"You look lonely? You have no one with you? Why don't I show you ar—"

"Huh?"

"Ne-nevermind, sorry for wasting your time."

The topless Adonis froze at the sight of my eyes; his expression turned sour and averted his gaze.

'Pussy.'

Summer can go fuck itself. There, I've said it, and I don't plan on taking this statement back.

Those people who go to the beach to freshen up, I say, disgusting. It is contaminated with animal wastes, sewage spills, fecal matter, and worst of all, people who think they are the shit! When in truth, they're pieces of shit…

Yet as much as I bark, here I am, with my so-called demonic eyes, hoodie, and a lovely scowl that's as deep as the Mariana Trench.

'Dammit, why did I agree to join Julia to the beach? I should've gone to the Gym or went to a PC bang. I heard Koreans are good at games; they might at least prove a challenge. I really haven't touched a game for a month since I went to that German Site… is this what they call withdrawal?'

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I am an Archeologist; though I have not made any significant find and made lots of money, I at least have enough to travel the world.

I actually wanted to become a blacksmith in some forge because of Yootube's influence. Both "Forge and Blaze" and "GentleMan at Arms" clips made me want to craft some amazing weapons; sadly, my godmother didn't want me living covered with oil, so I went with my second choice and became an archeologist.

For full disclosure, I chose to become someone like "Indiana Jones" or find "Atlantis" like in that one animated movie. What? Atlantis is an inspiring piece of masterpiece… I, too, want to make a discovery of such a scale someday.

Though, to be fair, being a blacksmith or discovering Atlantis was not the stupidest dream I had growing up. I even wanted to become a Hero at some point, hahaha — where had my purity gone.

Moving forward, let's get back to why I am so grouchy about summer and so-called hunks. – okay, get ready – my indoor loving ass is… in Korea… in Jeju Island.

If you're wondering if I spent a single cent to go here, then, no, it was my best friend Julia and her fiancé who bought the plane ticket, took care of the accommodation, and pretty much everything.

In short, I am but a peasant tagging along here for free. I am thankful, yes, but I don't think being here is any better than staying inside an air-conditioned room.

"Lily, come on, join us. The water is nice!"

"I'm good, just enjoy your time with Woo-in! I also don't like being around you two; I might puke sugar!" I rejected Julia's offer, who was having the time of her life.

"You sure!?"

"Yeah! Just enjoy yourselves!"

"…Okay, but you should really have fun with us."

"Yeah, sure."

Where was I? Oh yeah, I just told you how much of an ungrateful asshole I am.

I can tell you're judging me right now, thinking, "Then why come, your ungrateful bitch?" well, first of all, I was tricked into coming.

Julia said that a UFC event will happen here with my favorite fighter, Israel, being the main event.

If you hadn't caught on, I am a woman who is interested in Indiana Jones, and because of my young, stupid mind, I trained myself to become a Tomb Raider of sorts.

Though I later learned that becoming an archeologist doesn't mean you can go pew-pew-pew and bang-bang-bang against any terrorist scum without turning to swiss cheese, I still kept training for health reasons.

I even learned Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts, and some Judo for dessert. Though I am no professional fighter, I at least gained an excellent figure from doing all that.

Because of my hobby, I took an interest in UFC, became a massive fan, and got baited here to meet my idol.

Using the ticket to the main event, Julia had me join her here, on the beach, so I don't turn into a couch potato in the hotel playing games.

But jokes on her, hehe, this is not enough to convert me into a summer-loving person.

I am an archeologist, someone who spends time with the sun more than my friends. Many would think I have long rescinded my fate to spend the rest of my days with the sun, but no, my hatred towards it only grows with every passing day.

I can bear the heat because it's work, and I'm interested in artifacts and on old booby traps, but that's where I draw the line.

The beach is the enemy, air-conditioning is salvation, and I am only playing along to get that ticket.

I dread the sun to the point I will find ways to block and avoid this old foe. But, only for today will I let myself be besieged, for I know I would be rewarded for my courage.

'I shall outlast the sun in hopes of getting what I want hehehe.'

Trembling as I failed to control the laughter held deep within, I transformed into a natural man repellant and was left alone for the whole day.

I became hades' guard dog under the beach umbrella as I loyally protected our bags and equipment. My head held down, the light from my phone reflected in my eyes as I went through the walls of text.

