…

…

…

*Tink*

In this place without time or space, I don’t know how long I’ve existed on my own. Those things which kept me going, if only for a little while…hope, dreams, sadness, love, longing, regret, they left me long ago.

For a while, I tried just counting. There was nothing else to do. It was something to pass the time. I lost track somewhere in the thousands.

Sometimes I try to remember where I left off, but it never feels right.

How long have I been here?

That murky question can't be answered. I am surrounded by darkness all around. Caged in a prison of glass which reflects nothing but my own despair.

Nothing…Nothing…Nothing…

I don’t even think I can remember how to speak anymore. At some point, this place became too quiet and I screamed myself hoarse in my mind.

But no matter how much I cried for help, no one came.

The little hand-mirror the System God left me, helped tell time for a while. I could vaguely guess how long it had been outside from observing the length of people’s hair. However, after a few glimpses of the hatred people hold towards me for “stealing” the final boss of Tiendas City, no more images came. I want to throw away the mirror, shatter it into pieces for abandoning me to this darkness.

But then I would truly be alone with no hope of light. So, I keep it clutched tightly in my numb hand, always within sight.

Just in case…

Oftentimes I think about nothing. Just lie here, drifting in the void.

Not like I have much choice.

There is no sun or moon.

No day, only night.

At first, I entertained the notion that help might be coming. That the System would be fair and free me. Or that maybe the System God would take pity on me.

Gradually those foolish thoughts were proven unfounded. I am a Lost Soul, frozen in the river of time. Separate from all else. It’s like being encased in ice.

Except instead of the burning pain of something, there is nothing. I can’t feel anything real…just…exist. Float here forever.

I’m going insane, aren’t I?

How many times have I thought that?

Wait…we’re thinking with words!

HOLD ON TO THEM! REMEMBER HOW TO SPEAK!

I try my hardest to keep talking to myself. This rare chance where my consciousness has returned does not come often. Lately, I don’t even know what human speech is like at all. I just think in terms of images, or don’t think at all. It’s the worst feeling ever, like my very self is disappearing.

Yet even then, I continue to exist.

The System God lied to me.

He told me, he would erase me.

But he did something far worse.

He let me live…

*Tink*

I’m hearing noises again.

*Tink*

Stop it…I know it’s not real!

*Tink Tink Tink*

Maybe it’s the mirror? Maybe it’s showing something again?!

I open my eyes and stare into the hand-mirror once more. However, it is black and empty, reflecting only the Void Prism.

*Kacha*

Suddenly a crack of white light appears in the mirror. However, it is not because the mirror has activated. My mouth opens, and something…something comes inside.

T-This…it’s…

I’m gaping.

Licking.

Tasting.

For the first time in s-o-o-o long!

“A-A…i….r….!”

I can’t speak. But I know it’s there.

This must be a hallucination.

I can’t be feeling again.

Perhaps the System God is messing with me?

I wouldn’t mind that.

But isn’t this too cruel to torment me with false hope?

*KACHA*

That’s when it happens.

White light spiderwebs through the Void Prism. The dark, empty walls begin to crumble. And then shatter. My whole world, this nothing place of nothing begins to disappear like the night before the morning sun. And…

I…I’m warm.

The light comes in and though my eyes burn with pain after so long in the dark, I can’t look away.

It’s so beautiful!

#

When the world calms and I open my eyes, everything has changed. Harsh bright white things keep landing on my face. The word to describe such things has long since left my vocabulary. I grunt, curiously, opening my mouth.

“A-a-h” I stick my tongue out and taste it. The flavor of sweet, cold, water melting on my tongue is more than I can bear. Dropping to my knees, I stare up at the cloudy gray sky.

Snow.

That’s what is.

Outside. I’m outside.

Liquid drips down on my face, and whether it is melted snowflakes or the tears pouring from my eyes it's impossible to tell. No one sees as I re-enter the world as a sniveling wreck. I wouldn’t care even if there was anyone.

They all abandoned me in that place.

From now on…I…I…who am I?

Ah…Hei. Yea. That’s me.

My thoughts are all jumbled. There’s too much going on all at once. Flavors, sounds, sights, feelings, tastes, it’s coming back to me. What living is like. I shiver.

