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As Kenji and the rest of the heroes were sucked in, when they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a wormhole of sorts, with their bodies moving at very quick speeds.
As they floated through the wormhole, Kenji thought to himself, "Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT ALL TO HELL! Why was it different from the game? In the game, in the first carriage you hop on, there's a dagger left there so you could escape, or at least there was supposed to be."
"Now we're going to a late-game area with no gear. We're as under-leveled as they get, and other than me, these guys have zero fucking combat experience. And what makes it worse is that this place is DLC, and of course, I was a cheapskate and never bought it."
Zenith spoke up, her voice shaky, "What if we never leave this thing? What if we never make it to the other world?"
Kenji responded coolly, "That would be the best-case scenario: a quick, fast, easy, painless death. Just gone, erased by the force of being outside space and time. Although maybe not painless; I wouldn't know."
Zenith began to weep hysterically.
Kenji looked up and saw something was wrong: the wormhole was shrinking. He screamed out, "EVERYONE GET CLOSE TOGETHER AND TRY TO TAKE UP AS LITTLE SPACE AS POSSIBLE!"
Mike looked at Kenji weirdly before calmly replying, "Why t—" but before he could finish his sentence, the wormhole shrank to the point where his back was outside, and the next second, the backside of his body was gone. His body fell limply forward as it floated in the zero gravity of the wormhole.
Liz screamed out and lunged forward, grabbing his body, then bringing it with her to the center of the wormhole.
Liz held the lifeless body of Mike in her arms. "MIKE! MICHAEL! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!" she howled to the heavens, burying her face in his chest.
Zenith couldn't hold back her stomach and emptied her guts into the air; as they floated outside, they promptly got disintegrated.
Amy looked on in shock as tears began to flow from her eyes in despair at their horrible situation.
As Kenji wanted to comfort her, he was beaten to the punch by Henry. Kenji felt his heart ache, but now he had different things to focus on. He looked around at the space around them. One wrong move and they were dead. As the wormhole got smaller and smaller, Kenji noticed a white light getting closer.
And right before they could be erased or even partially erased, the white light engulfed them.
Our heroes opened their eyes to a beautiful waterfall surrounded by a forest, the sky a sprawling blue.
Kenji lay back on the grass, stretching out his legs with a content smile on his face. "We made it, at least."
Amy sat not too far from him, being held by Henry, while Liz sat with what remained of Mike. His legs had been caught outside the wormhole, so the only thing left of his body was the upper front. From Mike's back, his organs fell loosely. She cried, holding the body on her lap.
Meanwhile, Zenith was completely knocked out; the shock of the situation must have gotten to her.
Kenji stood up and remarked, "Okay, since most of us made it, that ain't too bad."
Liz snapped at this comment, immediately moving over to Kenji, anger in her bloodshot eyes. "What the fuck did you just say? It ain't too bad? MIKE'S FUCKING DEAD AND YOU SAY IT ISN'T THAT BAD? DOES MICHAEL'S LIFE NOT MATTER?!"
"Don't get mad at me! He didn't listen! I called out well and clearly, and he didn't mo—"
Kenji flew back, coughing blood as Liz punched him in the gut. Kenji thought, "Shit, shit, that hurt way more than it should've, and I used to be able to see that easy kind of attack. What happened? Oh yeah, FUCK! In the DLCs, or at least this one, if I remember right, hidden classes were turned off to help with balancing, but if that's true, I'm really fucked."
Liz began to move closer once more, and as she pulled back to punch Kenji again, Amy grabbed her hand, stopping her.
"Don't do this. Kenji is being insensitive, yes, but that doesn't mean you can kill him. That one punch from you was enough to make him cough blood, and I mean, we need all the help we can get. None of us know the environment, and this time there's no kingdom to help us."
Liz lowered her fist and looked at Kenji's keeled-over form, holding his stomach. She spat at him.
As the sun began to set, the group foraged for berries and made a makeshift tent, all without Kenji's help.
Kenji sat far away from the camp, one hand on his chest. That single punch broke one of his ribs. Hero classes really are way too fucking OP. As Kenji closed his eyes to rest, he quickly fell into sleep's embrace.
As the sun began to rise, Kenji woke and stood to look at his camp of so-called friends. Liz was still resting, trying to forget yesterday's horrific scenes. Amy and Henry were busy trying to dig a grave for what remained of Mike, and Zenith had left to forage.
Kenji stood up, holding his chest; it ached from the punch of yesterday, but he began to look for something as the other two were finishing digging the grave.
As they placed the body inside the hole and began to throw the sand back in with their hands, once they were finally done, Kenji placed a cross made from wood.
"Hey, Amy, my body's not in the best condition, so can you place the cross a bit deeper?"
Amy obliged, using a small amount of strength to push the cross deeper.
They sat down next to the waterfall as Zenith returned with blueberries and bananas.
Liz joined them, her face downcast.
Henry began to speak, his tone thoughtful. "So guys, what's the game plan? We can't stay out here in the woods for too long. We need to find civilization or something."
