#❃ ˗ˏˋ➛ sitting by the water with mini | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

afterglowkatie · 8 months ago

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mini and co | k.c.c.

kyra cooney-cross x reader | 1.4k | a day off for the found family, the sun finally making an appearance leading to a mini and co family picnic

ˏˋ°•*⁀ this is part of the pair of pests universe. my favourite found family dynamic

‘Shh, you gotta be quiet. We don’t wanna wake Kyra,’ You whispered crouching down next to Harper, smiling at her little laughs. It was a sunny, warmish day which had you all outside at the park soaking in any bit of sun you could get. Mini and Clara talked about a potential picnic that morning, not fully sure of the idea, though they hadn’t counted on the little ears that had been listening in who definitely wouldn’t let go of the idea. Harper insisted she had to individually call you, Kyra and Charli to join them.

An afternoon of running around playing games trying to wear out the toddler, Kyra had ended up being the one to fall asleep in the sun on the picnic rug. Mini, Clara and Charli in deep conversation paying no mind to you and Harper, you saw this as the perfect opportunity to rope your little shadow into some mischief. The three of you always liked fighting over who was Harper’s favourite, but there wasn’t any doubt that you were her favourite. No matter where you were, she was always next to you.

‘Shh, be quiet,’ Harper loudly whispered, holding her finger up to her lips. You held back a laugh after seeing how serious she was looking at you and then at Charli who had spotted the two of you creeping up on Kyra, full unscrewed water bottle in your hands. She just smirked, rolling her eyes and continued to keep Mini and Clara distracted by the conversation so they couldn’t interrupt yours and Harper's plans.

‘Ready Harps?’ You whispered, the little giggles coming from her were all the confirmation you needed. Helping Harper, you both lifted the water bottle above Kyra, giving a silent countdown before tipping the bottles entire contents onto her. Kyra groaned confused as she sat up looking at herself, her clothes wet before waking up enough to hear the laughter coming from you and Harper. The corners of Kyra’s lips started to form into a small smile hearing you laugh, no matter what she always loved the sound. Though she quickly wiped away any evidence of a smile instead shooting a glare towards the two of you who were laughing so hard you struggled to breathe.

‘Oi, you’ll regret that’ Kyra playfully grumbled while playing along. Quickly sitting up enough to reach out and grab you. Kyra’s arms wrapped around your waist pulling you into her.

‘Oh no! Harper, Kyra’s got me, run and save yourself,’ You dramatically yelled out to her, faux struggling against Kyra knowing you could definitely get yourself free if you wanted to, and pointing in a direction which Harper ran off in away from everyone.

‘No Kywa!’ Harper yelled while running off, Mini following closely behind her trying to hold back her own laughter while shaking her head.

‘Ugh Kyra, you’re all wet,’ Your hands went to hers that were locked around your waist, trying to pull them apart so you could at least sit next to her where you also weren’t getting wet. But she just tightened her hold on you, pulling you even closer, smirking while hearing you protest even more until you finally relaxed into her embrace accepting that Kyra wasn’t letting you go any time soon.

‘I wonder who’s fault that is,’ Kyra rasped out almost into your ear, her head leaning against your shoulder, ‘Don’t dish it if you can’t take it,’ Kyra annoyingly pressed an extra sloppy kiss against your cheek knowing that you’d hate it. Screwing up your face at Kyra you wiped it away onto her arm. She feigned offence at your actions, a faux gasp leaving her lips, you just rolled your eyes.

Looking away from Kyra and back to where Mini was now chasing Harper around the park. You couldn’t deny the way you felt your cheeks heat up when Kyra’s lips found your cheek. It wasn’t an unusual thing to happen, you both often gave each other little kisses on the cheek and forehead. It was the way you showed your affection, despite your friendship being based on teasing, mocking and pranking each other. There were still those soft moments between the pair. The unusual part was how you felt towards it this time. Though Kyra is just your best friend and you wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s a part of you that realises that you don’t have this same internal reaction whenever any of your other close friends show affection towards you. The other part of you, the one that takes over, pushes those thoughts away. For now at least.

‘Who do you think’s gonna win?’ Kyra’s voice pulled you back into reality. You hummed out thinking while watching the scene play out in front of you. It had turned into a game for Harper trying to get away and stay away from her mum for as long as possible.

‘Obviously Harper. You’ve been the one to chase Harps enough that you know Mini is not winning this one,’ Kyra chuckled as did you. You both had been the one chasing after Harper countless times. Toddlers can be fast when they want to be and you both found that out the hard way.

