Abyss Summoner-Chapter 279 - 274: That’s All There Is to It
The sunset falls in the west.
The battle didn’t last long, it broke out and ended within less than two hours, so much so that the sunset hadn’t completely disappeared.
The remaining light scattered on the blood-soaked streets.
In some places, everything has turned into ruins. Although most people luckily escaped, the supplies left in the houses were burned to ashes, and occasionally, the sound of repressed sobbing permeates the air. Dust-covered people collect the bodies of the deceased, some weep for their lost kin while others try to identify the bodies of missing family members.
Relief is felt despite not finding them.
But those who find a body have a different expression.
.........
From an alleyway comes the sound of crying.
That young man clad in black Insect Armor, a Warrior of Order, his originally sturdy armor now torn and tattered, with even his shoulder ripped open, causing injuries, and drops of fresh blood dripping to the ground.
The young Warrior, his body trembling, did not care for his shoulder wound, instead he shakily picked up a corpse of a boy similar in age to him.
It was a boy whose face was smeared with blood, missing a piece of his right ear, his only identifying feature.
Scythe had lost his breath, the fatal wound located on his chest, struck by the Devil, despite having Insect Armor, his ruptured organs left him beyond saving.
The deep wailing resounds.
Lu Wei trembles as he holds Scythe’s body, his gaze filled with disbelief and agony, his expression tearing at the heart. He cries out in a blood-chilling lament, his voice hoarse: "We promised to go home together... why?"
"We were just a little bit away from victory, how could this happen?"
Tears fall one after another, Lu Wei’s weeping resembling a child’s.
The boy who swore to avenge his parents, charging fearlessly in battles, even signing up for the experiment, dreaming of becoming a professional, his life forever etched into this moment.
Perhaps he hadn’t anticipated the Devil’s formidable outburst; maybe he was a bit greedy. He had spoken about wanting to kill more enemies and trade for a sharper weapon. To some, perhaps Scythe brought it upon himself, a mere ordinary person daring to pursue the Devil, even if it was a severely wounded one.
But Lu Wei didn’t see it that way.
They rose from the very bottom, knowing that to survive, every rare opportunity must be seized. A severely wounded Devil was no doubt a ticket to a better life for Scythe.
If he could kill it, his life would improve in some way.
But...
This time, Lady Luck did not smile upon the boy.
Lu Wei’s crying resembles a child who lost his toy.
In truth, since his parents died, he hadn’t cried like this. Facing the apocalyptic life, Lu Wei realized he must grow stronger.
Almost overnight, this boy matured.
He wasn’t particularly brave; in fact, he was somewhat timid.
But as long as his sister lived, he wouldn’t abandon hope, because she was his hope.
As an older brother, he had to be stronger.
It was this belief that slowly transformed Lu Wei from a boy into a Warrior. He became familiar with combat, accustomed to fighting, and on his journey protected by the lives he had taken, including half-monkeys, zombies, and little devils, even some actual humans.
Yet despite this, seeing Scythe die before him left Lu Wei feeling helpless and sorrowful. Scythe was his best friend; in the apocalypse, they supported each other to walk this far. If his sister was his hope, then Scythe was their crutch. Supporting one another, they weathered all the risks and mountains along the way.
Their mutual presence instilled a faint glimmer of hope and optimism amidst their dire circumstances.
But just now, his crutch had broken.
Lu Wei lost his way, now like a traveler who’s lost his sense of direction, missing his guiding crutch through treacherous paths.
A myriad of thoughts lingered in his mind as Lu Wei tried to recall everything Scythe brought into his life.
"I know this is risky, but living in such an environment, everything carries danger..."
"I’m not afraid of dying, I only fear not being able to kill more monsters for my parents."
"We haven’t even had your wedding wine. I can’t die so early!"
"Once I have status, I’ll find two, no! Three wives won’t be a problem!"
Lu Wei fell silent.
After his sorrow, he sat heavily on the ground, gazing blankly, his thoughts drifting.
"You’re too weak."
Lu Wei suddenly murmured, as if recounting every word Scythe ever said. Suddenly, he spoke, "Because I’m so weak, too weak to protect those important to me. Scythe is gone, and if it were my sister, the outcome might be the same."
In such perilous circumstances, bravery wasn’t the issue. It was a regular person’s instinct. When Lu Wei realized, the Devil had already flung Scythe far away, leaving no chance for rescue.
In the end, he could only watch as Scythe took his last breath in his arms.
"If this continues..."
Lu Wei stretched out his hand, staring at his thin arm, frustrated: "If it keeps going like this, will I end up the same one day? Too weak, not even qualified to protect myself, let alone my sister. If I were a professional, perhaps Scythe wouldn’t have died..."
His eyes were filled with infinite despair and remorse, clutching the corpse tightly, unleashing a furious, grieving roar.
"I’ve already signed up, my physique, identity it’s fine. The adults say in the next batch of names, mine is there." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Then, Lu Wei recalled a crucial sentence, making what seemed like an important decision, laboriously picked up Scythe’s body, and began walking step by step towards the gathering place.
He had decided.
This is a perilous world; seeing the Devil made him realize disaster is ever-present. He couldn’t rely on luck forever, so he needs to prepare in advance.
Only by possessing power can he better protect himself, his important person or beliefs.
Lu Wei didn’t want to experience powerlessness again, so he decided to join the experiment, for only then would he have the chance to become a powerful professional.
This is not suicide.
He merely wished to become stronger...
That’s all!