Amy asked with a thoughtful look, "Kenji, did the books you read say anything about this world?"
Kenji sat back, leaning on the rock wall behind him, his eyes closed as he held his ribs. "Unfortunately not," he replied, his voice strained.
Zenith spoke up, "We need to find a river and follow it. People usually build near rivers."
Henry spoke, "Yeah, that's a good idea, but first we need to get out of this forest." He stood up, his face serious.
As the group traveled, Kenji remained a distance behind the rest, barely keeping up because of his injury. But after a week of searching for an end to the forest, they found it; they finally made it out of the forest.
As Kenji finally stepped out, he joined the rest of the group on the ledge of the mountain where the forest was located. As he looked over the ledge, they saw a large town ahead of them, half a day's journey.
Henry spoke, his voice filled with much more happiness now, "LET'S GO AND EAT SOME MEAT!" as he began to run on the path down the mountain.
Amy screamed after him, "Wait for us, you knucklehead!" as she began to pick up the pace.
As those two ran off, the remaining three calmly walked down the mountain in silence.
At the gates, they were stopped by two guards, both holding spears.
"State your name, your affiliation, and your reason for visiting."
Kenji started, "I'm Kenji Him— I don't have a clan, neither do they, and we aren't affiliated with any faction or sect. Our reason for visiting is that we were all orphans dropped in the forest and—"
Henry interrupted, "We're not orphans! What do you me—" Amy put her hand over his mouth.
"He's been injured on the head, so his memory's a bit messed up, right guys?"
The rest of the group nodded in agreement.
Kenji continued, "Our reasoning for entering— wait, what exactly is this town's name?"
The left guard replied, "Oh, this town is Blood Red Haven."
Kenji thought, "Shit, shit, shit, shit. That name doesn't sound too good..."
Kenji continued, "Our reasoning for entry is my injury; I fell and broke a few ribs, and Henry here has a head injury."
"And who are the other three?" asked the right guard.
Kenji replied, a fake smile on his face, "This is Liz, Amy, and Zenith. Now may we be allowed entry?"
The guards looked at each other, then opened the gate, allowing the group to enter.
The town was filled with people; the town's light brimmed brightly in the dim night. As the group walked, they found an inn. Zenith used some gold to pay for the rooms, which she had on her since they were kidnapped.
As they each went to their rooms, Kenji lay on his bed and closed his eyes. When he opened them once more, he saw he was in the same abyss as last time. As the Reaper's boat approached, he saw Michael riding with the Reaper. The Reaper began to speak, but this time his words didn't break down Kenji's mind.
"Human, it seems I have regained your humanity, and when I thought I had potential as a Reaper too."
"Where are you taking Michael?" asked Kenji.
"His time is completed, at least in this realm. I'll be taking him to the afterlife. You could care to join us, but I don't think I could return."
"No, I'm fine, Reaper. But can I ask him a question before you leave?"
"Fine, mortal." As he snapped his fingers, Michael's form regained life; his eyes regained color, and his stone face flushed with emotion.
Kenji looked at Michael. "I'm sorry for not trying to help you more."
Michael replied softly, "It is fine. You tried your best. You can't change the past, and that is fine. But can I ask of you a favor? Please tell Liz I loved her with all my heart and am truly sorry that I had to go first."
Kenji responded with a nod, "Of course I will."
Kenji watched as the Reaper rode off into the abyss with Michael.
Kenji awoke in his room. His body had healed, and his ribs were fixed, to Kenji's shock.
The group got back together, now outside the inn.
Amy began, her tone uncertain, "So guys, what's our game plan?"
Henry answered eagerly, "I did some research last night by listening in on the people at the bar's conversations, and well, there's an Academy in another town north of here to train aspiring martial artists."
Amy noticed how Kenji's face changed to shock but didn't speak on it. "So our plan is to join the academy. Everyone in?"
Liz nodded silently.
Zenith softly replied, "Yes."
And as Kenji was the last one left, the group looked at him expectantly.
"No, I'm good on that."
Amy questioned, her voice rising, "Why?"
Kenji calmly replied, "The Mount Hu— I mean, the academy isn't where I want to go."
Kenji thought to himself, considering I probably am exuding an insane amount of demonic energy, considering I'm undead, even if my class is sealed.
Amy looked a bit angry now. "How would you know it isn't a place you wanna go or even the name of the academy? It's almost like you know everything but keep it to yourself— at the castle, on the carriage, in the wormhole, and even when speaking to the guards. What are you not telling us? I'M TIRED OF YOUR LIES, AND MAYBE IF YOU DIDN'T WITHHOLD INFORMATION, MICHAEL WOULDN'T HAVE DIED!"
Henry agreed with Amy. "You have been withholding information and only giving it out at the last moment."
Liz looked saddened at the mention of Michael.
Zenith, trying to play peacemaker, spoke gently, "Guys, Kenji probably has his reasons for not telling us, and we all have our own secrets, right?"
