Together We Level Up

Chapter 13: Rising Temperature part 1

Knock Knock

With all the things that have happened to her over the past year, Asha was crying alone in her home, when suddenly someone knocked on the door.

' Who's knocking?'

Puzzled Asha goes to the door to check.

But before she could answer, a familiar voice came from the other side.

"Asha? Are you there?"

It was Surya.

'Why is he?'

Asha was alone, she needed someone to talk to but she couldn't. She knew of her resentment towards him. Even if it wasn't his fault, it was because of him that she was left alone and because of which she couldn't do the one thing her sister wanted.

'I don't want to see you.'

"Asha, look I know you're there. I asked the neighbors and they said that you didn't move. Are you fine?"

Surya was sounding understandably worried.

"They said that your sister...

Asha, I just want you to know I'm here for you."

Surya's voice started to shake.

"L... Look I know that you... I know that you don't like me."

Asha became somewhat shocked.

' How did he? '

"I'm not that stupid you know... after all I helped you with your exams didn't I??

I always knew that you kept it hidden from me. Maybe even from yourself. But I wanted to be with you so I didn't question. I was desperate for a friend, so, when I got you I desperately clung on to you. So, if you want, I want to finally be able to be that friend to you too...

Will you open the door for me?"

No one answered.

On the other side, Asha was still trying to decide what to do. But her hand slowly went on its own to open the door. It went slowly, unbeknownst to her but as it got close to the handle.

" I guess you're outside. It's fine, I guess, why would you want to talk to me...

But I'll keep trying though...

Tomorrow."

With that sounds of steps going away came from the other side.

..........................

The day came when Asha joined her first raid.

She went through her training but thanks to her time spent inside the gym with Surya, it only lasted a month or so.

On her first day, she took part in three A-rank raids and in a single day saw four of her guild members turn into shadow soldiers.

Her potential was high, even as an S rank but, she was still only a 17-year-old girl. Fighting against monsters who only think of killing you isn't something a child like her should do. But as the world was in such a horrendous state, no one would actually stop it. The guild master had to helplessly oblige since there were no authorities who could control her.

"The gate is opening!!!!"

She would get ready.

"Meteor Strike."