《Dragged into another world's apocalyse》 Chapter 1: The Necklace of Dreams - Arianna Chapter 1: The Necklace of Dreams ¨C Arianna Arianna¡¯s fingers traced the delicate silver chain of the necklace resting against her collarbone. She had found it by chance in an old antique shop, its deep sapphire gemstone calling out to her in a way she couldn¡¯t explain. That night, when she had worn it to sleep, she had her first dream of him. Cassis. Tall and strong but lithe, with dark hair and golden eyes that burned with determination. His body was scarred from countless battles, each mark a testament to his survival. She had watched him fight from behind a glowing screen in a dark room, her presence unseen but her words, her voice, able to reach him. The system that governed the world of awakeners had deemed her a virtuous deity, granting her VP¡ªVirtuous Points¡ªwhenever she did good deeds in her waking life. With these points, she could buy Cassis weapons, armor, potions¡ªanything to keep him alive. There were other deities as well. Evil deities, who thrived on destruction, earning EP. And the unpredictable chaos deities, who accumulated CP by simply doing whatever they wanted, not caring for the consequences or if it was good or bad. But none of them mattered to her. Only Cassis did. When the system asked her if she wanted to become Cassis'' exclusive patron she jumped at the opportunity, although it took a bit longer to convince Cassis. But the advantages of having an exclusive contract between a patron and an awakener, like cheaper and better items and more power given to Cassis, sealed the deal even for the solitary man. For ten years, she had guided him, spoken to him through the screen, urged him forward, worked hard at being virtuous in her real life and bought him anything that would help him survive. She had seen him rise from F-rank to A-rank, a lone warrior in a world consumed by destruction. She had begged him to trust others, to find teammates, to let someone else bear some of the burden. But he was stubborn. Tonight was no different. ¡°Cassis, you can¡¯t keep fighting alone,¡± she shouted at the blue screen in front of her, her frustration mounting as she watched him engage in yet another reckless battle. ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone else,¡± his response flashed on the screen, curt as always. Arianna clenched her fists. ¡°You¡¯re going to die one day if you don¡¯t get allies. Do you even care about your own life?¡± Silence. Then, his reply: ¡°I¡¯ve survived this long without help. I don¡¯t need to change anything.¡± Her heart ached. Why is he like this? She had spent years worrying about him, watching him come close to death over and over again. She couldn¡¯t take it anymore. ¡°Fine,¡± she screamed, her voice trembling. ¡°If you don¡¯t find teammates, I won¡¯t come back.¡± The words sent a wave of coldness through her chest. She could choose not to wear the necklace to sleep. She could sever their connection. If he wouldn¡¯t listen to reason, then maybe he needed to understand what it was like to be truly alone. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± ¡°I mean it.¡± A long pause. Then his final message: ¡°Do what you want.¡± The dream shattered, and Arianna woke up in her bed, heart pounding. The next morning, the fight still weighed heavily on her mind. Anger and sadness churned inside her, but she had to push them aside. She had to go to work. Being an accountant wasn''t the most exciting job, but she had enough excitement in her dreams, and it paid well enough. Her job felt more like a break than anything. After all, after work she had to try to be a virtuous person to earn VP. Not that she wasn''t a good person, but being virtuous in everyday life was tiring, and it didn''t even make her popular with people because she sometimes had to say uncomfortable truths. Some even derisively called her a "goody-two shoes". But what could she do? She was pretty much an innocent teenager at 17 when she first started these dreams. The system deemed her virtuous because she had done her best to stop her father from worrying about her.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "No use crying over it. Seriously, I wish Cassis would acknowledge the hardships I go through for him." She shook her head. "Don''t wallow in self-pity. Cassis has it a lot worse than me. Just why can''t he take on some teammates to help him?" Throwing on a coat, she looked at herself in the mirror: her brown hair was shoulder length and neatly styled, her blue eyes were the same colour as her mysterious sapphire necklace. She always wore it. And she would wear it again tonight. She already missed Cassis and worried form him. After her short inspection in the mirror, she stepped out of her apartment and into the bustling city streets. On her way to the subway, she barely noticed the people around her. Her thoughts kept circling back to Cassis. Had she been too harsh? Would he finally understand how much she cared? It was still dark outside, as it was winter. She waited at the traffic light until it turned green and stepped onto the crosswalk. A deafening honk. The screech of tires. Her head snapped up. A car was barrelling toward her, too fast, too close. There was no time to move. Her breath hitched. This is it. She closed her eyes. But she could still see the bright lights of the car speeding towards her. And then¡ª Warmth. Strong arms wrapped around her. The scent of fire, and something unmistakably male flooded her senses. Her feet weren¡¯t on solid ground anymore. It felt like she had fallen, yet she wasn¡¯t hit and she wasn¡¯t in pain. Was this what they called shock? Her eyes flew open, and she found herself staring into golden eyes she had only ever seen through a screen. ¡°¡­Cassis?¡± she whispered. But something was wrong. He wasn¡¯t the battle-hardened warrior she had watched last night. He looked younger, unscarred by time and hardship, just like the him from ten years ago when their patron ¨C awakener relationship began. Her mind reeled. Where am I? What¡¯s happening? Then, Cassis¡¯s grip on her tightened, his voice rough and filled with something she couldn¡¯t yet understand. ¡°Who are you?¡± Arianna blinked, stunned. She stared at his face, searching for any hint of familiarity in his golden eyes. But there was only wariness, confusion¡ªand something darker, something almost¡­ haunted. ¡°I''m ¡­ Arianna,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. His body tensed. ¡°Arianna?¡± He frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face. ¡°That¡¯s not possible.¡± A lump formed in her throat. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t understand. What¡¯s going on? I was crossing the street and then¡ª¡± Her breath caught. ¡°The car¡ªdid I get hit?¡± Cassis¡¯s expression darkened. His grip on her loosened just slightly. She shook her head, trying to make sense of everything. ¡°Where am I?¡± Cassis hesitated before replying, his voice guarded. ¡°This is Avaria.¡± Her stomach dropped. ¡°Avaria¡­?¡± It couldn¡¯t be. That was the world from her dreams¡ªthe world Cassis lived in, the world of the system apocalypse. But it had always been just that: a dream. A fantasy she had watched from the other side of the screen. She swallowed. ¡°How old are you?¡± Cassis frowned at the strange question but answered, nonetheless. ¡°I¡¯m 28.¡± Her heart pounded. ¡°That means¡­¡± Arianna pressed a hand to her forehead. She was really here. And if Cassis was 28, that meant it was the very beginning of the apocalypse. ¡°I¡¯m 27,¡± she finally said, her voice shaky, just wanting to say anything. She didn''t want to think about the implications of physically being in Cassis¡¯s world at the beginning of the apocalypse. Cassis stared at her. ¡°You¡¯re younger than me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Before either of them could say anything else, a low growl echoed through the air. Arianna¡¯s breath hitched as a group of small, hunched figures with green skin emerged from the trees, their yellow eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°Goblins,¡± Cassis muttered, his jaw tightening. Arianna knew what that meant. Goblins were weak compared to the horrors that would come later, but Cassis had yet to awaken. He was just a regular human right now. The people around them started screaming as one of the goblins killed the first person and started eating him. The other goblins advanced and people ran away in a panic. ¡°We need to run, too,¡± he said, setting her down and grabbing her wrist. Arianna didn¡¯t argue. With her heart hammering, she ran alongside Cassis, plunging into the chaos of a world she had once only watched from afar. Chapter 2: The Cost of Action – Arianna Chapter 2: The Cost of Action ¨C Arianna Arianna¡¯s breath came in short gasps as she ran beside Cassis through the ruined streets. The city was crumbling around them, buildings reduced to rubble, the sky dark with smoke. They had run in a different direction than most people and soon the distant screams of other people faded into eerie silence, leaving only the sound of their hurried footsteps and the occasional snarl of unseen monsters in the distance. They reached a park, its once vibrant greenery now eerie and desolate. A children¡¯s playground stood abandoned, its swings creaking in the wind. A treehouse sat nestled in an old oak at the far end of the park. Cassis grabbed her hand and pulled her toward it. ¡°Up,¡± he whispered, glancing over his shoulder. Arianna scrambled up the wooden ladder, Cassis following close behind. Inside, the treehouse smelled of dust and old wood. There wasn¡¯t much inside, just a few forgotten toys, a child-sized shovel, and¡ªluckily¡ªa wooden baseball bat. Cassis picked it up, weighing it in his hands. ¡°They¡¯re still searching,¡± Arianna whispered, peering through a small window. Three goblins had followed them to the park and then split up, stalking through the greenery with their crude knives. ¡°They haven¡¯t seen us.¡± Cassis nodded. ¡°I need to awaken. The only way to do that is by killing a monster.¡± Arianna swallowed hard. ¡°I know.¡± He turned to her, gripping the bat tightly. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to,¡± he insisted. ¡°I¡¯ll kill one of them and awaken. Then I can protect you.¡± Arianna frowned. ¡°Cassis, I¡ª¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it enough if I fight?¡± he whispered harshly. ¡°I can do this. You don¡¯t have to dirty your hands.¡± Arianna¡¯s stomach twisted. The idea of killing terrified her, but she wasn¡¯t sure if it was the fear of the act itself, or the fear that Cassis would get himself killed while trying to protect her. Still, he looked so determined. So desperate. ¡°¡­Okay,¡± she murmured. ¡°Be careful.¡± Cassis nodded and crept down the ladder, moving like a shadow toward one of the goblins. Arianna gripped the child-sized shovel, holding her breath as she watched from the treehouse window. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the tiny weapon, her heart hammering against her ribs. Just in case¡­Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Cassis moved silently, raising the bat high before swinging it down on the goblin¡¯s head. The creature let out a shrill shriek but didn¡¯t die. Instead, it whirled around, slashing its knife wildly. Arianna¡¯s blood turned to ice as Cassis fought. The goblin¡¯s blade cut into his arms, shallow wounds blooming red. He gritted his teeth, pressing forward despite the pain. Then she saw them¡ªthe other two goblins, rushing toward the fight. Arianna cursed under her breath. Damn it, Cassis! Without thinking, she gripped the shovel tightly and launched herself out of the treehouse, sprinting toward the goblins. One of them turned just as she reached it, its beady yellow eyes widening in surprise. Before it could react, she drove the shovel forward, ramming the tip into its eye with all her strength. The goblin screeched, flailing as black blood gushed from its ruined eye socket. Cassis took advantage of the distraction, killing the last goblin with a brutal swing of his bat. Arianna stumbled back, panting. Her hands trembled, the shovel slipping from her grip. Then¡ªa ding sounded in her ears, and a glowing blue screen appeared in front of her.
Congratulations! You have awakened.
Her breath caught, but before she could fully register the message, the screen flickered wildly, the text rewriting itself.
ERROR: Patron system violation detected. Status update: Virtuous Deity ¡ú Fallen Patron Reason: Direct interference in the mortal world. VP (Virtuous Points) removed. Alignment shift: Virtuous ¡ú Chaotic. Goblin (Rank F) slain. Exp gained. ¡ú Creating a pseudo-awakener physique CP (Chaos Points) gained: +10 (for killing a living being), +10 (for protecting a mortal). Warning: As a Chaotic Deity, you must balance your actions carefully. Both intent and consequence will affect your CP. Should you become too virtuous or too evil, your CP will be reset.
Arianna¡¯s heart pounded. What¡­ what does this mean? ¡°Arianna!¡± Cassis¡¯s voice yanked her from her daze. He stalked toward her, his golden eyes blazing with fury. ¡°What the hell were you thinking?!¡± She blinked at him. ¡°I was thinking that you needed help!¡± ¡°You were supposed to stay hidden!¡± he whisper-shouted, his anger barely contained. ¡°What if you had gotten hurt? What if you had died?¡± Arianna clenched her fists. ¡°And what if you had died?¡± She glared at him. ¡°You should be thanking me instead of yelling at me.¡± They locked eyes, tension crackling between them. Then she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. ¡°Whatever. That¡¯s not important. What matters is¡ªdid you awaken?¡± Cassis stiffened, looking away. ¡°Yeah¡­ I did.¡± Arianna exhaled in relief. ¡°Good. That means¡ª¡± ¡°But it¡¯s the same,¡± he muttered, cutting her off. Her brows furrowed. ¡°Same?¡± Cassis immediately shut his mouth; his expression guarded. It was a small slip, but it sent alarm bells ringing in her mind. He shouldn¡¯t know how the system works already¡­ Today is the first day of the apocalypse. Her stomach twisted. Did Cassis¡­ remember, too? Before she could ask, Cassis¡¯s eyes widened in sudden realization. He turned toward the direction they had come from. ¡°I have to go home.¡± Arianna hesitated. ¡°Your family?¡± He nodded. ¡°I need to make sure they¡¯re safe. Come on.¡± Arianna stared at him, then at the ruined city around them. Everything had changed in an instant. The apocalypse had begun, and there was no turning back. ¡°¡­Yeah,¡± she said. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Without another word, she picked up her small shovel and they started toward Cassis¡¯s home, the weight of their new reality pressing down on them both. Chapter 3: The Weight of the Past – Cassis Chapter 3: The Weight of the Past ¨C Cassis Cassis ran. The cold evening air burned his lungs, but he didn''t stop. His boots pounded against the cracked pavement as he led Arianna through the streets full of monsters and bloody corpses. Buildings loomed around them, their windows shattered, their structures trembling with the aftershocks of the apocalypse. The people who had survived the first wave had found some kind of shelter, a house, a shed, ¡­ Anyone left in the streets was being eaten by monsters. This worked to their advantage as the monsters were busy with the corpses and didn¡¯t get up to chase them. In the distance, he could hear the monstrous wails of creatures still spilling through the gates that had torn open the sky. His childhood home wasn¡¯t far now. Just a few more streets. Just a little farther. He was lucky that his past self had been on his way to visit his parents for his mother¡¯s birthday. But his mind was elsewhere.
I¡¯ve already lived through this nightmare. Fourteen years of carnage. The first day had been the worst of them all. He still remembered it vividly¡ªthe helplessness, the despair. He had lost his family before he had even grasped what was happening. Before he had even been strong enough to fight back. On this day he had only been able to hide in the garden shed of one of their neighbours and didn¡¯t come out until the monsters had left. He hadn¡¯t known it at the time, but after the monsters had sated their hunger, most went back to their homes: the newly formed dungeons. They would come out of the dungeons again if they weren¡¯t cleared before a certain deadline. And in some regular intervals there would be monster waves independent from the dungeons and quickly scaling in difficulty. Humanity would learn of that soon. But in two days only some monsters would be found outside of the dungeons: stragglers, left behind by the dungeon monsters and newly mutated animals and plants due to the increase of mana particles in the atmosphere. They just had to hunker down hat his parents¡¯ house for that time frame and then he could plan how to protect everyone. In the past, however, he had been alone after that day. Everyone he knew was gone. He had run to his parent¡¯s home and found blood stains and bits and pieces of his parents and younger brother. The monsters had eaten them. He screamed and screamed until he thought he had gone mad. But reality came back soon. He became hungry, had to look for something to eat. And some time later the monsters came back. He took his father¡¯s hunting knife and killed all who came to his family¡¯s home. That was when he awakened. System Message: Awakening Detected! Cassis has successfully awakened as an F-rank awakener. The awakening process is complete, and new abilities have manifested. As an F-rank, the following features have been unlocked: This is just the beginning. Your journey to greater strength begins now. F-Rank Ability Acquired: Stay vigilant and train wisely, for your true potential has only begun to surface. Afterwards he became a solitary soldier in a war against the end of the world. For months, he had survived on sheer instinct, clawing his way through the ranks of the awakened, never expecting help. And then, one day, the voice came. Through a blue screen he saw her words as text and then he heard her in his head. He hadn¡¯t known Patrons could do that. And in the following years he hadn¡¯t heard of any other Patron with the ability to project their voice directly into an awakener¡¯s head. At first, he had ignored it. Patrons didn¡¯t care about F-rank awakeners. If they did, it was only to toy with them for entertainment, to watch them suffer. So, when he first heard her voice¡ªsoft, uncertain, pleading¡ªhe had thought it was some cruel joke. Then, came the battle against the two-headed serpent. A five-meter-long nightmare of fangs and venom. He had fought with everything he had, but in the end, even though he had slain it, he was dying. His body had been torn apart, his vision dimming, and the voice¡ªher voice¡ªhad been crying.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Then, warmth. A sudden weight in his hand. A potion. No patron would waste precious resources on an uncontracted F-rank. But she had. And when he hesitated¡ªwhen he had been ready to let go¡ªshe had begged him to live. Please, Cassis. Please drink it. Please¡­ Her voice had been like an angel¡¯s. And so, he had drunk the potion and survived. That was how it all began. Arianna. A virtuous deity who had chosen him, a nobody. She had offered him a contract, something he hadn¡¯t thought himself worthy of. He had tried to refuse, told her to find someone stronger, someone deserving. But she had been stubborn, even crying again, telling him she couldn''t bear to watch him suffer without helping. She had told him of the contract benefits¡ªhow he would become stronger, how she could send him better items, how his rank progression would be accelerated. But none of that mattered as much as the way she sounded. Earnest. Genuine. So, he had accepted. And for ten years, she had been his only companion in a world of endless bloodshed. She had always been the same. Always bright. Always kind. She had begged him to find allies, to trust others. But he had refused. He only needed her. And then, one day, she had threatened to leave if he didn¡¯t find companions. He had called her bluff. And she had disappeared. At first, he thought she was simply giving taking some time to cool off. But days turned into weeks. Weeks into months. And then years. She never returned. He had burned with fury. He had let her in. Trusted her. And she had abandoned him like everyone else. He had vowed revenge, trained harder than ever, fought recklessly to the brink of death. If she wouldn¡¯t return to him, then he would force her back. And so, four years after she had vanished, he had reached S-rank. And in an S-rank dungeon, after slaying a dragon, he had found it. A wishing lamp. A single wish. He had wished for revenge. For her to suffer as he had suffered. The lamp had activated. And then¡ª Error. System needs to recalibrate due to impossible wish. Computing... Computing... Solution found. Wish fulfilment is starting. And when he had opened his eyes again, he had been here. Disoriented and aching, he had found himself standing in the middle of a familiar street. He had recognized the cracked pavement, the layout of the buildings¡ªbut something felt off. There were no signs of battle, no corpses, no stench of blood and death that had long since become familiar to him. There were quite a few people in the streets. They looked ... normal, pre-apocalypse normal. The air was still, yet there was an eerie tension in the atmosphere, as if something terrible was about to begin. The people around him were silent, looking upwards. So, he looked up, too and saw the sky of his nightmares. Dark red, swirling with ominous energy. The sky of the first day. The day everything began. His breath caught. His mind reeled. He looked down at his hands¡ªsmooth, unscarred. The countless wounds and callouses from fourteen years of war were gone. No¡­ He staggered, his chest tightening. It can¡¯t be. That was when the first gate tore open. A massive rift in reality, swirling with darkness. He had seen this scene before¡ªhad lived through it. He could never forget the sight of those gates birthing the creatures that would bring ruin to humanity. But before the first monsters could emerge, something unexpected happened. Something fell from one of the gates. Not a monster. A person. His body moved before he could think. He ran toward the falling figure, confusion warring with instinct. The descent was unnaturally slow, as if unseen hands were guiding them down. As they neared the ground, the floating figure drifted toward him, settling gently into his arms. A woman. His breath hitched. She looked young, around his age, with soft brown hair and delicate features. She was¡­ cute. She stirred, her brows furrowing slightly, and then her eyes fluttered open¡ªvivid blue, bright with confusion. ¡°¡­Cassis?¡± she whispered. His heart stopped.
The past. The first day of the apocalypse. And then, she had fallen from the sky. Arianna. In the flesh. And she had recognized him immediately. She had been confused at first, but then she had spoken of a car. A car accident. The wishing lamp had called his wish of having her in this world impossible. She had died in that car accident. That was why she had disappeared. Not abandoned him. Not betrayed him. She had been dead. A sick feeling curled in his stomach. He had hated her for years, burned for revenge against a woman who had never once meant him harm. And now, she was here. Alive. And he had dragged her into this world. A world that was being destroyed. A hellish world. She must never know. She must never realize what he had done. She was confused, scrunching up her eyebrows and asked for his age. Deliberately he said 28 instead of his real age of 42 years. That was his age when the apocalypse began. He had to convince her that he had no knowledge of the future. It was the only way to keep her in the dark, to not lose her again. She told him that she was 27. He was surprised and asked, ¡°You¡¯re younger than me?¡±. She had been so mature in their interactions in the past but if she was now 27 that meant she was only 17 when they first met. Even more guilt burned in his stomach. He had shown a teenager this dying world, had expected her to support him through terrible battles. And now he had ruined her life by bringing her here. Cassis, he told himself, you will protect her. And one day, you will find a way to send her back. The S-rank dungeon with the wishing lamp will appear again. You must become stronger. The sound of growls brought him back to the present. Some of the hyena like monsters were finishing their ¡°meals¡± and taking notice of him and Arianna. Quickly they turned a corner, his childhood home finally in sight. ¡°Arianna,¡± he said, glancing at her. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡± She nodded, gripping the small shovel she had found in the treehouse. The shovel she had used to kill a goblin to protect him. This wasn''t right. He was too weak. He needed to do better, to protect her better. He was the same F-rank as last time. He clenched his fists. He would not fail her, not this time. Chapter 4: A Desperate Gamble – Arianna Chapter 4: A Desperate Gamble ¨C Arianna Arianna ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her lungs burned, her legs ached, but she forced herself to keep moving. She wasn¡¯t used to this kind of exertion. In her old life, she had been active but not athletic¡ªcertainly not someone who ran for their life. But now wasn¡¯t the time to think about that. She focused on Cassis¡¯s back, on the rhythmic pounding of her feet against the pavement, trying to block out everything else. The grotesque sights of corpses lining the streets, the horrifying creatures feasting on them¡ªit was too much. She felt sick, but she swallowed the bile in her throat and pushed forward. ¡°Here it is,¡± Cassis said, his voice sharp and urgent. They stopped in front of a moderate-looking two-story house with a small driveway. The front door was demolished, splinters of wood scattered across the entrance. Then¡ª A scream. Cassis didn¡¯t hesitate. He gripped his baseball bat and rushed inside. Arianna followed, her heartbeat hammering in her ears. She barely registered the entryway as she burst into the house, sprinting past the ruined furniture and broken frames. Then, in the living room, she saw it. A two-meter-tall orc, its bipedal form grotesquely pig-like, its massive tusked mouth chewing something red. A middle-aged man knelt on the floor, his face twisted in agony as he clutched the bleeding stump where his arm had been. The woman beside him¡ªhis wife, no doubt¡ªtried to drag him away, tears streaming down her face. A younger man, armed only with a chair, swung it desperately at the monster, shielding a trembling little girl behind him. The orc had Cassis¡¯s father¡¯s arm in its mouth. Before Arianna could even process the horror, Cassis was already mid-swing. His bat connected with the back of the orc¡¯s skull. The creature grunted, stumbling forward before turning with an enraged snarl. It swiped at Cassis, who barely ducked in time, the air whistling as the massive hand passed over him. Seizing the opportunity, Cassis¡¯s brother swung the chair with all his strength. The wooden legs splintered upon impact, breaking apart uselessly. The orc turned its wrathful gaze toward him, preparing to strike. Cassis didn¡¯t let it. He lunged, leaping onto the orc¡¯s back, wrapping his legs around its thick neck. With both hands, he gripped the bat and rained blow after blow onto its head. The orc shrieked, clawing at him with long, jagged nails. Blood trickled from Cassis¡¯s arms as the nails raked his skin, but he didn¡¯t stop. The orc, growing desperate, charged backward, slamming itself against the wall in an attempt to dislodge him. Cassis groaned in pain as the impact knocked the air from his lungs. He held on¡ªuntil the second slam. This time, he lost his grip and fell heavily to the floor, momentarily dazed. Arianna gripped her shovel tighter. Now was her chance. The orc clutched its head, still reeling from the relentless attack. She ran forward and jumped, aiming for its eye just as she had done with the goblin before. The shovel struck true. The blade of the tool drove deep into the orc¡¯s left eye socket, but she lost her grip on the handle. The orc howled in agony, thrashing wildly.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. One of its flailing arms struck her with incredible force. Pain exploded through her body as she was sent flying into a wall. Her vision swam, and she struggled to stay upright, pressing a trembling hand against the cold surface for stability. Cassis¡¯s brother grabbed another chair, using it as a shield to keep the orc at bay. Their mother, her face streaked with tears, had disappeared¡ªbut then she returned, a kitchen knife clutched in her shaking hands. Cassis staggered back to his feet, blood streaming down a fresh wound on his forehead. With a guttural yell, he swung his bat again, the force of his strike fueled by desperation. The orc wailed as it staggered back, barely standing. Taking the cue, Cassis¡¯s brother and mother attacked as well. The kitchen knife dug into flesh, the chair battered against its side. The orc crumbled under the onslaught. Arianna¡¯s gaze darted around the room. She had been knocked near the fireplace. Her hands found the iron poker resting in its bucket. Gritting her teeth, she seized it and rushed forward. With the last of her strength, she drove the poker straight into the orc¡¯s heart. The creature convulsed before finally slumping forward, lifeless. [System Message: Orc (Rank D) slain. Exp gained. Pseudo-awakener physique level up.] [Patron Bonus: +30 CP (for saving mortals) | +40 CP (for killing a living being beyond your level)] Everyone stood there, panting heavily. Then¡ª ¡°Marcus!¡± Cassis¡¯s mother screamed, dropping the knife and bolting toward the kitchen. Arianna¡¯s stomach twisted. The father¡ª They all followed her into the kitchen. Cassis¡¯s father was on the floor, his severed arm still bleeding. The flow had slowed, but it was still steady, dangerously so. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. He was slipping away. Cassis froze for only a second before he tore off part of his shirt and wrapped it tightly around his father¡¯s upper arm. A tourniquet. It wasn¡¯t much, but it might buy them time. Then he turned to Arianna, his voice sharp with desperation. ¡°A potion! Do you have one?!¡± Arianna¡¯s mind blanked for a second before realization struck. The Patron Shop! She could buy one! ¡°System!¡± she screamed in her mind. ¡°Open the Patron Shop!¡± A translucent blue screen appeared before her, displaying the shop¡¯s interface. She hurriedly typed small healing potion into the search bar. Relief flooded her when the item appeared. She had 90 CP¡ªshe could afford it, it was only 50 VP! But when she hit the buy button, it was greyed out. Her heart sank. She looked at the price. 100 CP. ¡°No,¡± she whispered. This couldn¡¯t be happening. Cassis¡¯s expression crumpled as she met his gaze. His legs gave out and he fell to the ground. He looked utterly broken. Arianna¡¯s hands clenched into fists. No. She refused to let this happen. Not when they had come this far. Then she heard it¡ªthe distant howls outside. Her resolve hardened. She had one way to earn more points. Without another word, she grabbed the iron poker and ran out of the house. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she spotted two hyena-like creatures prowling the street. Keeping low, she crept behind a parked car. When they passed by¡ªshe struck. Her poker slammed into the first one¡¯s head. It collapsed, dazed. The second one lunged at her, its teeth sinking into her empty left arm that she had brought up just in time to shield her face. White-hot pain surged through her, but she didn¡¯t stop. She raised the poker and stabbed. Again. And again. The first hyena recovered and still crawling on the ground, latched onto her leg. She screamed but forced herself to keep stabbing. Finally, the first creature went still. Giving herself one last push she stabbed the poker into the head of the monster mauling her leg. [System Message: Hyena (Rank F) slain. Exp gained. Hyena (Rank F) slain. Exp gained.] [Patron Bonus: +20 CP (for killing two living beings)] Enough. Arianna, bleeding and gasping, bought the potion and staggered back into the house. ¡°Cassis!¡± she croaked, tossing the vial to him. His hands closed around it instantly. Without hesitation, he poured it into his father¡¯s mouth. A golden light enveloped the wound. The bleeding stopped. His father¡¯s expression relaxed, his breathing steadied, the colour returned to his face. Arianna exhaled in relief. She had done it. A smile appeared on her face, but the ground suddenly came closer. Then everything went black. Chapter 5: The Weight of a Resolution – Cassis Chapter 5: The Weight of a Resolution ¨C Cassis Cassis¡¯ legs gave out. The moment Arianna whispered, ¡°I don¡¯t have enough points,¡± his body felt like it had turned to stone. His knees hit the cold floor of the kitchen; his breath ragged. The world blurred, everything around him fading into the background. Too weak. I¡¯m too weak. Again. His father lay before him, bleeding out. Just like before. No matter how much he tried, no matter how much he fought against fate, things were repeating. He had been given a second chance, a miraculous opportunity to fix everything¡ªand yet, here he was, kneeling in failure. You thought you could change the past? A cruel voice in his head sneered. How pathetic. You¡¯re just a fool grasping at dreams. Everyone you love will die. Just like before. Arianna would die, too. Because of him. Because he had brought her here. His breath came in short gasps. He felt like he was drowning, dragged deeper into a sea of despair. Even as his mother sobbed over his father, even as his brother knelt frozen in shock, he could only hear his own self-loathing whispering to him. In the distance he could hear a woman faintly screaming. Arianna? Yes, she too would die screaming. It was all his fault. Then, through the fog of his mind¡ª ¡°Cassis!¡± His head snapped up. ¡°The potion!¡± Arianna shouted, throwing a small vial towards him. Time seemed to slow. His instincts kicked in, and he caught it just before it could hit the ground. His fingers tightened around the smooth glass. A healing potion. Without wasting another second, he yanked the cork off with his teeth and tilted the vial against his father¡¯s lips. The glowing liquid poured into his mouth, and a golden light enveloped his father¡¯s severed arm. The bleeding stopped, the wound sealed over, and his face eased into unconscious, painless sleep. Relief slammed into Cassis like a tidal wave, his body trembling. His father was alive. Then, his mind snapped back to the present. How had Arianna bought the potion? She had just said she didn¡¯t have enough points. He turned to her¡ªand his heart stopped. She was covered in blood. Bite wounds marred her left arm and right leg, and long, shallow scratches stretched across her stomach. But she was smiling, standing there as if everything was fine, watching him with exhaustion and satisfaction. Her screams. Had they been real? She had left to fight. She had thrown herself into danger alone, just to save his father. The realization sent a painful twist through his chest. He wanted to say something, wanted to ask what the hell she had been thinking¡ª But then her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed. ¡°Arianna!¡± He was just fast enough to catch her before she hit the ground. His arms wrapped around her limp body, her weight unfamiliar but not unwelcome. He pressed his ear to her chest¡ªher heartbeat was still there. Her breaths were shallow, but steady. She would live. She was an awakener, and she would recover. Cassis clenched his jaw, looking down at her bloodied, unconscious face. He had almost lost her. Because he had hesitated. Because he had given up. And she had stepped up in his moment of weakness. She had born the harshness of a fight instead of him. Never again. His grip on her tightened as he made his resolution. He had been weak, lost in his despair, but no more. He would protect her. He would change the past. He would fight, no matter how impossible it seemed. Lifting her carefully, he carried her to the couch in the living room, ignoring the lifeless corpse of the orc and the quiet sobs of the young girl in the corner. His mind was clear now, sharp with purpose. First, they needed to secure the house. ¡°Barricade the door,¡± he ordered his mother and brother. They were still dazed, frozen in shock, but his voice jolted them into action. They rushed to lift the broken door, then dragged a table and some heavy plastic storage boxes in front of it. They fixed most of the door with some duct tape. It wouldn¡¯t hold against stronger monsters, but for now, it was the best they could do. Cassis focused on the next immediate problem¡ªtreating Arianna¡¯s wounds. He ran to the kitchen, grabbed the first aid kit, and found a pair of scissors. When he returned, his mother and brother were watching him, but he ignored their questioning gazes. Methodically, he cut away Arianna¡¯s torn clothes, leaving her in her underwear. Her skin was smeared with blood and dirt, but it was the wounds that made his stomach clench. The bite marks on her limbs were deep, the scratches across her stomach still sluggishly bleeding. This is my fault. He shoved the thought away and focused on cleaning her wounds. He poured alcohol over them, watching as her face twisted in unconscious pain. His heart ached, but he kept working, disinfecting and bandaging her injuries one by one. When he was finished, he covered her with a blanket. She would survive. Only then did he turn his attention to his mother and brother, who were still watching him. They had questions¡ªhe could see it in their eyes¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t ready to answer them yet. Instead, his gaze landed on the unknown girl still huddled in the corner, hugging her knees.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Who is she?¡± he asked. His brother, Liam, hesitated before answering. ¡°We don¡¯t know. When the monsters first came, we hid in the house, but then we saw her and her mother being chased by that monster.¡± He gestured toward the dead orc. ¡°We couldn¡¯t just let them die. Dad opened the door and shouted for them to come inside. The woman pushed her daughter toward us, but she didn¡¯t make it.¡± Liam swallowed hard, his face pale. ¡°She¡­ she jumped at the monster to buy her daughter time. Dad tried to save her, but¡­ it swatted her body away like a fly. I think she landed somewhere in the Miller''s garden. Dad barely managed to grab the girl and get back inside before the monster came after us.¡± So that was why the orc had entered the house. The first-wave monsters were usually stupid, only breaking into homes if they saw movement or heard loud noises. Cassis had survived in the past because of that fact. His mother slowly approached the girl, her voice soft. ¡°Hi there, sweetheart. I¡¯m Danielle. What¡¯s your name?¡± The girl didn¡¯t respond. She just sat there, unseeing, lost in shock. Cassis sighed and grabbed another blanket, handing it to his mother. ¡°Keep her warm, but don¡¯t touch her. If she screams, it¡¯ll draw more monsters.¡± His mother looked heartbroken, but nodded, gently draping the blanket over the child¡¯s small shoulders. Then, suddenly the young girl said:¡± My mommy¡¯s not dead!¡± The girl''s small frame trembled as she clung to Danielle, her tiny fingers digging into the fabric of her shirt. "She¡¯s not dead," the girl whispered. "She¡¯s not dead!" Her voice grew in volume, rising into a wail, repeating the words over and over again. She sobbed uncontrollably, her body wracked with shudders as she buried her face in Danielle¡¯s arms. Danielle cradled her, whispering soothing words, but the girl was inconsolable. Her pain was raw, unfiltered, and it echoed within Cassis. He watched her, his jaw tightening. He had seen loss before. He had lived through the horrors of the apocalypse once already. And if there was one thing he knew, it was that letting emotions consume you would lead to death. Yet, looking at her, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to dismiss her grief. He understood it. And maybe¡­ just maybe¡­ her mother wasn¡¯t gone yet. The old Cassis wouldn¡¯t have tried. He wouldn¡¯t have risked himself for a stranger. But he had already decided¡ªthis time, things would be different. If he wanted to change the past, he had to start here. He took a breath and made his decision. ¡°We¡¯re going to look for her,¡± he said, his voice firm. Liam snapped his head toward him. "What? That¡¯s insane! She was thrown across the street¡ª" Danielle looked between them. "Cassis¡ª" ¡°I know.¡± He cut her off. ¡°But I can¡¯t ignore the possibility that she¡¯s alive. And if she isn¡¯t¡­ then at least the girl will know for sure.¡± Danielle hesitated, glancing at the crying child in her arms. Finally, she sighed. "Seriously, you¡¯re just like your father. Always being a hero. If you go, be careful. Please." Liam scowled but relented. "Fine. But if we do this, we do it fast. No unnecessary risks." Cassis nodded. "Agreed." The girl sniffled, lifting her tear-streaked face. "You¡¯ll really find my mom?" ¡°I can¡¯t promise,¡± Cassis admitted, ¡°but I¡¯ll do my best.¡± Her lips trembled, and for a moment, she looked unsure. Then she whispered, "My name is Violet. Thank you." Cassis turned to gather supplies. He grabbed the poker Arianna had used, while Liam picked up his baseball bat and their mother¡¯s knife. They didn¡¯t dare use the front door¡ªit was too exposed. Instead, they climbed out through the kitchen window. The sun had started to set, draping the world in deep shadows. The less light, the better. It made it easier to move unseen. They crouched low in their backyard, inching toward the street. Every sound felt deafening in the eerie silence. Liam pointed toward the Millers¡¯ garden. Cassis nodded, and they moved, darting across the street and into the cover of the bushes. That was when they saw her. A blonde woman lay among the shrubs, her body still, face pale in the dim light. Cassis felt his stomach tighten. Was she already gone? He knelt beside her, pressing two fingers to her neck. A faint pulse. ¡°She¡¯s alive,¡± he whispered, barely believing it himself. Liam let out a breath of relief. "Now what? She¡¯s in bad shape. Broken bones for sure. Probably a concussion. We can¡¯t move her like this." She needs a potion Cassis thought, grimacing. But surely Arianna¡¯s out of points. Liam swore. "What do we do? We can¡¯t just leave her here." Cassis clenched his jaw. He wasn¡¯t going to let her die. Not when she still had a chance. And then, an idea formed in his mind. It was risky, but it could work. ¡°Normal people won¡¯t survive these injuries,¡± he admitted. ¡°But an awakener¡­ even at F-rank, they heal faster. If we awaken her, she might survive." Liam looked at him sceptically and frowned. "What''s an awakener?" Cassis told him: "After you killed that orc with us you saw a blue box congratulating you for awakening. It told you that you were an F-rank awakener and that you had some abilities, didn''t it? And now you feel stronger than ever and even your shallow wounds from the fight just an hour ago have already scabbed over." Liam thought it over and it made sense, but he asked: "Then how do we awaken her? She¡¯s unconscious. She can¡¯t fight." Cassis explained quickly. "The system recognizes kills and who landed hits on the monster before it died. The exp depends on how much you contributed, but just a little bit is enough to awaken an F-rank. If we make sure she lands the final blow, she¡¯ll get some experience and awaken." Liam hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. What do we do?" ¡°You stay here with her. Put the knife in her hand. I¡¯ll find a monster, weaken it, and bring it back.¡± Liam looked uncomfortable but agreed. ¡°Hurry.¡± Cassis left without another word. He had done this before. He knew how to hunt. And now he wasn''t confused anymore. There was no reason the hesitate. Sure, he was weaker than before but his experience and his knowledge were still with him. Just around the corner, he found them¡ªtwo kobolds, small, bipedal dog-like creatures. He struck first, ramming the poker straight through the nearest kobold¡¯s heart. It collapsed instantly. The second let out a yelp of panic, but he was faster. He swung hard, beating it into submission until it lay twitching but alive. System message: [Kobold (Rank F) slain. Exp gained] Wasting no time, he grabbed the barely-conscious kobold and dragged it back to Liam. His brother was already holding the woman¡¯s hand, pressing the knife into her fingers. ¡°Put the knife here.¡± Cassis guided him, placing the blade over the kobold¡¯s chest. ¡°Its heart is lower, near the stomach.¡± Liam swallowed, then forced the knife downward. The kobold let out a weak cry before going still. Nothing happened. No system message. No immediate change. Then¡ª Color returned to the woman¡¯s face. Her shallow breathing grew steadier. They had done it. Carefully, they lifted her, struggling to move quickly without making noise. They retraced their path back to the kitchen window, heaving her inside. Once safe, Cassis turned just in time to see Violet¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°Mommy!¡± she cried, rushing forward. Danielle caught her before she could shake the woman. "Shh, sweetheart, she¡¯s still hurt. She needs rest." Violet¡¯s joy wavered into uncertainty. "Why won¡¯t she wake up?" Cassis knelt beside her, his voice gentle. "Your mom was hurt badly. She¡¯s sleeping now because she needs to heal. It will take time. But she¡¯ll be okay soon." Violet looked at him, searching his face for reassurance. Then, slowly, she nodded. Danielle wiped away tears. "You did good, Cassis." He didn¡¯t respond. He only looked at the unconscious woman and exhaled. They had saved her. For now. But she still needed a potion, otherwise she wouldn''t wake up again. That was the problem with a head injury, even awakeners couldn''t survive everything. Still, they had bought time. Once Arianna woke up, she would want to go out and get enough points to buy another potion for this woman. That''s just the kind of person she was. His eyes found her, still sleeping on the couch. He didn''t like that she was going to fight. After all, she had no actual experience. From what he knew of her world it had been peaceful, according to what she had told him over the years it was almost the same as his world before the apocalypse. She wouldn''t have had a reason to fight or kill. But even though he didn''t like it, he was also proud of her. She had watched him fight for ten years but that was an immense difference to fighting herself. And still she had done it without hesitation. She had rushed the first goblin to protect him, had thrown herself into the fight against the orc to help him and his family and had fought alone against some monsters to save his father. That was just the kind of person she was, and he would not disappoint her again like he had done in the past. That was why he went out to find Violet''s mother. Chapter 6: Nightfall and new discoveries – Cassis Chapter 6: Nightfall and new discoveries ¨C Cassis After they had rescued Violet¡¯s mother, Cassis decided that they should all go to sleep¡ªto escape the burning questions in his family¡¯s eyes. They agreed, exhaustion settling deep into their bones. The second floor had three bedrooms and one bathroom. They could barricade the stairs leading upwards and take refuge in the separate rooms: his parents in their master bedroom, Liam with Violet and her mother in his room, and Cassis with Arianna in his childhood room. Liam and their mother protested against Cassis keeping watch alone, but he didn¡¯t trust them yet to notice any approaching monsters in time. After some back and forth, he relented, allowing them to take the last third of the night shift together. That seemed to satisfy them, and soon they all went about settling in. Together, Cassis and his mother carried his father to bed. Liam picked up Violet¡¯s mother and placed her in his own bed, while he opted to sleep on his bean bag chair. Violet curled up beside her mother on the queen-sized mattress. Cassis only had a single bed, having moved out at eighteen, while Liam still lived at home despite being twenty-three. Once everyone was situated, Cassis lifted Arianna into his arms, carrying her to his bed. He kept the blanket wrapped around her carefully. She remained asleep, her breathing soft and steady. He placed her down before getting up and barricading the upper part of the stairs with his and Liam''s desks. Tired he came back to his childhood room and settled into his old desk chair, ready to stand guard. His mother and brother came by to say goodnight. Before they retreated to their rooms, Cassis cautioned them against turning on the lights or making any loud noises. Even a small mistake could attract unwanted attention. Cassis wasn¡¯t sure how well they¡¯d sleep, but at least in each room, there was someone capable of fighting. That was the best they could do for now. As the house grew quiet, he took the opportunity to clean the poker, wiping off the dried blood as old habits resurfaced. Then, curiosity overtook him, and he pulled up his status page.
