"I announce it so boldly, but I don't have any idea where to start looking for them." She brushes her hair, removing her tail band. "I propose we sleep today and investigate tomorrow." Her hair loosens around her shoulders. "It'll be too dangerous to go back now." She glances at Filip.

  "What are you planning on doing?" I ask. "I mean, that guy lost against them, and he's stronger than us."

  She shakes her index finger. "Ah, ah, ah… We have the advantage of knowing other participants who'll jump at this opportunity."

  "How are we going to convince them to join us? They won't simply believe us like that. It's not like they have any reason to associate with us."

  "That's where you're wrong. I made myself close to most of the participants. While you're busy ruminating about your lack of preparation, I made myself a bunch of friends." She crosses her arms. "Even though they're not nobles, having a lot of people in your circle is very important when you need something in a pinch. They can be useful at some point even if you maintain the relationship at the bare minimum."

  "But even then… I doubt most of them will just follow us like that, especially if they know the real strength of the opponent."

  "Hmm?" She looks puzzled. "I thought you were more idealistic than me. I'm surprised you have your feet on the ground."

  "We're talking about probable death here."

  "And aren't you willing to prove yourself? If this turns out to be a success, you might win a place despite your mediocre performance."

  I grit my teeth. "You have no right to-"

  "I have every right. If you're not in, I'm not going to force you. I just tried to give you some motivation because I like you well enough." She grabs Filip's right arm, pulling him up. "All I need is him to show me where to begin."

  I push her away from him. "Can't you see he's trying to calm down right now?"

  "What is your problem?! You don't want to help, so stay out of it."

  "I'm not staying out of anything. Filip is my friend, and this has nothing to do with him."

  "Oh, so our injured guy got like that on his own, huh?" She snaps. "Can't you see he did that trying to protect your friend? Why can't you repay him by avenging him?"

  "He's not dead yet, and why can't we leave that to more reliable people like the city soldiers?"

  "Excuses, excuses, always excuses, and you want to call yourself a hero by giving all the heavy weight to other people, even when the weight is caused by you."

  Why does she say that to me? It's only logical to take that initiative. I'll be a burden if I tag along.

  The image of the man comes to mind. But instead, it's her on Filip's back, and Filip… No, I. I'm the one carrying her.

  This is possibly the most likely scenario to happen if I help her. But then what am I doing about that man and Filip? Should I just observe like the others? But then I'll only be an observer.

  Will I observe everyone suffer and others succeed for the rest of my life?

  I think about Jiaolong in my place, getting to help Melissa. Succeeding and immediately getting a promotion. Climbing the ranks, notoriety, the kingdom's acknowledgement, the people's acknowledgement. Even Senghor's acknowledgement.

  But that isn't me in the picture. Like the people praising him in the crowd, I'm only one among many humans who have no distinction from the others. We just exist in the background to make others appear even brighter.

  But a hero isn't someone like the others. He needs to be outstanding by helping others. If he fears, then he's no different from the others who stay still in difficult situations, waiting for someone to resolve the issue.

  How long have I been satisfied with an empty life with no taste? It's so fragile that a single bad day managed to keep my eyes away from my objective. I don't want to be like the others. I want to be different.

  The most distinctive person ever. Someone even my idol will look up to.

  The image of myself shining brighter than my friends grows larger. Not only brighter than my friends, but brighter than the world.

  "Why are you just standing there?" She stammers.

  "Sorry for causing you trouble, Everest." Filip says.

  "I apologize. I've always been the one to make big talk about heroism, but I think I forgot what it really entails. I was worried about being a burden to you, Melissa, and getting you killed, so I looked for a way to run away. But this time I'll help." I extend my hand. "Expect me to do even better than you."

  She shakes my hand. "You're more like you were earlier today. That vigorous look. So all it needed was a little push."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  "It certainly helped. I still think it would be better to inform the city soldiers. But if I can't even get payback for the people most precious to me, then I can't be a hero. They're the first ones who should feel safe around me."

  "Everest…" Filip mutters.

  "Then fine. Take care of Filip. Have him take a bath, and tomorrow we'll think about a way to advance with the investigation. We have no guarantees, so before getting the help of the others, we'll have to identify them first." She lets go of my hand.

  "I agree. So we have a plan for tomorrow."

  "Then let's get some rest. Our brains have to be fully functional by tomorrow."

  I nod along with Filip, and she heads upstairs to her room.

  I take Filip to the bathroom in the backyard and stand guard outside while he bathes.

  I sit staring at the sky.

  The sky is beautiful. It makes me forget how terrifying this has been for Filip. I wonder what the others might be doing right now.

  "Filip. Why are you always out late at night?" I ask him through the wooden walls. "Now that I think about it, you're rarely here with Tora. Why is that?"

  He lets the silence linger before speaking. "I like exploring and making friends, just like we did at Cylo." His voice is low, barely audible.

  "You've spent five years here. I doubt you're still not accustomed to the whole area."

  "Well, you're right. I'll tell you why I do that. My adoptive parents don't even love me. I've just been a replacement for the heir in case he dies."

  "A heir?"

