1 Sacrifice

We traversed in the darkness where an eerie silence lingered and water dripped from the rocky ceiling. A foul smell faintly assaulted my nose in this cold and chilling air. Quiet footsteps from my group sounded as we strode forward with our guards raised.

Metals shifting from the armors donned by the knights echoed in the vast cavern. I was behind my classmates along with a few non frontal combatants.

I wore a brown robe which reached up to my knees, then a skirt which reached just above it, of course I wore shorts — no girl wears plain underwear when going to a fight. But this era didn't have anything like the ones from the world we originally came from, but good thing they gave us high quality clothes. Underneath my robe was a dark shirt and protected by brown leather armor.

My dark hair was tied into a ponytail to avoid any obstruction. I was a magic caster, therefore, as the one focused on magic, wearing heavy armor was not good to me.

There were a total of 40 people here, 30 of which were the heroes summoned to this world — including me. While I was here anxiously watching my surroundings, my other classmates were walking with misplaced calmness and arrogant grin.

There was something wrong with the heads of some of these people. They were enjoying this.

A metal plate clunking sound came from in front of us, then followed by several more. As we were spread out, I could see what had encountered us. Figures walking towards us in a slouch, their faces were bare — bare bones — yes, their faces were only skulls. Their hands were made up of bony fingers as swords and spears were held. Then their armor left a few gaps to expose their skeletal body.

They were the undead.

We came into this massive cave since the undead were discovered here. I have faced plenty of undead creatures prior to this, so I wasn't that shaken. And I may have freaked out a little the first time I saw a dead corpse moving.

A lone figure of a man who was around eighteen stepped forward. He adorned a lavish bluish and gold armor, with an extravagant sword in his hand. His hair was golden blonde and he had bluish eyes.

"Mere undead, can't say I'm not disappointed."

"Please hero, the purpose today is to train while cleaning up the undead at the same time, I ask you to please give it your all."

The knight captain spoke to the man.

This classmate of mine was named Kieran Teruma, he was the strongest of us all that were summoned in this world. A swordsman type. He was the dream of any lady to have as their partner, a charming and handsome man. And in this world, it only made him a way better person in the eyes of people.

We were never close, I don't really have any special feelings towards him. We are all friends here. Though I don't know. I didn't have any deep interaction with anyone here. I always pretty much prefer to be alone since I like being alone. Why? I want to spend my time somewhere else.

Of course that didn't mean I would ignore everyone entirely. Not quite smart not to at least befriend them a little. One ought to make connections after all. But I admit, because of that I didn't have someone to call as a best friend in this class. Just friends. But, isn't that enough?

Kieran charged towards the undead, clashing their swords together, but the undead stood no chance as its sword broke in the collision and it was slashed in half. Kieran then held out his hand and a blast of light eradicated a few away.

"Kyaaa! Kieran, you're so cool!"

"Amazing!"

"You look so handsome!"

The ladies in the class threw compliments and praises to show their admiration. Only I didn't show any interest but watched out for anything behind. Was it really something to be praised about? No! Not at all. Why? Well, power you got easily without any effort at all isn't something incredible.

The moment we arrived here in this world, Kieran already had a strong power which was easily determined by testing out our magical capabilities. Basically, he's a cheat. He's one of those OP protagonists you see plaguing shows or stories today like damn pests. He didn't even have any setbacks! Would have been better if there were some drawbacks, but nooo. He's perfect.

A freaking Mary Sue! Except he's a man. So maybe, Gary Sue???

So, am I strong? Nah, I'm just about average in terms of magic casters.

"Looks like there's nothing to worry about, let him handle everything."

"Yeah."

The guys in front of me conversed with each other. Yeah, no one's really paying attention to me. But that's good, if they don't pay attention to me, I can only hope for the enemy to also not notice me. I'm glad the OP guy gets to handle everything because I didn't want to stress about facing any enemy.

Fighting means death, you know? I don't want to die! I'm too cowardly to fight.

