I ran to the enemy that’s trying to kill Sania.

“GET AWAY!”(Zell)

I swung the sword covered in mist, sending a wave made out dark particles which cut the monster’s leg, and pushed it away.

“Advent of darkness”(Zell)

Dark mist spread around me, draining the life of those inside, except for Faeran and Sania.

I took Faeran and went to Sania, before sending another attack to the monsters that didn’t know when to stop. When the space around us cleared up a bit, I looked at the state of the others.

Sania is severely injured, but is slowly regenerating; Faeran on the other hand is fine except for a few injuries. As they are now, they will be safe as long as I can protect them from the monsters.

I looked at the sword which chose me as its master, before cutting those that entered my range.

___

The monsters which were once too strong for me are falling one after another. My body feels light, and every strike I do is lethal to the monsters that I had trouble cutting before.

I’ve already killed 78 monsters, and I feel like I could continue forever. Every time the mist saps an enemy’s life, I get stamina in return; so as long as the mist stays active, I can fight.

The mist is something that I learned from Azaroth. With the weapon comes the basic knowledge of how it’s used, and the spell I used earlier is the strongest I have right now.

The monsters still numbered around a thousand, but only a few can move close to us since they’re too big. I wait for the opportunity to kill them all in one shot, and wait for the next wave to come. With that, I can slowly decrease their numbers. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, since I have all the stamina that I need.

Everything looked fine, and I had the strength to protect them, but something appeared from a far. It’s still a distance from our location, but I could see it since it’s a lot bigger than the other monsters.

I continued to cut the enemies, without even using the style Sania thought me, since it was not fit for fighting such a large group. I kept a bit of my focus on the colossal monster that’s slowly making its way to us, while killing the ones that was attacking us in waves.

___

When the gigantic monster entered a certain distance, I perceived its strength and it was not something I could defeat even with my current strength. I looked back at the others, but they’re still unconscious. I was too busy fighting off the monsters, so I didn’t have time to carry them and get away from the dangerous entity that’s walking to our location.

The monsters around me looked small compared to the monster from a far, which was as big as a castle. Despite having a legendary weapon in my hands, my whole body kept telling me to run away, but I couldn’t.

AZAROTH! TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO TO PROTECT SANIA!

He hasn’t talked to me ever since he became my weapon, so I couldn’t get a reply from him.

“HAHAHAHA BOW DOWN TO ME INSIGNIFICANT LIFE FORMS!”(?)

When the voice resounded on the desert, all the monsters stopped their actions and made a path for the gigantic monster at the back.

“GIVE ME THE WEAPON AND YOU WILL HAVE THE HONOR OF DYING BY MY HANDS!”(?)

As the monster got closer, the intimidating aura got stronger and stronger. I felt that I shouldn’t run away, so I stood my ground and waited for the gigantic monster to come…no, I was waiting for the person on top of it.

“I, HANAH HUMILITAS, THE STRONGEST OF THE 7 VIRTUES, PROMISE YOU AN HONORABLE DEATH!”(Hanah)

The voice sounded like that of a child, yet I was afraid of her. My body was shaking, and I was starting to ask myself, how can I save them?

“ARE YOU DEAF? ANSWER ME!”(Hanah)

My whole body stopped for awhile, my vision turned dark for a moment and suddenly, I felt someone tap my shoulders.

“Thank you for protecting us.”(?)

My senses came back when I heard the voice of the person I love. I turned back, and saw Sania, who has fully regenerated.

“N-no, it’s nothing. I-if it’s for you I’ll do anything.”(Zell)

Sania sent a gentle smile to me, which made my heart skip a beat.

Noticing what I said, I curled on the ground to hide my face, which was now dyed red from embarrassment.

“LISTENING TO ME!”(Hanah)

The voice was closer than before, and when I looked back, the gigantic monster was almost at our location.

“Do you still have the strength to fight?”(Sania)

I stood up after hearing her voice and nodded.

“Good; protect Faeran, I’ll take care of the rest.”(Sania)

___

SANIA’S POV

I woke up at the exact moment when a message popped out.

WARNING: ???

NAME: ???

TITLE: VIRTUE OF HUMILITY, MASTER OF A THOUSAND

Location: Saran Desert

Recommended Level(Party): 25 or higher

Recommended Level(Solo): 35 or higher

I looked and saw corpses of ants around. I thought I was dead, but I somehow dodged a bullet again. Faeran was beside me, but unlike I who has fully regenerated, he was still unconscious from his injuries and from being tired.

I stood up and looked for my weapon, and got surprised when I saw Zell holding it, not just that, there were even mist around it, like the time when Astra used it.

It was no time to ask, so I searched for the masterpiece which I lent to him and grabbed it before going to him.

The monsters weren’t attacking, but I felt danger from the hidden boss, which was now in front of me.

Since I felt that I could rely on Zell, I told him to protect Faeran, so that I could focus on the enemy in front of me.

By the way, even though I gained a lot of levels, it feels like I didn’t get stronger or is it because Azaroth is no longer in my possession?