‘You two look quite comfy,’ Charli had moved over to where the two of you were sitting, Clara going to help wrangle the 2 year old. Only then did you notice that Kyra’s grip on you had loosened, definitely enough that if you wanted to move away you could have done so ages ago.

‘Kyra makes a great pillow,’ You laughed out, joking around while leaning your head against Kyra’s shoulder.

‘Oh let me test this out,’ Without warning Charli had laid against Kyra’s side with her head on Kyra’s other shoulder, ‘You’re right. Room for both of us,’ She hummed in agreement. You both laughed while Kyra tried to push Charli off of her.

‘Nah, only for tiny Catley. You get off,’ You rolled your eyes, your unofficial nickname being tiny since you were younger and noticeably shorter than your older sister. That name followed you from even before you were called up for your first seniors camp, so it wasn’t a surprise when you did arrive to everyone calling you tiny or tiny Catley or some variation.

Your heart always did race a little whenever Kyra chose you over anyone else, even if you thought it didn’t mean anything other than you just being her favourite friend, ‘Aw no fair Kywa, I’m your bestfriend too,’ You couldn’t help the laugh that left your lips and shook your body when you heard Charli’s mocking tone and then saw the pout she threw Kyra’s way.

Though before Kyra could successfully get Charli off of her, she found herself at the bottom of not just two bodies but now three, ‘Cuddle!’ Harper yelled while running full force and jumping on the top of all three of you. You opened your arms letting Harper get comfy, while Charli shot Kyra a look of triumph knowing there was no way Kyra would try anything not while Harper was also a part of the pile on top of her.

You stayed like that until Harper had fallen asleep and Mini decided it was probably time for them to head home. While helping pack everything away you noticed Kyra shiver a little, ‘Ky, come with me,’ You didn’t wait for her to respond before you pulled her away from the group towards your car. No other words said to her before you were shoving your arsenal training jumper over her head, ‘You never know when you need a jumper,’ Answering Kyra’s silent question.

‘In some ways you’re just like your Steph,’ Kyra fiddled with the bottom of your jumper that was now on her body, ‘But you’re obviously better,’

‘You should definitely tell her that I’m the better Catley. Gotta knock Steph down a little,’ You both laughed out before being interrupted and brought back to the world when Mini and co. came over to say goodbye and grab Kyra to take her home, ‘I’ll see you at training Ky,’

‘Yeah see you at training,’ Turning around to follow Mini, Kyra couldn’t help but smile to herself. Playing with the bottom of the jumper that was a little bit too small for her, but that didn’t matter, the fact it was yours and you had given it to her for now was all that mattered to Kyra. It was all she could think about on her way home. You were all she could think about on her way home.

#kyra cooney cross x you #kyra cooney cross x reader #kyra cooney cross #auswnt #katrina gorry #charli grant #harper gorry #clara markstedt #awfc #woso #woso one shot #woso community #woso imagine #woso fanfics #woso x reader #woso soccer #woso imagines #womens football

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kyunniebuns · 1 year ago

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˗ˏˋ Solo Leveling Oc: Sung Kiwoo◛⑅·˚ ༘ ♡

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○◦˚𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕘 𝕂𝕚𝕨𝕠𝕠˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

╰┈➤ ❝ [ A Child of Beauty and Glee; The Prince of the Blue Waves.] ¡! ❞

There was a deafening silence around me as I drifted in cold and motionless waters. The sound of a humpback whale interrupted my moment of solitude, so I opened my eyes, only to be met by the empty waters with the sun peeking from above.

It was a beautiful sight.

With the song of the whale drifting all around me— I felt at peace.

…

I sat up, startled and shaken for some reason. The door clicked, and my brother entered.

His jet black hair was unkempt and lazy gray eyes peeked behind them. His initial nonchalance switched to a worried expression as he went over to me.

"Did you have a nightmare again?" Suho asked as he sat on the edge of my bed and placed his hand up against my forehead. "Well, you're not running a fever, that's good."

Ah, right, nightmares.

I was prone to them for some reason. I've always had terrible dreams containing beasts that couldn't be processed by the human mind. They wouldn't do anything, but their empty stares frightens me all the time. In the worst cases, I would wake up running a fever after having those dreams.

"...Not a nightmare" I finally replied. "It was just… Whale songs."

"Whale songs?" Suho cocked up an eyebrow and removed his hand. "Which whale?"

