The door was made up of steel, it looked old yet sturdy enough to not fall.


    My heart was racing from nervousness, whatever or whoever was behind it was responsible for the suffering of many.


    From the looks of it, I can''t enter it in a concealed state, hiding my presence should be impossible.


    "Haaa" I gripped my sword more tightly than ever, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves.


    Slowly, I started to walk toward the steel door. Gripping the cold gandle it send chills down my spine.


    "Alright, I am way too nervous."


    I tried to focus, reminding myself of how important this work was. How many lives depend upon it?


    "Remember only monsters are beyond this door not humans."


    I don’t want to be a hero, I just want to know who I am.


    I have never asked this myself because of Grandpa Will, but now he is not with me anymore. My friends are no more, my family is no more. All my


    connections are gone.


    But that dream has given me some hope that maybe I am not alone. That maybe someone is still waiting for my arrival.


    This was my resolve– to hunt down monsters.


    With a creaking sound, the door opened.


    The tunnel expanded once again but this time it was not an endless road. It had lights installed inside.


    ''Looks like I can still do it secretly after all'' I almost sighed in relief, but stopped midway not wanting to let anyone know about my presence here.


    Not yet.


    With measured steps, I walked inside the corridor.


    *Tak*


    *Tak*


    Footsteps echoed in the open corridor, the dark dam walls making each sound echo.


    This place was not meant to be silent, I stopped mid-way as two new paths greeted me.


    *Tak*


    My heart dropped at the sudden sound of footsteps.


    ''Was I caught so soon?''


    Hearing the sound coming from the right, I quickly chose the left side to hide.


    "Urgh, Do we need to come here, the beast is still out."


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    "And whose fault do you think it was for letting the beast out?"


    Two men can be seen walking through the right corridor, both dressed in combat gear.


    "Who was it again? I need to kick that bastard''s ass."


    "You are that bastard."


    "Oh? I guess it doesn''t matter than."


    Their conversation stopped abruptly as the two guards looked towards the source of the sound. I held my breath, pressing my back against the cold, damp stone wall, hoping the walls would swallow me whole.


    "The door is open."


    The man with reddish brown hair pointed toward the door, and the man beside him frowned.


    "The beast didn''t enter right? Should we check outside?"


    ''Yes, go outside.'' I cheered internally for such clever thoughts.


    "Hmm, let''s go."


    Both men cautiously approached the door with silent steps, fear can be seen clearly in their eyes.


    Outside was dark and empty, no beast could be seen waiting outside.


    "Should we go deeper?"


    "Have you brought the torch?"


    "You were supposed to bring it!"


    "You goddam idiot! I told you to do it just a moment ago."


    ''They get along surprisingly well.'' I thought as I watched them go out.


    "Let''s just do a quick check and lock the door this time."


    The man with reddish hair at the end just sighed.


    "Fine with me."


    "*Sigh* I am never asking you to do anything ever again."


    They both stepped deeper into the tunnel, their hands glued to their swords. Even though it looked like both were ready to fight, their shaking hands told another story altogether.


    "Hiik, hey see this."


    The man with black hair hitched as he called out to his friend. They both looked at the head of the dead beast lying on the ground.


    "We need to inform others that someone has enter-"


    Before he could finish his sentence they both froze- their time has been stopped.


    My thoughts raced faster than ever as I stopped both men with static, my usual nonchalant attitude gone.


    What am I supposed to do now? I don''t have any means to capture them nor am I confident enough to subdue them without making any sound.


    The answer was clear on what needed to be done, but I once again tried to run away from it.


    ''Will you still keep them alive.'' Elda''s words echoed in my mind. Reminding me once again of the cruelty they had done.


    "Pfft-" A sudden laugh came out as I realized something messed up.


    I never took any means to capture by my own will. I didn''t want to keep them alive from the beginning.


    This was done unconsciously, to force me with a single option only.


    I took out my sword once again preparing myself for the act I was about to commit.


    "My hands are shaking" I mumbled.


    But why?


    When I fought the tree that took control over villagers, I was afraid but not this much. When killed Kit even then I didn''t shake this much.


    I closed my eyes and went behind the man with black hair. Using my left hand I covered his mouth in a strong grip, he was still unable to move as time had been stopped for him.


    "Hmp!"


    He tried to shout as I let go of static, before he could react any further I slit his throat open.


    *Thump!*


    His eyes wide open, as his lifeless body fell on the floor.


    Just like that, he was dead.


    No struggle or confusion. Just a quick and painless death.


    My hands had stopped shaking as I glanced at the body below me. I didn''t wait any further and did the same with other men as well.


    What kind of face am I making right now? I don''t know but it was not supposed to be a good one I assumed.


    "Maybe I have a talent for this." I joked but couldn''t laugh


    Not waiting further I once again entered the corridor going left in a hurry.


    *Tak!*


    *Tak!*


    This time my footsteps were loud and clear. But somehow I didn''t care.


    No I couldn''t care less. Is it reckless? Yes, it is.


    But do I care? Absolutely not. Not at this very moment.


    My steps soon turned into a sprint as I dashed inside.


    As if I was running away from something.


    Something that I don''t want to accept.


    ''Dammit''


    A man walking toward another corner noticed Asher, as he parted his lips to shout.


    "Wh-"


    *Kh!*


    I increased my speed instantly through Kairosflow, getting near him in under a second. Grabbing him by the collar I stabbed his neck, stopping any sound from coming out.


    His body struggled and twitched in my grasp, and after a moment he finally stopped moving.


    Gently, I let his body fall to the ground. One more has died.