Amy replied sharply, "No, this is different. If he had spoken up, Michael might still be alive, and these secrets you're keeping could save our lives. So either speak or leave the group..."
"Fine then, I'll choose to leave the group," Kenji spoke out, his voice calm, but in his mind, he knew it would be better for them if they left him behind, considering how much demonic energy he was exuding.
Amy looked sad. "So this is really the end, Kenji. Goodbye." She walked off with Henry following.
Kenji spoke up to Liz. "Liz, I know I'm the last guy you want to hear from right now, but the night before Henry died, he vented to me. If he didn't make it, he wanted to tell you he loves you."
Liz burst out in tears as she joined Amy.
Now it was only Zenith and Kenji left standing, both looking into each other's eyes.
Zenith handed Kenji a few gold coins as she also joined the rest of the group.
"Ha, I guess I'm all alone again, huh? Just like back then. Well, first I need to find a cultivation method. Demonic in nature would work best."
He walked down the busy streets until reaching a pub. He walked in to gather information about the Demonic Sect or Heavenly Demonic Cult.
Time quickly flowed by; a month had passed since Kenji had been left alone, and he had been working odd jobs around town for cash, doing anything he could. Searching for any info he could but most of the time coming up short or the information he would find were only rumors. In the month he had been here, he had found zero information about the Demonic Sect or the Heavenly Demonic Sect.
As Kenji walked down the street, he was pulled into an alleyway by a fat nobleman.
The nobleman spoke with narrowed eyes, "I heard you would do anything for money, right?"
"Yeah, you're right, but why? Do you need a job done?"
"Yeah, actually, I do. I need you to spy on my fiancée. I believe she's cheating on me. I'll pay you 30 gold."
"Yeah, sure, but who's your fiancée?"
The nobleman said, "Qui Mei is my fiancée, but recently she has been distant and avoiding me, even close at times. Investigate this for me. Here's our address." As he passed Kenji a note.
As night fell on Blood Red Haven, Kenji tailed Qui Mei through alleyways, finally stopping. He hid behind a wall, listening in on Qui Mei's conversation with the person she had come here to meet.
"You're a disciple of the Demonic Sect's way, so you should be able to kill my fat pig of a fiancé without anyone noticing. I'll pay you 80 gold: 40 now, 40 when it's over."
The masked person replied smoothly, "I'll have it done by tonight."
As he took the bag of money and began to run on the rooftops towards the nobleman's house, Kenji tried his absolute best to keep up. As they finally approached the nobleman's large and lavish home, both entered, and Kenji continued to follow the assassin until they finally found the man sitting at his gazebo in the garden. The assassin immediately made his move, lunging forward.
And as the assassin tried to slash the nobleman's neck, Kenji jumped in and stopped the assassin, clashing blades, the shock causing the nobleman to fall and take the table with him as his wine bottle fell, breaking on the ground.
As they clashed blades, Kenji immediately noticed how much he was being pushed back. Kenji used his dagger to redirect the assassin's blade and quickly followed up with a punch to the gut with the other hand.
"You bastard! How dare you get in the way of a Demonic Disciple? U must be from the Heavenly Demonic Sect with all that Demonic Energy you're exuding!" said the assassin.
"Me? Ha, you're funny, but how would one go about joining your sect?" asked Kenji.
The assassin charged in once more, saying, "I'll give you an entrance exam. If I stay still and let me kill u, you're accepted."
Kenji's blade quickly got dismantled by the assassin before he was stabbed in the stomach as he lay on the floor, bleeding.
"With the amount of energy you were exuding, I would've thought you were on the same level as a True Grandmaster, but you're not even third rate," said the assassin as he made his way towards the nobleman, who screamed and begged for his life to be spared.
As the assassin stabbed Kenji's blade into the nobleman's neck, then chest, then repeatedly in the stomach, as the assassin stabbed the man for the final time, he felt Kenji's breath on his neck before he joined the nobleman in death as Kenji plunged the broken wine bottle into his head. The assassin fell to the ground, lifeless.
Kenji placed both of his hands on the assassin's body. In the month, he had discovered that luckily his death affinity had remained after he killed a deer and got a pretty big energy boost and increased healing.
Kenji touched his body, activating his death affinity to steal what remained of this man's lifeforce. Kenji felt his wound healing at a rapid pace, but his mind was warping once more; it desired more. No, it needed more.
He made his way to the nobleman to search his body for any money and found 32 gold coins; then he took the body's remaining lifeforce. He picked up both his dagger and the assassin's before looting the assassin's body, finding the 40 gold the woman gave him and a note from Qui Mei that explained where to meet her after the mission.
He made sure to make it look like the assassin was killed by the man in an altercation but also died in the process.
He made his way to Qui Mei, who was standing in an alleyway clad in a black cloak.
Kenji appeared behind her, holding his dagger to her neck.
"What's the meaning of this, Fei Zhu?" Qui Mei asked, her voice filled with anger.
"Is that the Demonic Sect guy's name? Well, it doesn't matter considering he's dead, and I will also be unless you tell me what I want to know."
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