"Megaptera Novaeangliae." I said as I rubbed my eyes.

"English."

"....Humpback Whale."

Suho then just shrugged and ruffled up my bed hair even further before saying with a smile, "At least it's not a bad dream. Now take a shower, mom made pancakes for you."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be down in a bit. You can eat without me" I told him as I got off of my bed and started fixing the sheets.

"Not a chance, baby brother" Suho teased and I threw him a disapproving look.

"I'm only an hour late born after you!" I protested at him, "So don't call me a baby!"

"Sure, sure,..." Brother waved his hand dismissively and approached the door. "Baby brother"

I clicked my tongue, obviously offended at the time baby. I'm going to be 18 soon so how come he still refers to me with that term?!

Sigh.

Well…

I looked up, observing the white walls decorated with various marine animals. One side of the room had a net hung up with shark stuffed toys and starfish, beside it were three jellyfish lamps. Another wall had blue fairy lights with the shapes of various whale species and some stingrays. My desk meanwhile had various little clay jellyfish and whale sharks and a decorative mini blue whale wood carvings. My shelves contained various marine biology books and some law books too.

Okay, I get it. This room is for a baby. But at least my room is well decorated compared to my brother's bland room!

I kept grumbling about incoherent things as I took a shower and wore my uniform. I kept muttering until I went downstairs to where my mother and brother were waiting.

"Kiwoo" My mother greets me with her pretty smile, washing away the tantrum I was throwing because of Suho. "Goodmorning, dear. Come sit down, mom made sure your pancakes are extra fluffy."

"Thanks mommy" I smiled warmly at her then sat down at the table next to my brother. "Is dad out early for today?"

"He's investigating a major case" She replies as she gives me my warm cup of milk along with my plate, making me feel excited at the sight of it. "So he had to leave early, he did tell me to remind you both to be good in school."

"Yes, yes" I said half-heartedly as I started nibbling my food and drinking milk. "Ah… So yummy."

"...You know you're too old for milk and pancakes." Suho playfully nudges me and I shoved a fork-ful of pancake into his mouth.

"Shut up, man" I laughed at him. "Milk is good for a growing boy."

"Baby," He said it like he was correcting me.

"I hope you stub your toe today" I retorted.

"I hope it's you instead," Suho smirked.

"Knock it off boys" Our mother chuckles and pinches our cheeks to make us behave. "You're supposed to watch over each other."

"But he keeps calling me a baby!" I expected her to scold Suho, but instead she snorted and looked away. "Mom!"

"Well, you technically are the baby of the family" She grins prettily again, making me feel more mocked.

"I won" Suho snickers with a smile.

"..."

After a while of playful bickering, we finished up our meal and bid our farewells to our mom. I gave her a kiss on the cheek before following Suho outside the door.

We were a pair of odd brothers really. Rather than discussing school and games— We were instead informing each other about our hyperfixations. While my brother talked about bugs, I rambled endlessly about jellyfish and cetaceans.

It went on like that until we arrived at school.

We were both deathly bored with everything, we didn’t need to talk to each other to know that we were both very sleepy and tired. Suho glanced at me from the corner of his eye by the time the lunch bell rang. So with a sigh, I begrudgingly followed him towards the hall and out into the school.

“Hyung, you better get me a can of juice” I grumbled as I followed him to the back of the school where we could hear the smacking sounds of someone getting hit.

“Yeah, yeah” Suho rolled his eyes as we turned the corner and found Jo Sung-ho getting beat up pretty badly.

“Make it quick” I yawned lazily and leaned on the wall as my brother said some stuff I didn’t bother to understand.

I watched his swift and precise movements that resembled our father but not really. We were both trained by him, and of course the both of us would imitate his fighting style. We’re not quite there yet though, especially me. Although me and my brother are twins coming from the same parents, Suho was far more clever and sharper. I was different, I was slower and took more time in trying to understand things. I’m even stupid enough to the point that my brother needs to explain some jokes to me, if not, it would normally take me an hour or the next day to finally understand jokes.

I was shameful as a child from the Sung family.

Rather than feel proud, I felt so bad for my family who had a kid who had trouble understanding social cues.

Suho finished up the mess and helped Sung-ho up to his feet and told him some stuff before going back to me and slinging his arm over my shoulder.

“Did I make you wait, baby brother?” Suho grins widely as we started walking to where the vending machines were. “Hm, you’re a little down huh? What’s up? You’ve been awfully quiet and you haven't even balled your fists and shook them.

