Re;Kingdom, Starting a Life with Amnesia from Zero

Arc 4 – “Eternal Contract” – Sanctuary Arc

EX Chapter 4 – “Shadow Stalker”

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“I do not care if I die. I have no friends left. I have no family. I barely have a team I care about. When I’ll be gone, I want people to remember me. I want to scatter in their memories as their final memory… and as redemption from this world.”

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Shadow Stalker had one arrow left in her crossbow. She was bleeding from the three different wounds. The previously-human beast she’d spent all night hunting had just knocked her to the ground and it was about to bite the head off her shoulders.

Behind Shadow Stalker and the “Thing” which was on her, was a pile of corpses.

—Things were going better than expected, is what Shadow was thinking.

Slime dripped from the monster’s maw. Scanning the darkness with her night-seeker goggles, Shadow Stalker found neither weapons nor cover around her. She’d tracked the beast to this open patch of plains specifically so it couldn’t take cover behind the woods of Lugnica, but that decision left her exposed as well.

—Which was fine by her. After all, there is no fun in an easy kill, is what Shadow Stalker was thinking.

How crazy it might sound, Shadow is not fighting back because of her life, she simply hates losing. A victory for one, is a defeat for another. To be defeated by such beast, disgusting.

The beast was formerly a human. It’s current form and the cause of transformation was unknown. Though, it simply looked like a piece of meat, contaminated by malice and hate.

The beast grabbed Shadow Stalker by the shoulder, the beast opened its maw, and Shadow noticed rows upon rows of jagged teeth. If its jaws didn’t kill Shadow, the poison within the teeth could certainly finish the job. Optimistic as ever, Shadow Stalker tried to think of a way to both slaughter this beast, and perhaps something to do after this.

Shadow thought about her options. She could try to dodge the beast’s bite, but that would be a short-term solution at the very best. She could try kick the creature in its stomach and fire her final arrow into it’s skull, but she couldn’t trust that. Or, she could try something flashy, violent, ridiculous and slightly stupid.

—Shadow chose the latter, as always.

She put her entire arm into its mouth. The creature’s sharp teeth ripped strips of skin from her knuckles and arm, but Shadow Stalker smiled behind her mask… She had the beast right where she wanted it. She felt its jaw closing, ready to bite and rip her limb off. She didn’t give it the chance.

Shadow twisted her arm, dragging her crossbow across the inside of the creature’s gob until the the silver tip of her final arrow pointed directly at the top of the beast’s mouth. With a twist of her wrist, the bolt tore through the monster’s skull, shredding its brain.

The beast collapsed, and out of the beast, a little girl appeared. She had beautiful red eyes, brown hair, and she wore a piece of cloth to hide her naked body. Her calm eyes gave off an gentle aura. However, what psycho would trust something which had risen from a beast?

Due to her perception and analyzing skills being above average, Shadow Stalker already knew who this girl may be. Yes, just what Shadow Stalker was thinking… It was “Her”, after all.

??? : “You’re quick as ever. Though, this time was faster than normally, wasn’t it?”

Shadow tumbled back, and used the surface of the ground, covered by grass to launch herself backwards, whatever it would take to grow the distance between herself and that thing. Then, as she landed on her feet again, Shadow Stalker grabbed her crossbow, pointing towards that thing which stood in front of her.

??? : “I see. You know who I am, don’t you?”

Shadow Stalker nodded without such hesitation that the girl anticipated for. Shadow Stalker was calm as ever, even when she realized who stood in front of her, may be the enemy of the entire world. So exciting, she thought.

Then, the girl which descended from a beast’s corpse gazed at Shadow Stalker, and soon after turned her gaze that pile of corpses. All of them were painted crimson red, covered in blood, and limbs torn off them.

??? : “Such a tragic sight. Misses, perhaps you know what could’ve caused such a calamity?”

Shadow : “Nothing but you, Daughter of The End.”

—Daughter of the End, a title which not many people know. It’s a title that’s given to only one person.

Suddenly, a wicked smile blossomed on her child-like face. This so-called person——No, that “Thing” which stood in front of Shadow Stalker wasn’t a person anymore. It’s eyes were filled with blood lust and violence, its entire desire to live contaminated by malice and hatred.

Though, Shadow Stalker wasn’t afraid in the slightest. As a matter of fact, she was simply very interested in what may happen next. She didn’t have much expectations, other than winning.

??? : “Ha… Hahahaha! Hahahaha!”

As that “Thing”, known as the Daughter of The End started to laugh, she started to pull her hair out of her head. Blood started to stream out of her eyes, ears and mouth. Her voice wasn’t able to be understood due to her mouth being completely filled with blood. Just this sight, seeing this little girl turn into some kind of monster, it was an interesting sight… That’s what Shadow Stalker thought.

