Mururunsoft
Online/Offline Compatible Roguelike MO Action + Online Versus Action.
Ai's Memory
Gamepad: L1/R1 to switch pages, L2 to scroll to bottom, R2 to top
The Girl of Flame – Chapter 1
I released a stream of fire from the palm of my hand, sending it in a straight line toward the surface of the water, then slowly bent it left and right. It was easier to control than before, but still far from perfect. I practiced adjusting the intensity, changing its shape, and extinguishing it in an instant.
It had become my nightly routine—quiet training by the stream, all alone. Just in case someone ever saw me, I always wore the cat mask I got at a summer festival long ago, when I went with my little brother. When I wore it, I felt like my mom and dad, now watching from heaven, were still with me...
* * *
I had a strange power—the ability to create fire from nothing. I first became aware of it during a terrifying encounter with demons from another world… that incident changed everything.
I was born in a quiet town nestled in the mountains. My family consisted of my father, mother, little brother, and me. Dad worked at a small local factory; he was good with his hands and sometimes made wooden crafts at home. Mom worked part-time at the town pharmacy and was always looking after our family's health. My brother was still in the lower grades of elementary school—he was younger than me by a few years but always eager to play with me. He was such a sweet, lovable little brother.
That day, we had planned to go to a summer festival together as a family. It was held in a town a bit farther away and was considered a notable event in the area. As we drove along the narrow mountain road that served as a shortcut, Dad cheerfully talked about the festival from the driver's seat, while Mom smiled and said,
"You both look great in your yukatas. I'm sure we'll get some lovely photos."
My brother was excited, chattering nonstop in the backseat about goldfish scooping and shooting games.
When we arrived, the festival was already in full swing. Lanterns lit up the area, taiko drums echoed in the distance, and the voices from the stalls brought the whole place to life. My brother's eyes lit up the moment he saw a stall.
"I want a mask!"
he exclaimed. I shared his excitement and joined him in asking our parents.
"How about matching ones for both of you?"
Dad said with a smile. My brother and I looked at each other and nodded. We chose cat masks that perfectly matched the festival atmosphere and wore them on our heads as we strolled around the shrine grounds.
My brother focused intently at the shooting gallery, aiming for prizes, while I struggled at the goldfish scooping booth. But we all laughed together. Every stall was fun. Every moment was warm. We lost track of time. Eventually, fireworks lit up the night sky, and my brother and I stood hand in hand, watching in awe. Behind us, our parents gently placed their hands on our shoulders and said, "Let's come back again next year." Those words left a warm glow in my chest.
When the festival ended, we started heading home. Dad took the wheel again, and the car was filled with post-festival happiness. My brother proudly showed off the prizes he had won, and I smiled as I held my cat mask. Mom rested peacefully in the passenger seat, eyes closed with a look of contentment.
"That was fun. Let's go again next year!"
Dad said cheerfully.
"Yeah!"
my brother and I replied in unison.
Then, a massive shadow appeared in the middle of the road. Dad hit the brakes—but it was too late. The thing crashed into our car with unbelievable force, and everything flipped upside down. I lost consciousness in an instant.
* * *
When I came to, everything was dark. The car was wrecked. My parents weren't moving. My brother had barely regained consciousness but was clearly terrified.
Then the shadow returned. Under the moonlight, I saw it clearly—a werewolf. A huge, muscular beast straight out of a fantasy world. Behind it stood several other distorted, grotesque figures. They grinned wickedly as they looked down at me and my brother.
We were both badly injured, but one of the monsters pulled out a strange, card-like object. In a flash, our wounds healed, and we could stand again.
Behind the werewolf, a circular gate rimmed with black flames opened. Peering through it, I saw a world of crimson-black vegetation, eerie and foreboding. My brother trembled in fear. I didn't know what to do. The werewolf casually lifted us both into his massive arms and began to carry us toward the gate.
"No! Let me go!"
In that moment, fire erupted from my hand.
The infernal blaze, drawn from something deep within me, engulfed the werewolf and his monstrous companions in an instant. They screamed in pain—pathetic cries, completely at odds with their terrifying appearances. Strangely, the fire avoided my brother, veering around him as if to protect him. I wanted to burn them all to ash...
But then, it happened. A tall woman with demonic wings emerged from the burning gate. She grabbed my brother's hand—and vanished into the portal with him. The gate flickered and disappeared like a mirage.
That was the last thing I saw before all my strength left me—and I fell into darkness.
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The Girl of Flame – Chapter 2
After that, I was taken in by my father's uncle and his wife. They had a son just a few months younger than me, but the whole family welcomed me with open arms.
My uncle was a journalist, often away from home. He was blunt but honest and dependable. My aunt was gentle and warm—though I always sensed a subtle line she drew between "us" and "others." Still, she was kind to those within her circle, and that was enough. In that household, I was able to grow up in peace.
By the time I reached high school, I had naturally become one of the popular kids in my class. People saw me as cheerful and dependable—someone they could count on. I spent my days surrounded by friends, both during breaks and between classes, living a happy school life.
Yet, while most of my classmates joined clubs, I didn't join any. I wasn't interested in cultural clubs, and I turned down every invitation from the sports teams. Somehow, my classmates seemed unbearably fragile to me, and being on the same playing field as them made me feel... guilty. Like I was cheating.
More than anything, though—I had something I had to do.
* * *
Every night, without fail, I snuck out of the house and headed to the nearby stream to train my fire-controlling powers.
Someday, I would storm into that world and take my brother back. To do that, I had to grow stronger. This was my battle. I couldn't drag my uncle, my aunt, or my new little brother into a fight against those monsters.
Tonight, like always, I put on the faded cat mask I got at that long-ago summer festival—and made my way toward the stream.
Around that time, disturbing news reports began appearing more frequently, spreading fear across the country. It started with the brutal slaughter of construction workers at a site, and then similar mass killings began to occur in various places.
Rumors about the culprit ran wild. Some said it was a masked monster with inhuman strength, capable of tearing people apart barehanded. Others whispered about a small demon that accompanied him.
From my memories, I couldn't help but feel that beings from that other world had returned to ours.
This could be my chance.
If I could catch that monster—I could find out how to reach that world!
I vowed to sharpen my powers even further. My nightly training by the stream became more intense by the day.
The heat and brilliance of the flames leaping from my palm reflected my unwavering resolve.
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To be continued...