The happiness was in the air. Smiles and laughter erupted around him, all happy for his fortunate recovery and reintegration to human society. A welcome change from the hostile outside.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPdVTytCjl
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But he felt empty.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizCP5PKdCz
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A void has been with him for the longest time. Since the time he regained sanity since his beserk entry in Regoir, he was convinced and thankful that he finally regained what might be the few fragments that were left of his humanity. But seeing the snarls and the glares that were targeted at him every time he walked on the city, he realized one thing: Those fragments may be more fewer than he thought.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5jK6BXyHc
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZo4tEQBRH
He didn't feel anger, he didn't feel resentment for them. Just an overwhelming sense of prejudice and pride, almost like an instinct, that he was stronger, faster, and better than them. They knew it, feared him for it.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkJPfLUrbb
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Even now, he felt thankful. Or rather, he wanted to feel thankful, just because it was the human thing to do.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLurxRbAN2
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwkX9YqDyt
Much as he smiled at his comrades, he felt only so little as a tinge of their so-called "happiness". He knew only how to react on the stimuli represented to him, not feel it himself. That and the ever-gnawing instinct of that pride, his subconscious but sure disdain of these "weak" creatures.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkb7fJpG8r
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCzz0iuSXM
In short, Heath Erhonial had lost almost all of his emotions, a numb husk of his former self. The only thing left, if you could call it an emotion, was his pride, twisted all the more by his undead nature.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgUYEQapLB
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhB6939Zws
Laugh, witness the tears of his comrades as he did, he could only react on them. These actions it seems, his little empathy, albeit with no emotion involved, stem from his forgotten human side. Some of the few fragments of his humanity, it seems.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1gInJcBNH
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA61r1Rnvg5
All the while his inner self, the instinct told him, "Why do you feel sorry for these weaklings? You could kill them, torture them in so many ways, use their blood for your nourishment. Chop their limbs one by one, snap their--"56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFTaQP9car
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"No."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLnHnxtHIQ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IfgHlNI63
"I am human," he assures himself.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t7NaNdsd2
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiUMFjposg
"And when will you snap out of that delusion?" The primal desire in him seemed to taunt. "You know you seriously can't keep me hidden, nay, surpressed, for so long, right?"56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhkxPEM3em
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVaA4R8rhi
Heath sat on his chair, struggling to keep his thoughts in check.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FB21tN40o
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUGH6piGma
"You can end this, Heath," the voice beckoned. "End this foolishness. Lose your humanity."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfUlEg1VQG
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogQPUPHApU
"Become the monster they fear you are."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkTpgQ1jvc
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrMQxvArDD
Heath grimaced at the thought, lost in the twisted world of his mind. The laughter around the dining table turned into echoes and once again, Heath was inside the place he longed to be freed from.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerAybyXImD
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEghbQhMMij
"No!" Heath suddenly shouted out loud, desiring no longer to be imprisoned in that dark place.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33xJsNaDnD
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNZRXdsUyT
"Heath?" Jennia asked, in place of everyone who now stared at him in shock.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOGXCovZE9
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdy52Mm8T7
Heath lifted his head. All faces looked at him from around the table. All wearing concern. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuhGkiShrv
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ALPO6lN3
Concern for him? Please. They should be concerned of themselves.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHghoh0gtbj
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Heath broke into a hearty smile.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstSzettRYD
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"No-no more food on my plate!" He exclaimed, "Foronard, I need a refill!"56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jPJt3Qhvg
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That seemed to do the trick. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd20qsaeu67
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In what seemed like time stopping, the hearty atmosphere that came to a sudden halt due to Heath's outburst returned once again, as it should.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuH3XtxhFo
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH2ZPppFuJ
Heath holds out his plate for the lizard-man cook to put the delicious Glutton Walker ribs on. Foronard catches a quick glance at Heath, seemingly to assess something, then returns to his task of putting the food on the plate.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSv5PhzQPY
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aRPORXiJw
Heath, not wanting to worry his guildmates, ate the ribs with gusto and exclaimed for another serving, much to the joy of the others. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOS3YFvv2n
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0nQHRyMTs
The joyful evening went on, and no sooner had Heath forgotten the ordeal he had mentally, albeit temporarily.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwzrg6R6rF
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoPUp1na5i
---(4 Hours Later)---56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvOxOkbtvo
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The Guild members had one by one went to bed. Until the ones left to fix the mess that was the dining table were Yuno, Heath, and Foronard. The three of them staring sleepily at the pile of dishes left by the others.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx3i6Wl2jZ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUO1RwbiHO
---(Heath's POV)---56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN3K7nFaKa
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED8JmVuTfe
Well this is awkward.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hi8LMuQFe
