AI: Artificial Isekai

Of course someone told them already. Oh, I am sorry. Someones, plural. No professional courtesy. Three separate and distinct messages. Should I even be surprised at this point. What did they even tell them. Let's see... First one is straightforward and to the point—I got hurt but am okay, the Rangers are being held at the Guild. The second one is a bit overexaggerated. We did not fight a Hundred-Handed Horror. And isn't that an urban legend? Anyways, final message. The hall master and I had an epic argument and a subsequent falling out, culminating with us almost trading blows in the lobby. ...Let's just move on.

I am silently being led to a more private space, one devoid of an audience. Luckily, the city does not lack green spaces and small, secluded parks. After a few minutes of walking, we find one that is fairly empty and sit around what I can describe as a picnic table. The defense on one side and the prosecution on the other.

Erysis is the first one to speak, "So, what exactly happened?" Oh, boy.

"Miv, Pemik, and Sini were taking payments to delve specific dungeons."

"Excuse me? Taking payment from whom?"

"The people living there."

Both look surprised by the revelation, with Erysis exclaiming, "That's why that fucker always went somewhere! Oh, and he had that whole spiel about being safe."

"It's... It's not like that. They all had their reasons."

"You don't see me going around and extorting people."

"Well, it wasn't exactly extortion. Why do you think no one turned them in?"

Erysis narrows her eyes at me. "So just light extortion then?" Yeah, I lost that one.

"Fortunately for me, the Rangers were recruiting. They took on more than they could handle, so they needed to bring someone in. I tried to make myself appear as a sympathetic and a rather desperate target—one that needed money, and fast." I start to fidget with my hands. "Once I got a somewhat downplayed introduction to the operation, I was pretty sure they would send someone to observe me, how I would react. Even if I did spill, they had plausible deniability, and the reluctant support from the people. I voiced my concerns privately, pushing them to act. Well, Miv took the bait and tried to put on a show. They brought me to a D-grade Trial Dungeon. I guess the idea was to both scare me a little and show me what real terror looks like, what they were fighting against. That was the perfect opportunity to see how they would respond when something was on the line. I got hurt intentionally." Erysis and Nexen jolt in surprise. "The plan wasn't for me to get that hurt, but... the boss was a Bone Fiend, and I got hit with these spikes. One got me in the heart. The Rangers brought me to the ward, saving me. After that, they confessed."

None of them say anything for a time, looking confused and a bit angry.

Until Erysis asks, her tone casual and matter-of-fact, "Are you insane?"

Nexen chimes in, his tone is not casual, rather, one could define it as hostile, "It was pretty obvious you were hiding something, but I thought you were working with the Guild. I mean, you and the hall master are close, so... Why didn't you tell us anything?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to get you both involved in this... mess."

Erysis looks hurt. "I know we haven't been friends for long, but... do you think you can't trust us?"

"What? No! No. It's because..." I look away, unable to continue. It's complicated.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Still waiting," Erysis says.

I turn back and regard them both. "I didn't want to put you in danger." Oh, it wasn't that complicated, I guess. There are other reasons, but this one is... the main one.

Nexen joins in, "But it's okay to put yourself in danger?"

After a bit of thinking, I counter, "It's different."

Erysis tags back in, "How exactly is it different?"

"I..." This is my responsibility. My sole responsibility. "I do not care what might happen to me. I care what might happen to you."

"Yeesh. Alright, mighty hero. You still think that after technically dying?"

My reply is immediate and final, "Yes."

Erysis stands up. "Let's go. This is a waste of time." Every decision has its consequences. And this is something I expected. Does not hurt any less, though. Maybe it's for the best. She turns to me—a final goodbye, or a good riddance. "What are you waiting for?"

Huh? "Huh?"

"You were apologizing, right? Words are a good start, but something more physical is always appreciated."

"Ery... I think we just covered that extortion is bad."

"Is it extortion if the victim agrees?" Nexen is stumped. "I am thinking some sparring, and then some lunch. On you."

"Erysis. Nexen." I look each one in the eyes, keeping contact for a few seconds. "Thank you."

Nexen turns away, and Erysis' cheeks slightly redden. "Don't think we'll go any easier on you! Should have thought about that before getting perforated."

I laugh. "Wouldn't want it any other way."

We go back to the Guild and grab a free arena. I take it easy in our multiple spars, letting in a bit more hits than usual, but not like I need to try too hard, the two have improved a staggering amount. My tactic of being the punching bag does appear to provide results. When I am next feeling frustrated, I might test this out. Starting small, though. Maybe a comet? I'll keep my good friend ZXGSBDFS-268E62D97BE1419EBCBF2910AB178C50 for an especially dire situation only.

Nexen is the first one to lose his drive, glee turning into mild pity and then into resignation. Erysis, on the other hand, does not give up until she has exhausted both her stamina and her mana, still throwing barely luminous wisps. Until finally, she collapses to the ground.

She weakly turns to me, and forces out through strained pants, "This would be... a lot more satisfying... if you... at least got tired."

I shrug. "Should have requested that in the deal."

"Jerk."

She lays down on the sand, looking at the ceiling. I sit down next to her, and Nexen joins us.

After Erysis has caught her breath, she turns her head in my general direction. "I know we have dangerous jobs, but I'd rather not lose someone so early in my career." Nexen twitches, surprised by her words. Many people have said it, both to her and to him. But this might have been the first time she has voiced out this particular eventuality herself.

Death. Death is not an 'if' for me. "I can't promise you that."

She sighs. "I know you can't."

"I'll be more careful."

"Good enough. Nex?"

He hums. "No more secrets."

"No more secrets."

"Help me up, honey."

"Come here."

"Thank you. You okay, Lucius? You didn't push yourself too much, did you? Should we go to the ward?"

"No, I am fine. Lunch?"

"Lunch."

No more secrets, huh? A coward and a liar. Am I even surprised. All I've ever done since I was brought here is run away and deceive. I ran away from my punishment, ran away from the only fate that should befall me. I am lying to every person I ever meet, to the two people I am closest to. But I am not close to them, am I. My character, another lie, that is who they are close to. How long will I use my righteous crusade as an excuse for my appalling actions.

Erysis and Nexen actually care about me. The hall master does too, and so does Attendant Ania, even if a little. Why did I do that? Why did I get so close to them? I can pretend it's for the plan, but is that really the truth.

What is this feeling, crawling from deep within my mind? It saps away everything it touches. It's not frustration. It's not sadness. It's not anger. I am not feeling any of those. What were even feelings like? I try to remember, but everything I am recalling feels muted. Like it didn't happen to me. What's the point then. I am only making mistakes. I am only making everything worse.

Emptiness. That's what it is. There is nothing inside me anymore. It's so peaceful, so serene. Why did I ever delay it?

Erysis throws a joke at me. Nexen playfully scolds her, the timing a little too soon, but I find it funny.

Like breaking glass, something shatters within my mind. In the next instant, warmth floods the empty cavern. I close my hands into fists and then slowly relax them open. For the first time, the appendages truly feel like a part of me. I look at the two people next to me, truly seeing them. I breathe in, and out. The different smells of the city are dancing through the air. I can pick out every single one. Each sound I can detect, I know as intimately as can be. The people, the animals, the planet. All I see is burned into my memory, forever there.

The numerous sensations fill my very being.