  "Yes, I have a big brother. Tora has been the only person caring about me since I came here, and I've been relying on her for too much. I run around making friends because I want to feel that acceptance, to have my affection reciprocated. I know it's selfish to say when I already have Tora's affection, but I don't feel like myself since I left, so I try to blend in. I try to be good to everyone and make friends with everyone."

  So he's been in a similar predicament to myself.

  One piece was missing from the puzzle.

  The foreigner piece cuts its parts to fit in.

  One piece was missing from the puzzle.

  The foreigner piece attempts to complete it.

  One piece is still missing from the puzzle.

  When the prepared piece reappeared, the foreigner piece was replaced.

  The puzzle is completed.

  All the pieces are in harmony.

  The foreigner piece is now missing.

  Its identity was forced to shape in a way it couldn't fit in anymore.

  I know deep down that I have to help him change that, or he won't be able to change later. Unlike him, my only pleaser was myself, not others, so I can say I understand him to some extent.

  "I don't want you to stay out late at night again. I don't want to hear ever again that you've been out after sunset."

  "That's ridiculous. You can't make me do that."

  "Don't you fear something like today happening again? I do." I take a deep breath. The air is cold. "Listen, I won't pretend to know the depth of what you're feeling, but I've been waiting for the moment I'll shine more than the others. The reality is I never have. Because of that, I've turned out to be hollow." Tears drop down my cheeks. "And because I know that feeling, I don't want to abandon someone I can help."

  "Everest, don't tell me you're crying."

  "No. Dust in my eye. That's all."

  "Is that really how you feel about it? Sorry for getting you so worked up."

  "You have us here now. So please do your best to stay alive while I'm here, and please don't turn out like I did."

  The door opens with a crunching sound. The temperature rises a little.

  "Well, if you insist, I'll try not walking around late at night." Filip steps out of the bathroom, scratching his cheek nervously. "But I can't promise to be home before sunset." He giggles.

  "That's already a start." I stand up from the cold floor. "Then I guess nothing is stopping us from meeting the deity of dreams."

  "Ha ha ha. Indeed, you haven't changed. Let's go get some sleep."

  I make sure he gets in before heading back to the backyard room.

  He at least promised to try. It's a beginning.

  I close my eyes, waiting to be taken by sleep. My body feels lighter. I gradually lose my consciousness before falling completely asleep.

  Morning:

  In the morning, we meet at the reception of the motel's lobby.

  Melissa wears a black long-sleeved top with a white skirt going down to her knees, all paired with a laced bag. Her hairs tied at the level of her waist.

  Filip and I have our usual attire. It's not like we care about variety to begin with.

  "It's morning. Now let's go." Melissa announces.

  "Hell yeah!" I shout with Filip.

  "You guys seem more motivated than yesterday. What happened last night, if you don't mind me prying?"

  "Nothing, I assure you." Filip says before looking at Tora behind the counter. "Is the man who helped me alright?"

  "His life isn't in danger." She says.

  "Then that's great."

  "Please come back safe."

  "Promise." He replies.

  With that, we leave the motel with a jingling sound.

  Although seeming confused at first, Filip manages to find the path to the place of the incident.

  The road leads to an isolated alley or was it even called an alley?

  The place is a complete disaster, like a flood swept through here. Walls are broken, the ground is cracked, and some homes have collapsed. A wall that once blocked the rays of sunlight now illuminates the scene before us.

  There's nobody but the three of us, so looking at the chaotic scene, one question arises.

  Were there victims?

  The blood splattered on the ground suggests several casualties.

  The injuries of the man from yesterday were heavy, but it's still unbelievable to think all this blood is his. He would've died instantly.

  To think they could do this just in a street fight… they're levels above what I could've imagined.

  Filip's gaze at the scene is frightening. Like he's cursing the oppressor. He clenches his fists so hard they shake.

  Maybe it was too much for him to see this.

  I pat his back. "Hey, Filip, I think we should go ba-"

  "Hey, you there! What are you doing?!" A foreign voice erupts.

  To our surprise, a soldier appears at the alley entrance. His silver armor bears the lion emblem and mask.

  "This zone is prohibited due to a recent incident."

  "Sorry, we're just surprised by how destroyed this area is." Melissa speaks in an attempt to disperse any misunderstanding.

  "I've never seen your faces. Tourists?"

  "Yeah, we just arrived in the city, and our friend here is giving us a tour." She points at Filip.

  "This early in the morning?" He stares insistently at Filip through his mask.

  We freeze, scared of what he might say.

  "I'll let it slide for you. You can go."

  We sigh and walk past him. Filip takes the lead, and I follow with Melissa.

  His voice emerges from beneath his mask. "I was talking about him, not you."

  My body is falling.

  No… I'm getting pushed. Melissa is pushing me from behind.

  Above her head, the sliding punch of the knight arcs through the air, trying to hit me as he turns around.

  We haven't touched the floor yet. Fully turned now, he charges his left fist, striking Melissa away and hitting her head.

  She flies back, cracking the wall. I finally hit the ground.

  I don't have time to comprehend what's happening.

  But he says, "We've been ordered to apprehend all recruitment participants. Now you may follow me gently or with some broken bones."

  statements are to highlight high pitched voices. Not to say the character is screaming but in this case see the as if a character raises their voice in a conversation.