“...Please don’t talk about my stimming like it's a cute thing” I looked at him in a bit of a disapproving way, feeling embarrassed that he is mentioning my habits.

“But it is?” He muses while ruffling my hair. “Don’t be so down now, hyung will get you bunggeoppang after school.”

I nonchalantly nodded my head at his suggestion.

Was today interesting? No. Not one bit. It was a burden even, every teacher already gave the outline of lessons that will be covered for the semester. Normally, students would ignore this and just go on with their day, probably go to the internet cafe or party with friends somewhere. But I had to study them in advance because I’m stupid, I suck at studying. I am bad at understanding things, that’s why I have to do advanced reading back home as soon as I can.

But it seems… That my brother has fallen asleep. He’s in front of me, completely knocked out cold and gone to the world. He looked silly sleeping like this with a drool slightly coming out of his mouth, so I gently wiped it off.

Looking at him from this angle, he really is the spitting image of our father. From the shape of his nose, the thinness of his lips, the way his hair behaves; he really looks like dad, except he had our mother’s eyes. I admired Suho alot, after all, he has an innate talent for martial arts and he inherited dad’s cunning personality and many other aspects from him.

And for that, I am jealous of him.

Do I hate my brother? No, no. Damned will I be if I ever did. I love Suho, so much so that I am willing to bloody my hands for the safety of my older brother.

“Woonie?” Suho sat up, his messy black locks falling over his gray eyes. “Ack… I think I played too many games.”

“Yeah?” I cocked up an eyebrow at him. “Did you have a weird dream?”

“Yes… Dad was in it” Suho rubs his eyes. “I was just so… Bizarre.”

“I see” I stood up and held my hand out to him. “Wanna head home early for today?”

“Y-yeah–” His words were cut off when a girl opened the door and glanced at us.

“Why are you two still here? I’m locking up” She said in a confused tone as she glanced at us. “I’m bout to lock up the rooms”

“Can we join you?” Suho asked.

“Suit yourself”

We then grabbed our bags and proceeded to follow her out of the classroom and helped her lock up the other rooms. I kept glancing at Suho who looked baffled and in a daze.

Just how bad was his dream? Normally it would be me who has a ton of weird dreams and terrifying nightmares. Surely my bad luck with that stuff didn’t pass to him, right?

Even after Suho and her little game of rock-paper-scissors, he would suddenly glance up at the sky as if he felt something. Well I would be lying if I didn’t feel something odd too.

I would have asked, but I also felt a slight shift. There was an unfamiliar scent that lingered. Something in the air suddenly changed, like a small burst of air suddenly washed over the air. There was a tinge of an unpleasant scent.

But we both just ignored it and proceeded to make our way back home. Though I insisted that my brother just forget about his promise, he stubbornly brought me a box of sweets. I couldn’t deny him anymore, so I just sighed and accepted my faith and carried the box back home.

Suho was just so out of it, he was in a complete daze during dinnertime and seemed to be contemplating whatever the hell happened earlier afterclass. I didn’t want to press him any further about what happened, so we just went into our separate rooms.

As always, I sat down immediately on my desk after a quick shower. I started with the hardest subject, which was of course, Calculus. I focused on the subject for five minutes until I felt a strong gust of wind beside me.

There was a huge, blue wall in the shape of an oval, it produced a foul stench. It whirled, humming as it slowly sucked the air around it.

Part of me wanted to run, wanted to scream for my brother.

But most of me,... Wanted to go in.

Somehow, someway, that ‘thing’ feels familiar. Like an old friend from a distant part of my buried memories.

It felt like it was calling me to go back home.

I stood up, walking towards the thing and running my hand along it, watching that limb of mine get sucked in. Before I knew it, I was inside.

The walls were damp and heavy, everywhere was dark. Only the light of the blue torches illuminated the path. It appeared like a tunnel of some sort. It was creepy, but I didn’t feel scared– No, not one bit of me was frightened.

“What would dad do?” I mumbled as I took a torch from the wall and walked around.

I kept a steady pace until eventually I came across a section of the tunnel with weapons hanging around. I placed the torch down and ran my hand around the various weapons.

For some reason, they had weird status windows hovering in front of them.

“A game?” I tilted my head, “How neat.”

There were a number of different weapons to choose from. Greatswords, axes, claymores, shields, bows, lances... And my most favorite weapon of all, daggers. My brother sees these weapons as cowardly. But I always found these things fascinating, I always had a weird magnetic pull towards them. The daggers are just so pretty, fine hilts and black blades with crimson red edges– So I picked those two up.