___

“WHAT WILL YOU DO IF WE DON’T GIVE YOU THE WEAPON?”(Sania)

I’m sure she’s talking about the Azaroth.

“THEN YOU SHALL DIE!”(Hanah)

So if we don’t give you the weapon, we die; even if we give you the weapon, we still die. Ok, first I’ll kill the hidden boss.

I entered my lightning form, and gathered magic like what Faeran does for his strongest attack. Sensing my hostility, the girl ordered the monsters to attack, except for the big one.

I looked back, and it seems that Zell could handle the little ones; when did he get that strong?

I’ve been searching for the boss for a few reasons, and one is that its followers will stop if it dies. The one in front of me is probably the leader type, and based on the books I’ve read, the others will stop if I kill it.

Some also attacked me, but they are not strong enough to stop me, especially now that I have regained strength.

1500 x 11 exp gained

“WHAT ARE YOU FOOLS DOING? KILL HER!”(Hanah)

I swung my sword, and also scattered lightning swords, which were moving on their own; well, they’re programmed to find a target that they could cut.

1500 x 24 exp gained

After seeing hell yesterday, I feel so light today, like I could do anything.

1500 x 13 exp gained

“AAAAAAAAA! CHIPI CRUSH HER!”(Hanah)

Who’s Chipi?

The colossal monster raised one of its spiky legs and tried to crush me.

Oh, it’s the big one.

I tried cutting its leg, but it’s quite sturdy. I ignored the big one for a bit, and killed the little ones coming at me like a swarm of bees…or should I say ants?

19500 exp gained

1500 exp gained

1500 exp gained

1500 exp gained

Looks like I also killed a general.

*snap**snap**snap*

My right arm started creating sound, and dark lightning could be seen moving violently around my arm. It’s time to end this, before we get to a situation like yesterday.

I jumped with all of my strength, and looked at the colossal monster in front of me. The lightning on my arm expanded and soon, a dark lightning spear could be seen. With all of my strength, I released the strongest single target spell I have in my arsenal.

“Gungnir!”(Sania)

From a distance, a dark lightning spear was sent to the colossal enemy, piercing its body and killing it instantly. The spear passed through the monster like it wasn’t even there, and when the spear hit the ground, a small explosion was created, killing a few monsters.

When the boss fell, most of the remaining monsters hid under the sand and a few remained to avenge their fallen leader.

350000 exp gained

1500 exp gained

1500 exp gained

1500 exp gained

1500 exp gained

Level raised by 1

After killing the boss, I went back to where Zell was; if the girl still wanted to fight back, I’ll accept the challenge with open arms. Only a quarter of my mana should be left, but I still had plenty of stamina, so I could take someone of her level; I clearly surpass the recommended level after all.

“UWAAAAAAAAAAAA”(Hana)

Am I hearing this right? The girl is crying?

“CHAPPY! THEY’RE BULLYING ME!”(Hanna)

…y-you just tried to kill us and now you’re crying? Is your head alright? Anyways, I need to get to Zell and Faeran first.

The girl continued to cry, while I reunited with the others and cleared the remaining ants. After a while, only I, Zell, Faeran, and the girl were left.

We walked to the girl, who was still crying; she looked at us like we’re the one at fault…

“I…I’ll kill you.”(Hanah)

The girl looked serious when she said that, and there’s nothing more I could do. I don’t want to kill people, nor do I want to kill a child, but there’s a limit to what I can forgive. Even if she’s a child, she tried to kill us, so it’s natural to kill her. Well, if she asked for forgiveness I might have changed my mind, but she looks like she’s set on killing us.

“…”(Sania)

I raised my sword, and beheaded the girl. Is it really ok to kill a child? I feel like I’m losing my humanity…

After killing the girl, we started walking away; until our body felt danger.

I sensed the girl behind us move, even though she was supposed to be dead. When I looked around, the blood was still on her clothes, but her head was back to her body.

“After all those years creating an army, you show up and destroy everything? YOU’LL REGRET THIS!”(Hanah)

From the sky, a winged monster descended. She jumped to the monster, which then flew away somewhere.

I attacked the monster, but a dark mist kept blocking my attack and it continued until she was no longer within my range.

We stared at the sky where the monster flew, since everything that happened is just too shocking. She already died, so how?

There are tons of questions floating in my mind right now, and I don’t know where to find the answers.

___

We’re still in the desert, and are traveling with the Agaroth ruin in mind.

It has been a day since the fight against the ants, and we have recovered a bit. Faeran is still covered in injuries, but it’s not life threatening. Zell is still the same, except for his new strength, and I…I lost my bag in the battle.

Both Zell and I were curious about each other, since I had the Azaroth before, and now he has it. I’m sure he wanted to ask me why I had it and I’m curious as to how he became the new wielder of the weapon; even if I hold the weapon, the stat boost doesn’t work, so it’s only a plain weapon when I use it.