I just want to come back home. Those who summoned me here all of a sudden, those damn bastards who can't even solve their own problems and shove it into a clueless third party's hand.

That's pretty fucked up! They should be ashamed of themselves.

And most annoying of all, a lot of my classmates just accepted everything like it's nothing! That's why they're broken in the head. Damn idiots, thinking they get to play hero so it's fine. Those fantasies they have are damn annoying.

Even though I have a lot of daydreams and fantasies, I know which threshold between reality I shouldn't cross. So once we destroy the Demon King — wow, how original, where have I seen that before? — I can finally get back home and read my books and watch TV and so on. This medieval era sucks.

Just then, other skeletons in armor emerged from the darkness and surrounded us.

"Damn, there's a lot of them."

"Good thing they're easy to kill, charge!"

Those who attack with melee clashed with the skeleton soldiers — that term since it's pretty obvious what they are called LOL. Of course I as a magic caster remained at the back with a few others — healers, archers, and fellow magic casters. There were just twelve of us here, and the rest were melee combatants, sword, spear, fists, axe.

I saw one who was about to be struck from behind, so I cast my magic and an azure streak of light struck the skeleton soldier. Sensing the destroyed enemy behind him, he looked at me for a moment then proceeded to attack.

Wow, not even a thanks, okay…

Well, this was a battle, so I guess it's fine.

The knights and "heroes" fought the numerous enemies, as the archers fired arrows, healers gave support magic, and magic casters like me fired magic spells.

Then a short while later, everything quieted down.

"Wew, that was easy."

"Alright, let's continue on and figure out what's deep inside."

This was just a newly discovered sealed cavern, yes sealed, which could only come from ancient times. It was newly discovered because this was in the middle of the forest, and the path was hidden below the foliage.

On the way, we encountered an undead type called a Lich. But that was easily taken care of. In the face of heroes that were supposed to fight the demon army, these undead were nothing.

To be honest, since we were still in this place for the sake of training, it meant that we were not yet powerful enough to face the Demon King. We may be stronger than the standard in this world, but we have yet to unleash our full potential and master our magical abilities.

A while later on, without facing anyone or anything, we arrived at a wide chamber, but there was nothing special. Just a plain rocky area. It was a dead end.

"What? This is it?"

"Then what's with the massive doors and such?"

The knight captain stepped forward and looked around.

"Huh, we expected more, we didn't even meet much resistance. We should look around."

And so we looked around. I searched for anything on the sides and corners, but nah. Then to the ground, anything shiny? Nah. I arrived at the center of the space, then looked up.

You see, this might be like those times that there's a puzzle and we have to figure it out. Of course I hoped none of that was here. I hate puzzles! It sucks! Even in games, if I could skip it I would. If I couldn't well — YouTube time! Not only that, I don't even want to touch puzzles in real life.

At any rate, there was nothing weird with the ceiling. I guess I should be relieved.

"There's nothing here."

Kieran said to everyone.

The knight captain walked towards the center and called everyone in. As I would prefer not to stand in the center of all, I walked back, away from the captain.

"It would appear that there's nothing here, so let's leave everything to the archeological team."

Good! Finally, I can finally at least get away from death for a while. I hate dangerous places. Any place that has a chance of death, I rather stay away from it as far as possible.

"Alright, let's mo—"

Hm? What's wrong with him?

He just froze there with a frozen expression. Then next, his entire body convulsed violently.

"Knight captain what's wrong?!"

Everyone was confused, unable to comprehend what was going on. I too had no idea and my heart raced in apprehension.

"HAAAAAAH!"

I stepped back the moment I heard his screams of agony as his eyes began to weep blood. Yes, blood! His eyes turned to the back of his head, and his body contorted from his hands and legs.

"Aaaah!"

"What the hell?!"

"Kieran, protect me!"

Everyone in my class panicked at the horrendous sight. From his contorted and twisted limbs, blood spilled out as the skin disconnected from each other and bones broke apart. Then his head revolved a complete 360 with a loud crack, exposing the bloody bone and spilling red blood. Everything ended when he dropped to the ground like a puppet whose string had been cut.