I could not part with the words, that was until a shadow cast on me,

Staring at me with a raised brow while shaking her head was Julia judging me.

"What can I say? I prefer land over water. I'm a human Julia, and we do not tread the territory of the fishies... where they shit and poo." I responded with a shrug.

The three of us then returned to the Hotel soon after Julia's loss. I was in a separate room. Originally, Julia and I shared it while Woo-in stayed in another, but I changed with the poor lad.

'This is my way of repaying him. Go wild, you two.'

A tear almost escaped from the corner of my eye.

July 17, 2024 — Night

The time has come.

Dressed up in my most fashionable t-shirt and pants, Julia and her fiancé joined me at what's about to become the best Summer Night of my life.

"You seem excited, Lily," Julia said as she and I waited for Woo-in to bring the car around.

"Of course, I am. I've wanted to go on a live fight so that I can enjoy the sound of flesh being beaten to mush! The sun may have kept me down earlier, but nothing's going to stop me now!"

The Universe seemed to have taken offense to my words, and a screech from behind echoed. A thief was running to us, with a bag he stole from an elderly woman.

"Get out of the way!" the thief shouted at Julia while holding a knife.

Without me knowing Julia got in the way, she wanted to stop the thief. I really doubt Julia really knew what she was doing. Since we were young, Julia would always help those in need. Always standing up for others… just like how she did for me way back when.

"JULIA! Look out!"

Julia was shaking; she wouldn't move despite my calls. My cries must have alerted the thief; he swung the knife at Julia, and through sheer reflex, my body moved to protect my friend.

Stepping forward, I caught the thief's hand and threw him on the asphalt. I could hear him groan, and many who saw my actions had their mouth open.

But something's strange, the knife he was holding had blood on it. I looked over at Julia and heaved a sigh of relief, seeing she was okay... so why is she crying?

Looking down, I finally understand that the thief actually stabbed and opened my stomach.

"That's not good."

"Lily! Ho-hold on, Woo-in will be here at any moment! We'll get you to a hospital, so please don't die!"

She cried out, and before long, my knees grew weak. Julia applied pressure on the wound, tears streaming down her face.

"Idiot… I told you… you don't look good while crying."

Oh shit, what the hell am I saying?

"That sounded… so… stupid hahaha. Ack… it hurts to laugh."

My eyes grew heavier, and I saw Julia panicking as Woo-on arrived from the corner of my eyes.

Without wasting a second, he carried me then put Julia and me in the car's back seat. He drove without a care for the speed limit, yet I instinctively knew it was too late. The hospital was too far away.

"Woo-in… listen, I leave my Julia to… you… please, take care of her. Make her happy… or else I'll haunt you…"

"Lily, don't talk like that; you're going to be fine. We're going to see a Fight, right? Please, hold on, please, I beg of you, hold on — don't die. Please… Lily."

I held onto Julia's hands that had been dyed red in with my blood, "Yeah… sure."

I… don't want to die.

Julias tears could not be controlled; they landed on my face as her sobbing voice reached my ears, "I-I'm sorry, it's my fault that you're like this. Lily, please… I-it's my fault, I, if only I, if I only didn't get in the way, I—I."

"You did nothing… wrong… remember… what I said… to you when we were young? I always… wanted to be a hero… you just fulfilled that dream… thank you… Julia."

I don't want to die… but, I don't want Julia to feel guilt. She had done so much for me; the last I can do is assure her that it is okay.

"Lily!? LILY! WAKE Up…. Please!"

"Live well… Julia."

I can still hear her, but soon my consciousness was dragged into darkness.

I died… smiling in her arms.

And speaking of which, how come I can still think?

Hmm, I wonder where I'll end up? Heaven or Hell?

I asked a simple question, and, in that darkness, I saw a simple figure directly hover above me. It had a gentle smile, its figure glowed in a white ethereal radiance, 'Is it possible?

I raised my hands, ready to embrace said light. It got closer and closer, and the closer it got, the clearer I saw that it was a hammer on its right hand.

'Is it here to judge me? I wonder where it will send me?'

I asked myself, but the question didn't need an answer because it swung directly at me.

Other than the giant hammer, the last thing I saw was a flash of black gold light coming from its eyes. Its wide smile directed at me.

That's when I realized where I would be sent, '…most likely Hell.'

And so, the hammer struck me with thunderous might.