"Good! You all look much better than yesterday," William announced as he roused them from their sleep and gathered them together. He began by addressing the events of the previous day.
"By now, I hope each and every one of you has realized that this is no longer a mere game. Yesterday marked your first true battle, and it was a test to see how well you could adapt and fight. We showed some leniency by allowing the knights to assist you, but only a few of you managed to remain calm and fought together in formation. As for the rest of you..." His voice trailed off, his gaze scanning the faces of the group.
A mixture of shame, disappointment, and determination flickered across the faces of the students as they absorbed William's words. Some hung their heads in realization of their own shortcomings, while others ignited a fire of determination to improve and prove themselves in the battles to come.
"But it seems like some of you manage to hold out pretty well since last night colored me impressed, and I like the new looks on your faces" Captain William remarked, as his gaze lingering on Kelly and few other students. But then his voice got strict as he continued.
"However, for those who still don't get it. Sadly, I regret to inform you. The learning period is over. There will be no further assistance from the knights. From now on, you will venture into the depths of the dungeon on your own. This is your battle you should stand up and fight yourselves! We will not coddle you anymore than this! Me and the rest of the knights will be waiting for you at the 10 floor"
Observing the tense expressions on the students' faces as the idea of venturing into the dungeon alone sank in, Captain William's voice softened slightly.
"Don't worry," reassured Captain William, "the creatures you'll encounter on floors 1 to 9 of the dungeon will be similar to the ones you faced yesterday. As long as you stick together and maintain your formation, you'll survive." With those words, the knight captain and the rest of the knights disappeared, leaving Kelly and his classmates alone in front of the daunting entrance to the dungeon.
Sensing their vulnerability and the absence of adult guidance and protection, panic began to spread among some of the students. Fear-filled voices echoed through the group, mingling with uncertainty and desperation.
"What are we going to do now?" Satoshi's voice trembled, her eyes darting around nervously.
"Did he just abandon us to die?" Kazuki's voice quivered with a mixture of anger and fear. "This is insane!"
"I can't believe we're left alone like this," whispered Emi, her voice barely audible. "I never signed up for something this dangerous."
Anxious and filled with doubt. They looked at each other searching for answers and reassurance in this unfamiliar and perilous situation.
"I don't even know how to fight!" cried Haruki, his voice laced with desperation. "We're just kids!"
Tears welled up in Yuki's eyes as she hugged herself tightly. "I don't want to die. I don't want any of this!"
The voices blended into a cacophony of worry and doubt, amplifying the rising tension among the group. The reality of their predicament settled heavily upon their young shoulders, as they grappled with their fears and the uncertain path that lay ahead.
As the murmurs continued to spread and the commotion escalated, the situation seemed to get out of hand, until no one had any idea what to do? Looking at the chaos spreading around, Agawa finally took charge.
"I was afraid", Agawa's voice broke through the lingering tension, reaching the ears of everyone present even among the commotion. His confession cut through the air carrying the weight of vulnerability and honesty.
"Yesterday was the first time I had taken a life" Agawa continued, his voice tinged with mixed of remorse and contemplation. He paused allowing the weight of his words to sink in, before continuing. "Even though I knew they weren't humans or animals in traditional sense, still when my blade struck their skin, I saw their blood, the unmistakable red of life. And that was all the proof I needed that they were living beings", speaking till here Agawa took a pause and look at all of us his gaze held the mixture of empathy and understanding.
"I won't sugarcoat my words," Agawa's voice resonated with unwavering conviction, cutting through the rising turmoil. His gaze held the weight of unwavering honesty and a touch of defiant resolve. "I understand the messages that have been fed to us by the knight captain, the pope, and others. They claim that our actions serve the greater good, that we are fighting for a noble cause. But I have to disagree. Let's be clear about something—"
"We have invaded their home, disrupted their peace, and ended lives. We are not heroes in this story; we are the ones perpetuating this cycle of violence."
A hush fell upon the restless crowd as Agawa's words sank in. His audacity in challenging the prevailing narrative exposed the uncomfortable truth that had been conveniently brushed aside. The notion of "good guys!" was shattered, replaced with raw acknowledgement of their actions.
"I want all of you to understand this," Agawa's voice carried a mixture of empathy and urgency. "I don't want any of you to be deluded into thinking that we are heroes. We are not. We have to confront the harsh reality of what we have become. I refuse to let any of us fall into the delusion of heroism. If you feel guilt coursing through your veins, if anger wells up inside you, if you want to cry out, shout, or curse, then embrace those emotions. It means you have not lost your humanity. But remember, you are not alone in this struggle. The person standing beside you, your comrade, feels the same weight on their shoulders. My own friends share these burdens, and I, too, am burdened by them."
As Agawa's word settled in the air, a collective sigh seemed to ripple through the group. His courage inspired them to acknowledge their inner turmoil, to grapple with the conflicting emotions. That threatened to overwhelm them.
"And I know what you all are thinking" Agawa looks at all of them and emphasized his words, "But, as your classmate, your leader and above all your friend, I want to make one thing clear that running away, crying and complaining won't help us."
His voice held a firmness that brooked no argument, yet beneath it was underlying sense of genuine concern. Agawa's role as their leader become even more pronounced at that moment.
"This world is no longer our own. We no longer have the protection of our parents or the security of the law. Even the knights are here because they see value in us. Each of us possesses immense potential within ourselves. When faced with danger, we must learn to stop relying on external assistance and instead rely on our own abilities. I understand that it's challenging, but it's a challenge we must embrace."
"And even if, despite knowing all of this, you still hesitate to step up, that's okay. Because even in this new world, where we can no longer rely on the knights, you can rely on me. I promise to protect each and every one of you."
"And for those who are ready to take control of their own lives, I ask you to stand tall and join me on the frontlines. And for those who need more time and aren't quite ready, you can follow behind us and witness firsthand how those who have already taken the leap become stronger. Now, let us move forward together and make our way to the 10th floor. We will show them that we don't need their protection to safeguard our lives. We are more than capable of taking control ourselves," Agawa declared with unwavering determination in his voice. With that, he strode towards the entrance of the dungeon, his friends following closely behind him.
The stunned crowd, unable to contain their astonishment any longer, erupted into cheers, completely captivated by Agawa's charm and aura. As if a spell had been cast, the once fearful, lifeless atmosphere was replaced by a determined and focused group, united by a shared goal. One by one, they followed Agawa, their hearts intoxicated by his charisma. Even Sumire and Kenji's lackeys, caught in the magnetic pull of Agawa's presence, unconsciously left their former leaders behind.