"Everyone calm down!" Kieran shouted, his voice failed to convey any trace of anxiety.

He was stronger than the captain anyways, so he must have thought he was safe. However, something was wrong, I can feel it. That was no normal attack.

Then, as though I was right, the other knights which came with us froze the same as the captain.

"Ggghhg."

"Aaaaaah!"

"Meeuuuuu!"

"Moootheeer!"

They all began to twist apart as though someone was folding and twisting their body, they cried desperately as it happened. Blood flew in the air and splattered to a few of my classmates.

"What t-the hell?! Run!"

I was delayed to register that panicked shout. My feet trembled in fear as I watched the several bodies of the knights lifelessly fall down, and the horrible way they died.

As I froze there in terror, the classmates of mine who ran away first also suddenly froze. About five of them froze differently, it was not due to terror. Seeing that, the rest stopped in place as they watched with wide eyes.

"None shall escape."

An eerie and chilling voice reached my ears, I couldn't determine where it came from.

"Fools."

"Humans."

"But something different."

"But they can die nonetheless."

The five's body immediately contorted and twisted and died as their heads were snapped. They were heroes, stronger than normal humans, and they were killed just like that.

I'm fucked. I'm so fucked. Am I going to die here? No, I don't want to. We can still run away from here, only five were frozen there.

It was then that I realized something, if we wanted to escape, that could have been the chance since the unknown opponents were keeping a hold of the five. However, it felt wrong. It felt wrong to just leave them.

Cowardly I may be, but I don't want to leave anyone behind. That would be too cruel.

Then, was the only option was to fight the enemy? But I could not see them.

"What the hell?!"

"Shit!"

"Show yourselves!"

Then, at the moment, above us, in the air, vague white entities floated above our heads. There were five of them, and they appeared to be transparent, like ghosts.

Ghost?

"You dare disturb our domain?"

"Unacceptable."

"We didn't want to, the knights brought us here!"

A girl named Irene Berones frantically said to the ghosts. She had red hair and brown eyes. I saw terror in her eyes as she looked above.

"Even so, you attacked the guards."

"Hostile action!"

"You may be stronger than normal humans, but you are nothing."

They flew all around, always moving like fishes swimming in the water.

It was then a beam of golden light hit a ghost. We all watched in shock and looked towards the source of that attack, it was reckless! Then we saw it was Kieran, he was sweating profusely, and his eyes were panicking.

The ghost he struck with the beam halted in mid air, but the attack only went through it. But something was strange, the ghosts were always moving, but the moment an attack hit it, it stopped in place.

But that immobilized state didn't last long and it continued to fly.

"Useless."

"You cannot harm us."

"Cannot kill us."

"W-What?!" Kieran yelped.

Yes, everything he believed about his strength, this confidence, was shattered in that instant. He felt the fear of death and tried to fight it, but in the end, he failed to destroy it.

I took a deep breath. Would we have a chance to run? Yes, there was a chance. It would be deadly risky, but if done right, we can run away from here.

"Please let us go!"

"We'll do anything!"

"We'll give you what you want!"

"Let us live!"

My classmates suddenly all screamed towards them. Negotiating? I have no idea if it would work. But these were monsters, no way they would listen, right?

"Is that so?"

"Very well."

"Hehehehehe. Then listen."

All of the ghosts cackled as though they were expecting something entertaining. This was beyond my expectation. But perhaps this was better.

"W-We're listening!"

The movements of the ghosts slowed down.

"To forgive your transgression, you shall offer us a sacrifice."

"Something interesting."

"Something that has value to the nature of human life."

"Something they fear to lose."

"Something they love."

All my classmates looked at each other, puzzled about what to make of that. Was it some kind of riddle? No, they specified to offer sacrifice.

"Y-You want a souvenir? A-An object important to us?" one of my classmates asked nervously.

"Wrong."

"Humans sure are stupid."

"Idiots."

"Fools."

"We want human life."