Status
Unlike in many games, there were no hp and mp, no stats or points to upgrade himself. Mana Saturation could be raised by building a mana circuit within the body, which would make him stronger even at his current rank. He mused over this¡ªhe would have to form a mana circuit soon, but it was too dangerous to attempt during the first wave of monsters. He already knew his elemental affinity from his last life: Fire. The system wouldn¡¯t acknowledge it until he ¡°discovered¡± it again. To do so, he needed to become aware of fire mana in his surroundings. He had to table this, too, as he didn''t have the time and security to work on sensing mana. Before reaching E-rank, he wouldn¡¯t be able to actively manipulate it anyway, but he could start sensing it now through meditation. That would help him later. However, his next goal was reaching Level 5 and obtaining a basic class. He already knew which one he would pick¡ªWarrior. That was his fighting style. If he had a sword, he¡¯d fight even better, but beggars couldn¡¯t be choosers. For now, the poker would have to do. Cassis sat in silence, turning plans over in his mind for hours. His thoughts only ceased when he noticed Arianna stirring, her breathing shifting as her body slowly awoke from deep sleep. Cassis immediately pushed himself up from the chair and moved to her side, kneeling on the floor. As soon as her eyes fluttered open, he leaned over her, his expression shadowed with concern. "What were you thinking?" he whispered, his voice low but firm. "Running headfirst into danger like that? What if something had gone wrong? What if you''d gotten yourself killed?" Arianna blinked at him, still groggy, but as she processed his words, a small smirk tugged at her lips. "Nice to see you too, Cassis." He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I''m serious, Ari. You took a huge risk. That potion¡ªwhat if it hadn¡¯t worked? What if something had gone wrong? You could have died, or worse." Her smirk faded slightly, but the teasing light in her eyes remained. "Worse than dying? Do tell." He scowled at her. "You know what I mean. You don¡¯t know what kind of consequences your actions might have in this world. You shouldn¡¯t have¡ª" "¡ªSaved your father¡¯s life?" she interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "Because I¡¯d do it again in a heartbeat, Cassis. And you know it." His jaw tightened. He wanted to argue, to tell her that she should have let him handle it, that she didn¡¯t need to throw herself into danger like that¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t. Because she was right. He had been incapacitated at that moment. He needed to do better. Instead, he let out a long breath and finally muttered, "Thank you... for saving him." Arianna smiled, a warm, almost smug expression. "See? Was that so hard?" Cassis rolled his eyes, choosing not to dignify that with a response. Instead, he filled her in on everything that had happened while she had been unconscious¡ªViolet¡¯s situation, how it came to be that the orc attacked his house, how they had saved Violet¡¯s mother by making her an awakener, but her still needing a potion to heal all the way.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Arianna¡¯s eyes brightened at that. "This is great!" she said, sitting up a little more. "You¡¯re finally overcoming your loner status. Helping other people is the first step." She grinned at him like a proud parent, and Cassis felt something in his chest tighten¡ªdiscomfort, embarrassment... something else he didn¡¯t want to examine too closely. And a vaguely insulted feeling was there, too. He was 42 years old, at least mentally, and she only 27. She must have noticed, because her grin turned mischievous. "Aw, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re getting all sentimental on me. Cassis, are you blushing?" He scowled. "Shut up." She chuckled, clearly enjoying herself before her expression turned more serious. "Cassis... do you remember the future?" His body tensed. "What?" "You¡¯ve had some slip-ups," she pointed out. "You knew how to fight too well for someone from a peaceful world, you knew about my potions, you didn¡¯t deny your whole ¡®lone wolf¡¯ thing. And when you awakened, you said you were ¡®the same again.¡¯ So, tell me the truth. Do you remember?" His thoughts raced, but outwardly, his expression remained blank. Poker face on. He considered his options, then finally settled on a mix of truth and deception. "Yes," he admitted. "I remember the future. After our fight, you disappeared. The world almost fell apart four years later. By then, the seventh wave was about to hit, and only a few A-rank and S-rank warriors were left. Avaria was doomed. So, I went into an S-rank dungeon, thinking I¡¯d go out in a blaze. I fought a dragon and then found the strangest artifact: a wishing lamp. Seeing hope, I wished to save my world. Next thing I knew, I was back at the start of the apocalypse, fourteen years in the past. Everything happened as I remembered¡ªuntil you appeared. The rest, you know." Arianna frowned, clearly mulling over his words. Something about his story felt off, but she couldn¡¯t quite place it. Then she focused on one particular detail. "So, I really died in that car accident, huh? Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have disappeared on you." Cassis¡¯s face darkened. He said nothing. In hindsight he should have know something bad had happened to her. She was his patron and only companion, after all. Arianna studied him for a moment, but let it go. Instead, she asked, "But why am I here?" He shamelessly shrugged. "No idea. But now we need to plan for the future. Last time, the first wave lasted for forty-eight hours. Around seven hours should have passed by now. I need to get stronger and reach level five. So tomorrow, I¡¯ll go out and hunt some monsters. You guys will be safe as long as you don¡¯t move around too much or make noise." Arianna narrowed her eyes at him. "You dimwit! You¡¯re trying to do everything alone again! I¡¯m coming with you, obviously. I want to get stronger too." Cassis opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself when he saw her determined expression. Why was she so damn cute when she was angry? He shook his head, startled by his own thoughts. Where had that come from? Still, he had to admit¡ªshe was right. He was trying to do things differently this time. Having a competent companion wouldn¡¯t be a bad thing. "Are you still a patron?" Cassis asked. Arianna nodded. "Yeah, I think I can even do the exclusive contract with you again. That would be best, because the patron shop has become quite expensive for some reason. The potion for your father cost double the amount of points. If we enter a contract, I get a fifty percent discount on certain items. Potions are included in that. Want to enter into the contract now?" Before he could say anything, a system message appeared. [Chaotic Deity and Fallen Patron Arianna wishes to enter into an exclusive contract with you. Do you want to become her avatar?] Cassis frowned. "Weren¡¯t you a virtuous deity?" And what was up with ¡®fallen patron¡¯? Was that his fault too? He clenched his fists while guilt burned inside him. What did that mean for her? She answered, "Well, according to the system message, I became a fallen patron when I killed the goblin because I directly interfered with the mortal world. And it seems killing a sentient being¡ªsince every F- and E-rank monster seems to be classified as one¡ªdidn¡¯t go well with being virtuous. The system took away all my VP and made me into a chaotic deity. Can you believe that? Now I get points for all sorts of weird things, like killing sentient beings, but also for saving mortals. And it said something about keeping balance on my alignment. I need to read through my status sometime soon." She shrugged her shoulders, not too concerned about her new status. Cassis, on the other hand, felt worse and worse listening to her. This was definitely his fault. But he couldn¡¯t change it now. It seemed she now got points for both virtuous and evil deeds. The balance thing concerned him, but they didn¡¯t know enough about it yet. Ignoring yet another issue¡ªhe was really getting good at that¡ªhe had another thought. "Are you only a deity? Or are you also an awakener? Your strength definitely increased after you killed the goblin." Arianna got that faraway look people had when checking their status. "I¡¯m also an awakener, or more precisely, I have a pseudo-awakener physique. I have no idea what that means, but my status screen looks the same as yours except for the ¡®?¡¯ behind the race: human. Oh, nice! I¡¯m already level two, and from how it feels, I should be level three soon. My mana saturation is at three percent already. Nice!" Now Cassis was somewhat jealous. His MS was only at two percent. He definitely wasn¡¯t telling her that. "Great. After the wave ends, we can work on our mana circuits. But wouldn¡¯t it be strange if I had a patron called Arianna and a companion called Arianna? That could make people suspicious. Can we give your patron persona a different name? A nickname maybe?" Cassis crossed his arms, his gaze flickering between Arianna¡¯s bright blue eyes and the matching gemstone resting against her collarbone. The sapphire pendant seemed to catch the dim light, sparkling in a way that felt almost¡­ alive. "What about Sapphire?" he suggested. Arianna stilled, her fingers instinctively reaching up to touch the necklace. "How did you come up with that name?" Her voice was quieter than before, almost wary. Cassis shrugged, trying to ignore the strange shift in the air between them. "Your eyes and your necklace. That¡¯s a sapphire, isn¡¯t it?" She nodded slowly, her grip tightening around the pendant. "Yeah¡­ It is." She hesitated, then sighed. "This necklace is special. I picked it up at an antique store when I was seventeen. It just¡­ I don¡¯t know, called to me." A small, self-deprecating chuckle escaped her lips. "I blew my whole allowance for the month on it. But I had this feeling¡ªI had to get it, no matter what." She glanced up at him, expression unreadable. "That night, I went to bed wearing it, and that was the first time I dreamt of you." Cassis stiffened. "Me?" She nodded again, rubbing her thumb over the smooth gemstone. "At first, it was just glimpses through a blue screen a black room. You were always there, but you never noticed me, even when I talked to you. You totally ignored all the text messages the system sent you.¡± She glared at him. ¡°Then, one night, I got so frustrated that I¡ª" She let out a breathy laugh. "I yelled at you. But of course, you ignored me again. It was just me screaming into the void." Something about that image unsettled him. He could almost see it¡ªa girl trapped in a dream, screaming for someone who never turned around. Arianna swallowed. "Then, the next night, the necklace glowed. And suddenly¡­ you could hear me, not just the text messages, but my voice." She shook her head, expression distant. "It must be some kind of magical artifact. But I have no idea how it ended up in my world. My world doesn¡¯t have mana. No magic, no monsters, no special abilities." Her lips quirked up slightly. "Just boring normality." Cassis exhaled, processing everything she had just told him. Their connection had started because of a pretty piece of jewelry. That necklace¡­ it had bridged the gap between their worlds ¨C Avaria and Earth. Arianna looked down at the sapphire in her hand. "But I like the name," she admitted. "Let''s go with that. My patron persona will be Sapphire." Cassis gave her a small nod, but inside, something gnawed at him. That necklace. That connection. Just what kind of fate had tied them together? Chapter 7: Being a Chaotic deity / human? – Arianna Chapter 7: Being a Chaotic deity / human? ¨C Arianna Arianna blinked as a system message popped up in front of her, the glowing text slightly blurred from her grogginess. Before she could focus on reading it, her body acted on instinct, pushing herself upright. The sudden movement sent sharp twinges through her entire body, and she winced, feeling every bruise and cut that had been numbed by unconsciousness. "Ow," she muttered, pressing a hand to her aching stomach. As the blanket pooled around her waist, cool air brushed against her skin. It was only then that she realized she was sitting there in nothing but her bra. Cassis, who had been hovering beside her, first looked alarmed at her pained expression, his concern evident. Then, as his gaze flickered downward, his entire demeanour changed. His face snapped up as if burned. "Uh¡ª" He cleared his throat and clenched his jaw, eyes fixed stubbornly on the ceiling. Arianna rolled her eyes. "Seriously? It¡¯s just a bra, Cassis. You¡¯re acting like a teenager." His posture stiffened slightly, and she could see the tips of his ears turning red. Suppressing an amused smirk, she glanced down at herself. Well, at least she wasn¡¯t completely naked, but that still didn¡¯t explain¡ª "Why am I undressed?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow at him. "I had to treat your wounds," he answered, voice tense, still avoiding looking in her direction. Then, as if suddenly struck by an idea, he straightened and practically jumped up, moving toward his wardrobe with a swiftness that made her grin. It was like he was trying to escape her proximity entirely. She watched as he rummaged through the wooden cabinet, eventually pulling out a worn black shirt and a pair of old grey jogging pants. He turned back toward her but kept his gaze strictly averted, holding the clothes out to her without looking. She noticed how rigidly he stood, his entire posture screaming discomfort. Oh, this was fun. A quiet chuckle slipped past her lips before she could stop it. Unfortunately, the action sent another sharp pain through her stomach, and she grimaced and winced, pressing a hand against the bandages wrapped around her midsection. Cassis heard her and immediately looked concerned again, though he still stubbornly avoided directly looking at her. "Here," he muttered, extending the clothes toward her, turning around completely. Arianna reached for them, but her movements felt sluggish, her limbs protesting the strain. She tried to swing her legs over the edge of the bed, but the moment she put weight on her injured arm and leg, pain shot through them. Gritting her teeth, she exhaled in frustration. "Cassis, help me get up." He hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to turn back around. Then, taking a deep breath, he slowly faced her again¡ªwith his eyes firmly shut. Arianna bit her lip to keep from laughing outright. Blindly, he reached out and found her uninjured arm, grasping her elbow carefully. With surprising gentleness, he helped pull her upright, guiding her legs out of the blanket so that her feet could touch the wooden floor. His focus was entirely on the task, his movements methodical as if distracting himself from the fact that she was still sitting there in nothing but underwear. He looked so adorably determined not to even glance at her that it took everything in Arianna not to burst out laughing. Really, it wasn¡¯t like she was wearing something scandalous. Her black bra and matching panties were plain, practical. They covered more than some of the bikinis she used to wear back in her world. And yet, here he was, acting as though one wrong glance might kill him. Once she was stable, he let go quickly and spun back around, his ears now fully red. Arianna smirked as she carefully pulled on the oversized shirt, maneuvering through the stiffness in her arms. The fabric was soft, slightly worn, and it smelled faintly of Cassis¡ªsomething woodsy and clean and fire. The jogging pants were trickier with her injuries, but she managed, albeit slower than usual. She had to roll them up quite a bit, as Cassis was around 1,90m and she only 1,67m. Luckily the jogging pants had a cord incorporated that she could use as a belt. But the shirt was really oversized, the collar dragged over one of her shoulders constantly while she put on the pants. Still, thinking of how she could actually move ¨C albeit slowly and painfully ¨C she had to admit, becoming an awakener had some perks. Her wounds weren¡¯t nearly as debilitating as they should have been. The healing factor was already working, dulling the pain and accelerating the recovery process. She finished dressing and let out a breath. "Alright, you can open your eyes now." Cassis hesitated before cautiously turning back toward her. His expression was carefully neutral, though the slight tension in his jaw remained. "Better?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest, amused. "Much," he said flatly. Then, after a pause, he exhaled and shook his head. "Next time, don¡¯t get yourself injured in the first place." Arianna grinned. "I¡¯ll try to keep that in mind." "I''ll look at my status for a bit. I just got a message," she said. Cassis nodded, seeming relieved, and busied himself with cleaning the poker, though it did already look clean. But what did she know? Arianna brought up her messages. The system message from just now appeared: [Do you wish to change your patron name to Sapphire?] She mentally clicked ''Yes,'' then pulled up her full status screen. First, her patron status:
Patron Status: Warning: As a Chaotic Deity, you must balance your actions carefully. Both intent and consequence will affect your CP. Should you become too virtuous or too evil, your CP will be reset.
She was curious about this screen. In her old world she could only see her VP, the Patron shop and the Patron¡¯s Avatar point in another screen than the one she was watching Cassis through. And how was she a deity? She was just a normal person; she didn¡¯t have any special abilities. Dreaming of Cassis was her necklace¡¯s ability. She opened the title [Fallen Patron]: Given to a deity who interfered with the mortal world directly Bonus: achieving pseudo-awakener status Alright, so that didn¡¯t actually tell her much. She continued on and navigated to her pseudo-awakener status page:
Pseudo-Awakener Status: Status
Arianna frowned as she read over her stats. First, she would have a look at the easiest part. Her title [One From Another World]. That one should be self expanatory. Given to an awakener who came from another world. Bonus: Can understand, speak and write/read this world¡¯s languages automatically Oh, that was very useful. And it said languages. So she should be able to speak all of them. Were there as many languages here as on Earth.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Second, What did ''Human?'' mean? Why was there a question mark? The system wasn¡¯t sure if she was human? She knew that in the future people could change their race through their specialized classes, evolutions and items. But that had always felt a little scary. And last, that ''inner scale of virtuous and evil deeds'' thing¡­ That sounded ominous. She tried feeling for it and suddenly before her inner eye she saw an old-fashioned scale. One side was white and the other black. Well, that was quite the clear and easy division. She noticed that the black scale was a bit heavier than the white one. She thought back to how she had gotten her points. Killing a sentient being was clearly an evil action, saving a mortal a virtuous action. But she had more messages about killing than saving, so it made sense that the black scale was heavier. She mumbled: ¡°I only killed the hyenas to save Cassis¡¯s father. This is so unfair.¡± A system message sprang up. [+20 CP (for saving a dying mortal)] Arianna blinked. "What the¡ª?" The realization hit her so suddenly that she blurted out, "Fuck!" [+1 CP (for swearing with profanity)] Cassis was alarmed: ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± she shushed him. ¡°Just a little surprised. I¡¯ll tell you in a second. Just let me try something first.¡± She stared at the messages, completely dumbfounded. Then, an idea struck her¡ªone that sent a mix of embarrassment and amusement through her. Could she... farm CP just by swearing? Determined to test the theory, she let loose every profanity she knew. Twelve more, to be exact. Her cheeks burned slightly at the realization that she could only think of thirteen curse words. How embarrassing! But not actually surprising considering she had been a virtuous deity before and had consciously tried not to come in contact with that. [+9 CP (for swearing with profanity)] [Warning: Profanity will have no further effect on CP. Your scale will still be influenced by it.] During her cursing spree, Cassis¡¯s concern had steadily grown. His brows furrowed deeper with every word she spat out. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t contain himself. "Arianna... what are you doing?" She made eye contact and quickly told him. "In a sec." She felt for her inner scale again. The white part had tipped down when she acknowledged her intention for killing the hyenas was saving Cassis¡¯s father but with her use of profanity the evil side was again heavier. She didn¡¯t want to know what would happen if one scale became a lot heavier than the other. Balance was key here. Next, she checked her CP. She had now 40 CP. Just 60 to go and she could give Violet¡¯s mother the potion. No wait, first she had to enter into an exclusive contract with Cassis, then the price should go down. Another thought struck her. She should have entered into a contract with Cassis when she wanted to buy the potion for his father. She slapped her forehead. That had been stupid, her only defence that she wasn¡¯t used to the system in her everyday life and that it had been a highly stressful situation. She looked up to find Cassis watching her, holding his silence but becoming increasingly worried. Maybe he thought her crazy. She certainly would think herself crazy. But she needed to continue her thought before taking to him. Musing about the prices in the Patron Shop for a bit she could understand why everything was more expensive with CP. After all, she got CP for virtuous and evil deeds. With VP she only got points for being virtuous and acting that way. She assumed it was the same for EP. So now she could collect points way easier than before. She smiled. Sure, the scale thing was scary. Still, she only needed to keep track of it. This was freeing. She wasn¡¯t stuck being a ¡°goody-two shoes¡± anymore. She could now be a little bad. Her smile got wider. Cassis narrowed his eyes. She could see he was at the end of his patience and quickly sent him a message asking for an exclusive contract. He accepted just as quickly. [Awakener Cassis Walker has agreed to become your avatar. New discounts at the shop available. Spread your name throughout the world and become the most powerful deity!] Ok, the last line was knew. She had no idea what that meant. Choosing to ignore it she looked at the shop again, then spoke her thoughts aloud. "Alright, the potion now costs only 50 CP. I¡¯m 10 CP short, though. As I though the price of potions ¨C and other items concerning the basic survival of my avatar ¨C has been cut in half. Next, it seems the system automatically rewards me with CP for direct actions. Like when I killed the goblin and helped kill the orc¡ªI got CP for killing a sentient creature and then CP for saving a ¡°mortal¡± as a direct result. But with the hyenas, I killed them to save your dad, but since they weren¡¯t actively attacking him, I didn¡¯t get any points for saving him. And I also didn¡¯t give him the potion myself, so I didn¡¯t get any points for that either. But just now, when I acknowledged that I did it to save him, I got CP." She tilted her head, fascinated. "This system is really interesting... it even gave me CP for swearing, though only 10 total. The system already warned me I can¡¯t use that trick again. But... there is one more way to get CP. If it works the same as when I was a virtuous deity, it¡¯ll be awkward, but it¡¯s easy. And it should give me exactly 10 CP." She looked at Cassis, hesitating for just a moment. Arianna took a deep breath, her expression serious. "Please, don¡¯t take the next few sentences the wrong way," she said, forcing an awkward smile. Cassis stared a her, clearly unsure of what she was about to say. "Alright...?" She pressed on. "One. You always take responsibility for the people around you. Even when you act all grumpy, you care more than anyone else I know." A system message popped up in the corner of her vision: [+1 CP for giving a sincere compliment with genuine feelings.] "Two. I admire your determination. No matter what happens, you never back down. That¡¯s the kind of strength I can rely on." Another message confirmed the CP gain. Arianna felt her stomach twist. This was so embarrassing. But she had to keep going. "Three. I trust you, completely. Even when I¡¯m in danger, I know you¡¯ll be there. That¡¯s... rare." Her cheeks burned. This was a lot harder than she had expected. Keeping eye contact was nearly impossible, but she forced herself to do it. "Four. You have a strong sense of honour and unwavering integrity. Even when given an opportunity to do otherwise, you always choose to do what¡¯s right." "Five. You¡¯re my best friend; you have been my rock when things in my world didn¡¯t go well for me. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d have done back then or what I¡¯d do now without you." Cassis¡¯s expression was unreadable. The next few would be the worst. Hopefully, he wouldn¡¯t take it the wrong way, but she just couldn¡¯t think up more compliments about his character, so his body it was¡­ "Six. Your golden eyes are mesmerizing. Every time you look at me, I feel like I¡¯m the only person in the world." Another ping. [+1 CP.] "Seven. You¡¯re ridiculously good-looking, you know that?" Now she was definitely beet-red in the face. She wanted to dig a hole and disappear. Cassis stiffened, looking at her like she had grown another head. "Eight. The way you fight¡ªit¡¯s not just impressive, it¡¯s... captivating. There¡¯s something so strong and graceful about it, I can¡¯t look away." "Nine. I don¡¯t know if you realize this, but you have a really nice voice. It¡¯s deep, calm... kind of soothing, actually." That one made Cassis choke, and she swore his ears turned even redder than when she was in her underwear. "Ten. When I woke up in your arms at the start of everything all I could think was how broad your shoulders are and how nice it was to be in your arm. You make me feel small and safe in a way I kind of... like." Finally. The tenth one. She had done it. A final message appeared before her eyes: [+1 CP for giving a sincere compliment with genuine feelings.] And then another: [Warning: Complimenting will have no further effect on CP. Your scale will still be influenced by it.] Arianna exhaled sharply, feeling like she had just survived an ordeal. She could barely bring herself to look at Cassis, who was staring at her like he didn¡¯t know whether to be flattered, horrified, or deeply confused. But at least she had her CP now. Cassis finally managed to ask with a strangled voice, "What?" Arianna quickly explained, still avoiding eye contact. She even ducked her head so that her hair provided a bit of a barrier. "I got CP for giving a compliment, just like I got CP for swearing. I also did this when I was a virtuous deity in my world. From experience, I know that I need to maintain eye contact with the person I¡¯m complimenting, and it has to be a sincere statement with genuine feelings behind it. So, again, please don¡¯t take this the wrong way." It definitely was easier giving such compliments between women. She had never given such compliments to a man and so didn¡¯t know how he would react. She peeked at him from below her hair but accidentally met his gaze. Embarrassed, she ducked her head further, still feeling her cheeks burning. "You did that in your world, too?" His tone was strange¡ªalmost angry. She hesitated. Well, she¡¯d be weirded out too if someone unloaded all that on her. She hadn¡¯t given all ten compliments to the same woman in her world and had also stretched out those compliments over several days, so it wasn¡¯t as difficult back then. Instead of dwelling on it, she distracted herself by going to the Patron Shop and buying a small healing potion. "Here it is," she said and jumped up, forgetting her injuries. Her left leg buckled, and she started to fall, but Cassis was there in an instant. He caught her before she hit the ground and steadied her. His hands remained on her shoulders to make sure she kept her balance. Arianna shifted her weight onto her good foot and became embarrassed all over again. She had just told him she liked being in his arms, and now she was in them again. If she were a cartoon character, she would be red all over with steam pouring out of her head. "Are you alright?" Cassis asked. "Yeah, just forgot my injuries for a moment." She mumbled. She needed to take action now. This situation was not good. Ari, you can¡¯t have a moment with him now. Sure, you find him attractive, but you¡¯ve known each other for ten years, and now really isn¡¯t the time to revisit that crush you had on him when you were younger. "Can you help me go to Violet¡¯s mother? I think it¡¯s best if she doesn¡¯t stay injured any longer." Silence, then.. "Okay, hold on to my arm and let me carry your weight." With her uninjured right arm, she held onto his right, trying not to put weight on her injured right leg. Cassis pretty much held her up with his left hand on her waist, pressing her side into his, practically hugging her from the side. Being so close to him after saying all those compliments¡ªwhile meaning them¡ªwas messing with her head. Just concentrate on the mission, Ari. She took a deep breath. They slowly made their way to Liam¡¯s room. After explaining that Arianna had just woken up and still miraculously had one more potion left, they stated that she wanted to give it to Violet¡¯s mom. Violet woke up during their conversation, becoming very excited. "She¡¯ll be okay now, won¡¯t she?" Arianna handed the vial to Liam¡ªshe and Cassis couldn¡¯t move freely with him still holding her up¡ªand instructed him to pour it into the mother¡¯s mouth. He did as told and a golden glow enveloped her body. Seconds later, her eyes fluttered open. She looked confused at first, but when Violet threw herself at her and cried, she instinctively comforted her. The others simply watched in silence. After Violet had cried herself to sleep, the mother finally looked up and asked, "Who are you? What happened? What¡¯s that blue box?" Cassis took charge. "We found you outside and brought you in with Violet. Do you remember the monster? We killed it, but you were injured. You¡¯re alright now. All other explanations will come tomorrow morning." He ended his speech abruptly and turned her to go back to his room. Arianna had the feeling that he didn¡¯t actually know how to explain everything, so he kept it short. Liam looked a bit rebellious at first - he had already been waiting for quite some time and Cassis was telling him to wait again - but Cassis¡¯ stern expression kept him quiet. After saying goodnight to the others, Cassis and Arianna shuffled back to his room. He helped her sit down on his bed before returning to his chair. "What are we going to tell them tomorrow morning?" she asked. Chapter 8: Making some plans – Cassis Chapter 8: Making some plans ¨C Cassis "What are we going to tell them tomorrow morning?" Arianna asked. Cassis had thought of this and again found it would be best to mix truth and lies. "How about we tell them that you are a friend of mine? We met coincidentally on the street near my parents'' home because you were in the area for work. What is your job?" "I''m an accountant." That was surprising and very... normal. He continued, "When the monsters appeared, we worked together to kill some and awakened. Then we decided to hide in my parents'' house." "Alright, that seems plausible," she nodded. "Next, we tell them our plan to level up, as it''s clear this is like a video game." She agreed again, then said, "Maybe your brother will want to come with us. And your mom. And we should really help your dad and..." she hesitated, "and Violet awaken. Her mom will want to come, too." He was quiet. They both knew that Violet would have a better chance of survival if she awakened. After all, most children had died by the third wave. The adults had thought to protect them but hadn¡¯t given them any tools to do so themselves. The adults weren¡¯t strong enough or couldn¡¯t be everywhere, and so the children suffered. But would they just be putting her through a different sort of suffering? Arianna said, "Well, it''s just an idea, but it''s her mother¡¯s decision." He agreed. Then he brought up the most concerning point for him. "But how will you fight? Your injuries¡ªeven though they will have healed quite a bit by tomorrow morning¡ªwill still hobble your ability to fight." He thought back to when she had gotten enough points to buy the potion. The things she had said, the "compliments." They stoked a new fire inside his heart. As his patron, she had kept some embers of his heart alive in that future, but never had he felt like this. Part embarrassment, part pleasure. He knew he was attractive¡ªhis ex-girlfriends had told him quite often¡ªbut hearing it from her was different. Then she had mentioned having done that before in her world, and he saw red. Just the thought of her telling another man these things made him furious. But he had no right. She was just his patron. It was no use getting angry about it. Then she had bought the potion and immediately wanted to give it to Violet¡¯s mother. The thought of using it on herself hadn¡¯t crossed her mind. So, he hadn¡¯t said anything, though he was worried. He smiled and shook his head. She was still his virtuous Arianna. But this brought them in front of another problem. "You really should have used the potion for yourself. Then you could easily gain the points to get another one for Violet¡¯s mother." Arianna became angry. "No way I could do that. Awakening was keeping her alive, but we don¡¯t know if staying unconscious with a head injury would have long-lasting effects on her. Her case was more time-sensitive than mine. Ah." She sounded surprised. He looked at her, confused. She grinned. "The system just told me I earned 20 CP for sacrificing my own comfort to save a mortal. Only 30 CP to go." He did not like the part about her sacrificing herself, but he was relieved that they only needed to get 30 CP more. That was around three F-rank monsters she would have to kill. He could manage to fight some by himself and then give her the kill, like he had done for Violet¡¯s mother. Nodding, he told her of his plan. He saw that she didn¡¯t like it but had to accept that her injuries would make it difficult for her to fight competently, and he knew she didn¡¯t want to hold him back. Having finished that discussion Cassis crossed his arms and gave her a pointed look. ¡°You should get some rest.¡± Arianna frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not tired.¡± ¡°You will be once you lie down.¡± She scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous logic.¡± He sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Ari, you¡¯re injured. Even with your pseudo-awakener physique at F-rank, your body still needs time to heal. Just rest.¡± She narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°And what about you? You haven¡¯t slept either.¡± ¡°I¡¯m on watch right now. I¡¯ll sleep the last third of the night when my mother and brother will be on watch,¡± he said simply. ¡°That¡¯s not fair, I want to help out, too.¡± He smirked. ¡°Life isn¡¯t fair.¡± She huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Fine. But only to prove you wrong.¡± Cassis held back a chuckle and helped her maneuver into a comfortable position on the bed. She was still grumbling as she settled in, but as expected, within minutes, her breathing evened out, and she was fast asleep. Cassis leaned back in his chair, watching her for a moment before sighing. ¡°Told you,¡± he murmured to himself with a small smile. Cassis woke up early, his body protesting against the awkward position he had slept in. He had taken a short nap in his desk chair, after waking his mother and Liam to take their turn on watch. The sleep had done little to ease his exhaustion. His dreams had been plagued by images of the ruined future¡ªendless battles, empty streets, and the crushing weight of solitude. He rubbed his face, trying to push the thoughts away.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Shaking off the lingering fatigue, he turned his attention to Arianna. She was still asleep, curled slightly on his bed. He reached out and gently shook her shoulder. ¡°Ari, wake up.¡± She groaned, scrunching her nose in protest before her eyes fluttered open. Cassis found himself pausing for a second¡ªsomething about the way she did that was strangely... cute. She stretched with a wince but managed to sit up on her own. ¡°Wow, it still hurts, but I can already move by myself.¡± He nodded, relieved. ¡°That¡¯s good. Come on, let¡¯s head downstairs.¡± Together, they made their way out of the room. Cassis had to stop to disassemble the makeshift barricade of two desks they had placed in front of the door. As they descended, they immediately noticed the orc¡¯s body was gone. Arianna frowned. ¡°Guess the usual corpse cleanup happened.¡± Cassis nodded. It was the same everywhere. Scientists had theorized that the mana particles in the air consumed dead bodies, breaking them down and dispersing them into more ambient mana. But mana wasn¡¯t just created from the dead¡ªliving sentient and sapient beings who actively used it also produced and emitted mana, slowly saturating the environment. Once the mana in the atmosphere reached a certain threshold¡ªthough no one knew exactly when that was¡ªthe next monster wave would be triggered. Stronger, more dangerous creatures would appear, drawn to the richer mana environment. But the real problem was the cycle. To fight stronger monsters, humans had to grow stronger themselves. But as they did, they emitted even more mana into the air, accelerating the saturation process and hastening the next wave. A devil¡¯s spiral. If they didn¡¯t pace themselves, the waves would come too fast, leaving people no time to recover, especially crafters who needed downtime to create weapons, armour, and supplies. Pushing the thoughts aside for now, Cassis closed the curtains of the living room, then he headed into the kitchen and brought down the blinds that were thankfully inside the house and so didn¡¯t make any noise. He turned on the light ¨C electricity would mostly work up until the 4th wave when the ambient mana was too strong and interfered with the natural laws of this world ¨C and began rummaging through the cupboards. To his relief, he found enough food to make a decent breakfast¡ªmilk and cereal, bread, jams, cheese, sliced meats, apples, and bananas. It was more than he had expected, and it would be enough to give everyone a solid meal before they planned their next steps. Arianna joined him in preparing the food, and soon the dining table in the living room was set with everything they had found. One of the six table chairs had been destroyed in their fight against the orc and another one didn¡¯t look like it would hold a person. They needed three more chairs. The desk chairs in their bedrooms would do. Sure, some of them could sit on the couch but it was full of Arianna¡¯s blood. He wouldn¡¯t want to eat there. Cassis wiped his hands on a towel and nodded toward the stairs. ¡°I¡¯ll go wake the others and bring down some chairs.¡± She hummed in acknowledgment as she finished setting out the last of the plates. Cassis climbed back upstairs, stopping by each room to wake his family and their guests. ¡°Breakfast is ready. Come down and eat. And bring the desk chair with you.¡± One by one, they stirred awake or in Liam¡¯s and his mother¡¯s case stretched some, the scent of food drawing them downstairs. Today, they would have to make their plans. The world outside was changing fast, and they had no choice but to change with it. Everyone sat around the breakfast table, eating in a comfortable silence. Introductions were exchanged, and they learned that Violet''s mother''s name was Nadine Bristol. As the conversation flowed, Arianna also discovered that yesterday had been his mother¡¯s birthday. Arianna¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Oh, Danielle, I¡¯m so sorry! With everything that happened, how terrible¡­ Happy belated birthday.¡± His mother gave a small, tired smile. ¡°Thank you. Not exactly the celebration I had in mind.¡± Arianna reached out and squeezed her hand. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine how tough yesterday was for you, but I promise, when things settle down, we¡¯ll find a way to make it up to you.¡± His mother looked at Arianna, something shifting in her expression. ¡°You know, Cassis, Arianna seems like a really reliable person,¡± she said with a teasing lilt, clearly hinting at something. Arianna, oblivious, simply smiled back, but Cassis tensed slightly, focusing instead on his food. Meanwhile, his father remained quiet, still visibly shaken by the loss of his arm. He barely touched his food, his gaze distant. Cassis decided it was time to address their plans. He explained how he and Arianna were both F-rank Awakeners now, just like his mother, Liam and Nadine and that the two of them planned to level up to five, hoping that, like in video games, they would receive a class or something similar. He then turned to his mother and Nadine. ¡°We also need to think about Awakening Dad and Violet. Violet is, of course, Nadine¡¯s decision, but Dad¡­¡± Cassis hesitated for a moment before continuing, ¡°Dad needs to awaken if he wants to survive with just one arm.¡± His father¡¯s head shot up, anger flashing in his eyes as he glared at Cassis. The tension between them was palpable, but Cassis held his ground, meeting his father¡¯s gaze head-on. After a moment, his father¡¯s expression changed. The anger melted into something else¡ªdetermination. He gave a firm nod, understanding the necessity of Cassis¡¯s words. Cassis continued, ¡°We¡¯ll head out soon, and when we get back, hopefully, we¡¯ll have more answers. Until then, stay here, stay safe.¡± His mother and Liam still looked worried, so Arianna chimed in, hoping to reassure them. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine. We made it here yesterday, even with monsters roaming the streets. We fought and killed some already¡ªwe make a good team.¡± His mother still seemed unconvinced, so Arianna added, ¡°We also have a Patron, called Sapphire, who¡¯s been helping us. She can give us healing potions and even makes Cassis stronger.¡± At this, his mother turned to Cassis for confirmation. He lied with ease. ¡°Sapphire found us after our first fight and offered us a contract through the system. She¡¯s helped us since then.¡± His mother hesitated but then surprised Cassis by saying, ¡°Then thank you, Sapphire. Because of you, my family is still alive, and your healing potion saved my husband.¡± Arianna made a strange noise, her expression suddenly distant, but only Cassis seemed to notice. Before he could ask, Violet chimed in excitedly, ¡°Thank you, Sapphire! You made my mommy better!¡± After breakfast, everyone searched for weapons around the house. Danielle found another kitchen knife, leaving her old one with Nadine. Liam retrieved a hockey stick. Arianna reclaimed the bloody baseball bat from the playground, along with her toy shovel, still lying where the orc¡¯s body had vanished. Cassis tried to hand her the fire poker he had been using, but she shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re better with it than I am,¡± she said firmly. He couldn¡¯t argue with that¡ªthe poker was at least somewhat similar to a sword, while the baseball bat was something else entirely. They then headed upstairs to change into more protective clothing. Danielle handed Arianna a blue fitted long-sleeve shirt, a black leather jacket, and black leather pants. Cassis donned a grey long-sleeve shirt, a denim jacket, and dark blue jeans. As he dressed, he tried not to think about why his mother even owned leather pants. He decided he really didn¡¯t want to know. When he went out of his room, he saw Arianna and was momentarily taken aback. She looked¡­ fierce. The leather jacket gave her an air of confidence, and the way she held herself, even with her injuries, made her seem strong and unyielding. For a brief moment, he forgot about their grim circumstances. Then Liam arrived, carrying an old set of ice hockey gear¡ªprotective pads and a helmet. ¡°You should take this,¡± Arianna said to Cassis. ¡°You¡¯ll be fighting more than me until I can buy a healing potion.¡± He hesitated, but she was right. Without another word, he took the gear and began putting it on. They needed every advantage they could get. Chapter 9: Road to Fame – Arianna Chapter 9: Road to Fame ¨C Arianna Arianna followed Danielle up the stairs, grateful for being able to borrow clothes but also feeling a bit awkward about needing it in the first place. Her body still ached, though the pain had lessened considerably. As they entered Danielle¡¯s room, the older woman immediately began rummaging through her closet, muttering to herself about what would fit. ¡°You know,¡± Danielle said conversationally as she pulled out a few options, ¡°I¡¯m really glad Cassis has a friend like you.¡± Arianna, sitting carefully on the bed, gave her a surprised look. ¡°Oh? Well, we¡¯ve known each other for a long time. Same circle of friends, you know.¡± She was just as bad as Cassis, casually lying to his mother. Danielle turned back to her with a knowing smile. ¡°Yes, I gathered that much. He¡¯s never mentioned a close female friend before, though. And you¡¯re single?¡± Arianna blinked. ¡°I¡ªyes?¡± Danielle¡¯s smile widened, looking strangely pleased. ¡°That¡¯s good to know.¡± Arianna was confused. ¡°Why does that matter?¡± ¡°Oh, no reason,¡± Danielle said airily, handing over a pile of clothing. ¡°Just making conversation.¡± Arianna glanced down at the clothes in her hands: a fitted blue long-sleeved shirt, a black leather jacket, and black leather pants. Practical, warm, and durable. At least she wouldn¡¯t be fighting in her work attire - a green blouse and black pants - anymore. Danielle even fished out a pair of grey sneakers that looked to be in good condition. ¡°These should fit. We¡¯re about the same size.¡± Arianna nodded gratefully. ¡°Thank you. This is perfect.¡± Danielle waved her off. ¡°Take your time. I¡¯ll give you some privacy.