in a world full of crimes, unfairness,despair,not even religion is enough to fix it as a whole
A woman, filled with exhaustion, walked through the sterile halls of a hospital. Her eyes looking from room to a room to a room, until they finally settled on one room.the room looked purposely uncanny,door looks rusty,the walls has mold in it and even the bed looks cheap,yet she was just happy to see who she came for.
"Finally… I found you… after all this time," she whispered.
Inside, someone — gender unknown — lay still in a coma, wrapped in cheap sterile sheets. The woman's hands shook as she reached out, holding the figure close. Tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry… it's all my fault…all my fault..."
Her sobs echoed through the quiet room,despite the person being alive,the body doesnt,the woman cried harder as she's holding the hand of the sleeping person,it felt so weak and skinny yet rough. And yet, somewhere far away, something else was happening.
A deep void stretched endlessly, dotted with tiny golden lights that hovered like fireflies. A figure stumbled, bewildered and scared , trying to make sense of the darkness.
"HELLOOOOO? Is anyone here?!"
No reply came. The figure's steps echoed, each one a fragile sound against the silent emptiness. Thoughts crept in, whispering: am I stuck here forever.
A voice, playful and soft, finally broke the void:
> "Ah-ahh… yo-you found me! E-ehh…" sniffing, light laughter.
"Who… who are you? Where am I?"
> "Easy now… that's not how you meet your new mate, is it~?"
The Unclear figure said in a mischievous way,yet the tone sounded rather childish and loud.
"NEW MATE? WHO ARE YOU?! WHERE ARE YOU?! DON'T HURT ME PLEASE NO MORE!"
The figure trembled, fear curling in every limb. Yet, strangely, their mind did not shatter.
> "Why would I talk with you if I wanted to hurt you~? I'm not evil… or… am I~?"
"AHHHHHHH!!!"
The figure scream echoed so loud it made it's own ears hurt.
> "Hahaha, just joking~.Anyways,partner ay,… what's your name?"
"Stop joking! What do you want from me?"
> "Your… uh… name... What is it...?"
"My name? Pfft easy… my name is—"
The figure froze. Fear widened their eyes, though nothing could be seen in the void. Their voice trembled,the figure raised it's hand holding it's head trying their best to remember.
"My… my name is…"
> "Ooohhh boy, this is bad...not anyone's bad...mine's… forget I even asked pfft who even need names, partner sound cooler ay?!.ay?!"
The voice sounds regretful but trying it's best to make up for it's yet unknown mistake.
"WHAT THE HELL IS MY NAME? DO YOU KNOW ME?!"
> "Anywayyyyy~…"
"HEY! DON'T CHANGE SUBJECT! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!"
> "I'll ignoooooore you~ You aren't here for my pleasure. You're here because YOU wanted to be here...well...sort of...i guess?."
The unclear answer only made the figure more angry and confused.
"What are you talking about? Who would want to be here? I want to go home—"
> "Home, eh? Isn't that why this place exists… because you dont want that home?"
The figure tries to remember their own home...yet it cant.
"I… I CAN'T REMEMBER ANY OF IT!"
The figure panicked, heart pounding too fast,yet it felt like it's used to this feeling.
> "Easy now. Let me introduce myself… i am one of the wicked siblings representing Melancholy. Chara. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not your servant. I'm not your enemy. Not your friend. I'll just… watch over you~"
> "Do you hate this darkness? I can make it disappear~… do you want blinding light or empty darkness?"
"This is too much to process… I guess… darkness? Light would hurt too much."
> "Co-co-co-co-rreeeeect~"
"STOP SINGING! Wicked siblings?Sin? Melancholy? What are you talking about?!"
> "Too many questions make me saaad~ So, take this,partner~."
Something glowing fell. The figure picked it up: a pair of scissors,they were glowing bright white and looked magical and very thin.
"What is this? Glowing scissors? What am I supposed to do with this crap?"
> "Do you want to leave? Then show me… HOW MUCH YOU HATE THIS PLACE… and stab your own skull with this scissors."
