her dress, which was a huge disadvantage considering I wasn't that fast to begin with. The shouting behind us got quieter the more we ran, though I was already panting from exhaustion.
However, she was still in a better shape than me, soon running a few steps ahead and becoming the one dragging me along, guiding us.
Another thunderous rumble shook the ground, this time more intense. Then, the walls a few feet ahead burst open, kicking up dust and smoke. Seraya and I nearly crashed into each other as we were forced to come to a halt, coughing as the smoke entered our noses.
"W-what the hell?" I coughed, trying to squint through the smoke.
A massive arm swung through the fog, the gust scattering the smoke and revealing the towering figure of Torren. Two masked acolytes dangled limp beneath his upper arms, before he let them drop with a heavy thud onto the floor.
"Phew! These people are a handful. Didn't think they'd turn on us," he said casually, stretching his upper arms while his lower hands rested on his hips.
"Torren!" I called out, sounding more relieved than I intended to.
"Huh?" He turned his head, his eyes widening in recognition as they landed on us.
"Well, if it ain't the hero!" A grin formed on his face, although his voice was laced with frustration. "Sorry about the mess. These mellets tried to poison us, and thanks to that, I can't even use my Skills right." He rolled his shoulders with an annoyed sigh.
My eyes widened a bit, though it was more out of habit than anything else. Truth be told, I wasn't all that shocked. Poisoning seasoned adventurers was probably the smartest move they had, considering they relied on numbers instead of strength. Still, I needed to play the part.
"Poisoned?" I repeated, trying to sound more concerned than I really was. "Then what about Guthethya?"
Torren clicked his tongue, rubbing the back of his head with a weary sigh as he shut his eyes for a moment.
"Tsk… yeah, about Guthethya. She got tangled up with one of the Grand Priests here." His lower hands dropped to his sides, the upper pair folding across his chest like he was trying to stay casual. "Said she wanted to deal with him herself. And… well, I get it. She's got history with these people. I wasn't about to trample over that. Besides…" he opened one eye, giving me a pointed look, "I came here to do what I was paid for. Protect you."
His gaze then shifted toward Seraya, raising an eyebrow. "And what in the world is an elf doing here? No, scratch that—what's an elf doing underground to begin with? And better yet, why is an elf mixed up with mellets? Gods above, this is too much for me…"
Seraya glanced over at me, her expression puzzled. Her eyes seemed to ask silently: Who on earth is this man?
Catching on, I gestured toward Torren. "Ah, right. This is Torren, an adventurer from the, uh… Alabast… Alabaster, was it? The Alabaster Order."
A heavy slap landed square on my back, sending me stumbling forward into Seraya.
"No no no! It's the Alabastrine Order, boy!" Torren boomed with a grin, puffing his chest out. "Polished and true, like marble. We deal justice fair and spotless!"
He then turned to face Seraya directly. "And who are you then, missy?"
I muttered an apology to Seraya as I hurriedly stepped back, rubbing my shoulder. For a "playful" hit, it stung more than I'd admit.
Seraya placed a hand to her chest, meeting his gaze evenly. "My name is Seraya, High Priestess of the Crimson Sun Order."
His eyes narrowed slightly, his stance shifting just a bit, tone carrying a hint of suspicion.
"Uh-huh… and can we trust you, then? Being a high-ranking member of this… cult, I mean, forgive me, religion."
Seraya's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "I don't appreciate being called a cultist," she said firmly, her hands tightening at her sides.
I stepped forward, gesturing at her. "It's fine, I think you can trust her. It's only thanks to her that I managed to escape Kuger earlier."
Torren looked between us silently for a moment, then let out a low, thoughtful hum. "Hm, if you say so, Hero. You're the one calling the shots, since we're simply for hire."
Suddenly, he snapped his fingers as if remembering something. "Oh! Right, I forgot you were with him before we split up. Did you take care of them?"
I glanced back, lowering my voice slightly without realizing it. "No, not really, but they aren't pursuing us either. It's kinda fishy, but I guess we're safe for now?"
I nodded toward them and then down the hall. "Come on, we should move before they figure out which way we went."
Seraya matched my pace instantly. "I know this place like the back of my hand," she explained while jogging beside me. "There should be an emergency exit nearby."
"What kind of emergency do you need to prepare for, earthquakes?" I asked, knowing it was a stupid question. No matter how well-protected or well-located, there'd obviously be some kind of exit for emergencies.
"Do you really need to ask that?" She said, rolling her eyes.
"Eh, uhm, n-no. Sorry…" I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck and looking down at my feet.
She skidded to a halt in front of an iron door, pulling out a key and using it to open, revealing a small, dark room. "Why are you apologizing? Come on, get in."
Torren and I exchanged a quick glance, then stepped inside together, the door shutting quietly behind us.
Seraya muttered something under her breath, and a soft light bloomed from her palm, illuminating our surroundings. At first glance, it looked like a simple storage room, with wooden crates and dusty shelves stacked with empty flasks, strange tools, and a few scrolls.
Muffled voices outside echoed through the halls, signaling imminent danger, until Seraya pressed her hand against a loose cobblestone. It sank inward with a faint click, and the wall shuddered slightly as it began to move apart, revealing a small circular platform glowing with runes, just big enough to fit the three of us.
In the center of the platform stood a long, grey device, almost like a lever, with a panel etched in glowing runes. It looked… complicated, but not intimidating.
Seraya stepped closer and gestured at it. "This is called a Gate," she explained, her voice steady. "You imbue it with mana, and it will transport you to another Gate connected to this network. The destination is random."
I raised an eyebrow. "Random? That sounds a bit risky."
She shrugged slightly. "It's the quickest way out. The Crimson Sun Order won't be able to follow us so easily."
Torren stepped forward, eyes scanning the panel with curiosity. "Hm, clever. So it's essentially a teleport system for emergencies. Makes sense why they'd keep it hidden."
I looked at Seraya, then at the panel, taking a deep breath. "Alright… let's hope luck's on our side."