The Strongest With Nothing Left

As they continued walking, the once-distant silhouette of their town finally came into view. The large wooden gates, familiar and welcoming, stood tall against the clear blue sky.

"Ah… We're finally back…" Elise breathed out, still slightly traumatized from the nightmare jump earlier. Her legs were still a bit shaky, but she managed to keep up with the pace. "I swear I'll never let you carry me like that again…" 

Arin, on the other hand, was still buzzing with excitement. "That was amazing, Master! We literally flew! You gotta do that again sometime!"

"No." Li replied bluntly, his face as expressionless as ever. "I already told you. We're walking."

"Tch…" Arin sulked but quickly brightened up when he saw the gate getting closer. "Hey! We're almost there!"

Elise let out a tired sigh of relief. "Finally… I need a drink after all of this…"

As they approached the gates, a few guards stationed there noticed them approaching. At first, they didn't think much of it until they recognized Li Vrak. Their eyes widened in shock. "W-Wait… Isn't that—?!"

"T-The living nightmare?!" Another guard stammered, his voice laced with disbelief. "Why is he— Wait… is he… smiling?!*"

And indeed, Li, who was usually nothing but a cold, lifeless figure, had a faint, subtle smile on his face — almost unnoticeable, but it was there. It stunned the guards to their core.

"H-He can smile…?" One of them whispered in disbelief.

Ignoring the murmurs, Li just kept walking, completely unbothered. "Let's go." He muttered, his tone low but still somewhat softer than usual.

"Right!" Arin grinned, walking alongside him.

Elise glanced back at the guards, noticing their bewildered expressions. "Yeah, yeah… it's shocking. Don't stare too much." She sighed before catching up to the two. "I still can't believe I survived that jump…"

And with that — they finally entered the town, completely unaware that their return would soon spread like wildfire.

As they stepped inside the town, it didn't take long for the news to spread. Whispers, murmurs, and shocked gasps flooded the streets as people who caught sight of Li Vrak walking casually through town and smiling couldn't believe their eyes.

"Is… Is that really him?"

"No way… He's smiling?"

"Did something happen at the kingdom?"

"Wasn't he supposed to be cold and emotionless?"

The rumor spread like wildfire. It only took a few minutes before the entire town knew that the Living Nightmare, Li Vrak, came back faster than expected and even more shocking was seen smiling.

As they continued walking, Li simply ignored all the stares and murmurs around him. It was something he was used to people always whispered about him. But now… it felt different.

"Master… Everyone's looking at you." Arin said, tilting his head. "They always do." Li replied plainly, not even sparing a glance at anyone. "Ignore it."

"Yeah, but…" Elise nervously glanced around, hearing all the whispers. "They're talking about your smile, you know?"

"Tch…" Li slightly clicked his tongue in annoyance. "People and their useless curiosity…"

But in truth Li already knew why. He smiled back there. He smiled without realizing it. It was the first time in years since he felt anything. It was odd… but not unbearable.

"Oi, Vrak!"

A sudden loud voice came from the side as a group of adventurers who recognized him stormed over. "The hell, man?!" One of them pointed. "Did you seriously just come back from the kingdom in, like, two days?"

"And what's this rumor about you smiling?!" Another one added. "You? Smiling? Yeah, no way that's bullshit." 

"I saw it with my own eyes!" A guard who was stationed at the gate earlier rushed in, completely out of breath. "H-He was smiling like actually smiling! When he carried those two!" He pointed to Arin and Elise.

"Yo, kid!" Another adventurer walked toward Arin. "You're his student, right?! Spill the truth did your master actually smile?!" 

"Uhh…" Arin scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Y-Yeah… he did…"

The crowd exploded.

"WHAT?!"

"HOLY SHIT, THE LIVING NIGHTMARE CAN SMILE?!"

"WHAT IN THE ACTUAL HELL HAPPENED IN THE KINGDOM?!"

"ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT GUY HAS EMOTIONS?!"

The entire guild was losing their minds. Some were in complete disbelief, some were freaking out, and some were now dying to know what the hell happened.

"Alright, enough." Li finally spoke, his cold tone returning. "You're all too loud."

The moment he said that the entire guild immediately shut up, cold sweat running down their backs. Even though they were excited, the presence of Li Vrak was still something that instilled fear in them.

"…Tch." Li clicked his tongue again, his previous irritation returning. "I'm leaving you two. I'm going back to rest."

"Ehh?!" Arin blinked. "W-Wait, Master—"

"Figure it out yourselves." Li said coldly as he walked off, not bothering to look back.

"Awww…" Elise chuckled. "Typical Li."

"Master, wait up!" Arin called out, but Li was already gone, blending into the crowd.