¡± With that, she stepped out and closed the door behind her. Arianna quickly changed, testing her range of motion in the snug but flexible clothes. The sneakers were a lucky fit, and the jacket and pants felt sturdy enough to provide at least a little protection. Once dressed, she sat on the edge of the bed and finally allowed herself to check her system messages from breakfast. The first one still made her head spin: [Warning! A mortal called Arianna Sloane just claimed to be your avatar. You have two choices: Smite her or take her on as a second avatar.] Arianna¡¯s heart pounded. She had never seen a message about having more than one avatar before. Could she really have multiple? Why now? She needed to discuss this with Cassis. In the last ten years she had never got the opportunity to take on another avatar. Did other patrons have more than one avatar? She didn''t remember. She had just been so focused on Cassis''s survival. The next message was even more unbelievable: [+ 10 FP (Gratitude received from Danielle Walker)] [Congratulations! You have unlocked FP (= Fame Points) by spreading your name through your avatar.] Arianna¡¯s eyes widened. She remembered Danielle¡¯s words at breakfast, thanking Sapphire for saving Marcus. Then Violet had done the same. Was the system rewarding her for gratitude directed at Sapphire? That was¡­ interesting. But what was this new point system and what was it good for? She read on. [New patron page functions: FP, Fame and Followers unlocked] Her breath caught. Fame? Followers? None of this had existed in the system she knew. Had something changed when she crossed worlds? And what did ¡°Followers¡± mean exactly? [You may now appoint a Chaotic Priest or Priestess from among your avatars who have reached Level 5 or higher. This individual will further spread your name and power.] Arianna was speechless. The system was practically telling her to start a religion around herself. She read the last message: [+ 10 FP (Gratitude received from Violet Bristol)] So, it seemed that both Danielle and Violet¡¯s gratitude had counted separately? That meant she had earned an additional 10 FP just from being acknowledged by a different person. This system really was something else. She wondered briefly if there was a limit to how many FP she could earn from gratitude. Would it work if Cassis thanked Sapphire? Or Liam? Or Nadine? She shook her head. No time to experiment right now. Especially, as she didn''t even know what the new points did. She had too many questions and no answers. How could she, a patron for over ten years, have never heard of any of this? Feeling more confused than ever, Arianna closed the messages and took a deep breath. She needed to talk to Cassis. Maybe he knew something. Taking a deep breath, Arianna left Danielle¡¯s room and stepped into the hallway. Cassis was just coming out of his own room, dressed in a grey shirt, a denim jacket, and dark blue jeans with black sneakers. ¡°Thanks again, Danielle,¡± Arianna said as she moved toward him. Before she could say more, Liam appeared, carrying old ice hockey pads and a helmet. He offered them to her first, but Arianna shook her head and reasoned, ¡°You should wear them, Cassis. You¡¯ll be fighting more until I get another potion.¡± Cassis hesitated but eventually nodded, starting to put the gear on. Before he could fully suit up, Arianna grabbed his arm and pulled him back into his room. ¡°We need to talk,¡± she said firmly. Danielle and Liam were still in the hallway. This conversation wasn¡¯t meant for their ears. Cassis frowned as Arianna pulled him into his room, concern clear in his golden eyes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Arianna took a deep breath. ¡°I got a system message about another avatar¡ªme. It asked me whether to smite or accept another avatar, and the name listed was Arianna Sloane.¡± Cassis blinked in surprise before his expression cleared. ¡°Oh, that makes sense. Some patrons had multiple avatars. It wasn¡¯t common, but it happened. You should accept yourself as an avatar. That¡¯ll strengthen you.¡± Arianna hesitated, but he made a valid point. If the system was offering her this choice, she might as well take advantage of it. ¡°As Sapphire, I accept Arianna Sloane as my avatar.¡± The moment she spoke the words, a rush of energy coursed through her body. It was overwhelming yet familiar, like a wave of strength reinforcing her very being. She exhaled sharply and clenched her fists, testing the feeling. Cassis watched her closely. ¡°That¡¯s the sensation a new avatar gets.¡± He gave a small smile. ¡°Congratulations. You just got a power-up.¡± Arianna nodded, still adjusting to the sudden change. Then she shifted topics. ¡°That¡¯s not all. I also unlocked something called Fame Points.¡± Cassis¡¯ face went still. She thought back to the system messages and pieced it together. ¡°It happened after you told Danielle about Sapphire and she thanked her. The message said my avatar was spreading my name. That must be why I got the points.¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°Wait a second¡­ Cassis.¡± His shoulders tensed. She leaned closer. ¡°Could it be¡­ you never talked about me with anyone? In ten years?¡± Cassis rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting away. ¡°¡­I mean, what am I supposed to say to that?¡± Arianna groaned. ¡°What am I asking? Of course you didn¡¯t. You were basically the lonest loner ever.¡± He stiffened at that but still looked embarrassed. ¡°Some patrons were famous,¡± he muttered. ¡°They practically founded a religion around themselves, had priests and the strongest avatars. But those were powerful patrons. I didn¡¯t want to say anything back then, but¡­¡± He hesitated before finishing, ¡°You were kinda weak. Or rather, poor.¡± Arianna felt her eye twitch. ¡°I was not poor!¡± she protested immediately¡ªthen caught herself. Okay, fine, maybe she was. Getting VP had been seriously difficult. But still! ¡°You just threw yourself into so much danger that I had to burn everything I had on recovery and protection items!¡± Cassis still looked uncomfortable but managed to mumble, ¡°But you were really stingy with potions. You always told me to heal up by myself unless it was life-threatening or debilitating¡­¡± Arianna inhaled sharply. A dangerous, saccharine-sweet smile spread across her face. ¡°Oh? You poor thing.¡± Cassis took half a step back, sensing danger. Her voice turned sharp. ¡°I was always worrying about you! But did you stop? Did you take a break? No!¡± Her voice rose into a shout. ¡°You just threw yourself into more danger! I had to slow you down somehow, and the only way I could do that was by withholding healing for a while!¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Her vision blurred slightly, and she realized with shock that she had tears in her eyes. Cassis¡¯ expression shifted first to guilt and then to something softer. Regret flickered across his face, and he stepped closer, taking her hand. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry.¡± His voice was quiet, sincere. Arianna exhaled shakily. ¡°Thanks¡­ No use crying over spilled milk,¡± she muttered. Then she met his eyes and squeezed his hand back. ¡°Let¡¯s try to do better this time, okay?¡± He held her gaze for a moment before nodding. ¡°Okay.¡± Arianna and Cassis stepped out of his room quietly, the weight of their conversation still heavy in the air. Liam and Danielle were standing outside, their eyes following them as they emerged. Danielle¡¯s smile was unsettling for some reason, her gaze lingering on her hands. Arianna noticed that they were holding hands. Cassis quickly pulled his hand away. Arianna didn¡¯t comment on it, though her eyes lingered on her hand for a moment before she focused on Cassis. Without a word, he finished putting on Liam¡¯s hockey gear, the sound of straps being tightened echoing in the quiet corridor. Then, they moved to the living room, grabbed their weapons, and climbed out of the kitchen window, taking care not to make too much noise. Cassis helped Arianna out of the window, his hands firm as he guided her through. She winced, her leg still aching and her injuries far from healed. Every movement felt like a fresh wave of pain, but she gritted her teeth. She had to push through it. They both dropped down into the backyard, crouching low, listening carefully for any sounds of the creatures that might be lurking nearby. The moment they hit the ground, they froze, the distant shuffling of something approaching. It wasn¡¯t long before two goblins appeared right in front of the house, their hunched bodies moving quickly as they sniffed the air. Arianna felt her heartbeat quicken, and though her body protested, she couldn¡¯t help but tense, preparing for the fight ahead. Cassis, as always, was calm. He glanced at her, giving her a small nod. "Stay low. Let me go first." She nodded, her grip tightened on the baseball bat. She checked if the shovel she had grabbed earlier, was still secure in her waistband. Cassis reached down and grabbed a small stone, tossing it behind the goblins. They turned in response, their beady eyes scanning the dark yard. Arianna¡¯s heart thudded in her chest as Cassis moved in first. He rushed at the goblins, stabbing the first one in the arm with a swift motion. The creature shrieked, stumbling backward, and Cassis kicked it hard in the stomach, sending it crashing to the ground. Without missing a beat, Arianna was right behind him. She swung her bat with all the strength she had, bringing it down onto the goblin¡¯s head until it collapsed in a heap. [+10 CP for killing a sentient being. Exp gained.] Before she could even register the notification, she turned to face the second goblin. It had already been pinned by Cassis, who had shoved a poker into its stomach, and was screeching in terror. Arianna didn¡¯t hesitate. She rushed forward and swung her bat at the goblin¡¯s head, finishing it off quickly. [+10 CP for killing a sentient being. Exp gained. Pseudo-Awakener Physique level up.] Her heart was still racing when she turned to Cassis, who was already scanning the surroundings. The calmness in his eyes belied the situation, but Arianna could feel the pressure building. "Nice work," he said, offering her a quick smile. She raised her hand and flashed the universal gesture for a level-up: two fingers, a V sign. ¡°Only ten CP more,¡± she said, trying to hide the pain that still lingered from her injuries. But before he could respond, the air was filled with the sound of footsteps. More creatures were closing in. Arianna¡¯s stomach churned. ¡°Five,¡± Cassis muttered, glancing toward the street. "Three goblins and two pigs." Arianna¡¯s blood ran cold. The goblins¡¯ shrieks had attracted more attention. Her hands tightened around her bat. She wasn¡¯t sure they could handle this. Cassis, however, stayed calm. "Stay focused. We can do this." With that, he charged toward the creatures, his poker held high. Arianna gritted her teeth and followed him, despite the pain in her leg. There was no choice. They couldn¡¯t back down. The first pig came at them with a terrifying charge. Its tusks were gleaming in the moonlight. Cassis ducked to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast¡¯s deadly horn, and stabbed at it with his poker. Arianna was already on the move, throwing her shovel at the second pig charging toward Cassis. Luckily, the goblins were farther behind, as they were slower than the pigs. The pig let out a grunt, turning to face her. It was fast, but Arianna was faster. She dodged its charge and felt a flash of pain in her leg as she moved, but she couldn¡¯t stop. The pig turned again, roaring in fury as it lunged at her. Arianna¡¯s heart pounded in her chest, but then she had an idea. A wall. She raced toward it, luring the pig behind her. At the last second, she spun to the side, letting the pig crash into the solid stone. The beast staggered back, dazed. With a swift motion, Arianna swung her bat, cracking it across the pig¡¯s skull. [+10 CP for killing a sentient being. Exp gained.] But she didn¡¯t have time to celebrate. She heard Cassis¡¯s shout from behind her. ¡°Damn!¡± Her heart stopped. She turned around to see him struggling, bleeding heavily from several cuts. The last of the goblins ¨C the other two lay already dead on the ground ¨C had managed to stab its knife into his arm after he had somehow lost his protection, and the other pig was biting down on his leg. Thankfully, the leg still had its protection on. ¡°No!¡± Arianna cried out, charging toward him without thinking. The goblin had its back turned, and she swung her bat hard, smashing it over its head. [+10 CP for killing a sentient being. Exp gained.] [+10 CP for saving a mortal.] Arianna reached Cassis¡¯s side just as he pulled the pig off his leg, still standing, though clearly weakened by the blood loss. He finished off the pig with a powerful swing of the poker. They both stood, panting heavily, but before they could exchange words, more sounds echoed in the distance. More creatures were coming. Cassis cursed under his breath, quickly scanning the area. He grabbed Arianna¡¯s uninjured arm and yanked her toward a nearby garden. Without a word, he dragged her into a small shed, the door closing behind them with a soft creak. Both of them were covered in blood, and Arianna¡¯s leg was bleeding again. Cassis, though clearly exhausted, was still moving with precision, his expression focused. He barricaded the door with a wooden box from the shed and brought them both low to sit down. ¡°1st wave monsters are stupid. They won¡¯t come into the shed, if they don¡¯t see movement or hear noise. Let¡¯s take a short break here.¡± He began fumbling with his hockey gear. Arianna nodded. She went to the Patron Shop and purchased the small healing potion for 50 CP. Now she had only 20 CP left. Money comes, money goes she sang in her head. Then she held out the vial to Cassis. He looked at her for a moment, disbelief flickering in his eyes. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked, seeing the potion in her hand. ¡°You¡¯re injured,¡± Arianna said, her voice low, but firm. ¡°Take it.¡± Cassis glanced at her. "It¡¯s yours." She shook her head. "You¡¯re the main damage dealer. You should take it." Cassis sighed, clearly frustrated, but he took the vial, uncorked it and then pushed it against her mouth. ¡°Drink,¡± he commanded. And without hesitation, she did. Arianna sat beside Cassis in the dim light of the shed, her body still humming with the golden warmth from the healing potion she¡¯d consumed. The injuries that had plagued her were completely gone now, the pain and weakness replaced with a sense of energy that made her feel almost... invincible. The throbbing in her leg and the aches in her arm and stomach vanished like they had never been there. But Cassis¡ªher gaze flickered over to him¡ªwas a different story. His arm was still bleeding, and the gashes along his side and legs were soaked in blood, evidence of the brutal fight they¡¯d just survived. Arianna¡¯s heart clenched, and she couldn¡¯t stop herself. Without waiting for him to protest, she moved toward him, pulling the bandages from her already healed wounds. Cassis glanced at her, brow furrowing as she began wrapping the cloth tightly around his arm. ¡°You don¡¯t need to baby me, Arianna,¡± he grumbled, clearly uncomfortable with her care. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll be okay. I¡¯m used to this.¡± Arianna didn¡¯t say anything, focusing on making the bandages tight but not too tight. He was used to this. The words stung, even though she knew he wasn¡¯t trying to make her feel bad. Still, he didn¡¯t deserve this constant cycle of injury and bloodshed. He shouldn¡¯t have to be so used to it. That should stay in the future, past, the other timeline. She didn¡¯t know what to call it anymore. She ignored his protests, checking his body for any more serious injuries. There were the shallow cuts along his other arm and his legs, each of them bleeding more than they should have, but none of them were life-threatening. Still, they were a constant reminder of how dangerous their lives had become. "See? Told you I¡¯m okay," Cassis said with a faint, tired smile as she finished wrapping his arm. "I¡¯m used to this." He¡¯d said it again. Her heart tightened in her chest. She knew what he meant. She could see how easy it was for him to dismiss the damage¡ªhe had been through worse, and yet, here he was, still standing. But to her, the idea that he was "used to this" only hurt more. She didn¡¯t want him to get so accustomed to pain, to fighting for survival, to everything they were up against. But she couldn¡¯t say that. Not now. Not when he was so determined to carry this weight on his own. Instead, she sighed and let the silence stretch between them, trying to push the heavy thoughts aside. After a moment, she finally spoke, her voice softer now, more curious than anything. ¡°Did you level?¡± Cassis looked at her, and despite the bloodstains, his expression softened. "Yeah. Level 4. One more level, and I¡¯ll be a better fighter. I''ll be able to keep up a lot better and finally unlock some skills." He paused, his voice growing more serious. "I¡¯m too slow right now. I need to level up." Arianna nodded. She understood. She herself was at level 3 now, which meant she was just a couple of kills away from reaching the next level, but her mind kept drifting toward what came after that. She needed to make a decision¡ªher class, the direction she would go with her abilities. And unlike Cassis, who had a clear idea, she was stuck. ¡°So... what class will you choose?¡± she asked, eyeing him carefully. ¡°Warrior, of course,¡± Cassis answered without hesitation, though his gaze was distant, lost in thought. ¡°It¡¯s what I know best, and it fits my fighting style. I won¡¯t be able to protect you if I¡¯m too slow, so I need the extra strength and the tanking skills. It¡¯s just the right fit.¡± Arianna nodded. She understood perfectly. He wasn¡¯t looking for some flashy power; he just wanted to make sure he could protect them both. And she appreciated that, even if it made her heart ache. Her mind, however, was preoccupied with her own choice. At level 5, she would have to pick from the basic classes: Warrior, Ranger, Mage, or Cleric. None of them felt completely right. Warrior was out of the question. Having two warriors on a team wouldn¡¯t be ideal, and with Cassis already heading in that direction, she needed something that balanced him out. Ranger was an option, but... was she ready for that kind of class? Rangers were good for long-range physical damage, and their self-defence skills were solid, but their ability to fight solo was more efficient than their teamwork potential. Could she really be the one to support Cassis when things got tough if she wasn¡¯t more focused on healing or protection? Mage was another potential choice, but she could barely keep herself from being injured as it was. If she became too squishy, Cassis would be exhausted from protecting her. The mage class was powerful, but it required excellent positioning and strategy, which would be hard to pull off with the chaotic nature of their world right now and only the two of them on the team. Then there was Cleric. Arianna knew how important healing could be, and the idea of supporting Cassis and the team with healing spells and buffs made sense. But there was a catch. At the end of the apocalypse, no healers had been around in the other timeline. They hadn¡¯t made it. And how could she survive in a world where she was weak without her allies? She also knew the cleric class wasn¡¯t built for solo fighting, only getting some basic blunt weapon skills and a few defensive spells and that made her hesitate. She ran through the possibilities in her mind again, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on her chest. The Ranger class was tempting, offering physical damage and self-defense skills, plus the ability to fight on her own. But it didn¡¯t offer the same support for Cassis that the Cleric class would. And if they were going to survive, support was crucial. Yet, if she became a Ranger, she could stand on her own two feet more effectively. Could she really leave Cassis to fight their battles while she focused on only healing? Her thoughts tangled, her hands fidgeting with the bandages, until she finally spoke, more to herself than to Cassis. ¡°What do you think? Do you think Ranger or Cleric would be better for me?¡± Cassis turned toward her, his expression thoughtful. ¡°I think... if you can¡¯t fight solo, you¡¯ll need to be able to rely on someone else. If you want to keep me from getting ragged from protecting you, Cleric is the way to go. But if you want more independence, Ranger¡¯s the better bet.¡± Arianna sighed, leaning back against the wall of the shed. She was torn. The decision was critical. Her class could change everything about how they fought, how they survived. What would it be? The supportive healer with defensive magic, or the self-sufficient fighter who could stand on her own? She just wasn¡¯t sure yet. Chapter 10: Old acquaintances – Cassis Chapter 10: Old acquaintances ¨C Cassis Cassis leaned back against the rough wooden walls of the shed, catching his breath. The scent of dust and old wood filled the cramped space, mixing with the coppery tang of blood from their recent battle. He flexed his injured arm¡ªit wasn¡¯t as bad as before, but it still ached. Across from him, Arianna frowned at nothing. ¡°This is annoying,¡± she muttered, swiping at the air. ¡°These messages keep popping up in the middle of a fight. It¡¯s distracting.¡± Cassis smirked despite himself. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a pain at first. You can change it so they only show up after combat.¡± She gave him a sharp look. ¡°And you¡¯re only telling me this now?¡± He shrugged. ¡°Didn¡¯t think about it. You never complained before.¡± Arianna huffed but quickly focused on her interface¡ªwhatever she was seeing, he couldn¡¯t see it. Only the person connected to the system could view their own messages. He watched as she swiped at the air, her fingers moving deliberately. After a moment, her shoulders relaxed, and she let out a satisfied breath. ¡°There. That should stop them from interrupting me in a fight,¡± she said. Cassis smirked. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± She rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Good,¡± Cassis agreed, stretching his legs. His body was still sore, but they didn¡¯t have the luxury of resting too long. ¡°Ready?¡± Arianna nodded, determination in her eyes. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go.¡± Carefully, they crept to the shed¡¯s door. Cassis peered through the small gap, scanning the yard outside. The street was eerily quiet now, but he knew better than to trust the silence. He tightened his grip on the poker and glanced at Arianna. ¡°Stay close.¡± She nodded, gripping her bat. With one last deep breath, Cassis pushed the door open, and they slipped back into the dangerous world outside. They moved as one, creeping low to the ground, their ears straining for danger. But it found them first. The unmistakable sounds of battle¡ªclashing metal, snarling beasts, desperate grunts of effort¡ªechoed from around the corner. Cassis¡¯ first instinct was to stop, to analyze the situation before acting. Then he saw it. Three people ¨C a man of around 30 years, a woman at a similar age and an old man ¨C, back-to-back in a small, fenced garden, fending off a pack of monstrous hyenas with makeshift weapons. A boy, no older than five, was crouched in the centre, shielding a bundle wrapped in blankets. The bundle let out a shrill wail. A baby! Cassis¡¯ mind screamed at him¡ªIt¡¯s a death trap. Even if they jumped in, what could they do against so many? They¡¯d get torn apart like the rest. This fight is already lost. But before he could say anything¡ªbefore he could stop her¡ªArianna ran forward. "Wait¡ª!" he barely got out before she was swinging her bat. Damn it! He couldn¡¯t leave her. Even if it was a suicide mission. Cursing under his breath, he surged forward, driving his poker into the closest hyena. The beast let out a choked whimper, thrashing as it collapsed. The others turned, yellow eyes locking onto him. Cassis ignored them, eyes darting to Arianna. She was already in the thick of it, new scrapes on her body. His stomach twisted, but there was no time to worry¡ªonly to fight. Arianna barely dodged a lunging hyena, grimacing in pain as she swung her bat again. The woman she had saved nodded in thanks before turning back to the fight. Cassis clenched his jaw and pressed on. He used his injured arm, stabbing with the poker, feeling every nerve scream in protest. The pain burned through him, but he refused to let it slow him down. If I stop, she dies. The battle blurred into chaos¡ªblood, snarls, screams. The old man suddenly went down, a hyena dragging him by the leg. Arianna rushed to his side, reckless as always. Cassis'' heart pounded. Too reckless. Too vulnerable. Then¡ª A sharp, piercing wail. The baby cried louder. The street answered. Distant roars. Howls. The sound of more monsters rushing toward them. Cassis¡¯ blood ran ice cold. We¡¯re going to die here. The fight slowed for just a second as everyone heard it¡ªthe approach of death. Panic tightened in his chest. We have to run. We have to get out. His eyes darted, searching for Arianna. Where is she? A gut-wrenching moment passed before he found her, barely standing, blood running down her leg again. A fresh wound. She was swaying slightly, exhaustion catching up to her. ¡°No,¡± he breathed. He pushed forward, reckless now, shoving a hyena away, stabbing another with every ounce of strength he had left. He had to reach her. Had to get her out of this. The monsters were closing in. Think! There has to be a way out! But there wasn¡¯t. Not unless something changed¡ªnow. Cassis felt time grind to a halt, the chaos of battle freezing around him. The familiar blue glow of a system screen appeared in his vision.
Congratulations! You have reached Level 5. You may now choose from the following basic classes:
Cassis didn¡¯t hesitate. Warrior. The moment he made his choice, power flooded his body. His ragged breath steadied, the pain dulled, his exhausted muscles filled with newfound strength. Another message followed.
You have chosen: Warrior. New Skills and Spells available: Stamina upgraded to Basic.
It worked. Relief crashed over him. He had worried, deep down, that something might be different this time, that his regression had changed things too much. But no¡ªhe could still do this. His body remembered these abilities, this strength. The world snapped back into motion. The hyenas lunged. Cassis moved like he had a hundred times before. He stabbed¡ªhis poker pierced clean through the hyena¡¯s skull, killing it instantly.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Another lunged. A quick step to the side, a precise thrust¡ªdead. No wasted movement. No hesitation. His body acted on pure instinct, muscle memory from a life already lived. This was familiar. This was his. His eyes flickered to Arianna¡ªstill bleeding, still struggling. His grip tightened. He wouldn''t let her die. He wouldn''t let anyone precious to him die. Not this time. Cassis stabbed, turned, killed, stabbed again. The world blurred into blood and motion. His body ached, but he ignored it. He had no time for pain, no time for hesitation. Each thrust of his poker was clean and deadly, enhanced by his class. He moved like a machine, cutting through the swarm of hyenas. Around him, the others fought with everything they had, feeding off his momentum. They pushed forward. For the first time, it felt like they might win. But the baby kept crying. And the sound summoned more. Out of the street came goblins. Smiling cruelly with jagged knives in their hands and hungry eyes they found their new prey. They chittered and shrieked, bounding toward them with terrible speed. It wouldn¡¯t end. Cassis felt exhaustion creeping in. His body wasn¡¯t infinite. His movements slowed. The others were making more mistakes. The younger man barely dodged a goblin''s dagger¡ªCassis yanked him back at the last second, gutting the creature before it could finish its strike. But despair set in again. After level 5 the experience needed to advance increased dramatically. He wouldn¡¯t level up for quite a while. But maybe Arianna ¡­ If they could hold out long enough for her to reach level 5 ¡­ But what would it really change? Still, it was their only hope. He watched her. Arianna fought on, her breathing ragged, her body bleeding from new wounds. She wasn''t going to last. Damn it, none of them were. If only the baby would stop crying. Then, suddenly, it did. And warmth flooded his body. Cassis gasped. His wounds closed. His fatigue disappeared. A soft golden glow washed over the battlefield. The others gasped in shock as their injuries healed before their eyes. He turned toward Arianna. She was glowing. Her bat trembled in her hands, her breath came in harsh pants, but her eyes shone with new power. She had finally hit Level 5. And she had chosen Cleric. A wild grin broke over Cassis¡¯s face. "Good choice," he muttered. With a group this big, a cleric could turn the tide. The others felt the renewal too. With their strength restored, their movements sharpened. They cut down the remaining hyenas and goblins, no longer held back by pain and exhaustion. Then came the next problem. Their fight had been too loud. Distant shrieks and roars echoed through the streets. More monsters. More death. Cassis didn¡¯t hesitate. "Inside! NOW!" He grabbed the boy, scooped up the baby, and ran. The others followed, stumbling into the house. The woman pointed toward the stairs, toward the master bedroom. They rushed up, slammed the door shut behind them. Cassis deposited the children on the bed. Then he and the younger man shoved a heavy wardrobe in front of it, blocking the entrance. They stood there, panting, bleeding, shaking. But they were alive. For now. He wanted to just breath for a while but then Arianna collapsed to her knees. Her body lurched forward, her shoulders heaving violently. She was puking. "Arianna!" Cassis rushed to her side, dropping into a crouch. He placed a hand on her back, rubbing slow circles, whispering soft encouragements. "It''s okay, just breathe." She coughed and gagged, her entire body shaking. After she was finally finished, her fingers dug into his arm, her other hand clutching her head. Cassis narrowed his eyes. Headache. Nausea. Weakness. He knew exactly what this was. Mana depletion. She must have burned through every last drop of her mana to heal them. "Arianna, you¡¯re out of mana," he said softly. "You pushed yourself too far." She groaned weakly, her grip tightening on his sleeve. Her face was deathly pale, sweat clinging to her brow. Cassis didn''t hesitate. He slipped an arm around her waist and gently pulled her up. "Come on," he murmured. "You need to lie down." He didn¡¯t care about the others watching. Right now, they didn¡¯t matter. With slow, careful movements, he helped her onto the bed. She was barely conscious, eyes fluttering, her breathing shallow. The woman sat down on the opposite side, taking the baby into her arms. The younger man knelt beside the quietly sobbing boy, murmuring reassurances. The older man simply sank to the floor, staring at his hands. Cassis stayed by Arianna''s side, adjusting her so she could rest more comfortably. She stirred, blinking at him, her voice hoarse when she spoke. "¡­What¡¯s wrong with me?" "Mana depletion," he answered. "You used up all your mana healing us. Your body can¡¯t handle it." A flicker of realization crossed her tired face. Then her eyes shifted toward the baby. Cassis followed her gaze. The infant was completely silent now, but still looked like it was wailing, there just wasn¡¯t any sound coming out of it. "Why is the baby so quiet now?" he asked. Arianna hesitated. "¡­I¡¯ll explain later," she whispered. "Just¡­ talk to them. We need to keep everyone calm." Cassis sighed but nodded. He listened carefully¡ªthere were monsters outside the house, but none near their room. For now, they were safe. So, he turned back to the others. "Alright," he said, voice low but firm. "Let¡¯s do this properly. I¡¯m Cassis Walker, from the Walker¡¯s down the street, and this is Arianna Sloane. I think I know you, Benny, and you, Mr Morrison. Mom said that you had gotten married." So, Benny¡ªBenjamin¡ªMorrison. He hadn¡¯t thought of that name in years. Benny had been about six years older than him, already in high school when Cassis was still a kid. They¡¯d never really been friends¡ªjust two boys from the same neighbourhood who had occasionally crossed paths. And Mr. Morrison¡­ he remembered him too. A strict but fair man, he had become even quieter when his wife died 15 years ago. He used to tend his garden religiously, always scolding kids for kicking their balls into his garden accidentally and then walking over his precious lawn to get it back. Cassis had never interacted much with him, but he remembered his presence. The woman relaxed a little, realizing that they weren¡¯t stranger, but still looked at her baby worriedly. Benjamin gave a tired nod, his face drawn with exhaustion and lingering shock. "My wife¡¯s name is Elena. She¡¯s holding our little Jessica." Then he looked down at the little boy still sniffling against him. "This is our son, Noah." ¡°You know my dad, Joseph.¡± Next, Cassis asked why they were outside. They must have known it was dangerous. This time Elena explained: ¡°Yeah, we were sitting in the living room, the curtains drawn. Yesterday we tried to call the police or the firefighters, but it didn¡¯t get through. Guess it¡¯s like this everywhere. We got a few weapons together ¨C my hammer, Benny¡¯s hunting knife, and Noah¡¯s baseball bat that Joseph took. We were just sitting there because we had no idea what to do and hoped the military would somehow come soon. But then Jessica started crying. She had been uncomfortable since yesterday but just a few sobs here and there, nothing too loud. This time, however, I couldn¡¯t calm her down. And her cries were so loud.¡± Cassis thought back to the other future. After the first wave many parents reported that their babies under two years had been uncomfortable since the appearance of the gates. On the second day most of them had cried too loudly. Which is why they had died. Either the monsters were too fast and got to them quicker than the parents could or in some heartbreaking cases parents had to choose leaving behind their babies in order to save themselves and their other children. As one would guess most families with babies didn¡¯t survive. Only some lucky few got away ¨C they either had great soundproofing at home or there were enough adults around to fight off the monsters, though that caused heavy casualties among the adults. Back then it was theorized that babies and infants under two were sensitive to the pressure of the ambient mana. They bodies were too small and fragile to withstand the mana so they felt a little bit of pain constantly. After 24 hours of the first wave the mana concentration rose again and so they would just cry out of pain. After the end of the first wave the pressure eased up again, making the surviving babies only uncomfortable. By the time of the next wave they would be older and better equipped to handle mana. New babies born into this world would be sturdier anyway, having been surrounded by mana while in their mothers¡¯ wombs. He shifted his focus back to Elena, who continued explaining. ¡°Benny and Joseph grabbed our weapons and not too soon. Suddenly hyenas crashed through the living room windows. Luckily the got tangled in the curtains and then blocked the other hyenas from coming in. I grabbed the children and we started turning towards the stairs but one of the hyenas was faster. It got free of the curtain and cut off our way to the stairs. We didn¡¯t have another choice and ran outside. But the hyenas heard us and soon surrounded us in the garden. I put down the children and we stood around them in a circle to fend off the attack.¡± Elena was solemn but worried for Jessica who looked to still be in pain, even though she was quiet. Elena stroked the baby¡¯s tiny head as if trying to soothe away the pain and the memory of what had happened. ¡°¡­We would have died if you hadn¡¯t come,¡± she said softly. Her voice was thick with emotion, but she met Cassis'' eyes. "Thank you. Truly." Arianna, who had been listening quietly from the bed, spoke. "You''re welcome." Her voice was calm, but exhaustion was clear in her expression. Cassis glanced at her, noting the paleness of her face, the way her shoulders sagged slightly. She was still feeling the effects of mana depletion. At least she wasn¡¯t fighting against unconsciousness anymore. But despite that, she had saved them all. He let out a quiet breath, turning back to the others. Cassis then told the others that he and Arianna had come from his house, where his family was still safe. Benny, frowning, asked why they had left a secure shelter. Cassis met his gaze, his expression unreadable, and answered smoothly, lying through his teeth. "Maybe you noticed that Arianna and I are pretty strong¡ªstronger than you guys, who should have just awakened during that fight." Benny nodded hesitantly, prompting Cassis to continue. "We have a patron who granted us strength. Her name is Sapphire, a deity who took interest in us after witnessing our first battle and subsequent awakening. She offered to become our patron, which meant we would gain more power and grow stronger at a faster rate." At the mention of a deity, the others exchanged uncertain glances, but no one interrupted. "Sapphire also shared glimpses of the future with us," Cassis went on, his voice steady. "She has restrictions¡ªshe couldn¡¯t tell us everything¡ªbut she gave us some critical warnings. Yesterday, we fought our way to my parents¡¯ house. There, we had one last battle in which my dad was gravely injured. He lost an arm." Gasps rippled through the group. Benny paled. Mr. Morrison bowed his head, looking shaken. Everyone in the neighborhood knew Cassis¡¯ father¡ªhe was a respected man. "He would have died from blood loss if Sapphire hadn¡¯t intervened. She gifted Arianna a healing potion, and she used it to save my dad¡¯s life. But that was when we learned the truth." Cassis¡¯ tone turned grim. "The apocalypse has begun. The first monster wave will end after forty-eight hours, but mana has already saturated this world. It will mutate plants and animals. We will never be truly safe again. And then there will be dungeons¡ªlike something straight out of a video game. They will appear, and we will have to clear them if we want to survive." Silence settled over the room, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone. Elena clutched baby Jessica a little tighter. Benny clenched his fists. "Sapphire told us to get strong," Cassis finished. "That this was only the first of many waves. And she said that once we reached level five, we could choose a class¡ªcleric, mage, ranger, or warrior. That was why we left the house. To get stronger for what was coming." Arianna, still pale from mana depletion, nodded slightly in agreement. Benny exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "So, you¡¯re saying we need to level up too." Cassis met his eyes. "If you want to survive, then yes." Chapter 11: Choices and survival – Arianna Chapter 11: Choices and survival ¨C Arianna Arianna lay in the bed, still dizzy and nauseous from mana depletion. Despite the exhaustion weighing her down, her mind couldn¡¯t help but wander. Cassis was a born liar. Why hadn¡¯t he used that skill in the other future? Things could have gone so much better if he had. Before she could dwell on it further, a system message appeared before her eyes: [Congratulations! You are now known to ten mortals as a benevolent deity. + 50 FP] The notification made her think back to another system message she had received during the battle:
Congratulations! You have reached Level 5. You may now choose from the following basic classes: A new message had followed immediately:
You have chosen: Cleric. New Skills and Spells available: Stamina upgraded to Basic.
She had expected that to be the end of it, but another message had appeared: [Two of your avatars have reached Level 5. Do you wish to appoint one of them as Chaotic Priest or Priestess?] Arianna had hesitated. She had no idea what the title entailed, but she picked herself anyway. With no way to communicate with Cassis during the battle and telling him, maybe her becoming a Chaotic Priestess could help them. After all, she was the reason they were in that mess to begin with. Cassis, having seen too much and knowing just how hopeless the situation was, would never have rushed in to help the family. But she hadn¡¯t been able to ignore them. She had acted before he could stop her. If they survived, she¡¯d have to apologize. She had confirmed the selection, appointing herself as the Chaotic Priestess. A new system window had appeared: [Your patron has designated you as their Chaotic Priestess.] Quickly, she had skimmed through the title description: [Given to the most faithful avatars of a chaotic deity. Bonus: Once a day, you may grant one blessing and one curse in the name of your deity that will be active for 4 hours.] Her breath had caught. There was a list of possible blessings and curses in her head. And then it hit her. Silence! She could use it on the baby to keep it quiet. That would give them a chance. As soon as she had closed the system windows, time had resumed. Immediately, she had cast Silence on the baby, then Courage on Cassis, and finally, Heal on everyone. But with every heal she had cast, her body had weakened further. Her wounds had vanished, but the sickness inside her had grown worse. Fighting had become nearly impossible, but thanks to Cassis and the others¡ªwho had found their courage because of him¡ªshe hadn¡¯t needed to fight as much. When the last monster had fallen, relief had flooded her. But then she had heard the distant cries of more approaching. Cassis had shouted for them to get inside the house, scooping up the children before leading them all to the master bedroom upstairs. Once they were safe, she had lost control, violently throwing up. She hadn¡¯t been able to tell which way was up or down anymore. It had been unbearable. Then the headache had set in. But warm hands had steadied her, rubbing slow, soothing circles on her back. A soft, masculine voice had murmured encouragements, grounding her through the worst of it. After a while, Cassis had helped her onto the bed, explaining that she was suffering from mana depletion. He had spoken with the others while she rested, allowing her a moment to recover. Bit by bit, she had started to feel better. Not good, but better. Her mana must have been regenerating slowly. She would need more time to fully recover, but for now, she was getting better. At least they had accomplished their goal. They had reached Level 5 during the first wave. That was something. Despite the tense atmosphere, Arianna felt annoyed that she received system messages in the same way as both an Awakener and a deity. It made things confusing. She fiddled with her settings again and changed the colour of the system window for her patron self to green. This way, she could easily differentiate whether the message was meant for her as an Awakener or as a deity. While she had been resting, Cassis had told the Morrisons everything. Now, they sat together on the other side of the bed, looking utterly shocked as they whispered among themselves, trying to process his words. Arianna knew she needed to talk to Cassis immediately. Raising a shaky hand, she caught his arm. He hadn¡¯t moved far from her during his explanation. ¡°We need to discuss our next move,¡± she told him, her voice still hoarse. Cassis turned to her immediately, his sharp gaze scanning her face for any signs of lingering pain. Seeing that she was at least stable, he gave her a short nod. Arianna took a deep breath and explained everything¡ªhow she had chosen the cleric class because it would benefit the group the most and how she had received a system message offering to appoint a Chaotic Priest or Priestess. She told him that she had chosen herself, hoping it would help them survive. When she mentioned her ability to curse and bless others, Cassis looked surprised and immediately checked his status. His eyes flickered in recognition as he found the blessing listed under his status window: [Blessing: Courage] (Raises morale and damage of the blessed one. Special: As a blessed avatar, your blessing spills over in a reduced state to those around you. Time left: 03:37:19) Cassis looked back at her with something close to admiration. ¡°That was a smart move. And using silence on baby Jessica¡­ that saved us.¡± Arianna exhaled in relief, but the moment of peace didn¡¯t last long. Cassis¡¯ brows furrowed. ¡°But what happens when the curse wears off?¡± he asked, his voice low. His gaze flickered toward Elena, who was still clutching her baby. Jessica¡¯s tiny face was scrunched up, her mouth open in an endless silent cry. Cassis¡¯ jaw tightened. ¡°The monsters will come flocking back the moment the silence lifts.¡± Arianna followed his gaze and felt a sinking dread settle in her stomach. She wasn¡¯t in any shape to fight more monsters¡ªnot even in four hours when the curse would wear off. Regret twisted in her chest. She looked back at Cassis, guilt flashing across her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said earnestly. ¡°For putting you in danger. I know you wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this if not for me.¡± Cassis met her eyes for a long moment before sighing. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with it,¡± he said, his voice quieter than before. But he sounded resigned.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Arianna was sure she had made the right decision to jump into that fight¡ªbut a right decision didn¡¯t equal a smart decision, or even a decision that would keep them alive. It was too late now. They needed a plan. Arianna forced herself to focus, pushing aside her exhaustion. She glanced at her accumulated CP. Before today, she had 20 CP. Now, the number had surged to 290 CP¡ª120 CP for killing sentient beings, 50 CP for saving mortals 100 CP for healing injured mortals. Just as she took that in, her CP suddenly jumped by 30 more. [+30 CP (for saving a group of mortals using a blessing)] Then, another surge. [+30 CP (for saving a group of mortals using a curse)] Arianna stiffened. Her inner scale¡ªher alignment¡ªwavered violently, tipping back and forth between good and evil. The shifting force made her stomach churn. She clenched her fists as a wave of nausea hit her again, but after a moment, the scale finally settled¡ªleaning slightly toward the evil side. She exhaled shakily, taking stock of her situation. She now had 350 CP in total. Without wasting any time, she opened the Patron Shop and searched for something¡ªanything¡ªthat could help them. She needed an item that could silence, dampen sound, or at least create a sound barrier. She tried every search combination she could think of. A list of options appeared:
  1. [Veil of the Silent Phantom] ¨C A cape that completely erases presence and sound. 1,200 CP.
  2. [Cursed Bracelet: Silence] ¨C A bracelet imbued with a silence curse. 540 CP.
  3. [Sound Barrier Rune] ¨C Creates a temporary soundproof barrier. 470 CP.
