The New God V

'...what...what did she just say?'

Kai's eyes flickered as confusion clouded his thoughts. His gaze remained fixed on Alisson, the weight of disbelief sinking into his chest.

She had always seemed like the most compassionate among the team, unlike the others who either mocked or ignored him entirely.

So ofcourse he couldn't accept that those words were hers. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't believe it.

'No… that can't be right. I must've heard her wrong, right?'

His lips parted, and with a trembling voice, he muttered softly,

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't catch what you said."

Alisson cast a fleeting glance toward him.

With a sigh, she dismissed her sword with a faint shimmer that faded as the blade vanished. Her expression was worn, heavy with emotions he couldn't fully grasp—grief, fear, perhaps even guilt.

"I know it's hard..." she said quietly,

"but I have to let you die."

A shiver crept down Kai's spine, and his breath hitched. He hadn't misheard. She was going to let him die.

"I've read your file, Kai" she continued .

"You've got nothing waiting for you back home. No money, no family, no friends. This job's all you've got, and you're not even good at it."

Her words struck him harder than any physical blow could, although she wasn't lying. He was a well known weakling after all.

"But me?" she added.

"I've got people waiting—parents who need me...and friends too. So you have to understand... I don't want to die. I can't die, not here...and helping you is a death sentence at this point. "

Desperation clawed at Kai's throat.

He knew she was right. His injuries were too severe—missing a leg and an arm. He wouldn't survive alone, not here. Not only would that slow them down from the incredibly swift Devil but he would have probably bled to death before they got help.

"I don't want to die either..." he rasped.

"...Please... don't leave me."

"I don't care, Kai!" she shouted, her composure unraveling.

"It's survival of the fittest! That's how this world works. Even if I die, it won't be because I wasted my time saving a weak, lost cause like you!"

Kai's lips quivered, but he couldn't form words. He wanted to plead, but what was the point? Alisson had already made up her mind. But surely if he persisted she would eventually let up, right?

Without sparing another glance at him, she bolted for the door in a single sprint, almost faster than Kai could keep up with.

"Don't worry." she called back, breathless,

"I'll report this to the Association. I'll make sure they send the strongest sorcerer to avenge you all."

Avengement? That was all he was worth? Kai's teeth clenched as bitterness flooded his veins. He might be weak, but he wanted to live. It was within his human rights anyway.

"No! Don't go!" he screamed, dragging himself forward with his remaining arm. His fingers scraped against the floor, leaving faint trails as he fell on his face, sobbing softly.

In that moment, Alisson had made her way to the door and immediately bolted out of it, running with all her might.

And so, Kai was left alone in the haunted house. And at this point all he could do was curse and wait for his death.

"I don't want to die... I don't..." His voice broke.

"Why...why?! Why must I always suffer?! Why—"

A sudden, loud bang from behind shattered his despair. His breath caught as fear gripped him.

'It's here.' he thought grimly, accepting his fate.

With trembling eyes, he forced himself to turn toward the source of the sound.

What he saw, however, left him stunned.

It was Alisson.

She knelt on the ground, gasping for breath, her face pale with shock.

'Huh? Didn't she just leave?'

Kai's gaze shifted toward the door she had exited moments ago.

Through its frame, he could see the room he laid in, in fact, seeing his rear view as though it was some sort of weird mirror.

Alisson's panicked eyes darted between the door and the room, realization dawning on her like a nightmare.

She bolted, frantically pushing open every door in sight, but each one only led her back to the same room were Kai laid.

"It's a loop." Kai muttered weakly, dread pooling in his stomach.

"No… no... I can't die here." Alisson screamed, clutching her head. Her voice cracked with hysteria.

"I can't!"

Her eyes locked onto Kai, wild with desperation.

"You..." she whispered venomously, summoning her sword once more.

"You set this loop, didn't you?! You want me to die here with you!"

Kai's heart raced.

"No! I didn't! Please, listen—"

But Alisson was past reason. Fueled by terror, she lunged at him with the sword gleaming ominously in her grip.

Kai's pulse thundered in his ears. He braced himself, certain this would be his end. The blade swung down—

But the fatal strike never landed.

A flash of silver sliced through the air, faster than thought. In an instant, Alisson's entire forearm was severed. Her sword clattered to the ground as blood sprayed from the stump.

A moment of stunned silence hung between them before her piercing scream shattered it, which was good news for Kai atleast.

She fell to her knees, clutching the bleeding wound, tears streaming down her face as she shivered in pain.

Kai gasped for breath, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Despite everything—despite her betrayal—he didn't want to believe Alisson truly intended to kill him.

"I... I didn't set up the loop, Alisson." he croaked.

"I'd never hurt you... Even if you tried to kill me, I wouldn't. I... I think I love you."

Her sobs quieted slightly as she glared at him through tear-streaked eyes.

"You stupid idiot!" she spat.

"You chose now of all times to get rejected?! You think someone like you deserves to love someone like m-"

But before she could continue, her words were abruptly silenced.

In a blur, something moved faster than Kai's eyes could follow.

Alisson's head was severed from her body, sliced into bits of pieces and the pieces disintegrating into nothing but blood and gore. Now, all that was left of her was her headless body.

Her lifeless corpse crumpled to the floor with a sickening thud.

Kai's breathing grew ragged. He was alone now—everyone was gone. He had no strength left to run, even if he could. Lowering his gaze, he waited for death to claim him. After all, that's all he could do at that point.

But then it struck him, although it was a bit late, most probably because of the loss of blood mixed with exhaustion.

'The system! I have a system!'

His thoughts raced frantically.

'I can just wish for everything to go away right now, right?'

Desperate, he shouted his last hope aloud.

"I wish I got out of this safely!"

A sharp, familiar chime filled the air, cutting through his panic.

[User wish: I Wish I Got Out of This Safely]

[Progress: 0%... 21%... 38%...]

A faint smile drew on Kai's face as the thought of relief came to him. This was his best solution and all he had to do was hold out until the wishes progress was done and he'd be home free.

[52%... 72%... 82%...]

[Failed! Your wish cannot be granted!]