The bright morning light poured through the large windows overlooking the training grounds of the military base. Inside the eastern gym complex, the rhythmic sound of weights clashing and heavy breathing echoed. Sweat dripped from Sofia's chin, lingering for a mont before falling to the glossy black floor. She wore a white sports bra and dark gray leggings that showed her lean yet powerful muscles.
To anyone watching, Sofia was a girl with a holy aura—gentle, calm, and light itself. But at this mont, she was lifting 150 kilograms as easily as if it were a basket of vegetables at the market.
The clink of tal resounded as she placed the barbell back on its rack. She sat on the bench and took a deep breath, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling.
But her mind wasn't here.
Not in the gym.
Not in the base.
Her thoughts were still trapped in one event—the siege on that zombie witch. An event that should never have happened. One that continued to haunt her heart.
"I failed... to stop them," Sofia whispered internally. Her fingers clenched tightly on her thighs.
She knew the military had grown wary of that zombie. But still, they shouldn't have attacked without warning. she had never attacked them first. Even when surrounded, she chose to hold back... until provoked.
And Sofia couldn't do a thing.
She lowered her head, her golden hair damp with sweat covering part of her face. Her lower teeth bit into her upper lip. Her heart felt like it was being twisted.
"Finished training already?" a gentle male voice called out. A mber of her team, a bespectacled man with a dium build, approached carrying a sheet of paper.
"Victor..." Sofia nodded faintly, then grabbed a small towel and wiped her neck. "You done with the appraisal?"
Victor nodded. "Yeah, took a while, but I got it. Here's your updated status."
He handed over a neatly handwritten paper. Sofia accepted it and read through it slowly, her eyes widening slightly at the numbers.
[STATUS – Sofia Lichtwald]
Race: Human (Awakened)
Elent: Light
Level: 18
Stats
HP: 4,300 / 4,300
MP: 1,800 / 1,800
STR: 810
VIT: 700
INT: 920
AGI: 650
LUK: 530
Skills
~ Radiant Heal (7/20)
~ Light Lance (6/20)
~ Sanctuary Field (4/10)
~ Blinding Step (2/10)
~ Mana Control (Passive)
~ Light Blessing (Passive)
Titles
~ Chosen of Light
~ Holy Acolyte
~ Survivor of the Fall
Sofia stared at the numbers in silence. Her stats had grown significantly compared to a few weeks ago. She knew all the hard training and battles had paid off... but why did her heart still feel empty?
Victor sighed and sat on the bench beside her.
"Sofia, no one could've predicted how the world would change. We all... react in the ways we're capable of. You... didn't have the power to override military orders. You're not a general."
"But I could've spoken up. I could've stood in front of them, and... and—"
"You did speak up. We all know that. Even the Major knew you opposed the decision. But this world isn't fair. You know that, right?"
Sofia closed her eyes.
She knew. This world wasn't fair. It wasn't a place for gentle goodness... not anymore.
And yet, the guilt gnawed at her bit by bit, every night, every morning.
"Do you want to see that zombie girl again?" Victor asked suddenly.
Sofia was silent, then slowly nodded.
"I want... to apologize to her. And if possible... walk beside her. Help her. Not just watch from a far."
Victor looked at the girl with both admiration and sympathy. Then he stood, patting her shoulder.
"Then keep training. And don't just get strong... beco soone who can stand up to anyone—even the military—without backing down."
Sofia looked at Victor and nodded. "Thank you."
After the man left, Sofia stood once more. She grabbed another barbell. 160 kilograms. She took a deep breath, then lifted it—lighter than before.
Her body might not yet strength.
But her heart... had started to rediscover its purpose.
I'll et that zombie girl again. And when that ti cos... I want to look her in the eye—not with guilt—but with resolve.
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