Arianna¡¯s heart sank. Everything was too expensive. Next, she looked at her Fame Points. She now had 70 FP. But she couldn¡¯t find any use for them. There was no extra shop for them and in the Patron Shop she couldn¡¯t change the currency to FP. Just what were they good for? She bit her lip and turned to Cassis. ¡°I found some options, but I don¡¯t have enough CP for any of them.¡± She explained the items and their prices, frustration seeping into her voice. Cassis furrowed his brows, deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally looked at her and spoke. ¡°I have an idea,¡± he said. Arianna blinked, waiting for him to continue. His expression was unreadable, but there was something different in his demeanour. Cassis laid out his plan with a calm, steady voice. First, they would escort the Morrisons back to his family¡¯s house. Once there, they would awaken his father¡ªincreasing their fighting strength, and also awaken Violet and Noah¡ªincreasing their survivability. If it had been possible, he would have wanted to awaken Jessica. As an F-rank awakener the mana wouldn¡¯t bother her much which meant she would stop crying. But others had tried that in the other future and failed. No child younger than two had ever been awakened. After the first part of the plan was finished, they would barricade themselves inside his mother¡¯s office. Cassis described the room. It was once part of the living room before being converted into a windowless office for Cassis¡¯ mother, who had worked from home. The walls were sturdy, and there was only one entrance¡ªa perfect defensive position. ¡°When the monsters come¡ªand they will, the moment Jessica starts crying again¡ªwe¡¯ll be ready,¡± Cassis continued. ¡°With more awakened fighters, we can take turns defending the doorway while keeping the children safe inside. You can take breaks, meditate on your mana and heal when necessary. Maybe some of the others will also get to level five increasing our fighting strength more.¡± Arianna stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Are you suggesting...?¡± Cassis stared back; his gaze unwavering but questioning. Arianna couldn¡¯t believe it. Was this really her Cassis¡ªthe man who always tried to handle everything alone? The Cassis who never relied on others? For the first time, he was suggesting a plan that involved working together. Before Cassis and Arianna shared their plan with the Morrisons, Cassis turned to her and said, "We should party up, now that we both have basic classes." Arianna blinked, caught off guard. In the past, when she had been his patron, he hadn¡¯t liked being in a party. Solitary, self-reliant Cassis had always preferred to carry the weight of survival alone. He must have noticed her surprise because he quickly added, "The party system splits experience evenly. Since you''re a support class and probably won¡¯t damage most monsters, this is especially important for you." His voice held the faintest hint of awkwardness, and despite the tension thick in the air, Arianna found herself smiling. A notification appeared before her. [Cassis invites you to join a party. Accept?] She accepted without hesitation. "Can you hear me?" Cassis¡¯ voice resonated directly in her mind, clear yet strangely intimate. "Yes, party chat works." She responded without speaking, testing the link between them. Arianna slowly pushed herself upright, relieved to find that the dizziness had finally begun to fade. She still wouldn¡¯t be able to cast a heal but at least she could move. Across from her, Cassis glanced at his timer¡ª3 hours, 14 minutes, and 49 seconds remaining before Jessica¡¯s silencing curse lifted. They were running out of time. When they finally explained the plan to the Morrisons, the reaction was immediate. Benny and Elena recoiled, shaking their heads. "It¡¯s too dangerous!" Benny argued, his voice tight with anxiety. "You¡¯re asking us to go outside with a baby and a child, with monsters still lurking? There has to be another way!" "We can¡¯t risk it," Elena agreed, clutching Jessica protectively against her chest. "We barely survived out there the first time!" Cassis and Arianna remained silent as the couple vented their fear and frustration. Arianna understood their desperation¡ªshe felt it, too. But there was no alternative. It was Joseph who spoke next, his voice quiet yet resolute. "We don¡¯t have a choice," he murmured, his gaze lingering on Noah and the now-silent baby. His hands, wrinkled with age but still steady, curled into fists. "If we want to save them, we have to move. The monsters will come when Jess starts crying loudly again. We can¡¯t stay trapped here, waiting for the next attack." His words settled heavily over the room. For a long moment, the only sound was the faint, distant cries of monsters prowling the streets. Benny exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face, while Elena bit her lip, her expression torn. Then, at last, they relented. Their survival depended on it. The group moved with quiet urgency, preparing for the treacherous journey ahead. Benny and Elena slipped on denim jackets, their makeshift armour against the dangers outside. Joseph layered another thick sweater over his clothes, his movements steady despite the tension in the air. With careful effort, they pushed aside the heavy closet blocking the door, revealing the path to the rest of the house. They moved in silence, first sneaking into Noah¡¯s room to dress him in thicker clothes, hoping they would protect him from the monsters. Then, they crept into Jessica¡¯s nursery, grabbing a bag filled with diapers and wipes¡ªbecause, as dire as their situation was, no one wanted to deal with a crying, uncomfortable and smelly baby on top of everything else. When it was time to go, they fell into formation. Benny carried Noah, his arms tense but secure. Elena cradled Jessica; her grip protective. Cassis swung the bag over his shoulders, wearing it like a makeshift backpack. Arianna clenched her baseball bat, her knuckles white as she mentally prepared herself. She could only hope that her bludgeoning skill would prove useful in a real fight. Cassis moved first. He slipped down the stairs like a shadow, his steps silent. The rest of them waited in tense anticipation, barely daring to breathe. Then¡ªtwo muffled thuds. Arianna¡¯s pulse spiked, but before panic could set in, she heard his voice in her head through party chat: "All clear. Come down." They descended quickly; their feet light but their nerves frayed. At the bottom, two lifeless kobolds lay sprawled across the floor, their bodies still. Cassis had already wiped the blood from his weapon, his expression unreadable. He makes it look easy, Arianna thought grimly. Cassis turned to Joseph. "We can¡¯t leave through the front. Do you have a backdoor? A window we can use?" Joseph nodded and gestured for them to follow. He led them through the dim house, past overturned furniture and signs of a hurried escape, until they reached the winter garden. He pointed to a door leading to the backyard. "This opens to the back of the garden," Joseph whispered. Cassis didn¡¯t hesitate. He slipped out first, his movements silent and precise. Joseph followed close behind, his posture tense but determined. Elena cradled Jessica tightly against her chest, shielding the baby as best she could, while Benny carried Noah, his grip firm despite the slight tremor in his hands. Arianna was the last to exit, gripping her bat with white-knuckled fingers. She and Cassis, the group''s strongest fighters, naturally took the front and rear positions, watching for any threats that might emerge from the darkened streets. The world outside was eerily quiet¡ªtoo quiet. A cold breeze rippled through the bloody neighbourhood, rustling broken glass and discarded debris. Growls and guttural snarls echoed between the houses, a grim reminder that the monsters still lurked nearby. Moving cautiously, they crept down the street, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. Every step felt like an eternity, each rustling leaf and snapping twig sending jolts of anxiety through them. Twice, they were forced to take cover¡ªonce behind a rickety old garden shed, its wooden walls barely enough to shield them from the monstrous forms stalking down the road. Another time, they dove into the overgrown bushes of a neighbour¡¯s garden, hearts pounding as a group of kobolds passed within feet of their hiding place, sniffing the air for prey. By the time they reached their destination¡ªwhich was only two streets away¡ªArianna¡¯s muscles were taut with tension. What had felt like hours had only been thirty minutes, but the weight of every second had been suffocating. They reached the kitchen window, their breaths shallow. Inside, Liam spotted them immediately, his eyes widening in relief and surprise. He scrambled to unlock the window, pushing it open as they rushed forward. One by one, they climbed inside, slipping into the relative safety of the house. For now, at least, they had made it. Chapter 12: Even the smallest advantage – Cassis Chapter 12: Even the smallest advantage ¨C Cassis They slipped inside Cassis¡¯ parents'' house, shutting the window behind them with practiced efficiency. The moment the latch clicked into place, Cassis released a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. They had made it. The tense silence of the house broke as footsteps approached. The rest of his family and their guests¡ªNadine and Violet¡ªentered the kitchen, their faces a mix of relief and concern. The greetings were brief but heartfelt. His father, Marcus, stepped forward as Joseph Morrison approached, and the two men exchanged a firm, almost wordless hug¡ªthe kind shared between men who had seen too much, fought too hard, and lost more than they cared to admit. When they pulled away, Joseph¡¯s gaze fell to Marcus¡¯ missing arm, his expression darkening. ¡°Damn, Marcus,¡± Joseph muttered, shaking his head. ¡°Glad you¡¯re still with us.¡± His father merely shrugged, but Cassis didn¡¯t miss the shadow lurking behind his eyes. He had seen it before¡ªa quiet, creeping despair in those who had lost a part of themselves, both literally and figuratively. He knew what came next if his father remained in that mindset. Marcus had always been a protector, shouldering the responsibility for those weaker than himself. If Cassis didn¡¯t get him back on his feet, back into the fight, he would lose him in a different way¡ªone even harder to recover from. Turning to his family, Cassis wasted no time. They needed to move quickly. ¡°Listen,¡± he began, his voice steady despite the weight of the situation. ¡°Baby Jessica is under a silencing spell.¡± He carefully avoided the word ¡®curse,¡¯ knowing how negatively people reacted to it. ¡°It will break in about two hours and forty-eight minutes.¡± He tapped his timer, making sure they all understood the urgency. ¡°Before that happens, we need to awaken my father, Violet, and Noah. We need every fighter we can get, dad, and awakening will make the children harder to kill. They¡¯ll need less food, less sleep, and they¡¯ll have a better chance of surviving.¡± His mother¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. Benny, Joseph, and Elena shared uncertain glances but didn¡¯t argue. There wasn¡¯t time for hesitation. ¡°Mom,¡± he continued, looking directly at her, ¡°you, Liam, Joseph, and Elena should start stocking your office. Grab as much food and water as possible. Move the desk and shelves out¡ªwe¡¯ll need the space. If you can, bring down a couple of mattresses so the kids and we can rest in between fighting. The room is small, but it¡¯s the safest place for us when the monsters come.¡± Arianna, standing beside him, remained quiet but alert, nodding along as he laid out their plan. Then, Nadine stepped forward, locking eyes with Cassis in a way that made it clear she wasn¡¯t backing down. ¡°If my daughter awakens, I will be with her.¡± Her voice was calm but firm, a mother¡¯s unwavering resolve. Cassis held her gaze for a moment before nodding. He understood that kind of determination. She would protect Violet no matter what. ¡°Benny,¡± Cassis continued, turning toward him, ¡°you¡¯ll come with Arianna and me. We¡¯ll awaken Noah first.¡± Benny stiffened slightly, but he nodded. He understood the importance of what they were about to do. His father had remained silent throughout the discussion, standing with quiet authority. Now, he reached to his side, gripping the handle of his hammer with his remaining hand. He didn¡¯t speak, but he didn¡¯t need to. He was ready. Cassis took one last look at everyone in the room. They were exhausted, frightened, and worn thin by the last twenty-four hours. But they were still here. They still had a chance. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± They went back out through the kitchen window, barely having had a moment to rest. Cassis was tired, but his concern lay more with Arianna. She wasn¡¯t used to this kind of strain¡ªnot physically, not mentally. "Are you okay?" he asked her through the party chat. Arianna¡¯s response was immediate, her inner voice steady despite her exhaustion. "Yeah, I¡¯m tired, but we can do this. It¡¯s safer with me here. I can¡¯t use heal yet, but soon. Still, in case something goes terribly wrong, I can buy a small healing potion." Cassis met her eyes, searching for any sign that she was just putting up a front. But there was only determination there. He nodded. They had no choice but to push forward. They crept outside again, sticking to the shadows. "Be careful out there," he warned her. "I don¡¯t know if I can protect you with a group this vulnerable." Arianna rolled her eyes and shot back, "I¡¯m the second strongest fighter in this group. I think I can protect myself quite well." He knew that, of course, but it didn¡¯t make it any easier. Every time she got hurt, something twisted inside him¡ªbecause she shouldn¡¯t be in this world. And that was his fault. Out loud, he addressed the group. "Arianna and I will take Dad first. We¡¯ll look for a group of monsters, and if we manage to awaken him and beat up two more, we¡¯ll come back with them. If you hear anything other than us coming towards you, run back into the house. It¡¯s not far, and the window is open." The two children, Violet and Noah, were eerily quiet. Violet, only eight years old, clutched her mother¡¯s kitchen knife in both hands, her small fingers white-knuckled around the handle. She was old enough to understand¡ªunderstand that she would have to kill something, because the monsters out there wanted to kill her first. Noah, just five, looked confused but didn¡¯t make a sound. He was too scared to cry, still traumatized by the monster attack just an hour ago. He hadn¡¯t made a sound on the way to his parents¡¯ house either. But they couldn¡¯t worry about that now, first he had to survive physically before they could take care of his poor soul. Cassis, Arianna, and his father moved around the house, keeping low and using the parked cars as cover. They crouched behind his parents¡¯ car, scanning the street for movement. Cassis listened intently. The growls and shuffling movements of monsters echoed in the silence of the apocalypse. He gestured for them to wait and crept forward, his body low and movements precise. His heightened senses from awakening made it easier to pick up on their surroundings. There¡ªjust around the corner. Three goblins. They were hunched over something, their sharp claws digging into flesh. It wasn¡¯t a human, thankfully¡ªjust a dead dog.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Disgust curled in his stomach, but he pushed it aside. This was the opportunity they needed. Three monsters, just enough for his father¡¯s and the children¡¯s awakenings. He turned back, motioning for Arianna and Marcus to follow. When they were in position, he told them. "We go on my mark. Dad, you take the one in the middle. Take it out fast. Arianna you take the left one. Don¡¯t kill it but beat is within an inch of its life. Can you do it?" Instead of answering Arianna readied her bat. His father shifted his grip on his hammer. The goblins had their backs turned to them and were still eating the dog. Together the three of them lunged. Cassis used the poker to stab through the right goblin¡¯s arm in a single, fluid motion. The creature let go of its knife but started shrieking. He punched it in the face and followed up with a kick to its head. It crumbled unconscious but alive. Arianna bludgeoned the left one first in the throat to keep it from screaming and then all over its body, staying away from its head in order to avoid killing it. It still managed to scream a bit, but it was muffled. His father had rushed together with them. He had a lot more problems with his goblin as he wasn¡¯t awakened yet and only had one arm. The gobbling swung its knife at him and caught him shallowly in the stomach. But his father didn¡¯t even flinch. He surges closer to the goblin and hit it in the head with his hammer again and again. Cassis caught the goblin¡¯s knife before it could plunge it into his father¡¯s side. Then the goblin¡¯s skull caved in with a sickening crunch, its body hitting the ground in a heap. His father inhaled sharply, his body stiffening as a faint glow surrounded him. He had awakened. He was shortly disoriented by the status window but Cassis couldn¡¯t give him much time. ¡°Arianna, Dad take that goblin and carry it back to the children.¡± He took his own goblin and did the same. They hurried back toward the house, moving swiftly and carefully with the goblins unconscious. The moment they came around the corner of the house into the backyard the small group they had left behind tensed with quiet, heavy anticipation. The two goblins didn¡¯t even twitch, they were out cold. They put the goblins down in front of the two children. Cassis turned to Nadine, who was kneeling beside her daughter. "Violet, are you ready?" Violet was trembling, her knuckles white around the kitchen knife she had been gripping for dear life. She bit her lip, eyes darting between the goblin and her mother. Nadine didn¡¯t hesitate. She took Violet¡¯s small hands in her own and wrapped them around the knife¡¯s hilt, her voice steady but soft. "I¡¯m here, sweetheart. Just push down." A sob escaped from Violet¡¯s lips, but she obeyed. With her mother guiding her, she plunged the blade into the goblin¡¯s chest. The creature spasmed once, then went still. A brilliant glow enveloped Violet¡¯s small frame. She gasped, her breath hitching. The glow faded, and Violet stared down at herself, tears streaking her cheeks. But she wasn¡¯t the only one stunned. "What...?" Nadine murmured, eyes unfocused as she stared at something only she could see. Cassis furrowed his brow. "What¡¯s wrong?" Nadine shook her head, then looked at him. "I got a system message. It says my dependent awakened to Rank F, but because she¡¯s under the age of 14, I have the authority to see and manage her status, skills, and even class." Cassis barely had time to process that before his attention shifted to Noah. The boy hadn¡¯t moved, hadn¡¯t reacted at all. He still stared blankly, unblinking, as if his mind were elsewhere. Benny¡¯s hands curled into fists. His worry for his son was palpable. "Noah," Benny called gently, kneeling in front of him. But there was no response. Cassis saw the moment Benny made his decision. With a deep, shuddering breath, he took the knife Cassis¡¯ mother had given him and carefully placed it in Noah¡¯s tiny hand. The child didn¡¯t grip it. His fingers remained limp. Tears welled in Benny¡¯s eyes as he wrapped Noah¡¯s hand around the handle himself. "I¡¯m so sorry, son," he whispered. Then, with his own hand guiding Noah¡¯s, he plunged the blade into the second goblin¡¯s heart. The same glow enveloped Noah, and Benny also got a message "Same here," Benny said, his voice oddly strained. Cassis glanced at him. "You got the same message?" Benny, still holding onto Noah, nodded slowly. "Yeah. I have full access to his status, skills, and class management." Cassis opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a deep, guttural roar echoed from somewhere nearby. The air shifted instantly; tension thick enough to choke on. Cassis snapped to attention. "We better get inside the house before continuing this discussion." No one argued. Without wasting another second, Nadine and Benny grabbed their respective child and moved swiftly towards the kitchen window. The group climbed inside one after the other, closing the window and then pushing down the blinders on the inside. The house was quiet¡ªat least for now. The other group had done well preparing the office. The small space was now lined with two mattresses on the floor, all non-essential furniture cleared out and repurposed as barricades. The living room was now an obstacle course, its layout designed to slow any invading monsters. Cassis nodded approvingly. "Good work." His mother wasted no time. The moment she laid eyes on his father, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him, murmuring something only the two of them could hear. Cassis didn''t pry, but he kept a careful eye on his father. Marcus Walker had always been a strong man, a protector. Losing his arm had been a devastating blow, not just physically but mentally. Yet here he was, standing tall again, hammer in hand. He has to keep fighting. And tonight, they all would. From now until tomorrow afternoon, when the monsters would finally be drawn back into their home dungeons, when the mana concentration in the air would decrease and, finally, Jessica¡¯s crying would stop because she wouldn¡¯t be in pain anymore. Elena and Benny were locked in a silent embrace, clutching Noah between them, their tears dampening his hair. Joseph held Jessica in his arms, rocking her gently. She still wasn¡¯t making a sound under the lingering silence curse. Liam approached Cassis and Arianna. "We did everything we could," he said quietly, gesturing toward the office. Inside, bottles of water, packets of jerky, and other easy-to-eat provisions had been neatly arranged. Cassis checked the timer. [02:03:58] They had a little over two hours before the silence spell on Jessica lifted. Two hours before every monster in the area would hear her cries again. Not enough time to rest. But enough time to prepare. He turned to the group. "Everyone, gather around. We don¡¯t have much time, but I¡¯ll explain how to meditate to find your elemental affinity." There was a ripple of confusion and curiosity, but no one argued somehow already used to Cassis taking charge. They all settled onto the mattresses or leaned against the office walls, giving him their full attention. "If we¡¯re lucky," Cassis continued, "some of you might unlock your affinity before the timer runs out. If not, at least you¡¯ll know how to do it whenever you take a break between fights since we will take turns fighting at the door. Sleep probably won¡¯t be an option, but meditating will help restore your energy." It was a half-truth. Meditation could help with exhaustion, but more importantly, awakening an elemental affinity would make them a little stronger. They wouldn¡¯t get a skill with ther element yet ¨C that would only happen at level 5 and depend on their basic class ¨C but they would also raise their mana saturation percentage which would strengthen their bodies and minds. And they needed every advantage they could get. Violet and Noah, still reeling from their awakenings, sat close to their respective guardians. Violet was gripping her mother¡¯s sleeve tightly, while Noah remained quiet, his wide eyes darting between the adults as if he didn¡¯t fully understand what was happening. At least he wasn¡¯t catatonic anymore. Awakening had helped with that, too. Elena frowned. "Cassis, how do you know about this?" Cassis barely hesitated. He had prepared for this question. "Sapphire told me." It was his go-to answer now, whenever he needed to explain knowledge that should have been beyond him. Sapphire¡ªhis and Arianna¡¯s divine patron, their guiding beneficent deity. It was vague enough that people wouldn¡¯t question too deeply. Elena exhaled and nodded, accepting the explanation. Arianna shot him a look but didn¡¯t say anything. Through the party chat, she simply said: "It feels weird to be the answer for everything. And just why do people believe it? You¡¯re a very convincing liar." He smirked slightly before refocusing on the task at hand. "Alright. Close your eyes. Breathe. I¡¯ll guide you through the process." With time running out, they needed to get stronger. Because soon, the real battle would begin. Chapter 13: A long fight – Arianna Chapter 13: A long fight ¨C Arianna Arianna settled onto the mattress in Danielle¡¯s office, her fingers absently tightening around the fabric of her pants as she tried to calm her nerves. Around her, the others shifted into position¡ªJoseph cradling Jessica in his arms, Violet curled up against Nadine, and Noah nestled between his parents. The room was quiet except for their soft, steady breathing and the occasional rustling of fabric as someone adjusted their position. Liam, Danielle, and Marcus leaned against the wall, meditating there as they didn¡¯t have enough space. Cassis¡¯s voice was calm and steady as he guided them through the meditation process. "It¡¯s actually quite simple, though the experience differs slightly for everyone. But for most, this method works." Arianna let out a slow breath, closing her eyes. "First, close your eyes. Concentrate on your heartbeat. Listen to it¡ªfeel the rhythm of life within you. Breathe slowly, in and out, and let your breathing synchronize with your pulse." Arianna followed his instructions, inhaling deeply and exhaling just as slowly. The sounds of the room faded into the background as she homed in on the steady thump-thump of her heart. "Second," Cassis continued, "turn your awareness inward. Feel the changes in your body from your awakening. There is strength coursing through your blood, through your very being. It may feel subtle now but follow it. Trace its path. See where it leads you." The words washed over her, guiding her deeper into herself. She could feel something¡ªan unfamiliar warmth humming beneath her skin, an energy flowing through her veins like a quiet current. It wasn¡¯t just her pulse anymore. It was more than that. It was¡­ power. Arianna¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as she followed the sensation, tracing its flow. It wasn¡¯t erratic or chaotic; it had a steady rhythm, pulsing in time with her heartbeat. "Now," Cassis instructed, "try to see it. Not with your physical eyes, but with your inner eye. Focus. What colour is it?" Arianna focused harder, willing her mind to grasp onto something¡ªonto anything. A flicker. A faint shimmer in the darkness. Her heart leapt. There it is¡ª Then it was gone. She frowned, frustration creeping in. She tried again. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw it¡ªa glimmer, a thread of something just beyond her reach. But every time she tried to hold onto it, it slipped away like water between her fingers. Across the room, the others sat in silence, immersed in their own struggles. Minutes passed. Finally, Cassis called an end to the exercise. Arianna opened her eyes, blinking against the dim light. Judging by the shifting movements and quiet sighs around her, no one else had succeeded either. Cassis, however, looked completely at ease. "Don¡¯t feel discouraged," he said, glancing around the room. "The first time is always difficult. When Sapphire told me about meditation, I had serious trouble too. It took a lot of practice before I got it right and found my elemental ability: fire." Arianna studied his face. She knew the truth. He had learned to meditate in the other future¡ªthe one that no longer existed. When she¡¯d first met him, months from now he hadn¡¯t discovered his elemental affinity yet. But he had worked so hard, she had seen it through her screen. That¡¯s why he had already mastered it. She wasn¡¯t jealous, but she was disappointed in herself. I need to do better. I will do better. He doesn¡¯t have to do this all alone again. Cassis stood, rolling his shoulders. "We only have ten minutes left on the timer," he announced. "It¡¯s time to get into position." The room shifted into motion. The fighters stepped forward while the others prepared to hunker down in the small office. Cassis took his place directly in front of the door, his stance strong and unshaken. He gestured for the others to fall in beside him. "Mom, Liam, Benny¡ªyou¡¯re with me. We¡¯ll take the first shift. The rest of you, stay back, rest up. When we start getting tired, we¡¯ll swap out." Arianna nodded, knowing her role. She wouldn¡¯t be on the front line¡ªnot yet. She had to stay alert, ready to heal the fighters if they got injured. Thanks to the meditation, she felt her reserves replenished. She could cast two, maybe three more heals before exhaustion set in again. It wasn¡¯t much, but it could make the difference between life and death. Arianna exhaled and opened her Patron Shop. Time around her stopped. The dimly lit office, the tense figures preparing for battle¡ªall of it froze as if the world itself had been put on pause. She glanced around the interface, scrolling past countless items¡ªsome too expensive, some useless, others tempting but impractical. Her eyes locked onto the Basic Swords first. Sturdy, reliable, and affordable at 50 CP each. She bought four. Next, she found Defensive Rune Rings¡ªsimple silver bands inscribed with faint, glowing sigils. They weren¡¯t strong, but they offered an extra layer of protection¡ªit would make them a little sturdier. That could mean everything in a fight like this. 30 CP per ring. She bought five. Her CP balance dropped down to 0 CP again, but she didn¡¯t hesitate. As soon as she exited the shop, time resumed. She took a deep breath, then spoke loudly, making sure everyone could hear: "Gifts from Sapphire." This really was the best way to explain some things. The room went silent for a moment. Then, Cassis turned toward her as she held up the weapons and rings. She stepped forward and handed out the swords and rings¡ªone of each to Cassis, Liam, Benny, and Danielle. They could swap the equipment when someone else took their place fighting. The remaining ring she gave to Joseph¡ªso that Jessica could wear it. ¡°The monsters will be after her. And she is by far the most vulnerable person in this room. So, it makes the most sense.¡± Joseph, Elena and Benny had tears in their eyes and accepted. The room filled with murmurs of thanks to Sapphire, some quiet, some fervent. [+100 FP (for receiving sincere prayers of gratefulness from a group of mortals)] [+100 CP (for helping mortals escape from certain death)] Arianna read the green message and felt some hope come back to her. Even the system acknowledged that they now had a chance to survive. ¡°The system just told me we could survive this.¡± Sure, that was maybe more optimistic than the system had said but she was an optimistic person. Cassis looked back at her and gave a small smile. Then the timer reached zero and a piercing wail echoed through the house. Jessica was crying again. The sound was just as loud, just as relentless. Elena¡¯s face twisted with worry. "She hasn¡¯t stopped since this started¡­ What if¡ªwhat if this damages her voice?" Arianna answerd: ¡°First we have to survive this. After that I will ask Sapphire how to heal it if she really damaged it.¡± Elena looked gratefully at her. Then¡ª CRASH. The house shuddered. A deep, resonating bang followed. Cassis¡¯s eyes narrowed. "That was the front door." A pause. Then¡ªmore noises. Screeching. Snarling. The pounding of heavy bodies slamming into walls. The foundation seemed to groan under the assault. Fists, claws, weapons¡ªeverything was being thrown at the house from outside and inside.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. But the walls held. Then¡ªmovement at the only door into this room. A shadow. Then another. Then a flood. Monsters. Cassis moved first, his new sword cutting cleanly through the first creature that entered. The monster fell, blood spraying across the floor¡ª But another took its place. The others at the door braced themselves. Liam swung wide, knocking back a goblin. Benny barely dodged a clawed strike before plunging his blade into the attacking beast¡¯s throat. Danielle parried, blocking a jagged spear before countering with a quick stab. Arianna stood back, clutching her baseball bat, ready to move if someone fell. The monsters kept coming. Jessica¡¯s cries never stopped. Arianna took a shaky breath, gripping her bat tighter. It was going to be a long night. The fight went on. A relentless, brutal onslaught of monsters, their bodies piling up at the entrance, their blood staining the floor. Benny, panting, tapped out first. Elena took his place. Danielle held on for a little longer, but exhaustion caught up to her, and Marcus stepped in. Liam was still going strong, each strike steady, each move calculated. And Cassis¡ªCassis was like a stone in a raging stream. Unmovable. Determined. The cuts and bruises accumulated on all of them, but nothing serious. Not yet. Then¡ª A minotaur appeared at the door. A hulking beast, twice the size of any goblin, a head taller than a human, with thick muscles and a log-sized spear clutched in its hands. E-Rank. She could feel his power. A heartbeat later, the minotaur struck. Liam barely had time to react before the spear plunged into his stomach. His breath left him in a strangled gasp, and he staggered backward, eyes wide in shock. Cassis moved instantly. He lunged in front of the minotaur, forcing it back with a brutal counterstrike. Joseph rushed forward, yanking Liam away, the spear still lodged in his body. "I¡¯ll take his place!" Joseph shouted as he shoved Liam toward the back, taking his spot at the door. Danielle and Arianna were at Liam¡¯s side in an instant. Danielle¡¯s hands trembled, tears brimming in her eyes. Arianna swallowed the panic rising in her throat. " Help me get the spear out! I can¡¯t heal him with that still inside him." Danielle didn¡¯t hesitate. With a deep breath, she gripped the spear and pulled. Liam screamed. Arianna immediately pressed her hands against the wound, focusing all her mana into a Heal. The wound began to close, but too slowly. Liam¡¯s breathing was ragged, and his skin turned dangerously pale. He had lost too much blood. He would survive¡ªbut he wouldn''t be fighting again tonight. His body went limp, unconscious from the pain. Danielle and Arianna dragged him to the mattress. Danielle clutched him in a desperate hug, silent tears falling onto his face. Arianna barely had time to process before she turned back to the fight. Cassis was still fighting the minotaur. It was strong. Too strong. Arianna¡¯s mind flashed back to the orc from before¡ªalso E-Rank¡ªand how it had taken all of them together to take it down. But Cassis was stronger now. He summoned fire to his blade. His Elemental Blade skill. The minotaur bellowed in pain¡ªthe flames searing its thick hide far worse than steel alone ever could. But there were still other monsters. Marcus, still fighting, was struggling with only one arm. A kobold nearly got past his defences. He barely managed to kill it, but he was breathing hard, his body swaying. "Dad, tap out!" Cassis ordered. Marcus hesitated, but Nadine had already stepped forward to take his place. Still, the minotaur remained. It was weakened but still dangerous. Then¡ª It roared and charged straight for Cassis. He didn¡¯t move. Instead, he braced himself, shifting his weight¡ªhis sword held steady. The minotaur impaled itself on his blade. The steel sank deep, piercing through the monster¡¯s chest. But it was too close. Its jaws snapped shut¡ªCassis managed to turn aside so it didn¡¯t bite his head off, only into his shoulder. Arianna¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Cassis¡¯s body jerked as teeth tore into him, but he didn''t let go of his sword. With his free hand, he gripped the minotaur¡¯s head, keeping it trapped against him. His voice was steady, but strained. "Kill it now. I can¡¯t hold on for long." Before anyone else could react Arianna moved. She swung her bat over Cassis¡¯s shoulder, her Bludgeoning Skill activating. Once. Twice. Again. Again. The sound of cracking bone. The minotaur went limp. Cassis shoved it off, its corpse collapsing at his feet. Arianna felt her stomach turn. His shoulder was ravaged. Blood poured from the jagged wounds, torn muscle exposed. And yet¡ª He didn¡¯t even flinch. "Switch!" he called. Marcus immediately turned back and stepped into his place. Then, Cassis grabbed Arianna¡¯s wrist and pulled her further back into the room. His grip was strong¡ªtoo strong for someone so injured. His voice was calm. "Do you have another heal in you?" Arianna didn''t answer. She just healed him. The gaping wounds knit together, the bleeding slowed¡ªbut her hands were shaking. "Great work," Cassis said. That was it. No pain. No weakness. Just those two words. Arianna¡¯s chest tightened. Her fingers curled into fists. She didn¡¯t know if she was angry or sad, but it hurt to see him like this. Shrugging off injuries like they meant nothing. Like he meant nothing. She had seen worse injuries on him before in the future and she had cried and worried for him. But it had still been seen through a screen. It wasn¡¯t the same. It hadn¡¯t been so real before. But for Cassis it had always been real. Arianna acted before she could think. She stepped forward and hugged him. Tightly. "Don¡¯t get hurt, idiot." Cassis froze. For a moment, his whole body went stiff¡ªlike he didn¡¯t know what to do. Then, slowly, he relaxed and awkwardly put his hands around her, just lightly, like he was afraid of holding on too tight to her. His voice was quiet, softer than she¡¯d ever heard it. "I can¡¯t promise that." Arianna squeezed him tighter. For just a second, it felt like the battle wasn¡¯t happening. Just a second. Then, behind them¡ª A new shriek. Another wave of monsters. The fight wasn¡¯t over yet. Not even close. Arianna let go of Cassis, heat rushing to her face as embarrassment crept in. She quickly avoided his gaze, pretending to be more focused on the others. Cassis, for his part, acted as if nothing had happened. He turned back to the group of resting fighters. "Are you close to reaching level five?" They nodded, their expressions determined despite exhaustion weighing them down. Cassis let out a small breath of relief. More people with classes would make this fight easier. They could handle F-rank monsters fine, but E-ranks were a different story. "The minotaur and the orc were on the weaker side of rank E," Cassis told her quietly. Arianna shuddered. The thought of even stronger monsters made her stomach churn. She pushed it aside. No use thinking about that now. Cassis rested for only a short moment before swapping back in. Elena was exhausted. Her swings had slowed, and her stance was sloppy. She needed to step back. She didn''t argue when Cassis took his place at the door. Elena staggered back toward Benny and the children, who were huddled in the furthest corner from the fight. Violet hugged Noah tightly with one arm, while Noah cradled baby Jessica in his small arms. Arianna¡¯s gaze caught on Violet¡¯s hand. She was still gripping the kitchen knife she had used to kill the goblin for her awakening. Her tiny fingers clutched the blade desperately, white-knuckled. Her eyes¡ªwide and unblinking¡ªwere glued to her mother, Nadine, fighting at the door. Arianna swallowed, a pang of sorrow hitting her. Such a strong little girl. Violet who was just eight years old herself had automatically taken on the role of the younger children''s protector. She shouldn¡¯t have to be. None of them should have to be. Anger boiled in her chest. Why did the children have to go through this? Why did they have to be strong just to survive? Their lives before¡ªthey weren¡¯t perfect, but they were peaceful. She forced the thoughts away. Now wasn¡¯t the time. Turning back to the fight, she did a quick assessment. She had one more Heal left. That was it. She also looked at her CP. Some more should have come in. She acknowledged inside her head that she had killed the minotaur to save the whole group. [+ 20 CP (for healing an injured mortal)] [+ 20 CP (for healing an injured mortal)] [+ 40 CP (for killing a sentient being)] [+ 100 CP (for saving a group of mortals)] Her inner scale shook and came to rest with the virtuous side beeing heavier. Now she had 180 CP. She could buy three small healing potions with that. Relieve flooded her. But she didn¡¯t want to only use healing potions, she needed to be able to heal better. Liam was still out because her healing couldn¡¯t replenish his blood and it almost hadn¡¯t been strong enough to heal his injury fully. But she knew that if she upgraded her heal spell, she would one day be able to give Marcus his arm back. If she wanted to achieve that and keep going, she needed to become stronger. The only way to do that now was to meditate. She moved toward Danielle, who was clutching Liam¡¯s limp hand. "I need to meditate," Arianna murmured. "Otherwise, I won¡¯t be able to heal anymore. Can you watch the fight and shake me if I¡¯m needed?" Danielle hesitated¡ªbut for the first time since Liam¡¯s injury, she looked away from her son. She nodded. "I¡¯ll watch." Arianna let out a slow breath. Good. Danielle hadn''t seen Cassis''s wound. If she had, she''d probably be just as shaken as Arianna. Settling herself, Arianna closed her eyes. She shut out the world. The crashes. The roars. The shrieks. The sound of steel cutting flesh. The endless, agonizing cries of baby Jessica. It was so hard to ignore it all. But she had to. She had to find her mana. She had to be able to heal. Arianna sat cross-legged again, her eyes closed, struggling to steady her breath. Frustration gnawed at her as she failed, once again, to glimpse the colour of her elemental affinity. She could feel the energy coursing through her, pulsing in time with her heartbeat, yet the moment she tried to focus, it slipped away like water through her fingers. Her hand clenched around the sapphire pendant at her neck, seeking comfort in its cool, familiar weight. But as her fingers tightened around the gemstone, it grew warm against her palm, pulsing with an energy that was not her own. A gentle current of power flowed into her, weaving seamlessly with the strength already within her. The pressure built, growing heavier, until she felt as though she might be crushed beneath it. Sweat beaded at her brow, but she refused to let go. Then, suddenly, clarity. For the first time, she saw them¡ªtiny, glistening motes of mana swirling within her, crystalline and unmistakably blue. [You have discovered your elemental affinity: Water.] [Spell "Elemental Barrier" has evolved into "Water Barrier."] Arianna''s eyes snapped open as she gasped for air. Heart still pounding, she hastily pulled up her status page, scanning the new description of her spell: Water Barrier (Creates a protective barrier of water with a five-meter radius around a designated point) There were no further details, no explanation of how to use it beyond the bare minimum. Just like with Heal, she would have to figure it out through trial and error. As her breathing slowed, she took a moment to glance at her level¡ª7. Her brow furrowed. If she was already this high, that meant Cassis must have reached level 8 or was very close. Just how many monsters had they slain while she meditated? Arianna lifted her gaze to the battle. Cassis still stood at the forefront, blade flashing as he cut down yet another beast. Danielle had taken her place beside him at some point, swapping in for her husband. To Arianna¡¯s left, Marcus now sat, ready to shake her awake if needed. Nadine rested near Violet, the little girl curled up beside her mother. Benny had rejoined the fight in her place, swinging his weapon with weary determination. Scrapes and bruises marred nearly everyone¡¯s skin¡ªeveryone except her. It was her role to heal, to stand ready, but simply watching as they endured injury after injury was growing unbearable. At least her meditation had yielded results. She could let out five or six more heals. But only because of her necklace. Her fingers still curled around the pendant. What exactly are you? she wondered. Why do you hold this kind of power? Where did you come from? Why did you come to me? Before she could chase those thoughts further, a sound cut through her swirling questions. A wet, guttural crunch. A gulp. A tearing noise. Arianna¡¯s breath hitched. It wasn¡¯t until she saw it with her own eyes¡ªthe limp corpse of a hyena-like monster being dragged backward by a clawed hand¡ªthat the realization slammed into her. The monsters were eating their dead. She had wondered how the monster corpses hadn¡¯t already formed a barrier in front of their fighters. This explained it. Then she saw it. Cassis was also watching the corpse being dragged away and for a split second there was fear on his face. He immediately schooled his expression into grim determination. But Arianna had seen it and dread settled inside her. What would an experienced warrior like Cassis be afraid of? ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked him through the party chat. It took a while for him to answer. Chapter 14: Choices – Cassis Chapter 14: Choices ¨C Cassis Cassis moved like a machine, his sword rising and falling with practiced ease. Each strike cut through flesh, each step was precise, each motion honed by experience¡ªexperience he shouldn¡¯t have. His body was here in the present, but his mind fought battles he had already lived through. His past-future self had repeated these movements too many times to count, and now, they guided him like muscle memory. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. A clawed hand shot out from the darkness beyond the door, latching onto the limp body of a fallen monster. The corpse was dragged swiftly out of sight. His heart stuttered. No. He kept fighting, but his grip tightened around his sword. He focused, scanning the dimly lit battlefield beyond the threshold of the house. A few moments later, it happened again. The same clawed hand, another body vanishing into the shadows. A cold dread curled in his stomach. It couldn¡¯t be¡ª Could it? His mind raced through possibilities, searching for another explanation. But deep down, he already knew. It was exactly what he feared. A Glutton. His breath came faster despite his training. He had never fought one personally, but their reputation was burned into his mind. Not just his¡ªanyone who had lived long enough in his past life had heard the horror stories. Monsters with only one skill: Gluttony. The concept was simple. The more they ate, the stronger they became. It didn¡¯t matter what they consumed¡ªflesh, bones, magic, even inanimate objects¡ªas long as there was any mana remaining in their food they would absorb it. Their growth rate was terrifying. The first confirmed case had been discovered by a squad much like his own¡ªa team defending a temporary safe zone against an overwhelming flood of monsters. At first, the Glutton had been insignificant, too weak to be a threat. It stayed on the edges, ignored in the chaos. But it ate. And ate. And kept eating. Hours passed, and then, suddenly, it evolved. The defenders barely noticed it at first, too busy holding the line. But the monster didn¡¯t stop. It kept consuming, growing stronger with every bite. By the time the squad realized what was happening, it had already reached a higher rank. They tried to stop it, but the monsters attacking them wouldn¡¯t let up. The Glutton continued to feed. By the time the night was over, it had reached a level that should have been impossible. The only reason they managed to kill it was because the ambient mana concentration hadn¡¯t been high enough to allow further evolution. Out of fifty people, only three survived. Since then, any sign of a Glutton was met with immediate, merciless extermination. Cassis'' hands were slick with sweat despite the cool night air. He couldn''t let this happen. Not here. Not now. But what could he do? More monsters were still trying to get into their small room. He couldn¡¯t leave the front line, the others would be overwhelmed. And even if he left, how would he get through the monster horde? They were blocking the only exit. And yet¡ªif he didn¡¯t do anything ¡­ The thought made his stomach turn. A voice cut into his spiraling thoughts. "What''s wrong?" Arianna¡¯s voice rang through the party chat, laced with concern. Cassis hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then, jaw tightening, he responded. "We have a problem." Arianna¡¯s response was immediate. "What kind of problem?" Cassis slashed through a goblin, its body crumpling before being yanked back into the darkness. He clenched his jaw. "I think there''s a Glutton here." He briefly explained what a Glutton was. He hadn¡¯t fought one before so she wouldn¡¯t know. She was mostly with him during his fights, not during the downtime. There was a pause. Then, Arianna¡¯s voice sharpened. "You''re sure?" "Not completely," he admitted, "but I¡¯ve seen bodies disappearing. Something is taking them, and I can hear¡­ chewing. It fits. If I¡¯m right, we have a limited window before it becomes a real threat." She cursed under her breath. "We need time to think in peace." That was easier said than done. The fight had been relentless, with no real chance to regroup. But before he could voice that thought, Arianna continued, her tone shifting. "I figured out my elemental affinity." That caught his attention. "Already?" "Water," she confirmed. "And I got a new skill¡ªWater Barrier." Cassis blinked, momentarily distracted from the looming threat of the Glutton. "That''s fast. Even with an explanation, most people take weeks, if not longer, to figure it out. You must be some kind of a genius." Arianna made a strangled sound, clearly flustered. "No! I¡ªIt wasn¡¯t me. It was the necklace." Cassis frowned. "The necklace?" "Yeah. When I was meditating, I got frustrated, so I grabbed it. Then it got warm¡ªlike, really warm¡ªand suddenly, I could feel something¡­ entering me. A power, similar to my own, but stronger. It helped me see the colour because there was just so much of it." As Cassis listened to Arianna explain how she had already awakened her elemental affinity, a strange feeling settled in his chest. Water. She had figured it out so quickly. Even with the help of that strange necklace, it was still impressive. He thought back to his own struggle. In his past life, it had taken him so much longer to find his affinity. Days of trial and error. He had meditated for hours at a time, forcing himself to focus, to reach for something that had always seemed just out of his grasp. There had been no one to guide him, no explanations, no shortcuts. Just sheer determination and frustration, battling against his own limits. But this time¡­ this time, it had been effortless. He had felt it the moment he explained meditation to the others. Fire had surged within him as if it had never left, as if it had been waiting for him to call upon it. When he had reached out, it had responded instantly, as natural as breathing. And then he had cursed himself for not ¡°discovering¡± it earlier. He had been afraid that he would fail again like in the past and so hadn¡¯t done it the night before thinking it a waste of time. It would have made the fight in the Morrisons¡¯ garden a lot easier. And now, as he stood here, blade still warm from the fire he had summoned against the minotaur and other strong monsters, he could feel it again¡ªthe power coursing through his veins. Strong. Fierce. Alive. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. He had missed this for the last day. He had felt weak. Even though this was technically the first time his body got to know it, it felt like reuniting with an old friend. The heat, the energy¡ªit was his once more. Cassis shook his head slightly, refocusing on the present. He wasn¡¯t jealous of Arianna¡¯s quick awakening. No, if anything, it reassured him. She had proven herself sharp and adaptable during the past day. The necklace was a mystery, but they could work on that later. For now all that mattered was, that it was helping them.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. And in the end, it didn¡¯t matter how fast or slow they had found their affinities. What mattered was how they used them now. "We¡¯ll need to take a look at that later," he said, filing it away in his mind. "But right now, we have more pressing matters." There was a beat of silence. Then, Arianna spoke hesitantly. "So¡­ what do we do about the Glutton?" Cassis exhaled slowly, considering their options. The others were exhausted. No one was in any condition to go chasing after a potentially evolving monster, especially while they were still being swarmed. But there was a silver lining. "The ambient mana level outside of dungeons is low right now," he explained. "That means F- and E-rank monsters are the strongest we¡¯ll see for now. The Glutton might evolve, but it won¡¯t get past E-rank. We still have time before it becomes unstoppable." "So we focus on recovering first?" "Exactly. If we keep fighting like this, we¡¯ll break before the Glutton even becomes a problem. We need a short break¡ªa moment to think." "Then let me try my Water Barrier," Arianna said. "If it works, we can stop fighting for a little while." Relief coursed through Cassis. "Do it." Arianna stepped forward, lifting a hand. He saw a ripple in the air around her, the familiar pull of mana gathering. Then, a shimmering blue dome expanded outward, covering the doorway and a small portion of the space beyond it. The next wave of monsters crashed into the barrier¡ªand stopped. The barrier held. For the first time in hours, the relentless assault came to a pause. Cassis let out a slow breath. "Good job, Arianna." Now, they had time to plan. The sudden appearance of the shimmering blue dome caught everyone off guard. The fighters tensed, gripping their weapons, but Arianna quickly spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s my new spell¡ªWater Barrier,¡± she explained, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. ¡°I found my elemental affinity and can now cast this protective barrier with the water element. I don¡¯t know exactly how long it will hold, but I can feel its strength. I¡¯ll know when it weakens or if it¡¯s about to break.