"Why?" I ask while shivering in pain and fear.My name is. .h.i.tomi. I"m a high school girl and I am the school president. I was hated by students because of my demanding and manipulative behavior. But I needed to do it, it was the only way that this school would achieve peace and prosperity.
Teachers saw me as a hardworking student and I"ve been known for my beauty and brain. I was always in the right even if I had to make some disobedient students suffer.
It"s always better to use bronze than to dent the silver. People like dropouts were the best people to manipulate. Since they needed grades, I had made them as my slaves. I have treated them properly though, they follow my orders, I reward them with a good moral check and I even tutor them. Some continue to hate me, especially the delinquent ones.
I always knew my life would end by someone"s hand. It was already clear because of my personality. I was always expecting that my life would end in the hands of my slaves but I didn"t expect the unexpected.
"Why? What have I ever done to you?"
I cried as I crawl away from my murderer. My blood was dripping down from my side and my school uniform was now stained with it. My clothes were disheveled and tears flowed down my eyes. My face twisted in desperation as I try to continue to live.
"I"ll never forgive you, Hitomi."
My murderer was...
"Shinomiysan... why? Huhuhu..."
...my beloved best friend.
They say, best friends are forever. But everything will disappear at some point.
"Because you"ve been so close with Kitoya!"
Shinomiya is my cla.s.smate. She"s silent and a bookworm. She indulges herself in romantic novels and romantic tragedies. It must seem that she had herself delusion a romance between me and her crush. But she has been silent always and I never knew who she liked. She was never open with me and I thought that she"s that kind of person that is silent and caring. I was wrong...
"Every day! Everyday! I see Kitoya looking at you! Even when you order him like a slave! He always looks at you with those eyes!" She stomps her feet in irritation like she couldn"t accept anyone who Kitoya might lay his eyes on them except only for her.
"... But I don"t even like him... I"m just doing this for the school..."
"Lies! I saw you go to the cafe together!"
She was right, but the only reason we did go to a cafe together was to study and review. Kitoya had always been sleepy so in a cafe where coffee can serve is the right place for him.
"...Please... Listen to me..." I desperately trying to escape this conversation. I never really liked Kitoya that way but I did like him as a friend. Kitoya also told me that he"s a father of a one-year-old child and his partner was the same age as he was. Kitoya was still 16 and so his secret girlfriend. I had promised not to tell anyone, but I felt like I had to tell her.
"Shinomiya... He.." But I just couldn"t bring myself to betray someone who trusted me.
"Why did you exist?! Why?! All I wanted was to be with him!"
"Shinomiya... He has someone already..." But that"s when I snapped her. Her eyes widen and her hands started to grip stronger on her knife. Her face had left a murderous look and talking to her will never work.
The last thing I knew... was the sound of the siren and police arresting her. She left a hateful look at me before she went inside the police car.
"She"s dead already..."
"d.a.m.n... Another high school girl murdered."
"Cause of death is twenty stabs on the chest."
"Noted."
My vision started to fade as darkness started to envelop my eyes. I wanted to live... I wanted someone to appreciate me... Like how my slaves appreciated me as their master...
Before long, I was covered in darkness.
Where am I?
I... I can"t talk.
What time is it already? I had lost track of time.
Why is it so dark?
Is this... Is this heaven?
"No child. This is the judgment realm."
Who"s speaking?
Her voice was soft and caring. Like a mother. It had a sad tone and her voice was angelic.
"I am the G.o.ddess of mercy, Kannon."
I see... I am dead.
"My child, I am the righteous and the merciful G.o.ddess. I have seen your broken heart. You are young, my child. For that, I will reincarnate you with a curse. Forgive me, it is the only way. With this curse, it will guide you in your new life. Your curse will be your stepping stone. As your last wish, I will grant you your greatest dream. To be appreciated, you must serve them as your master."
Thank you... I... I... Thank you...
I wanted to cry but I didn"t feel my body. The only thing I felt was a flick on my forehead and that I found myself awake and naked, lying on a bunch of hay.
-Welcome to Alheir
I"m an otaku actually so this kind of stuff didn"t surprise me. I played a virtual reality open-world role-playing game, also known as VR-OWRPG.
I opened my settings, the settings were familiar as the game I played back home. It was Alheira X I think? Wait... isn"t this? Maybe it"s just a coincidence.
-Type Your Name-
I always played my name as Ayumi.
