Akira! Don't just stand there being lazy!" Fearless shouted, his voice sharp and urgent. "We need to move!"
"Huh? Oh… yeah," Akira muttered, his eyes distant, unfocused. "I wasn't really thinking… or maybe I was. About everything. Or maybe… nothing at all."
Wisdom stepped forward, her gaze steady and unreadable. "I get why you're feeling like this. You were the last of us to realize this is real — not a dream. Let me guess… you've got a lot of questions swirling around in your head."
Akira took a slow breath, his chest tightening. "Maybe… but I'll save them for later. We're in the middle of a fight right now. There's no time to hesitate."
He turned toward the demon ahead, narrowing his eyes with resolve burning in them.
"I'll strike this demon down!"
"RAAAAH!!"
He charged without hesitation — only to be thrown back violently, crashing into the cracked ground like a doll.
"Akira!" Kindness cried out, panic flashing in her voice as she rushed to his side. "Are you okay? I'll do my best to heal you!"
"You're so damn stupid," Fearless growled, crossing his arms with irritation. "After fourteen years of fighting here, you still compare demons to game NPCs?"
"Shut up, Fearless!" Akira snapped back, coughing as he sat up.
"Stop arguing!" Faith yelled, stepping between them. "That's not an option right now! Believe in yourselves — and fight! Don't fall apart now!"
Suddenly, a distant voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Hey! I found a way to free these trapped souls!" It was Creatifity, calling out with urgency.
"Fearless, help me with this!" he shouted from afar.
Fearless groaned loudly. "So boring…" he muttered. "Let my fear take care of it."
"Don't fall asleep now!" Justice barked, appearing behind Fearless in a flash. He grabbed him by the feet and hurled him into his own shadow portal. "You can work while unconscious!"
Meanwhile, Akira's thoughts spiraled in silence, untouched by the shouting around him.
Everyone's already awakened their powers… and me? All I've done these past fourteen years is die — again and again — waking up back on Earth each time, thinking it was all just another nightmare.
I've fallen so far behind… Wisdom has already mastered her powers. She learns new techniques every single day. And all I can do… is watch. Stand still while they all move forward.
But there's one thing I'll never give up — I'll keep fighting, no matter what!
With renewed determination, Akira screamed and sprinted toward the demon once more — only to be struck down in an instant. His body collapsed.
"Akira!!" everyone cried out in horror — everyone except Fearless, who remained coldly silent.
…
And then I woke up again.
Still exhausted, Akira dragged himself through another day. School. Homework. Acting like everything was normal, like nothing had changed. But inside, everything was cracked and broken.
Then, just as he sat down, his phone buzzed. The Sharp Users were calling.
[Group Call — Sharp Users]
"Akira, what's up?" Justice asked casually, his voice as confident as ever.
"Man, my kill count yesterday was insane!" he added, clearly proud of himself. "And that move of yours, Wisdom? Super cool. Really impressive stuff."
Wisdom, ever calm, replied without emotion. "As I was saying yesterday… things went average. But we managed to go slightly further than the day before. Still… something felt off."
Akira leaned closer to the screen. "Off how?"
"I sensed something," she said softly. "A presence. A demon more powerful than anything we've faced so far. It's approaching." She paused, then continued. "We need to be ready. Go to bed early — we'll need everyone in top form."
After the call ended, Akira sat alone in silence, staring at his books.
They say they need everyone… but what can I even do? What am I good for? And who says she's right anyway? Maybe she's wrong. I've got tons of homework… and a test tomorrow. Everything's falling apart.
But still… I can't let them face it alone. Even if I'm weak... I have to be there.
He picked up his pen.
Fine. I'll make it fast. Learn fast. Do whatever it takes.
He worked. Rewrote. Practiced again and again. Locked in. Focused harder than ever before. The minutes became hours.
Yaaawn… Wait… what time is it?
His eyes shot toward the clock.
1:03 AM.
He froze.
Wisdom said to sleep early…
Akira leapt into bed. Sleep didn't come easily. His body was heavy, and his mind was racing. But eventually… darkness came.
And when he opened his eyes again—
He was in Hell.
The flames licked at the edges of the ruined battlefield. Familiar faces surrounded him in chaos.
"Why are you so late?!" Wisdom's voice cracked like thunder.
"Fearless is trapped in Kadewm!" another shouted. "You idiot! Help us already!"
But before he could move — before he could speak —
Wisdom was slashed down before his eyes.
"NOOOOO!!" everyone screamed.
And then... silence.