Hands shaking, fear twisting every nerve,yet the figure obeyed. The scissors glowed bright, and suddenly…
A small town appeared, under a huge castle that reached way beyond the clouds. The figure — now visible as a boy — looked down at his clothes, familiar but strange.He looked around to see what seems like small stores,selling unusual... fruits?.He kept quiet, uncertain, until a small girl with purple hair and a red eye approached.
"Rainz! Where have you been? I was worried sick!"
"What? Who… what did you call me?"
"This isn't the time for jokes, you sicko! And I'm not calling you what you wanted me to call you last night, pervert! Rainz Holloway! Behave yourself!"
Rainz blinked. His mind searched — the name was unfamiliar.
"My name is…?"
The girl huffed. "You're going to be the death of me. Let's go home before Rose finds out we're slacking."
Despite her small frame, she pulled him along effortlessly,her grip felt so tight and strong.
---
The knight appeared in the street, armor gleaming yet his face looks like a scum.
"Hold it! You two seem… suspicious," he barked... literally barked.
The girl froze, her tone shifted to soft and quiet. "B-big brother… are we in trouble?"
Rainz gave her a "seriously?" look but she winked so he understands the act. "Don't worry, little sister. We'll answer the glamorous and glorious guard and we will be fine."
The knight scowled but pleased by rainz's sweet talk. "have you seen someone who doesnt look or feel from around here?,scums,if you didnt then move forward you filthy pigs."
The girl exhaled relief, but Rainz couldn't resist: "Wait… what do you mean by 'not from around here'?"
The knight's expression darkened. "Hope Seekers and what they deserve is their Heads chopped.You want to see?"
The girl yanked Rainz's arm and bolted.
"WHAT were you thinking?!" she said angrily.
"I… I didn't know," he said.
"You're hopeless! Everybody knows what happens to Hope Seekers! They lose their life…stupid!"
Rainz sighed. "I see. Sorry. I guess I was just stupid."
The girl's eyes flared. "And why do I even help you get groceries if Rose is going to scold us?"
Rainz's mind worked. So when she said I'm her big brother… that's a lie. She sure is Sharp and keen. Why can't I remember anything except the black void?
"…I suppose. I'm sorry for my selfishness." He bowed.
The girl tilted her head. "That's not how you formally apologize to a girl, Rainz. You should say… 'I apologize for my absolute stupidity, Starla.'"
She told me her name without me asking… dumbass, he thought.
"Of course I know your name. I apologize for my… ignorance, Starla." He bowed again.
Starla's face shifted — a mix of shock and sadness,her eyes widen with a mix of disgust — though she didn't speak. Rainz noticed, but couldn't understand why.
Later, at the shelter, children swarmed Rainz. Laughter, giggles, toys, and cheers filled the air.The shelter looks old, it's made out of wood mostly and the beds are on the floor.The woman with long black hair and green eyes smiled warmly.
"Now now, let him rest. He's tired. You did well today, Rainz. I'll bring tea."
Rainz forced a smile, feeling something unfamiliar press against his chest. Nostalgia? Fear? He couldn't name it.
Night fell. Starla had disappeared into her room, likely plotting something. Rainz sat across from the woman, the lantern flickering between them.
"You seem… different tonight. Quieter. Is something bothering you?"
"I… I'm fine," he said, though his throat tightened.
"You're lying. If something is on your mind, Rainz… you can tell me."
He swallowed. Her kindness made him recoil, yet stay.
"If my full name is Rainz Holloway… does that mean I wasn't a child when I came here? I can't remember anything… everything feels strange today."
Rainz is trying to gather information without sounding crazy or off. he still doesn't understand anything his mind is empty
Her eyes softened. "Rainz, you were brought here at three. You've lived in this shelter your whole life. As for your parents… all I know is the name on the card we received with you."
Puzzle pieces that didn't fit. He kept calm, but unease.
Suddenly
The door knocked, the woman went to answer it.
"Sorry rainz just gimme a second"
A pale figure stepped in — hair like ash, eyes crimson, a white dress fluttering lightly, but it was bloody, however he didnt seem or look injured. The lantern bent around them. The room chilled.The lantern flame in the shelter lighten stronger.
> "Heheh~" Chara's voice purred in rainz's mind. "Looks like the real fun's about to start."
Rainz felt confused, he looks around but nobody is there, he heard chara and knows her tone is familiar but cant find it.