Kannon Ayumi, Cla.s.s ???, Level 1
*CURSE: SLAVERY*
+The user shares her EXP with her master as well as level and stats.
+The user loses her level and cla.s.s when she is not with her master within 20 meters.
+The user will lock her first teammate as her master and information will be sent to the master as soon as the party had been formed.
I was naked and I found myself lying on the hay found on a hidden alley by a town.
-Chesprych Castle Town-
Says the current player location.
"Oh, Lady why are you naked?"
"Eh!" I dug down deep in the hay, hiding.
"Just wait there. I"ll give you some clothes." The old man with white hair and white beard said. He sure looks masculine and he holds a broken anvil which he drops by the trash.
They hay started to itch my skin and I"m starting to feel cold. I"m confused about why I was reincarnated in such a pale body with silky black hair.
He returns from the back of his door with a bag on his hand. He throws it towards me.
"Wear this."
He said. He went back in and I reached for the bag. It contained a chest cloth which can only cover my b.r.e.a.s.t.s and black pants. It looked like what ninjas would wear.
I wore it and it fit just fight. It was comfortable even though it was revealing.
He returned and looked at me.
"How is it?"
"I... It"s fine... Thank you... Mr?"
"Arthur. Arthur is my name."
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Arthur."
I thanked him and I took a walk around the village. I didn"t want to bother him further since there were customers piling up on his shop. He was a blacksmith and a weaponry dealer.
This world.
This world is a game.
The one I played. In PC and VR version.
I looked around town and finally found what I was looking for. The walls were made from cobblestone bricks and there were banners lining up the roof. It was tall and the whole place was rowdy.
I wanted to obtain a cla.s.s. It seems it"s natural to find a guild and start an adventure if I wanted to live in this world. Hey, I pretty much know what this is since I"m the second top player in this game. The top player was a girl. It seemed that she goes by the name NamiYa22. All I write is Ayumi and I always use a.s.sa.s.sin tree cla.s.s. Which evolves from:
Thief->Night Raider->a.s.sa.s.sin
Although that"s the basic cla.s.s tree, there"s a pay to obtain cla.s.s tree which contains hundreds of cla.s.ses that starts from a thief.
The first thing that greeted me was two old looking men with lascivious eyes that gaze from my toe up to my head. They were up to no good.
"Hey, miss? Care to join my party? I"m sure you"ll love my ride."
Both of them laughed.
"I"m sorry, I don"t..."
He suddenly grabbed my shoulder and sniffed my neck. Shivers ran down my spine.
He flicks out his tongue and whispers.
"You look s.e.xy." He soon reached for my breast but a big masculine man grabbed him and tossed him out from the building. As soon as he saw who threw him out, he ran away together with his friend.
"I"m sorry about those rascals." A young looking man around his twenties walked towards me.
"I"m Arnel and this is Ymil."
I looked at Ymil and he looks terrifying. Like a huge Frankenstein.
"My my. What do we have here?" A woman wearing a black cloak and a scarlet robe approached me. She lifts my chin to meet her mask.
"She"s new." She added.
"My lady, Elena, she"s a beginner."
"I see. Then mind if you join us?"
Suddenly people started whispering and talk pa.s.sed from one to another with their eyes locked on us. They look stunned.
"I.."
"Oh don"t be afraid. We"re the number one party in this nation." she insists. Maybe it"s okay. A cheat start wouldn"t be so bad.
I smiled and nodded.
-Elena And Two Other Members Invited You-
I accept.
Suddenly my eyes blurred. An icon popped out.
*CURSE: SLAVERY*
+Three Masters Identified
I forgot about that. I wonder what their reaction is.
I looked and they seem to be calm. They simply smiled and guided me to the reception.
"h.e.l.lo, I would like a cla.s.s."
"Very well then, please drop your blood."
I pinned a nail on my finger and I flicked blood on my left hand. Soon, a magic circle appeared and she wrapped it in the paper. She took the paper and the magic circle was now printed on it.
-Choices-
Thief, Knight, Mage
It was obvious at the beginning that I would choose the thief. And so I did.
Elena paid one silver and the girl accepted the payment with her hands shivering. What"s wrong with them.
As soon as we got out, Elena took me to the Yellow Meadows and made me fight some Slimes. They were level one and Elena bought me a blade.
Everything was going so well. We did the same thing for about two weeks and after that, my level had reached level ten. I continued to work and help them. They treated me well and fed me.
I thought everything was fine.
