It's already past midnight, but Vincent still didn't hear Megumi returned from the dungeon. He can't help but being worried. He know Megumi must be entering the dungeon level 10 and that makes her late.
A drop of sweat fall down, while he walk back and forth in his office. A scene from the past resurface from his memory.
Long time ago, there are orphaned sibling lived in a small village located in the outskirt of the country. Actually, they are the only one who live in this village. After getting attacked by one of the Dark Lord, they're being forced to run away, and finally arrived in this village, the one who meet the same destiny with their village.
Younger Vincent lived with his cute little sister, Even though they're full of dirt, they still look beautiful, just like a young master and young lady. As expected of their parent's good looking genes. Every day, their life is like walking on a narrow plank. Lived in constant fear of to be found by the monster, but with a little hope that help from capital will comes.
When the light of hope grew bigger and finally in front of them, that's the right time for the devil to come crushing you. He can still remember the metallic tang mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil, smearing his face, when he is forced to let go his sister's lifeless body, and watch it being devoured by hundreds undead summoned by the dark lord, Orcus. Even though the Arch Priest succeeding in capturing the dark lord Orcus, his little sister is gone forever.
The face full of fear of his sister suddenly change to Megumi's face, succesfully kick him back to reality, Vincent stood up from his desk, and quickly going to the Cathedral Hall.
Vincent know so well, that a hero can't die. Even if they did, they will just respawn at the cathedral in the last city they visited. That's why, Vincent here, arrived at the Hall.
There's no one in there. An empty cathedral hall with a large stone desk, perfectly suited for a single person, positioned at its center. In this stone desk hero will be spawned if they died. He waits nervously.
Sometimes he sat on the bedside…
Sometimes he walks back and forth beside it…
Sometimes he just looking at the bed silently…
But nothing happened. He unconsciously grabs the cross on the rosary he is wearing, praying for Megumi's safety. Just as the God hear the prayer, the door to the hall opened. Megumi is out there, with the face full of smile. Finally, anxiousness which suffocated him is gone.
"Vincent!" Megumi run towards Vincent then gives him a big hug. "I did it! I clear the dungeon!" she continued happily.
At a moment, Vincent look surprised. Megumi ran towards him from the door, not spawned at the the bed, means she doesn't die. He can finally let out sigh of relief. He pat Megumi's head with a warm smile, look so proud of the girl that he already see as his sister. "You did well"
Megumi stood agape, stunned by what she saw. But the next second she regained her composure. "So, why did you here, Vincent? You don't believe that I can beat Orcus, do you? I'll get angry" Megumi said, stood with her hands on her hips.
"You died few times before the last level, of course I was worried" he replied, then looked away with a hint of red coloring his ears, embarrassed. "Anyway, you must be tired. Do you wanna eat your dinner or take a bath first? I'll ask the sister to prepare for you" he continued, trying to change the subject.
Megumi giggling, "You sounds like a character on old hentai anime, Vincent" Megumi teased, and get replied by a flick on her forehead. Without saying anything, Vincent turn around and walk away with face bright red. Megumi couldn't help but notice that this person had a thin face as a tissue. That made her smile widen even more, and she quickly caught up to Vincent. "Wait for me, Daddy~"
Another flick landed on her forehead for the second time.
---o0o---
The next day, Megumi overslept. But this time Vincent just let her be, and doesn't wake her up until noon. But even after the sun has reached its peak, Megumi still doesn't wake up. Concerned, Vincent goes to her room to check on her.
Last night, she is so busy bragging about her accomplishment by clearing the dungeon, and killing the Orcus in her first try to everyone she meet. Vincent can only sighing when he remember it.
He sits on the edge of the bed, looking at the peaceful sleeping face of the girl in front of him. This girl is successful taking revenge for him. he caresses Megumi's red hair. A faint smile blooming in his face, but suddenly froze to see a pair of ruby fixed at him.
"That's not good to attack me on my sleep, Daddy" Megumi teased, smiling, replied by a chop hand landing on her forehead. "If you're already awake, go wash up and get your lunch."
Megumi could only mumble in pain, watching as the man walked away to the door with a face as red as a tomato. Thin face as usual. Hihi.
She wakes up and looks at the sky through the window. "GASPS, why didn't you wake me up, Vincent? I want to enter the dungeon again" Megumi complained as she quickly gets up.
"Huh? Just have some rest for today. You just do your best yesterday—"
"What are you saying? Completing the dungeon gets me leveled up this much. How can I afford to skip even just a day?" she interrupted and run out the door, leaving stunned Vincent alone.
After finishing washing up and taking her lunch, Megumi is ready to enter the dungeon again. She did it faster than yesterday, to get to the level 10. She opened the door, followed by cold air gushing out from the pitch-black room. Orcus standing in the middle of the room.
"Behold, mortal," he boomed, his voice resonating with the chill of the grave. "I am Orcus, master of death and ruler of the damned. In my realm, the souls of the departed writhe in eternal torment, and the legions of the undead obey my every command."
With a wicked grin, he continued, "Those who dare to defy me shall know the true meaning of fear, for I am the harbinger of their doom and the architect of their demise. Bow before me, and know despair."
The same line like yesterday. Megumi smiled and happily reply with the same line. "I came to kill you. Prepare yourself~". She was so eager to defeat him and gain that huge amount of experience points like she did yesterday.