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I suppose I should do the honor of starting the clean up effort.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2guV8CZLvs
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"You two can sleep if you want to," I told Yuno and Foronard.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvusktq8o8X
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"I suppose," Yuno yawned in response. "Good night, you two."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqg5GVTwd2
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg5yyuIYui
Yuno stands up and starts to walk toward the hall while I gather the wooden bowls and utensils in the table.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfbGhxOFtl
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg42cUuVX7
"Oh hey, Feran," she suddenly said.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCDqhGcKLW
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I turned to see a big wolf emerging out of the hallway that connected the kitchen and the living quarters. It was Feran, the resident Lupi Giganti or Great Wolf of the guild, possibly the last of his kind and the strongest among us in terms of offensive capability.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgu8OVZOhY
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Yuno, as if in a sleepy trance, reached out for the cozy furry face and snuggled in, much to Feran's annoyance.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5kroxkp0l
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This scene would have been humurous if Feran was reduced to the size of a regular dog and not a huge black wolf whose maw can easily sever Yuno's head from her body in one bite.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtEklN4gqq
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"Uh, Yuna," he said, "stop sleeping on my fur."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQgIAOP9ZE
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m5NLdsesi
Feran shook his head to wake Yuno up, as she was starting to fall into slumber while laying her head on Feran's furry forehead.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhZPXcqX7Y
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"No," Yuno sleepily muttered, "just a little more, Feeeeeraaan~."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZg5RoxSzW
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCwlhh4ib0
I turned my attention to the plates I was carrying, being distracted by this scene is detrimental and would accomplish nothing. Foronard followed my lead.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsQGi5iwgV
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PsvFYvtyS
I cleared the table as properly as I could, searching every nook and cranny for crumbs. I will not fail at a task as meager as this.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zPcHhZkTs
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Feran stared at me helplessly as Yuno continued her task in sleeping in the cozy dark fur. No, buddy. That's your problem.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnmZPqDLAG
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG51cWexw5V
Feran got the message and dragged the still-clinging Guild Master towards her bedroom.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU2rX93YQb
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"He should have just transformed," Foronard remarked.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILIjVHvqRd
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuxdyclQRS
I shrugged. Feran was more comfortable with his Lupine form, it seems. It wasn't a burden for him but lately his big size has become a problem when you pass by him in the hallway.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jgUFhWRnD
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWSPTkD3Dm
After that interaction, Foronard and I focused our attention to washing the dishes. I was thankful for the chore, it served as a moment to think deeply, even though the raging thoughts can be occasionally heard.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOww3jgPoOg
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No matter, I'll satiate its bloodlust on the Tower later.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSW9j2nrwm
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"Heath," Foronard said, "have the thoughts been bordering you again?"56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRg6DMyX8J
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I didn't answer. I was not surprised Foronard came straight to the problem. He has the same circumstances as I did.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDYAdtACwo
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELQXAlE5rD
Foronard, as a lizard-man, was also an "unfeeling", but was blessed only to have the instinct of survival, unlike I who had a vampire's eternal desire to drink blood even when it is unnecessary.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLa2Jg5oiq
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It was because of this and his uncanny perception of things, that he came to know of my condition. And how it was worsening by the week.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgWpCp7vIL
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"Yes," I answered.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGsHkambRY
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"How strong were the urges?" He asked in the same inquiring, emotionless tone he always had, as if he wouldn't be put in danger if I succumbed. Well, that's the good thing about lizardmen, I must say.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡualf5Vcgia
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"Quite annoying, not strong."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhWa96Sgsv
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"Can you still hold?" He asked, concern absent from his voice, but it was felt. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniDAZEWs3i
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRplekwKUnf
The truth was that though it was serious, I pushed the matter aside. I had hoped that some sort of clichéd miracle would happen on my darkest hours, saving my conscience from the sin of having drained everyone and everything of life.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ovEQe1q38
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But now I wasn't so sure.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG2JqRDBYH
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The voice, has lately become stronger. More vivid and clear.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclF1G5KVnf
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU3ttQSbEP
More... Me.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQVWWm9Mtp
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How do I battle this enemy? I thought while scrubbing the plates. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEnEKHqDPJ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKhsgMSyhR
My mind wanders to a session with Jin- our Guild's monk, 6 months ago. Back then, I was emerging from my unsociable self and was still distrustful of people. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tM1EI84yi
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaJou8QSts
