The day Eric returned to his hometown had finally arrived. It didn't take him long to sort out the necessary paperwork and pack his things at the dorm, Zeris Academy wasn't too strict about such matters.
Eric walked toward the southwest gate, where he planned to meet the people who would escort him home. Yesterday, he'd learned that his father had hired two Silver-rank adventurers to escort him back. Eric and the two adventurers had agreed to meet at the southwest gate, where the transport station was located.
Wearing thick fur clothing, he exhaled deeply while occasionally glancing up at the overcast winter sky. Along the way, he saw several Academy students who appeared to be heading home as well.
Upon arriving at the meeting spot, Eric was amazed by the Zeris City transport station. Several large carriages were lined up neatly, each carriage was the size of a locomotive on Earth. The difference was that these carriages were made of dark, sturdy-looking wood and pulled by giant horses with small horns on their heads.
"A medieval train… and look at those horses on steroids!" Eric said, crossing his arms. There were plenty of benches at the station for prospective passengers, so Eric decided to sit there while he waited.
While munching on a sandwich, Eric turned to look at the two people approaching him. A large man carrying a shield and a spear, and a girl cloaked in a hooded robe who appeared to be an archer.
"Phew... thank goodness we're not late!" the shield-bearer wiped the sweat from his brow. The archer girl slapped his arm. "I told you we should've left earlier!"
The shield-bearing man scratched his head. "Yeah, yeah. My bad. Ah, Sir Eric Ostheno? We're both adventurers hired by the House of Ostheno. My name is Rudy, and this is my younger sister, Emilia."
Eric watched as Rudy extended his hand, and for some reason, he received a scornful glare from the young girl named Emilia. Rudy felt awkward because Eric remained silent and started to pull his hand back, but Eric quickly shook hands with Rudy. "Name's Eric. Do you guys know our seat numbers? Lead the way if you do."
Rudy was surprised but responded professionally to his escort's request. "Y-yeah. This way." The two adventurers led the way, and Eric accidentally overheard their whispers.
"Stupid, Big Brother! That's not how you greet a noble!"
"My bad, really! We rarely get to talk to nobles!"
Even though it wasn't time to leave yet, the three of them boarded the carriage, specifically the second carriage. Rudy then found their seats and immediately took his place.
Rudy and Emilia sat side by side, while Eric sat across from them. Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Rudy tried to start a conversation.
"In case you didn't know, Sir Eric, this line of carriages consists of 10 carriages known as the Great Convoy. Mass transportation like this is a first in this world!"
"Just like an MRT or LRT."
"MRT?"
"Never mind. Anyway, you two are Silver-rank, I presume?"
"Yes, I'm a shield-bearer with a minor Earth affinity, my sister here is an archer with a Wind affinity. Oh, please forgive my sister, she doesn't talk much. But rest assured! My abilities and hers are not to be doubted!"
"Hm."
A loud bell rang out from the station. The passengers waiting outside quickly boarded their respective carriages. Some people hugged each other goodbye, and a small child was crying because a man had left him behind.
Eric, looking out the window, also saw several groups of adventurers boarding the carriages behind him. It seemed the company providing this transportation service also hired adventurers for security.
The giant horses neighed, slowly pulling the carriages behind them. Soon, the serpentine line of carriages left Zeris City and officially began the journey.
In Eric's carriage now, various people filled the previously empty seats, such as wealthy couples, merchants, and adventurers. It seemed this carriage was reserved for the upper class.
Rudy nodded to the adventurers standing guard inside the carriage. Additionally, some adventurers were escorting the convoy on their own horses alongside the convoy.
After a while, the train passed through several hills and began entering a small forest. Although it was called a forest, there weren't many trees standing, so the view in the distance was still visible.
Eric started to feel sleepy and dozed off repeatedly. Rudy, noticing this, said to him, "You can sleep ahead, Sir Eric. We haven't even covered a quarter of the journey yet. I'll wake you up after we cross the Great Amber Bridge."
Eric looked at the big man for a moment before settling down to sleep. Around him, the other passengers were also apparently drowsy, half of them were fast asleep.
On the edge of consciousness, Eric heard something before falling into a deep sleep.
