Hell isn't a place. It is an experience.

I remember someone told me. If you're going through hell, keep going. That is why I pushed myself to the very end.

It was naïve of me to think that something better will come.

After all, the end means death.

"What did they call you again? Aria, is it?" said her with a smile.

Her voice is just like a child's. Excited and carefree. However, the fact that her smiling face was stained with my blood just made her presence more horrific.

The girl has white skin as if she is sick. Both her eyes are as red as blood. When she smiles or opens her mouth, you could see her sharp teeth. She has the body of a normal human, but with just a single glance, everyone who sees her would immediately knows that she is a monster.

"Playing with you is fun. So, wanna do a rematch with me?"

"Ugh…"

I coughed up blood while looking at the blue sky.

I am lying in a ruin, and yet I feel comfortable. Probably because I can't feel my body anymore.

My hand kept swinging a sword. My legs never stop running and jumping. My stomach got slashed and stabbed. I pushed myself so far, but it doesn't matter anymore.

It is as he said. After you go through hell, your next destination is death. I always thought it was supposed to be the opposite.

The blood keeps coming out. My eyelids feel heavy. I guess it is time to sleep, huh?

"Ah, please don't close your eyes yet! You still haven't answered my question."

Somehow, I still heard her voice. Well, it's not like I can move my mouth, anyway.

"Hahaha… Let's fight again in the future, okay? Or in the past? Wait, what? That's weird…"

It was the last time I heard her cheerful voice.

---

"Aria Scarlet!"

Someone shouted my name. It was a familiar voice.

"Ugh…"

My head, for some reason, felt dizzy. I feel like I've heard that voice from somewhere, but I can't remember.

Something small hit my head.

"Ouch!"

I opened my eyes slowly.

"Aria Scarlet!!"

"Yes, what is it?!"

It was just a moment ago I can't feel my body. Now, my legs stood up by themselves as if it has a brain.

"How many times have I told you not to sleep in my class?!"

"Huh? No, of course, I didn't. Eh… wait, I am in your class?"

Okay, now that is weird.

Everyone is looking at me. Some are smiling and laughing.

The professor, who is a middle-aged man, threw the marker cap away to my face.

"Hap…"

My hand reflexively caught it perfectly. I smiled, feeling proud of myself.

"Get out of my class!"

"Waa… I am sorry, I am sorry!"

I ran away as fast as possible. I ran down the corridor. Passed several people. It was on the stairs that I finally stopped and took a breather.

"This is… am I on campus right now?"

I walked slowly down the stairs and out of the building.

People are talking to each other. They are walking, interacting, and doing something. For some reason, my heart rate increased. It is either I remember how I died in my dream, or it is because everyone is still alive. Both of them somehow scared me.

I lean against the wall and took a deep breath.

"I guess it's just a dream."

I walked for a while and sat on a park bench.

"Ugh, I forgot my books and bag! Well, I guess Andre will take care of it."

I checked my phone. It is an email from Excelsor. I have a bad feeling about this.

"Then, today is…"

This time, I confirmed the date.

"20 November. Then it is three months… no, two months and a few days, huh?"

I opened the email from Excelsor. I read every word in the email. It is not like I have a good memory, but I am sure this is the same email I remembered.

"I see. So, I am dead, huh? Ugh, when I thought time travel wasn't possible."

I read the email once more.

It was some time ago. I sent a part-time job application to an organization called Excelsor. Since I met all the requirements, I was accepted easily.

If I accept, I probably need to fight that girl again. Knowing what the future holds, I probably will die again for sure.

"A rematch, huh?"

It is weird how I can remember almost everything that happened in the fight. The city got destroyed. People die. I tried my best, and yet I failed.

I looked around. There are not many people around the university park. Maybe because it is time for morning class.

"It seems to be okay."

Again, I took a deep breath while opening and closing my palms. With a bit of focus, a light appeared which then turned into a one-handed sword.

Feeling how cold the sensation was, my hand began to tremble. My sword which should be light somehow felt heavy.

It made me remember my last fight. I was swinging the sword without stopping until I can't feel my arm. I kept jumping until I lost balance in my body. I kept moving my head until my neck felt like breaking.

It's not something I want to experience once again.

"I feel pathetic now."

After a while, the sword disappeared into nothing.

That girl said she wanted a rematch. So I probably can't run away even if I wanted to.

Instead of sighing, I just yawned.

"Ugh… it's been a while, but I forgot. The morning class sucks!"