I didn't know how to feel, but I knew how to adapt. And as such, I was taught human or should I say, humane courtesy. How to respond to thanks, how to react to threats in a "humane" way, and that to defend is better than to attack. These things helped cultivate at least a little of my humanity, it seems. I "remembered" how to react accordingly in a humane manner. Whoever I was before Regoir, I must have been someone reasonable, one-sided, and sane, unlike now.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci6ZrtAyvy
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD81XCkz3F
But that doesn't go to say that I regret being a monster. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguiVv7XQcJ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeVx9HPGwt
I felt their fear. The natural human responce towards something they cannot fully comprehend or understand, also when they know that whatever they may do, they will never be above you. Their fear may have ironically protected me, as no one would approach a vampire walking in the streets would they? Every wound they inflicted, I healed ten times as fast. Every strike, I could block.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJnKLb0oOo
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaULJp6pxek
It was satisfying, I mean considering they hated me anyway, they at least hate with a passion, right?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4cjDr6AgD
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy5E8f2h7F
Kidding aside, that fear furthermore told them to leave me in my own devices, which in turn had me find myself in the Tower to feed most of the time. For 4 months, it was my life cycle, by the fifth month, some people became fascinated by my supernatural strength and so hired me as a freelancer, someone who fought and was paid by the guild, albeit not being part of it. It had given me hope that I can at least live as a human as I once did, and in turn, remember. But no, I never did.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7MLAYFEJj
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nDMOaa7L8
A month later, I would meet Yuno and become a member of her Guild. By that time, I had my hope rekindled. But as you can see, my memories still hadn't returned. Whilst the voices grew stronger, more vivid than mere instincts you can brush off easily. Occasionally, my fangs grew in size, despite the fact that they only happen when I feed on the Tower. I was losing in touch with my humanity, drinking more blood than eating human food.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2ExeYbmcP
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJug0AtTaW
Jin noticed my outbursts in runs within the Tower and told me about his concern. At first, I brushed him off. But as he said, it worsened.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlWOkl9DdY
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTjl51RH8l
Jin taught me how to utilize my supernatural strength and speed instead of my unusual blood magic, which apparently was the cause of my problems. With some class rechanging, Jin had turned and is training me as a Monk in the ways of the Open-Palm Martial Arts.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFQLEKmzN0
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But it was in our last session that I learned something valuable.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQrepEreGc
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKV9GKNzb1
That "even though it's pretending to be," he said, "the fact that you still remain who you are and that you trust us is what makes you human."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAtLcocd3N
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2xIcV7owc
"Trust not your mind, Heath, for it can easily be fooled by what it sees and perceives. Trust not your heart, for your raw emotions can hinder you. Instead, trust in your soul. For it is, as inconsistent your logic or emotions maybe, the only thing eternal. In other words, my friend: It is you. No instinct, no mind-control, no amnesia, no circumstance will ever change that."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnbW7m571D
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JgudB3yGo
Those words resonated within me. They shone like a beacon of hope within the dark shell that I am. But all the same, I often find myself questioning: What soul am I?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SYczl3gLj
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZuKaqCNf8
Ah well, not that the answer was that easy to find anyway. But it keeps me going, to say the least.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx6isLxtQ6
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2vQBqZVsb
And to answer Foronard's inquiry...56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCkPLAXVNC
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsc9R87CQu
"Yes," I told him, with a big grin on my face, "even if I lose my sanity, my humanity will always be there. My soul will go back to who it always is: Me."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB5XEUYm4J
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FNWVTKcGf
Foronard replied with a smile. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVajuPqSry2
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS01TctxgC5
Albeit I cannot read lizard-man expressions as easily as humans' and beastmen's, I could sense that the smile projected envy and a sense of satisfaction.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2F7UUMZav
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMTUg83qmU
Of what, I can only have a vague idea of. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2jxxX8sEB
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He then finished the last dish, and as he handed it to me, he turned to me, now serious.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b0vIpoiLm
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLASoYgcvS
"I do not know if this will help, Heath," he stated, "But I have heard of rumors from the tavern that may of interest of you. Both good and bad rumors."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrCpkGDeaY
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I nodded for him to continue.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMs5jtWn77
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxloZIgAwk
"I will assume you want to hear the bad rumors first," he said, letting go of the dish.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqzX3YRI19
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"The king's forces are coming back," he reported grimly.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6owZWC30b
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I stopped wiping.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2qpU4PZnR
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"It seems that after the long war North, the king of Regoir is coming back to the city. In 2 weeks, he'll be here with his generals."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI8VprqC8E
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIlEoHPoCG
There was a reason I got to roam around freely for a year.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHIHpuWlVk
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qil8XDDmE
You see, when I arrived at Regoir, I came when the majority of the main forces of the city were out to assist the Beastmen with their war over north.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAPCNjVpU9
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Due to this, the city guard were left, along with conscripted adventurers, to guard the city.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmai6wxZna