“Brrrrr…”

It’s not because of the cold. It’s because I remember that place. That horrible, horrible place. A cage from which there was no escape. And no rescue. I don’t know how I got out. But one thing is for sure,

I can never go back.

Silently, I make a promise to myself. It’s all that matters now. Fear locks me up, just thinking about going back to that place. A wet spot forms on my knees as the snow melts around me. For some time, I just stare at that beautiful, gray sky.

Overcast as it is, I’ve never seen something so beautiful.

When I want to get up, I can’t remember how to, for a while. My body, which I once mastered, is a stranger to me now. It’s not that it doesn’t want to listen to me, but that I’ve forgotten how to command it. My body and mind don’t speak the same language anymore. Eventually, something stops getting lost in translation and I manage to get to my feet.

I’m weak.

My flesh has atrophied in the Void Prism. After so long in the darkness, I am a thin shell of what I once was. Finally, after a long time, I remember how to do more than look at the sky blankly. My face won’t move.

For that matter, what does it matter what expression I have?

Turning my head, I take in my surroundings.

Ruined buildings, crumbled, fallen skyscrapers.

This place…what was it called?

“T-Tien…das.” I whisper with a broken voice. My lips are going blue in the cold, but I welcome the pain.

Something’s better than nothing.

All around me is ground-up rubble, the remnants of a great city from before the Calamity. It looks like some massive beast has run around and trampled the once majestic architecture, turning this place into just another empty part of the Wasteland. Something flickers in the corner of my eye. A red icon that has been gradually growing more solid the longer I spend outside the Void Prism.

Though I can barely speak, the memory of activating the System will never leave me. Instinctively, I open the Status Page.

[Name: Hei

Lvl. 11 Classless

Stats-

Strength: 11

Agility: 17

Intelligence: 11

Stamina: 11

Spirit:11

Luck:11

Passive Skills: Basic Tracking, Basic Combat Proficiency, Basic Prescience

Active Skills: None

Special: Demon Lord’s Devouring Hunger (When slaying other Hunters, consume all of their experience instead of half)]

Huh.

That’s weird. I think I was supposed to be a higher level. Whatever…it’s not like I can hunt anyways.

Gradually, it starts to come back to me. The reason being a lower level than expected is actually a good thing. I suppose I should be grateful. However, that particular emotion is still off limits. Along with hope and anything else except regret and anger. At least those two have come back.

Regret…I feel like I’ve forgotten something.

Anger…that damn System God. But there’s no point being angry with him. It’d be better to forget all of this. I’m out of that place. That’s what matters.

My thoughts are beginning to work again. I’m formulating real words, a stream of consciousness that isn’t just mental images and memories. For a brief second, the picture of a girl comes to mind. She’s breathtakingly pretty, someone to be protected. However, the flare of heat the memory brings is quickly snuffed out.

It’s been so long. And no one remembers me. Not even her. Of that the System God made very sure.

It’s still hard to feel anything. In fact, those emotions which do appear are not altogether pleasant. The sun is beginning to set on the ruined city. Slowly and awkwardly, I force my limbs to begin to shuffle around. Like the world’s loneliest zombie, I struggle ungainly to find a way outside.

Where am I going?

Who cares?

Wandering aimlessly, I don’t know where I’m going. Perhaps somewhere without people. Somewhere I can avoid causing the world any harm.

The mirror…people hated me. But it’s not like they knew my name.

Despite leaving the System God’s prison, I still have the little hand-mirror he gave me. It remains depressingly dark, but I carefully stow it in my coat.

Just as the sun begins to set and the warm rays of evening give way to chilly night, I find myself at the edge of Tiendas City’s ruin. Letting my eyes roam over the fallen archways and shattered gargoyles, I stop for just a brief moment. All the things which once happened are so blurry in my head. I remember, that girl, and myself coming in.

Fighting…endless fighting. And...

Dying.

Sharp pain strikes my head like lightning and I stagger. Clutching my skull, I force the extraneous memories, all the trauma, away.

Put it in a box. That’s what I’ll do. All these things I don’t need. These…awful memories. I’ll put them somewhere they can’t hurt me. Then it’ll be okay.