Light, just as I want my weapons to be.

**Whoosh**

I tilted my head to the side instinctively, the wall in front of me having an arrow. In a split second, I immediately started bouncing back.

Large and imposing figures at least 8 feet tall, bodies made of metal– Knights. 20? No. At Least 50 now that I took a proper look at the back.

Just what the hell are these damn knights doing here?!

“Not playing nice, are we?” I flicked the daggers in my hands for a proper grip. “I’ll bury your damn heads 6 feet under”

So I pushed on my heel, charging head first towards the giant things with the intent to murder.

They didn’t smell like humans, for some reason I could tell.

I stabbed my dagger under their chins, with others, I crushed them by giving them consistent and brutal blows.

Level Up!

“???” I panted, looking at the status window in front of me which had some numbers.

Name: Sung Kiwoo

Level: 5

Fatigue: 15

Job: NONE

Title: NONE

Mp:15

Strength: 15

Agility: 15

Sense: 15

Vitality:15

Intelligence:15

Remaining points: 8

“So it really is like a game…” I said as I rolled my shoulders and cracked my knuckles. “I need to be extremely careful, I don’t know what will happen if I die here.”

As fun as this thing was, I was worried what would happen. This is an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar sceneries. Everything was eerie and dark, whatever these knight things were– They are after me and they want my blood.

And for that, I need to be out for their blood too.

I’m just trying to survive after all.

I still have a family waiting for me to come home.

Bloodying my hands is just a necessary thing to do for the sake of my survival. I’ll do what I need to do.

I pressed on, leveling up everytime I took down more knights. I stripped off my dress shirt, leaving only my tank top after the wave of hollow knights stopped.

“That’s one big door.” I mutter as I glance up at a giant door.

It looked old, with the cracks and the cut off patterns all around it. I traced my fingers around it, feeling the embedded patterns.

Something is in there.

And that something was strong, I could tell with just the way my heart was thumping and the feeling of my blood pumping uncontrollably.

I took a deep sigh, opening my eyes before ultimately pushing it open.

The room was dark, almost pitch black if it weren't for the blue torches lighting up the area weakly. But that wasn’ what I was worried about– No, no. Not that.

At the far end of the corner stood a throne, and upon that throne sat a figure with a body of black flames so to speak. It looked like a knight, with how casual and lazy it looks, I felt like it was taunting me with its stance. The knight then stood up and took a hold of it’s claymore standing by the side.

I prepared my stance– ????????

“Huh? Huh????” I sat up exasperated, looking around in a panicked manner before feeling my chest up. “What?”

‘Did that knight just murder me?!’ I thought, scratching my nape before getting up and looking around.

“Isn’t this where I started?” I looked around me, seeing the familiar patterns “Ngh… Not again, I don’t wanna deal with those bloody knights.”

….

I woke up again, still in the same spot.

“Oh, come on!” I groaned, laying down on the floor again and kicked my feet up in frustration “That damn thing is so powerful, what the hell am I supposed to do?!”

That knight is way too fast, it’s godforsaken claymore puts me at a huge disadvantage with my short-ranged weapon. As much as I love daggers, it’s not cutting it out for me. Of course, it could be a skill issue but if that’s the case then I’ll be getting nowhere! I need to do something, I want a weapon that is both short ranged and long-ranged.

A sword would be good, but I don’t like the stats of the swords I saw.

A lance is passable, but I don’t want it.

I pondered for a while before approaching the weapon hallway again and picked out a pair of daggers, with the intention of trying out something

“Where are you, where are you?” I murmured as I looked around before ultimately yanking something off of the wall. “Bingo.”

I then sat down on the floor, holding the long and cold chains. I honestly don’t know why there are plain chains amidst the line of great and giant weapons. But maybe because it has quite good stats? Either way I’m glad it's here.

I made small holes at the edge of the hilts before inserting the ends of the chains I had opened before forcibly closing it. I stood up again, wrapping the chains around my arms.

“Oh? Their stats had mixed with just tinkering them like this?” I hummed, before shaking my head and then looking up at the horde of knights marching towards me. “Good,”

I pressed on my heel, launching myself towards the creatures with outrageous speed.

“You bastards are gonna help me test out my new toys.”

Level Up!