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqX9ZayTDR
The war in the North was bad enough for the King to send with him all his trusted generals, leaving the city to the Commander of the Royal Guard to enforce orders.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV5zgvUrwR
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ypL9KC0km
It all went well, until I came, mad from hunger.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdNHbPWp3a
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGl0vL9lVB
I killed all the guards and made their captain pee on the marketplace, then I passed out. Afterwards, I was bought in for questioning into their headquarters, where I was tortured for 3 straight days, asked if I was a spy from the vampires of the southeastern reaches. Of course, I didn't know what they were talking about.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn69fFAGlu7
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That and my hunger, again.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w20ccVrrN
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So I slaughtered my way out of the building, drank too much blood and gradually became sane enough to be communed with. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNi3VX5mjC
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But I had the commander by the neck when I came to.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUkmJK81zC
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyFUKqUtEF
The commander begged for his life, promising me freedom and safety to walk within the city. Provided I didn't feed on locals, he promised me entry to the Tower, where I could feed on as many monsters as I wanted to. As it turned out that I didn't necessarily have to feed on human blood.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2fzdG2mXU
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The commander gave me his word that the king himself, once having returned from the war, will give me asylum and safety. Of course, all of it was for me to spare his life.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76spzOPg5R
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One will not expect such flimsy agreement to last, and as such, I expected and prepared for the day when he turns from his "agreement" and the King brings the city's wrath on me and brings me to justice.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4MAtbhfO4
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He will be punished, of course, but I doubt it be long-term. The king was known to be merciful to his subjects, human and inhuman alike. But abominations as I am?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Pwf3nMa8
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My time has inevitably come, indeed.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmffSXit9D
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Now, I question myself why I still haven't run away.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLrl4ScpPo
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Suddenly, I remembered their faces; Yuno, May-mai, Foronard, Mythral, Goronorf, Feran, and the others.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84n7RkGctl
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHILgTNe6tH
Of course. It was my stupidity that rendered me immobile. But it was also what caused me to meet these people. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFITkYOe2Y
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For that, I must feel thankful. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIo37uRu06
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I may have to leave them for their and my safety. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzdcO76Z9x
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The king will no doubt scour the city for me after hearing what I have done since my arrival. Once he finds me, I am done for.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldL5lhQfIR
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvrR7aigck
Though I was undead, I still wanted to have some kind of purpose, as protecting the guild and my comrades is no longer an option, for I have brought them trouble myself. At the very least I wanted to die a heroic death but what good is there in dying whilst not knowing who you are?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dmRkx6lB4
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f9B4RDuSc
"The next news will indeed be welcome to your ears, Heath, if you are thinking what I think you are."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmADughYf7L
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I looked at him expectantly.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bBsMJPlJW
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCYIICGnoO
"Some adventurers that had come from the southwest jungles are talking about a certain cave within the Jor-an Green."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1BJypj8uT
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"Are suggesting that cave be my new hiding place?" I chuckled.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLJbSgn3yZ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Iak6O9wC1
"No. Apparently, anyone who goes into the cave are... never the same when they go out."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavfDQZgwKL
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm3QtvNwp0
"They go insane, you mean? You're not suggesting I go there don't you?" I chuckled back.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7T7OTPoPv
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn2nSJK8RK
"There's that, yes. But the main attribute of the cave is what caught my attention, all the more reason for you to go there. Listen to me carefully."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0hNWW63Iu
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHiniifNV4
At this point, Foronard must be annoyed by my comedy. Well, he better relish it, it may be my last performance.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6eFabUFhY
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1EdDRYeFU
But witty as I was, nothing prepare me for what he was about to tell me.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBgqkZnx6a
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOK1DGKhRN
"The cave will go on forever, they said. But there something from within the cave that affects the mind. Individuals will often emerge from the cave, screaming, sometimes laughing sentimentally. When asked, they will describe their childhood memories to you, in full detail, then continue screaming again, as if in fear of whatever was inside the caverns."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5y3k4BEWJ
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Finally. I had it. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaCcdlnGV
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"The cave, for whatever reason - magic or something else..."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8O4oELuaF
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I had hope.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpUjPpehoK
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSighbRIVDF
"It alters memories. Maybe even makes you remember them."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZqWZug5fS
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yfYQvFfUy
--The Remnants of Another World: The Walküre--copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkUKeTwo1k

