Chapter 242 – Job Done

Luna was unsure how to feel. 

There were certainly a lot of emotions she was feeling, but… the situation had somehow pushed them all away to the corners of her mind. 

Syrus’s decisive action, if she had any words that would best describe them, would be—absolutely breathtaking.  

Monsters were beings of horror and hell. One of the few mysteries of the world that people still had no idea how or why they existed. There were certainly theories, but she never put credit into any of them. Most of them were just about blaming the existence of monsters on something or someone. The few that tried to put scientific theory onto the process usually ended up theorising multiple different energies and processes that they had no proof for existing. 

Once upon a time, she tried to narrow down what theories she felt were the most plausible. But she gave up after yelling to the world that none of them made any sense, which had gotten her a smack from a senior priest who was kind enough not to report the matter elsewhere. 

The Aurora Church had two primary theories. Though the fact they had two in the first place was fundamentally stupid in Luna’s book, it did depend on the area where the nonsense of each theory was spread. Option one was that monsters were God's challenge to mankind, the punishment for them whenever their hubris and sins had gotten too out of hand. Option two, they were created by a coalition of demons to wipe out humanity.   

[...] Luna tried to pull herself back from the wandering thoughts. 

Syrus checked in to confirm that she was alright before she even asked Eva, who was more outwardly scared. The youngest was simply dealing with the fear that came to everyone upon encountering monsters for the first time. However, Syrus was worried for Luna for more concerned reasons. 

Monsters were how she died. 

They were the tool, the weapon, that the betrayal used as her means of execution. 

In Syrus’s mind. Dying by monsters had to be one of the worst ways to go. She had seen it happen many times. Those horrendous deaths. Life collapsing in on itself. The notorious poisons and sicknesses. The brutality of it was no warrior's death. It was the outcome of those unfortunate. 

A fate she never had to experience despite the close calls and the accusations she faced. 

The one good thing in Syrus’s mind about Luna’s death, that she would never say to Luna. Was that she existed with them. That sounded like a positive sentiment of, ‘thank you for being family,’ which Syrus did appreciate, and she couldn’t ask for a better two people to be joined with. However, the fact that she existed afterwards meant one reliving thought, dying by monsters didn’t destroy one’s soul. 

It was a fear that many who believed in higher powers, supernaturals, and souls had. For the things that devoured life, would the human soul even be safe?

Still… despite that one good thing… Luna still died by those horrid creatures. Syrus could only imagine how much suffering she was in her final moments. 

Luna, for the most part. Didn’t have much trauma from the incident. That was what she liked to believe anyway. In actuality, those memories were buried in so much ferocity, apathy, and acceptance. 

[You… were amazing Syrus…] (Eva)

[Thanks.] Syrus’s words were plain. Not even joking with the compliment. 

Anlesa had stayed by the pit’s side until the entire corpse and its remains had been destroyed. 

There was still a smell in the air. Syrus told everyone it would linger for a few days, but it would be harmless. Her words didn’t exactly invoke a sudden surge of excitement or cleanse the worry in the air. The impact of seeing a monster had scarred many of them; worse still, watching that man die from the monster’s claw was horrifying. Everyone who thought they were brave was going to have nightmares tonight, no exceptions. 

Syrus was used to this reaction.

While on the Vita continent. Monsters may be more frequent, but it would always be someone's first time seeing a monster. The frequency only meant that time came sooner to the inhabitants than to most. 

Finally, Syrus let out a long sigh. The situation was resolved, and their newest familiar face had come up to them.

“Are you okay?” The doctor asked. 

“I’m fine. Everything is sorted, so I don’t need to be here anymore.” 

[It was nice having one reasonable person here today.] (Luna)

[This town… really made that hard…] (Eva)

[That is putting it mildly… but you are right. In a way, it is disappointing what occurred. Too many people were hurt by other harmful actions not even directed at the poor souls.] Luna still wondered if someone was responsible for the malicious actors. She was still undecided about what answer she preferred. Though the simple truth remained, both outcomes were horrible. 

Nicole stood by Syrus’s side again, for what was supposed to be the last time. “Thank you so much… for everything…” His words were filled with so much heartfelt sincerity that it almost made Syrus sick. 

“Don’t worry,” Syrus answered with complete assurance. “It was only a job.”

“A job it might have been.” His eyes looked into the pit which had been scorched black. “But you chose to save lives… When even some people choose to do the opposite.” 

Syrus raised an eyebrow. “Did you figure out if those people sabotaged the potion supplies on purpose or was it just something they had done in anger?”

“Unknown, but thanks to your effort. The bastards were locked away long enough for the guard to grab them for questioning, so we, well, I might hear something later about their motives.” Nicole let out the hundredth sigh of the day. “Still… from everything. The potions to dealing with the monster, you did more than… Well. Just thank you again.” 

"Be careful, you might lose the ability to say those words if you say them too much.”

“If that is the cost I have to pay to show my gratitude. Then so be it.” He answered with pride. “Thank you.” 

That finally put a smile on Syrus’s face. 

“Well, if you can keep quiet about this. That would be great.” Syrus said, knowing that was completely unrealistic. 

“I’ll do my best.” Nicole chuckled, seeing the absurdity in her request. “Honestly, I expected you to be from some special forces after that display.” Though he made a note to be as vague as possible if any questions came around, which was helped by the fact he truly knew barely anything about this woman. 

“Maybe.” Syrus chose to be vague. “Though, did the person I am assuming is your boss calm down eventually?”

“Yes… in a way… He was terrified for a while after your threat. Which was amplified when a close friend of his told him in detail about how dangerous monsters and their remains were. This led him to ask me. I swear his face became paler with each question answered.” 

“Heh. Thanks for answering that.” Anlesa smirked. Good to see the man learned at least some kind of lesson. She turned around and began walking away from the pit. 

“Catch!” Nicole tossed a bag of coins, which Syrus caught with her back turned. “Payment for everything.” 

Syrus turned her head and returned a small nod. It was time to return home.