I don’t know how many levels I climbed with how much I lost myself in battle. I panted, standing atop of a pile of corpses from the hollow knights I slayed. I had some cuts here and there. My fatigue was up to 80, but why is it that I don’t feel that tired? The more I breathed, the more I felt alive and hyperaware.

“Now, it’s your turn” I looked up at the tall and condescending door.

Now that I think about it, it seemed to glare at me. As if these doors had a pair of eyes judging every fiber of my being. Was I afraid? No. Why should I?

Those eyes should be fearing me instead with how I’m gonna lay that thing behind those doors to rest.

I opened the door, and of course that knight was waiting for me.

“Sorry to keep you waiting” I pressed on my heel again and charged forward. “I wanted to make sure I’ll beat you this time”

The knight seemed a bit flustered at my sudden advances as it jumped back the moment I striked towards it’s stomach. I threw my dagger towards it, the blade circling arm– I flicked the chains, causing a reaction that hurled the knight onto the ceiling.

But I knew that it wasn’t enough to beat that thing.

And surely enough, it started hurling towards me again.

We shared intense blows, sparks and flames sizzled out with each impact shared along with static bursts of electricity.

That knight is still way stronger than me, of course it is. Compared to that thing—I know I'm at least a hundred years way younger to actually expect I would win against it easily.

But I guess that is what made it more exciting. The fact that I am facing something ancient and unknown. It's making my heart race uncontrollably and I feel more excited to beat it. The adrenaline is pumping, I feel alive. My fatigue is at 90 but why the hell does it feel so good right now?

I don't know how I did it, but I managed to swiftly dodge the knight's sword blast thing before closing in on the opening and stabbing my dagger up its chin.

Of course, it dispersed in an instant like a bubble bursting into nothingness.

"I WON!" I yelled out, jumping on my feet excitedly while swinging my arms happily. "Holy crap I actually did it!"

Level Up!

"Uwaahaaa!!!" I kept jumping as more dings ran into my ears. "Come to me you sweet little thing!"

I celebrated widely.

But for a brief moment, I recalled that knight's dying face. It looked at me… So tenderly? It felt like it was a father looking at its child at some point. Maybe it was just my eyes playing tricks on me. Either way, I jumped around in pure bliss until another oval white and blue thing appeared.

“Is it over or am I going home?” I tilted my head curiously. “I wanna go home and eat cake…”

I take another heavy sigh before entering the thing again.

What greeted me was the intense blaze of the buildings, the sight was like I’m inside the hottest place of hell. It was rather amusing to see really, the ruins were all quite pretty to look at. My attention then goes towards a three headed cerberus, a cute creature to be honest. When I had my mythology phase, it was one of my most favorite creatures aside from Jörmungandr.

But why did it’s face pale when it took a good look at me? As if its three souls got knocked out of it.

“Bye?” I said to the Cerberus, which caused it to flinch and whimper while scurrying away.

I rolled my shoulder again, before continuing forward.

As I pushed through the hot blazing flames and took down monsters back-to-back, I remembered what my father had told me: “Don’t expect too much, Kiwoo. The reason why you’re always so disappointed is because you set the bars at an unnecessarily high standard.”

I should have listened to my father.

Because damn it am I so pissed right now because of how boring and bland monsters thrown at me were. I had expected more monsters to be like that knight I defeated. It’s so infuriating that it’s suddenly so easy to beat everything.

But I know better than to lower my guard, the moment I slip up cause me my doom. If this was an ordinary game– Well, it still is a game, but the point is, if I die right now, I might be a real goner. So I still need to stay vigilant no matter how easy things are right now. This might just be a rest period for me to relax to prepare for the next stage which would undoubtedly be a far more intense one than that knight.

It’s still frustrating me though, I’m leveling up slower than usual and it pisses me off.

I eventually climbed all 100 floors until the final oval thing.

The moment I went in, my chains shot out and wrapped around the demon in front of me. I hurled the creature towards me.

I raised my dagger, about to plunge it down the demon until it shrieked.

"Wait, wait, wait!" She(?) shrieked and I immediately stopped.

"????"

“Hahaha… You truly are of monarch bloodline, you didn’t even struggle as much even though you don’t have any shadow soldiers.” The demon girl speaks with a nervous smile as I uncoil her from my chains. “You two really are alike, managing to make it this far with just a few attempts at tremendous speed. Time truly passes by so fast”

‘Monarch? Shadow Soldiers? You two?”

“Excuse me?...” I cocked my head to the side.

“Nothing, nothing ” She shook her head. “I am Esil, daughter to the demon clan.”