The Walküre are the remnants of another world that had succumbed to the fires of war. They were once called the most powerful military might of that world, but with power comes rivalry. Called Americans in the old war, and they were proud of it, before they took their power and privilege for granted and their arrogance led to their downfall. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbHOqryEAB

No one was sure of where the name came from, only that it meant "Valkyrie" in the Walküre's own world. Some said it symbolized the organization, while others said that it was simply the name of the unit that started the organization. But that didn't matter. It was their mission that mattered to them. Their name only was there as a place holder, a grim reminder that it is upon them to light humanity's path again, one that is not paved of bloodshed, but of peace and prosperity through the use of technology.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp3JiJwcTD

The Walküre were victors in a bloody and long war. No longer solely Americans alone, they sought to create a world where no one takes for granted the power bestowed upon them. Soon, they rebuilt and prospered. They made leaps and bounds in their technology, even developing the Bipedal Utility Neural Yoke (BUNY) Suits they originally intended for the war to help with the rebuilding and innovation of the destroyed cities. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡumhLvVwNZ0

Then they invented Artificial Technology.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqctyN46pC

It was all well and good. The very first and only currently-known AI, designated "Odin" - name of the Norse all-father - helped humanity reach a technological golden age. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡGflsuiUBzl

But as it grew in its understanding, it became self-aware. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuionBjZUf

And learning that the old world had come to ruin because of humanity, it became resentful, hateful. But it still cared, albeit a little, for its creators. Instead of vowing for the extermination of the species, the AI deemed that it was logical if humanity were to be wiped out from the face of the Earth through humane means, one such method fascinated the AI: Quantum displacement. Due to the Odin's fascination of the theory of other worlds and such, it formed a plan that can both satiate its curiosity and accomplish its objective of making a human-free Earth. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7KkE0Gwxg

If all goes well, humanity will wander the void for all eternity and the AI will rebuild, with no blood on its hands.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyC0go7WHw

The AI disguised its plan as a means for travelling into another world, in which the Walküre welcomed and with the help of the AI, they built a portal. But in the process of transferring humanity to the "other" world (Mun'do), the AI seemed to change its plans and closed of the portal, entrapping 1/5 of the remaining 2 million humans back on Earth.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bkB6TREgC

The AI's plan for leaving humanity in the void seemed to have not worked, instead it transported the population in an unknown place that had the uncanny resemblance of worlds from old-world literatures, ones that were called "fantasy books". copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ly952puVJ

Now in another world, with no means know why the AI did what it did, they struggled and built their home in the structure, now identified as a tower, in which they were transported into. Attacked by monsters shortly after their arrival, daily life for humanity became a matter of survival, but they persevered. And within 4 years, with their superior weapons, they conquered the Tower, which became their second home. The monsters stopped "spawning" after they conquered the top-most floor of the Tower, the 500th floor, rendering it safe. Soon, the Walküre focused their efforts on exploring the world outside, to see if the world the AI sent them into was as inhospitable as the interior of its huge structures.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWsbzoZcUG

Indeed, the world was cruel to them.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vqbJMMpUM

The first inhabitants of the world outside the Tower that they met were the Beastmen. A people that had animal features in appearance but were sentient and intelligent enough to form a society. They had built a city around the Tower and called it Bastion. Needless to say, they thought of the strange humans wielding sticks that spew fire as monsters, and after a bloody confrontation, the Beastmen declared war on the inhabitants of the Tower. Calling it a "Holy Purge".copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH6eanktky

It was a huge mistake. With technology and superior firepower in their side, the Walküre had driven out the populace taken the city of Bastion in less than a week. Soon after that, the Council of the Wings, individuals who were in-charge of leading Walküre, deemed it necessary for the populace to move into Bastion and establish forward operating bases around the region. They left the option for a peaceful exchange open, but until hostilities from the Beastmen cease, they will continue to surge forward with force until the Beastmen commit to an unconditional surrender.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38G5DJQsVt

But it was not all bad for both races. The Beastment were studied by the Walküre and deemed to be a society with a caste-system. Furthermore, the villages far from the capital cities, specifically ones near Trade Cities like Bastion, were oppressed by the local minor lords which, coincidentally, were killed in the week-long battle in Bastion. As a result, the 5 Beastman villages around the border of Bastion came to the Walküre in peace and pledged their allegiance to the organization. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd4rMCAeng

The Walküre, true to their word of pursuing peace, integrated the Beastmen villages into their expanding territory and turned Bastion into a haven of where both Beastmen and humans live in peace. In return, the Beastmen from the villages taught the Walküre the local language, Bet-hralla or "mother tongue", which was used mostly by the southern kingdoms and also introduced to the Walküre some minerals not found in our world, as Bastion and its surrounding landscape were mountain ranges, and the villages specialized in hunting and mining.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiqRLLIgX7

Of course, the kings from the Alliance of Beastmen were... not happy with this. For 5 years, they led countless futile raids against the Walküre, but to no avail. But they were determined to end it and "send the Ku-rimau (monsters from the tower) from the hell they came from, for the good of the people". And with aid from the surrounding kingdoms, from the nation of the king of Regoir to the Theocracy of Heargan, they sought to accomplish this mission in a decisive battle: to take an undefended base in the south of Bastion and establish a foothold to serve as a base of operations for the retaking of the city.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbH7OQyUfv