"Kukuku…"
***
As soon as Eric opened his eyes, he found himself in a diner. The patrons were casually devouring their meals while chatting with those around them. Eric looked down and saw a pair of hands covered in scars, he was wearing neat clothes.
"What the-"
Before he could say anything else, he saw a woman enter the diner. She was looking for someone until her eyes landed on Eric, and she shyly waved at him.
Eric's heart was pounding, a feeling of happiness filled his chest. The woman was wearing a simple floral-print dress, the small bag she carried and the subtle scent of her perfume lifted his spirits.
"So, Mister Eric. Did you choose this place for our first date?" The woman's teasing voice sounded incredibly sweet to Eric's ears. He was speechless, managing only a pitiful sound.
"A-aren't you supposed to be dead-" a waitress approached their table. "Have you two decided what to order yet?"
The woman opened the menu on the table. "Let's see… I-"
"For her, blueberry jam waffles and a chocolate milkshake. As for me, beef steak and an iced cappuccino." The waitress nodded and went to the kitchen. The woman smiled at Eric's words.
"You already know my favorite food? Wow, just wow." Eric managed to smile and replied. "I guess this is my lucky day?"
"So, maybe next time I'll pick the place and order first, hehehe!" Eric chuckled at her playful jab. But a deep, unsettling feeling welled up in his chest.
He still remembered their first date. She was the one who ordered first, not Eric. Not only that, he still clearly remembered the painful feeling of watching the woman in front of him lose the spark of life.
"Could it be... that it was all just a dream...?"
A slow, soft whisper echoed in his head. "That's right… that incident was just a dream. This is reality…"
His mind grew foggy, and the voice continued. "A reality where she's laughing with you… isn't that beautiful…?"
You're wrong.
19%
Eric's inner voice said so. All these moments were a huge mistake. Yet the voice kept echoing. "Look at her. She's smiling happily with you. How could you bear to ruin her happiness?"
Beads of sweat trickled down Eric's temples.
26%
No! I was the one who buried her! With my own two eyes, I was the one who sent her off to-
The soft voice was so tempting to him. "You don't need to be sad anymore, or struggle anymore. Just surrender yourself to this happy moment."
The next moment, the woman took Eric's hand. "Eric? Are you okay?"
Eric answered hesitantly. "Sorry, I have to go-" but before he could leave, the woman held his hand firmly. "This is our first date! Is something wrong?"
Eric's heart ached at the sight of the woman's sad expression, but he slowly pulled his hand away.
33%
"I'm sorry, there's something I have to do."
"Eric, wait! Please forgive me if I did something wrong!" The woman followed Eric to the exit. Just before reaching the door, she spoke in a raised voice.
"You're always like this! You always prioritize your work over our relationship!"
A cold fury seeped into him. He turned around, "What did you say?"
"Don't go, Eric! Stay here! Our happiness is the only thing that matters!"
48%
"You know how cruel people out there are, don't you? Don't pay them any mind! Just stay happy with me here!"
The woman starts screaming and sobbing. Eric walks toward the woman, who is crying uncontrollably, slumped on the floor. Everyone in the room turns to look at them.
"We're better than them! Everyone is evil!"
"Shut up."
"Huh?"
Eric crouched down in front of the woman. "She was the kindest person I've ever met." He glared at her with a face full of anger.
60%
"Despite my past, she still loved me. She taught me that there is still beauty in the world and things worth trying."
The space around them began to tremble. Fury and killing intent radiated from Eric.
"Her words were always gentle, and even when she was angry, she looked more like a mother advising her child,"
71%
"...not thrashing around like a whore."
"Ugh!"
"She was still smiling gently even as death came to claim her. I was the one who held her hand tightly in her final moments. I was the one who buried her."
85%
The glass began to crack, the floor warped as if under immense pressure. Eric gripped his hand tightly.
"Even in my old age, I always hoped she'd be by my side. A gentle, loving, and compassionate figure… you're not her."
"Stop!" The woman's face was terrified out of her mind. Everyone there began to lose their physical form and turn into shapeless, gray blobs.
Eric slowly tilted his head. "The question is... who the fuck are you?"
99%
He spoke slowly, but his tone sounded like a predator who had found its main prey.
"No, I already know..."
Eric smiled wickedly, malice evident on his face.
"We meet again, little chicken."
100%
Rage
The diner exploded and shattered into pieces.