Since I have the power to do it. In the end, I decided to take the job again. I guess, here we go again.

Three days later I went to the Excelsor Building.

Since the organization opened the vacancies in a batch, a lot of newbies gathered in the hall.

It brings back a memory. The first time I got here, I barely know anyone. Since I applied for the job as a single participant, my teammates are randomly selected.

"My name is Arsha Gabriel. Just call me Arsha."

"My name is Flora Forensa. Uh, nice to meet you."

Yup, Arsha, and Flora. Just the same as my memory.

"The name is Aria Scarlet. Hope we can get along."

The first time I met them, I feel nervous. But, I feel like there is no point in pretending to do that. The closer I got to the two of them, the better too.

"My name is Ethan Mills. I will be the instructor for this team. If you have any questions, just ask right away. You know what they said. If you are shy of asking questions, you will die on the street."

"No. I am sure it was supposed to be lost in your way," said Arsha.

It's not like I can remember everything that happened in the past. However, so far it seems there is nothing wrong. My teammates and the instructor, everything is the same as I remember.

"I've got all your information here. Ooh, I am surprised that everyone here has a high amount of score for newbies."

Ethan is holding several sheets of paper.

"Wait! I just realized it now. Your score is higher than mine."

Ethan looked at me suspiciously.

"Eh, me? Does the score means something?"

"Hahaha… well, it is based on your excel power. However, in a real battle against outsiders, it almost means nothing if you don't have any experience."

Excel is a term used for those who have special powers to summon weapons in order to fight against outsiders.

"Anyway, is there anyone here who has experience fighting or killing the outsider before joining the Excelsor?"

It would be better to be less eye-catching on the first day. So, I kept my mouth shut.

"I did," answered Arsha with a heavy voice. "I killed one before. It should be on the same report you currently holding right now."

"You awakened your power when an outsider attacked your family. That's what the report said. Both your parents died. Your sister got heavily injured and now she is being treated in the hospital."

"Can we talk about this later?"

It is very easy to tell that Arsha doesn't like where this is going.

Flora seems to be worried on her face. Even I agree that it's rude to talk about something like this.

This came from my experience. Ethan as an instructor is very carefree and can say something dumb. And yet, still, he took the job seriously. In the past, he saved me several times. Not like he knows about it though.

Flora opened her mouth, planning to intervene. I stopped her by grabbing her shoulder.

"Eh, Aria…?"

I just give her a light smile.

"I assume you took this job intending to take revenge. Am I right?"

"They are just parasites. I have the power to kill them. Does my reason matter that we have to talk about it?"

I believe there are three reasons why people decided to join Excelsor. Money, justice, and revenge. At first, I was in the money category. Now I have a different reason to join.

"Of course it is important. I have been doing this for two years. I have seen a lot of people acting dumb and killing themselves in a real fight. As an instructor, I have the responsibility to watch over everyone here. It would be sad if you died in your first week at the job, isn't it?"

"I am not as stupid as that."

"You do realize, stupid people don't realize that they are actually stupid."

Arsha was silent.

"Anyway, it's not like I am trying to stop what you are trying to do. Just think a little that if you are doing something, there is a risk that the other two can't keep up with you."

Arsha sighed. He nodded. "I understand."

"Hahaha, good. By the way, who is the leader of your team?"

"Him!" I pointed to Arsha quickly.

"Wait, why me?"

"Of course, it is because you are the only guy in our group."

"Girls can also be leaders. Your reason doesn't make sense."

"I think I agree with Aria. It is better if you become the leader. Especially since you already fight against the outsider before." Flora spoke.

I crossed my hand. "It's two against one. You better give up already."

Arsha lowered his shoulder.

"Alright, next question. What is the type of your excel power?"

"What do you mean by type?" asked Arsha.

"Well, it's between melee or range, and sometimes it can be both. To be specific, what kind of weapon do you use when using your excel power?"

"Oh, mine is a one-handed sword."

"I've got guns."

"Guns? Then it means both hands, huh?"

"Something like that."

"How about you Flora?"

"Eh, I'm not sure what it is. It is a flying machine, like a drone, but it can shoot heat rays."

"Oh, crap. Now I am curious!" Ethan sounds excited.

"Should I try to summon it right here?"

"No, you don't need to. Anyway, you've got a balanced team for a starter. Aria will take the vanguard. Arsha and Flora will take the rear. I will try to support both. Alright, I guess it is time for us to go hunting!"