Regrets (2)

The silence between Akira and Jin Ael lasted for a long time, and the air was heavy with unspoken hurt.

Akira's cold look became a little gentler, though inside, he was racing.

"Why did I even ask him that?"

The question would remain in his head like a whisper, though there would be no answer.

It was instinct—a need to understand the broken adult before him.

Jin Ael, still leaning against the rough wall, opened his bloodshot eyes wide at Akira's question.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. For a moment, his hurt body seemed to stop the strong feelings trying to break free inside him.

Akira, thinking the silence was an answer, let out a soft sigh. Slowly, he turned away from the dying man, his face showing no emotion.

"I will bury your teammates,"

Akira said quietly, his voice strong but with something unsaid.

"Before they become food for the remaining monsters here."

"And… I'm sorry."

He started to walk away, his footsteps making soft splashes on the blood-covered ground.

Then, like a dam breaking, Jin Ael's voice burst into the quiet.

"YES, I DO!"

The power of his shout echoed through the cave, stopping Akira in his tracks.

"I HAVE REGRETS—A LOT OF THEM, DAMN IT!"

Akira's eyes got bigger as he turned his head and saw Jin Ael's sad face.

The broken man, who just a moment ago looked like he would give up on life, was now shaking with strong feelings.

"Why?"

Jin Ael yelled, his voice breaking.

"Why did I try to act like some noble hero in a stupid movie?!"

Akira turned fully now, his cold composure faltering. Jin Ael's bloodshot eyes met his, wild and furious.

"Why did I think about my friend's safety before my family—before my daughter?!

"Why, damn it?!"

Jin Ael's voice cracked, and tears mixed with the blood running down his face.

"I had everything I needed!"

"I had saved enough money to live well, to take care of them."

"This… this was supposed to be my last raid!"

His trembling hand clenched into a fist as his voice rose again, filled with bitter fury.

"But no!"

"My friend needed help."

"My idiot of a friend, who couldn't let his pride go."

"And me?"

"This stupid body of mine—this damn heart of mine—moved on its own to save him!"

He coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips, but he didn't stop. His voice grew hoarse, yet his pain only sharpened.

"And that fucker, the Demonic Human—why did he have to show up here?!"

"Of all the dungeons in this cursed world, why this one?"

"Why us?!"

"DAMN YOU, FATE!"

His scream pierced through the oppressive silence of the dungeon, reverberating off the cold, stone walls. Akira, still watching him, felt his chest tighten.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Akira didn't know what to say.

Jin Ael took a deep breath, feeling his anger and pain leave him as fast as it had come. He leaned back against the wall, shaking.

"Haa…"

Jin Ael said quietly, almost whispering.

"I… I feel much better now."

He gave a weak, bitter laugh and looked up at Akira with his bloody face.

"Thank you… for asking me that,"

Jin Ael said, his voice weak but honest.

Akira stood there, quiet and unmoving, his ball of white mana glowing softly at his hand. He didn't answer, but for a moment, his cold eyes showed a hint of understanding.

Akira's cold, distant eyes turned soft and showed something new—something sad—as he looked at Jin Ael.

For the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of connection, a shared sadness between two hurt men.

Akira stepped closer, his voice calm and steady.

"Can I ask for your name?"

Jin Ael's tired eyes opened wider for a moment before he answered, his voice rough.

"It's… Jin Ael."

"Jin Ael,"

Akira said quietly, remembering the name.

"I'm Akira Shoto."

Jin Ael gave a weak nod.

For a moment, Akira paused, his hand tightening and relaxing as he dealt with his strong feelings inside. Finally, he spoke, choosing his words carefully.

"Hah… You know something funny?"

"What - Jin Ael said

"I promised myself that i won't trust anyone again."

"I promised I would follow my path alone."

"But…" - He stopped, his voice getting very quiet.

"If I had someone like you with me to be honest...I wouldn't mind it at all."

Jin Ael's tired eyes showed something—maybe gratitude or pride.

"You said your name was Jin Ael," Akira said, his voice calming.

"I can't change the choices you've made or the paths you've taken to reach this point."

"But Jin Ael…"

Akira's eyes started to shine, white light of his power growing stronger as sparks of lightning flashed around him, lighting up the cave even more with a spooky glow.

"I promise you this...if it will ease your soul, even just a little… the demonic human who did this to you—and all of their kind—will be turned to ashes by my hand."

"Even if I die in the process, I'll make sure they're erased from this world."

Jin Ael gasped, his fading eyes growing wide with surprise and respect.

"I couldn't… imagine a better person to be here in my final moments… other than my family," - he said softly.

"You're yo ung… to o yo ung f or th at bur den"

"Take ca...re on yo ur jou rn ey, Ak ira Sho to."

"And th an ks fo r show ing up."

"Th ank y ou for n ot lett ing me die alo ne."

Akira trembled at his words his system showing up

As the light in Jin Ael's eyes began to fade, Akira stepped closer, kneeling by his side.

"Is ther e anythi ng e lse?"

He asked, his voice quieter now, almost gentle.

Jin Ael's lips twitched in the faintest semblance of a smile.

"F ind… Im zar," - he rasped.

"Gi ve hi m a beati ng for m e."

"And t ell him… no t to be too h ard on him self."

Akira felt a tightness in his chest as he saw Jin Ael take his last breath.

The light that was once bright in his eyes faded away, leaving his face calm but sad.

"Yes," Akira whispered, his voice shaking a little.

"I'll do that."

He stayed there for a moment, looking at Jin Ael's motionless body.

Inside him, feelings swirled—a mix of anger, sadness, and a slight, painful calm.

Akira didn't know what he felt at that moment. His mind was a storm of emotions.

"He… he made my heart and mind feel calm, even when they hurt."

He looked at Jin Ael's lifeless face, his jaw tightening.

"This world… it's too unfair."

"Too damn unfair."

"There are many people like him who deserved to live well, not to die like this…"

Reaching out with a shaking hand, Akira closed Jin Ael's eyes carefully.

Then he stood up, taking a deep breath as he gazed at the dead bodies in the dungeon.

Without thinking, he dropped to his knees and started digging into the hard, bloody ground with his bare hands.

Every shovel of dirt felt like punishment.

One by one, he buried every person who had died in the dungeon, his heart getting heavier with each grave.

When he was through, he stepped in front of the final pile of dirt—the one which marked where Jin Ael was buried.

"Rest well" - Akira said as he stared down at where he buried Jin Ael

His shining eyes became cold again, but under that coldness was a fire which burned brighter than ever.

Gazing into the dark area of the dungeon, he whispered, his voice sharp and full of strong determination:

"Just wait, fucker."

"I'm coming for you."

"I'll destroy you and everything you stand for."

The crackle of white lightning intensified around him, illuminating his grim expression as he turned to leave.