In a dream, a voice echoed—firm, passionate.
"Keep fighting, even if your chances of winning are zero. Keep trying, even if you're losing."
The voice sighed softly.
"Never run from a losing battle. When you die, you'll have no regrets… because you gave everything until the end."
A pause.
"That's how you're remembered. That's how you're respected… as a brave, beautiful warrior."
The voice drew closer.
"So listen, Bubble…"
A helmet was placed gently over her head.
"This world will never acknowledge cowards."
A faint silence followed.
"Do you know why? Because the dead will ask… Why did you get to live while we were taken?"
"It's disrespectful to them. You understand, don't you?"
Bubble adjusted the helmet, her vision slightly blocked.
"Captain… I'll always run from a losing war."
Her voice was calm.
"Because what started the war in the first place? And why should I die for people who chose to throw their lives away?"
She crossed her arms slightly.
"I'm not getting attached to people just to die for them."
A pause.
"And another thing… that's your belief. Not mine."
The voice exhaled.
"…Why are you always like this? Do you hate morals?"
Bubble smirked faintly.
"If someone important is eating trash, that doesn't mean I should join them."
"Even if the whole world does it."
She turned away.
"I can't die just because others died. I'm human. I have my own feelings… my own rights."
A moment of silence.
"If people are dying like swarms… the smart move is to withdraw."
"Trying to act special just means dying with them."
"…One day, you'll understand."
The voice faded.
"Hey… wake up, you packed sack of potatoes."
Bubble groaned.
"…Just five more minutes… I barely slept…"
Suddenly—
Her blanket was yanked away.
"HEY—!"
"Get up. Or go find Jayden yourself," Firework said.
"WAIT WAIT—I'M UP!"
She shot upright instantly.
Morning mist wrapped the air.
Cold winds brushed against her skin as she stepped forward and stared ahead.
An island.
Unknown.
"Hey… I told you to take us to Unarmed Island. So what is THIS?" Bubble snapped.
Firework glanced at her.
"Oh really? Maybe if you gave actual directions instead of mumbling with closed lips, we wouldn't be here, knucklehead."
Bubble frowned.
"You're so annoying… I hate your guts."
"Hmph. At least mine didn't turn inside out in the sea."
"…I'm still traumatized. I can't even eat fish anymore."
"…Where are we?" Bubble muttered.
A rustle.
From the bushes, a man stepped out.
"…Did you just say Unarmed Island?"
Both of them stared.
"…Were you seriously using the bush as a toilet?" Bubble asked.
"Tch. One pollutes the sea, the other the land…" Firework sighed. "I'm done with meat entirely."
The stranger blinked.
"…We have proper sanitation. I was observing you."
"…From the bushes?" Bubble raised a brow.
"Yes."
"…And your conclusion?" Firework asked.
The man straightened.
"…I'd like you both to come with me."
At that moment—
Hidden figures surrounded the area.
Flaming arrows.
Spears.
All aimed at them.
"If they attack…" Firework began.
"…Then I die with honor," the stranger said calmly, gripping his chest.
"My village has made sacrifices like this before."
"We call it the One-to-Hundred Strategy."
"One life… for a hundred enemies."
Firework smirked.
"…Or I could just wipe your entire village out with fireworks."
"Or have her one-shot your mage."
"Or destroy your island core."
"So many choices…"
He glanced at him.
"…Level 4, huh?"
Before things escalated—
Bubble slammed Firework's head down in a bow, lowering hers too.
"We deeply apologize for the misunderstanding!"
"We're just lost. We were heading to Unarmed Island."
She smiled politely.
"Perhaps we can come with you? You have questions—we do too."
"…Tch. That's boring," Firework muttered.
Moments later, they followed him.
"Name's Browns Vernar," the man said.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Vernar," Bubble replied.
"Yeah, I'm not remembering that," Firework added.
NOTICE: YOU HAVE ENTERED VERNAR ISLANDEXPLORATION RATE: 10.1%
They reached the village.
Questions flooded them.
Interrogation after interrogation.
Time passed.
Finally—
"…Unarmed Island?" the chief said.
"…You've already passed where it used to be."
"…It was destroyed 10 days ago."
Silence.
"…What?" Bubble whispered.
"The Great Death God… sank it."
A sharp flash hit her mind.
A sealed memory trembled.
A rotating pink sigil—cracked.
Unlocking.
Rain.
Thunder.
Two figures.
One—glowing pink, gripping a massive sword wrapped with a yo-yo.
The other—dark, standing atop a massive skeletal arm, holding a scythe.
"Tch…" the pink figure smirked.
"You picked the WRONG place to mess with."
The memory shattered.
"…My captain…" Bubble whispered.
"…She fought that thing."
"…You believe Jayden caused this?" she asked.
"He was the last one seen leaving," the chief replied.
"…Then the Death God dragged the island under."
"…We need to find him," Firework said seriously.
"This could start a war."
"…Head north," the chief said.
"To Omega Island."
"…That arena?" Bubble asked.
"…Yes."
And so—
They set sail.
Toward the unknown.
Meanwhile…
A place of red fog.
Burning air.
Demonic presence.
A dark room.
A bed.
A figure lying still.
His eyes slowly opened.
"…Where am I?"
A man with a black blindfold smiled.
"…You're wondering where you are?"
He leaned closer.
"You… are in HELL."
Jayden had awakened.
In Hell.
TO BE CONTINUED…