It takes some time before the pain subsides. To be honest it doesn’t really ever leave. It just fades into this sort of dull throbbing ache which I can almost pretend is normal.

Almost.

In the end, I have to stumble off without a clear head.

That’s okay. At least I can breathe again.

Numbly, I leave Tiendas behind. As I walk away, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve forgotten something very important. But what could still be in this empty, city?

Just bad memories.

#

Outside the city, the grassy hills are covered in snow. There is no destination for my aimless wandering. I’m just walking to get away from the memories of my prison. Every few minutes I have to remind myself that I’m not there anymore.

I’m okay. I’m here now. It’s over.

What was once verdant trees, in another life, are blanketed by white powder, a winter wonderland.

What day is it? How long was I gone?

Does it matter?

The sky remains overcast as the sun drops away. Now it’s just me and the black darkness again. For a brief moment I’m terrified. That all of this was just some cruel trick. And that everything I’m feeling will be taken away, just like that, with a snap of the System God’s fingers. I swear I can hear his heartless laughter at my expense.

*Shuaaa*

*Badump*

But it’s just the wind. My frightened heart stills and I breath out heavily.

“H-eh.”

I need to calm down. Find some shelter.

The winter is a different world in the Calamity. Once the temperature drops, the undead begin to get sluggish, some of them hide, digging burrows or clawing their way into caves. So, I’m not unduly worried about getting ambushed. It’s like the System said, winter’s hard enough as it is without undead.

Of course, things are not so easy. While the hordes of Fresh Undead and lower-level zombies are less common, System Monsters are always a threat. Not everything hibernates in the winter. But those things which do hunt in this season, usually come out during the day.

Unless you enter a danger zone of course.

*Flash*

Something bright burns away the darkness. For a brief moment, it’s like I’m looking at daylight again. In the sky, a massive beam of spiralling flame shoots across the horizon. I jerk upright, my neck craning to see where it came from. However, a second later, the light fizzles out. Already, I know what has happened. A faint memory floats up from the depths of my hazy subconscious. It feels like more than a lifetime ago since I saw it last.

Many lifetimes, probably...

That’s a Mage System Skill.

Spiral Flame Decimation.

How long have I been asleep?

The only way to get that skill is to unlock the Mage Class!

“L-Level…30.” My voice is gradually starting to come back. However, I’m more focused on what I just saw. Has it really been that long? There are people who have already chosen their class in the world now? Staggering in the direction of the light, I feel my eyes sting as they readjust to the darkness. My own level is nowhere near the point where I can get my class assigned. Wait that's good! Why is it good?

Oh yea…I can level a bit.

The world has moved on.

Even if I go rogue, someone will stop me.

The realization that I can level without damning the world, doesn’t bring me any happiness. But unconsciously, it relaxes me just a bit. Reaching into my pocket, I wrap my fingers around a familiar object. Smooth lacquered wood, and a hefty weight. So, you’re still with me at least, huh?

My still-bloody cleaver comes out into the moonlight. There’s a crack in the thick steel blade which is beginning to spread up the tang. It makes me sad to see that.

I’m sorry you won’t be able to stay with me much longer.

Gripping it lightly, I regain a measure of peace. Like a long-lost friend returning, the cleaver which once accompanied me across the deadliest battlefields of my life, is a comfort. Closing my eyes, I stand there like a bizarre lost butcher under the ultrabright moon.

I don’t know what to do. Someone tell me, who am I now? Where should I go?

Rocking back and forth and listening to the soft sounds of the new snow crunching underfoot, I wonder about life, its meaning, and death. Until a voice which is not my own intrudes on my solitude.

“Who the hell are you!”

A not-too-friendly question is carried over by the chilly wind. I’ve spent so long alone that, at first, I think I’m having another delusion. Surely, there is no such other voice in the middle of nowhere, right? Looking in front of me, I realize that I’ve wandered in front of a snowy-forest.

“I…I…a-m…” My unused voice is unable to form the words I want. Stupidly, I swallow my spit as a party of shoddily-armored Hunters jogs over to intercept my path. Of the four people, an older man, with a thick spear scratched on the tip, seems to be leader. There’s also a young man, close to my age with a longsword. As well as two girls who might be sisters, sporting shorter swords and shields. I cock my head, oddly. Everyone’s still using melee weapons? There’s no mages or healers? Is it just a coincidence or…?

