Chapter 15: No good! At this rate, the patient (monkey) is gonna die!

“You really went and pushed yourself again… Honestly. If I hadn’t been here, you’d be dead in a ditch right now.”

A gentle voice floats down from above my head.

The searing pain that had gripped every inch of my body feels like it’s been numbed by anesthesia.

“Ugh… Ojou… sama…”

“Don’t speak yet. You’re in critical condition. Your body was so torn up, I had to use my mana essence to substitute for missing tissues just to keep you alive.”

I feel something soft supporting the back of my head.

My vision’s a blur, everything in front of me is hazy. But from the feel of it, I’m being nursed back to life with my head resting on Sakura’s lap.

“Thank you. You did great. You’re a hero.”

From the sound of Sakura’s gentle words, I guess I really did manage to take down that bastard of a monster.

—

“Ojou… What happened… to him?”

“From the neck up? Gone—completely blown off. His upper body’s in shreds too, not a twitch from him. He’s definitely dead.”

“I… see…”

Looks like my last-ditch ‘Spirit Cannon,’ burning up every drop of my remaining mana, did its job and killed that demon.

Even a monster like that couldn’t handle an attack from the inside.

Right before I was eaten, I blasted him apart from within. Honestly, I don’t think there was any other way I could’ve beaten that freak.

“Hey… Think my body’s gonna heal?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll recover. Count yourself lucky I was close by.”

“Yeah… Thanks.”

Apparently, I’m going to make it. Damn, this lady’s insane—my entire right side got obliterated and she can still fix it?

She’s way beyond your average spellcaster.

“You were amazing, you know. Trading blows with that thing head-on… I couldn’t believe you were human.”

“Well, that’s ‘cause I’m just a monkey.”

“…Right, I suppose you are.”

I really did go all out. Even with body enhancements, I was basically brawling that monster with my bare hands.

The fact I’m still in one piece and receiving treatment now—it’s basically a miracle.

“If another monster like that shows up… will the Monkey Mask fight again?”

“Hmm… If I can help it, I’d rather not.”

“Can’t blame you for that.”

At the very least, not until I get way stronger. Today’s win? Pure luck, honestly.

Facing something like that again—ten lives wouldn’t be enough.

“…Hey. I still can’t see anything.”

“Your eyes can wait. I’ll heal them later. Right now, I’m focused on your life-threatening injuries. Your internal organs are a total mess.”

“Yeah, makes sense.”

“I’ve never had to heal a crushed lung before, so I’m kind of making it up as I go. I’m trying to reattach your right arm too, but the damage is… severe.”

Yeah. Crushing your own lung? Probably no one else in the world would pull that off but me.

“…But don’t worry. I’ll definitely heal you.”

“Thanks.”

“If you’re tired, you can sleep. I’ll ask Master to carry you once we’re done.”

…So it’s okay if I sleep now?

Then maybe I’ll take her up on that.

“Besides, I should be the one thanking you. You avenged my men… Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“At least now… the souls of those who died protecting me can rest a little easier.”

After those words, I feel something drip onto my shoulder—a teardrop.

Sakura… is crying above me.

“Hey, Monkey. Do you mind if I take off your mask?”

“No way. Don’t be ridiculous. This mask stays on.”

“Oh my… so stubborn. Just for your final moments…—no, never mind.”

Her voice wavers slightly with tears as she gently squeezes my hand.

“Then I promise. I, Sakura von Tendo, swear on my family name that I won’t remove your mask.”

“Please… I’m countin’ on you.”

“Of course. It’s a promise. Now just rest, okay?”

Still holding my hand, Sakura begins to softly hum a lullaby.

“Sleep now, sleep────”

A lullaby filled with a faint, sorrowful tenderness.

It feels like being cradled in a mother’s arms—a strange, warm sense of peace.

“Man… I’m really getting sleepy…”

Maybe there’s magic at work in her song too. Her voice draws me into a deep slumber, little by little.

My consciousness drifts away. I let go of the pain and fatigue in my broken body… and finally feel at ease.

────Yeah… this feels nice.

---

"Vgh..."

Hm.

What was that sound just now?

"Voooooh... ooOOoh..."

...There it is again.

"Hey, Sakura. Did you hear that?"

"You're probably just imagining things. Come on, just go to sleep already."

"...Yeah, maybe."

Was it really just my imagination?

It sounded so vile, so terrifying, so full of hatred... I swear I heard it, from somewhere nearby.

"Are you sure everything's okay? Look around a bit, Sakura."

"It's fine. There’s nothing around us, Monkey Mask. That monster must’ve traumatized you so badly its voice is echoing in your head."

...I see. So there really is nothing.

Now that I think about it, Sakura can sense people nearby using her earth magic. If she says there's nothing, then maybe I should trust her.

I must be wound too tight from the battle. Just paranoia. I should sleep.

"OoooOOOHH, VOoooOOOHH!!"

...No.

That wasn’t a hallucination. No way that was just in my head.

I heard it. Clear as day—that monster’s roar—

"Sakura. No, this isn’t a hallucination!"

"...It is a hallucination. Now go to sleep, seriously."

"Please, hurry and heal my eyes! It’s close—it’s near us, again—"

Sakura... she must be exhausted. So tired that she refuses to accept that the roar is real. She doesn't want to believe it's back.

Damn it... is that thing really still alive—?

—The blood crust peels away. My eyelids lift. My vision clears.

And there she is—Lady Sakura, eyes brimming with tears, gently holding my hand as she looks down at me.

"You should’ve stayed asleep."

But behind Sakura—

"Ooooooohhh!!"