Days had pa.s.sed and Elena started to change. She started to hit me every time I mess up.
"I"m sorry... Master..."
She laughed. She was a s.a.d.i.s.tic person.
Later I that. I had realized she was the Queen but she never reveals her face.
I had finally reached level 25 and I upgraded my cla.s.s to Shadow Thief. It was a legendary tree cla.s.s that Elena performed a ritual on me. The price was, she took my stats and treated me like a dog. She tortured me for two days.
I was starting to suffer. I never wanted this. I never realized that joining this party would bring me down to fall.
When that night came. Apparently, Elena, the queen, and a nearby village landlord had a quarrel about tax. Elena had a mindset of business, she would do anything to make her country rich. In that way, she implied that the village would pay 1 gold piece but it was too expensive.
And later that night... It was when I realized my true suffering.
"Ayumi, you will slaughter the whole village."
"No! Ahhhhhh!"
My curse started to react. Every time I reject my duties as a slave, the curse starts to burn me.
But I didn"t do what she told me. Instead, she made me watch while the whole village is being slaughtered by her demons.
She was a Shadow Mage and she was able to summon demons.
My eyes couldn"t believe what it saw.
Blood.
Screams.
Children slaughtered.
Fire.
I was there. I didn"t do anything but I felt like I was to blame. I could have saved them. But I can"t.
"Elena! Some Fox Demons had escaped and is heading right to the village!"
"Chase them, Arnel!"
We left the village burn.
Elena ordered one of her knights to find someone to accuse. And the knight smiled as he went off.
We started to chase the fox demons, Elena didn"t want the demons to reach her village. It was called Chesprych Village.
The sun was starting to rise and as we ran through the Gra.s.s Valley.
It was not long but we heard someone scream. As we arrived, it was a weak looking boy surrounded by fox demons.
"Ahhhh!" He screamed.
Arnel, Elena, and Ymil immediately jumped in to save him.
The boy survived and thanked the four of us. I think his name was Yakiro?
Arnel was discussing to make Yakiro join their party. It was clear that their motives were to recruit new people and manipulate them.
Elena and Arnel started to discuss.
Elena: "That boy. She"s similar to Ayumi."
That"s when my eyes widened. It can"t be. I looked at him and his cla.s.s clearly stated cla.s.s blank. I thought I was the only one.
We took him in and made him rest, and went to the blacksmith. The next morning, he disappeared.
"YOU b.i.t.c.h! I TOLD YOU TO WATCH OVER HIM!" Elena had slapped me so hard that I fell to the floor. My cheek was swelling with pain.
Not so long, Yakiro returned from Mr. Arthur"s shop.
Elena calmed down.
"What"s wrong Ayumi-chan?" Yakiro asked me. He calls me that. Such a weirdo. But hey, he has looks.
"She fell on the stairs." Arnel answered. Lies, Elena had slapped me.
By the way, Yakiro has a pet named Koneko now. And soon, I learned that Koneko could transform into a girl. Koneko told me about his sister and how he died. I cried. I"m pathetic. I always cry on sad stories ahuhu.
There was one time we fought an Orchista, I got badly injured and my breast was burned with acid. Elena told me to prioritize Yakiro"s injuries because he needs to be sacrificed during the pillar event. Somehow, Elena was able to see his abilities yet he had never unlocked.
I mended his wounds when he was asleep. The next morning, I found my breast covered in herbs and my bruise was gone. That boy! I"M PRETTY SURE HE GROPED MY BREAST!
I ran out only to find him resting by the village wall. I called him out but he started running away. No, he was skating. It must be his ability skill. But I"m faster than him. I chased him and I finally caught up with him.
He smacked and smacked him till his nose bled. He looked somehow happy. What a weirdo. But I cannot forget his generosity. I held him and without knowing, I had hugged him. It was the first time that anyone has ever cared for me... I felt loved.
Later in the days, Yakiro suffered so much after seeing his child friends slaughtered by an Orc. I wanted to tell him it was Elena who summoned that orc. But I was bound by my curse. Anyone who escapes Elena"s taxes would be killed. I want to tell me. But I can"t...
The next day, I woke up from all his commotion. He apparently got his cla.s.s and I was so happy. But then it turned into fear when time stopped.
We were sent in the Quantum Realm and we were told about our prophetic life as G.o.d Representatives.
We met 4 other people who were just like us.
We stayed there for a couple of weeks.
I don"t want it...
