"Prepare yourselves, everyone!" Warhuz, a highly skilled exorcist ranked C+, bellowed with a commanding presence as he clapped his hands, exuding confidence. He led the group towards the imposing purple portal that stood before them, ready to embark on a perilous mission.Brandon, second-in-command in this operation and also a C+ Hunter, couldn't contain his excitement and enthusiasm. "A'ight, yeah! less do zis ma'f*ckers!" he exclaimed, leaping around like a jubilant frog.Jeremy, on the other hand, wore a sly grin as he discreetly suppressed his aura. Being underestimated and perceived as the weakest member of the group worked to his advantage. "Here I come," he whispered to himself, relishing the element of surprise he held.However, Jeremy's momentary satisfaction was interrupted by a man with a comically shaped mustache who arrogantly approached him. "Don't even think about abandoning your post. As a D-ranked exorcist, your role is to mine crystals, collect valuable items, an
"Stealth mode!" Jeremy proclaimed, drawing his katana from seemingly thin air. As Jeremy prepared to face the enraged creatures, he couldn't help but wonder why they were already in rage mode. Had someone been in this dungeon before them? Or perhaps another team was also clearing this dungeon? Jeremy was aware that other guilds raided dungeons as well. However, If that was the case, this dungeon should have already been marked. There was no time to dwell on these thoughts as the beasts lunged towards Jeremy and Stella. "Watch out!" Jeremy warned Stella, noticing two tigers already leaping towards her. Realizing she couldn't escape the dire situation, Jeremy swiftly dashed towards her, slashing in a calculated manner. With precise movements, he targeted the first tiger's paws and the second tiger's belly. In a rapid succession of slashes, Jeremy aimed for the second tiger's eyes and the first tiger's neck before retreating, grabbing Stella's hand and pulling her away from the b
As the battle intensified, Jeremy's movements became more fluid and controlled. He anticipated the tigers' attacks, dodging and parrying with expert precision. With every swing of his katana, he aimed for vital spots, hoping to weaken his opponents.But the tigers were no ordinary foes. Their agility and strength were unmatched, and their thick fur offered a form of natural armor. Jeremy's strikes, though precise, seemed to have little effect. Blood trickled down his arm from a cut inflicted by one of the tigers, but he ignored the pain, his focus unwavering.He utilized his surroundings to gain an advantage. He lured one tiger towards a narrow passage, where its size and agility would be limited. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly sidestepped the tiger's attack, causing it to crash into the wall.As the injured tiger recovered, Jeremy swiftly moved to the next phase of his plan. He positioned himself strategically, using his katana to redirect the attention of the remaining two t
"You're late...." Jeremy whispered, his head hanging in disappointment, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos that surrounded him. Warhuz's thunderous voice pierced through the air, causing everyone to freeze in their tracks. His eyes widened as he took in the gruesome scene before him. "What in tarnation transpired here?" he bellowed, a mix of shock and anger lacing his words. The sight before him left him dumbfounded, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy. Jeremy, still in a state of shock himself, struggled to find the words to explain what had transpired. He stammered, his tongue betraying him in his moment of desperation. He struggled to find the right words to explain the unfathomable turn of events. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, making it difficult to form coherent sentences. "I.... I....." he faltered, his voice trembling as he fought to articulate the chaos that had unfolded. The weight of the situation bore down on him, making it difficult to
Sensing his turmoil, Jessica spoke once more: "Jeremy, I am acutely aware of the profound difficulty you face in reliving these painful memories. I harbor no doubt that you bear no responsibility for Stella's untimely demise. However, the same cannot be said for the other individuals entangled in this dark web of events. We implore you to provide your statement, not only to aid our investigation but also to provide closure for Stella's family."Jessica's words struck a chord within Jeremy, thawing the icy tendrils of anger that had gripped his heart. With each passing moment, he found himself inching closer to sharing certain details of the incident, while carefully omitting others, such as the presence of the unknown entity and the fact that he had fought to protect Stella, not the other way around. Instead, he claimed that he had been rendered unconscious by the creatures and woke up to find her lifeless body.Jessica listened intently, her unwavering belief in Jeremy's account p
"Stella..." he mumbled to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet room. The weight of his thoughts and emotions hung heavily in the air around him. He wondered if he would once again ignore her too, push her away until it was too late, until she was no longer a part of his life. The thought made his heart ache, and his eyes grew heavier with each passing moment.But then, as if on cue, he forced a smile, a feeble attempt to mask the pain that was evident in his eyes. It only made him look even more pitiable, a broken soul desperately trying to hold himself together."Yeah, what do you want?" he spoke, his voice laced with a hint of bitterness. He tried to eliminate every ounce of coldness from his speech, but it seemed futile. The walls he had built around himself were not so easily torn down.Celicia, who had been observing him with a mix of confusion and concern, was taken aback by his response. Before she could utter another word, a familiar voice rang out, breaking the te
"I may claim not to be a pawn to anybody, but in reality, I am still trapped within the confines of the system," Jeremy mused. "It dictates my every move, tells me how to become stronger, and numbs my emotions. Ever since that fateful day when I had the nightmare in class, I knew something significant was on the horizon."Reflecting on his own pride, Jeremy realized that it was nothing more than empty bravado in the face of true strength. He vividly remembered the nightmare and the encounter with the entity that had nearly taken his life."This system is both a gift and a curse," he contemplated, acknowledging the benefits it offered while recognizing the limitations and challenges it imposed upon him.A burning desire to surpass all those who stood in his way ignited within Jeremy's heart. He yearned to become stronger than the guild masters, the seasoned hunters, the formidable exorcists, the fearsome beasts and creatures, the very system that controlled him, and even the celestia
Returning to the topic at hand, Jeremy's voice took on a somber tone. "Like I was saying earlier, Sarah has been the only one there for me from the very beginning, apart from my mom. Our social statuses are worlds apart, yet she never treated me differently, unlike the rest of you."A touch of bitterness seeped into Jeremy's words as he continued, "The rest of you make me sick. You all made a mockery of me every day, isolating me as if I were some kind of infected being. But what pained me the most was seeing people in my own shoes tormenting me by joining your ranks."Celicia's eyes filled with remorse as she listened to Jeremy's words. She couldn't deny the truth in his words, knowing that she had been a part of the group that had treated him poorly. "I admit, I didn't like you and never paid you any attention," she confessed, her voice laced with regret. "But I was never involved in mocking you."Jeremy's gaze softened as he looked at Celicia, appreciating her honesty. "It doesn't