The thing about the girl is the biggest mystery of all. I can regenerate, but I can’t revive. Another thing is that she was the reason for the monster attack, and she was also after the Azaroth…who is she? S-since she’s immortal, and there’s the thing about the phantom fortress, is she perhaps a member of the phantom legion? If she is, then that explains why she was after the weapon.

She wanted the weapon that sealed the empress, so that none could stop them when they start their attack. But the thing is, did she know we were passing through here? I mean, the whole monster attack looks like an ambush…and…if there’s already a phantom legion roaming around the continent, then doesn’t that mean the attack of the empress is near?

S-should I come back and stay at the city? Or should I rush my journey to the ruin and get strong as fast as possible?

As I was lost in my own thoughts, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“A-are you ok?”(Zell)

“No, it’s nothing.”(Sania)

I-if we have the Azaroth, then the empress would postpone the attack; and even if I come back now, we won’t make a difference, so we might as well get stronger.

I’m still worried about different things, but we need to get stronger for now, I think? I-I don’t know, things are happening too fast. It’s hasn’t even been 2 years, yet the world I’m staying at is in danger, how am I supposed to enjoy life here?

Now that you think about it, I could just let the people of this world handle everything. I mean, I’m not even a native of this world; so why do I have to try my best to get stronger?

That’s right, I can just go back and live a normal life...but I still feel like getting stronger, am I actually a battle freak? I experienced life and death situations, yet I’m not even traumatized, and here I am seeking more strength.

“Nuu”(Faeran)

Faeran rubbed his head to my cheeks.

Seeing him cheer me up, lightened up my mood.

I’m just getting more and more confused as time passes; ok, let’s make up our mind. Let’s forget about everything else; do I want to get stronger or not?

By the end of the day, it was settled, I’ll become stronger. I’m a certified battle freak now…

___

Life after that was harsh, I didn’t have any spare clothes, and most of the things we use are no longer with us. We had to rely on water magic to satisfy our thirst, and it was harder to cook food without my utensils.

For leveling, it was almost impossible to raise my level because the exp I get now is too low. Well, although I couldn’t level up, there was something that helped me get stronger. Zell, who got Azaroth, would train under me and spar with me from time to time. In overall strength, there is too much of a gap, but if it’s just swordsmanship, then he could at least prove to be a challenge.

He’s growth rate suddenly became faster, and was catching up to me in terms of swordsmanship. At first I had to give him handicap, but as time passed, we could fight head on without holding back, of course without magic.

Zell isn’t the only one getting stronger though; when he got to the level where he could match me, it became a battle of who improves first. Whenever he surpasses me in swordsmanship, I’ll suddenly get more fired up and when I surpass him, he then becomes more fired up…it’s like we were kids that didn’t want to lose.

Faeran felt like he was getting left behind, so I also started sparring with him. Whenever I spar with Faeran, I only use magic, which is the complete opposite of when I spar with Zell. So as time passed, I got stronger in both magic and swordsmanship.

Our travels continued like that, and 7 weeks after our encounter with the phantom soldier, we finally got out of the desert.

___

The Saran wasteland is like an extension of the desert, except for the fact that there isn’t that much sand here; only dried up land and dead trees. The ground is uneven, and there are small hills everywhere, there are even a few small caves.

There’s just one small problem, there’s little to no life here, so food is gonna be a bit hard to find. I should have thought of this kind of situation, but I didn’t; luckily, we’re just a month away from Agaroth ruin, which is brimming with powerful monsters, so we won’t have to worry about food there.

It’s currently night time, and we already finished eating a monster that looked like a crow. We’re a bit careful about food this time, so we left some that could last until tomorrow’s lunch.

I was sitting on an elevated ground, and Faeran was sleeping on my lap. As I looked at the sky, I summoned my stats.

NameSania PendragonAge1GenderFemaleLevel68Charisma???[tr]

[tr]HP3416/3416MP962/964Strength263(+50)Defense342(+35)Dexterity542Agility512Magic power294Magic Defence217(+15)Required exp for the next level674

Just a bit more before the next level up.

“Do you like strong men?”(Zell)

T-that came out of nowhere. This is the first time he asked me about this kind of topic.

“Hmmm I guess. It’s always reassuring to have a strong man supporting you after all.”(Sania)

“I-I see”(Zell)

“Why are you asking this now, don’t tell me you like me?”(Sania)

Well, I meant that as a joke, but his reply was a serious. “…yes”(Zell)

After hearing that, I stared at him...and stared…and stared…

“I-I love you…”(Zell)

It looks like he used all of his courage to say that, so I also answered seriously. “Sorry, I don’t plan on being in a relationship yet.”

My past is not affecting me like before, but that doesn’t mean I can completely forget. I even have dreams of Eugene from time to time, so I doubt I could seriously look at another man right now.

“I-it’s just a joke.”(Zell)

He tried to hide his pain, but I know the he really meant it when he said he loved me.

All I could do was to tell him my real feelings. “Sorry, Zell”(Sania)

___

Author’s Note:

Spoiler : Too bad, the ship has already sunk?