But I"ve grown attached to Yakiro. He treats me like a kid. He would always rub my head like Koneko. Somehow, I wanted more than that.
When I found out that Koneko could get her clothes skill from a kiss. I got b.u.mped out.
I got angry at Yakiro.
"Wait till you kiss me first, Idiot..." I said in a soft voice.
"What?"
"Nothing! Idiot!" I dashed away. It was night and I felt embarra.s.sed.
Geez! What was I thinking?! Geez Geez! Yakiro is such an idiot!
I was starting to enjoy my time with him. We were sent back and we started to do adventures.
There was one time when Yakiro had lost all his sense when I got hurt. Yakiro started to pummel the monster and never stopped. He was changing. His eyes started to bleed and glow red. I felt it. A malevolent aura deep within him. His hatred. I didn"t want to lose him. I ran to him as soon as I drank the potion and hugged him. Koneko stopped him too.
Finally, he got his senses back.
I don"t want to admit it. But I never wanted to lose him. He"s my friend. No... he"s... he"s the one I choose to love... If only he was my master.
Bad news came...
Pillar was nearing and Elena was starting to get impatient.
"You will paralyze Yakiro and we will sacrifice him."
I couldn"t speak. My heart was about to break. I... I don"t want to live anymore... I love Yakiro... I love him... Why.. Why do I have to betray him? It hurts...
Elena left the room and Yakiro got in. I didn"t want to talk to him but he insisted. My heart was about to break...
"I promise I will protect you, Ayumi..."
I cried. How could I betray the one that I love? How could I? How could I let the one who promised to protect me die?
It hurts... It hurts... That night... I discussed with Koneko. That if she was a G.o.ddess, in any way, I wanted this curse to disappear. She got angry at me. She didn"t want to betray her precious master.
"Don"t worry. I"ll give him my revival coin."
We agreed. Koneko was able to communicate with G.o.d"s through the church.
I"m sorry Yakiro... I"ll be borrowing your pet. Please survive tomorrow and run. Until I get this curse off. I"ll stay with you. I"ll even be your bride.
The day had come. I didn"t talk to him. I felt like I would burst into tears if I talked to him.
He was starting to get lonely. It hurts me. It hurts... I"m sorry Yakiro.
We were finally on the boss stage. I was in a bad spot. The boss was about to kill me. I was somehow happy. I want to end this. I want to...
But he... He protected me.
"Just lay there and watch me Ayumi." He said with a gentle smile. He was growing up so fast. I... I wanted to reach him... I wanted to be with him.
He managed to defeat the monster, and I walked behind him with tears in my eyes... I didn"t want to lose him... But my curse had controlled me. I stabbed him.
"ayumi?"
"Scorpion..." I paralyzed him. They pushed him down the pit. His eyes were left with betrayal. I... I hurt him...
We escaped from the pillar and I hoped the coin would work. I hope he"s alive.
"WHERE are HIS SKILLS? WHY IS THERE NO SKILLS IN MY REWARD SLOTS!" Elena angrily shouted.
I felt happy. Now all he needs to run! Please survive!
"KNIGHTS! FIND HIM!"
NO! NO! NO! THIS CAN"T BE! YAKIRO NO!
Moments later, they pulled him out from the tower. He was unconscious...
The time we got back. I ran into my room and cried myself to sleep. The next morning, they decided to accuse him. I didn"t go... I didn"t want to see him... I had spent all my days locked up in my room. Crying... Koneko was desperately trying her best to calm me down. Even her skill didn"t work on me as Yakiro did. I was... miserable... I tried to suicide hundred of times but this curse forbids me. I couldn"t die... Not in my own hands... I left Koneko with the church. She started to communicate.
I went to the woods. I tried myself being swarmed by monsters... But they didn"t kill me. They couldn"t... Somehow they were repelled. Why... Why?!
The day had come... Elena had ordered me to accompany her in the torture chamber.
It was there... My heart sank deep into the abyss... Yakiro... He... He...
He...
He"s near death...
He didn"t have his right arm. He was chained and all bones. His eyes were miserable. Elena started to lie that I was the one who brought him suffering.
I DIDN"T DO IT! I DIDN"T DO IT! WHY!
He started to scream. He was still believing that I didn"t betray him but Elena had taken it away...
He was... dying.
I had to find a way! I ran around town seeking for help but they were too afraid of me. Because I was a member of Elena"s party. Now I understand why they were afraid. That witch was a devil.