“Kiwoo.”

“Such a pretty name” Esil says, her eyes having this glimmer in them that I found quite unusual since she is a demon. “Ah, right, we also have a banquet–”

“Sorry, I can’t go” I shook my head, trying to be as polite as I could with the demon girl. “I’m too young to drink and I don’t like the smell of alcohol along with being in a crowd.”

“Ah…” She frowns, but smiles right after. “Of course”

“I’ll try to come next time, if I ever come back. I can’t promise you though”

“What a shame…”

“Before I go,” I then point out at the portal thing “Can you tell me what those things are?”

She nodded eagerly.

I listened to what she has told me, to what the monsters are and the purpose of these gates. It was really like a game just as I had suspected, it was quite surreal. Well, everything that happened up to now is like a dream. Skill, stats, all that stuff– It felt like maybe I’m having a psychotic episode and that this is all just in my head. I wanted it to be that way on a surface level.

“I’m heading off” I say, politely walking past her. “I’ll see you later, auntie Esil”

Auntie?

The words had slipped out of my mouth and I couldn’t control it, it was as if it were a habit to call her that even though I don’t exactly know who she is. But regardless, that slip up I made seemed to have pleased her, since her features softened and looked more human.

I gave her one last smile, before entering the gate.

As soon as I entered the thing, swarms of ants would lunge themselves towards my direction. I knew better than to be distracted while in the middle of a fight, but truly, I cannot help but wonder what my brother would feel if he saw these massive creatures. He always had a fascination for bugs after all.

“I’m starting to miss my hyung” I mutter to myself as I open the tall doors in front of me. “I wonder if he is sleeping well right now”

**Sniff** **Sniff** **Kieekkk**

Right in front of me was a much larger and more humanoid looking ant with wings. I wanted to try and remember its specific species but… Why is it crying?

It pushed itself towards me, striking with such speed and precision I almost lost my footing. But my reaction was quite fast, so I managed to somehow keep up.

…. Why is it still crying?

Ahjussi, you’re really making me feel bad with those tears…

It’s like I’m watching someone have the worst case scenario of mental breakdown, I can’t tell if it’s happy tears or sad tears. Has my brother ever mentioned anything about ants crying? No, I’m sure he never did. Can bugs even cry? Maybe I should ask him.

“Kieeekk… I lost again” It says before pathetically plomping down on the floor like a pancake.

“H-hey” I tried calling out but it’s body disintegrated into the shadows beneath it’s mentally-broken mind and body. The dings of my level going up in large numbers rang on and on for a bit as a new gate whirred.

“I hope you feel better” I really felt bad, I really did, so I patted the floor where the ant disappeared to somehow make it feel at ease.

Was it a stupid move? Of course.

Will I do it again? You bet.

And so I head to my next destination, growing tired because of the continuous adrenaline rush.

I thought I would really be resting now, but now I’m in front of titans standing tall like skyscrapers. Giant orcs and dragons. DRAGONS.

Oh how I wanted to leap up in the air and celebrate like a madman right there and then but I wasn’t even given a headstart as the beasts jumped at me all at once!

What the hell is with this realm anyway? Why is everyone jumping at me left and right? Have I wronged anyone here in some way shape or form? I mean yeah, I’m basically an alien here but god, can’t they at least have mercy and let me breathe even for just a while?!

God they just keep coming one after another, I swear the beasts all looked different but somehow everything is starting to look black and purple at the same time! Is my head going even madder when I’m already losing my mind this much?

“Huh, what was that?” I blurted out randomly as I sent a blackened soldier flying.

I wanted to take a breather, I really did, but suddenly there was an unexplainable pressure on my body. It hurt.

It hurts

IT HURTS

IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS!

I was on the floor, glued to the soil as gravity pulled me down further.

“You, it’s you isn’t it?” I looked at another creature that was wielding a staff flying in the air.

I need to beat that thing.

“Crap.”

The various mouths of dragons fling about opened their jaws, charging up incoming attacks that will surely end me if I do nothing

‘Hahh…. You really wont let me rest, huh?’

A burst of energy would come through, I broke free of the pressure somehow and lunged towards the dragons, effectively killing each one with relative speed. As their corpses fell one after another, I hanged onto a ledge, breathing heavily.

Then, that orc mage… Whatever it is– pointed it’s staff towards me and blasted a massive fireball. I dodged it narrowly, with a huge explosion coming behind me.

“!!!!!” If that thing had hit me I would have been an overcooked fried goldfish.

