All of this didn't matter; he didn't care.
Only now did he understand what was really important in his life. Only now, when it started leaving his grasp.
Like a candle in its final moment, it showed its most brilliant light in its final act. Roxy smiled beautifully, like someone who had just fulfilled their lifelong dream.
Dying to protect her young master.
Protecting his life is something that made her feel very happy and made her feel she was useful to him.
"Don't look at me like that, young master. My life may be a short one, but I feel very fulfilled now. I have no regret in this life," Roxy said while coughing up blood.
"Roxy, what are you saying? We still have a long life ahead of us.
Don't you say you want to be with me? Let's get married. It's just a wound; I am sure we can find a way to cure it!
Look, Alex is coming for us; I am sure he has some method to help you."
With the same smile, Roxy's eyes were filled with even more happiness, and regret started to surface in her mind. Hearing what William said made her imagine it all.
'If only that were possible,' she thought. But she knew her own body the best.
She knew she was dying and on its last spurt now, and it would only last for a moment.
If Alex were here, he would know what happened; there is a term for it in his world; 'terminal lucidity.'
When someone dying experiences a surge of strength or energy, this rarely happens, but it's been documented many times, even before Mana and dungeons started surfacing in his world.
Even today, with how good their technology and understanding of Mana are, no one knows why this happens.
Some say it's a flight or fight response, some say it's an adrenaline rush, but whatever it is, for those involved, it's like a miracle.
Roxy ignored all of William's words; instead, she said, "Young master..."
She paused for a moment, then continued. "William... I love you...
Even though everyone around you always looks down on you, I know the real you.
You are someone who is capable, someone who is kind at heart. In my eyes, you are always my hero.
When I had no one… When I was in the darkest part of my life, displayed naked as an object, you put your hand on me, giving me a way of living."
Roxy coughed up blood once more, but her smile didn't falter; she continued, "At that moment, you became the light of my life. That is when I decided I would never leave your side. That is why I reject all your other offers."
If she could move her hand, she would have already caressed William's face for the last time. She couldn't even lower her face to kiss him since the sharp pipes were coming out of her body.
She couldn't help but lament how cruel the world was to her, but at the very least, this cruel world brought William into her life.
Even if she knew this would happen, she would still do everything exactly the same.
"Roxy, what are you saying? You said you want to be by my side forever. Don't give up!" William said while he forcibly moved his hand, pushing through all the pain to caress Roxy's face.
Feeling William's warm hand made her heart flutter. This is the first time he has done this.
"Even if I am not here, don't be careless with your life, William.
Don't forget to maintain a healthy diet and do your workout. Don't forget to spend time with your father and mother.
Stop going to the bar and nightclub; those women don't deserve you."
As she said this, her voice started getting smaller and smaller, and her eyelids started turning heavy as they began to close.
"Roxy! What are you doing! Don't close your eyes! Look at me. Keep awake till Alex reaches this place," William said, his words filled with unwillingness, denial, despair, and pain.
"William... William... I... Love... you... Take...
Care... Of... your..." Her voice trailed off, her eyelids closed shut.
Tears started flowing nonstop from William's eyes. He screamed, calling her name over and over, but no reply came from Roxy. No voice came out from her lips.
She may not have been the most beautiful, the strongest, nor the smartest, but for William, she was the most important person in the world. Something that he realized too late.
"Roxy... ROXY," His wail reverberated in the air. He didn't even realize that despite Roxy's death, her body still held the debris, not giving up on the weight, still protecting him from the fatal attack.
Meanwhile, Alex, Aurora, and Blaire had just reached the forest.
Seeing the smoke surrounding the outskirts, they frowned; it was clear something was happening there.
But for Alex, with progenitor eyes, the fog was not a problem, nor was the distance; he could see clearly what had happened.
"Open the door," Alex said, surprising Blaire and Aurora.
"You want to jump there? Do you have wings or something? We are still some distance away from that location." Aurora replied
"Just open it and prepare for medical treatment when you come down," Alex replied with a firm tone.
Seeing Alex's stern eyes, she felt he would forcefully open the door if she asked one more time, so she opened it.
"Did something happen? Is my wife alright?" Blaire asked.
But Alex didn't answer; after the door opened, he jumped into the air. He then took out the EmberShift hammer and used it to release flames, propelling him toward the smoke.
BOOM! He landed, creating a shockwave that made all the smoke scatter. Alex ignored the dozen squad members; his eyes focused on the chariot.
He could see Lily losing one arm while her body was mangled with many scars. The same also happened with Sasha.
Thankfully, Alex could still feel the life force coming out of them, even though it was feeble and weak, meaning they could still be saved. He turned his gaze toward the rubble of steel; from inside of it, Alex could see only one life force.