"VOOOOHH, VOOOHH!!"

"VOOOOOUUUHH...!!"

—They were there.

Hairy beasts. A horde. So vast it blotted out the horizon.

Dozens? No—hundreds. Thousands.

"...What?"

They were closing in on us—on this very spot—from far beyond the city, groaning and growling as they came.

"You really are an idiot. You could've died peacefully, never knowing they existed."

"Wha—ah... huh?"

"That one you fought—must’ve been a stray that got separated from the main horde. This—this is the real force."

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

After all we went through. After scraping together a miracle upon miracle to snatch that one victory...

—The enemy. The demons. They were preparing to overwhelm this city with forces far beyond anything I had imagined.

"You’re not going to run, Lady Sakura?"

"Run where? Against that many, where would we even go?"

"...You’ve got a point."

So that’s it. Sakura knew.

That’s why she was trying so hard to get me to sleep.

So I could die peacefully, believing I’d won. Believing I was a hero who defeated the monster.

"I’m sorry, Lady Sakura... I don’t think I can fight anymore."

"I know. You’re completely broken, after all."

"Yeah... If God really exists, I’d love to punch Him in the face."

How much does He plan to mock us? Maybe humans never had a chance to begin with.

No matter how hard we fought, how much we struggled... There are enemies we just can’t beat. The sheer number of demons makes a joke out of that battle I nearly died for.

If fate’s governed by some goddess, she must be cruel as hell. Probably looked down at me fighting with everything I had, and thought, "What a pointless waste."

"So what, everything I did was for nothing?"

"That’s not true."

Just as despair was taking hold of me—just as I was about to break from the overwhelming reality—Sakura wrapped her arms around me from behind and held me tight.

"You already forgot? You avenged the people who meant the world to me."

"..."

"George, who took care of me when I was little. Mike, who loved baking. Pete, the short-tempered but kind guy. You killed the monster who took all of them away from me."

Her voice trembled, but it was full of heartfelt gratitude.

"Even if we die here, it doesn’t change the fact that you saved the souls of my family."

"...Milady..."

"So please, let me do this much. Until the moment those monsters devour us, I’ll stay right here, holding you."

And just like she said, Sakura clung to me and held me close, tight.

"Better than dying alone, isn’t it?"

...

Goddamn. What a woman she is.

She probably wants to cry right now. To scream. To go completely mad.

But even at the very edge of death, this woman still puts others before herself.

"...Thanks. If I’m being honest, I’m scared shitless right now."

"Me too."

"But... Even if we only met recently, I think I’m okay with dying next to you. Stay with me. Until the end."

"...Same here. Though, if I’m going to die with someone, I’d like to at least see your face."

Ah... if I’m going to die anyway, no point in hiding my face anymore.

“Well, if it really bothers you that much, I won’t force you.”

“Ah, you're definitely gonna freak out.”

“…Honestly, Monkey Mask, I was kinda hoping this would turn into a ‘Surprise! I was a total hottie under the mask all along’ kind of reveal.”

“Then I’m not taking it off. I can’t live up to that expectation.”

“I was joking, geez.”

Too bad. Wonder how she’d react if the big reveal was: Surprise! The super-gorgeous girl under the mask was little old Irine all along!

She’s still treating me like I’m a guy, so I guess she hasn’t figured out the one behind the mask is Irine.

“Man… would’ve liked to lose my virginity before dying.”

“…Wait, seriously? You should’ve said that like ten minutes ago. No way it’s happening now.”

“Just thought I’d throw it out there. Wasn’t really expecting anything.”

Not like I even have the equipment for that. Damn… though if I had said it ten minutes earlier, maybe I’d’ve had a shot?

“…Hey, Monkey Mask. They’re coming.”

“Yeah. Guess they sensed their buddies died. They're headed straight this way.”

“Got any last words?”

“Hm…”

Last words, huh. Not that saying anything now is gonna reach anyone.

If I had to say something—

“…I don’t wanna die yet, damn goddess. That about sums it up.”

“Oh, that’s a surprise. Didn’t think you were the type to curse at gods.”

“Well, I know for a fact they exist.”

That goddess who appeared in Karl’s dreams—she was probably the real deal.

So if gods are actually real, then come on. Save us from this messed up ending.

“Doesn’t matter what I yell here, my family won’t hear it anyway. So I might as well rant to someone who might.”

“Fair enough. …Maybe I’ll curse her too.”

“Why not?”

As we talk nonsense like idiots, the horde finally pours into the city.

The terrifying monsters have arrived.

“Stupid god.”

“Do your damn job, you bastard.”

…

“I don’t wanna die yet.”

“I’ve still got so much left to do.”

……

“Give them back. The people I loved. Save those who are still in this city.”

“I haven’t even seen my little sister walk down the aisle. I just wanted to live long enough to see that.”

…Damn it.

——This kind of ending…

——It’s just too cruel.

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

“…My bad. I was asleep.”

A voice answered the broken mutterings that had spilled from us.

“…I see. So they’ve made it this far.”

His body was covered in dirt and grime, but his eyes burned bright red.

With a massive, shoddy greatsword aimed straight at the oncoming horde—

The swordsman stood furious in silence, hair bristling, aura flaring violently from every inch of his body.

“…Thanks for holding the line.”

His quiet voice, laced with rage, melted into the night.

In the moonlight, countless glowing eyes of demons gleamed. And standing against them, a single, small human.

“…Karl?”

“I’ll take it from here.”

When the earth was overrun by demons—
The hero chosen by the goddess, Karl, finally woke up.