¡± A collective wave of relief passed through the group. With the barrier in place, they finally had a moment to breathe. Everyone sank to the floor, stretching sore muscles and letting the tension in their shoulders ease. Cassis scanned the group, noting the small injuries they had sustained. None were serious, and thanks to their awakened bodies, they were already beginning to heal. His mother and Benny had seemed different during the fight¡ªmore sure of themselves, faster, stronger. They must have awakened. Still, he chose to ask. Danielle¡¯s tired face brightened with pride. ¡°I chose Warrior,¡± she said, her voice carrying the confidence of someone who had long been a fighter in spirit. Benny nodded beside her. ¡°Same. It felt¡­ right.¡± Cassis acknowledged their choices with a small nod. That meant they now had three Warriors in the group, himself included. A solid foundation. Everyone else, aside from the unconscious Liam and the children, was close to reaching level 5. Cassis himself had already reached level 8, which meant Arianna had to be at least level 7. She was earning half of his experience through the party system. He briefly wondered if she had noticed yet. Deciding to address the next step, he explained, ¡°Once you reach level 5, you¡¯ll be able to party up with other Awakeners. A party shares experience, making it easier to grow stronger together. We can also communicate telepathically by thinking at each other. The party system only works for a group close together and if you are more than 500 meters away from the group you will get kicked out.¡± With that, he sent party invitations to his mother and Benny. They accepted immediately, their names appearing alongside his and Arianna¡¯s in the status screen. Now came the harder part. Cassis took a slow breath before continuing. ¡°There¡¯s something Sapphire just revealed to me. Something we need to discuss.¡± The others straightened at his tone, exhaustion momentarily forgotten. ¡°There¡¯s a monster out there¡ªone that hasn¡¯t joined the fight but is growing stronger with every corpse it devours. It has a skill called Gluttony.¡± His voice was grim as he met their gazes. ¡°And if we don¡¯t deal with it soon, it could become the biggest threat we¡¯ve faced yet.¡± Cassis¡¯s father rubbed his arm stump absently, his expression unreadable. ¡°Stronger than the orc? Stronger than that minotaur?¡± Cassis met his gaze without hesitation. ¡°Yes. The orc and minotaur were only at the beginning of E-rank. If the Glutton keeps feeding, it¡¯ll push itself as far as possible¡ªup to E-rank level 20.¡± A heavy silence settled over the group. Even exhausted, they understood the danger. Arianna broke the silence. ¡°We need more fighting power.¡± Her voice was steady, firm. ¡°Everyone here has to reach level 5. We already have three Warriors, and I¡¯m a Cleric. But that¡¯s not enough. We need mages and rangers, too.¡± Marcus spoke up next. ¡°When I reach level 5, I¡¯m going to choose Mage.¡± Cassis turned to his father, surprised. He had always been a physical man, strong and dependable. But one look at him told Cassis everything¡ªMarcus knew his limitations. With only one arm, he wasn¡¯t going to be the best warrior. Some warriors in the future had learned to fight despite missing limbs, but they had years of experience. His father had no such luxury. He had thought carefully and chosen a path that would benefit not only himself but the entire group. Cassis felt a quiet relief settle in his chest. His father wasn¡¯t going to sink into despair like so many others had. He was going to keep fighting, just in a different way. ¡°I¡¯ll be a Mage as well,¡± Elena added, nodding toward Marcus. Joseph shifted, adjusting his grip on his sword. ¡°Ranger suits me best. Went hunting the old way in my younger days.¡± Nadine smiled faintly. ¡°Me too. I already do archery in a club, so I should be able to pick it up quickly.¡± Cassis considered their group¡¯s balance. Three warriors, two mages, two rangers, and one cleric. A well-rounded team. But they were still short one fighter. His eyes landed on Liam. He needed to wake him up. He sent a private message through the party chat to Arianna. How much CP do you have? Can we afford to give Liam a healing potion so he can fight and get to level 5? A moment later, Arianna responded. I have 180 CP. My mana feels almost full again, and I have around four or five heals left, even after casting the Water Barrier spell. Cassis nodded. It made more sense to have one more fighter than one extra healing potion. Arianna pulled a healing potion from her inventory. No one looked surprised anymore, though she still spoke to explain. ¡°Sapphire sent this for Liam.¡± Danielle¡¯s eyes welled with tears. ¡°Thank you, Sapphire,¡± she whispered. Arianna carefully tilted the potion to Liam¡¯s lips. As the golden glow of healing magic surrounded him, he stirred awake, eyes blinking open in confusion. Cassis wasted no time bringing him up to speed. As soon as Liam understood, Arianna suddenly reached into her inventory again and pulled out two bows and two staffs. ¡°From Sapphire,¡± she said simply. ¡°For our future mages and rangers.¡± Cassis shot her a glance and opened the private chat again. How much did that cost? 50 CP for each basic bow and staff. So, 200 CP total. Cassis frowned slightly. And your CP now? I got 20 CP back for using a potion on Liam, Arianna replied. Then I got another 100 CP when I acknowledged that I cast the Water Barrier to give everyone a break. The system rewarded me for granting an exhausted group of mortals a respite. She paused. After buying the weapons, I have 100 CP left. Cassis exhaled, impressed. That system of hers was strange, but it was undeniably powerful. And right now, it was working in their favor. Cassis asked Liam what level he was. Liam explained he was level 4 already and that he had gotten experience for helping to kill the minotaur. Liam shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the spot where the minotaur¡¯s spear had impaled him. ¡°So¡­ getting skewered counts as helping, huh?¡± he muttered, clearly embarrassed. Cassis caught the words and clapped a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ¡°It did help. It gave me time to react and trap the minotaur so Arianna could finish it off.¡± His tone was firm¡ªno mockery, just truth. ¡°You made a difference.¡± Liam looked up at him, searching for any hint of insincerity, but found none. With a small exhale, he nodded. With that settled, they turned to planning. ¡°The first priority is getting everyone to level 5,¡± Cassis said. ¡°Joseph, Nadine, Elena, Marcus, and Liam¡ªyou all need to fight at the door. The faster you level, the stronger we¡¯ll be.¡± The five of them exchanged glances, then nodded. Determination flickered in their eyes. Nadine, Elena, Joseph and Marcus would start, and they took the basic swords.It was difficult for a normal person to aim well enough with a bow to hit monsters in a doorway that was also blocked by a line of fighter. And a staff was not as good at wounding and killing monsters as a sword, at least for the untrained. Cassis knew that once the Rangers had their class, a skill called Precision Hit would help them aim. They would also get the Critical Hit skill, helping them identify weak spot and the Elemental Arrow spell, that would still be locked for them. And the Mages would get the Bludgeon skill, like Arianna, and two spells called Magic Missile which would fire non-elemental magic at their target and Elemental Missile which would also be locked. Cassis glanced at Arianna. ¡°How long do you think your barrier will hold?¡± Arianna hesitated, then answered, ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly, but I can feel its strength and it hasn¡¯t lost any for the last few minutes. I¡¯ll know when it weakens. Whether it breaks on its own or I dispel it, we¡¯ll have some warning.¡± He nodded. ¡°Alright. Thirty minutes. Everyone rests for thirty minutes. If the barrier breaks earlier, Arianna will warn us. After that, the fight continues.¡± A collective sigh of relief swept through the group. They had time¡ªhowever brief¡ªto breathe. Cassis watched as everyone settled in. His parents sat together on the floor, wrapped in each other¡¯s embrace. Benny and Elena sat on one of the mattresses with Noah and baby Jessica, Joseph cradling the infant gently. Nadine held Violet close on the other mattress, the girl clutching her kitchen knife protectively even in rest. Liam sat nearby, eyes distant¡ªprobably focused on his status screen, processing everything that had happened. Outside, night had fallen. The room was dimly dark only lit by a faint glow, the ambient mana around them. It would never be truly dark again now. Cassis leaned against the wall, careful not to take up any space someone else might need. He was tired¡ªexhausted, really¡ªbut exhaustion was something he had long since learned to live with. A quiet presence settled beside him. He glanced over. Arianna had taken up a spot against the wall as well, standing close but not quite touching. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sounds of soft breathing, the occasional rustle of clothing, the faint conversations of the other people in the room filled the silence between them. Then, finally, Cassis let out a slow breath and closed his eyes for just a moment. The battle wasn¡¯t over. Not even close. But for now, they had thirty minutes. Chapter 15: Seeing hope – Arianna Chapter 15: Seeing hope ¨C Arianna Arianna leaned against the wall beside Cassis, allowing herself a rare moment of stillness. The hum of the water barrier in the background reassured her that, for now, they were safe. She exhaled slowly and turned her attention inward, pulling up her status screen for the first time in what felt like forever. Patron Status Screen Warning: As a Chaotic Deity, you must balance your actions carefully. Both intent and consequence will affect your CP. Should you become too virtuous or too evil, your CP will be reset. Her gaze lingered on the follower count, curiosity stirring within her. Had it really grown? She selected the explanation. Followers Explanation: Mortals who believe in you and acknowledge you as a being of great power. They will follow your commands if they are not counter to their morals or survival. Arianna silently counted in her head. Danielle, Marcus, Liam, Joseph, Benny, Elena¡­ and Violet? That made seven. A strange feeling settled in her chest¡ªwarm, unfamiliar. These people believed in her. Even though she was lying to them about so many things. Even though she was fumbling through this just like they were. She received CP not just for handing out weapons but for what the system had phrased as saving a group of mortals from certain death. The wording sent a shiver down her spine. It was strange to think about¡ªhow something as simple as a transaction in the patron shop had become a lifeline for those around her. Her gaze drifted to the FP stat, but no matter what she tried, she couldn¡¯t expand it for more details. Another mystery for later. Sighing, she moved on to her personal status. Pseudo-Awakener Status Screen Arianna blinked at the changes. She really had gotten stronger. Her Mana Saturation had more than doubled since she last checked, likely due to her necklace. As she closed the screen, she couldn''t help but muse over how strange the system was. When she was in the shop or choosing a class, time seemed to freeze entirely, yet now, as she simply reviewed her stats, life continued around her uninterrupted. Her fingers absentmindedly played with her sapphire necklace. Just then, a sudden image flickered through her mind¡ªa pattern, intricate and unfamiliar. Her brows furrowed. What was that? Was it important? She had no idea. But now wasn¡¯t the time to figure it out. Not when exhaustion weighed her down like lead. With a quiet sigh, she let it go for now. If they survived this, she¡¯d have plenty of time to unravel the mystery. For now, she just needed to rest. When Cassis called them back to battle, Arianna felt as if only five minutes had passed. The rest had been too brief, too fleeting. Nadine, Elena, Marcus, and Joseph took their positions before the door, weapons gripped tightly. Liam stood just behind them, ready to switch in at a moment¡¯s notice. Once everyone was prepared, Arianna took a steadying breath and reached out with her will. Dissolving the Water Barrier was easier than she expected¡ªlike pulling a thread loose from fabric. As she drew the remaining mana back into herself, a strange sensation washed over her, as if reclaiming a piece of her own essence. The moment the shimmering dome vanished, chaos erupted. The fighters surged forward, weapons meeting flesh with brutal efficiency. Cassis stood beside her, watching intently, his hands gripping the poker he had taken up again in place of the sword. The fighters at the door needed proper weapons more than he did. Arianna stole a glance at him. She knew this was difficult for him. In the past future, he hadn¡¯t been strong. He hadn¡¯t been in any position to protect others. He had struggled just to survive. But now, here he was¡ªthe strongest fighter among them. And yet, despite his strength, all he could do in this moment was watch as his family and friends risked their lives. The battle dragged on. Small injuries accumulated, fatigue setting in. Then, at last, Elena¡¯s voice rang out: ¡°Switch!¡± She handed her sword to Liam and stumbled back into the room, panting. ¡°Level five,¡± she announced before grabbing one of the staffs Arianna had provided. One after another, the others followed. Joseph called for a switch next, retreating to seize a bow. Nadine soon followed, taking up her own bow. Danielle stepped forward to replace her in the melee. Marcus was next, choosing a staff, and finally, Benny took his place in the front lines. The last to reach level five was Liam. He hesitated for only a moment before selecting Warrior. With that, their group was complete: four warriors, two mages, two rangers, and one cleric. Cassis wasted no time in inviting the newly classed fighters into the party. Now, they could share experience, their progress accelerating. The warriors¡ªCassis, Danielle, Liam, and Benny¡ªformed a solid wall at the front, holding the line against the relentless onslaught. Behind them, Joseph and Nadine let arrows fly, their skills Precision Hit and Critical Hit felling monsters with ruthless efficiency. The quivers, thankfully, replenished themselves through mana, ensuring they never truly ran out of ammunition. The mages, Marcus and Elena, unleashed volleys of Magic Missile against their foes, further thinning the enemy ranks. For the first time, they weren¡¯t just surviving. They were winning. Arianna watched as the monsters fell one after another, their numbers dwindling. She should have felt relieved. Instead, frustration clawed at her. Stolen story; please report. She couldn¡¯t attack. She couldn¡¯t stand on the front lines. All she could do was wait for someone to get injured. It made her feel useless. Still, the tide of battle was shifting in their favour. They pushed the monsters back, regaining ground. But just as their momentum built, the mages¡¯ spells sputtered out. Their mana was depleted. One by one, they fell back into meditation. Then, the rangers ran out of arrows. Though their quivers refilled, the process took time¡ªtime they didn¡¯t have. They, too, knelt in meditation to speed the process. Without their support, the warriors bore the full brunt of the battle. The monsters, sensing the shift, surged forward, pressing them back step by step. Arianna clenched her fists, helpless to do anything but watch. Yet, through the dim light, she caught a glimpse beyond the threshold. The shadows shifted, thinning. The endless tide of creatures was no longer endless. The flood was slowing. It would soon come to an end. The battle wore on, fatigue creeping into every movement. The fighters were slowing, their reactions dulled by exhaustion. Then it happened. Danielle miscalculated a step. A monster''s claws raked across her upper leg, leaving a deep, jagged wound. She cried out, her leg giving way beneath her as she collapsed onto the blood-soaked floor. Cassis reacted instantly, stepping in front of her and driving his weapon into the attacking creature before it could strike again. Arianna was already moving. She dropped to her knees beside Danielle, pressing a glowing hand against the wound. Divine warmth flooded the injury, sealing the torn flesh in seconds. Danielle stared at her leg, shock still evident in her wide eyes. Arianna knew she needed a moment to recover. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and took Danielle¡¯s place in the front line. Gripping her baseball bat tightly, she swung at the nearest monster, activating Bludgeon. The impact sent the creature staggering back, and she fought side by side with Cassis, her heart pounding with adrenaline. Then, at last, relief came. From behind them, arrows whistled through the air. The rangers had regained their ammunition, and one by one, their shots found their marks. Moments later, the mages rejoined the fray, unleashing waves of Magic Missile. The monsters'' numbers had dwindled, and now, with renewed strength, they fought with everything they had. Hope surged through them. Arianna could see it now¡ªthere weren¡¯t many left. The end was near. And then, with one final strike, Liam drove his sword through the last monster at the door. The group stood there, breathless, their bodies trembling from exertion. It didn¡¯t feel real. They had survived. They had endured the monster flood. Then a new sound reached them. Jessica¡¯s wails filled the air, but beneath her cries, there was something else. A sickening, wet tearing sound. The sound of something feeding. Cassis turned his head sharply, listening. ¡°It¡¯s outside,¡± he murmured. Their eyes met. No one spoke, but they all understood. This wasn¡¯t over. They left the room, leaving behind the children. Arianna cast a quick glance at them. Without hesitation, she raised her hand, summoning another Water Barrier around the room where they were hidden. Just in case. A small notification flickered in her vision¡ª [+20 CP (for healing a mortal)] [+30 CP (for killing three sentient beings)] [+50 CP (for protecting dependents)] But there was no time to dwell on it. Steeling themselves, they stepped forward, pushing past the wreckage of what had once been their home. The living room was unrecognizable. Blood coated the floor and walls, pooling around the broken remains of monster corpses. The front door was gone, reduced to splinters. And beyond it¡ª A massive figure loomed in the moonlight. It stood easily two meters tall, hunched over a pile of corpses, feasting. Its thick green skin gleamed with sweat and fresh blood. It was bipedal, vaguely goblin-like, yet far more human in proportion. Dark, twisted horns jutted from its skull, curving upward like a crown of bone. Cassis exhaled, his voice grim. ¡°A hobgoblin.¡± He didn¡¯t look afraid. Not exactly. But there was a new tension in his stance, a wariness in his gaze. Arianna swallowed hard. Privately, she sent him a message through the private party chat. ¡°What is it?¡± His response came almost immediately. ¡°A hobgoblin. E-rank. It must have evolved from a goblin.¡± She could feel his hesitation before he continued. ¡°Goblins and their evolutions aren¡¯t the strongest monsters, but they¡¯re smart. They¡¯re one of the few creatures that use weapons and tools, even at F-rank. This will be tricky.¡± A pause. Then¡ª ¡°They¡¯re known for targeting the weakest team members first.¡± His eyes flicked to her, filled with quiet warning. ¡°They go after the healers.¡± Arianna¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Cassis tightened his grip on his weapon. His voice, though calm, was edged with something fierce. ¡°Don¡¯t heal unless absolutely necessary.¡± Arianna swallowed hard, fear coiling in her chest like a tightening vice. She knew Cassis was right¡ªhealing would make her a target. But she also knew she would have no choice. They could all feel it. The hobgoblin¡¯s presence loomed over them like a gathering storm, its sheer strength suffocating. This was nothing like the mindless creatures they had fought before. And they? They were exhausted, their bodies bruised and aching from the relentless battles of the night. Cassis, ever the leader, took command. His voice was steady, but even he couldn¡¯t mask the tension in it. "We go for a surprise attack. It hasn¡¯t noticed us yet." The group listened intently, their breaths uneven but determined. "Dad, Elena¡ªon my signal, hit it with Magic Missile. Joseph, Nadine¡ªCritical Hit and Precision Hit. Mom, Liam, Benny, and I will take over once it locks onto us. We hold the frontline and try to surround it. You all stay in the doorway for cover. Arianna, stand by for healing.¡± No one hesitated. Arianna glanced around. Fear flickered in their eyes, but no one spoke of it. They knew¡ªif this monster leveled up further, they wouldn¡¯t survive. Jessica¡¯s cries still echoed from inside, a beacon in the darkness. The night was far from over. It would come for them, once it had finished eating. They had to end this now. Cassis didn¡¯t allow them time to dwell on their fear. ¡°Go!¡± The first volley struck. Elena and Marcus¡¯s Magic Missiles shot through the night, followed by Joseph and Nadine¡¯s arrows. The projectiles struck true, but at first, the hobgoblin merely twitched in irritation, as though shooing away insects. Then, it growled. More attacks rained down, and its irritation twisted into fury. With a guttural snarl, it abandoned its meal and turned toward them, its crimson gaze locking onto its assailants. That was their cue. Cassis, Liam, Benny, and Danielle surged forward, weapons gleaming in the dim light. Their blades cut and pierced, muscles straining with every swing. Stab. Slash. The results were meager¡ªshallow cuts, scratches barely worth notice. Cassis¡¯s blade ignited. Fire Blade. The strike landed, searing through flesh. The hobgoblin roared, its first true injury tearing an enraged snarl from its lips. It retaliated with terrifying speed. Cassis barely evaded the claws that sliced through the air, but Benny wasn¡¯t as lucky. The monster¡¯s talons tore across his shoulder, ripping through muscle with merciless ease. Blood poured freely. He staggered, pain clouding his expression, and in that moment of weakness the hobgoblin struck. Its arm swung with bone-shattering force, hitting Benny like a wrecking ball. He flew backward. Arianna barely had time to react before he slammed into a tree with a sickening crack. His body crumpled, motionless. She didn¡¯t think¡ªshe ran. Dropping to her knees beside him, she scanned his wounds with frantic eyes. Blood streaked his face, a gash on his forehead leaking into his hair. Worse¡ªblood from his mouth. Internal injuries. He wouldn¡¯t last. Arianna hesitated for only a second before pressing her hands against him. Warm, golden light flared to life beneath her fingertips. And then¡ªShe felt it. A weight. A shift in the air. Something watching her. Dread crawled down her spine, cold and unforgiving. Slowly, she lifted her head. The hobgoblin was staring directly at her. Cassis saw it too. His voice cracked through the chaos. ¡°Run!¡± Panic shot through her veins. She turned, willing her body to move¡ªToo slow. The monster was faster. A blur of motion¡ªCassis was on the ground, fresh claw marks dripping crimson down his arm. And then¡ª Pain. Agonizing, suffocating pain. Arianna gasped as a massive hand clamped around her throat, yanking her from the ground as though she weighed nothing. Her feet dangled. The hobgoblin¡¯s grip tightened. She struggled letting go of her baseball bat, her fingers clawing at its massive hand, desperate for air. She tried to pry its fingers apart. For a moment, she managed to loosen its hold¡ª Then it squeezed again. Harder. Her vision blurred. She looked at its face. It was smiling. It enjoyed this. Arrows and spells kept striking its body, but they barely fazed it. It wasn¡¯t done playing with her yet. It would squeeze until she was on the brink of unconsciousness, then let go¡ªjust enough for a few breaths. Darkness crept at the edges of her vision. Danielle and Liam rushed forward, stabbing and slashing at it. Their strikes landed, but the hobgoblin barely noticed. With a single swipe, it knocked them away like insects. They landed hard. Groaned. Forced themselves up. They charged again. The monster kicked them aside without effort. Arianna¡¯s vision swam. Then¡ªpain unlike anything she had ever known. A sharp, burning agony that ripped through her stomach. The hobgoblin¡¯s free hand had punched through her. Arianna choked. Her body convulsed as fresh waves of pain radiated from the wound. Blood soaked her clothes, dripping down her legs. She tried to scream. No sound came out. The monster tilted its head, intrigued. Fascinated. It shifted its weight, readying for another strike¡ªthis time, to finish her. Then¡ªFlames. A torrent of fire engulfed its head. The hobgoblin shrieked, its grip loosening. Arianna fell. She hit the ground in a broken heap, pain consuming every inch of her being. The world blurred, her vision fading in and out. Pain. So much pain. Chapter 16: The first trial – Cassis Chapter 16: The first trial ¨C Cassis Benny flew through the air like a ragdoll, his body colliding with a tree before crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap. Cassis barely had time to register it¡ªhe couldn¡¯t afford to. Every ounce of his focus had to remain on the fight. The only reason he could keep up with the hobgoblin at all was the decade of battle experience burned into his mind from the past/future. Even so, its strength far outstripped his own. A single mistake would mean death. He slashed forward with Fire Blade, his attack carving into the monster¡¯s flesh. It roared in pain, but before he could press his advantage, its attention shifted. Cassis hesitated just a fraction of a second, then risked glancing away. Ice shot through his veins. Arianna was kneeling beside Benny, golden light pooling around her hands as she healed him. His stomach dropped. ¡°Run!¡± he shouted, voice raw with desperation. But the warning came too late. Blinding pain erupted across his torso as the hobgoblin¡¯s claws tore into him. He barely had time to register the strike before a massive kick sent his head snapping back. Darkness swallowed him whole.
A strangled breath ripped through his throat as consciousness slammed back into him. The world was spinning, his body aching from the brutal blow. He forced himself up, swaying as his vision blurred. A few meters away, Arianna dangled in the air, her legs kicking weakly as the hobgoblin¡¯s massive hand squeezed around her throat. No. His body screamed in protest, but he pushed himself forward. He tried to run, but his legs refused to cooperate. His head was still spinning. If he didn¡¯t act fast, she would die. Fire. He had to use his fire. But not on his blade¡ªno, he needed raw, burning flames. He forced his will into the mana, shaping it with frantic desperation. He had learned this ability in the past, but his current body was unfamiliar with the strain, his mana saturation pitifully low at only 5%. Then the hobgoblin reared its free hand back¡ªand drove it straight through Arianna¡¯s stomach. She didn¡¯t even scream. She couldn¡¯t scream. Blood poured down her body in thick rivulets, staining her clothes, pooling onto the broken ground below. The monster grinned, cruel and satisfied. It raised its hand again. Rage ignited in Cassis¡¯ chest. Not her. Not her. With every ounce of strength he had left, he pushed his fire forward, unleashing it directly onto the hobgoblin¡¯s head. Flames roared to life, engulfing the creature¡¯s face. It shrieked, its grip loosening as Arianna slipped from its grasp, falling limply to the ground. The moment she hit the earth, his mother, Liam, and Benny surged forward, weapons flashing as they struck at the now-blinded monster. Magic missiles and arrows rained down from the mages and rangers, forcing the beast back. They were buying him time. He stumbled to Arianna¡¯s side and dropped to his knees. She was still alive, but barely. Her throat was mangled, crushed under the hobgoblin¡¯s strength, and her stomach wound gushed crimson. Blood bubbled at her lips as she struggled to breathe, her body trembling. She wouldn¡¯t survive much longer. Panic clawed at his chest. She couldn¡¯t heal herself in this state. There was only one chance. He grabbed her hand, squeezing gently. ¡°Arianna?¡± His voice was shaking. ¡°Arianna, look at me.¡± She didn¡¯t react. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me. Stay with me. Come on, Arianna.¡± At last, her lashes fluttered weakly, her unfocused eyes barely managing to find him. Tears streaked down her pale face. She was in agony. ¡°Cassis¡­ it hurts¡­¡± Her voice came through their private party chat, faint and trembling. ¡°I¡¯m cold¡­ it hurts so much.¡± His heart twisted violently. ¡°I know,¡± he whispered, voice raw. ¡°But listen to me, you need to open the Patron Shop. Buy a healing potion and give it to me. Can you do that?¡± She didn¡¯t respond. Her body was growing colder. ¡°Arianna, please,¡± he pleaded, voice breaking. ¡°A potion. Just a potion.¡± Her eyelids drooped. No. No, no, no. Then, suddenly, something small and cool pressed into his palm. A vial. She had done it. Even in this state, she had managed to buy the potion. He tore the cork off and pressed the glass to her lips. ¡°Drink. Come on, please, drink, Arianna!¡± A weak gulp. ¡°That¡¯s right, drink.¡± A few more swallows. Then, at last, a golden glow enveloped her. Relief crashed over him so hard he almost collapsed beside her. She was going to be okay. She had to be. Arianna¡¯s eyes flutter open, hazy with the lingering echoes of pain and shock. Her breath comes in shallow, uneven gasps, and for a moment, she seems lost¡ªdisoriented. But there¡¯s no time for recovery. The shrieks of the hobgoblin still tear through the night, mingling now with the cries of their team. Even blinded, even wounded, the creature remains terrifyingly strong. Cassis forces himself to his feet, though his body protests with every movement. His limbs feel heavy, sluggish from exhaustion and injury, but he grits his teeth and pushes forward. There is no other choice. Across the battlefield, Benny was struggling to stay upright, fresh blood streaming out of new wounds. Nadine and Joseph loosed arrows with precision, but the hobgoblin shrugged them off as if they were nothing more than pinpricks. Marcus and Elena were casting spells with frantic determination, but their magic was running dry, their hands already trembling from overuse. They were well on their way to mana depletion. His mother lunges forward, her blade flashing under the moonlight as she aims for the monster¡¯s exposed side. It barely reacts. With a feral snarl, the hobgoblin lashes out, sending her flying backward with a brutal swipe of its arm. She crashes into the ground, her sword slipping from her grasp. "Mom!" Liam shouts, his voice raw with panic. He surges forward to cover her, swinging his weapon in a desperate bid to drive the beast back. But it barely slows. Cassis doesn¡¯t hesitate. He summons fire to his blade once more, the flames flickering wildly as his own energy dwindles. He rushes into the fray, weaving past the creature¡¯s lumbering strikes, searching for an opening. Every movement is a calculated risk, every step carrying the weight of life or death. The hobgoblin roars, its fury undiminished, and Cassis knows they are running out of time. Cassis pressed forward, engaging the hobgoblin with renewed focus. The fire on its head had burned out, but the damage was done¡ªit was blinded. Even so, it moved with eerie precision, avoiding most of his strikes as if sensing them rather than seeing them. Frustration built in his chest. He was tiring. Every second that passed chipped away at his strength, while the hobgoblin, despite its wounds, remained terrifyingly strong. Time was not on their side. Then he saw it¡ªits focus posture shifting. Its attention was no longer on him. It was looking toward his mother. A sharp pang of dread coursed through him. No. Arianna couldn¡¯t have¡ªshe wouldn''t have gotten up and healed her. Not after what had happened. Not after she had nearly died. But before he could fully process it, the hobgoblin moved. It lunged toward his mother, faster than he could react. Cursing, he sprinted after it, and his worst fears solidified into reality¡ªArianna had healed her. And now, she was in danger. Again. The hobgoblin¡¯s massive hand reached for her, ready to crush the life out of her once more, but this time, she was prepared. She barely managed to swing up her baseball bat, knocking its arm just enough to deflect the blow. Then, using the force of the impact, she twisted away, throwing herself backward to gain distance. That was all the opening Cassis needed. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. He reached them in an instant, fire blade flaring to life as he drove it into the hobgoblin¡¯s side. The creature snarled in pain, but when he pulled back, his heart sank. The wound was shallow¡ªbarely more than a scratch. Its skin was too thick. Liam and Benny rushed in, reengaging, while the mages and rangers continued their sporadic attacks whenever their mana or arrows allowed. Cassis turned sharply to Arianna, fury burning in his chest. His voice came out in a furious whisper, sharp and cutting, his mother looking at him in shock¡ªshe had never seen him like this before. ¡°What were you thinking?! That thing nearly killed you, and you¡¯re healing again? Stop making yourself a target!¡± Arianna¡¯s eyes flashed with defiance, her voice firm, unwavering. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± He stared at her, incredulous. ¡°Are you crazy?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± Before he could argue further, she pressed on, her voice urgent. ¡°I have a plan. Listen.¡± He nearly interrupted her. He wanted to. But then he saw it¡ªher hands, trembling. She was still afraid. And yet, she was going to fight anyway. His anger wavered. He exhaled sharply. ¡°Fine. I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°The hobgoblin targets me every time I heal. We can use that.¡± She swallowed. ¡°If I heal again, it will rush at me. If you wait near me, you can get it from behind¡ªlike just now.¡± Cassis clenched his jaw. It was a solid strategy. It was also reckless. He wanted to tell her no. He wanted to tell her they weren¡¯t using her as bait. But he knew, deep down, that she wouldn¡¯t listen. Instead, he focused on the real issue. ¡°Even if that works, my sword barely cuts through it.¡± Arianna pulled out a new weapon. She held it out to him and spoke over their private party chat. ¡°It¡¯s the best one I could find. It cost 200 CP, so it should be sharp enough.¡± Out loud, for his mother¡¯s benefit, she added, ¡°From Sapphire.¡± Cassis hesitated only for a moment before taking the weapon. Now wasn¡¯t the time to argue. He switched swords, immediately feeling the difference. This one was sharper, better balanced. If he couldn¡¯t deal real damage with this, they had no chance. He summoned his fire blade once more. And just in time. A scream tore through the battlefield¡ªLiam collapsed, clutching his leg in agony. Without hesitation, Arianna rushed to him. Cassis¡¯s mother grabbed his arm, eyes hard with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll step between her and the hobgoblin when she heals. I have a better chance of blocking it.¡± Cassis gave a single nod, then hung back, biding his time. Benny engaged the monster alone, but he was faltering, taking heavier and heavier hits. Then, the moment came¡ªArianna knelt beside Liam and pressed her hands to his wound. The hobgoblin roared and charged at her. This time, it didn¡¯t reach her. Cassis¡¯s mother intercepted the attack, meeting the monster head-on, blocking it just long enough. That was all the time he needed. Cassis sprinted forward, leaping onto the hobgoblin¡¯s back. He brought his new blade down, aiming for its chest. The sharpened edge sank deep. The hobgoblin roared in agony, trying to twist around, but newly healed Benny and Arianna threw their weight against it, holding it in place. Cassis gritted his teeth, forcing the sword in deeper, aiming for the heart. He felt resistance¡ªthen, finally, a breaking point. With the last of his mana, he flared the fire around his blade, sending a burst of flames through the creature¡¯s chest. The hobgoblin let out a terrible, ear-piercing screech. Then, at last, it crumbled. Cassis stumbled back from the hobgoblin¡¯s crumbling corpse, his chest rising and falling in ragged breaths. His body ached with exhaustion, the last strike having drained him completely. A wave of nausea rolled through him, and a sharp pain throbbed behind his eyes¡ªmana depletion. He had nothing left. Then, a system message flashed before him. [Congratulations. You have slain Hobgoblin (Rank-E). Experience gained. Level up.] He barely had time to process it before another message followed. [Congratulations. You have survived the first monster wave by eliminating all hostile creatures within a 1 km radius. Level gained. Title: Monster Bane I gained. Title: Superior Survivor gained. Title Giant Slayer gained.] Before he could react, another notification appeared¡ªthis one more shocking than anything before. [World Announcement: Cassis Walker, Arianna Sloane, Danielle Walker, Liam Walker, Marcus Walker, Benjamin Morrison, Elena Morrison, Joseph Morrison, and Nadine Bristol have overcome the first trial.] The words sent a ripple of disbelief through him, but what came next was even more staggering. [World Reward: The sapient species human have demonstrated their dedication to their dependents by protecting them through the first monster wave. As a result, all dependents worldwide under the age of 14 will now be protected from monster attacks by the System.] Cassis¡¯s breath caught. His exhaustion momentarily forgotten, his mind reeled. Children¡­ protected? His thoughts raced back to the other future¡ªthe one he had lived through, the one that had led to humanity¡¯s near-extinction. By the third wave, there had been almost no children left. None, to his knowledge, had survived it. The world had grown cold and empty, devoid of laughter, devoid of innocence. And no one had dared to bring new life into such a cruel existence. Even without the waves humanity had been doomed¡ªthere simply weren¡¯t enough of them left to rebuild. But now¡­ now the System said the children had never needed to die. That there had always been a way to protect them. Rage flickered beneath his skin at the sheer cruelty of it. The System had let them perish. It had allowed an entire generation to be wiped out. But now¡­ Now, things were different. They had changed something. For the first time since returning to the past, true optimism bloomed within him. The future could be different. No¡ªit would be different. More system messages pulled him back to the present. [Personal reward calculation based on contribution¡­] [Level gained. Level gained. Level gained. Advanced Warrior Fire Mana Circuit Pattern gained. Skills: Parry, Deflect, Counter and Spell: Flame Burst gained. Title: Warrior of Flames gained. Title: Protector of the Weak gained. Item: Experience Sharing Bracelet gained. Item: Flaming Sword gained.] [Recorded in Avaria¡¯s Hall of Fame.] Cassis exhaled sharply. The rewards were incredible. He had gained four levels, bringing him to Level 10 (+2). That meant he was at the threshold¡ªthe system would not grant him further levels unless he evolved his class. That would depend on how much his skills had developed or how much he wanted to develop them further. But that could wait. Right now, he was exhausted. He looked around at the others. They stood in stunned silence, wide-eyed, some sitting, some barely holding themselves upright. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on all of them. But the System had confirmed it¡ªevery monster in the area was dead. And the System never lied. It didn¡¯t tell you everything, but when it spoke, it spoke the truth. For the first time since the apocalypse began, they could breathe. For a long moment, they all just stood there, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on them. The battlefield was quiet now¡ªno more monstrous screeches, no more desperate clashes of steel and claw. Only the sound of ragged breathing, of exhaustion settling into their bones. Cassis blinked, finally noticing just how filthy they all were. Blood streaked every inch of them, their clothes hanging in tattered rags. The scent of sweat, dirt, and iron filled the air. They looked as though they had crawled out of hell itself. Before he could say anything, a choked sob broke the silence. Elena. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her hands to her chest, her entire body shaking. ¡°My babies¡­ my babies will be safe now.¡± Her voice wavered, breaking with emotion. ¡°Thank you. Thank you, everyone.¡± She dissolved into full-blown sobs, and Benny was there in an instant, wrapping his arms around her, both of them crashing to the ground on their knees never letting go of each other. Tears glistened in his own eyes, running down his battle-worn face. Joseph sank to the ground beside them, shoulders shaking as he let out quiet, unrestrained cries of relief. Nearby, Nadine swayed where she stood, looking as if the weight of her own exhaustion might finally drag her under. But it wasn¡¯t her own survival she was processing¡ªit was Violet¡¯s. The little girl was safe. His mother stepped forward without hesitation, pulling Nadine into a tight embrace. The two women, bound by the same fierce love for their children, clung to each other in shared relief. Nadine now had the security that her daughter would be protected for years to come and his mother must have been feeling relieved that her family was still alive. Through it all, Arianna moved without a word. She walked straight to Benny and knelt beside him, pressing her hands over his wounds. A faint glow of healing light shimmered around her fingertips, sealing the worst of his injuries. Before she could step away, Elena and Benny turned to her, their gratitude overflowing. They pulled her into their arms, holding her tightly between them. "Thank you," Elena whispered. "Thank you, Arianna. Thank you, Sapphire." Benny¡¯s voice was thick with emotion. ¡°You saved our son. You saved all of them.¡± Arianna stiffened at first, clearly unused to the affection, but after a moment, she relaxed, allowing them to hold her. Meanwhile, Cassis made his way toward his father and Liam, scanning them for injuries. They were both battered but still standing, still alive. He exhaled, a deep, unsteady breath of relief before wrapping them both in a tight embrace. He couldn''t believe it¡ªthey had survived, all of them. Cassis let them go when a gentle hand pressed against his shoulder. A familiar warmth spread through him as healing energy seeped into his wounds. He turned his head and found Arianna standing beside him, her expression focused. As soon as the magic settled, her body swayed slightly. Cassis narrowed his eyes. ¡°Did you just deplete your mana again?¡± She glared up at him. ¡°Of course. It will recover, and I¡¯ll only feel sick with a headache for a bit. When I meditate, it¡¯ll be over soon. That injury would have taken you a lot longer to heal.¡± Cassis didn¡¯t like it, he remembered how the mana depletion had weakened her only hours ago but he now knew better than to argue with her when she had determined that something needed to be done. ¡°And when I get a little mana back from dissolving the water barrier around the office, the nausea will vanish anyway,¡± she added, though her attempt at reassurance was undermined by the way she gripped his shoulder to keep herself upright. Cassis sighed. She¡¯s going to collapse at this rate. Before she could protest, he bent down and scooped her into his arms. Arianna let out a startled squeak, her wide eyes snapping up to his. ¡°Then let¡¯s go get your mana back,¡± he said matter-of-factly. ¡°I¡¯m carrying you because you¡¯d take forever to get there by yourself.¡± She opened her mouth¡ªlikely to argue¡ªbut he had already started walking. A moment later, he caught sight of the massive grins spreading across his father¡¯s and Liam¡¯s faces. He ignored them. Arianna muttered something too quiet for him to hear, but he wasn¡¯t going to give her the satisfaction of stopping to ask. He simply carried her through the ruined living room, stepping over broken furniture and scattered debris. The others followed, silent but weary, their steps slow with exhaustion. Once they reached the water barrier, Arianna lifted a trembling hand and dissolved it. Instantly, some colour returned to her cheeks, and she straightened, her strength returning as some of her mana replenished. Cassis hesitated but eventually set her down, watching to make sure she could stand on her own. She did. Barely. Meanwhile, Violet launched herself into Nadine¡¯s arms, clinging to her mother as Nadine sobbed in relief, pressing kisses to the top of her daughter¡¯s head. Benny, Elena, and Joseph rushed toward Noah, who still cradled baby Jessica in his arms. Cassis watched as the three of them hovered anxiously over the infant¡ªJessica, who was no longer crying, no longer in pain. Instead, she lay peacefully in Noah¡¯s grasp, her tiny chest rising and falling in soft, even breaths. The System¡¯s protection. She was safe. For the first time since his return, Cassis let his shoulders relax. They had made it. Chapter 17: Many gains – Arianna Chapter 17: Many gains ¨C Arianna Arianna sat cross-legged on Cassis¡¯ bed, freshly showered and wrapped in the same sweatshirt and jogging pants he had given her the night before. The scent of clean linen and a faint trace of his warmth clung to the fabric, grounding her in the present even as her thoughts drifted. The night had settled into an exhausted calm after they had checked on the children. With the immediate danger gone, they had finally split up. The Morrisons had returned to their house, needing the comfort of their own space. Nadine and Violet had done the same, though Nadine had been visibly anxious about her husband, who had been at work in the city when the apocalypse began. It was only natural for her to be afraid¡ªwho knew what had become of him? Liam, ever the steady presence, had volunteered to stay with them for the night. She had been beyond grateful, and together they had disappeared into the darkness of the neighbourhood. After that, it had been just Cassis, his parents, and her. She hadn¡¯t had a home to return to¡ªnot in this world. But no one had asked her to leave, and she hadn¡¯t wanted to. Cassis had told her to shower, handed her the clothes she now wore, and told her to wait in his room afterward. There had been no hesitation in his voice, just quiet certainty, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her to stay. Now, alone in his childhood, she glanced around, taking in the simple, orderly room. It was strange imagining a younger version of him living in this room as a child and teenager. She had known him for over ten years, and for all of them he had been an adult. A desk against the wall, shelves filled with books, a few scattered belongings that told of a normal childhood, like a deck of cards in one of the shelves, a ¨C was that a Lego robot? - some schoolbooks and posters of football players. He had left his phone on his desk, letting it charge. It was strange¡ªelectricity and running water still worked, at least for now. But communications ¨C the phones and the internet ¨C had been severed. As if the system wanted to isolate them. Once the first wave ended for everyone tomorrow afternoon, the networks would return. She didn¡¯t know why. Was it a test? A way to break them? Or was the system merely indifferent? Her mind shifted to the messages she had received after the battle. The rewards had been substantial. [System Notification: You have slain a Hobgoblin (Rank-E). Contribution calculated. 100 CP gained.] [You have successfully defended dependents during the First Trial. 100 CP gained.] [You have completed the First Trial. 1000 CP gained.] That was a lot. Additionally, she had gotten 40 CP for healing Cassis and Benny. And after acknowledging that she had played the bait to give Cassis a chance to kill the hobgoblin the system rewarded her 30 CP. This brought her up to a staggering 1290 CP total. She had no idea what to do with this wealth. Her FP had also jumped up by 10. This made her think of the last announcement all of them had received. [Recorded in Avaria¡¯s Hall of Fame.] She had never heard of Avaria¡¯s Hall of Fame. Neither had Cassis. And that unsettled her. How was it that in all their knowledge of the future, this had never come up? Then there were her levels¡ªfour in total, bringing her to 10 (+1). She was at the threshold of class evolution, but she knew better than to rush it. Cassis would have advice. He wasn¡¯t a cleric, but his experience would be invaluable. Her other gains were just as intriguing: [Advanced Cleric Mana Circuit Pattern gained.] [Skill: Bludgeon upgraded to Basic.] [Skills: Baiting and Willpower gained.] [Title: Chaotic Healer gained.] [Title: Protector of the Weak gained.] [Title: Giant Slayer gained.] [Item: Experience Sharing Bracelet gained.] [Titles: Monster Bane I, Superior Survivor gained.] She had expected some rewards, but this... this was more than she had dared hope for. Curious, she focused on her five new titles. [Monster Bane I] Given to an awakener who has slain 100 F-rank monsters. Bonus: Your attacks against F-rank monsters are more effective, and some F-rank monsters may choose to flee instead of fight. She arched a brow. A hundred? She hadn''t been keeping count, but between the goblins, the stray beasts, and the hobgoblin, it must have added up especially if the system counted the party kills as hers, too. The bonus was useful¡ªhaving some monsters run instead of fight could save her trouble. [Protector of the Weak] Given to an awakener who has successfully completed the First Trial. Bonus: When fighting in defense of dependents or someone at least 10 levels weaker than you, your attack, defense, and mana and health regeneration rise by 10%. Now this was a title she was proud of. It aligned perfectly with what she wanted¡ªto protect those who couldn¡¯t fight for themselves. The bonus wasn¡¯t massive, but in a battle, even a small boost could mean the difference between life and death. [Superior Survivor] Given to an awakener who has finished the First Trial early. Bonus: Increased health and mana regeneration. A simple but effective bonus. Faster recovery meant she could heal or fight for longer. Then came a title that made her pause. [Giant Slayer] Given to an awakener who has killed a monster more than 20 levels higher than them. Bonus: When fighting a monster more than 20 levels higher, your attack, defense, and mana and health regeneration rise by 20%. Arianna blinked. ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡± she muttered. Twenty levels higher? That hobgoblin had really been that much stronger? She had known it was a tough opponent, but this confirmed just how close to death they had been. And then, there was the last one. [Healer of Chaos] Given to a cleric who fights as much as they heal, sending their enemies and allies into chaos. Bonus: Physical skills start from level Basic instead of level Low. Arianna stared at the description. Then she groaned. ¡°The line about sending my allies into chaos is unnecessary,¡± she mumbled sulkily. It felt like the system was reprimanding her, but the effect of the title was actually great. Mages and healers were magic types, so their spells always started at the Basic level, but their physical skills were weaker, beginning at the lowest rank¡ªaptly named Low. Meanwhile, warriors and rangers had the opposite problem, with magic starting at Low and physical abilities starting at Basic. This title¡­ changed that for her. It made her more effective in a fight. She thought back to the battle in Danielle¡¯s home office, where she had spent most of the time feeling useless, sitting back and waiting for someone to get hurt instead of fighting by Cassis¡¯ side. With this, she wouldn¡¯t be quite so helpless next time. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Even if the system was mocking her for fighting instead of playing the role of a pure healer, she was still grateful for the boost. The other titles were great too, and they would make a real difference in future battles. She stretched her legs out on Cassis¡¯ bed, her mind still buzzing with everything that had happened. But she wasn¡¯t finished yet. Next Arianna scrolled down to her newly acquired skills, her brows furrowing as she read them. [Baiting] A monster will focus solely on you. Her eye twitched. "Really?" she muttered. She knew that her actions during battle or training influenced what skills she received, but this felt like the system was outright mocking her. This was essentially a weaker version of a warrior¡¯s taunt skill¡ªbut warriors were built to take hits. She wasn¡¯t. She could already picture Cassis¡¯ face when she told him about this. That smug, knowing look, followed by some dry remark about her reckless actions during the fight. Damn it, she thought. She had drawn attention to herself by healing¡ªthe first time it was an accident. She really hadn¡¯t thought the hobgoblin would be so fast. And she had almost died for that mistake. The second time had been an experiment to see if it would still run straight for her. And it did. The third and last time had been to give Cassis a chance to kill it and she had succeeded. Maybe if she learned more defensive spells, she could actually use this skill instead of just viewing it as a death sentence. Pushing that aside, she moved on to the next skill. [Willpower] Even if injured heavily, you will not lose focus and can cast spells. Now this was a good skill. Normally, when someone was seriously wounded, they couldn¡¯t concentrate enough to cast a spell, even if it was premade by the system. A certain level of focus was always required. With this, she wouldn¡¯t have to worry about that anymore. It would have made a huge difference during the last battle. She flexed her fingers and thought back to the fights that she had been in since choosing her class. She had been too reckless with her healing at first¡ªjust flooding everyone with her mana instead of controlling it. That was what had led to her mana depletion at the Morrisons¡¯ house so quickly. But as the battles went on, she had learned. Her biggest realization came right after her first mana depletion¡ªher heal spell had a range of five metres and she had at first used it from that distance during the fight in the Morrisons¡¯ garden. That had tapped her out very quickly. The next time she healed she touched the person, and the mana cost had been a lot less. So, she had discovered the first problem: the farther the distance, the more mana the heal spell consumed. Then since she had discovered her mana affinity, she had been getting better at directing her mana more efficiently. Now, she could control the amount of healing she gave. Instead of wasting energy on full-body restoration like in the beginning, she could target only the injuries that needed to be healed. That was the second problem: if she didn¡¯t actively direct her mana the system would just send so much mana into the other person to heal every last scrape leaving her with a big chunk of wasted mana. This new method of healing alone had saved her a lot of mana and kept her going. She exhaled slowly, gripping the fabric of Cassis¡¯ sweatshirt. If she hadn¡¯t been a Patron with access to the shop, she would have died in the fight against the hobgoblin. A normal cleric wouldn¡¯t have been able to heal herself in that situation ¨C with a hole through her stomach and a crushed throat. She had already given up, not able to concentrate on anything other than coldness and pain, slipping further away. But suddenly her sapphire necklace had warmed and then she had heard Cassis¡¯ voice. When Cassis¡¯ voice had broken through it reminded her that she could buy a healing potion. That single moment had saved her life. But now¡­ now things were different. She wasn¡¯t just an ordinary cleric anymore. She wouldn¡¯t be so helpless next time. But all this made her curious about something. She turned her attention inward, focusing on the ebb and flow of mana within her body and instinctively checked her mana saturation. She was startled to find it had risen to 11%. That explained a lot¡ªthe growing endurance she had shown during the battles, the ease with which she had directed her healing magic in the end. Her gaze flickered to another gain she had received: the Advanced Cleric Water Mana Circuit Pattern. It was a very long name. The moment she concentrated on it, a vision unfolded in her mind. She saw an ocean¡ªvast, endless, shimmering with energy. From above, the surface rippled with countless waves, rolling and receding in a rhythmic dance. But then, the pattern pulled her deeper, beneath the surface, where the true complexity lay. Beneath the waves, streams of mana flowed in intricate formations. Some spiraled gracefully, others wove through invisible pathways, converging and diverging in an elegant, ever-moving system. Currents merged seamlessly, redistributing energy with purpose, ensuring balance across the vast expanse. There was structure in the chaos, an underlying harmony that dictated the movement of each thread of mana. It was mesmerizing¡ªand overwhelming. The depth of it, the sheer intricacy, made her head spin. How was she supposed to replicate something so immense within herself? Arianna barely had time to process before the soft creak of a door snapped her back to reality. The vision of the ocean shattered, and she blinked rapidly, disoriented. Cassis stood in the doorway, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto her. "You okay?" he asked, stepping inside. Arianna exhaled, rubbing her temples. "Yeah¡­ Just got lost in something." His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn¡¯t press. Still, the weight of his curiosity lingered in the air. Shrugging Arianna filled Cassis in on the Advanced Cleric Mana Circuit Pattern, explaining the vision she had seen¡ªthe vast ocean of mana, the intricate streams flowing in perfect harmony beneath the surface. Cassis listened intently, nodding as he processed the information. He admitted he hadn¡¯t taken a look at his own gains yet, having spent the time helping his parents clear out the ruined furniture from the living room before finally grabbing a quick shower himself. Now, standing in front of her in a simple sweatshirt and jogging pants, with damp hair he hadn¡¯t bothered to dry, he looked almost boyish¡ªfar younger than his true age. Physically, his body was 28, but his soul carried 42 years of experience. And yet, even ten years in the future, he had looked the same except for some more scarring. The system ensured that awakeners above F-rank level 10 remained at their peak fighting condition, freezing them in time at the prime age of around 30. Older awakeners had even begun to grow younger as they leveled up¡ªshe had already noticed subtle changes in Danielle, Marcus, and Joseph. Fewer wrinkles, less gray hair, increased mobility. Right now, though, Cassis didn¡¯t look like a hardened warrior or a man who had once lived through the apocalypse. He simply looked like¡­ an ordinary young man. Oh. Arianna realized, a bit belatedly, that she had been staring at him in silence. Cassis raised an eyebrow, waiting. She quickly cleared her throat, masking her embarrassment. ¡°So¡­ what do you think about the mana circuit?¡± she asked. ¡°It¡¯s a great gain,¡± he said immediately. ¡°Building a mana circuit yourself is incredibly difficult. Having a structured pattern to follow will save you a lot of time and effort.¡± He then revealed that he had also received a pattern¡ªone tailored for warriors. Encouraged, Arianna moved on to tell him about her new titles and skills. As expected, his lips twitched in amusement when she mentioned Chaotic Healer, and he didn¡¯t even try to hide his smirk. ¡°I knew the system would call you out on your reckless fighting style,¡± he teased. Arianna huffed but let it slide. She had been expecting that reaction. However, when she mentioned her Baiting skill, his expression changed entirely. The humour drained from his face, his posture stiffening. When he spoke, his voice was quiet but firm. ¡°Don¡¯t use that skill.¡± His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unwavering. ¡°I won¡¯t allow it.¡± Arianna bristled at that. Won¡¯t allow it? He should know better than to think he could control what she did in a fight. She opened her mouth, ready to argue, but exhaustion dragged at her limbs, dulling the sharp edge of her temper. She let out a slow breath instead. ¡°I¡¯ll use it if it¡¯s necessary,¡± she said simply. Cassis exhaled, clearly displeased, but he didn¡¯t push further. They moved on. He was impressed by her other titles and skills, especially her refined control over her Heal spell. Though he had never been a magical class in the past future, he had picked up some spells from mages¡ªlike the fire spell Flame Burst he had used to blind the hobgoblin and save her. ¡°Tomorrow,¡± he said, after a moment of silence. ¡°We¡¯ll go over everything else tomorrow. You need to rest. I need to rest.¡± Arianna wanted to protest, but she was exhausted. The only problem was¡­ she had no idea where she was supposed to sleep. ¡°¡­Where should I¡ª?¡± ¡°In my bed,¡± Cassis answered before she could finish the question. ¡°I¡¯ll take Liam¡¯s.¡± Arianna blinked. ¡°Then where did the two mattresses we used in Danielle¡¯s home office come from?¡± Cassis sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°My mother hoards everything in the attic. Old furniture, appliances, you name it. Apparently, even mattresses. This time, I have to admit, it came in handy.¡± Arianna chuckled softly. Danielle Walker, apocalypse prepper by accident. With the sleeping arrangements settled, they exchanged quiet goodnights. Cassis switched off the lights, shutting the door behind him as he left. Arianna lay down in the unfamiliar bed, staring at the ceiling. The house was silent. Then, sometime later, she heard Danielle and Marcus coming up the stairs, murmuring their own goodnights to Cassis before retreating to their room. Then¡ªnothing. She turned onto her side, closing her eyes, but sleep didn¡¯t come easily. Her mind kept drifting, replaying the battles, the system notifications, the lingering warmth of mana beneath her skin. So, she focused on the ebb and flow of her own power instead, tracing the currents of water mana within her body, feeling its subtle movements¡­ Slowly, finally, she drifted off to sleep. Chapter 18: A never ending nightmare – Arianna Chapter 18: A never ending nightmare ¨C Arianna Arianna woke up in her own bed, the familiar softness of her pillow cradling her head. Blinking against the morning light streaming through her window, she felt a wave of confusion settle over her. She sat up slowly, scanning the room. Her bedroom. Her mirror reflected her disheveled form, her pajamas wrinkled from sleep. Her heart pounded as an unsettling thought took root in her mind. Was it all just a dream? Cassis, the system, the battles¡ªall of it? A sharp pang of loss struck her chest. She reached for her necklace, gripping it tightly as she tried to connect back to Cassis'' world. Please, she begged silently. But nothing happened. No warmth, no flicker of power, no shift in reality. Then, a sound¡ªsoft and distant¡ªcame from the kitchen. Arianna¡¯s breath hitched. She slipped out of bed, pushing the door open quietly as she tiptoed down the hallway. Her father stood by the coffee maker, the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, offering her a warm smile. ¡°Dad?¡± The word left her lips in a breathless whisper. He chuckled. ¡°Good morning, sweetheart.¡± Before she could stop herself, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. His warmth, his solidity¡ªit was real. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked gently, rubbing circles on her back. ¡°Did you have a nightmare?¡± A nightmare. Was it? She wasn¡¯t sure. The fighting, the injuries, the fear¡ªit had all been horrible. But she had also felt needed, had found a purpose beyond mere survival. She hadn¡¯t been alone. ¡°Get ready for school,¡± her father said, releasing her. Arianna stiffened. School? She hadn¡¯t stepped inside a classroom in almost ten years. Something felt off. Her thoughts tangled as she tried to grasp what exactly was wrong. But then her father smiled at her, and for a moment, the uncertainty faded. Then, a voice. ¡°Good morning, my loves.¡± A woman entered the kitchen, moving toward them with a soft smile. She kissed her father¡¯s cheek and then pressed a kiss to Arianna¡¯s forehead. Arianna¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Who is she? Her father hadn¡¯t been dating anyone. He never moved on after her mother¡¯s death. But the woman standing before her had warm brown hair and familiar blue eyes. ¡°Mom?¡± Arianna whispered, her voice barely audible. The woman smiled. ¡°Yes, sweetheart?¡± Her mother. The mother she had never known. The mother who had died the day she was born. Her mind reeled. She clutched her necklace, squeezing her eyes shut. Did I dream more than just Cassis¡¯ world? Did I dream an entire life? Then, warmth. A familiar heat spread from the pendant into her palm. Her eyes snapped open. The comforting image shattered. The woman standing before her was no longer soft and warm, but a shadowy figure with hollowed-out eyes. She turned to her father¡ªhis golden hair was gone, his skin ashen, his cheeks sunken. He looked just as he had when he lost his fight against cancer six years ago. Arianna¡¯s stomach twisted violently. The world around her warped, twisting into something cruel. Tears welled up in her eyes. Such a cruel dream. The shadow that was her mother stepped forward. ¡°Ari? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Arianna choked on a sob and let go of her necklace. The illusion snapped back into place. Her mother smiled warmly, her father looked healthy once more. She wanted to stay in this dream just a little longer. She stepped forward and hugged them both, clinging to the warmth that wasn¡¯t real. But then¡ªa groan of pain. She pulled back sharply. Her father clutched his stomach, blood trickling from his mouth. Arianna¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she saw what loomed behind him. A massive, green-skinned creature with curved horns. A hobgoblin. It withdrew its fist from her father¡¯s chest, slick with crimson. Just like it had done to her before. Her father crumpled, dead before he even hit the ground. ¡°No!¡± Arianna¡¯s scream tore through the air. ¡°Dad!¡± Her mother lunged at the creature with a kitchen knife. The hobgoblin swatted her away like an insect. She hit the wall with a sickening crack, blood smearing the white paint as she slid to the floor. Motionless. Arianna trembled, her entire body frozen in terror. She had defeated this monster before. But she had Cassis then. She had help. Now, she was alone. The hobgoblin''s monstrous fingers wrapped around her throat. She gasped, clawing at its grip, but it was too strong. Pain flared through her body as it drove its fist into her stomach, once, twice, three times. The world blurred. She gasped for breath, choking on the agony. Tears streamed down her face. Then¡ªdarkness. Arianna woke up with a sharp gasp, her heart hammering in her chest. Her breath came in ragged pants as she stared at the ceiling, disoriented. She didn¡¯t know where she was¡ªuntil she saw the mirror across from her bed. Her reflection showed tangled hair, wide, frantic eyes, and the familiar sight of her old pajamas. Her bedroom. She swallowed hard, trying to calm herself. It had just been a nightmare. A terrible, cruel nightmare. She exhaled shakily and pushed herself upright. The warmth against her chest caught her attention¡ªthe necklace. It was heating up again. Then she heard it. The sound of coffee being poured, the faint clinking of a spoon against ceramic. The low murmur of movement from the kitchen. No. Her stomach twisted as she slid off the bed, her feet making no sound against the floor. Slowly, she walked to the kitchen, dread creeping up her spine with every step. And there he was. Her father stood by the counter, his back turned to her as he made coffee, just like before. The scent of roasted beans filled the air. Then came another voice¡ªsoft, warm. ¡°Good morning, my loves.¡± A woman entered the kitchen, brown hair cascading over her shoulders, her blue eyes filled with warmth. She leaned in to press a kiss to her father¡¯s cheek, then turned to Arianna with the same tenderness, brushing a kiss to her forehead. Her mother. Arianna¡¯s breath hitched in her throat. She knew what was coming. Knew what this was. But for just a moment, she wanted to pretend. Pretend that it was real. The heat from her necklace pulsed insistently, demanding her attention, but she ignored it, clinging to the illusion. They spoke¡ªlight, meaningless words. A morning routine that had never existed. But the warmth against her chest became unbearable. Her fingers curled around the pendant, gripping it tightly as if she could force it to stop burning. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. And then, it all came rushing back. The system. The apocalypse. Cassis. The battle. The hobgoblin. ¡°No!¡± The word tore from her throat as she turned, eyes wide with horror, but it was too late. Her father gasped, choking on his own breath, a dark stain spreading across his shirt. Behind him, towering and monstrous, stood the hobgoblin. Its sickly green skin glistened in the kitchen light, its cruel, jagged smile stretching wide. ¡°No, no, no!¡± Arianna screamed, reaching for her father, but his body was already crumbling. ¡°Ari! Run!¡± Her mother¡¯s voice rang out as she grabbed the nearest knife and rushed the monster. It swatted her aside like an insect. Her body hit the wall with a sickening crack, leaving a bloody smear as she collapsed to the floor, lifeless. Arianna stood frozen, shaking, unable to breathe. This isn¡¯t real. This isn¡¯t real. The hobgoblin turned toward her, its grin widening. She stumbled backward, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Please¡­ this isn¡¯t real. Please¡­¡± But the creature just laughed, its massive hand closing around her throat. Her vision blurred as it lifted her off the ground, its grip tightening, crushing. Pain erupted in her stomach as it slammed its fist into her once. Twice. Three times. Darkness swallowed her whole. Arianna woke with a start, her breath shaky, her body tense. She didn¡¯t know why, but tears were already running down her cheeks. She glanced at the mirror across from her bed, her reflection trembling in the dim morning light. Her hair was messy, her face pale, her eyes rimmed red. The sight made something deep inside her ache. A lingering sorrow, heavy and suffocating. She had a nightmare. But¡­ she couldn¡¯t remember it. Wiping her face with the back of her hand, she slowly pushed herself out of bed. The floor was cool beneath her bare feet as she made her way toward the kitchen, drawn by the comforting sounds of morning. Her father stood at the counter, pouring himself a cup of coffee. He glanced up with a warm smile. ¡°Morning, sweetheart. You¡¯re up early.¡± Arianna opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly, a sharp, searing pain shot through her collarbone. She gasped, staggering, her hand instinctively flying to her necklace. It was burning hot against her skin. And then¡ª The memories hit her like a tidal wave. The hobgoblin. The blood. Her father, dying. Her mother, broken. The suffocating grip around her throat. The agony of fists slamming into her stomach. Her breath came in panicked gasps as reality snapped into place. This wasn¡¯t real. This was a dream. A nightmare meant to torment her. Not again. Determined, she whirled toward the kitchen counter and grabbed the largest knife she could find. The cold steel felt reassuring in her grip. Her father frowned. ¡°Arianna? What are you doing?¡± Before she could answer, her mother entered the kitchen, her expression shifting into concern the moment she saw Arianna¡¯s wide, frantic eyes. ¡°Ari, honey, what¡¯s wrong?¡± But there was no time. The moment stretched, unbearably silent. And then¡ª Arianna lunged. She tackled her father, shoving him out of the way just as space behind him warped, shifting, twisting. The air grew heavy. Then the hobgoblin appeared. A monstrous, grinning figure with green skin and cruel, sunken eyes. Arianna didn¡¯t hesitate. She drove the knife forward with everything she had, aiming for its chest. The blade struck flesh¡ª But barely. A shallow wound. A scratch. The hobgoblin barely flinched. No. It moved too fast. Before she could react, it struck. Her father gasped as its clawed hand tore through him, blood spilling onto the kitchen floor. He crumpled before Arianna¡¯s eyes, dead before he even hit the ground. ¡°No!¡± she screamed. Her mother rushed at the monster, but it was hopeless. The hobgoblin swatted her aside like nothing, sending her body crashing against the wall. She never moved again. Arianna froze, her breath shallow, her body trembling violently. The knife slipped from her fingers, clattering uselessly to the floor. She had failed. Again. Tears blurred her vision as she backed away, shaking her head in denial. The hobgoblin¡¯s grin widened as it reached for her, its massive hand wrapping around her throat. She couldn¡¯t even scream. The pressure was unbearable. Her windpipe crushed beneath its strength, her lungs screaming for air. Pain exploded in her stomach as the monster¡¯s fist slammed into her, once, twice, three times¡ª Darkness swallowed her whole. Arianna woke up with a gasp. Her body trembled, drenched in sweat. Her breath came in short, panicked bursts as she clutched the blanket over her chest. The mirror across from her bed reflected her pale face, wide eyes filled with an emotion she couldn¡¯t quite name¡ªfear? Grief? Hopelessness? She didn¡¯t know. She only knew that something was wrong. The morning light filtering through the window felt too bright, too artificial. The air in her room was still, suffocatingly so. Her mind screamed at her. Something terrible was about to happen. But then¡ª She heard the soft clink of a coffee mug being set down in the kitchen. Her heart lurched. Slowly, as if moving through water, she pushed herself out of bed, feet hitting the floor with a dull thud. She walked forward. Through the door. Down the hallway. Into the kitchen. Her father stood by the counter, pouring himself a cup of coffee. Her mother entered seconds later, smiling warmly. ¡°Good morning, sweetheart.¡± The pain hit her collarbone, sharp and burning.Her necklace heated up, warning her¡ª But it was too late. The air shifted. A terrible presence filled the room.Arianna barely had time to turn before the hobgoblin appeared behind her father. Its massive fist tore through his chest. Blood splattered onto the kitchen floor. Her mother screamed, rushing forward with a knife that she had no hope of using properly. The hobgoblin swatted her aside like a rag doll. She hit the wall, slid down, and never moved again. Arianna couldn¡¯t breathe. She was frozen in place, shaking violently as tears streamed down her face. ¡°No,¡± she whispered. ¡°No, no, no.¡± The hobgoblin grinned. It grabbed her by the throat. Squeezed. Pain flared as her windpipe crushed beneath its grip. She couldn¡¯t beg. Couldn¡¯t scream. The first punch to her stomach made her vision blur. The second made her body go limp. The third¡ª Darkness. Arianna woke up with a gasp. Her body trembled, drenched in sweat. The mirror reflected her pale face, wide eyes filled with¡ª Fear. Grief. Hopelessness. She didn¡¯t know how, but she had lived this before. She had lived this before. She heard the clink of a coffee mug. The quiet murmur of her father¡¯s voice. Her mother¡¯s soft footsteps entering the kitchen. The pain in her collarbone, the burning heat of her necklace¡ª And then the blood. The monster. Their deaths. Her own suffocating end. Arianna woke up. Again. And again. And again. Each time, she tried something new. She ran. She screamed. She fought. She begged. None of it mattered. The loop swallowed her whole, trapping her in an endless nightmare of grief and pain. She lost count of how many times she watched her father die. How many times she saw her mother crumple to the ground. How many times she felt her own throat crushed, her stomach broken, her body shattered. And always, as she lay there dying, she cried. Begging. Pleading. ¡°No,¡± she sobbed. ¡°Please, no.¡± But the loop never listened. Not to her screams. Not to her tears. Not to her pleas. Not until something changed. She stood frozen in the kitchen, watching in horror as the hobgoblin drove its fist through her father¡¯s chest. Blood sprayed across the counter, staining the morning light with death. She waited for the next part, for her mother¡¯s scream. But instead¡ª A voice. A man¡¯s voice. Calling her name. "Arianna!" It wasn¡¯t her father. It wasn¡¯t the monster. It was someone else. Her heart clenched, but she couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t focus, because the scene continued as it always did. The hobgoblin turned. Her mother rushed forward with her useless knife. "Arianna!" The voice called again. Urgent. Desperate. But the loop didn¡¯t care. The hobgoblin swiped her mother aside, slamming her into the wall. She crumpled to the floor, unmoving. Arianna sobbed. ¡°No, no, no.¡± Her whole body trembled. She wanted to run, to fight, to do something¡ªanything!¡ªbut this time¡­ She couldn¡¯t move. Her feet wouldn¡¯t respond. Her arms wouldn¡¯t lift. It was as if invisible hands were holding her in place, restraining her. The voice kept calling her name. She gasped, eyes darting around the kitchen. Who was it? Where was it coming from? The hobgoblin was in front of her now, its sickening grin stretching wider. She struggled against the unseen force, desperate to move, but she was trapped. The monster grabbed her by the throat. Crushed. Pain. Agony. The first punch to her stomach stole her breath. The second made the world spin. The third shattered her entirely. Darkness rushed in, but the voice¡ª The voice didn¡¯t stop. It grew louder. More frantic. "Arianna, wake up! Wake up!" The loop shattered. She gasped as reality snapped back into place. But it wasn¡¯t her room she woke up to. It wasn¡¯t the kitchen. It wasn¡¯t the nightmare. It was warmth. Strong arms held her tightly, shaking her. Someone was speaking¡ªno, pleading. She opened her eyes and found herself staring into Cassis¡¯s face. His expression was raw, filled with a panic she had never seen before. His arms were around her, gripping her tightly, like he was terrified she would disappear. "Arianna," he breathed, voice thick with desperation, his forehead pressing against hers. "You''re awake." Arianna had no idea what had just happened. The nightmare¡ªif that¡¯s what it was¡ªhad felt too real, too suffocating. No matter what she had done, she couldn¡¯t escape it, couldn¡¯t stop it. The loop had held her in its cruel grip, forcing her to watch the same horror unfold again and again. Her body trembled violently as she clung to Cassis¡¯s shirt, sobs wracking her frame. She buried her face against his chest, the fabric quickly dampening with her tears. She couldn¡¯t stop. She cried until her throat was raw, until no sound came out except for broken hiccups and ragged breaths. Through it all, Cassis held her. One arm wrapped securely around her back, keeping her close, while the other ran soothingly over her hair, her shoulders, her spine¡ªgentle, steady, grounding. He didn¡¯t speak, only made soft, shushing sounds, his warmth a stark contrast to the icy terror still clawing at her insides. Eventually, the tears ran dry, leaving only exhaustion in their wake. She felt hollow, wrung out, like she had been shattered and barely pieced back together. All she wanted now was sleep¡ªdeep, dreamless sleep. But the moment Cassis shifted, trying to ease her back onto the bed, panic struck. Her breath hitched. No. What if it happened again? What if she woke up to that nightmare once more, trapped in the loop, powerless to stop it? Her fingers curled desperately into his shirt, her entire body tensing. She couldn¡¯t go back. She couldn¡¯t. "Don''t leave," she rasped, her voice barely more than a whisper, hoarse and fragile. Cassis stilled. Then, without hesitation, he relented. Wordlessly, he slipped under the covers beside her, his presence solid and unwavering. Arianna didn¡¯t hesitate either. She pressed against him, her forehead resting against his chest, breathing him in as if he were the only thing tethering her to reality. His arms wrapped around her again, strong and steady, a silent promise that he wasn¡¯t going anywhere. With his warmth surrounding her, the panic began to ebb, the last remnants of fear loosening their hold. Her grip on his shirt remained firm, but slowly, finally, exhaustion took over. And this time, when she drifted into sleep, the darkness was peaceful. Chapter 19 The system – Cassis Chapter 19 The system ¨C Cassis Cassis lay in Liam¡¯s bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. The evening had been exhausting in more ways than one. After the battle, he had helped his parents clear out the ruined furniture, the scent of blood and destruction lingering in the air. The monster corpses had remained untouched¡ªthere was no need to move them. By morning, the mana particles would dissolve their remains, leaving behind nothing but dust and the faint memory of battle. Arianna had taken the first shower while he worked. Then, once she was done, his parents had insisted he go next. He hadn¡¯t missed the way they had exchanged glances, clearly needing some time to themselves. He hadn¡¯t questioned it, just nodded and done as he was told. Afterward, he had said goodnight to Arianna, then later to his parents, before settling into Liam¡¯s bed. He had to wait for the others to fall asleep. Even now, he could hear his parents murmuring softly behind their bedroom door. He couldn¡¯t make out the words, but their quiet conversation was a comforting background noise. The house, despite the chaos of the past day, felt safe again. Still, his mind was restless. His system stats had skyrocketed after the fight, not because he had suddenly grown stronger, but because the system had recognized just how much stronger he already was. It had underestimated him before, failing to account for his experience and mastery. Now, it was trying to catch up. That¡¯s how the system worked. It didn¡¯t give power¡ªit only categorized it. Abilities, skills, and spells didn¡¯t inherently become stronger just because their rating increased. The ranking system was nothing more than a reflection of the awakener¡¯s own aptitude. Every new skill always started at low or basic, no matter the person¡¯s real proficiency. Only through demonstration¡ªtraining, battle, application¡ªwould the system acknowledge their true level. The skill rankings followed a clear hierarchy: Low ¡ú Basic ¡ú Beginner ¡ú Intermediate ¡ú Advanced ¡ú Expert ¡ú Master ¡ú Legendary ¡ú Myth The system didn¡¯t grant strength. It simply judged how well an awakener wielded their abilities. The real importance of these rankings only became evident when it came to class evolutions. At Level 10, an awakener had to choose an advanced class. The number of available evolutions depended on various factors¡ªbattle experience, titles, elemental affinity, mana saturation, and, most crucially, skill, spell and ability rankings. The higher the system deemed an awakener¡¯s competence, the broader their potential evolutions. Most people received one to five choices. Geniuses were rumoured to have ten or more, but in his past, no one had ever confirmed such a feat. His eyes flickered shut for a moment before he sighed and opened his status page, scanning the system¡¯s current evaluation of him:
Status Page:
His gaze lingered on his spells. That had always been a weak point for him. Warriors, like Rangers, started with their physical skills at Basic but their magical ones at Low. It was the opposite for Mages and Clerics. In the future, he had trained relentlessly in swordsmanship, honing his physical abilities to near perfection. But his spells had always lagged behind. He hadn¡¯t focused on them enough, and it had cost him dearly. That couldn¡¯t happen again. The system would eventually recognize his true skill and restore his old rankings¡ªhis sword techniques would reach Master in time. But magic? That required deliberate effort. His newest spell, Flame Burst, had already proven useful. He had used it first to blind the hobgoblin, then again to cook its heart from the inside. It was powerful. But inefficient. The second time, when he used it through his sword, it had cost significantly less mana than when he had cast it directly on the hobgoblin from a distance. Arianna had been right. Her explanation about mana control¡ªhow directing mana properly reduced waste and allowed for longer fights¡ªhad been spot on. His Mana Saturation had also increased, and he could feel the difference. More importantly, he now had an Advanced Warrior Fire Mana Circuit Pattern. He almost scoffed at the name. The system really sucks at naming things. But at least he knew exactly what it was. He wasn¡¯t going to try it out yet, though. He didn¡¯t have time for it yet. He pushed that thought aside and turned his attention to his titles. Five titles. That was a lot to gain in such a short time. Yes, the battles had been intense¡ªthey had fought for their lives¡ªbut in his past, he had fought just as hard, harder, and had never been rewarded like this. Why? The answer was simple. Because he had been weak. Or rather, because humanity had been weak. In the past, two-thirds of the world¡¯s population had survived the first wave¡ªjust barely. The system had called it ¡°completing the first trial¡± and had given everyone the [Survivor] title, which slightly increased health regeneration. There had been no world announcement. No protection for children as a reward. No sign that anyone had actually overcome the first trial the way the system had intended. Which meant¡­ There must have been achievements they had missed. Technically, the first wave wasn¡¯t even over yet. The apocalypse had started at 4 PM two days ago. The first wave lasted exactly 48 hours. Which meant it would officially end tomorrow afternoon. But there were no more monsters left in a 1-kilometer radius around them. He frowned. That meant the system had forced them into combat. Jessica¡¯s cries had reached too far. Monsters ten kilometres away had reacted to her screams? That wasn¡¯t normal. It was impossible. The system must have amplified her voice to make sure they fought. He exhaled sharply. No point thinking about it now. He couldn¡¯t change what had happened. All he could do was make sure they got the best possible outcome. Should he start meditating tomorrow, building his mana circuit properly? Or should he teach Arianna and his family some self-defense skills? Arianna definitely needed training with her proclivity to run off into battle as a healer. He had to smirk again when he thought of her new title [Chaotic Healer]. She had almost given him a heart attack in the last battle by baiting the hobgoblin gaining the skill Baiting as a result. He didn¡¯t want her to use it. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Maybe she should have chosen Ranger. She clearly wasn¡¯t the type to stay out of fights. That thought made him scowl. She shouldn¡¯t have had to fight at all. But they wouldn¡¯t have survived without her. She had healed them. She had played bait. She had saved all of them. It made him furious.But there was nothing he could do about it. He was the one who brought her to this world. He was the reason she was in danger. And that was a guilt he would carry forever. He pushed those thoughts away and refocused on his titles:
Titles
Cassis let out a slow breath. These were good titles. Far better than anything he had gotten in his past future. Titles were the only instance where the system actually enhanced an awakener¡¯s abilities. No matter how much someone trained or levelled up, they would never see a direct numerical increase in their attack, defense, mana, or health regeneration¡ªexcept through titles. Titles were important. They stacked. They could even combine under the right circumstances. But no one really understood how they worked. Scientists had once called them "invisible stats." Everyone knew they existed. They had to. Strength, agility, intelligence, and other physical and mental attributes¡ªjust like in games¡ªhad to be there. But the system never displayed them. Still, the effects were obvious. An awakener who earned a title granting increased defense could feel the difference when they took a hit. Someone with a mana regeneration boost could fight longer without running dry. Cassis had never fully understood the mechanics of it all. But he didn''t need to. Smarter people than him had spent years theorizing about it before the world ended. He only needed to use the system efficiently. Pushing the thought aside, Cassis turned to something more immediate. His new items. Reaching level 10 had given him access to an inventory¡ªa basic 10m3 storage space. Arianna should have gotten the same upgrade, but with her exhaustion, she had probably missed it. Accessing the inventory was simple. All he had to do was think about it. Inventory. In an instant, he felt the system respond. He stretched out his hand, and the first item materialized into his palm¡ª A sword. Flaming Sword. Arianna had given him this weapon during their last battle. It had once been an ordinary blade, but by channeling massive amounts of fire mana through it¡ªfirst with Fire Blade, then with Flame Burst¡ªhe had fundamentally changed it. The system had recognized the transformation. And, as a result, it had been strengthened. [Flaming Sword] It was far from legendary, but for an F or E-rank awakener, it was a solid weapon. Satisfied, he returned it to his inventory and pulled out the second item. Experience Sharing Bracelet (Unbound) A thick, silver bracelet appeared in his hand. It looked simple¡ªnothing ornate, no markings, no gemstones. But when he checked its description, his breath caught. [Experience Sharing Bracelet (Unbound)] It was another reward to protect children. Cassis¡¯s grip on the bracelet tightened. Had everyone in their group gotten one? Because if they had, then¡­ the possibilities were endless. The system had already said that only children under 14 were protected. Teenagers weren¡¯t¡ªthey had to fight for themselves. But with this bracelet¡­ They could level up the older children before they turned 14. They could train them, strengthen them, give them a fighting chance before the system¡¯s protection was gone. That was huge. But¡ª There was a catch. The bracelet had to be bound to one awakener. And that meant whoever wore it would be giving up their own experience while wearing it. Cassis exhaled sharply. It was a huge sacrifice. Levels weren¡¯t just numbers. More levels meant more power. Every level-up infused an awakener¡¯s body with more mana, strengthening their invisible stats. Because experience¡ªat its core¡ªwas nothing more than mana absorbed from a defeated foe. A properly built mana circuit meant an awakener could absorb more mana¡ªmore experience¡ªwhen they killed an enemy. Once enough external mana or experience was accumulated, the system would level them up, and itwould be distributed to their invisible stats. At least, that was the leading theory. One that had been formed at the end of the world. Back when it was already too late. Cassis stared down at the bracelet in his hand. Was he the right person for this job? Because if he bound the bracelet to himself¡­ He would be slowing down his own progress. And right now, every level mattered. Having finished his review of his gains in the last battles Cassis listened carefully, waiting for any signs of movement. The house had finally fallen silent. No voices, no footsteps, not even any screeches of monsters ¨C they had kill all monsters in their vicinity. Satisfied that everyone was asleep, he slipped out of bed and made his way downstairs, moving with the quiet precision of someone long accustomed to the dark. The living room and yard were littered with monster corpses, grotesque forms bathed in the pale light of the moon. Cassis wasted no time. Drawing his sword, he set to work, carefully cutting away valuable materials. He hadn¡¯t mentioned it to his parents, but some of these creatures held resources that could be of immense value¡ªparticularly to alchemists. Upon reaching level 10, awakeners gained access not only to class advancements but also to professions. Unlike combat classes, which determined a fighter¡¯s strength, professions were centred around crafting, production, or service. There was no awakening level for these professions, just the system telling someone doing a particular action that it considered as part of a profession asking the awakener if they wanted to choose this profession. Professions also weren¡¯t static, they could evolve, change or even be exchanged for another profession at any time if the requirement was reached. Alchemist was one of the most valuable, in his opinion. An alchemist could, given time and materials, create healing potions, poisons, and other potent elixirs. If he could find one early and sponsor them, he would secure exclusive access to their creations. That way, Arianna wouldn¡¯t have to waste CP on healing and could concentrate on other things. And alchemists weren¡¯t the only profession worth seeking out. Blacksmiths could forge weapons and armour, leatherworkers could craft durable gear, and fletchers could produce high-quality arrows. There were even professions like tacticians, scholars, and strategists, whose knowledge could be just as vital as any blade. Unlike combat classes¡ªtypically falling into the four main categories of Warrior, Ranger, Mage, and Cleric, although there were exceptions like hybrid classes that combined the skills of two or more classes¡ªprofessions were limitless. They were shaped by an awakener¡¯s life experiences, skills, and even their actions since the apocalypse began. An awakener also didn¡¯t have to choose between levelling their combat class or their profession as professions strictly levelled by doing related tasks. Cassis worked efficiently, gathering as much as his inventory space would allow. By the time he was finished, his storage was nearly full. Satisfied, he sheathed his sword and made his way back inside. Upstairs, he entered the bathroom, washing the blood from his hands and blade. He had been doing this kind of work for so long that he had instinctively avoided staining anything else¡ªjust his hands and his weapon. As he stepped into the hallway, passing his own room, a sound stopped him in his tracks. A muffled sob. Then¡ª "No¡­ no¡­ please don¡¯t¡­ stop¡­" The hair on the back of his neck rose. Arianna. Something was wrong. He knocked lightly on her door. No response. The quiet, broken whispers continued, interspersed with ragged, tearful breaths. His chest tightened. Without hesitation, he stepped inside. Arianna lay curled in his bed, her face twisted in anguish, tears slipping down her cheeks as she pleaded in her sleep. A nightmare. But not just any nightmare. Cassis moved to her side and shook her gently by the shoulder. She didn¡¯t react. His frown deepened. "Arianna," he called softly. Nothing. A sinking unease settled in his gut. This wasn¡¯t normal. He shook her harder, his voice growing more insistent. "Arianna, wake up!" Still, she remained trapped in whatever horror held her mind captive. Panic edged into his movements as he grasped her shoulders, his voice firmer now. "Arianna!" At last, she gasped awake. But when her eyes met his, there was no recognition. Her breath came in short, uneven bursts, her pupils dilated with fear. Cassis reacted instinctively. He gripped her shoulders tighter, leaning in until their foreheads touched. "Arianna," he murmured. "You¡¯re awake." For a moment, she just stared. Then something clicked. Recognition flickered in her eyes, and the next instant, she broke down completely. She clung to him, sobbing into his shirt with an intensity that made his heart ache. Cassis said nothing, only wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if he could shield her from whatever ghosts haunted her mind. He ran his fingers through her hair, rubbed slow, reassuring circles on her back and shoulders, whispering soothing sounds in an effort to calm her. She cried until her voice failed her, until the sobs were nothing more than shaken breaths against his chest. And still, he held her. She was utterly exhausted, her body drained from both the nightmare and the flood of emotion that followed. Cassis moved slightly, intending to lay her back down so she could rest. The moment he shifted, she panicked. Her body tensed, her grip on his shirt tightening in desperation. Her wide, fearful eyes locked onto his. "Don¡¯t leave." The words were barely above a whisper, but they stopped him cold. He hadn¡¯t planned to leave. He had only meant to help her settle. But she wouldn¡¯t understand that right now. So instead, he simply climbed under the covers, pulling her closer without a word. Arianna immediately pressed herself against him, as if needing to confirm he was real. Cassis rested his chin atop her head, wrapping his arms around her securely. Her breathing evened out, her body finally relaxing as sleep reclaimed her. And though exhaustion tugged at him as well, Cassis remained awake for a while longer, staring at the ceiling, his mind filled with unspoken thoughts. But even as he lay there, one thing was certain. He wasn¡¯t going to let go. Chapter 20 An old complication – Arianna Chapter 20 An old complication ¨C Arianna Arianna woke slowly, her body heavy with exhaustion. For a moment, she didn¡¯t know where she was. The warmth surrounding her, the steady rise and fall of a chest beneath her cheek, the scent of firewood and steel¡ªit was familiar yet disorienting. Then it all came rushing back. The nightmare. The loop. Her parents¡¯ deaths, again and again. The suffocating terror of the hobgoblin¡¯s hands crushing her throat. And then¡ªCassis. His voice calling her name, breaking through the darkness. She stirred slightly, shifting against him. His arms tightened around her instinctively, as if reassuring her that he was still there. She exhaled slowly, focusing on the rhythm of his breathing, the quiet of the early morning. Her mind still felt fragile, the edges of the nightmare clinging to her like cobwebs. But she was here. She was safe. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she wasn¡¯t alone. She blinked at the faint morning light filtering through the curtains. It was still early, the house quiet in the lingering hush before dawn. At some point in the night, she must have turned in her sleep, because now Cassis was behind her, his chest solid and warm against her back, his arm heavy around her waist. She needed to move¡ªto shake off the last remnants of the nightmare, to ground herself in the waking world. Carefully, she tried to slip out of his hold, but the moment she wiggled even slightly, Cassis responded instinctively, tightening his grip around her waist. Her breath hitched as she stilled. That wasn¡¯t the only thing she noticed. The press of his body against hers, the unmistakable hardness against her lower back¡ªheat flooded her face. She swallowed, her entire body stiffening. Of course, she knew about this. They were both adults, and she was well aware that men woke up like this naturally. It wasn¡¯t personal, and it certainly wasn¡¯t intentional. But knowing that didn¡¯t make it any less awkward. Just as she was debating whether to hold completely still or try once more to slip away, Cassis let out a low, grumbling sound. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he mumbled, voice rough with sleep. Arianna froze. She could pretend to be asleep. She could lie and say she wasn¡¯t trying to leave. Or¡ªshe could just be honest. Taking a slow breath, she whispered, ¡°I was trying to get up.¡± He didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, his arm around her flexed slightly, and then, as if he finally became aware of how tightly he was holding her, he hesitated. The space between them was nearly non-existent, his warmth seeping into her back, his breath ghosting over the nape of her neck. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, abruptly, Cassis exhaled and loosened his grip, rolling onto his back. ¡°...You could have just said something,¡± he muttered, rubbing his face. Arianna turned her head slightly, peeking at him over her shoulder. His hair was a mess, his eyes still heavy with sleep, and there was a slight flush on his ears. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to wake you,¡± she said simply, pushing herself up into a sitting position. Cassis groaned and ran a hand through his hair. ¡°Too late for that.¡± Arianna let out a breath, some of the earlier tension leaving her. The nightmare still lingered at the edges of her mind, but the moment felt¡­ normal. Awkward, yes. But normal. And for now, that was enough. Cassis sat up, leaning back against the wall at the head of the bed, the blanket strategically draped over his lap. His expression was unreadable, but Arianna noticed the subtle tension in his posture¡ªlike he was trying very hard to act normal. She really tried not to notice. She really tried not to think about it. But now that she was aware of it, she couldn¡¯t stop being aware of it. Still, she forced herself to focus on something else. Like how much she had liked waking up pressed against him. How warm and solid he had felt. How safe. Alright, that didn¡¯t actually help with her attraction to him. But it had been a long time since she had been that close to someone. Five years, to be exact. Her father¡¯s death had shattered her, leaving her hollow and adrift. Her boyfriend at the time had tried to be supportive at first, but when her grief refused to fade, when the depression settled deep into her bones, he had left. She didn¡¯t blame him¡ªhe had been young, and she had been¡­ too much. Too sad. Too tired. Even after the worst of it passed, she never really recovered. She went through the motions of life¡ªworking, earning VP, taking care of herself¡ªbut she never truly lived. The only real human connection she had maintained was Cassis, watching his fights, following his journey. And now, here they were. She didn¡¯t want him to know how pathetic her life had been. So, she straightened her shoulders and decided to act like the adult she was. ¡°Thanks again,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°For last night. For everything.¡± Cassis glanced at her, then gave a small nod. ¡°You don¡¯t have to keep thanking me.¡± She hesitated, then added, ¡°I mean it.¡± A beat of silence stretched between them before he shifted, studying her. ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡± She knew what he meant. Arianna opened her mouth to answer, but the words caught in her throat. The memory of the nightmare was still fresh¡ªthe endless loop of watching her parents die, of dying herself over and over, the helplessness, the horror. Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. She clenched her jaw, trying to swallow them back, but Cassis noticed. His gaze softened, and without a word, he opened his arms. Arianna didn¡¯t hesitate. She scooted onto her knees and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. The moment he held her, she let go of the last bit of restraint she had been clinging to. Sobs wracked her body as she buried her face against his chest. ¡°It was a loop,¡± she choked out between breaths. ¡°I kept seeing them¡ªmy parents. They were already dead before I came here, but in the dream, they were alive. At first, it was¡­ it was nice. I thought¡ª¡± She squeezed her eyes shut, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. ¡°But then the hobgoblin¡ª¡± Her voice broke. ¡°It kept killing them, then me. Again and again. And I couldn¡¯t stop it.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Cassis¡¯ arms tightened around her. He didn¡¯t say anything, just held her as she cried, as she let out all the pain she had kept locked away for years. And for the first time in a long time, she didn¡¯t feel alone. When Arianna finally emerged from her crying fit, she felt¡­ lighter. As if some of the weight she had been carrying for years had finally eased, if only a little. Then she noticed something else. She was straddling Cassis¡¯ lap. Her body stiffened as realization dawned. How had that happened? She had no idea, but now she was completely at a loss about what to do. Moving away seemed like the logical choice, but somehow, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. Instead, she sat frozen, painfully aware of the warmth of his body beneath her, of his hands resting lightly on her back, of the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest. And just like that, an old memory surfaced¡ªone she hadn¡¯t thought about in years. She had first seen Cassis when she was seventeen, watching him fight in Avaria through the blue screen in her dream. He had been twenty-eight back then, tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair, golden eyes, and a taciturn nature that only made him more alluring. What girl wouldn¡¯t have had a crush on him? He had been like something out of a fantasy novel, a warrior carved from myth. She had been attracted to him especially because her life hadn¡¯t been a fairytale. Her mother had died giving birth to her, and it had always been just her and her father. They had been happy¡ªuntil everything changed. A few months before she had bought the sapphire necklace, her father had been diagnosed with cancer. He had started treatment immediately, but it weakened him, and for the first time in her life, Arianna had been truly afraid. She hadn¡¯t told her friends about her fears¡ªhadn¡¯t had the heart to. So, she had felt alone. For four years, she had watched him struggle. At first, they had thought he had beaten it, but then it came back, more aggressive than before, and there was nothing the doctors could do. During that time, she had lost touch with most of her friends. She hadn¡¯t wanted to go out and have fun when her father was dying. A few close friends had stayed, the kind who didn¡¯t push but were always there to listen. One of them had become her boyfriend¡ªnot because she had particularly liked him that way, but because it felt nice to snuggle up to someone who cared and it had seemed to ease her father¡¯s worries. He hadn¡¯t wanted her to be alone when he was gone. And then, when her father had finally passed, her boyfriend had left too. He had stayed with her for over a year after but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to even care about him anymore. Not when she had lost her last family. But even then, she hadn¡¯t been completely alone. She had always had Cassis. Sure, he hadn¡¯t known about her. He had his own battles to fight, his own struggles to survive. They hadn¡¯t talked about their personal lives, hadn¡¯t shared secrets or dreams. Their conversations had always been focused on one thing: keeping him alive. But now, here she was¡ªcloser to him than she had ever imagined. It was strange, telling him about her past, about her father, about the life she had lived before coming to Avaria. In some ways, she knew Cassis better than anyone. And in others, he was a complete stranger. Like now. She hadn¡¯t known he would hold her so patiently, so quietly, while she cried. She hadn¡¯t known he would feel so awkward and flustered when she had noticed his morning wood. She hadn¡¯t known he would turn red when she had been lying in her underwear in this bed just a little over a day ago. And the memory of that¡ªthe way his ears had burned with embarrassment and how he couldn¡¯t even look at her¡ªsuddenly made her laugh. She tried to stop, but the more she thought about it, the harder it was to hold it in. She was shaking with laughter now, her body trembling as uncontrollable giggles spilled from her lips. Cassis groaned, his hands tightening on her hips. ¡°Arianna,¡± he said, his voice strained, rough with frustration. ¡°Please. Stop.