Finally, I found Arthur. Koneko and I asked him to save him. As soon as he heard our story, he ran and saved him. He promised to take care of him as long as we look after his shop. And I did... Koneko didn"t... She couldn"t stop crying after what she had seen. It was a nightmare for her. Her beloved master was dying.
A month had pa.s.sed, and I just woke up from the bed. Koneko and I decided to visit Mr. Arthur. As soon as we arrived. Koneko jumped off from my shoulder and sniffed around. She screamed:
"MASTER IS HERE!" happily.
My heart was overwhelmed with joy. I wanted to see him so bad. Koneko jumped off from the table and he was hiding underneath. The last thing I knew was, Koneko was kicked and Yakiro started running.
I jumped to stop him but he punched me down. He was terrified of me. My heart was broken and I knew it would turn out like this. I accepted it. That he would change. But someday I would repay him.
"It"s for the best." Mr. Arthur said as we left.
Koneko never left the church. She was desperate now. She could abandon me but she knew that without me, Yakiro might never be the same ever again.
I prayed for him.
Days had pa.s.sed and somehow, The Cataclysm was moved. The prophetic time didn"t arrive. I should have been weeks ago.
Elena and our party went on a journey to track down the Wyvern. The skin was used for rituals.
And that"s when we encountered Yakiro and Mr. Arthur. Arnel and Ymil were pulled by Mr. Arthur deep in the woods. I was left with Elena and Yakiro.
I fought him. My curse was still intact. I was ordered to kill him. I did my best to try and not to.
And I didn"t. I had weakened him. Elena was about to kill him when suddenly.
*G.o.dDESS CHANGED*
*NEW CURSE*
*CURSE: LOYALTY*
+The user will forever serve the one she loves.
Thank you! Koneko!
It was just in time and I jumped in.
"ayumi? Why?"
"Because I found kindness in justice..."
I"M ABOUT TO DIE AND MY CATCHPHRASE IS DYING TOO! ARGH! I SHOULD HAVE SAID I LOVE YOU YAKIRO!
The spear struck into my heart. And the last thing I knew... I had died. But I didn"t... I woke up to see Mr. Arthur lifting me up.
-Revival Coin Used-
Huh? I looked into my hand and the coin that I had given Yakiro was returned to me. He gave me back my coin. But how? I thought he used it during the pillar raid?
"You awake?"
"Yes. Mr. Arthur... Yes..." I started to cry. That d.a.m.n idiot! Huhuhu...
We walked through the woods trying to find him. As soon as I saw him standing, I felt my heart leaped out from my chest.
He was standing and he emitted a strong and caring aura. It felt like justice. As soon as I saw him.
"YAKIRO!" I was so happy! I jumped off from Mr. Arthur"s back, kicking his head from the process. Sorry, Mr. Arthur... But I"m so happy.
I ran to him and I pinned him down the ground. He was surprised to see me.
"Ayumi? How?"
I started slamming his chest. I was angry because he punched me before... But it was my fault. I was still happy to know he was alive. I love him.
He was confused and we started to discuss things. Mr. Arthur had left us in search for the Wyvern"s corpse.
He was still confused. I gave up reasoning with him. I couldn"t resist anymore.
"Ayumi! Wait!"
I kissed him. His lips were soft and pure. I stuck my tongue inside him but I"m pretty sure he didn"t notice. I love his taste. I love him... I love him! I kissed him and kissed him until I was out of breath. I paused to breathe then I kissed him again. He pulled me closer and ran his hand through my cheek. His other hand was starting to reach my b.u.t.t but he pulled his hand away and continue to push me closer to him. I was enjoying his taste when suddenly Koneko appeared.
"GEEZ! AYUMI AND MASTER ARE GETTING LOVEY-DOVEY!" Yakiro pushed me away.
Geez! Koneko! Such a party p.o.o.per! Blee! I stuck my tongue out of annoyance. She was hugging Yakiro and I was behind them. Yakiro didn"t notice but Koneko stuck her tongue out too.
GEEZ, THIS KID! THIS KID WANTS TO TAKE YAKIRO ALL TO HERSELF! I WON"T LOSE!
And I didn"t.
The moment we slept inside the house of Mr. Arthur. I snuck into his room and kissed him again... He was deeply sleeping but I didn"t care. His lips were pure.
AHHHHH! THIS! THIS FEELING! AHHHH! YAKIROOO! I LOVE YOU!