“What are you doing in the forbidden zone?”

“F-For…?”

“Are you making fun of us!” The younger man, wearing a black shirt with a thin nose and black hair, gets annoyed at my inability to speak. He takes a hostile step forwards while putting a hand on his longsword and drawing it out of the sheath halfway. Tensing, I try to put a shaky hand up to forestall his advance. However, before we get close, one of the girls, who appears to be older, holds him back by the elbow.

“Stop it, Jie!” She peers at me closely. By no means is she plain, but neither is she a supermodel. A ripped and torn peach blouse peeks out underneath a thick furry parka. Walking towards me with long slender legs, she’s tall enough to look me in the eye directly. “I think there’s something wrong with him. Look at his face! It doesn’t look like he’s eaten in a long time.”

Oh, if only you knew.

“Get back, it’s not safe! Maybe he’s infected!” The youth named, Jie, suspiciously draws his longsword, but the older man waves him away.

“No…Sierra is right. This isn’t the virus! Look at him, he’s practically sticks and bones. Boy, what happened to you?” When he comes closer, I see the older man is middle-aged, maybe forty years of age. Silver hairs abound in his beard, but he has kind eyes. Leaning on his spear, he tries to get a good look at me in the darkness. “Can you talk? Is there something wrong? We’re part of the Flame Hawks Guild. Do you need help?”

“…” I don’t really feel like trying to answer anymore. Slowly, I let go of my cleaver, and begin to walk past them.

“Boy, how’d you get into the forbidden zone? Were you hunting? You probably ran into something too strong in the ruins and had to run right?” The old man takes one look at my haggard expression and dreams up his own explanation. To be fair…his explanation is only half wrong. “Look, the Flame Hawks are always recruiting. It’s dangerous to travel without a party in today’s day and age. How about you come with us, and we’ll help you get a hot meal eh?”

“…”

“Hey, we’re talking to you!” Jie takes exception as I continue walking into the forest. “Dad, are really just going to let him go like that? Isn’t it our mission to report on anything coming out of Tiendas City’s ruins?”

“Mmm…you know our mission is just for show. The Secret Dungeon collapsed completely when the System Event ended. All the high-level creatures were stolen by that Hunter anyways. The guilds only place us here as a show of force and for training. They won’t actually care who goes in, unless one of the high-levels comes.” The old man sighs.

“Heh, I’m glad the city collapsed on that bastard. Imagine, the System was going to give us all experience for defeating the world’s first Secret Dungeon and yet he had to go and ruin it for everyone. Talk about your eyes being bigger than your mouth. Bit off more than he could chew and now, where is he? Buried under Tiendas with the zombies…” Jie laughs happily, though in his eyes, just a hint of jealousy can be seen.

It seems my reputation hasn’t changed. The world still hates me. Even though they can’t remember my name and think I’m dead. The System God really was thorough.

“W-Wait! You’re really just going to walk off? Do you even know where you’re going? There’s nothing that way!” The old man runs up behind me and I have to stifle my annoyance as he tries to grab my arm. Using my Basic Prescience, I easily evade his hand. “Ohoho, you’re quite fast! What level are you, friend?”

“…”

No one with a brain would answer such a question from a stranger.

The rest of his party catches up with the two of us and I glance at the sky. Since the cloud coverage is so thick, I don’t really know where I’m going. Not that I had a direction in mind.

“Dad, is it really worth our time, dealing with this guy?” Jie says disdainfully, eyeing my rough appearance. The older girl gets angry listening to him. Her long black hair swinging like a curtain, she starts yelling.

“Jie, grow up. He’s another human, and should be treated with respect! As a member of the Flame Hawks, you should have some more dignity!” Sierra sighs, coming up behind me. Her small boots crunch in the snow. “Listen, you came out on our side of the forbidden zone, so we have to report you to the higher ups in the guild. But don’t worry, I can tell you’re not one of those poachers who try to take everything for themselves. After the report is settled, how about we work together? I’m Lvl. 18, I can help you hunt a bit to make up for the trouble. Do you need medical assistance? Or can you just not talk?”

“…?”