Shadow : “For you, death isn’t salvation anymore.”

Tumbling to the left, with a clench of her teeth, Shadow Stalker had activated her Semblance. Literally, she shifted into her “Shadow State”, thus became invisible until she would interact with the monstrosity which awaited.

—The Semblance of The Shadow State. One day, when Shadow Stalker was hiding from thugs that were about to kill her, she unlocked her Semblance. Not out of training or out of heritage, but because all she needed that moment, was power. The new Semblance she just unlocked that moment, it allowed her to enter this new state. With this new power, she was able to pass through walls and make herself lightweight. Not just her body though, her entire equipment was like this, along with the bolts of her crossbow. Right after she realized she unlocked her Semblance, she broke their teeth.

Rising from the ground, Shadow Stalker used the ground to launch herself up, jumping towards the sky. Then, she quickly recharged the crossbow with her final bolt, and fired. Piercing through the little girl’s skull, there was a crackling, echoing noise to be heard. Satisfying, is what Shadow Stalker thought.

The little girl collapsed as Shadow Stalker removed the bolt from her skull. With no hesitation, she placed that same bolt back in her Crossbow, as if nothing happened just now. Then, she turned her gaze towards the pile of corpses.

Shadow Stalker, who just successfully slaughtered the Daughter of The End, her real identity remains unknown, even to the Wardens. She wore a heavy black cloak and skintight black body suit with black-painted metal knee-pads, gauntlets, belts and pockets. Her mask is made of black-painted metal. Her costume includes a “voluminous” cloak in dark gray urban-camouflage, with a hood.

Making her way towards the dead, she grabbed a single Manastone, representing the element of heat, fire. Then, she simply crushed it with the palm of her hand, and the corpses were ignited. Corpses turned to ashes as she enlightened them. She didn’t actually have a reason why she did what she just did, but Shadow Stalker simply believes that those who have passed away, either have a funeral or turn to ashes. Corpses are a tragic sight, but there’s something about the Dead which Shadow Stalker finds somewhat interesting. It’s weird, indeed.

—There wasn’t a single breeze nor gust to be felt. A rather normal phenomenon. But, why did Shadow Stalker hear footsteps behind?

Instantly, entering her shadow state’s invisibility, she entered her battle stance, ready for combat as she tumbled to her right.

The one who was approaching her, it was a Warden from her team, Selina. She was beautiful beyond imagining, with hair that caught the sunlight even in the darkness. The deep scratches on her face, and even the tears that streamed down her cheeks, did nothing to diminish her beauty.

—Despite being part of Shadow Stalker’s group, she barely cared about Selina. She saw her as a pet she had to take care of. Or perhaps a student that she taught how to survive.

Shadow : “What happened?”

The woman in the skintight black bodysuit, wielding two crossbows asked to the woman who just entered the scene. With no emotion in her voice, Shadow Stalker showed genuine concern. Despite she already knew what was going on, she asked anyway, just to keep things more spicy.

Selina : “The Screaming Lady has awoken. We must return to the Head Quarters. My parents… They’re…”

—Yes, just as expected. Shadow Stalker knew exactly what was going on, thus let out a sigh of annoyance.

“Why can’t I just have a moment of rest… At least for once?”

Shadow Stalker asked herself. Through out these last weeks of investigating the lands of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica, she came in contact with nothing but trouble. Now that Selina made her appearance right here, saying that the Screaming Lady, also known as the Endbringer of Screams Simurhg had awoken, more troubles were scarred on Shadow Stalker’s mind.

—Though, she didn’t believe such malicious words of that “Thing”.

Grabbing an arrow out of her Crossbow, she stabbed Selina right in the throat, as if her partner was some kind of monster what was trying to kill her. A fountain of crimson red paint started drizzling from the sky. A beautiful sight.

Selina : “Bruaggh!”

A disgusting noise echoed in Shadow Stalker’s mind the moment Selina tried to speak. A waterfall of blood streamed down to Selina’s knees as she tried to speak. Wonderful.

Then, that right next moment, Shadow Stalker pushed the bolt of her Crossbow, which was still in Selina’s throat, down towards her stomach, entirely destroying her throat—— It was so quick. Everything what happened just now was extremely quick. However, with no hesitations carved on Shadow Stalker’s mind, she entered her Shadow State and immediately tumbled forward, and tumbled right through Selina’s legs. Then, as she returned back to her normal state, she grabbed Selina’s hands and tied them up with a rope.

With a simple kick on her back, Shadow Stalker pushed Selina’s entire body down to the ground and pressed her face against the grass. Isn’t it nice to be control, is what Shadow Stalker thought.