¡± But that only made her laugh harder. Until she realized why he sounded so strangled. Because in her laughter, she had accidentally started grinding against his lap. And the moment she understood that, her laughter died in her throat. Her breath caught. Heat surged up her neck. And Cassis¡ªwhose hands were still on her hips¡ªwas completely, utterly still. Arianna froze at first, her breath uneven, her heart hammering in her chest. But then a thought crept in. Why not? She had spent so many years alone, wrapped in her grief, keeping herself at arm¡¯s length from the world. She hadn¡¯t realized just how starved she was for human contact, for warmth, for closeness. It didn¡¯t have to mean anything. It could just be a moment¡ªsomething small, something just for herself, to remind her that she was alive. And if Cassis didn¡¯t like her at least a little, he would have pushed her away already. So, she made a decision. Slowly, deliberately, she lifted her gaze to meet his golden eyes and started to move her hips again. A sharp breath hissed through Cassis¡¯ teeth. His hands tightened on her waist, his fingers digging in just slightly, not to stop her¡ªbut as if bracing himself. His eyes widened, startled, but he didn¡¯t pull away. He didn¡¯t stop her. Arianna¡¯s pulse thrummed in her ears as she moved, slow and careful, rolling her hips just enough to feel him beneath her. Even though their pants and the blanket still separated them, the friction sent a pleasant heat curling through her body. She kept her eyes on his, searching for any sign of hesitation, any indication that he wanted her to stop. But all she saw was the way his jaw tensed, the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed, the way his grip on her hips tightened every time she shifted against him. He was letting her do this. And more than that¡ªhe wanted it. The realization sent a fresh wave of warmth through her, pooling low in her belly. This felt good. For the first time in years, she felt wanted. Desired. Alive. And she wasn¡¯t ready to stop just yet. The pleasure built between them, slow and electric, each movement sending sparks through her body. She clutched his shoulders harder as a soft moan escaped her lips before she could stop it. That was all it took for Cassis to take action. His grip on her hips tightened, fingers pressing firmly into her skin as he started moving against her, meeting her rhythm with slow, deliberate thrusts. It was effortless, instinctual¡ªlike they had done this countless times before. They moved together, perfectly in sync, their bodies responding to each other in a way that felt both natural and intoxicating. Their breath came rough and uneven, small moans and quiet groans slipping between them, filling the charged space between their bodies. They hadn¡¯t even kissed yet. They just looked at each other, locked in the moment, golden eyes burning into hers. Arianna had never felt anything like this before¡ªthis kind of closeness, this kind of intimacy, and they were still fully clothed. It was overwhelming, consuming, yet somehow impossibly tender. Their faces drew closer, inch by inch, their breaths mingling, lips just barely apart. Neither of them closed the distance, caught in the unbearable tension of the moment. And then¡ª A door slammed shut, Cassis¡¯ parents probably getting up. The sharp sound shattered the fragile spell between them. Arianna jolted, startled, and suddenly, the weight of the moment crashed down on her. Heat flooded her face, and an embarrassed, almost panicked thought flickered through her mind¡ª Oh God, this feels like being a teenager again, about to get caught making out with her boyfriend in his parents'' house. She quickly pulled back a bit, her breath still heavy, her pulse still thrumming wildly in her veins. Cassis looked just as caught off guard, his hands lingering on her hips, his golden eyes still dark with something unreadable. Neither of them spoke. But the air between them was charged, and there was no mistaking what had just happened. Or what had almost happened. They were both breathing heavily, reeling from the intensity of what had just happened¡ªand the abrupt interruption that had yanked them back to reality. Cassis let out a quiet curse under his breath, then rested his forehead against her shoulder. His voice was low, rough with emotion when he finally spoke. ¡°Sorry, Ari. But¡­ I think it¡¯s good we were interrupted.¡± Arianna froze. A sharp pang struck her chest before he even finished speaking. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot in the past thirty, forty hours,¡± he continued. ¡°Coming to a new world, the apocalypse starting, fighting for your life, getting injured, fighting for your life again, almost dying, and then that nightmare¡­ I think you¡¯re overstimulated from everything that¡¯s happened, and we shouldn¡¯t make any decisions we might regret.¡± Arianna stiffened. Regret? That single word cut deeper than she wanted to admit. So that was it. He thought this was a mistake. He would have regretted it. Then why hadn¡¯t he stopped her earlier? Why had he held her, touched her, moved with her like that if he hadn¡¯t wanted it too? She tried to pull away, to scoot back and slip out of the bed before her hurt turned into something even more painful. But Cassis didn¡¯t let her go. His hands remained firm on her hips, keeping her in place. As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, he lifted his head, meeting her eyes again. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, his voice softer now. ¡°That didn¡¯t come out right.¡± His gaze searched hers, willing her to understand. ¡°It¡¯s just that¡­ this has been a turbulent time, and I would regret it if something happened that you didn¡¯t truly want¡ªif it was just because you needed to feel alive after everything.¡± His golden eyes darkened, and she knew¡ªknew¡ªhe was speaking from experience. He had almost died more times than he could count in the other timeline. He had probably felt that same desperate urge before, the need to grasp onto something, someone, to remind himself that he was still breathing. Arianna swallowed past the lump in her throat. Her voice trembled slightly, but she still managed to smile at him. ¡°Alright,¡± she murmured. ¡°I understand. It¡¯s okay. Let¡¯s talk about it when we¡¯re both¡­ not so shaky anymore. After some time has passed.¡± A flicker of relief passed through his expression. Slowly, he loosened his grip, letting her go. Arianna slipped off the bed, her legs unsteady beneath her, and took a steadying breath. The air between them was different now¡ªstill charged, still full of unspoken things¡ªbut no longer overwhelming. It wasn¡¯t a rejection. But it was a pause. And for now, she could live with that. Chapter 21 A new adventure – Cassis Chapter 21 A new adventure ¨C Cassis Cassis watched as Arianna slid off the bed, the warmth of her presence slipping away like sand through his fingers. Every instinct in him wanted to reach out, to hold onto her, to pull her back into his arms. It took every ounce of willpower he had to resist. He had never wanted someone this much before¡ªat least, not in a way that went beyond fleeting desire. He forced himself to look away, tilting his head back against the wall and closing his eyes. It was easier to speak that way, without watching her walk away. "I think I''ll go downstairs," Arianna said, stretching slightly. "One or both of your parents should be awake, judging by that door slamming. I''ve always found it strange that older people seem to lose the ability to close doors quietly." Her voice had lightened, already laced with humour. It amazed him how quickly she could recover¡ªhow she could smile and tease, as if she hadn''t just broken down in his arms, as if they hadn''t just shared something so raw and intimate. His lips twitched at her observation, but he kept his expression neutral. "Yeah, you should eat something," he said. "But maybe stop by the bathroom first. Your eyes are still red." Arianna paused, then let out a soft laugh. "Oh, right. Almost forgot. Thanks." She hesitated for a moment, and he thought¡ªhoped¡ªshe might say something more. But then she simply added, "I''ll see you in a bit," and left the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, Cassis let out a long breath he hadn''t realized he was holding. He kept his eyes closed, but in the darkness behind his lids, all he could see was her¡ªher flushed cheeks, the way her red-rimmed eyes had locked onto his, the heat in her gaze as she moved against him. He had been so close to kissing her. So close to giving in. He exhaled sharply. It was for the best. And if he kept repeating that to himself, maybe he¡¯d believe it. Cassis had known the pull of near-death before. The need to feel something¡ªanything¡ªto prove he was still alive. He had given in to that urge in the past, seeking fleeting connections in the apocalypse. Sometimes, it had been a brief comfort, a way to forget the loneliness for a night. He had been with women, men, non-binary people¡ªit hadn''t mattered who, as long as they were human and willing to share a moment of warmth in an otherwise cold world. But it had always been shallow. The next morning, they went their separate ways, nothing but strangers again. He hadn¡¯t wanted that with Arianna. Yet, as always, his words had failed him. He had hurt her first before managing to explain himself properly. She had accepted it, but he knew the sting had been there. He didn¡¯t know how to fix it. How could he? He was the reason she was here in the first place. Arianna didn¡¯t belong in this hell. She should have been safe in her own world, living her life. But she was here, and selfishly, a part of him was relieved. She had no family left behind to mourn her, no loved ones she was desperate to return to. That thought had briefly comforted him¡ªuntil the guilt set in like a weight on his chest. Her parents were dead. Her father had died while they were still connected as patron and awakener, and she had never once told him. She had kept her grief to herself, while all the while, he had leaned on her support during his own struggles. Had he really been that selfish? She had always been there for him, but he had never truly been there for her. She had been his patron¡ªnothing more. He had never thought of her as a person with her own pain, her own burdens. He had believed patrons were untouchable, distant figures who simply watched from another world, unaffected by the horrors he faced. He had been wrong. And still, she had forgiven him. Just like she always did. Cassis ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. He couldn''t keep being like this. He needed to do better. With those unsettling thoughts swirling in his mind, his earlier arousal had faded completely. He stood, stretched, and forced himself to get dressed in some shirt and jeans combo. When he stepped out of his room, the sound of quiet conversation drifted up from downstairs¡ªArianna and his father, already talking. As he turned toward the bathroom, his mother appeared at the top of the stairs. She took one look at him, raised an eyebrow, and then smirked. "Just a friend, is she?" Cassis scowled, refusing to dignify that with a response. He brushed past her, stepping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind him. From the other side, he heard her soft, knowing laughter as she walked away. Breakfast was a welcome reprieve from the chaos of the past day. The conversation remained lighthearted¡ªsmall jokes, quiet laughter, and mundane talk about food and daily routines. Even if the world outside was falling apart, they all clung to this fragile normalcy. Liam arrived midway through, returning from Nadine and Violet¡¯s home. His expression was troubled but steady. ¡°No sign of him?¡± Cassis¡¯ mother asked gently. Liam shook his head. ¡°Not yet. Nadine and Violet are holding up as best as they can, but they¡¯re scared.¡± He exhaled. ¡°Her husband still hasn¡¯t come back. We don¡¯t know if he¡¯s still fighting out there¡­ or if he¡¯s already gone.¡± A heavy silence settled over them. Hope was a dangerous thing in the apocalypse¡ªit could keep people going, or it could break them completely. Liam clearly felt for them, but there was nothing any of them could do. Or so he thought. Arianna set her spoon down and turned to Liam. ¡°Where was he last?¡± Liam glanced at her, not expecting the question. ¡°City hall. He works as a clerk there.¡± ¡°How far is that from here?¡± ¡°By car? About 15 minutes.¡± Cassis didn¡¯t need to look at her to know what she was thinking. He knew that gleam in her eyes, the way her mind worked. He tried to resist, but in the end, he glanced up¡ªand there it was. That stubborn determination. ¡°Arianna,¡± he warned. She met his gaze with certainty. ¡°Cassis, we need to find him. The apocalypse will last until this afternoon. He could still be alive.¡± He clenched his jaw. There it was again¡ªthat relentless optimism, that instinct to throw herself into danger. Why did she insist on this? They were safe here. Why seek out another fight? Before he could argue, his father spoke up. ¡°It could be dangerous, but we¡¯re rested. Most F-rank monsters aren¡¯t much of a threat to us anymore.¡± He rubbed his chin, already considering the logistics. ¡°We¡¯d have to be careful of E-ranks, but if we go together as a team, it could work.¡± Cassis turned to his father, baffled. His father¡ªthe man who had lost an arm because he had tried to protect someone else¡ªwas suggesting they leave safety to rescue someone they barely knew, again? Hadn¡¯t he learned anything from his ordeal? But then, understanding dawned. It wasn¡¯t just about Nadine¡¯s husband. Nadine had been their companion through life and death since the apocalypse started, a trusted friend in this new hellscape. This wasn¡¯t just about a clerk trapped in city hall¡ªit was about looking out for a close companion, a bond forged in hardship. Cassis remained silent, grappling with the realization. He had never truly felt that kind of companionship in the other future. He had been too detached, too scared to lose someone important again. He had allies, sure, but most of them had been temporary¡ªpeople who had come and gone, people he couldn¡¯t afford to grow attached to. He had never been in a position to save anyone in the other timeline. He had only been able to watch as people died. So maybe¡­ maybe this was an opportunity to do something different. His father was right¡ªF-rank monsters weren¡¯t much of a challenge anymore, not unless they encountered overwhelming numbers. And E-ranks¡­ well, if they were careful, they could avoid them. His grip on his spoon tightened. Changing himself wasn¡¯t easy. The instincts he had honed in the other timeline told him to stay put, to protect what he had and not take unnecessary risks. But maybe it was time to do something his past self never would have. He tried to remember if he knew anyone he would want to save in that direction. Because if they were going there, they should do as much as they could, shouldn¡¯t they? Who did he know back then? Any friends? No. Any colleagues? Maybe. Then the thought hit him. His workplace ¨C his high school ¨C was near city hall. As it had been late afternoon on a Friday when the apocalypse began his colleagues or students shouldn¡¯t have been there anymore. But most lived close by. He had been a high school teacher in his life before. The loss of his family had destroyed him and when he saw just how little of his students remained, he just closed off. He couldn¡¯t deal with it and banished all the thought and feelings associated with them in the deepest part of his mind. But now he could maybe help them. He might be strong enough to make a difference this time, especially with Arianna and his family by his side. Cassis leaned back in his chair, staring at his half-empty plate. He had never been one for reflection¡ªself-pity and regret had no place in the apocalypse. But now, with the chance to do things differently, he found himself questioning everything he had once accepted as unchangeable. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. In the last timeline, survival had been his only priority. He had hardened himself against hope, against attachments, against the foolishness of trying to save people. It had been the only way to stay alive. But what if that had been a mistake? He had failed. The world had pretty much been at the end when he had made his wish that brought him back. He had fought and fought, only to watch everything be consumed by darkness. What if saving people¡ªchanging his choices¡ªwas the key to preventing that future? The old Cassis would have told Arianna no. He would have refused to risk anything for a stranger, for someone who was probably already dead. But he wasn¡¯t that man anymore. He opened their private party chat¡ªa remnant from the large one he had dissolved. He had kept only the two of them in it, a link between them that was now more personal than ever. ¡°Can you buy any more gear? You need a proper weapon. Maybe a mace or a staff? And we need more protective equipment.¡± Arianna¡¯s response came almost instantly. ¡°I have over 1200 CP. I''ll look. Just a sec.¡± He exhaled, waiting. He didn¡¯t know how she navigated the system so fast, but before he could even take another bite of his food, she was back. Maybe the patron shop worked with the same time stop as the class selection? ¡°I found a great mace for 200 CP and a basic protective set¡ªpants and a long-sleeve shirt¡ªfor 200 CP total. So, I can buy the mace and five sets.¡± Cassis stilled. Five sets. Enough for both of them¡­ and his parents and Liam. Fate, he thought bitterly. He didn¡¯t believe in destiny, but sometimes it was hard to ignore the eerie coincidences. It was as if the universe was pushing them toward this path, telling them that this was what they were supposed to do. He sighed. This time he spoke out loudly: ¡°Alright. Before we go, Sapphire has some presents for us. After that, we should get Nadine and Violet to the Morrisons. We don¡¯t know if the monsters will keep staying away.¡± Right now, they were in the suburbs of Hallowford¡ªa relatively quiet town on the outskirts of Vallendale City. The nearest city hall branch was just under ten kilometers away. A reasonable distance, but with the apocalypse raging, distance wasn¡¯t measured in kilometers¡ªit was measured in survival odds. If they traveled on foot, it would take them at least two hours, assuming no interruptions. But that was a bad assumption. The closer they got to the city, the worse it would get. They might be able to take the car at least part of the way. Their town was mostly suburban, with small streets and fewer abandoned vehicles clogging the roads. Most people here walked or biked. The monsters they encountered would be manageable. But the city¡­ The city was a different beast entirely. The number of monsters correlated with human presence. More humans had lived there. More powerful fighters had tried to resist the apocalypse. And, as they had theorized, the stronger the fighting force in an area, the more powerful the monsters that spawned there. Additionally, their guns, explosives and heavy artillery didn¡¯t work anymore. That was why the military had suffered such devastating losses. The apocalypse had targeted the strongest first. Having to fight stronger and more numerous monsters in addition to their weapons not working saw the military at a serious disadvantage. For their trip it meant going towards danger and by the time they reached the outskirts of Vallendale, the streets would be littered with wrecked vehicles and overrun with creatures. The car wouldn¡¯t be an option once they got too close. Cassis rubbed his forehead. They needed to be smart about this. Get as close as possible with the car, then switch to moving on foot. That way, they¡¯d minimize their time in the danger zone. It wasn¡¯t a perfect plan, but it was their best shot. And for the first time in a long while, Cassis was willing to take that shot. Cassis spoke to everyone gathered at the breakfast table. ¡°We¡¯ll take the car,¡± he said. ¡°It seats five, so we can all fit. We¡¯ll drive as far as we can toward city hall before the roads become too blocked. From there, we¡¯ll continue on foot.¡± His parents exchanged a look and nodded in agreement. ¡°It¡¯s a solid plan,¡± his father said. ¡°Using the car will save time and energy. We¡¯ll need both when we get closer to Vallendale.¡± ¡°But while we¡¯re there,¡± Cassis continued, glancing between them, ¡°I want to check on my school and its surrounding area.¡± His mother straightened. ¡°You think anyone survived?¡± ¡°There might be students or teachers near city hall,¡± Cassis said. ¡°If they¡¯re still alive, I want to help.¡± His parents didn¡¯t hesitate. His father gave him a firm nod, and his mother¡¯s eyes softened with something like pride. ¡°That¡¯s the right thing to do,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ll be careful, but if we can save people, we should.¡± Arianna, however, was staring at him like he¡¯d just grown another head. She didn¡¯t say anything at first, then asked him privately. ¡°You¡¯re a teacher?¡± He blinked at her reaction. ¡°Yeah. High school. A history teacher.¡± She kept looking at him, something unreadable in her expression. He had no idea what was going through her mind. Then, just as suddenly, she shrugged and smiled at him. He wasn¡¯t sure if that was a good or bad thing. ¡°Arianna, what about your family? Do they also live in that direction? Maybe we can check on them, too.¡± His mother asked. Arianna was silent for a second, then gave his mother a small smile. ¡°Thanks for asking Danielle. But that¡¯s impossible. Both my parents died before this happened. I don¡¯t have any siblings, and my parents were orphans themselves. So, there¡¯s nobody left to check up on.¡± The mood on the table took a sombre turn. ¡°Oh, no. That¡¯s terrible. I¡¯m so sorry, my dear.¡± His mother had tears in her eyes, probably because she had also lost her parents a few years ago. Cassis could still remember warm Grandma Annabelle and funny Grandpa William. Grandpa William had died due to a heart attack. Then Granma Annabelle had wasted away, not wanting to live without the man she had shared her whole life with. She had died within a year of Grandpa¡¯s passing. His aunts and uncles from his mother¡¯s side were living in different cities so they had no way to know anything about them. But he knew they died in the first wave. Then he looked to his father who was probably thinking of his own parents judging by the shadows on his face. He was an only child, but his parents lived in a different country. There was no way to get to them. And they were already over 80 years old. In the other timeline they hadn¡¯t survived. Arianna acknowledged Danielle¡¯s condolences but soon changed the topic back to how they could help other people. It seemed she didn¡¯t like being in the spotlight, or maybe the topic was too difficult for her. He wanted to hug her to give her comfort. Arianna then pulled out the protective sets from her inventory¡ªdark gray pants and long-sleeved shirts, simple but sturdy. She handed them out with a small grin. ¡°From Sapphire,¡± she said. Cassis took his set, examining the material. It wasn¡¯t heavy, but when he ran his fingers over it, he could feel the slight resistance of protective enchantments woven into the fabric. It wasn¡¯t full armor, but it would give them some defense. Then his gaze landed on Arianna¡¯s new mace. It was a brutal-looking weapon¡ªlong and thick with a reinforced metal shaft wrapped in black leather for grip. The head was spiked on one side, with a flanged, almost axe-like curve on the other, allowing for both bludgeoning and slicing damage. A good weapon. A deadly one. Everyone dispersed to change, disappearing into rooms and the bathroom. The clothes moulded to their bodies upon wearing them, eliminating the need for different sizes. His mother and Liam left to inform Nadine and Violet of their plan and escort them to the Morrisons for safety. Cassis, in the meantime, turned to his father. ¡°Dad, can you get the car ready?¡± he asked. ¡°We need as much space as possible, so please throw out anything that isn¡¯t necessary for this trip.¡± His father nodded and left. That just left him and Arianna. ¡°Now,¡± he said, turning to her, ¡°let me show you how to use your inventory to store some food and water.¡± Arianna perked up at that, eyes bright with curiosity. ¡°Oh, right! I completely forgot I unlocked that at level 10.¡± He walked her through the basics¡ªhow to store and retrieve items with a thought, how to organize them, how much weight it could hold. She caught on quickly, nodding along as she tested it for herself. Then, after a moment, she hesitated. ¡°Should we pick our advanced classes?¡± she asked. ¡°I haven¡¯t even looked at mine yet. Too much has happened.¡± Silence stretched between them as they looked at each other. Cassis knew exactly what she was referring to. The nightmare. Holding her while she cried. Waking up with her. The heat between them, the almost-kiss, the way she had moved against him before they were interrupted. His mind flashed through it all in an instant. He shoved the thoughts away. ¡°Not yet,¡± he said. ¡°Our skill levels aren¡¯t high enough to unlock the best advanced classes. If we pick too early, we could end up with something subpar and regret it later.¡± Arianna seemed to consider that. ¡°We should use the fights ahead to hone our skills,¡± he continued. ¡°Maybe think up new spells, get more titles. Our basic classes will be enough to handle the outskirts of Vallendale for a few hours.¡± She exhaled, then nodded. ¡°Makes sense. Alright. No advanced classes yet.¡± It was a small relief. They had enough to worry about already. He glanced toward the window, toward the distant cityscape on the horizon. Soon, they would be heading straight into danger. And this time, he would make sure it wasn¡¯t all for nothing. Cassis and Arianna stepped outside, finding his father near the car, doing a last check. The older man glanced up as they approached. ¡°We¡¯ve got a way to carry more supplies,¡± Cassis said. ¡°Arianna and I unlocked an inventory when we hit level 10. You¡¯ll get one too once you level up.¡± His father looked genuinely surprised. ¡°A personal inventory? That¡¯s incredible.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Arianna said. ¡°It¡¯s super useful. We can store food, water, extra weapons¡ªanything that fits, really.¡± His father let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. ¡°I¡¯m only level seven, and your mother¡¯s level eight. It won¡¯t be long before we get that feature too.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Cassis said. ¡°And when you do, I¡¯d recommend waiting before picking an advanced class. Skill levels, spell mastery, and even titles can affect class choices. The stronger your foundation, the better your options.¡± His father absorbed the information with a thoughtful nod. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind. I¡¯ll tell your mother and Liam, too. The knowledge Sapphire gives you is really useful.¡± Cassis and Arianna smiled at not even having to tell anyone how they knew stuff. They had a little time before Liam and Cassis¡¯ mother returned, so they settled into easy conversation. Or rather, Arianna and his father did. As it turned out, they were both accountants. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it,¡± Arianna said, grinning. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d meet someone else who actually enjoys accounting.¡± His father chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s a good profession. Logical, stable. Though it has its fair share of headaches.¡± ¡°Oh, absolutely,¡± Arianna agreed. ¡°I once had a client who tried to claim his dog as a dependent.¡± His father laughed. ¡°I had one who insisted his ¡®business expenses¡¯ included a new gaming console. He got real mad when I told him no.¡± They traded stories about difficult clients and bizarre financial situations, their conversation flowing easily. Cassis, on the other hand, remained mostly silent. He hadn''t seen his father in fourteen years. Fourteen years of memories, of growing into a hardened survivor, of losing everything over and over again. And now, here they were, making small talk like none of that had happened. What was he supposed to say? He felt like a stranger. Arianna must have noticed his discomfort because, without missing a beat, she turned to him with a teasing glint in her eyes. ¡°So, Cassis,¡± she said, dragging out his name playfully. ¡°You¡¯ve been awfully quiet. What¡¯s the matter? Are we boring you? Or are you just lost because accounting is obviously a more sophisticated profession than teaching?¡± He blinked at her, then scoffed. ¡°Oh, please,¡± he shot back. ¡°Teaching is just as demanding. Probably more.¡± Arianna raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? Enlighten me, professor.¡± He crossed his arms. ¡°For one, teachers have to manage a room full of hormonal teenagers while actually getting them to learn something. It¡¯s not just numbers and spreadsheets¡ªit¡¯s dealing with people, emotions, their home lives, their struggles. And don¡¯t even get me started on grading.¡± Arianna gasped dramatically. ¡°Oh no! Not grading!¡± ¡°It¡¯s a nightmare,¡± he deadpanned. ¡°You try reading thirty essays on the same historical event and not losing your mind. Especially the handwritten ones, those are not letters their hieroglyphs!¡± She snickered. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll give you that one. But at least teachers don¡¯t have to deal with the government breathing down their necks every tax season.¡± ¡°You¡¯d be surprised,¡± Cassis said. ¡°School boards, curriculum regulations, budget cuts¡ªplenty of bureaucratic nightmares to go around.¡± They fell into a playful back-and-forth, mock-arguing with exaggerated expressions and exaggerated grievances. Cassis found himself smiling more than he had in a long time. His father, watching them, chuckled. That was the moment Liam and Cassis¡¯ mother finally returned. His mother raised an eyebrow at the three of them. ¡°You all look far too amused for people about to walk into danger.¡± Arianna shot her a wink. ¡°Gotta keep morale up somehow.¡± His mother shook her head with a small smile, then turned to Cassis¡¯ father. ¡°Nadine and Violet are at the Morrisons. They¡¯ll be safe there. She wanted us to know just how much this means to her and Violet. But she also said not to get into too much danger just for them¡± His father nodded. ¡°She¡¯s good people. We need to help each other in these times.¡± Cassis exhaled, letting himself focus on the task ahead. They had a plan. They had supplies. And they were as ready as they were going to be. It was time to go. Chapter 22 Just a short trip – Arianna Chapter 22 Just a short trip ¨C Arianna Arianna adjusted the grip on her mace as she stepped out of the car, her boots crunching against the cracked pavement. The air smelled like blood, smoke, and something acrid she couldn¡¯t quite place. Around them, the city lay in eerie silence, interrupted only by the occasional distant screech of a monster or the sound of something scuttling just out of sight. Their car trip had been surprisingly easy¡ªalmost peaceful. The roads out of Hallowford had been mostly clear, and the few monsters they¡¯d seen had fled at the sight of them. Cassis had explained it was because of his and Arianna¡¯s Monsterbane I titles, which made weaker monsters instinctively avoid them. His family had been a little jealous when they heard about it, but they¡¯d accepted it with good humor. ¡°Well, you two did kill the most monsters,¡± Danielle had said, giving Arianna¡¯s hand a quick squeeze. ¡°Especially with that hobgoblin. You deserve all the experience you got.¡± Arianna had smiled at that. Danielle had a certain warmth to her, like someone who looked out for everyone but had a sharp edge when needed. Now, though, standing on the outskirts of Vallendale, warmth was the furthest thing from her mind. They weren¡¯t in Hallowford anymore. The moment they entered the city, the atmosphere changed. Blood splattered the streets, smeared in handprints on car doors and streaked across cracked asphalt. Some abandoned cars had shattered windows, doors left wide open as if people had fled in a hurry. Others had no visible damage¡ªjust empty, silent reminders that the people who had been inside were simply gone. Arianna swallowed hard and looked down the street. City Hall was just a few blocks away, Cassis¡¯ school not much farther. She still couldn¡¯t quite wrap her head around the fact that he was a teacher. It just didn¡¯t fit, not with the hardened, battle-ready man she¡¯d come to know. But the more she saw of him here¡ªleading them, making plans, teaching her how to use her inventory¡ªthe more she realized that this part of him had never disappeared. He had always been someone who guided others, even in the apocalypse. In the other timeline he just hadn¡¯t had anyone to guide anymore. And now, unlike in his past life, he was choosing to help a stranger. He was choosing to save his students and colleagues. That change meant something. It sent a strange warmth through her chest. But they weren¡¯t safe yet. It was late morning now, around 10 a.m. Six more hours. Six more hours of monsters until they retreated into their newly established dungeons. After that, they¡¯d only have to worry about stragglers, mutated animals and plants, and the inevitable dungeon breaks. Arianna exhaled slowly and tightened her grip on her mace. They moved into formation. Cassis and Danielle took the front, scanning ahead for movement. Marcus and Arianna followed behind, while Liam covered their backs. Silence stretched between them as they walked, boots crunching over broken glass and debris. Then, up ahead, something shifted. A dark shape, low to the ground. Movement in the shadows. Arianna¡¯s heart pounded as Cassis lifted a hand, signalling them to stop. The fight was coming. And they were ready. The streets of Vallendale were nothing like the ones in Hallowford. Here, the monsters weren¡¯t just roaming¡ªthey were hunting. Some still ran at the sight of Arianna and Cassis, but more and more of them stood their ground. Worse, they were forming packs. Groups of seven to ten creatures lurked in alleyways, prowled through the streets, and lunged at them in coordinated attacks. Arianna and Marcus held back on their magic, opting to fight with their weapons to conserve mana. Arianna¡¯s new mace proved its worth, smashing through monster skulls and sending them sprawling. Marcus fought beside her with his staff, his movements precise but clearly less practiced than the warriors¡¯. Cassis, Danielle, and Liam led the charge, cutting through monsters with brutal efficiency. Cassis¡¯ blade gleamed with fresh blood, while Danielle and Liam moved with sharp, controlled strikes. They worked together, covering each other¡¯s backs as they cleared their path toward City Hall. By the time they reached the last corner before their destination, Arianna¡¯s breathing was heavy, and her muscles ached. They had fought several groups already, and the monsters were getting stronger. Then they saw it. City Hall loomed ahead, its modern and simplistic structure ¨C a rectangular three story building with glass doors ¨C now marred by battle. The front doors were barricaded, furniture stacked high against the glass entrance. The monsters weren¡¯t just wandering here¡ªthey were gathering. A horde, at least a hundred strong with some E-ranks in there, clawed at the barricades, growling and slamming their bodies against the doors. Some of the creatures had blood dripping from their fangs, others bore deep gashes, likely from survivors still fighting inside. People were alive in there. Fighting. Holding on. Cassis muttered a curse under his breath. "That¡¯s a lot of monsters." "Going through the front is suicide," Liam added grimly. Danielle wiped sweat from her brow. "There¡¯s another way in," she said. "A back door. One of my friends, Helen, works here. She takes her smoke breaks out back, and I¡¯ve met her there a few times." Arianna raised an eyebrow. "You¡¯re saying we¡¯re sneaking in through the designated smoker''s entrance?" Danielle smirked. "If it works, it works." They circled the building, cutting through side streets and dispatching more monsters along the way. The back of City Hall was quieter, but not empty. Twenty to thirty F-rank monsters prowled the alleyway, blocking their way to the entrance. They could take them. Arianna and Cassis quickly formulated a plan. "I¡¯ll use Water Barrier to hold half of them back. That¡¯ll buy us time to take down the rest before they overwhelm us. Once the barrier breaks, I¡¯ll call it out, and we finish the fight together. Sound good?" If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Everyone nodded. Marcus finally prepared his Magic Missile, while Cassis, Danielle, and Liam readied their weapons. "Alright," Arianna said, raising her hands. "Let¡¯s do this." She channelled her mana, and a shimmering wall of water surged up between them and half the monsters, cutting them off. The creatures screeched and clawed at the watery surface, unable to break through. The rest charged. Cassis and the others met them head-on, blades flashing. Marcus unleashed his Magic Missile, striking a snarling beast in the chest. Arianna joined the fray, swinging her mace and feeling the satisfying crunch of impact. For a moment, it seemed almost easy. Then her barrier wavered. "Barrier¡¯s breaking!" she shouted. The water wall collapsed, and the remaining monsters surged forward. But they were ready. The fight dragged on for a few more tense minutes, but eventually, the last monster fell. Arianna took a deep breath, scanning their group. A few scrapes, a couple of bruises¡ªbut nothing serious. No one needed healing. "Nice work," Cassis said, rolling his shoulders. "Let¡¯s get inside before more show up." They hurried to the back door, where Danielle immediately started rummaging through a nearby box. A moment later, she pulled out a small key. Arianna blinked. "You have a key to the back entrance?" Danielle smirked. "Technically, no. But Helen is good at¡­ bending the rules." Marcus snickered. "Right. A model administrative clerk." Danielle grinned at him, a shared history flashing between them. Arianna had a feeling there were some interesting stories there. But now wasn¡¯t the time for stories. They slipped inside, closing the door behind them as quietly as possible. Their fight had been fast. Not too loud. But in a city overrun with monsters, you never knew who¡ªor what¡ªwas listening. The corridors of City Hall were eerily silent. Dust motes floated in the dim light filtering through the windows, and Arianna¡¯s boots barely made a sound on the scuffed tile floor. Their group moved cautiously, following the faint sound of voices echoing from deeper inside the building. The tension was palpable as they neared a corner. The voices became clearer¡ªheated, desperate. "Going out is suicide. We¡¯re staying here until the police or military come!" "We need to go to the hospital. They aren¡¯t going to make it if we don¡¯t treat their wounds!" "And how are we supposed to do that? It¡¯s full of monsters out there!" "But we can¡¯t just do nothing!" The last voice cracked with emotion, raw with frustration. Arianna exchanged a glance with Cassis. He took a deep breath, then stepped forward, calling out, ¡°Hi there, we¡¯re here to help. Don¡¯t attack.¡± The arguing stopped instantly. Silence filled the air, thick with apprehension. Arianna kept close behind Cassis as they rounded the corner, stepping into a large room near the front of the building. Seven people were gathered there, their expressions wary and exhausted. Makeshift barricades of overturned desks and chairs blocked the entrance, though they wouldn¡¯t last long if the horde outside descended on them. And from the looks of outside it was only a matter of time. The man who had been arguing, a stocky guy with a buzz cut and a bloodstained shirt, stepped forward, eyes narrowed. ¡°Who are you people?¡± Cassis kept his tone even. ¡°I¡¯m Cassis Walker. This is my family¡ªmy mother Danielle, my father Marcus, my brother Liam¡ªand this is Arianna Sloane.¡± He paused, then added, ¡°We¡¯re looking for Luke Bristol.¡± The man remained stiff with suspicion, but before he could respond, one of the women gasped. ¡°Wait¡ªWalker? Cassis, Danielle, Marcus and Liam? Arianna Sloane?¡± She stared at them, eyes widening in shock. ¡°Are you those people? The ones from the world announcement?¡± Arianna stiffened slightly. She hadn¡¯t expected them to be recognized so quickly. ¡°Yes,¡± Cassis answered simply. The atmosphere shifted. The suspicion in their eyes gave way to something else¡ªrelief, curiosity, maybe even hope. The man exhaled, his posture relaxing, though his sharp gaze remained. ¡°Alright¡­ that explains a lot. But how did you get in here? The front¡¯s been overrun all morning.¡± Danielle smirked. ¡°We used the special entrance.¡± At his blank look, she added, ¡°Helen¡¯s way in.¡± The man blinked¡ªthen burst out laughing. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s Helen.¡± The tension in the room eased instantly. Arianna couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow. Just who is this Helen? First, she had an illegal spare key left outside in a box. Now, people just accepted of course Helen like some kind of universal truth. Curiosity sparked in her mind, but for now, they had more pressing matters to deal with. Arianna frowned, remembering the heated argument they had overheard. ¡°You mentioned people were injured,¡± she said, stepping forward. ¡°How bad is it?¡± Terrence, the man with the buzz cut, let out a tired breath and rubbed his forehead. ¡°Bad,¡± he admitted. ¡°When the monsters first attacked, we fought them off. There were around sixty of us here¡ªemployees, visitors, just people trying to get paperwork done.¡± His jaw tightened. ¡°Seventeen died.¡± A heavy silence fell over the room. Arianna swallowed, her grip tightening around her mace. It was one thing to know how bad the apocalypse was, another to hear the numbers. ¡°The rest of us managed to barricade the front doors,¡± Terrence continued. ¡°We thought we¡¯d be safe, but for some reason, the monsters just keep gathering out there.¡± He gestured vaguely toward the entrance. ¡°We blocked off the corridors leading here, too, just in case, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll hold much longer.¡± ¡°And the wounded?¡± Cassis asked. Terrence sighed. ¡°Most of us are injured in some way, but five of them¡ª¡± His voice faltered, and he looked at the man beside him. Max, the man he had argued with earlier, stepped forward, his expression bleak. ¡°Five of them won¡¯t make it without real treatment. My wife is one of them.¡± His voice wavered, and he quickly clenched his jaw. ¡°We moved them upstairs, third floor, behind the ¡®Employees Only¡¯ door. It¡¯s the sturdiest one in the building.¡± Cassis nodded. ¡°We can help,¡± he said simply. Terrence¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise, but Arianna caught the quick flash of hope behind them. ¡°You have medical supplies?¡± Max asked, barely containing his urgency. ¡°Better,¡± Cassis said. ¡°We have healing magic.¡± Max inhaled sharply. A few of the clerks exchanged glances, some skeptical, others daring to believe. The woman who had recognized them didn¡¯t waste time questioning it. ¡°Max, take them upstairs.¡± Terrence nodded. Max didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He was already moving toward the stairwell, gesturing for them to follow. Arianna exchanged a glance with Cassis before gripping her mace tighter and stepping forward. If they could save lives, they would. The second they entered the archive room and break area, Arianna¡¯s chest tightened. The space was packed with injured people¡ªsome lying on the floor, others propped against shelves or makeshift bedding, with the less injured tending to the worst off. The heavy scent of blood, sweat, and desperation clung to the air. Most of these people would survive without her help, but then Max hurriedly led them deeper into the room, where the most critical patients lay. The first man she saw was missing a leg. A hastily tied tourniquet kept him from bleeding out, but his skin was pallid, and his breathing shallow. Arianna saw Marcus flinch at the sight, his hand unconsciously clenching over his own stump. Another man had a head wound, his face too still, his chest barely rising. A woman was curled up in pain, deep slashes across her torso still seeping blood. Another woman¡ªArianna swallowed hard¡ªhad chunks of flesh missing, like something had taken a bite out of her. The sight made her stomach churn. The last man was lying on his front, his back shredded beyond recognition, wounds still open and raw. Arianna didn¡¯t waste a second. She rushed to the closest person, placed her hands over their wounds, and let her healing magic flow. A soft, golden light spread from her palms, sealing flesh, knitting skin back together. She moved quickly, going from one person to the next. Each spell drained her, but she didn¡¯t stop¡ªnot when she could still move, still help. Gasps of astonishment filled the room as wounds disappeared before their eyes. Max let out a choked sob as his wife¡¯s breathing evened out, her slashes fading as if they had never existed. He dropped to his knees, hugging her, whispering thanks through his tears. By the time Arianna finished, she felt lightheaded. Her mana had grown with her level-ups, but the injuries had been severe. She sat down heavily, her vision momentarily swimming. Liam was beside her in an instant, his face creased with worry. ¡°Are you okay?¡± She forced a tired smile. ¡°Just exhausted. Used a lot of mana.¡± Liam nodded, his expression softening. ¡°You did great.¡± Arianna exhaled and looked around, searching for Danielle and Marcus. They were across the room, talking animatedly with a small, round woman who had short red hair, oversized glasses, and a warm but mischievous smile. Danielle and the woman embraced tightly, laughing and whispering hurried words to each other. Is that Helen? Arianna wondered. Meanwhile, Cassis was speaking to a slightly injured man, his arm held awkwardly at his side. After a moment, Cassis turned, meeting Arianna¡¯s gaze before walking over with the man. ¡°This is Luke Bristol,¡± Cassis said. Arianna blinked and sat up straighter. ¡°So, you¡¯re Nadine¡¯s husband.¡± Luke¡¯s face was tight with emotion. ¡°My wife is really okay? What about our daughter? The announcement didn¡¯t say her name, but I thought¡ª¡± ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± Cassis reassured him. ¡°And from now until she turns fourteen, she¡¯ll be protected from monsters.¡± Luke¡¯s shoulders sagged in relief, his breath escaping in a shaky exhale. Arianna reached for his injured arm and pressed her hands against it, sending another pulse of healing magic through him. The bone mended beneath her fingers, and Luke¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°It would have healed on its own,¡± she told him, ¡°but you wouldn¡¯t be able to fight like that.¡± Luke flexed his fingers and let out a breath. ¡°Thank you.¡± Arianna just nodded. Because even though he was safe now, they all knew the fighting wasn¡¯t over. Chapter 23 The Second Stand – Cassis Chapter 23 The Second Stand ¨C Cassis Cassis barely had time to process everything before a loud shout echoed through the room. ¡°Mr. Walker!¡± He turned just in time to see a boy¡ªaround fifteen¡ªrunning straight at him. Before he could react, the kid barrelled into him, wrapping him in a brief but tight hug before suddenly pulling back, looking embarrassed. ¡°Mr. Walker, it¡¯s really you! The announcement was really about you.¡± Cassis blinked. It took him a second to place the face, but then recognition hit. ¡°Ben?¡± Ben Jacobs. A student from his sophomore history class. A decent kid¡ªnever caused trouble, got average grades, and mostly kept to himself. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Cassis asked, frowning. It was Friday afternoon¡ªwhy would he be at City Hall instead of home or out with friends? ¡°My mom needed to take care of some paperwork,¡± Ben explained quickly. ¡°She wanted to take advantage of the extended hours today. I had to come along to look after my little sister, and then we were gonna go to the arcade.¡± As if on cue, a woman and a young girl¡ªprobably around twelve¡ªapproached. Cassis had never met Ben¡¯s mother before. Ben had always been one of those students who never needed calls home, never got into trouble. ¡°Mr. Walker, nice to meet you,¡± the woman said, offering a small but relieved smile. Cassis nodded back. ¡°I¡¯m glad you and the kids are alright.¡± Ben grinned, looking comforted by his teacher¡¯s presence, and his sister peered up at Cassis with wide, curious eyes. Arianna suddenly appeared at his side, giving him an amused glance. ¡°So you really are a teacher.¡± Her voice came through their party chat. ¡°This is kinda weird, but also kinda heartwarming.¡± She smiled, but Cassis didn¡¯t reply. He didn¡¯t know what to say. Before the conversation could continue, the door to the room was thrown open with a bang. Terrence stood in the doorway, panting. ¡°The barricade won¡¯t hold much longer!¡± Then he paused, eyes widening as he took in the healed people around the room. Cassis stepped forward, taking control. ¡°Terrence, get the rest of your people up. Who here has already awakened?¡± More than half the room raised their hands¡ªincluding Ben. Cassis clenched his jaw, his heart twisting at the sight. Ben was only fifteen. Just a little too old to be considered a child by the system. He had been thrown into this just like the rest of them. The numbers were about what Cassis had expected, but still¡­ ¡°Has anyone reached level five yet?¡± he asked. Silence. No hands went up. No classes yet. That was bad. They were about to face a wave of monsters, and half their group didn¡¯t even have an awakener body yet. This was going to be rough. Cassis didn¡¯t let his expression falter. ¡°Alright. Everyone has to fight, except for the children. Grab some kind of weapon¡ªanything you can use. We¡¯re going to hold the monsters at the staircase on the second floor. That¡¯ll give us space to fall back if we need to.¡± He made eye contact with each of the new awakeners. ¡°Those of you who haven¡¯t awakened yet¡ªtry to land a finishing blow on a monster yourself. Awakeners, try to reach level five. Once you do, you can pick from the four basic classes: Warrior, Ranger, Mage, or Cleric. They¡¯re pretty much like the ones in video games. Ben can explain it later.¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. He shot Ben a quick wink, he remembered that Ben had been into video games big time. The boy had been looking nervous, but now, with a task to focus on, his back straightened with determination. Cassis turned back to the group. ¡°My team will take the front line. The rest of you stand behind us and attack when you can. Dad, Arianna¡ªyou¡¯re support. Do what you can.