So, some of the guilds have decided to use this place as a training ground. But they’re afraid that higher level Hunters will come and wipe the area so they posted a guard. Heh…this sounds familiar. People never change.

The faintest trace of a sneer tugs my lips upward, but Sierra takes it for a smile.

“Good! I don’t know why you can’t talk, but please be at ease, we won’t mistreat you!” The tall girl grins as she extends her hand. “I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, but it never hurts to do things right. My name’s Sierra! This is Chiang and his son Jie. And the shy one over there is Rita, my sister. What’s your name?”

“…” I consider whether or not to answer. Before I can decide, she puts a hand to her mouth as if she’s accidentally insulted me.

“Oh dear! Sorry I forgot.” Sierra reaches out to pat me and I dart away. Her dainty palm dangles in the air and she trails off in disappointment, “Well…if you want to talk, we can…anytime. Hey, Rita, is something wrong?”

“Mmm…!” The younger sister, Rita, has come up to us while we were distracted. She has short black hair, and seems to be a few years younger than me. Her tracksuit is a bit wrinkled under a cute pink parka and she has yet to hit the same height as her older sibling. Maybe in another life she would be going to middle school right now. For a moment, I’m almost disappointed that my chance to speak to Sierra has been taken away. However, the misunderstanding has been made. Now it’s too late to talk. “Sis, isn’t that bad?”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Rita…?” The older sister finally takes notice of the youngest member of the party. As her finger points up into the sky, everyone’s gaze travels upwards.

*SHREEEEE*

A golden hawk made of pure flame ascends into the sky. Then it explodes into a multicolored cloud of sparkling glitter which powders the sky. Wispy smoke curls off the wings of the magical flare and it takes a second for the party to react. Then the atmosphere completely changes. I watch them begin to panic without feeling much of anything. Everything seems so far away from me.

“That’s the Guild’s distress signal!” Jie draws his longsword and begins to run into the woods. “Dad come on we got to go! Something’s happened to one of the parties!”

“Let’s go!” The middle-aged man yells at the girls beside me. “No time to waste, this is serious! Everyone needs to come! Sierra, bring your sister!”

“Okay! Hey, you come too!”

“…” A surprisingly strong grip grabs me. However, it isn’t the older sister, but the younger one which has managed to snatch my hand.

“Y-You look scared. You should come with us. Big Sis is strong. She’ll protect you.” A girl that’s younger than me tells me to hide behind another girl.

Me scared…?

Is that what you think I look like?

Something about the way she says it is disturbing.

Deeply disturbing…

I let myself be dragged along in the girl’s wake.

Not like I have much of a choice.

Short of chopping her hand off with my cleaver, her level is too far above mine to pull away. Rita definitely put some points in strength because her grip is like iron.

The party swiftly hustles away from the ruins of Tiendas City and heads deep into the snow-laden boughs and bushes of the woods. Snarled roots, covered in a glaze of frozen ice, hide under the white blanket which covers the forest floor. However, for a party of Hunters, nature’s trickery no longer holds as much sway. Our lives are more ours to command now, though the System may take them from us at any moment. We have sacrificed something essential to gain the power to fight that which will consume us.

But at what cost?

*Crunch Crunch Crunch*

Five pairs of cruel footsteps carve a path in the virgin snow all the way through the ominously silent forest. Up above, the sheer wind blows little puffs of powder off the top of the evergreens. The little swirling eddies are sent flying, free into the ether. But for mortals down below, there is no such easy path. They must cut in-between snow banks and slip across sheets of deadly blue ice. Finally, Chang stops, holding up a hand as he stares into the sky where the flaming hawk has long since vanished into naught but curling smoke.

“Be careful. We’re getting close. Keep your ears peeled!” The older father cocks his head. “Why don’t I hear anything?”

*Crunch…*

Everyone takes a step closer as we get to the edge of a clearing. Just beyond the trees, a smell reminiscent of burning gunpowder gives away the use of a special System item.

“You…should stay here.” Rita whispers to me. The little girl acts like I am something to be protected. It baffles me. “It could get dangerous up ahead.” She pats my forearm nervously before pulling me behind a thick tree. “Just stay right here and we’ll come back for you, okay?”

