Parallel Memory

[5 years ago]

My name is Hiro Ernest, and I am 10 years old.

Everything was peaceful and happy for the once Ernest family. We were not the most powerful or had the most luxurious lives, but with Rank-B and Rank-C mothers, we could afford to stay in the city and eat until full.

I had a cute little sister and I myself was not that terrible of a talent. With time, it seemed that I could even reach the rank of my father.

The life that I cherish and thought would continue forever was crushed in one night.

However, that evening turned everything into his nightmare.

"Hmmm~"

I went home happy as I walked.

As usual, I was back from school and my father and mother didn't have any dungeon raids and stayed at home. This was probably the reason why I was happy.

Most of the time, my father would be away on the dungeon raids and sometimes even my mother would join in. Consequently, it was a very precious time for me.

-CREAK!

"I am home!"

"Welcome, BROTHER~"

Welcoming Hiro was a cute little sister of Hiro.

"I am back, Mine!"

Mine, which was short for Minerva, the name of his sister. She immediately jumped and hugged Hiro.

"Did you have fun?"

"Yes~ Today, I went to the park with my dad. And I bought Ice cream… and then… "

Mine continued talking about all the things that she did with her father. She probably had the fun of her life looking at her excited face.

Hiro took a shower and came down to have dinner. It has been too long since all the members of the family were present.

"Hiro, what did you do today?"

Hiro's mom asked after dinner. By the similarity between Hiro's mom and Hiro's question, it is clear that Hiro learned that from his mother.

"Mom, today was super fun at school. We were shown images of mana plants. They were so beautiful."

Hiro happily talked about his school while his little sister tucked herself into his leg. It was a moment of happiness for a family of four.

His father told countless stories of his deeds, boasting about his strength. It was a perfect day for Hiro.

However, not all things last forever, especially happy times.

-BOOM!

While they were happily talking, someone blasted their door open.

Hiro's parents immediately covered their children underneath their bodies while they used the mana shield to prevent any damage.

"WHAT??? What is happening dad?"

Hiro, who was a fun-loving individual at that time, could not remain calm in the face of the situation. He could have cried and screamed if not for being in his father's arms.

~WEEPING!

However, his sister who was just 8 years old was scared out of her mind and immediately yelped at the top of her lungs.

"~It is okay, little one. Just sleep for a little bit and when you wake up, everything is going to be alright!"

Hiro's mother using her spell made Mine sleep. She then handed over her to Hiro while taking out her staff.

With the explosion of the door, both Hiro's father and mother knew that the people who had done that were not friendly.

Unlike Hiro who could only think of monsters as intruders, Hiro's father and mother could sense Dark Energy being used.

They knew that they were dealing with the enemies of humanity. They quickly pressed the emergency button, which alerted the guild that they were in danger.

Then they put Hiro and Mina inside the hidden room of the dining room.

"Hiro, can you promise me that you would not make a sound and stay here protecting Mine until we come back?"

Hiro's mother gently asked.

Hiro, who didn't know the situation and was frankly scared to death, could not say yes to his mother. He tried to gather his courage and do what his mother wanted but his fear was real and he could not betray what he was truly feeling.

"Don't worry! Your mother and I will beat up those bad guys quickly and come back."

Hiro's father said.

He honestly doesn't want to leave his child alone either but considering the situation, they would only be in more danger with them.

Hiro, who could see his father's confident smile, gained some confidence and he slowly nodded his head.

They hesitantly turned their heads away and went to meet their nemesis.

Hiro, who idolized his father, thought that his father would easily defeat those monsters and come back quickly.

Which never happened!

That night, what was supposed to be a happy family night dramatically changed Hiro's life forever!

-TAP! -TAP!

After the explosion subsided, the sound of multiple people entering the house was heard.

[ [" Horizon Split"] ]

Hiro's parents attacked the Devils immediately when the Devils had just entered the house. Having executed the sneak attack, they had managed to take out two Rank-C Devils in one move.

The Devils who were all casually entering instantly became more alert. They were numerous and there were many Rank-C Devils.

Luckily for them, it was just the Rank-C Devils. With Hiro's father Rank-B's strength, they had hope of surviving.

However, they knew that wasn't going to be easy when they had to battle 20 or so Devils. Even with Rank-B strength, there was no guarantee that they would succeed.

"You must be the Ernest family?"

An extremely powerful voice ran throughout the room and from behind the Devils, one Devil man made his way towards Hiro's parents.

Seeing that all the Devils were respectful and bowed toward him, Hiro's parents immediately put up their guard.

They knew that those Devils only showed respect to those who are more powerful than themselves. Since even the Rank-C + Devil showed respect to her, Hiro's parents knew that the Devil that appeared is extremely strong.

However, contrary to what Hiro's parents believed, the Devil man didn't attack them. He was staring at and examining them as if they were artifacts.

Hiro's parents stayed in their defensive position while keeping their guards up. Neither of them acted recklessly and attacked him.

Right now, they need as much time as they can. They know that their guild member will come there and help them if they can hold on.

The Devil man with red eyes was transformed into eyes with a line. Hiro's parents knew that the Devil man was using some kind of inspection skill but then also they didn't fight back.

As long as the Devil man remained still without fighting, it was a good thing for them. Also, they know that the Devil man was a Rank-B Devil. With him, Hiro's father's advantage of being Rank-B was gone.

If they fought, Hiro's parents knew that they would have no chance.

"Huh? You two don't have it."

The Devil man finally said something after looking at them for a minute.

"Are you two really Ernest?"

The Devil man asked again.

Hiro's parents didn't really understand why the Devil man was hell-bent on them being the Ernest family but those two didn't reply.

Giving information to the enemies was akin to helping them. Even if they don't know why they are confirming something that the devils could have before entering this house, they didn't answer.

"Not answering?"

The Devil man sounded irritated.

"Fine!"

He raised his hand signaling her subordinate to take action.

Anyways, he has done his fair share of research and knows that this is the right residence.

"I know that you are Ernest. But you two don't have it. Where are your children?"

Before the fight started, the Devil asked another question.

Hiro's parents don't know what they are trying to search for, but when the topic of their children came up, they became extremely defensive and aggressive.

They had no intention of telling anything to the Devils. And when they knew that their next target was their kids, both parents were ready to take them down.

-CLANK! -CLANK! -SLASH!

Because the Rank-B Devil was not joining the fight, Hiro's father used his Rank-B strength to take out several Devils.

Both sides entered into full power mode as they fought vigorously. However, obviously, since their kids were hiding in the kitchen, Hiro's parents made sure not to have any attack go that way.

The techniques they use are less destructive and more stabbing. While also canceling the enemy's attack that went that way.

However, under such a restricted environment plus the numerous opponents, Hiro's father was soon getting tired and even with his wife's help, the fight seemed to be tilting towards the devil's side.

"You two can make this a whole lot easier! Kyaaaa~"

The Devil man said while sneering. He didn't seem to care for the devils that had been killed nor did he mean what he said at all.

Rather he seemed to enjoy the destruction and all the chaos this fight has caused and looked like he wanted it to continue forever. He was like a man who is high on drugs.

The devil was an absolute psycho who loved chaos!