Nang masiguradong maayos na ang pagkakatali ng tela sa sugat ko, isinuot ko na ang damit at kinuha ang mga dadalhin ko.
Kahapon lang kami nakarating sa Adria. Bumungad sa amin ang nag-iipong mga adventurer sa paligid. As expected, the guild informed the adventurers and the nearby town about the situation that Adria might face.
Kaya kahit saan ako mapatingin, nagkalat ang mga ito sa paligid.
As soon as we arrived in the town yesterday, agad na pinatawag si Azh at Fin, and I was sure it was about the situation. This is an emergency quest from the guild. That means this is not just a simple war but a serious and dangerous one that might wipe out the whole town of Adria if we don't act sooner. We cannot underestimate the magical beast horde. Knowing how they managed to join forces with other kinds is already alarming.
Mamaya na ang alis ng lahat para maunahan ang pagsalakay ng mga ito. Nalaman ko lang din kay Fin that the estimated number na nakita niya that time were about thousands or more.
This is not new to us anymore, but this event is unlike any we have faced before. In the aftermath of war, it is where the reality sets in. We no longer know who will return alive and who will perish on the battlefield. It is the worst reality in every adventurer's life—a truth that we can never escape.
Every quest we take on the quest board is like a gateway to death. We don't know if it will be our last. Our safety is never guaranteed. We might be alive and breathing 'til now, but we don't know for how long.
It took me a while to finally understand what my lolo said before, why our family quit being what I am now. I finally understood a long time ago..
Parahan kong hinawakan kung nasaan ang sugat ko. I don't feel any pain anymore. I'm totally healed. As expected from the medicine Azh gave.
"Fae, aalis na kami." Mabilis akong napatingin sa pinto. It was Fin. I didn't say anything. Tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa saradong pinto ng room. I know she is just behind that door.
"Fa-"
"I'm fine, take care." I said honestly.
"You're not mad at us, right?" I remained silent. I didn't say anything. Narinig ko ang mabigat nitong pagbuntong-hininga.
"Please understand, we want you to be safe, Fae. That's all we want." I stared at the door. It's not that I don't understand what she's trying to tell me. I understand well. I just can't accept to myself how I've burdened them in so many ways.
Yes, I'm a burden.
But I can't accept the fact that when it comes to this, I can't just listen to them and obey what they said.
That's right. Hindi ako pinasama ng mga ito, as the guild master said as well. But no, I can't just stand here habang sila nakikipaglaban. And besides, the same creature might be there...
I don't want to waste this opportunity.
I gritted my teeth. I started to feel my rage just by the thought of that certain creature. Its mere existence filled me with an intense hatred. I won't let this chance slip away.
I must be the one to kill it with my own hands. I need to kill it. For years of searching for that creature, this day might be the day I finally find it. The thought of finally ending its life sent a thrill through me. Goodness, I can't wait to kill it with my bare hands.
This creature had caused me unimaginable pain and suffering. I could still see the day how that creature took my whole family.
Every scar on my body. Every nightmare I endured, was because of it.