"Figure it out yourselves." Li said coldly as he walked off, not bothering to look back.

"Awww…" Elise chuckled. "Typical Li."

"Master, wait up!" Arin called out, but Li was already gone, blending into the crowd.

The moment Arin and Elise stepped inside the guild, a sudden wave of people swarmed them.

"Oi, Arin!" one adventurer called out. "You were with Li, right?! Is it true he smiled?!"

"Wait, wait, wait!" another adventurer interrupted. "I heard from the guards that he carried you two like you were nothing and dashed off like lightning! Is that true?!"

"Did Li really smile?!" someone else emphasized, their tone filled with disbelief. "The Living Nightmare actually smiled?!"

Elise awkwardly scratched her cheek. "U-Uh… Well—"

"How did you guys even end up with him in the first place?!"

"Did he talk a lot?!"

"Did he look less terrifying?!"

The questions kept piling up, overwhelming both Elise and Arin.

"H-Hold on, guys! One at a time!" Arin stammered. "I-I mean yeah, Master did smile but—"

"WAIT HE DID SMILE?!" The entire guild erupted.

Elise sighed, slumping her shoulders. "This is gonna take a while…"

As Li walked back to the building he lived in, his footsteps were slow but firm. He finally reached the inn he had stayed in for years.

The moment he stepped inside, the innkeeper a middle-aged man with a relaxed demeanor glanced up from behind the counter.

"Yo, Li," the innkeeper greeted with a calm voice. "You're back already, huh?" Li didn't answer and simply started walking towards the staircase leading to his room. "So…" the innkeeper leaned against the counter, his tone casual but curious. "Did the king ask you for something outrageous again?"

Li paused his steps, his back still turned. He was silent for a moment before replying in his usual cold tone.

"No. Just killed an Archdemon."

The innkeeper blinked. "…Huh."

Without another word, Li resumed walking up the stairs, his figure disappearing into his room.

The innkeeper just let out a tired chuckle. "Same as ever…"

But then — his brain caught up to what Li had just said.

"Wait… what?" The innkeeper's eyes widened. "Did he just say… Archdemon?!"

He stumbled forward, gripping the counter. "There's no way he just casually said he killed an Archdemon… right?"

The innkeeper stared towards the stairs where Li had disappeared, his mouth slightly agape.

"This guy… seriously…"

Li entered his room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. Without a moment's hesitation, he unsheathed his katana the once-broken blade that had now fused with Malakar's core.

The blade was different. Its surface, once simple and steel, now had faint veins of pulsating dark crimson, almost as if the core had embedded itself into the metal. An ominous yet oddly calming aura radiated from it. 

Li stared at the blade, his eyes narrowing. "Tch…" He lightly swung it, and as he did, faint traces of Malakar's dark energy flickered with his movement.

"…What the hell did I do to you…" he muttered under his breath, gripping the hilt tightly.

The core had repaired his broken katana, but now it felt… different. Almost alive. As if Malakar's lingering will still remained within it.

After a few more swings, Li let out a deep sigh, sheathing it back. "Doesn't matter… you'll just be a tool to kill with. Nothing more."

With that, he placed the katana beside his bed and collapsed onto it. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

"…I'm too tired to think about this." And like that, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

For the first time in years, as Li Vrak drifted into slumber, his dreams were not haunted by blood, death, or the screams of his fallen comrades.

Instead… it was peaceful. Warm. In his dream, he found himself back in his childhood village. The sky was clear, the sun shining gently on the green fields. He could see his younger self a boy with a bright smile, laughing alongside his family. His mother scolding him for climbing a tree too high, his father ruffling his hair proudly after a successful hunt, and his little sister clinging to his arm, refusing to let go.

"…Hah…" Li felt his chest tighten as he watched. This… this warmth. He forgot how it felt.

The scene shifted. His party. His comrades from his adventuring days. He saw them gathered around a campfire, joking and laughing like nothing in the world could go wrong. The party master patted him on the back, calling him his most reliable asset. His childhood friend, sitting beside him, smiling gently, as she nudged him, "You're always so serious, Li. Relax a little."

For the first time in years, a faint smile crept onto Li's sleeping face.

The dream shifted again.

This time, it was recent. Arin. That stupid, reckless, and persistent kid who always called him Master without a hint of hesitation. Elise, the guild receptionist, always fussing over Arin and scolding Li for his harsh training. Mia, Arin's childhood friend, who always watched from afar but quietly admired Arin's growth.

He saw it now.

All those interactions he brushed off the subtle concern Elise showed for him, Arin's unwavering trust, Mia's admiration they were all real. Genuine. Human. Something he thought he would never feel again.

"Tch… idiot." Dream-Li muttered, but even he couldn't hide the proud smirk that tugged his lips.

