Shadow Slave

Chapter 3014 Unseen Scars

Kai managed to lead Sunny to a private booth without being recognized by the fans. Inside, they had both privacy and a decent view of the stage — since both were supposed to remain incognito, that was a welcome arrangement.

Honestly, though, it was mostly for the benefit of the audience seated in the main hall below. Most mundane people would find it difficult to endure Kai's enchanting presence, and considering that most of the people in the audience were diehard Night&Gale fans... his sudden appearance could very well cause widespread devastation.

It would be good if the damage were limited to dozens of women fainting in their seats. Sunny did not exclude the possibility of a few of them suffering a heart attack on the spot, though.

‘Not everyone can be like me, building a tolerance to this ridiculous guy... ah, I really am amazing!'

Sunny glanced at Kai, who had finally removed his sunglasses and mask, and sighed heavily.

Below them, the concert hall was already full, and people were impatiently anticipating the beginning of the show.

He understood why they had to hide from the crowd. However, what Sunny did not understand was why Kai had chosen to hide his presence from the star of the show, his former partner, as well.

He nodded toward the stage.

"Are you sure you don't want to go backstage and say hi? I am sure your buddy will appreciate a bit of support. The fans will be happy to see you two together, as well."

Kai remained silent for a few moments, then shook his head with a wistful expression.

"No... I don't think it's a good idea."

He paused for a moment.

"If I reveal myself, today will become about me. And Gale really deserves better."

Kai looked at Sunny and shrugged.

"Plus, I think he's still a bit angry at me for abandoning the band and leaving him behind. Even if I had my reasons."

Sunny chuckled awkwardly.

"Really? I see..."

He was sure that there was no hidden meaning in what Kai had said, and yet, it was hard not to see the parallel.

Sunny had abandoned the cohort and left Kai behind, too, after all. He remained silent for a short while, then said:

"Listen, Kai, I know I already said that I'm sorry about what happened in the Nightmare, but... well, I don't know. Everyone has been so nice about it. I would understand if you were angry instead."

Kai gave him a confused look.

"Why would I be angry?"

Then, his expression changed subtly, and he looked away with a somber smile.

"Sunny, you did what you had to do. I might not understand why, but I am not going to hold it against you. Honestly... all of us — every single Awakened — are barely holding it together. Sometimes, I look around and wonder why more people don't just snap. But many do. Some just crumble, some do gruesome things before collapsing... so, the fact that you chose to pursue your own goal instead of joining us in a tough battle is not even in the category of things I would be angry about."

Kai remained silent for a few moments, then sighed.

"I still remember the things you told me in Ariel's Game, you know? About how you had selfishly abandoned your friends because of greed, and how your selfish greed was your undoing. So... actually, I think it's you who is angry, Sunny. You are angry at yourself. But you should really be kinder to yourself, instead. The world is already cruel enough, and it has been especially cruel to you."

Sunny stared at Kai in silence, then looked away and cleared his throat.

"Well, damn. I, uh... I wasn't expecting a poignant speech, to be honest. Just more of our usual tomfoolery."

Kai smiled.

"If it's tomfoolery you want, I can oblige..."

Sunny waved a hand in the air.

"No, no! Let's not. I'd love to, but, uh... it's embarrassing to say, but I am short on material. I did do a few crazy things since the last crazy thing we had done together, but I already used up those stories on other people. I don't want to repeat myself."

Kai chuckled.

Below them, the technicians were performing the last checks, and an excited murmur spread through the crowd.

Kai remained silent for a while, then said in a quiet tone:

"But, you know, Sunny... I think about what you said a lot, these days. About how you were sorry, but you would also do it all over again. That is how I feel, too."

Sunny raised an eyebrow, and noticing it, Kai sighed.

"You and Nephis were already gone by then, but it... it was me who gave the Dreamspawn the last push he needed to break the Longing Domain. I spoke his name to save civilians at the Lake of Tears, and as a result, everything came crashing down. So many terrible things happened, Sunny."

Kai turned to him and smiled bitterly.

"But I would do it all over again. I'd choose to save those people all over again. And the fact that saving human lives was the wrong decision... that is what makes me angry, Sunny."

He looked away, focusing on the stage.

"It makes me furious. It makes me want to snap."

Sunny remained silent, not knowing what to say.

The world moved on from the tragedy caused by the Dreamspawn's plague... but the scars caused by it remained. The weak had suffered tremendously during his short reign, but the strong were not unscathed, either. In fact, it was the rare occasion where everyone had been hurt equally, no matter their Rank.

Kai, Effie, Cassie... Morgan, Seishan and her sisters. Even Mordret. All of them were hiding how much what had happened affected them. Because that was the only thing they could do, considering what the world demanded from them.

Below, a lone figure walked onto the stage and bowed, causing the audience to explode with cheers.

The show was about to start.