“Rita’s right…uh I don’t know your name?” Sierra, takes a crude buckler off her back. The workmanship isn’t bad. Evidently the blacksmiths of the Calamity have begun to figure out how to craft weapons again. “I’ll call you Mr. Q for now, okay?”

“…” My lack of response goes unnoticed as the two girls gear for battle. Up ahead, the father and his boy creep in-between the roots, trying to peer over the branches and see what’s going on. With a disinterested expression, I take a look around. Looking up into the thicket of trees, it’s like staring into a cage of darkness.

“Oh…my god!” Suddenly Jie gasps and grabs his father from behind. “Dad…do you see that? It’s the other group. N-No…what could have d-done THAT?”

“Son…what do you see…MY GOD!”

“What is it?” The girls leave me behind to investigate. A second later their cries turn horrified as well. “OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!”

I send a glance their way. However, the trees block my view with their scraggly branches. Walking around so I can see around them, I get my first look at what’s really happening.

Huh…that’s weird.

A gruesome sight awaits me. A party of five lies dead, strewn about the clearing. Even for someone like me, I have to admit, it is a bit disconcerting. For whatever killed them could not adequately be described as human anymore.

Or even animal.

Or beast.

Sadist. That’s probably the word which makes the most sense.

“I…they’re all dead. Everyone’s dead. Joshua? Mr. Nino? What am I saying? Of course, they’re dead.” Sierra groans as she confirms the deaths. “They’re in pieces…”

“Even the undead don’t do this.” Chiang turns a bit green as he examines the remains. They aren’t bodies anymore, that’s for sure. Just remains…all that’s left. “They must have died quickly. We came as soon as they sent the flare. But somehow between then and now…this…happened. Rita, look away! You don’t want to see this!”

Sierra grabs her sister by the ears and quickly reels her into a bear hug from behind, putting her hands over the girl’s eyes. She glances back at me over her shoulder.

“You shouldn’t look at this either. P-Please…don’t be scared. Just…just stay calm okay? We’ll alert the rest of the guild. Whatever did this won’t be able to take on the whole guild!” She’s trying to stay calm. Pretending to the be the brave older sister to protect her family. However, she hasn’t seen the death I have. She hasn’t lived it. She can’t control her fear like I can.

I’m not even afraid.

While the others panic and try to control their churning stomachs, I let my eyes wander the clearing. Taking it all in.

Huh…nothing but melee weapons on these guys either. We haven’t progressed as far as I thought. I guess only a few people have acquired their first class.

In the midst of the chaos, my feet begin to take me away from Rita and Sierra. I drift along the edge of the trees, investigating the scene. However, even for me, this is something new. The damage done to these bodies is not like anything I’ve seen before. It’s like a terrifying beast savaged them and then when everyone was dead, the world’s sharpest wind filled with glass swept through this place and tore up their flesh into a thousand ripped pieces.

White snow now red with blood. Shredded skin, and severed limbs. This isn’t the work of undead…I don’t think.

“Hey Mr. Q! Where are you going?” Chiang realizes that I have stepped away from the group, but I ignore him. “Come back, it’s dangerous!”

I’m much more interested in what’s caused this bizarre accident. After a moment, Jie fumbles with something and a small explosion bursts from his hands. The same multi-coloured hawk from before shoots up into the sky, a flaming flare to all their nearby guild members. My head shakes, as I sigh.

Do you really think it’s a good idea to tell the world we’re here? The last flare didn’t do your friends any good. If anyone was around, they’ll already be on their way. But if whatever did this was leaving…it will know that you’re here now.

The Flame Hawk Guild members remain oblivious to the danger as they follow the path of the soaring signal. Their attention is completely drawn away from the thing they should be watching.

*Crunch*

I look down at something interesting in the snow. A blurry footprint in the snow. It’s strange though, not normal at all.

Melted? No…not just melted. Hollowed out.

Normally if something warm like blood fell onto frail snow, it would melt and then maybe refreeze later in the night. This would leave a visible imprint and ice in the hole. However, what we have here is just plain weird. Even I’m unable to keep my curiosity from spilling out. The snow isn’t packed in. It’s been scooped out.

Like someone came with a hundred tiny shovels and dug out a foot-shaped hole. What the heck happened here?