Chapter 23: The Reason of Living (Part 1)

AN: Oh look a Flashback.....

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This was a story a couple years ago. A story that was set on the a place were deaths was not that uncommon.

"What is a kid doing in here?" a middle age man in a military uniform, asked. Based from the insignia attached to his arm, he seems to be the highest in command in this battlefield.

"Sir! This is the package sent by the science department." the soldier besides the boy, reported.

Another experiment again? — the commander raise an eyebrow. His company isn't that unfamiliar in dealing with experimental products. However it was the first for them to be sent a kid who looks like it haven't age two digits yet, he can't help but doubt the sanity of those behind this.

The commander crouched down on the same eye as the boy. He noticed his green eyes seemingly devoid of light. "Hey kid, what's your name?" he gently asked as he pat his head.

"......... Raz... " there was a small pause before the boy said his name in a low audible tone.

"I see, what a great name." the commander praise, trying to cheer up the kid. "Nice to meet you, Raz. I am Commander Glynne. If you like, you can just call me Glynne."

The kid just silently nodded.

The commander felt sympathy for Raz. He stood up and signed the soldier escorting him to move closer. He whispered something, making the soldier flustered. However since it was an order from the highest authority, he just saluted while shouting "Sir, yes sir!"

"Let's go" the soldier said, guiding Raz out of the tent.

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"What's a kid doing here?" it was the second time that was asked. It cannot be help since it really is unusual to see a young boy participating in a battlefield.

The soldier saluted as he explained the situation and the commander's orders.

The platoon leader smiled bitterly, this isn't the first time he witness children being experimented on. However it doesn't mean he was in favor of it.

"You are dismissed soldier," he said to the man behind the boy, prompting him to leave.

Just like with the commander, the platoon leader crouched down and patted the boy's head. "Hey kiddo, do you know where this is?" he asked.

Raz stared at the man. He has a white hair and blue eyes, features that the boy would soon forget as he knows that he will only meet him once. It was always been like this, people always pity him at the start. However when they discover his powers, they started to distance themselves from him.

A wrinkle formed on the forehead of the platoon leader, the kid was not that responsive like he hoped. He sense that the innocence of a child was already gone inside, he has no emotion nor any will to live. He was just like a puppet, only to be controlled by those who are above him.

BOOmmmm!

Suddenly, an explosion occurred as sirens are simultaneously rang out. The two felt a huge mass of honkai energy forming somewhere. This means that a huge number of honkai beast would spawn.

The platoon leader got up and prepared for the upcoming fight. He picked up two similar pistols on his desk and put on a white coat. "You stay here and hide. I'm gonna deal with this annoyances." he ordered Raz as he got out of the tent.

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"Commander Glynne, how's the situation?" the platoon leader asked right after he arrived with his entire platoon.

"Siegfried?" the commander glanced at his side to see the newly arrive ally. "The science team got a reading about 400HW of Honkai energy, you should get ready as this is probably a big one."

"Hoh, what are you taking about?" Siegfried had a amused smile. "Did you already forgot the blood flowing in my veins?"

"No, but your incognito right?" Glynne also showed a similar grin. "Never want to get exposed now, do you?"

Despite them being a boss and a subordinate, Siegfried and Glynne were talking to each other like some long time friends who coincidentally met at a bar.

Another explosion rang out. The two leaders simultaneously set their sight on the distance. One by one, honkai beast with different levels are spawning from the ground.

"All soldiers, on your formation!" the commander ordered. "Remember all your training and preparation, this is your time to shine. Don't you suddenly die on us and be a hero who cannot be remembered!"

"Then I should probably go too" Siegfried said, patting the shoulder on his comrade.

"Don't overdo it." the commander advised. "At least show some examples to the others."

"Yeah yeah... Alright troops! Move out!" Siegfried commanded his platoon and head to the frontline.

As Glynne watch the platoon leaving, his radio let out some statics. "Sir, there's a civilian spotted on the battlefield."

The commander was shocked by the news and quickly pulled up his binocular to scan the field. His face paled in horror as the kid he met a while ago was walking towards the horde of honkai beast alone.

"Quick, order all arms to hold fire!" He called over the radio. "Siegfried, can you hear me? Go and rescue the boy. "

There was brief static before he got a reply. "On it!"

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It was an urgent manner, by the time the soldiers notice Raz, he was already a hundred meters away from the nearest honkai beast.

"Skrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeiiiiii!!!!"

A mosquito like honkai beast let out a screeching sound as it charge towards the boy.

Using the power of his stigmata, Siegfried got a burst in power as he run to save the boy. However despite the speed boost, he was still not fast enough to reach the kid. He reached his hands, desperate to grab the boy. He can't do anything but watch as the honkai beast prepares to skewer the boy.

"Wha?!" Siegfried let out a gasp. He was dumbfounded when he witness the honkai beast disappearing into light particles as it was absorb into Raz's body.

The boy's back gave off light and he quickly move closer to the nearest honkai beast. Just like a while ago, it disappeared as he has absorb the beast.

Siegfried just stood there, speechless as the boy is one-sidedly dealing with the horde.

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Now he has done it. The whole battlefield quieted down as there is no honkai beast in sight. Everything was devoured by him, leaving nothing even the rogue honkai energy. He look up towards the peaceful blue skies, a scene he never see that much.

It was a brief meeting, but the soldiers will definitely avoid him now.

Even if the boy has lose all emotions, there is still an unknown feeling in his heart that he hates so much.

"Kiddo...." Raz glance over the other human standing with him on the battlefield. It was the second person that patted him on the head a while ago.

It was strange, he felt something good when the hands ruffles his hair. He wanted to do it again but realizing that they were already scared of him, it was impossible.

However, he was shock. Instead of stepping away from him, the man slowly got near him. He crouched down and patted him on the head "Are feeling you alright?" he asked.

Siegfried thought that the boy was devoid of any emotions. However when he lay his sights on the boy after the battle, he felt a hint of sorrow coming from the boy's eyes.

He is a soldier, however before that he is a hero, and before that a husband, and lastly a father to one child. He may not know how to raise a child properly but his fatherly instincts kicks in as he got near Raz.

And it was the right choice. This is the first time he saw emotions on the kid's face. Raz's eyes become watery as tears begun to flow on his face. Siegfried put him into his embrace as the boy slowly weeps on his arms.

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Notice any differences? Don't worry, that wasn't a mistake.

Phew, Finally this chapter is finished. Tbh, I didn't think this one to be revised quite a lot.

I usually plan ahead before I wrote any future chapters. However I've been stucked on this one for quite a while because there are 3 routes to choose for this one.

That said, after much overthinking, I choose this one because I don't think I may not have a lot of opportunities to add this in the future. However the deciding factor for this one is that this would be a perfect groundwork for the future chapters.

Anyway, A big thank you to all you people who read and follow this story!