Rainz's pulse raced. The name he'd held all day felt borrowed. Something outside was tugging at the seam.
The door creaked open, and a voice slipped through like a cold draft.
"Pardon the intrusion at such a late hour, woman. I only require a piece of infor—"
The caretaker stiffened immediately.
"Y-yes… it's okay, good sir. H-how can I help you?"
"It would be rude not to introduce myself first."
He stepped in,pushing her forward,tall, composed, far too calm for someone visiting a children's shelter at midnight.
"My name is **Solaz Lysane**," he declared arrogantly.
"**Hope Seeker of PRIDE.**
And I've heard that a certain individual we desire… is hiding in this very place."
The woman's eyes widened.
Her legs buckled.
She collapsed to the floor in terror, as if something invisible had crushed her from above.
Solaz clicked his tongue. "Tch. Puny hum— no. Maintain dignity,maintain dignity."
He inhaled sharply.
"Where is the new Hope Seeker hiding around this area?"
Rainz rushed in after hearing the noise. The instant he saw Solaz, his legs trembled violently—but he did not fall.
Solaz noticed immediately.
"Oh? You didn't collapse under my blessing. Fascinating,you must be greed? Or possibly wrath? Curiosity is killing me, young one."
His lips curled,he He flexed his muscles boastfully.
Rainz forced himself to stand straight. "Who the hell are you? Leave this place—NOW. Or else—"
"Or else what?" Solaz laughed. "You barely arrived in this world. There is *nothing* you could possi—"
The scissors in Rainz's pocket **ignited with light**, humming like a heartbeat.
A memory snapped into place—
the void,
Chara's voice,
his own hand stabbing his skull—
Rainz lunged trying to attack him with the scissors.
Solaz caught his wrist effortlessly. "My, my. Is that all, puny ant-? Ugh maintain dignity"
The scissors shattered.
But the two broken blades shot forward—one embedding in Rainz's free hand, the other in the hand Solaz held. Pain seared up Rainz's arm.
But he moved anyway.
He twisted his body, using the jagged shard to **stab straight into Solaz's forehead.**
"W-WHAT—?!"
Solaz staggered, magic flickering like a candle.
"My… mana—why… is it leaking…?!"
Rainz's nose dripped blood. His vision blurred.
"Not again…" he groaned.
Solaz roared, voice trembling with rage.
"YOU… INSIGNIFICANT ANT! HOW DARE YOU—"
Three knives cut through the air. Solaz blocked them with his shoulder, annoyed but unfazed.
A spear descended slowly from above.
"Hah. Too slow, child—"
He reached up to catch it.
That was when a **blur shot from the ground.**
Small.
Fast.
Silent.
**Starla.**
She didn't touch the spear.
She **slid right under it**, letting it spin past her as she lunged forward with a knife already in hand.
Before Solaz realized the spear was bait—
Starla was already at his gut.
The knife plunged deep.
His eyes widened, breath shutting off.
"You—!"
Starla twisted the blade.
Then she **ripped** downward, tearing open flesh, dragging upward again in a brutal slash that split his white dress and muscle. A wet crack tore through the room.
Her face twisted in hatred.
"**NYOM PYRO.**"
The knife ignited—
red, then white-hot—
and the flames **erupted inside him**, burning organs before they could even spill out.
Solaz screamed, collapsing to one knee, choking on smoke and blood.
Rainz froze in shock.
The caretaker was still unconscious.
Starla stood over Solaz, splattered in red, chest heaving.
"St—Starla!?" Rainz gasped.
She whipped her head toward him, eyes wild with rage.
"You're one of *them*," she hissed. "You insignificant **FUCK**… I'll kill you too!"
She lunged—
—but heat slammed into the room like a furnace door opening.
Someone stood behind her.
Solaz.
Still alive.
"You thought… you could kill me that easily, little ant?" His shoulders rose, towering over her trembling form. Starla collapsed to her knees, crawling backward desperately, reaching for her knives—none left.
"Damn it… damn it…must be his blessing!"
Solaz lifted his hand.
"**NYOM PYRO — flaming Hot Blue Sun.**"
A faint blue sphere flickered in his palm.
But the heat was monstrous.
Smoke curled from the shelter walls.
