While all of that was unfolding underground, on the surface, Lefiya and Riveria stood in front of the hidden door on the floor where Kael had fallen. The magical marks still glowed faintly around the frame, but no spell, technique, or tool could force it open.
"Come on… come on…" Lefiya muttered desperately, attempting another unlocking spell that fizzled uselessly in the air.
Riveria stood in calm silence, watching her. She had already tried everything—tracing magical signals, pouring mana into the doorframe, even attempting to detect Dix's energy—but the place Kael had fallen into was cloaked by a barrier so dark and powerful that even her deep connection to mana was completely severed.
"We can't stay here. If we keep wasting magic without a plan, we'll only drain ourselves," Riveria said finally, her voice a mix of resignation and firm resolve. "We must return to Rivira. Once the others arrive, we can try again—properly."
"I don't want to give up!" Lefiya shouted, clenching her fists as tears welled in her eyes. "I can't even help the one who saved my life! I can't even save him! I'm… I'm useless!"
Riveria stepped forward and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. Her gaze softened.
"Lefiya… true strength isn't never failing. It's knowing when to ask for help. We all depend on others at some point. Finn and the others are on their way. Once they reach the 18th Floor, we'll have a real chance."
Riveria's words, soft yet grounded in experience, made Lefiya lower her head. She took a deep breath. Dwelling in guilt would serve no purpose now.
"You're right. Let's go. And when the time comes… I won't fail."
The two turned and began their way back to Rivira with renewed determination.
Far below, in the depths, Kael remained with the Xenos, their strengths still suppressed by Dix's staff. The dark energy emanating from it was oppressive, draining them slowly—erasing hope of escape.
Kael could barely move. His breathing grew heavier with each passing moment. Rage and helplessness swirled in his mind. He didn't know what else he could do…
Until, from above, two figures descended like falling stars—brutal and fast.
Eude and Ranye burst onto the battlefield like meteors, driven by desperation and fury.
Ranye struck with precision, slashing Dix's chest with one of her claws, opening a deep wound that made him howl in pain and rage. Eude tried to restrain him from behind, but the staff glowed once more, and a shockwave blasted them both backward, slamming them to the ground.
"INSECTS!!" Dix bellowed, completely unhinged.
Without warning, he spun and delivered a devastating kick to Ranye, hurling her through the air like a ragdoll.
Kael moved without thinking—instinct took over. He leapt, catching her just before she hit the ground. The impact drove them both into the corner of the room. Ranye landed on top of him, her breathing shallow, blood on her lips.
Kael held her, tasting the iron in the air. That same blood stirred something… something dangerous inside him.
A memory—
When he awakened his berserker ability, there was a strange requirement, something he didn't quite understand. But if his abilities in this world were subject to conditions, only one thing came to mind now. He had never tasted blood since waking up in that cave. He had never crossed that line...he hadn't dared.
Until now.
He looked at Ranye—her beautiful face twisted in pain, her breath faint… but she was still alive.
"I'm sorry for this…" he whispered, barely audible.
Despite the pain, Ranye opened her eyes slightly. She heard the whisper. She didn't understand what Kael intended to do, but… something in his voice, in his presence, calmed her.
Kael leaned in, carefully, as if afraid to hurt her. He gently pressed his lips to her neck, letting his fangs sink in. It wasn't violent, or monstrous—only instinctive. And strangely intimate.
Ranye's reaction was unexpected. The pain faded, replaced by a strange warmth that spread through her body. Her trembling hands found his back and held him, as if unwilling to let go. For a moment, time seemed to stop.
After what felt like centuries, Kael slowly pulled away.
It felt… incredible. Kael didn't know if it was her blood, but nothing had ever tasted like it. He almost wanted more. But he knew it wasn't the time. His eyes glowed with a new, unnatural light. Ranye looked up at him, dazed… confused… and blushing. There was something in him that wasn't there before.
He gently rested her against the wall and stood up.
Dix, who had watched the entire scene with a twisted mix of disgust and fascination, didn't interfere.
"And what was that supposed to be?" he mocked. "Some kind of tragic romance act?"
But something in the air had shifted. Kael stood in silence, eyes locked on the enemy—or so it seemed.
A screen flickered into existence in front of him. Glitched. Warped. Its edges crawled with static, its text broken and barely legible.
[Conditions met…
—Unlocking passives skills… ████ ████ ████ ████
Skill Unlocked:
[Time Limit: 10:00 minutes]
[Warning: Host body will undergo forced hibernation post-transformation]
[ Condition Critical — Excessive use may be LETHAL]
Kael didn't speak. He simply lowered his head, closed his eyes—and let out the abominable darkness inside him, screaming to be released, allowing the transformation to begin.
First, a black horn emerged from the right side of his skull. Then, his right eye turned pitch black, with a glowing, icy blue pupil—almost spectral. From his back, a black wing unfurled, slow and deliberate. A long, thin tail with a curved, razor-like tip sprouted from his waist.
Strands of his black hair turned bone white, like freshly fallen snow. His aura shifted. No longer the weak echo of despair it had been moments ago… but something else. Something ancient.
Pure darkness. Sealed power. Curse and blessing intertwined.
For the first time, Dix took a step back. No smirk. The energy now emanating from Kael was thick. Oppressive. The magical flames around the prison flickered, as if the room itself trembled.
Kael stepped forward. Silent. Resolute.
Dix gripped his staff tightly—and swallowed.
Another distorted screen appeared to Kael's left.
[00:09:59]
The countdown had begun.
The final battle—the real one—had just started.