Selina : “W…What are you…. Doing… Ugh…”

The beautiful woman, who was now barely able to talk, tried to speak. However, Shadow Stalker simply stared at her fellow teammate dying, with no feel of regret, nor guilt. Amazing, is what Shadow Stalker would call this sight.

Shadow : “All the people you have devoured… Don’t you feel bad about yourself? You ate a lot of people, you truly are gluttonous. Don’t you think it’s time for a break? Why don’t you rest for eternity?”

Selina : “A-Ah!”

Just as Shadow Stalker expected, Selina’s throat healed in an instant. The wound which was carved on her throat, where streams of blood were leaving her body, suddenly closed. Though, it wasn’t that “Suddenly” at all. Shadow Stalker expected all this to happen from the moment that Selina appeared. Though, with her throat healed, the woman which was so-called “her teammate”, was still unable to move what so ever.

Selina : “No! No! How did you knew! This girl, Selina, she was your friend for so many years!You just killed her with no hesitations what so ever! You are obnoxious! You are disgusting! Feel ashamed! You—You— You are not…”

Shadow : “Human? Neither are you… Daughter of The End, Echidna.”

The girl from before, and the girl which was in front of Shadow Stalker, she isn’t just an ordinary shapeshifter like the Witch Cult’s Sin Archbishop of Lust, Capella Emerada Lugnica. This thing, The Daughter of The End named Echidna, she’s to devour whatever she wants, and once the times comes, she can transform into them. Thus, Selina probably was killed earlier today. Sad, but did Shadow Stalker really care?

—The answer was “No”.

Shadow : “Why don’t you tell me where your real body resides? Perhaps you could tell me who you are working with? I promise that I’ll both end you, and your disgusting master with a peaceful death.”

Selina : “Kyahahahahaha! You fucking whore! Vile!”

Grabbing the arm of the woman which was laughing like a maniac, she twisted it, tore its bone in half, and broke it. Shadow Stalker didn’t care in the slightest. This woman, who had the appearance of her fellow friend, let out a scream of pain. Even so, Shadow Stalker didn’t care.

—Friends are temporary. There’s no need for them, nor should I care about them. Those were the thoughts of Shadow Stalker that right moment.

Selina : “Raaaaaaaghhhh!”

Shadow : “Did you devour Selina’s soul already? If you tell me, I might let you go with just a few broken bones.”

Selina : “U-Ugh… What do you think? Of-fucking course! Though…”

She calmed her muscles, and turned her gaze towards Shadow Stalker, who was nearly standing on her back.

Selinda : “How did you know?”

The woman asked.

Shadow : “Bite marks on the front of the necks of those corpses, rather than the back, combined with the lack of wounds anywhere else on the bodies, told me that they were attacked by someone they trusted. A Warden. I burned their bodies so you can’t enter your real form right here. Go ahead. Try it.”

Echidna paused. Her eyes became dull, and her mouth stuttered in confusion. Despite being the villain here, and Shadow Stalker the hero with Heroic Reveries, she remained confused. Thus, she questioned.

Selina : “Try what?”

Shadow : “You’re summoning more fallen corpses. Come on. Slash me. Let’s see if you can cut my hand before I put a bolt through your forehead”

Yes, in the meantime while they were talking, The Daughter of The End Echidna was already trying to summon more corpses, and perhaps make it out alive. Though, even if Echidna would die right here, right now, it wouldn’t matter. She’s simply possessing Selina’s real body, thus death wasn’t everlasting.

As Shadow Stalker spoke out such words, Echidna’s hand collapsed, and landed on the grass of the surface. She had given up. She was in a dead-spot. The entire day, Shadow Stalker was a step further. The entire day, Shadow Stalker was hunting down this lady, but even now, after many attempts, Echidna wasn’t able to kill her, nor was Shadow Stalker able to kill her real body.

Selina : “Why?”

The woman asked, who completely had given up living and resisting. She had completely given up.

Shadow “Why what?”

She replied to the woman’s, rather unusual question.

Selina : “Why not just walk in and kill me? Why this whole… Presentation?”

Shadow Stalker smiled. A sly, hateful grin appeared on her face, which was hiding behind her mask. Selina—No, Echidna wasn’t able to see this disgusting, obnoxious, abominable grin, but if she would, her heart would’ve scattered.

Shadow : “Because I wanted to be sure I was right. Because I wanted you to feel the panic and the fear those corpses felt. But mainly…”

The Warden named Shadow Stalker tightened her wrist. With a metallic click, a six-inch bolt of cold silver pierced the woman’s brain. The girl’s eyes rolled back into her head. She collapsed to the ground like a bag of stones.

Shadow : “Because it’s fun.”

—Once again, Shadow Stalker had won. She believed that she is made to win. She would never lose, not now, and nevermore.