Words colder than the steel at my throat

If someone asked you to introduce yourself, how would you respond? Most of the time, one would start with the basics:

Kageyama Kai. 17 years old. High school student.

No matter what the context was, it was always good to start with the name, age and occupation. Everything after that depends on who you are talking to. If you are at an interview for a part-time job, then you would maybe get asked about your skills or motivation. Or if it was someone your age who’s trying to get on friendly terms with you, then you would mostly get asked about your hobbies. In my case, I would say that I enjoyed moments like these:

An empty classroom that’s illuminated by the orange afternoon sky. The quietness aside from the ticking of the clock and the faint cheers of students during their club activities. An open window beside me. A fresh breeze caressing my face.

Truly, the perfect setting to indulge in my favorite pastime activity.

After stretching my arms, I took out my phone. With an anticipating smile I sat at my desk and quickly navigated through my phone until my screen displayed a certain text: Tales of Tasia

It was the name of my favorite web novel which I had been reading for years now. If I were to sum it up in one sentence, then it’s basically about a girl named Alice Ashglade who is the hero with the task of defeating the evil Demon King of the fantasy world Tasia.

I know. It sounded like every other fantasy story out there, however, Tales of Tasia still held a special place in my heart as it was the first fantasy story that I have read. For others, it may seem generic but for me it was not. It introduced me to so many things that I could not have imagined back then. But sadly, this story was nearing its end.

What I was currently reading was the latest chapter of the web novel and it clearly gave the vibe of it ending very soon. After all, the story reached the climax of the final showdown between Alice and the Demon King. Once the Demon King is slain, the journey of Alice and her friends will end.

“What?! The chapter ends like this?!” I cried in disbelief.

Alice managed to defeat the Demon King and was about to behead him. But the chapter ended before her blade cut through his neck.

Of course, it was obvious that the Demon King would die and that Alice would win, especially after all the build-up from the previous chapters. However, other readers and I couldn’t help but feel anticipation for the next chapter.

One thing that made Tales of Tasia stand out from other fantasy stories was that the one who managed to defeat the Demon King would get their wish granted.

Even though I followed the story of Alice and her friends for many years, it was never clearly stated what Alice’s wish was once she defeated the Demon King. There were many fan theories and speculations but none of them could agree on one theory. And because of the mystery behind Alice’s wish, many people kept reading the story just to know the truth.

And that truth came to light with the next chapter.

“I wonder what it will be…” I muttered deep in thought.

Realizing what time it was, I packed my things and headed home. It slowly turned darker outside and the streets became more void of people as time progressed. I passed by a family restaurant where I saw a group of students hanging out with smiles on their faces.

Hanging out with friends, huh? Well, not that I would care. Currently, my thoughts were occupied with Tales of Tasia.

What will be her wish? Fame? Wealth? Resurrecting her dead family? Turning back time? Killing every single demon left? Immortality? Eternal youth?

I snickered quietly.

“Whatever it is, I just hope that she can have a happy ending.” I muttered hopefully.

At the same time, I was also cringing at myself. Just why did I say something so embarrassing…?

I cleared my throat while quickly glancing around in the hope that nobody saw and heard me.

I let out a relieved sigh. As embarrassing as it was, it was my honest opinion.

I followed Alice for many years. I saw her at her strongest but also at her weakest. I saw her smile and her tears. I saw her development and her challenges. I saw her triumphs and losses.

Reading those moments made me feel like a member of her group. I couldn’t be her tank nor could I be her mage or healer. I had no ability to help her in her fights. The only thing I could do was to cheer for her from the bottom of my heart.

Alice Ashglade was not just a hero from a fantasy story. She was also my hero.

She was there when I needed help. She was there when I wanted to smile. She was there when I wanted to feel safe. She was someone I loved.

I felt my cheeks warming up.

“?”

I turned my head when I saw a bright light flashing at me from the side.

And at the same time, I heard a deafening honk. My eyes widened in shock as I watched the incoming truck coming at me. I could not move from the spot. It was as if my legs froze up. My jaw dropped. I could not even mutter a word. My arms felt like pudding and yet I managed to put them up to shield myself. Shield me? I knew that it’s a reflex but it did not matter in this situation.

I was doomed. My 17-year-long life will come to an end. There are still so many things I want to do. And yet, I could not recall one thing I wanted to do because of the truck being terrifyingly close to me already.

Wait a minute…

This scene resembled those I have read in all those stories… So maybe… Just maybe… Will I perhaps get isekaid…? If I close my eyes, will I wake up in another world…?!

Unfortunately, my last thoughts were nothing but foolish. And thus, my life came to an end.

Or so I thought.

[**** **]

[*** *** ** ***]

Before the impact, I heard unfamiliar voices. But at that moment, I could not make out what they were trying to tell me.

“…”

I thought death would be more painful but it surprisingly did not hurt. It felt like the truck did not even hit me. Instead, I just felt my back lying on the ground.

I squinted my eyes and slowly opened them. My vision was slightly blurry at first. The first thing I saw was a beautiful azure sky.

“?!”

However, that sight changed as a sharp object was pointed at me.

Reflexively, I was about to put up my hands defensively but I was stopped by someone instantly.

“Don’t move!”

I was scolded by the person who was holding the sharp object- Wait! Is that a sword?!

It was a black double-edged sword. It was already tainted with blood and it seems like it is showing off its cursed energy. However, that sword appeared somewhat familiar to me…

“It seems like he was right.”

After looking at it fearfully, my gaze slowly wandered to the owner of the sword whose voice was full of spite.

“N-no way…” I stuttered in shock.

Her beautiful blonde hair fluttered lightly in the air but it was not the trait that made me immediately recognize the girl who was about my age.

It was her red eyes. Eyes that seemed empty and yet tired. Eyes that were kind to her allies but cold to her enemies. Eyes that screamed vengeance and killing intent.

There was no doubt in my heart. It was her! The protagonist of my favorite web novel! The hero! My hero!

“A-Alice?!”

“Don’t you dare utter my name, new Demon King.”