I don’t know how many spells battered into me then.
The first few broke my Battle Barrier, then they smashed through the Blood Wall I desperately released from Greed. The rest of them struck me directly.
Under the onslaught, my senses failed me. I was hit from behind, from the front, from everywhere, until I was flat on the ground with something cold against my back. Too late, I remembered the ice barrier that protected Hana and the others. I only realized where I was because the sword Claire had left beside me—Cursed—was there.
The HP gauge in the corner of my vision—which maxed out at over 300,000—showed only 1,000 HP left.
“Your plan wasn’t bad, but unfortunately for you, I already predicted how you would fight,” Cain said. “It’s impossible for you to beat me.”
My mind was hazy with pain and barely capable of understanding his words. I’d fought so many powerful enemies—the orc general, the lightning beast, just to name a few—with greater physical abilities. Even people like Yanagi, who could strategize on par with me. Cain was the first one who possessed both qualities. In front of him…I was just some weakling trying to cheat a victory. He wouldn’t even let me step foot in the ring.
The ifrit hadn’t made me feel half this desperate.
I understood now what utter defeat felt like. No matter where I went, there would always be someone much, much stronger. I was insignificant. The strength I’d worked so hard to gain was as fragile as glass—
“Rin.”
A voice broke through my melancholy, stopping the final piece of my heart from breaking. Had it come through the ice barrier? It sounded muffled, but I was positive someone said my name.
My heart awoke again. It leapt.
As scared as I was, I couldn’t turn back. I had no choice but to battle Cain. What must they be feeling, watching me from the sidelines? I owed them an apology for letting them down.
I turned around to see Rei’s face—and many others—through the glass. “Huh?”
Their eyes weren’t dull with hopelessness. Their faces were pained, as if they were frustrated by their powerlessness—but they still believed in me.
“Why…?” I asked. I was useless, even during the battle with the ifrit. I couldn’t believe they still had faith in me. “How can you…?” How can you believe in me?
I just didn’t get it. I was weak. I didn’t have the power to protect them. Why did they have so much faith in me?
And I remember…Claire had faith in me too.
Taking in everyone’s eyes, they wore the same expectant look that Claire had.
Her words echoed back.
They’re in your hands.
She’d saved me from the ifrit. She had even protected everyone with her ice barrier before she was pulled out. She was the strongest of all of us. Why did she think I was capable of taking the torch she held out to me? I doubted I could ever follow in her footsteps. I’d never have the power to protect everything.
I was weak.
I must’ve gotten arrogant somewhere along the way, after Dungeon Teleportation truly awakened and helped me level up faster than anyone. Call it coincidence that I managed to save some loved ones here and there. I’d gotten wrapped up in my own growth and convinced myself I was special, but at the end of the day—I was a worm, just like Cain said. I couldn’t do anything by myself.
I understand that so well, it hurts.
Despite that, and every negative thought I was so certain of, some things just couldn’t go unaddressed. I dragged myself, insignificant as I was, off the floor. Blood winnowed down my body in thin streams as I stood, but the feelings of the people behind me and their sense of longing fueled me. They told me not to give up.
Everyone who Claire had protected resented their weakness. It was all they could do to watch. But only I had the ability to fight back! I wouldn’t give in so easily!
I hated my own weakness, but I couldn’t let it eat me alive. It was simple: I wanted to protect the people I cared about. That was all that mattered. They believed in me despite my insignificance. I wanted to make them proud!
So I—
I—
“I want power.”
Even if it burnt me to ashes, I prayed for the power to beat Cain—for strength like Claire’s! From the depths of the pit of despair, one light shone above me. The image of a girl with silver hair.
I reached for her.