The air burned their lungs.
Rainz could barely stay conscious.
But his body moved on instinct.
He grabbed starla's fallen knife—
And **stabbed Solaz in the heart.**
Solaz choked, blood pouring from every wound. His stomach was already destroyed; flames still smoldered inside him.
"Heh… underestimated… you…"
He swayed.
"Tell me… boy… your name…"
Rainz hesitated.
"…I… I don't know my name."
Solaz chuckled faintly,laughing even. "Is that… so…hahahaha?"
His body fell.
The room went silent.
Starla trembled, biting her lip until blood dripped. Rainz approached carefully.
"Are you… okay?"
She punched him.
Weak.
Trembling.
Tears streaming.
She hit him again. And again.
"Bring… *sniff* bring him back…"
She sobbed harder.
"Give me back… Rainz Holloway… It's not fair… it's not fair…"
Rainz tried to speak—
but pain tore through his skull.
He grabbed his head, groaning as his eyes shifted—
Blue.
Then bright, glowing blue.
His voice changed.
Soft. Warm. Familiar to her ears.
"Don't worry… everything will be fine… **Violet.**"
She froze.
Then the glow faded. Rainz collapsed, unconscious.
Violet stared at him, breath trembling.
"…Tch."
She wiped her face, annoyed and exhausted.
"More work for me, I guess. Gotta clean the body… myself… and this loser."
Rainz's eyes fluttered open.
Warm light seeped through the windows, and a crowd of small silhouettes hovered over him—children, their faces smudged with worry and tears.
"Rainz!! Are you okay?!"
They wrapped around him, relief mixing with sadness.
"Y-yeah… I'm f-fine. Ugh… my head hurts…"
And then—
The memories hit him like blade to the neck.
Solaz.
The blood.
Violet's blade.
The void.
Chara's voice.
Panicked, Rainz shot out of bed and rushed to the doorway—
Not a drop of blood remained.
No trace of Solaz.
No sign of the carnage.
Violet—
No, Violet, not Starla—
had cleaned it all.
"Hey, idiot. Let's go get some veggies from the store. I heard they're on sale."
Her voice was sweet, charming and innocent—
the Violet the children knew.
Rainz narrowed his eyes but followed.
The second the shelter door closed—
SLAM.
Violet pinned him to the wall, her expression turning ice-cold.
"Explain yourself, Hope Seeker."
"H-hey—woah, calm down! What are you talking abo—"
"DON'T—"
She inhaled sharply,her mana can be felt growing stronger and hotter.
"Don't play dumb with me."
Rainz's head throbbed. His mind felt empty, hollow.
"I swear—I don't understand what you're talking about, Starl—"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
Her voice cracked with fury.
"That just proves you're a Hope Seeker, dumbass. Because my real name is Violet."
"W-wait… you lied about your name?"
"Duh. Of course I did. I'm not stupid enough to leave a trace in case your blessing has some weird condition it needs."
Everything she said only opened more questions.
"Okay—fine. Maybe I am what you call a Hope Seeker… but I swear, I don't remember anything."
Violet stared into his eyes.
His trembling voice.
His genuine confusion.
His weakness in his eyes.
"Fine. Then you want me to explain? Walk with me. I'm not letting the kids see their 'idol' like this."
Rainz swallowed and followed her out to the open fields beyond the village.
"So uh… mind explaining what's going on? Who, what, why—why am I here?"
"God, you're a pain in the ass." Violet pinched the bridge of her nose.
"First off—what sin do you represent?"
Rainz opened his mouth—
But a voice whispered behind his thoughts.
"Nya nya nya~ don't forget me sillyyy~~ we're partners now, remember?~~"
Rainz sighed deeply.
"Melancholy. I guess. That's what the annoying voice in my head keeps saying."
Violet's eye twitched.
"Great. I got a depressed jerk taking over Rainz. Perfect."
She sighs
"Atleast better than a horny jerk i guess..."
Her tone sharpened.
"Long story short: evil, wicked children fall in love sometimes romantically with someone from another world, bring them here by force, and make them possess someone's body. In this case, you possessed Rainz Holloway… my lover."
Violet said the last part in a quieter tone,a bit shy to her confession but bold.