The dream slowly began to fade. But as it did, one last image burned itself into his mind.

It was Arin. Standing beside him. Taller, stronger, and more mature. His face was hardened from battle, but his eyes still carried that same, unwavering admiration for Li. Beside Arin was Elise, smiling kindly, and Mia, laughing as she clung to Arin's arm. 

And Li… in that dream, he was smiling. Genuinely smiling. Maybe… just maybe… I could live for something again.

And for the first time in years, Li Vrak slept peacefully without nightmares, without regret, without pain. Just… peace.

As Li Vrak's eyes slowly fluttered open, the morning sunlight peeking through his window, something felt… different. The usual weight the heavy, suffocating void of emptiness — wasn't there. For the first time in years, he didn't wake up to the feeling of dread or regret. Instead, his body felt… lighter. His mind clearer. His heart… less hollow.

He blinked a few times, confused. "…Weird." He muttered to himself. Rising from his bed, he instinctively reached for his katana, his fingers brushing over the newly repaired blade. The darkened edge, infused with the core of the Archdemon Malakar, radiated a faint but sinister energy. Yet somehow, even the weapon's presence didn't weigh on him like it normally would.

"…Tch." He scoffed, gripping the hilt before placing it back down. "Maybe I'm just getting soft."

He walked towards the window, peering outside. The town was already bustling. People moving, merchants shouting, adventurers chatting and laughing. The usual noise that he often drowned out. But today… it didn't seem as irritating.

Then, a faint thought crossed his mind. I won't be alone today, huh? 

He froze.

"…The hell am I thinking?" He quickly shook his head, scolding himself. Yet despite his words, he couldn't deny the warmth blooming inside his chest. Somehow… deep inside… he already knew.

That idiot kid, Arin, would definitely show up today.That loudmouth receptionist, Elise, would probably nag him for something again.And Mia, Arin's childhood friend, would tag along, trying to keep up with them.

He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the faint curve forming on his lips. "…Tch. Annoying brats." He muttered bitterly.

But his hand unconsciously reached for his katana not for battle, not for survival, but out of habit. Because somewhere deep down, he was already preparing himself…

To spend another day not alone.

As usual, Li Vrak walked out of the inn, his katana strapped to his waist. But today… it felt different. 

The moment he stepped into the streets, he expected the usual treatment people avoiding him, turning their heads, or walking faster to avoid crossing paths with him. But instead…

"Good morning, Li!" One of the blacksmiths greeted, causing him to halt mid-step.

"…Morning." Li muttered back, not even looking at the man.

He kept walking, expecting that to be the end of it. But then—

"Yo, Vrak! Heard you came back from the capital, huh?" Another adventurer called out.

"…Yeah."

"Damn. That fast? Heh, guess it's nothing for you, huh?" The adventurer laughed, but it wasn't in mockery like before. It was casual as if talking to someone they respected. 

Li felt… off. He tried to brush it aside, but more greetings came as he walked toward the town gates. People who once ignored him were now acknowledging him. Some even smiled at him. 

…The hell's going on? Li thought, slightly unnerved. It was almost like they didn't fear him anymore. Or rather… they were starting to see him as a person not just a nightmare in human form.

Shaking it off, he exited the gates, heading toward the forest like he always did. It was his routine hunt something, clear his mind, come back, and repeat. He didn't need a quest from the guild; he'd simply do it out of habit. 

But as he neared his usual training spot, he froze. 

There, in the clearing, was Arin. Training. Alone. His fists repeatedly striking a large wooden log wrapped in cloth, his body dripping with sweat. His movements were sharp aggressive as if pushing himself beyond his limits. And sitting a few meters away, watching quietly, was Mia.

Li immediately took a step back, hiding behind a tree.

What the hell is he doing here this early?

He watched silently as Arin continued his training, his punches filled with sheer determination. It was clear Arin wasn't just randomly training he was imitating the close-quarter combat lessons Li had been drilling into him. His stance, his punches, his footwork they were starting to resemble Li's own fighting style.

But his eyes didn't leave Arin. For some reason, seeing the kid push himself like that — without Li even telling him to struck a nerve. A good one.

Suddenly, Arin stumbled, panting heavily, his body giving out. Mia immediately rushed to his side. "Arin! You okay?"

"Y-Yeah…" Arin grunted, forcing himself up. "I just… wanna get stronger… I can't keep being a burden."

"…You're not a burden." Mia said softly, but Arin just smiled weakly.

Li clenched his jaw, his fists tightening. For a moment, a small part of him wanted to walk out there and yell at Arin to stop pushing himself recklessly. But instead, he stayed hidden silently watching.

"…Tch." He scoffed under his breath. Idiot kid…