"ARRGHHHH!"
One of the hunters I was treating screamed as I sliced into his arm, severing the rotten flesh. The infection had spread too far, there weren't enough supplies or equipment left to save the limb so I had no choice but to amputate.
All the healers had long since been drained of their vitality magic, leaving them helpless. That is, if any of them were even still alive. Most had already perished in the chaos.
Now, only five of us remained providing medical aid, three F-rank healers, two C-ranks, and me, a regular nurse. It was painful to admit, but we were probably the last functioning medical support in the entire city.
There was nowhere safe left to stay, so we built a base out of rubble, whatever scraps of buildings hadn't been swallowed by the monsters roaming the streets. Every corner of the city was infested. We did our best to stay hidden, moving constantly, hoping to find survivors. Sometimes, they found us first—bleeding, broken, and desperate for help.
"I know it hurts,"
I said gently to the trembling man,
"but please bear with it… and try to keep quiet."
He bit down on a strip of cloth as I cleaned the wound and wrapped the raw stump in bandages. It wasn't much, but it was the best I could do.
"You can rest now," I said softly.
As I stepped back, two people rushed to his side, it was his comrades, a man and a woman.
"Are you okay?"
"Does it hurt that badly?"
the woman asked, her eyes wide with concern.
"Don't die on us, or I'll kill you,"
the man added, trying to laugh, though his voice trembled.
"Are you nuts?"
the injured hunter groaned from the makeshift bed I'd crafted out of broken doors and torn blankets.
I gave them a tired smile and rummaged through our dwindling stash of food, it was just a few ration bars we'd scavenged from an abandoned shelter last week. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
"Here,"
I said, handing them the bars.
"You all should eat, you'll need your strength."
"Thank you, miss. We really appreciate it,"
the man said gratefully.
"You have no idea how long it's been since we last ate."
"Thank you for finding us and helping our friend,"
the woman added, bowing slightly.
"No need to thank me, It's our job,"
I said, waving it off.
"But… no one pays you anymore, right?"
she asked. She looked younger than me, maybe early twenties.
"It's true that society has collapsed and money doesn't matter much anymore,"
I said, placing a hand over my chest.
"But… does a healthcare worker need payment to save lives?"
"You're very kind, lady," she whispered.
I looked down, a little embarrassed.
"I don't think I've done much. I'm not even a healer, and I'm sorry I couldn't save his arm."
"No. This is better than nothing," the man said firmly. "We would've lost him if the rot had spread any further. Healers are rare now. You did more than enough. Thank you."
Their words warmed something inside me. Even without magic or power, I had done something. I had made a difference. And in this broken world, that mattered.
But then I noticed the three of them staring at me.
"Say… do we know you?"
the woman asked, squinting.
"You look really familiar,"
the man added, pointing at me.
My stomach twisted.
They kept staring, and then one of them suddenly snapped their fingers.
"Aha! Aren't you the Angelic Queen? Viola, right?!"
"Oh my gosh, she is! That saintess idol or something!" the woman gasped.
My face burned with embarrassment. I couldn't hide it.
Why would they bring up those awful names?
"You guys mean that one celebrity? The artist famous for her innocent face and roles?"
the injured man asked.
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
They answered in unison, practically glowing with excitement.
I lowered my head. Please stop. I don't want to hear this anymore, I thought.
"She really is kind in person,"
the woman muttered.
"No denying that," the man replied. "Who else with money and influence stayed behind without being a hunter, just to help people… even knowing she might die here?"
"But didn't she go on hiatus two years ago? I heard… it was because she went crazy."
Their gazes drifted back to me, filled with curiosity and concern.
"Aha… haha…"
I laughed weakly, avoiding their eyes.
They kept watching me, waiting for a response.
"A-Are you all thirsty?" I stammered. "I'll get some water for you."
I turned and walked away before they could say anything more. I could feel their eyes on my back.
I knew they wanted to stop me, but they didn't.
They let me go.
At the corner of our base, I crouched beside the reservoir jug and filled three cups with the little clean water we had left. But just as I stood to return—
KABOOM.
A thunderous explosion shook the ground. Dust rained from the cracked ceiling.
My heart dropped. That was close.
And then another blast.
And another.
A series of continuous explosions echoed across the city.
I sprinted to the nearest opening and peered outside.
There they were.
A pack of monsters, beast-like creatures with the twisted appearance of wolves—were charging in our direction.
Did they catch our scent?
"Everyone run!" I shouted.
In seconds, we grabbed what little we could—only the bare essentials and bolted, even though our legs were heavy and pain coursed through our battered bodies.
"We're not going to make it!"
someone cried behind me, panic in their voice.
They were right. Those creatures had four legs, and they were fast. Much faster than we were. It felt like we were nothing more than prey, doomed to be devoured.
I clenched my teeth. At this rate, we'd all die.
Frantically, I searched for a solution. And then—an idea.
There was no other way.
"You all keep running. I'll distract them and lead them somewhere else!"
"Are you crazy, Viola?!" one of them yelled.
"I have to try," I said.
"It's better for an ordinary person like me to act as bait than for all of us to die."
"But—!"
"We don't have time! Just go!"
They hesitated. I could see the grief and guilt in their eyes.
"It's okay,"
I said gently.
"You don't have to feel sad. This is just the right thing to do..."
I didn't even know why I said that.
Maybe because I once read those words by him long ago.
I stopped running. Watched their backs grow smaller as they disappeared into the haze.
Then, I turned to face the horde.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
"Hah… doesn't this bring back memories?"