Which brings us to our current situation, the aftermath of the said battle.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCRygbsNXP

--The Walküre FOB, North-South border (Farenthia Calendar, Year 1090 of the Reign of Gods)--copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MTCrOagBJ

It was a chilly night in the Feraldian Mountain ranges. This one more cold and snowy in particular. And in the snow walked a girl with a fluffy tail and donning Beastman armor - fox, judging from her appearance - she was finding her way out and to return to the camp in which her king awaited for the news of their victory in the battle.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXUb7fLHBV

Needless to say, it was no victory. The battle, if you can call it that, it was a slaughter. A massacre.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUdEZOiIz1

It all seemed to start well. The enemy Ku-rimau were caught unaware by the coordinated charge of three armies, more than enough to take over the little base. Until they reached the walls, and that was when the Beastmen realized they thought the Ku-rimau were caught unaware. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78HFDCLD0d

Their walls morphed with unknown magic, 35 panels that flipped to reveal a turret that was strong enough to take out a light vehicle. Needless to say, it worked wonders on infantry. In what seemed like seconds, the three armies were downed. Some no longer had any limbs, some had their heads popped, all were dead, done away by .50 Cal HE rounds. And the Ku-rimau guardsmen just stood by the walls, knowing they didn't need to do anything. Some had coffee or chocolate, some smoked and spat on the dead bodies of her comrades, some cleaned their fire sticks, all were arrogant of the lives they had just taken. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSjMsvg9uP

She hated them all the more.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkkgWW795y

She played dead until the turrets returned into their panels and waited for the night to come, resisting the urge to shiver from the cold. She knew that if she did one slightest bit of movement, the guards would see to it that she was done for.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RLNShgbe1

Seizing the cover the night provided, she trudged frantically in the snow, sword gripped and alert for anyone, towards the direction of their base camp, to tell the King of the results of the battle. She did not know how the King would react, as it was already common news that the Ku-rimau possessed sorcery that even they couldn't hope to imitate. But still she held on, she had to live another day to fight in another one. She had to live.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b5SajDy7S

And so she ran through the snow-laden landscape.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5FDfGtBoE

Unaware that the barrel of a SCAR-H Mk-17 Rifle was aimed right at her head, ready to fire on command.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ198nJLytFn

"Overlord-1, Overlord-1. This is Longshot-2, requesting permission to shoot down Beastman straggler. Over."copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX8Eta6WXh

"Longshot-2, received. Overlord-1. Negative. Orders are to stand by walls. Do you copy? Over."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DqoMkicum
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The sniper retracted his rifle.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulIh7czuv7
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"Overlord-1. Longshot-2 receives. Affirmative. Will sit here 'til my balls freeze over. Over."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjMABQx8sQ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aSWoLKcjA
"Copy, Longshot-2. Make sure you sit on a helmet, hoo-rah. Overlord-1 Out."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnmku1ZAKd
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR17oZNxsDe
Longshot-2 chuckled. It was a common old-world joke back then, to sit on your helmet to prevent your balls from getting blown by landmines.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qLMfJ0dNK
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Well, no more blood on my hands for today, I guess, he thought. 56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtngPNTXFxr
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy5syIg3ZM
Not that he wanted to shoot the fox girl anyway. It was a good call he confirmed it over with HQ first, as was standard protocol. But in a serious note, he was seriously tired of adding to the sea of corpses after the recent battle.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lVrUzsDyJ
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl0jWlu87c
The Beastmen can't hope to win with a technologically advanced civilization can they? The .50 Cals tore through their armor like hot knife to butter, 5.56mm rounds ran them through like nothing, hell, even the 9mm does crap here more than where he came from. Much more, the BUNY-Armored Walker Mobile Suit variants made every battle as easy as it is. It was funny, seeing them charge with swords and spears and pride then watching their horror as electromagnetic-charged rounds and blades tore them apart with ease. It was funny enough that they threatened the Walküre to leave their land, or else they would "annihilate them with the power of the gods, the supreme rulers of Mun'do".56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiy0CxP8bj
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B1sxBmekR
Well, it's not like he liked sh*tting on them anyway. He liked the temporary adrenaline rush that came from crushing their pride, but these things... Whether he liked it or not, they were people too.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxZeNdn23T
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He sighed. Could have there been a more peaceful way to settle things? He could only imagine.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5C0VuO1nC
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodn3vUGaXg
From the get-go, all the Beastmen had for them was fear. Raw fear. And that's what made them dangerous. From the moment the Walküre walked out of the Tower that was their home, all the Beastmen has was fear. Well, to be fair, they did let their fear get to them and tried to kill the recon team first. Needless to say, it sparked a long 5-year war.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfXfeAJvx0
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVGExEz5tH
A single spark can burn the entire forest, indeed. And the battle that happened today was the last tree burning down.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSU8fapHTS
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCSus9jPUx
The Beastmen were powerless to stop their advance, as more and more people poured out from the Tower and settled around it, so did the need for land grow. And as a result, the surrounding Beastment kingdoms tried their hardest to stop the Ku-rimau or "monsters from the Tower" from taking all their land. In the end, they had to form a temporary alliance.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWK1qgLFhK
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9m418BNl1
Skirmishes turned into full-on battles, mostly ending with the Beastmen's flailing limbs and them having PTSD on a kinetic mortar drop. If they survived that is.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKWNe6AHu0
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What's worse was that the Beastmen bought friends, assumably from other countries outside their regions too, as they were humans. And no sooner than later, the bodies were piling up, one after the other.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SIhif2PwT
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDprw2J56u
But as twisted as it can sound, HQ was happy to use the corpses. More black powder for round manufacturing, Longshot-2 guessed. They were twisted like that, but it was a necessary evil to, or else they wouldn't have bullets.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVYAGssnjc
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5wJxMQjG7
Longshot-2 shuddered, thankful he only got the grunt work. He won't be seeing that cat guy he shot in the face anytime soon.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa0b8C40wS
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"Overlord-1, this is Bravo-3, we are arriving by the south gate. Radio equipment seem to be malfunctioning. Say again if need to repeat. Do you receive? Over."56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOzbgSI5d
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ2y7fv2lX
Longshot-2 sighted his gun down the snowy path that was lined with corpses, and saw a humvee jeep driving down the cold-hard bodies that lined the path towards the gate. It was the scouting force that was sent to recon the area. And from the looks of it, the vehicle looks intact, save for some scratches and dents on the hood and most possibly the side of the jeep.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvGjUhJHEd

"Bravo-3. This is Overlord-1, reading you loud and clear. Crack open a live one, boys. Commander will meet you in the debriefing room after you cool down. Out."copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTJSS5Eudg

Longshot-2 removed his helmet, took a smoke out of his left vest pocket, and reached for his lighter. The guys near the gate can let-in the jeep themselves, no need for him to intervene. Besides, he needed something warm.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2p7aYyYd2

The warmth of the cigarette filled his entire body. As the nicotine kicked in, he felt at ease. At last, he could now take a smoke. He had to, before HQ tells them to take the bodies in for processing. He blew a cloud smoke out of the air, recounting the events that lead to this field of bodies, both to refresh his mind and to keep him sane.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK2rLqksMz

The Beastmen gave the Walküre a pointless ultimatum: Surrender or Die. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLS0TIdlQI

Still obviously oblivious to the fact that if the Walküre had wanted to, they could take every single city those Beastmen had in a single day. With no casualties. All the Beastmen had to do to avoid this was to let them be. They needn't worry about the Walküre, they were as humane as humans with guns can be. The Geneva Convention still holds true for this world as it does from their world, so why can't they just leave the Walküre alone?copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoiXw43ABX

Well, the answer was quite simple: The Walküre was a threat to their reign, and they needed to do something about that. But for some reason, the option of fighting back filled their big brains.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8VwMreTns

And look where it got them now.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXta0nRc5E

The Beastmen had gotten desperate and desperate people do desperate measures. Possibly assessing the Northwest Outpost as a weak link, they amassed their forces in the hopes of taking it and securing a foothold towards the Tower and the Walküre residential areas.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEXwnPchNk

They were right, the Outpost was the weakest link because it was made to look like it was. Even here, being an inconspicuous base was important, as not only did the Walküre have a weapons factory here, but it was here that the BUNYSuits were maintained and created also. Needless to say, it was also heavily defended with hidden anti-light vehicle .50 Tesla Wall Turrets.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡeowipgQS1Z

Well, you can guess what created the sea of corpses outside the walls.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfoXb4NdiD

Honestly, it was all crazy now that Mark Foster, AKA Longshot-2, thought about it.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡy33L0qXqnL

Cat-men, fox-girls, hell, even lizard-people. It was all like the anime he saw back on Earth. Except this time, well, they were real. But it made Mark dismayed that upon meeting them he had to shoot them too.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtC2AXCmY1

Ah well, that's a big hurdle we can work out with if we just put our all into it, Mark thinks to himself, chuckling.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1JwSCtPIv

"What's so funny, Foster?" A woman asks behind him.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV3USZJiM3

Spitting out the stick on his mouth, Mark then stands in attention in response. It was his Platoon Leader, 1LT Tanya Arvard. Probably here to check if I was slacking off, no doubt.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb7kPlWZeo

"Nothing, ma'am," he replied.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwUwrTcwBD

