Until just yesterday, the Awakeners trapped on the third underground floor were in a position where they had to fight each other upon encounter. In the face of the harsh reality that not killing the other meant their own death, any friendship or dialogue was meaningless.

However, now they were using their powers not to kill each other, but to save one another.

"Watch out over there!"

"Ah, thank you Thank you."

"No, it's nothing"

An Awakener, who almost got caught by a monster's extended limb, was saved by the power of another Awakener. Both the rescuer and the rescued awkwardly avoided each other's gaze, but did not forget to express their gratitude.

As time passed, the greetings they exchanged gradually gained more sincerity. Helping each other led to more shared glances, and strangely, a warm and tingling feeling grew inside their hearts.

It was a camaraderie born from facing the same enemy and enduring the same hardships.

Until Kishiar reminded them to forget that they were once enemies, such feelings did not exist. The Awakeners, who understood his words intellectually but not emotionally, eventually began to accept them sincerely.

They fought shoulder to shoulder outside the arena they thought they could only leave in death, effectively countering the monsters. Despite being new to this style of combat, they were surprisingly effective by simply following Kishiar's instructions. Though some were in danger due to unfamiliarity with their powers, there was no significant concern.

Two members of the Cavalry at the forefront, back to back in battle, were performing feats worth a hundred soldiers.

Their fight was truly remarkable. Armed with nothing more than an ordinary sword, the attacks they unleashed were incomparably powerful. Watching them, each guarding the other's back, fighting more monsters than anyone, one could forget what they were doing, so captivating was the sight.

A tall man would entangle a monster's approaching limb, while a man with black hair would find and precisely strike a hidden weak point amidst the writhing limbs. Conversely, when the black-haired man used his powers to manipulate debris and elements to thwart the monsters, the tall man would return from slaying others and swiftly dispatch them with concise movements.

The black-haired man, though not directly attacking the monsters with anything but his sword, was still a formidable threat to the enemy. This was possible because the tall man moved in perfect harmony with him, like a pair of smoothly functioning weapons.

Without a single word exchanged, they assisted each other's movements so quickly and accurately that most Awakeners could not fully grasp what abilities they were using or how.

Despite their seemingly different styles, there was a peculiar similarity in their fighting, perhaps because they both belonged to the same Cavalry.

It was an enigma, but their fearless and overwhelming combat inspired courage in others.

With a screeching cry, the last of the monsters fell. It had been thrown into disarray by the Awakeners' sonic attacks, losing direction and rampaging, only to be taken down by a combined attack from the black-haired man and the tall man.

Wow!

As the monster fell with a thud, the Awakeners, as if by some unspoken agreement, let out cries of joy and embraced each other.

The surroundings were a mess, but no further damage to the buildings and no casualties among the Awakeners meant it was indeed a perfect victory.

Yuder, looking back at the cheering Awakeners, sheathed his sword. Kishiar, standing where he turned, smiled silently at him.

Yuder deeply exhaled, still feeling the aftermath of the battle. It was rare for him to feel good after a fight, but this time was different. The sensation of his blood boiling from head to toe, fiercely pounding his heart, was an incomparable thrill and pleasure.

It was undoubtedly because of Kishiar La Orr.

He had undergone various trainings with the Cavalry, but never had he fought in sync with someone like this. It was the same in his previous life.

However, the sensation of their backs meeting for the first time wasn't the slightest bit awkward, and the warmth brushing by his side allowed him to immerse deeper into the battle. Kishiar, not using sword aura but merely an old, rusted sword and the push and pull power, perfectly matched Yuder's pace.

Considering Kishiar's scarce experience in direct combat, it was truly unbelievable.

Is it strange to say I feel good after directly engaging in battle for almost the first time?

Then, Kishiar quietly whispered something not much different from Yuder's thoughts.

Yuder, feeling as if his thoughts were read, slowly shook his head.

It's not strange. ...I feel the same.

A clear, refreshing smile soon appeared on Kishiar's face, who had his eyes slightly widened.

Right.

For a moment, Yuder wished to see the real face of the smiling man.

But part of him was also relieved it didn't happen. If he had faced that face while his blood was still hot, he might have kissed him, unable to resist. A fierce satisfaction and ravenous longing simultaneously scratched the pit of his stomach before fading away.

It was partly due to the scream heard from afar.

Aaargh!

Yuder turned his head.

Due to his power, the movement toward the exit was blocked. A commotion arose from Nukijo and his subordinates, who had been evading the monster's attacks.

Approaching, he saw Nukijo stabbed and collapsed, the perpetrator being one of his subordinates who had tried to flee with him. The man, battered and bruised, glared at Nukijo.

You tried to save yourself by sacrificing us...?

Throughout the battle with the monster, Nukijo had pushed his subordinates to death to save himself whenever he felt endangered. The one who stabbed him had been the last remaining, having nearly been caught and killed by the monster in Nukijo's stead.

In a desperate struggle to not die, he wrestled with Nukijo, who was pushing him towards the monster. In the chaotic fight, both nearly faced death several times, but the younger and stronger subordinate seized an opportunity first.

Taking advantage of the moment when Yuder, Kishiar, and the other Awakeners had finished off the monster, he pushed Nukijo down, grabbed a fallen sword, and stabbed him with all his might. It was a fatal wound, right in the center of the chest.

As Yuder and Kishiar approached, he discarded his weapon and surrendered, saying that he had taken care of Nukijo, who deserved to be killed, so please spare him.

Yuder looked down at Nukijo, who seemed on the verge of losing his breath, and furrowed his brow.

Reaping what he sowed.

"Please... save me... I beg you..."

Recognizing Yuder approaching, Nukijo, with a hand pressed over a blood-gushing wound, begged for his life. However, considering the flow of blood and the wound, even a priest with healing powers akin to Lusan would struggle to save him.

When Yuder remained silent, Nukijo continued in a gasping voice.

"The information... you wanted... I'll tell you... That Durban, those women..."

"..."

"The name... Re, Regina... she, can, make herself invisible... wouldn't let her escape... she just, went outside... Save me, and I'll tell you who..."

Nukijo, struggling to speak, suddenly fell silent. Yuder waited, but no further words came. He realized that Nukijo had stopped breathing and frowned.

To die mid-sentence, eyes wide open - it was a pitiful and hollow death.

Yuder, looking down at Nukijo's corpse, turned to his subordinate, who still held a posture of surrender.

"Nukijo mentioned a person named Regina, an Awakener with the ability to become invisible. Do you know anything about her?"

The subordinate, unaware that Regina was an Awakener, knew quite a bit about her. To save his own life, he revealed everything he knew.

According to him, Regina's real name was Cyregina. He did not mention her being from Durban, but the name itself was common there, so those who heard it guessed her origin.

"She never listened to anyone but Nukijo. She said following Nukijo's orders was the only way to gain permission to descend to the third basement and get promoted, so she did all kinds of dirty work. She often got beaten for not doing well, though..."

Regina was competent in handling VIP guests but showed little enthusiasm in recruiting new Awakeners. The Awakeners she managed often failed to show up at the arena or realized something was amiss and tried to escape, causing trouble.

As a result, Regina was frequently beaten by Nukijo. Sometimes to the point of breaking bones, but she never cried or ran away, stubbornly obeying Nukijo to an exasperating extent.

'Permission to the third basement. The abilities of Reneve and Cyregina... Yes. I'm beginning to understand.'