Far below the surface, in the endless darkness of the abyss—
two figures continued moving through the maze-like depths.
Rin.
And Tara.
After weeks of surviving, training, and wandering through the monstrous underground prison, the two had become strangely synchronized.
They were no longer just two people trying to escape.
They had become companions.
No—
something closer.
Like a reckless younger brother and an annoyingly overprotective older sister.
Their bickering had become normal.
Their shared meals had become normal.
Even fighting side by side against monsters had become normal.
In a place filled with blood, death, and darkness—
they had somehow created warmth.
As they traveled deeper toward what Tara claimed was the final route to the surface, monsters continuously emerged from every corner of the abyss.
Grotesque creatures with twisted limbs.
Eyeless predators that hunted by sound.
Massive insects that burst from walls.
But their teamwork had become frighteningly smooth.
Higher-level monsters—
the ones capable of crushing Rin in seconds—
were handled effortlessly by Tara.
With a single swing of her massive sword, entire creatures were cleaved apart as though they were paper.
Grade Y was no joke.
Sometimes Rin would just stand there and stare.
"How are you this broken?"
Tara would simply smirk.
"Talent."
Then Rin would curse at her and continue walking.
Meanwhile—
the lower level monsters were left to Rin.
And unlike the boy who had first fallen into this abyss broken and half dead—
this Rin was different.
His movements were sharper.
His instincts cleaner.
His eyes calmer.
Using the God Style Tara had drilled into him mercilessly, he cut through Grade Three and Grade Two creatures with controlled efficiency.
No wasted movement.
No panic.
One slash.
One dodge.
One kill.
Every battle made him stronger.
Every day made him harder.
The abyss that was supposed to be his grave—
had become his forge.
Hours later, the two finally stopped near a quiet cavern lit faintly by glowing crystals.
Tara sat against a rock, taking a lazy breath.
"We're close."
Rin looked up.
"The end?"
Tara nodded.
"Mm. The final path to the surface should be after this section."
For a moment—
Rin simply stared into the distance.
Surface.
His friends.
Ronan.
Everything waiting above.
A storm of emotions should have been inside him.
But strangely—
he felt calm.
He then turned toward Tara.
Before leaving this place...
there was something he wanted.
Rin slowly stood.
Tara raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Rin rested his sword over his shoulder.
"We almost reached the end."
Tara tilted her head.
"So?"
Rin smiled.
"Before we go back to the surface..."
"I want to fight you."
For a second Tara blinked.
Then she burst into laughter.
"Challenge me, huh?"
She stood up, stretching her arms.
"Well..."
Her blue eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Let's see how badly you lose."
Rin snorted.
"That confidence is annoying."
Tara waved one hand.
Her massive sword appeared instantly in her grip.
Rin's smile widened.
He drew his own blade.
The air between them shifted.
This wasn't a life or death fight.
This was a spar.
A final lesson.
A memory.
Rin dashed first.
Fast.
His sword cut diagonally.
Tara blocked with one hand.
CLANG.
The sheer force sent vibrations through Rin's arm.
He twisted, kicked low.
Tara jumped.
Rin followed with an upward slash.
Tara leaned sideways with absurd ease and tapped Rin's forehead with her finger.
THUD.
Rin flew backward and rolled across the ground.
"Ow!"
Tara laughed.
"Too open."
Rin clicked his tongue and rushed again.
This time he moved cleaner.
God Style flowing through his body.
Blank mind.
No hesitation.
Slash.
Dodge.
Spin.
Counter.
For several exchanges, he actually forced Tara to move.
But—
that was all.
Tara was unbeatable.
Every attack Rin made was eventually redirected.
Every opening punished.
Within seconds—
Rin was slammed into the ground again.
BOOM.
Dust rose.
Rin lay there staring at the cavern ceiling.
Breathing hard.
Body aching.
Yet—
he smiled.
No disappointment.
No frustration.
No anger.
Only joy.
Pure joy.
Because for the first time in a very long while—
he was not fighting to survive.
He was not fighting monsters.
He was not fighting fear.
He was simply spending time with someone precious.
Tara walked over and looked down at him.
"You suck."
Rin laughed.
"You're a monster."
Tara smirked.
He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
She was not just a friend.
Not just a teacher.
Not just a savior.
Somewhere along the way—
this strange blue-haired woman had become family.
The only family he had felt...
outside of his friends.
And that realization made Rin's smile soften.
Tara noticed the expression.
She frowned.
"What?"
Rin looked away quickly.
"Nothing."
Tara narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
But Rin simply laughed and stood back up.
Sword in hand.
"One more round."
Tara grinned.
"That's more like it."
And deep in the abyss—
before the cruel surface could call them back—
the two clashed once more.