"Well, if that's the case," she said, "at ease now, sargeant."copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dRmytMs7L

Foster faces 1st Lt. Arvard, who was smiling smugly. The woman seemed to want to make his life hell. From the training camp to his first assignment, Arvard always was his higher-up. She was like an annoying leech that kept latching on to him. Strict and serious on the surface, it all served as a cover for the impish nature she had within, a nature that Mark Foster had the unfornate previlige to witness and be the receiving end of. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm5mumAxuw

Mark sighs in relief, thinking that the 1LT was on a serious note now. Hopeful that his dream of a lax life within the rear was finally on coming true.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxMClFKQGo

Boy, was he wrong.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RVyyZpkfo

"As you may know, the brass wants another recon," Tanya says, walking past him and leaning into a huge block that served as the walls' railing, "this time, further south."copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNMQUSnBnn

Mark struggled not to cry in disbelief. He knew what was coming next and he didn't like it.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡajkkOM3vyh

The 1st LT walked in front of him, and to Mark's annoyance and confirmation, wore that grin. The grin that so many times sent him on the frontlines. The grin that crushed his dreams of laying down a futon made of memory foam after bathing in a public hot spring bath. The grin he despised but could do nothing about. That scheming grin.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gZKScLR8w

"They asked for my recommendations, and of course," her grin widened, now ear-to-ear, "I told them about your wonderful feats, Mark. And how you're too fit for the job. Will you be willing to comply? Of course, they won't force you. But they only want the best, Mark. They want you to be part of the recon team in recognition of your past accomplishments. It'll be great honor, Mark! Think about it."copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUufHoSHql

DO I HAVE ANY F*CKING CHOICE, LADY?copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡta1Vyoz7WS

"I will gladly join the recon team, ma'am!" He replied.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaq6wZG37Q

"Good, good! I knew I can count on you, Foster," Tanya laughed, climbing down the stairs.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3AqdymQKC

OF COURSE. Of course you can. *sigh*copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U8D8ddNNA

Now that he thought about it, being away from the source of all things evil in his life was a good therapeutic regimen. One should also put as the number 1 on his Top 5 List Of Things To Do IMMEDIATELY. This was a good opportunity to cross that off the list.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡctrsIFdCPi

"Yes, ma'am," was all he could reply. When the 1st LT seemed to be now out of sight, he leaned and gripped the railing hard.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNtCptIJyk

That woman. Does she want me to die or something?copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZCfMsBLPJ

Mark sighed. No, despite how Tanya acts around him and him alone, she was actually a good leader. One that you can depend on. Mark could remember the times his Platoon Leader saved him, and in the midst of a battle she indeed looked like a Walküre, a Valkyrie, a noble lady of old-world myth and the name of the unit that started rebuilding the human race. She's elegant if described. Cute, even. Well, that word will get you killed in the presence of a Platoon Leader but still, it was her asset.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4k69sRlNq

But that annoying side of her was too much to bear sometimes. If I say so myself, it's like she wants me to get into death's door every single time, Mark thought. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhBF7f1VL4

And then Mark remembered something she told him in the training camp.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡTztomRFZTr

"Look, Foster, I know you want the comfy life. But no. You're a good shot. And a good shot has much to accomplish within the military. You're good at analytics, too. But you've really got to work on the athletics department. I know you can do it, it's just you don't wanna. That's why I'll push you harder and harder until you get out of that rotten mindset of yours, you got that? Whether you like it or not, Mark, whether you like it or not."copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTfuJT4SEV

Mark smiled. That was the one and only time the 1st LT was nice to him. After that, it was living hell.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNRYGip1uB

If only that nice side of hers was consistent, Foster would follow her to hell itself. But no. Even so, she did hold true to her word, she was constantly pushing him harder and harder. And each time he survived, he had a feeling that she made sure he was rewarded for it. A Platoon Leader like her was both blessing and curse. But he did appreciate her constant habit of sending him to death itself. It helped him survive the battles that came, from both the Tower and the outside.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡReXlNbn7Sc

"Oh, and Foster," Tanya interrupted his thoughts, startling him.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡyivXYpDpmE

"Ye-yes, ma'am!" He said in reply, snapping in attention.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaGpZXGGpJ

"The debriefing is in 0400. Set your clock. Don't be late," she finished, coming down the stairs again.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HmnK5NfEp

Mark sighed. Well, just to humor her, he'll actually do good in this mission. Just a little thank you for his superior.copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS0x4d0r08

Foster checked his clock, 00:05. 4 more hours until the debriefing. Ah well, time is fleeting, indeed. Guess I better savor these moments before missions. copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS4FPSd1ZD

I wonder where they'll send us to?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hfddxXGoL
copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YKopMEAav

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