Rainz froze.
His hands trembled,sensing guilt and regret even though the blame isnt on him,he can't help but feel regret flowing in him.
"I… I possessed his body…?"
Chara giggled.
"Weeeeell~ hey buddy I know you're feeling saaaappyyyyy.but heyy~ at least you got me~ forget about 'er~"
Rainz groaned in anger.
"SHUT UP. SHUT UP! SHUT UP FOR ONCE!" Rainz screamed into the air.
"WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?"
Violet blinked slowly.
"…Who are you talking to, dumbass?"
"It's—IT'S THIS BITC—"
"Shut up. I already know Hope Seekers can communicate with their witches. Or devils. Or kids. Whatever. They're not necessarily evil, they just… see the world differently. For Melancholy? She probably brought you to make you happy."
Chara squealed,feeling a sense of excitement.
"Aha~ aha aha~ I like this girl~. partner partner protect her at all cosssstsss~ ahahaha~"
Rainz ignored her.
"Wait—so she isn't evil? Didn't you call them wicked?"
"Yes," Violet said instantly, like its the only correct answer.
"Because they ruin lives to save one. Hope Seekers try to be better people but most of them fall into madness. Their powers—blessings or curses—push them there. You should have one yourself. I'm guessing those scissors—"
She pulled them from HER pocket.
"—aren't your only blessing."
Chara hummed.
"Aha aha~ she really did her homework~ yeah she's right~ but I also gave you a curse~"
Rainz gulped.
"She says… the scissors are my blessing. And that I also have a curse."
Violet stepped back—not in fear, but ready to defend.
"What is your curse?"
Chara giggled low.
"Hey buddyyyy~ tell her to cut your hand. Just trust me~ I wouldn't want you dead~"
"What? NO—NO WAY—"
"Oh c'moooon~ you did worse in the void~"
"YEAH BUT—"
Violet crossed her arms.
"Let me guess. She wants you to do something stupid."
"…Hey Violet… do me a favor and cut my hand real quick."
Violet blinked.
Then smiled sadistically.
"Well? Which one~?"
"Why do you look so pleased—? I guess my left ha—"
SHLK.
The knife sliced clean.
Rainz's scream tore from his throat, muffled as he bit into his shirt.
Pain flooded every nerve—
but his hand hung by a single writhing black thread.
Chara giggled.
"Awww~ don't worry you'll be fiiiine~ you're kinda invincible~ not immortal though~ pain included with the pack~ ehehehe~"
The thread reeled itself in—reattaching the hand as if nothing happened.
Violet stared.
"Fascinating. And disgusting. I've never seen a curse that brutal."
Rainz panted, shaking.
"So apparently… I'm invincible but I can feel pain… and get stunned… yeah I don't think I wanna test my—"
His fingers brushed his neck.
Chills ran down his spine.
Violet sighed.
"Anyway, what's your name? I'm not calling you Rainz forever."
"If I'm honest… I don't remember it. I don't think I ever knew it."
Chara whispered, almost guilty.
"Tssssss sorrrrryyyyy~ when I brought you here you were in a coma in your world sooo your memories kinda… slipped… b-but don't worry they still exist in THAT world~ I just can't bring them here~"
Rainz groaned.
"You've got to be kidding me. My memories slipped out of your hands but somehow my soul didn't?"
Violet pinched the bridge of her nose.
"So that means I have to call you Rainz from now on…? Just know I'm short-tempered. Tick me off and the knife comes out."
"Oh god, please don't."
"Don't piss me off then."
She continued walking.
"We can't go back to the shelter. I explained everything to Rose last night. We can't risk the kids Safety,but they loved rainz So we're telling them we're going on a journey to the Sloth King's castle to get you hired as a knight."
Rainz blinked.
"You really planned this out? …Wait—who's the Sloth King? ... actually Nevermind I'll find out on the way."
"Good choice because my temper was getting short"
They bought vegetables, returned to the shelter, and delivered the news.
Some kids cried, some smiled, and Rose stared at him traumatized,like she's seeing a monster in a saint's skin.
And thus—
Rainz and Violet left the village and headed toward their next destination:
Lethoria — Land of the Lazy King.
End of chapter1 — A Day to Be Alive Again