¡± Everyone scrambled to obey. Some older people grouped around Ben, bombarding him with quiet, hurried questions about classes. Others took deep breaths, gripping their makeshift weapons. They stepped down the staircase towards the second floor. Coming up, heavy footsteps echoed as Terrence¡¯s group arrived, taking position. Luke Bristol stepped up beside Cassis, rolling his shoulders, his expression grim but determined. He intended to fight. He intended to survive, to see his wife and daughter again. And then¡ª A guttural roar tore through the building. The barricades had failed. The monsters were inside. Cassis fought on pure instinct. Attack. Defend. Dodge. Move. It had been fourteen years in the other timeline. Fourteen years of this. His body moved on its own, his sword finding weak points, his footwork sharp, his reactions honed. His mind barely had time to process each enemy as he cut them down. It was the second time in less than twenty-four hours that he had to take a stand like this. But this time, the staircase was wider. The monsters had more space to attack. They surged forward like a tide, their roars and growls filling the air, their claws and weapons flashing in the dim light. But they weren¡¯t overwhelmed¡ªnot yet. His mother and brother were stronger now. They held their ground better. His father was still launching Magic Missiles at the horde, but now he also used his staff to trip the monsters, helping others land the final blows they needed to awaken. Luke Bristol was doing his best, switching in and out of the front line with Terrence, their movements rough but determined. Arianna hadn¡¯t used Heal yet¡ªshe was saving her mana¡ªbut she fought the way his father did, using her mace to crush skulls and shatter limbs. The monsters kept coming. Then a scream. Someone had been injured. Arianna pushed through the line, pressing her hands against the wound, light flaring under her palms. The man gasped in relief, and then she was back in position, her expression tight. The fight continued. Then the orc appeared. It was E-rank. Too strong for the unclassed fighters. It stormed up the stairs, pushing aside the smaller monsters like they were nothing. Cassis cursed under his breath. ¡°That¡¯s going to be a problem.¡± His father fired Magic Missiles at it in quick succession, slowing it down. Cassis used the opportunity to go for the kill, slashing deep into its chest with his flaming sword. It howled, staggering back, and then collapsed. No time to rest. The battle pressed on. They had to retreat a few stairs to keep their advantage. Then another E-rank. A panther this time. It moved too fast for Cassis to track, weaving between the fighters. His father was out of mana. The beast lunged for his mother. She barely blocked its claws with her sword, but it was fast. Too fast. Then it went for Liam. The panther¡¯s fangs sank into his side. Liam shouted in pain as the creature tried to drag him away. Luke Bristol lunged forward, grabbing onto Liam and pulling back with all his strength. Cassis was there in an instant. He slashed his Fire Blade across the panther¡¯s back, stabbed into vulnerable flesh and then activated Flame Burst on his sword. Fire roared through the wound, cooking the beast from the inside. It let out a strangled screech and collapsed. Luke hauled Liam back behind the fighters. Arianna was already kneeling beside him, hands glowing as she healed his wounds. Liam gritted his teeth. ¡°I was too slow again.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get better,¡± Cassis promised, gripping his shoulder. He met his brother¡¯s eyes, holding his gaze for a long moment. Then¡ª A scream from the front line. A massive figure stepped onto the stairs. A Minotaur. Another E-rank. The fighters panicked, falling back. The line broke. ¡°Everyone, retreat to the second line!¡± Cassis ordered. The fighers and new awakeners ran for the higher ground where a second group waited in front of the Employees Only door. Cassis didn¡¯t retreat. He sprinted toward the minotaur. Thanks to his Monsterbane I title, most of the F-rank monsters ignored him in favour of easier prey. He reached the minotaur unchallenged, just as it swung its massive scimitar. He blocked. The force of the impact rattled his arms. The minotaur was strong. They traded blows. His sword against its scimitar. Then¡ªan opening. Arianna struck it from behind. The minotaur roared, kicking out with one massive hoof. But Arianna had already danced back out of range. Cassis lunged in to take advantage of the distraction, driving his sword toward its chest¡ª Too shallow. It wasn¡¯t enough. Their fight continued. Then he heard more screams and roars from above. The monsters had reached the second line. They would have to hold out without him. He had to finish the minotaur. Arianna attacked the minotaur again, but this time¡ªit was ready. Its blade cut across her leg. She fell. The minotaur turned, raising its weapon for the killing blow. Its back was to Cassis. A fatal mistake. He drove his flaming sword straight through its spine. The minotaur let out a strangled roar and collapsed. Cassis turned¡ªjust in time to see Arianna smash a kobold in the skull with her mace. She was injured now. The weaker monsters saw her as prey again. More of them rushed toward her. Cassis didn¡¯t hesitate. He moved to her side, sword raised. They fought back to back. The battle raged on around them. Above them¡ªout of sight¡ªthe screams and roars continued. Chapter 24: Aftermath – Arianna Chapter 24: Aftermath ¨C Arianna Cassis killed the last monster, and Arianna let the Water Barrier dissolve, breathing hard. The barrier had bought them precious moments during the fight¡ªprotecting both herself and Cassis, as well as those upstairs. She could only hope it had been enough. As the water dissipated, a trickle of mana returned to her, but it was so little compared to what she had spent. Her limbs felt heavy. Exhaustion pressed down on her like a weight, but the familiar chime of a system message rang in her ears. [Congratulations. You have survived the first monster wave by eliminating all hostile creatures within a 1 km radius. Level gained. Title: Monster Bane I gained. Title: Superior Survivor gained.] [Error] [Already overcame the first monster wave] [Recalculating Rewards...] [Congratulations. You have survived another monster wave by eliminating all hostile creatures within a 1 km radius. Level gained. Title: Helping Hand gained.] [Recorded in Avaria¡¯s Hall of Fame] Arianna frowned. The error message was strange, but she was too drained to think about it now. Later. Right now, she needed to get upstairs. There would be injuries. She turned to climb the stairs, but her legs refused to obey. The moment she shifted her weight, her knees buckled. She stumbled against Cassis. His arms wrapped around her, steady and warm. He was tired, too¡ªshe could see it in the way his shoulders slumped, in the exhaustion lining his face¡ªbut he stayed upright, holding her up with ease. "Upstairs," she managed to say. "Healing." Cassis didn¡¯t argue. He simply nodded. He understood. Before they could move, footsteps pounded against the stairs. ¡°Cassis! Arianna!¡± Danielle came rushing down, her face streaked with dirt and tears. Behind her, Marcus and Liam followed, both looking exhausted but unharmed. Danielle threw her arms around them, squeezing them tight. ¡°You¡¯re alright!¡± Cassis rolled his eyes. ¡°Mom, you knew we were alright. We¡¯re in a party. You can see our status.¡± Danielle sniffed, tightening her grip. ¡°It¡¯s not the same as seeing you be alright.¡± Danielle finally let them go, stepping back to wipe at her eyes. Arianna turned to her, trying to focus. ¡°Danielle¡­ does anyone need healing upstairs?¡± Danielle¡¯s expression darkened, and Marcus was the one who answered, his voice quiet. ¡°Five died during the attack. The rest are just injured.¡± Arianna swallowed hard. Five. She was so tired. She barely had any mana left. But she could still save some people. So, she forced herself to move. One step at a time, she dragged herself upstairs. When she reached the top, the sight of the dead met her. Five bodies, laid out carefully. For two bodies not much was left, they had been torn to shreds. Three looked still normal like they were sleeping but with wounds all over them, but Arianna could feel the weight of their loss pressing against her chest. Could I have saved them? The thought clawed at her, sharp and painful. If I had been stronger¡­ faster¡­ could I have¡ª A warm hand settled on her back. Cassis. He didn¡¯t say much. He didn¡¯t have to. ¡°Not your fault,¡± he murmured. Arianna turned to look at him, their eyes meeting. She knew he was right. She couldn¡¯t save everyone. But it felt like she should be able to. In the other timeline had he felt like this, too? She took a shaky breath, then turned away from the dead. There were still people she could save. Seven were in critical condition. Terrence and Helen had already sorted through the injured, prioritizing those who needed immediate care. It was a kindness¡ªone she didn¡¯t have the strength to thank them for. Arianna rolled up her sleeves, ignoring the exhaustion clawing at her bones. One by one, she began to heal. Arianna healed the last patient, watching as the worst of their wounds sealed shut. Then, the familiar wave of nausea hit her. Her head pounded. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. It was the same as before¡ªmana depletion. She pressed her hands against her stomach, trying to steady herself, but the room felt like it was tilting. "Here." A bottle of water appeared in front of her. Cassis knelt beside her, his expression unreadable but firm. "Drink and meditate. Get your mana back. I''ll take care of everything here." Arianna was too drained to argue. Her voice barely above a whisper, she managed, "Alright. Thanks." She unscrewed the cap with shaky fingers and took slow sips, the cool water soothing her throat. Then, she shifted into a meditative position, legs crossed, hands resting on her lap. With a deep breath, she reached inward, focusing on the flow of mana in her body. She had done this before¡ªfollowing the cool, blue veins of water mana running beneath her skin, feeling the gentle pulse of power moving with her blood, seeing the individual water mana crystals inside the stream of power. But this time, she tried something new. Instead of just following the mana inside her, she stretched her senses outward. And she saw it. Tiny crystals of blue mana surrounded her, scattered like mist in the air. She reached for them, trying to pull them toward her. The mana responded¡ªbut sluggishly. It barely trickled into her. Her frustration was just beginning to build when she felt it¡ª A warm pulse against her chest. Her fingers had unconsciously curled around her necklace, the sapphire pendant resting against her skin. And suddenly, it moved. The sapphire pulled at the outside mana, absorbing the water element from the air and feeding it directly into her. Arianna gasped at the sensation. It felt like she was a glass being filled¡ªthe mana flowing into her in a steady stream, refreshing her from the inside out. She adjusted, guiding the new energy to swirl alongside her blood, allowing it to settle naturally into her body. Already, she felt so much better. Her headache dulled. Her stomach unknotted. She wasn¡¯t fully recovered, but she could function again. For a while longer, she continued to meditate, still clutching the necklace. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Then, when she was sure she had regained enough mana, she exhaled slowly and opened her eyes. She got up. Arianna still felt a little off-balance from her meditation, but the moment she stepped toward the group that was still centred around Cassis, Helen intercepted her. With a warm smile and casual small talk, Helen gently guided her away from the others, leading her into one of the archive rooms. The room was dim, lit only by the glow of a single computer screen, and cluttered with stacks of paper files. Arianna was about to ask what this was about when Helen turned to her, expression unreadable. ¡°Who are you, really?¡± Arianna blinked. ¡°What?¡± Helen¡¯s lips curled into an amused but knowing smile. ¡°I looked you up in the citizen registry. There¡¯s no record of an Arianna Sloane anywhere.¡± Arianna¡¯s heart lurched. The world government of Avaria kept a meticulous database of its citizens? Of course, they did. How had she not considered that before? In her own world there was no world government only different countries and alliances. If it had been her world, at least she could have said she was from a different country. There were tons of problems verifying people without passports. She must have gone pale because Helen chuckled lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t look so panicked, dear. I was just curious after that world announcement.¡± She gestured toward the computer. ¡°This branch is responsible for maintaining the registry for our country. I thought I¡¯d check up on our new ¡®heroes.¡¯¡± Arianna felt like her throat had closed up. What could she even say to that? ¡°I¡ª¡± She swallowed. ¡°I didn¡¯t know the database still worked.¡± Helen nodded. ¡°It barely does. I can¡¯t reach any external networks, but our internal system is still functioning.¡± She tapped the side of the monitor. ¡°And according to this, you don¡¯t exist.¡± Arianna clenched her hands. Shit. She had no idea how to explain this. Helen, however, just smiled knowingly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t ask questions. You and the Walkers saved my life. That¡¯s good enough for me.¡± Arianna exhaled a little. ¡°But,¡± Helen continued, ¡°you do need to be registered. Once the government gets their systems back online, they¡¯ll check the database. If they see you¡¯re missing, they¡¯ll start asking questions.¡± Arianna shivered at the idea. Helen powered up the computer, fingers flying across the keyboard. ¡°Let¡¯s fix that, shall we?¡± Arianna barely had time to process before Helen began inputting her details. Name: Arianna Sloane Age: 27 Birthdate: August 27, 1997 Birthplace: [Mercy Hospital Vallendale] Occupation: Accountant Education: [Reed Elementary School], [Reed Middle and High school], [University of Vallendale ¨C Accounting Masters] Parents: No other relatives. Helen paused and glanced at her. ¡°Current address?¡± Arianna hesitated. ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°237 West Elm Street, Apartment 4B, Vallendale, VA 02917.¡± Cassis¡¯ voice came from behind her. She turned, surprised to see him standing in the doorway. ¡°Where is that?¡± she asked. ¡°My place,¡± he said simply. That¡­ made sense. His home was real, already in the system. If anyone asked, they could just say she was staying with him. ¡°Alright,¡± she agreed. Helen nodded in approval and continued filling out the form. She asked a few more questions¡ªdetails about Arianna¡¯s supposed life, her job, her history. Cassis helped answer some, making sure they were consistent with her new identity. Finally, Helen leaned back in her chair, satisfied. ¡°That should do it.¡± She typed a few more lines. ¡°I¡¯ll make it look like your record was created at birth and updated later with your adult information.¡± Arianna exhaled. ¡°Thank you.¡± Helen just waved her off, smiling. ¡°Thanks, Aunt Helen,¡± Cassis added, his voice filled with real gratitude. Arianna blinked. Aunt? Over the party chat, she sent Cassis a quick message. You¡¯re related? No, he replied. But she¡¯s one of my mom¡¯s best friends. She¡¯s always been around. She was the ¡®fun, adventure aunt.¡¯ That explained a lot. Still, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, Then, why didn¡¯t you mention coming to save her before? We thought she was on vacation. We had no idea where she was. It was just luck that she was here. Arianna turned back to Helen, who was watching them both with a mischievous smile. ¡°So,¡± Helen said, tilting her head playfully. ¡°The two of you are living together?¡± Arianna frowned, confused by her tone. Cassis groaned. ¡°Helen¡ª¡± Helen ignored him and smirked at Arianna. ¡°Cassis, why didn¡¯t you tell me you had a girlfriend?¡± Arianna choked on air. Helen was clearly teasing them, but the implication still caught her off guard. ¡°We¡¯re not¡ª¡± Arianna started, but Helen just laughed. Cassis sighed heavily. ¡°Ignore her.¡± Helen gave them both a wink before turning serious again. ¡°I won¡¯t ask questions,¡± she said, folding her arms. ¡°I¡¯ve seen my fair share of the government¡¯s darker side. I know they have people raised in the shadows¡ªpeople that don¡¯t officially exist.¡± Arianna stiffened. Helen continued, ¡°When the government gets back on its feet, they will try to use you. It¡¯s better if you move independently.¡± Arianna stared at her. That was¡­ a surprisingly sensible theory. If Helen thought Arianna was some kind of secret government operative, or a victim of a cover-up, or even a criminal erased from the system¡ªit all made a hell of a lot more sense than the real reason she didn¡¯t exist. Arianna let out a slow breath and nodded. ¡°Understood.¡± Helen smiled. ¡°Good girl.¡± Helen finished typing on her computer and leaned back with a satisfied smirk. ¡°You two better get your story straight,¡± she said, closing out of the screen. ¡°Cassis, your mother is definitely going to have questions about you living together.¡± Before either of them could protest, she¡¯d already gone halfway out the door. ¡°I¡¯ll go fill her in,¡± she added cheerfully, and then she was gone¡ªvanishing in a whirlwind of mischief, the door clicking shut behind her before Arianna could stop her. Arianna turned to Cassis, wide-eyed. He groaned, running a hand through his hair. ¡°What do we do now?¡± she asked. With a long sigh, he shook his head. ¡°She¡¯s going to tell my mom and dad she looked you up and found out we¡¯re living together. Aunt Helen loves stirring up trouble.¡± He exhaled. ¡°The easiest way out of this is to come up with a solid reason why we¡¯re living together.¡± Arianna thought for a moment. ¡°What if I lost my apartment and you took me in?¡± Cassis shook his head. ¡°Doesn¡¯t work. I live in a one-bedroom apartment. Kind of hard to explain two people sharing a space like that if we¡¯re just friends.¡± Realization dawned on her. ¡°So you mean¡­?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, resigned. ¡°Let¡¯s just pretend we¡¯re in a relationship. It¡¯s the simplest explanation.¡± He started listing on his fingers. ¡°It explains why we live together¡ªbecause we were dating and then you lost your place, so you moved in. It explains why you were with me when I was on my way to my mom¡¯s birthday¡ªI was going to introduce you as my girlfriend. And it explains why we¡¯ll basically be together all the time from now on.¡± Arianna blinked. ¡°We will?¡± Cassis gave her a dry look. ¡°Oh, absolutely. I have this feeling that if I let you out of my sight, you¡¯ll immediately get into trouble.¡± Arianna couldn¡¯t even argue with that. She sighed. ¡°Well¡­ I guess that¡¯s settled then.¡± Then Cassis looked at her with a wide grin. As he stepped closer, Arianna instinctively backed up until she hit the computer desk. He leaned down slightly, placing his hands on either side of her hips, trapping her in place. ¡°Um, what...?¡± she asked, confused. Cassis grinned down at her. ¡°The last point is that if we end up in situations like this, no one will blink an eye.¡± Arianna was suddenly very aware of how close he was. His body heat, the light scent of him¡ªhe smelled nice, she realized. How did that work with all the monster blood both of them had on them? His tone was casual, teasing even. Was he playing with her? Cassis? How was he in the mood to joke right now? But it worked. Her own mood became lighter. She inhaled sharply and met his gaze. Two could play this game. Smirking, she lifted her hands and placed them on his chest, slowly sliding them up to his shoulders. His eyebrow arched slightly, but he didn¡¯t move away. Instead, she hooked her arms behind his neck, pulling him lower. What had started as playful banter suddenly shifted into something else. The air between them grew thick with tension. Her eyes flicked from his to his lips¡ªhe licked them. She wasn¡¯t sure if she pulled him closer or if he leaned in on his own, but their lips were about to meet when¡ª The door slammed open. Danielle strode in. Arianna and Cassis sprang apart, but it was too late¡ªDanielle had already seen them. Arianna liked Danielle, she really did, but thinking back to that morning, she was almost certain Danielle had been the one to slam the door so loudly and interrupt them then, too. And now again. That woman had the worst timing. Danielle folded her arms and gave them both a knowing look, her lips curving into a smirk. ¡°So¡­ are either of you going to explain what I just walked in on, or do I have to start making my own wildly entertaining assumptions?¡± Arianna felt her face heat up. ¡°It¡¯s not¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s exactly what it looked like,¡± Cassis cut in smoothly, shooting Arianna a glance before turning back to his mother. ¡°Arianna and I are together.¡± Danielle¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Together, huh?¡± She narrowed her eyes at them, but there was more amusement than suspicion in her gaze. ¡°Funny how you forgot to mention that earlier.¡± ¡°We weren¡¯t really planning on making a big deal out of it yet,¡± Cassis said with an easy shrug. ¡°Given the whole, you know, apocalypse situation.¡± Danielle hummed, unconvinced. ¡°Uh-huh. Helen has just discovered that you two live together, and now I walk in on you looking very cozy? But it¡¯s not a big deal to know my son is living with his girlfriend?¡± Arianna cleared her throat, trying to steer the conversation before Danielle pushed further. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a recent thing. We were going to tell you about it on Friday.¡± Danielle tapped a finger against her chin, considering. ¡°Well, I suppose it does make sense. You¡¯ve always been the overprotective type, Cassis. And Arianna, you are nice enough but you seem to jump into danger quite often.¡± Arianna groaned. ¡°I do not¡ª¡± ¡°She absolutely does,¡± Cassis said at the same time. Danielle laughed, shaking her head. She noticed Marcus and Liam who had also come in and fills them in. Marcus warmly smiled at her and Liam happily waved at her. ¡°Well, welcome to the family, Arianna.¡± Danielle pulled her into a quick hug before stepping back with a wink. ¡°This is a great birthday present. My forever single son finally brought home a serious girlfriend. And he¡¯s even living with her.¡± Some tears came to Arianna¡¯s eyes. She hadn¡¯t been called family for years now and it hit differently hearing Danielle say it. Cassis noticed. Without a word, he pulled her into a tight embrace, shielding her face from the others so they wouldn¡¯t see the tears welling in her eyes. Guilt twisted in her stomach. Deceiving them felt wrong¡ªthese were good people. And then, as if the universe itself had heard her thoughts, a system message appeared. [+50 CP (for deceiving mortals)] Arianna stared at it, momentarily speechless. Her inner scale shifted slightly. It still leaned toward the virtuous side¡ªshe had saved mortals again, after all¡ªbut not as much as before. And if the system considered this deception, then what about everything else? The entire Sapphire persona was a lie. She was deceiving all these kind people. [+50 CP (for deceiving mortals)] And the false identity Helen had created for her? That had to be worse. She had deceived not just individuals, but an entire government. [+100 CP (for deceiving a mortal government)] Arianna sighed internally. Sometimes, she really didn¡¯t understand the system. Chapter 25 One more trip – Cassis Chapter 25 One more trip ¨C Cassis As soon as Cassis, Arianna, and the others stepped out of the archive room, they were met by Terrence, who stood in their path with his arms crossed. His expression was serious but not unfriendly. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be an asshole,¡± Terrence began, his gaze flickering between Cassis and Arianna, ¡°but I think we all deserve to know¡ªhow the hell are you two so strong?¡± Cassis smiled, sensing an opportunity. Not just to satisfy the survivors¡¯ curiosity, but to spread her name. He had no idea what would happen if Arianna¡ªno, Sapphire¡ªbecame more famous, but he was certain there had to be a reason why, in the other timeline, some Awakeners practically shouted their patrons¡¯ names from the rooftops. And, if he was being honest, the thought of Arianna¡¯s reaction made it all the more tempting. She would get flustered. Her cheeks would turn pink, her eyes would widen slightly, and she might even¡ªyes, there it was. She was already looking wary, sensing something was up. He fought back a smirk and turned to address the group. ¡°Actually, we had some help,¡± he said, his tone carefully casual. ¡°When Arianna and I killed our first monsters, a deity called Sapphire took an interest in us and offered to be our patron. Accepting her offer gave us certain advantages¡ªfaster level progression, more strength, access to knowledge about the apocalypse that others don¡¯t have.¡± A murmur rippled through the group. Cassis continued smoothly, ¡°For example, you all saw the system message after the battle, right? It called this attack the first wave. What you don¡¯t know is that the wave has a time limit¡ªforty-eight hours. That means it¡¯ll be over soon. After that, most of the monsters will disappear, most heading to newly formed dungeons. Only the mutated animals and plants from our world will remain, except for a few stragglers.¡± Terrence frowned, considering this. ¡°How do you know all that?¡± ¡°Sapphire told us.¡± Cassis gestured vaguely upward, as if referencing some higher power. ¡°She sometimes gives us items, like our weapons and defensive gear. She can¡¯t do everything, but without her, we wouldn¡¯t be as strong as we are now.¡± Now, he did smirk¡ªbecause he was watching her. Arianna¡¯s face was burning red. She shot him a sharp look that very clearly said, What the hell are you doing? Then, as if realizing she was being too obvious, she stuck out her tongue at him. His smirk widened. Adorable. Terrence, however, wasn¡¯t done. ¡°This patron of yours¡ªdoes she have a mission? A goal?¡± Cassis shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± That much was true in the sense that he didn¡¯t think Arianna had any kind of goal right now, and it was also the safest answer to give. The less people knew, the better. A few more questions followed, most of which Cassis dodged with variations of I don¡¯t know or She hasn¡¯t told us. But the important thing? People were listening. And the name Sapphire was spreading. And if Cassis had learned anything from his last life, it was that power wasn¡¯t just about strength. It was also about influence. He hadn¡¯t been like this in his last life. Maybe he had been too angry, too depressed, too much in his despair to care about influencing others. For some reason he had had this drive to survive but beyond that he often had felt empty. As the conversation continued, Cassis took note of the changes happening among the survivors. Some of the stronger fighters in the larger groups had reached Level 5, either from their kills during the battle or simply from surviving the first wave. From what he could gather, their rewards weren¡¯t as generous as what his own group had received. Was it because they had helped? Did that factor into the system¡¯s calculations? The survivors had all gained a level, the title Superior Survivor, and another title that seemed tailored to their individual contributions. It wasn¡¯t too different from what Cassis and his group had received after this second large battle¡ªone level up, and a personalized title. Arianna¡¯s new title was very useful. [Helping Hand] Given to an awakener who turns around in extreme situations and offers those slower than themselves a helping hand. Bonus: Support and healing spells cost 10% less mana. It suited her. It wasn¡¯t a combat-related title, but it reflected the way she kept putting herself at risk to help others. Whether it was dragging injured survivors to safety or healing those in need, she never hesitated. The mana reduction bonus was small, but in the long run, it would add up. Then, he checked his own title. [Steadfast Leader] Given to an awakener who leads a group of 20 people or more and keeps their cool even in dire circumstances. Bonus: People will be more inclined to listen to your opinions and orders. Cassis frowned slightly. He wasn¡¯t quite sure how to feel about it. He had never received a title focused on people before. His previous life had been all about strength, fighting, surviving on his own terms. But now? Now he had a title centred around leadership. Sure, he had been leading, but only because there was no one else who knew what to do. He had the knowledge, the experience¡ªif he didn¡¯t take charge, people would die. That didn¡¯t mean he had ever wanted to be a leader. And yet, here he was. The system itself seemed to recognize it. His fingers twitched slightly at his side. Was this a sign that he was heading down a different path this time? One where survival wasn¡¯t just about himself but about the people around him? His gaze flickered toward Arianna. She had changed things. Maybe, in this life, he wasn¡¯t meant to walk alone. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. After checking in on his own group, Cassis turned back to the gathered survivors. ¡°We¡¯re heading out,¡± he announced, his voice carrying through the hall. ¡°We¡¯re going to check the school and the surrounding neighborhoods. There might still be survivors who need help.¡± At that, Ben immediately perked up. ¡°I¡¯ll come with you.¡± He straightened, determination clear in his eyes. ¡°I haven¡¯t picked a class yet, but I¡¯ve hit Level 5. My friends live near the school¡ªI need to see if they¡¯re okay.¡± His mother started to protest but then looked at the blood still sticking to her son then at her own hands stained red. She bit her lips and remained silent. Cassis nodded to her in understanding. Ben wasn¡¯t a fighter, but he had a good head on his shoulders. With the right class, he could be more likely to survive. Cassis would take care of him. ¡°Fine, but you should pick a class before we head out,¡± Cassis advised. ¡°Maybe a mage.¡± Ben hesitated, but before he could respond, others began stepping forward. Luke Bristol volunteered next. ¡°Count me in. Can¡¯t sit around while people out there are still in danger. You saved my Nadine and Violet, now I¡¯ll pay it forward and save other people.¡± Max and his wife, Susan, exchanged a glance before Max nodded. ¡°We¡¯re coming too.¡± Helen stretched with a lazy grin. ¡°I could use some fresh air. Let¡¯s go.¡± Most of the volunteers were already experienced fighters¡ªthose who had managed to hold their own against the first wave and consequently reached level 5. The rest of the survivors, however, looked exhausted or unwilling to set foot outside again. Cassis didn¡¯t blame them. The first time he had lived through this, he had felt the same way. ¡°I¡¯ll stay behind,¡± Terrence spoke up. ¡°Someone needs to make sure the rest of the group stays safe.¡± Cassis inclined his head in approval. Terrence had chosen the Warrior class upon hitting Level 5 and had the makings of a solid frontline fighter. Having him stay behind would keep the others safer. Just because there weren¡¯t any monsters in the area now didn¡¯t mean some wouldn¡¯t wander in in the next few hours. Helen, on the other hand, was already a Level 5 Ranger. Cassis was willing to bet she¡¯d take the Thief¡¯s route when she advanced her class¡ªexactly the kind of thing she would do. He smirked at the thought. In the end, the group was set. Two rangers: Helen and Susan, one mage: Ben, and five warriors: Max, Fiona, Boris, Juliano and Tim, joined them. Before they left, Cassis made sure everyone was properly armed. He handed Max his old basic sword, watching as the man tested its weight with an approving nod. Arianna followed suit, giving Ben her old baseball bat. Then, she turned to the rangers. With a flick of her hand, she pulled out a set of bows and quivers from her inventory¡ªbasic weapons, but more than enough to get the job done. ¡°From Sapphire. It¡¯s to make you more effective in a fight. The arrows will refill automatically by using your mana,¡± she informed them, handing them over. Susan turned the bow over in her hands, looking both awed and slightly overwhelmed. Helen, of course, took hers with an easy grin, already testing the drawstring. The other warriors would have to use what they had as Arianna¡¯s CP wasn¡¯t endless. With everyone armed and ready, Cassis turned toward the doors. ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± he said. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± And with that, they stepped out into the ruined streets, heading toward the school. The streets were eerily empty at first, the only sounds their careful footsteps echoing against the abandoned buildings. The absence of monsters was good¡ªCassis knew that would only hold for about a kilometre, just like the system had said. After walking over a kilometer from City Hall, the first groups of creatures started appearing. It began with small clusters of two or three, easily dispatched, but as they pressed forward, the numbers increased. Soon, they were facing groups of up to fifteen monsters at a time. This time, however, the fights weren¡¯t nearly as desperate. Cassis had instructed the new fighters to form their own party since each group was limited to ten members. He brought Ben and Helen into his own party, while the rest formed another with Susan as their leader. It was a good setup¡ªboth parties worked together smoothly, covering each other¡¯s backs as they pushed through the streets. The more they fought, the better the newcomers became. Their strikes were more confident, their teamwork improving with every encounter. Arianna, still low on mana, had taken to fighting purely with her mace, bashing in skulls with surprising efficiency. Cassis smirked to himself¡ªher [Chaotic Healer] title was proving to be quite fitting. Ben seemed to be following her and his father¡¯s example. Rather than relying on magic, he mostly used his baseball bat, swinging with all the force he could muster. Smart choice¡ªsaving mana now meant he¡¯d have it when they truly needed it. The fights continued as they carved their way toward the school, and soon the exhaustion began to set in. Cassis could see it in their movements¡ªthe slight hesitation in their attacks, the heavier breaths between swings. Even his own group, experienced as they were, wasn¡¯t immune to the toll of continuous battle. By the time they reached the school, Cassis made the call to stop. ¡°This way,¡± he said, leading them into a narrow alley they had just cleared. It was a defensible position, with a single entrance and enough space for them to sit and catch their breath. As they slumped against the walls or sat on the ground, the only sound for a moment was their collective panting. Cassis took stock of their condition noting exhaustion but the will to continue. He exhaled, glancing toward the school. Cassis checked the time. It was a little past noon. The monster wave would only last a few more hours, but there was something he hadn¡¯t told the others yet¡ªsomething critical. For the last hour of any monster wave, the creatures would enter a frenzy. It was as if they instinctively knew this was their last chance to kill and feed before they were forced back into their dungeons. During that final hour, monsters would become more aggressive, more unpredictable. They would roam further and attack at the slightest sound or smell, even going so far as to enter houses on their own. That meant they didn¡¯t have much time left to find the survivors and get them to a defensible location before the chaos erupted. Cassis knew that the school¡¯s janitor, Sinu, lived in the house right next to the school with his family. In the previous timeline, most people in this area had managed to survive¡ªuntil the frenzy. Then, one by one, they had fallen. Sinu and his family had been among the victims. Many of Cassis¡¯s former students and colleagues had died as well. He clenched his jaw. He wasn¡¯t going to let that happen again. But they didn¡¯t have time to go from house to house convincing every survivor to band together. They needed a plan. Switching to their private party chat, he reminded Arianna of the frenzy. She cursed over their chat. She had forgotten about it. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time before the frenzy starts. We need to warn our group, clear out as many monsters as possible, and find a stronghold.¡± Arianna was quiet for a moment before responding. ¡°The school would be ideal, but we don¡¯t know what¡¯s inside. Sinu¡¯s house might be easier to defend.¡± Cassis nodded to himself. ¡°Agreed. We should check his house first. If it¡¯s secure, we can use it. If not, we push for the school.¡± ¡°Alright. What about the other survivors? We can¡¯t just leave them scattered in their homes when the frenzy starts.¡± ¡°I know. That¡¯s the problem.¡± Cassis hesitated before adding, ¡°I have an idea. But I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s possible.¡± Arianna perked up. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Can you buy some kind of megaphone from the patron shop?¡± ¡°Wait a sec. Yeah, they¡¯re called amplifiers and cost only 20 CP. Are you thinking of¡­?¡± ¡°Yes, once we¡¯ve cleared most of the monsters in this area, I¡¯ll use it to broadcast a message. We¡¯ll say it¡¯s a revelation from a deity¡ªSapphire¡ªwarning about the monster frenzy and calling survivors to the school.¡± Arianna was silent for a moment. Then, she snorted. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually kind of brilliant. Play up the divine knowledge angle, get them to listen.¡± Cassis smirked. ¡°Exactly. If people think a deity is giving them a direct warning, they¡¯ll be more likely to believe us and move quickly. Plus, we can spread your name even further. Maybe you can then finally use the FP for something.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll buy the amplifier now. Let¡¯s warn the others and get moving.¡± Cassis ended the chat and looked at the group. He had no idea how many people they would be able to save, but one thing was certain¡ªthis time, he wasn¡¯t going to let history repeat itself. Chapter 26 Gathering survivors – Arianna Chapter 26 Gathering survivors ¨C Arianna Arianna watched as Cassis filled in the rest of the group about the monster frenzy, calling it a revelation from Sapphire. It was still strange to hear that name spoken as if it belonged to someone else¡ªlike some mysterious, all-knowing entity rather than herself. Shrugging off the thought, she grasped the blue gem hanging from her necklace and resumed meditating, pulling in the lingering mana from the air. She would need every bit of strength she could muster for their plan to work. The others listened with tense expressions. Fear flickered in their eyes, but it didn¡¯t paralyze them. If anything, it only hardened their resolve. Ben, in particular, gripped his baseball bat tightly, his knuckles white. ¡°I should talk to them too,¡± he said. ¡°The people in this neighborhood know me. If they hear my voice, they¡¯ll trust the warning.¡± Cassis nodded. ¡°Good idea. The more familiar voices, the better.¡± With the plan agreed upon, they pressed forward toward the wide avenue in front of the school. Even from a distance, Arianna could see the shadowy figures of monsters moving among the abandoned cars and debris. Growls and hissing noises filled the air as the creatures noticed them. Then, the first groups charged. The fight was relentless. Even though they were stronger than before, the sheer number of monsters made it difficult to avoid injuries. Arianna stayed close to the group while fighting herself, watching as cuts, bruises, and deeper wounds formed on her allies. The mages, relying heavily on Magic Missile in the middle of their group, were starting to wear down. Arianna rushed to a warrior whose arm was bleeding heavily from a gnash in his bicep. She pressed her palm against the wound, sending a burst of warm light into the skin. It wasn¡¯t a full heal, but enough to keep him moving. That was all she could afford right now. Little by little, they pushed forward, fighting through the monstrous horde until, finally, the avenue was clear. Breathing heavily, they turned toward the small house beside the high school. Cassis stepped up to the door and knocked firmly. ¡°Sinu! It¡¯s Cassis.¡± For a moment, there was silence. Then, the door cracked open just enough for a pair of cautious eyes to peek through. When Sinu saw Cassis standing there, his expression shifted from suspicion to relief. The door swung wide open, and the large man pulled Cassis into a firm hug, clapping him on the back. ¡°Cassis, my man! So that announcement really was about you. Didn¡¯t take you for a fighter, but damn, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re here. Come in.¡± They stepped inside, where the warmth of a lived-in home stood in contrast to the chaos outside. Sinu¡¯s wife, Kate, stood with their three children¡ªtwo of whom were teenagers. The teens hesitated before greeting Cassis with a polite, ¡°Hello, Mr. Walker.¡± Cassis gave them a small smile before addressing the family. He explained everything¡ªthe approaching frenzy, the danger of staying here, and their plan to gather survivors in a defensible location. Sinu rubbed his chin. ¡°I don¡¯t know about some deity, but I believe you. You¡¯re the reason our youngest is going to survive, after all. He¡¯s only 10.¡± He exhaled heavily before shaking his head. ¡°But this house won¡¯t hold. The walls are thin, and there¡¯s not enough space. If we¡¯re bringing more people together, the gymnasium is a better bet. The walls are thick, and while there are three entrances, the windows are high enough that monsters shouldn¡¯t get in from there.¡± Arianna exchanged a glance with Cassis. He seemed to agree. ¡°We¡¯ll need to clear it and the school first,¡± Cassis said. ¡°And we need to move fast. There isn¡¯t much time left¡± They quickly formed a new plan: Cassis¡¯s party would escort Sinu and his family while securing the gymnasium and school. The second group, led by Susan, would sweep the surrounding streets, eliminating as many monsters as possible while looking for survivors. ¡°When you hear my announcement,¡± Cassis told them, ¡°that¡¯s your cue to start bringing people in. But don¡¯t wait too long. When the mana in the air shifts, you need to be back here immediately.¡± ¡°How will we know when it shifts?¡± one of the warriors asked. Cassis¡¯s expression darkened. His voice was steady, but Arianna could see the weight of his memories pressing down on him. ¡°You¡¯ll know,¡± he said simply. Then, after a beat, he added, ¡°At least, according to Sapphire.¡± Arianna squeezed his hand gently, grounding him. He glanced at her and gave a small squeeze in return¡ªsilent thanks. The plan was set. Now, they just had to survive long enough to see it through. Arianna stood in the gymnasium with Cassis and Sinu¡¯s family, exhaling in relief. Clearing the school had been easier than expected¡ªonly a few weak F-rank monsters had been lurking inside. Now, with Sinu, Kate, and their three children safe, they had to focus on securing the space. Cassis directed the group as they dragged thick sports mats and heavy gym equipment to barricade two of the three entrances to the gymnasium. It wouldn¡¯t hold forever, but it would at least slow the monsters down if they tried to break in. Once everything was secured, Cassis took the amplifier from her¡ªa small, round piece of metal inscribed with delicate runes. It barely weighed anything, yet its function was undeniable. ¡°We should make the announcement from outside,¡± Cassis said. ¡°If monsters hear it, they¡¯ll come for us instead of the gym.¡± Arianna nodded. Together, they left the gymnasium, leaving Helen, Marcus, and Danielle behind to guard the people inside in case something slipped past them. They made their way through the school grounds and onto the main avenue. The streets were eerily empty¡ªtoo empty. The silence was unnerving, but Arianna knew it wouldn¡¯t last. Cassis took a deep breath, then activated the amplifier. His voice rang out, amplified across multiple streets. **¡°Everybody in this neighborhood, please listen carefully. My name is Cassis Walker. I¡¯m here with Arianna Sloane and Ben Ranislav. We were warned about a coming monster rampage by our patron deity, Sapphire, who has already helped us survive and achieve the world announcement. We have secured the high school gymnasium and ask you to come here to seek shelter. I know the streets are still full of monsters, but we will be out there shortly to escort you back. Another party with our friends is already doing that. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. If you cannot make it to us, secure your home and hide. I hope you survive.¡±** He handed the amplifier to Ben. Ben hesitated for a second, then lifted it to his lips. ** ¡°I¡¯m Ben Ranislav, and I live in this neighbourhood. Some of you might know me. Please, come to the high school. It¡¯s safer here than at home. Mr. Walker and his group will protect us.¡± ** When he finished, he handed the amplifier back to Arianna with a slight shudder. ¡°I¡¯ve never liked talking in front of people.¡± Arianna smiled. ¡°You did great.¡± She wanted to say more, but a chorus of guttural roars interrupted her. The sound of their broadcast had drawn attention. The streets, once still, now buzzed with movement. Dozens of monsters had begun converging toward them, attracted by the noise. Cassis and Arianna exchanged a look. No words were needed. ¡°Ben get back to the gymnasium and tell the others to stand by,¡± Cassis ordered. Ben looked ready to argue, but Cassis fixed him with a firm stare¡ªthe kind that brooked no room for debate. Ben swallowed, nodded, and ran back toward the gym. That left just the three of them. Arianna tightened her grip on her mace. Cassis and Liam unsheathed their swords. Then, they ran into the streets. They moved fast, clearing a path as they went. The monsters came in waves¡ªmutated dogs, bloated rat-like creatures, and shambling humanoid abominations like kobolds and goblins. Cassis¡¯s sword flashed as he cut through them, Liam was less practiced but had become quite proficient with cutting down the monsters. Meanwhile Arianna crushed skulls with her mace, raw power flowing through her limbs. They had become a well-oiled machine. When Cassis struck, Liam and Arianna covered his back. When Arianna pushed forward, the other two kept pace. Between fights, they knocked on doors and shouted for survivors. Some people peeked out cautiously, afraid to trust them. Others hesitated, unwilling to leave their homes. But many more ran toward them, gripping makeshift weapons, carrying children, desperate for safety. Whenever they gathered a small group, they escorted them toward the school entrance before plunging back into the fray. They saw flashes of movement down side streets¡ªSusan¡¯s party doing the same thing. The plan was working. Then, they came across a house that made Arianna¡¯s heart clench. It was a two-story home with a shattered window on the first floor. Blood stained the doorstep. The door creaked open, revealing a teenage girl with wide, tear-streaked eyes. She gasped at the sight of them. ¡°Mr. Walker!¡± she cried, desperation thick in her voice. Cassis stepped forward immediately, placing his hands on her shoulders. ¡°Janice. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re safe. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Her breath hitched. ¡°Mr. Walker¡­ please help. My parents¡­ my parents are dead, but I need to get my siblings to the school.¡± She was shaking, but she stood tall, holding herself together for the sake of those behind her. Four children peeked out from behind her. Two teenage boys ¨C twins ¨C nodded at Cassis, murmuring, ¡°Mr. Walker.¡± The other two were much younger¡ªone looked around ten, the other a toddler no older than three. Arianna felt a lump in her throat. ¡°We¡¯re getting them out of here,¡± Cassis said, his voice steady. Janice scooped up the ten-year-old boy, and one of her brothers carefully picked up the toddler. Then, together, they ran. The second they hit the streets, Arianna felt the mana shift. The air grew thick, pressing down on her like an invisible weight. Her breath hitched, and she turned to Cassis. He met her gaze and gave a small nod. He felt it too. The frenzy was about to start. They needed to run faster. But the teenagers struggled to keep pace with them, burdened by the younger children. The monsters noticed. Before, their Monster Bane I titles had kept them from drawing too much attention. But now, carrying defenseless survivors, they stood out like a beacon. The monsters rushed them. Cassis, Liam and Arianna fought as they ran, slashing and smashing anything that got too close. Janice and her brothers pushed forward, their breathing ragged as they clutched the little ones. It felt endless. Every street they turned onto held more creatures. The school felt so far away. But they kept going. Finally, the gymnasium came into view. Fighters stood at the entrance, waving at them. They ran full-speed through the open entrance. The other group of unknown fighter engaged with the monsters still chasing them. Arianna skidded to a stop, panting. She looked up¡ªand her breath caught in her throat. The gymnasium was packed. Hundreds of people were crammed inside. Survivors huddled in tight clusters; eyes wide with fear. Fighters stood at the barricaded entrances, weapons drawn, ready to defend their fragile sanctuary. She counted quickly. At least 300 people. They had saved more than she had expected. But the second party still wasn¡¯t back. Cassis stood beside her, tense, scanning the gymnasium. He looked toward the gym doors, his expression unreadable. They didn¡¯t have much time left. The mana in the air thickened further. Arianna tightened her grip on her mace. The frenzy was about to begin. And the others were still out there. The tension inside the gymnasium was thick, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight. The air buzzed with anxious murmurs as the survivors huddled together, their gazes flicking toward the barricaded entrances. Arianna, Cassis and Liam barely had time to catch their breath before Helen and Ben approached, taking charge of Janice and her siblings. Ben gave the teenage boys a nod, familiarity in his expression. ¡°I know them from school,¡± he told Arianna quietly. ¡°I¡¯ll help them settle in.¡± Helen smiled reassuringly at Janice, leading her and the younger children toward a quieter corner of the gym. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of them.¡± Liam went to find his parents to update them. With that settled, Arianna and Cassis finally sat down against the cool floor of the gymnasium, exhaling deeply. Arianna clutched her necklace and closed her eyes, slipping into meditation. She let the residual mana in the air flow into her body, refilling the reserves she had drained throughout the recent fights. Across from her, Cassis did the same, gripping the hilt of his sword as he steadied his breathing. They had gathered so many people. But they weren¡¯t safe yet. Arianna wasn¡¯t sure how long they had been resting when the first monstrous roar shattered the fragile silence. A tremor of fear rippled through the gathered survivors. Children whimpered. Some adults clutched weapons tighter. Then, more roars echoed through the streets, overlapping into a deafening chorus. Arianna¡¯s eyes snapped open. The frenzy had begun. She and Cassis pushed to their feet at the same time, exchanging a knowing look before striding toward the gymnasium¡¯s entrance. Several fighters were already standing guard, their knuckles white around their weapons. They stepped outside, the cool air carrying the thick, metallic scent of blood. That¡¯s when they saw them. The second party was running toward them, a cluster of survivors in their middle. And behind them¡ª Monsters. Dozens of them, eyes burning red, their bodies quivering with uncontrollable hunger. They had fully succumbed to the frenzy. It was a desperate escape. The second party fought as they ran, hacking down monsters that got too close, but more kept coming. Arianna and Cassis didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Move!¡± Cassis ordered, sprinting forward. Arianna followed at his heels, some of the stationed fighters running with them. They had to reach them before the monsters did. Halfway down the street, they finally met the fleeing group. ¡°Keep running!¡± Arianna shouted at them. Susan, at the front of the group, gave a curt nod, leading the survivors toward the school. Arianna and Cassis turned to meet the monsters head-on. The impact was immediate. The frenzied creatures threw themselves at them with reckless abandon, clawing and snapping, with no sense of self-preservation. A mutated hyena lunged at a fighter, its teeth clamping down on his arm. The man screamed. Cassis cut the beast down in a single, fluid motion, freeing the fighter before it could tear his limb off completely. Arianna rushed to him, pouring healing energy into the wound. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it reattached his almost severed arm stopped the bleeding enough for him to keep fighting. Another wave of monsters charged. They barely had time to catch their breath before being forced into another brutal clash. Frenzied monsters were stronger¡ªfaster, more vicious, unrelenting. They didn¡¯t hesitate. They didn¡¯t retreat. They only attacked, mindlessly driven by hunger and the need to kill. Arianna ducked as a clawed beast swiped at her head, retaliating with a crushing swing of her mace. The impact sent the monster sprawling, but another immediately leaped into its place. Every time they cut one down, two more appeared. Slowly, they began falling back toward the school. They had to make it back before they were overwhelmed. Arianna kept her magic focused on healing the worst injuries, her movements precise, efficient. She couldn¡¯t afford to waste mana. Another fighter stumbled. A monster lunged¡ª Cassis intercepted it, slicing through its throat before it could finish its attack. Another roar¡ªmore creatures pouring from the side streets, sensing the chaos. Arianna¡¯s breath was ragged. They were almost there. One last push¡ª They broke through. Stumbling back through the school gates, they slammed the doors shut behind them. The stationed fighters immediately took over, weapons raised as they formed a defensive line. Arianna staggered into the gymnasium, her heart hammering in her chest. They had made it. Now they just needed to last an hour.