Why is everyone and everything around me trying to murder me?...

‘Focus,... Focus, Sung Kiwoo!’ My father's voice would boom inside my head.

Deep breaths, deep breaths, at ease, deep breaths.

“Huu….” I sighed for a moment

“Control, I need to control myself more, speed and strength aren’t enough” I gritted my teeth. “Focus, Kiwoo!”

Another burst of energy would come forth again and I charged towards him.

It was a blur, everything was too fast and I felt like I’m about to faint. But I knew it wasn’t over when I slashed that orc in half. Another presence would come forth, I felt light headed as the giant shadow started mumbling stuff. I couldn't even feel my legs when we fought.

And before I knew it, I said: “You, where’s the master?”

“...” The shadow looks at me, his sword stabbed on the floor as I pointed a dagger on his throat.

“Is your master a shadow too like you? Will it refer to me as little monarch too?” I asked, glancing up at the sky to find a dragon circling in the sky like a hawk. “There you are”

As magnificent and elegant that dragon made of mist was, I was glaring at the figure perched on its back. Sensing my acknowledgement, it leapt up in the air and aimed for me. I lifted the flat of my blade, blocking its foot.

The attack was heavy, causing my feet to sink and create a crater. It leapt up in the air again and landed gracefully in front.

“Wait, you’re a woman…” I muttered, looking at her figure donned with an outfit like she was a saintess.

Her face was hidden under the shadow of her hood, making her look more angelic and pretty. As if I was in front of a goddess.

“N-noona” I call out, stammering and causing her to flinch a bit. “Can you get me out of here? My parents and brother must be really worried about me now. As much as I like the thrill of fighting, I think my disappearance is causing them a lot of pain.”

She froze, I could tell with the way her pretty lips quivered and trembled. It felt like she was contemplating. She was hesitating. I didn’t say anything for a while and let her ponder before ultimately charging towards me.

I swallowed down, blocking her incoming attacks that were incredibly devastating

She was so fast and nimble, that raw strength she landed on me was so heavy I swear my bones must be shattering with every blow.

But… She was beautiful.

Every strike is calculated, she charges forward when I go on offense and redirects my attacks so that it would backfire on me. Her blade stings me but hell, I wanted more cuts. I wanted to learn more. Even though my body is already pushed to its limits and I feel like I’ll die any second now– I wanted to see her movements more, it was like she’s a flower dancing so gracefully amidst the hammering blizzard. It’s like I’m watching a ballet performance in a ruined theater.

I would bleed from every part of me, I was leaking a pool of blood, and at the end... I was on the floor, kneeling while the tip of her blade was pointed on my throat. Her robes fluttered so prettily that I could only stare at her.

“Noona, can I be like you?” I ask absentmindedly. “Can I be beautiful like you too?”

I felt the blade tremble on my neck and she dropped her blade before hugging me.

“You silly child, why are you still like this even though you’re such a big boy now?” Her voice was familiar.

“Mom?”

“Too early, you’re still too young, you need to remain oblivious and sweet.”

“H-hey wait, Mom–”

But either way, I was thrown into a gate from god knows where and I jolted awake in my bed sweating and hyperventilating.

“.....”

“I played too many games that my dreams are all messed up” I mutter, ruffling my hair in confusion.

That dream was too confusing that I immediately headed into Suho’s room without thinking. As expected, he immediately opened the door the moment I knocked.

“Kiwoo, it’s already midnight why–” I cut him off

“I’m not gonna sleep alone tonight, can I stay here?”

“Nightmare?”

“No?... It was just wild, I need some comfort”

“You too I guess”

No words were further exchanged as I crashed onto his bed and Suho followed by sitting at the edge. I thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to sleep anymore because going through that hell is making me a bit anxious.

But in the end, I was dreaming again.

Once more, I’m drifting along the waters. It’s cold but comforting. The whales are singing for me again.

“My ocean is empty”

…

“I wonder if I grow a little more, will this abyss be full of life? Can I turn it into a lush coral reef? Will fish of various species swim around with apex predators around too? Will cetaceans appear here? Dolphins leaping up in the air and with more whales singing and clicking for me? I want to dance above the waters…”

“ I want the ocean to be my stage and the marine life as my audience,... I want to be beautiful.”

#∞ ₒ ˚ ° 📎— kyunnya speaks #kiwoo sung #⋆˙⟡♡☁️— kyuu kyuu's ocs #a self indulgent fic

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