I took in a sharp breath at the realization. They wanted human sacrifice. Then…

"One of us has to be offered?" one asked.

They all looked at each other, likely thinking what to do, or who to sacrifice.

"D-Don't offer me, I'm essential to fight against the demon king," Kieran said with no hesitation.

"Also me, come on, aren't we guys close to each other?" Irene said with frightened eyes.

"Please not me, remember? I'm always helping you guys with assignments."

"I saved your asses one time."

"I treated you with food."

"We're friends, right?"

Each and everyone one of them spoke out their merits and achievements. But what about me? What was my importance? What did I do for any of them? But, is what I did for them even important?

It was then, before I knew it, everyone was looking at me. When I saw this, I stepped back with trembling legs.

For the first time, I spoke.

"W-What are you guys looking at me for? A-Are you... ? But aren't we friends?"

Yes, we have interacted right? I didn't do anything mean to them. I hurt no one, bullied no one. But why were they looking at me like hungry desperate beasts?

"Syndra," Kieran stepped forward with a desperate expression. "You, you can be offered."

"W-What? N-No, please! No, there's still another way to get out of here!"

"There's no other way!"

"They'll kill us!"

"Besides, you're not that strong to be used against the demon army. So, save us!"

What? Me? Save them? At the expense of my life? Who do they think they are? I have been keeping up just so I won't die, just so I'll survive. And, they would attempt to take my life away?

Unacceptable.

"No! I'm telling you, if we attack them they'll be immobilized, and we can run at the same time. Strike them once they're near or keep attacking them now that they have shown themselves!"

"Syndra!"

" — If they vanish, then attack in all directions, I surmise a weak attack will suffice!"

"You don't know that! They'll surely kill us the moment we try to run," Irene said to me.

"No! Listen to me, we can try, I'm sure this will work!"

It was then that the ghosts cackled.

"Kukukuku. It would appear you have made your choice."

"Bring your choice to the center."

"Offer."

"Hurry."

"Before death arrives at your doorstep."

They all walked towards me.

I held out my hand.

"S-Stay away! I don't want to hurt anyone!"

No, they wouldn't, they wouldn't really sacrifice me, right? No…

"Get her!"

Before I knew it, someone had suddenly leapt and restrained me. I tried to free myself as I struggled, but they immediately threw me to the center. The hard ground grazed my skin and pain hit my body.

When I looked up, my breath shook as I saw the ghosts revolving around me.

"Leave."

"All of you."

"And never come back."

"The gates shall be sealed once more…"

"With this sacrifice."

No, it can't be, no…

When I looked at them, my classmates, they had already begun to run away. None I could see looked back. They had left me here to die. Why? Why am I here? I only want to go home.

This world. Fuck this world! This all happened because of this hero game of theirs! This cursed world!

Then those who willingly sacrificed me…!

Ah, no, there was no point in thinking about anything anyway. Resentment was pointless for there was no tomorrow for me.

I looked up at the ghosts.

"O one who is sacrificed."

"Time to sleep."

"Hm, but she is the same as the others."

"Different."

"Fascinating."

"What is happening outside?"

"Nevertheless, time to proceed."

"..."

I gave up. Struggle was pointless.

The ghosts all charged into me. The next thing I felt was intense pain all over my body. Head, waist, legs, back, neck, everywhere.

"Aaaaaaagggh!"

I screamed and writhed in agony. It felt like my entire body was being carved from the inside out. Blood splatter out of my mouth, everything turned black as though I went blind. The intense pain didn't end in a minute, but it felt like an eternity. I could only recall I grinded myself on the hard ground as I was in a countless and unexplainable pain.

I prayed for death.

This was hell. I experienced different kinds of pain. It felt like something was skinning me, burning me, pulling out my organs, stabbing me, impaling me, bashing my head, gouging my eyes out, cutting my tongue, breaking my fingers, slicing off my face, and many more that I couldn't even remember anymore.

Maybe those were not happening to me physically, but I felt all of those.

Please kill me...