Riah: "My father is a Vrasnai, and my mother is an Elf. Like Kazimir, I was born with a strong power. That's why I wield the flames of the Phoenix."
Gendai: "So that makes four of us Vrasnai left in this world, huh."
Riah: "Exactly. Which is why me and him are destined. And I won't let anyone come between us. Anyone who tries to get closer to him than me—I'll burn them to ashes."
Gendai (calmly): "Scary words… but they don't scare me. I'm not worried about you. All that matters right now is Kazimir—and the rest of the team."
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A dense pressure swelled from the darkness, and from the shadows emerged a parasite—its spear glinting with cursed energy, armor rusted and battered but oozing malice.
Riah: "Damn it. An A-Rank. This one's tough."
Gendai: "Looks like we're fighting side by side, then."
Riah (drawing her blade): "Let's go."
[Meanwhile – Raijin & Xavier's POV]
Raijin: "God damn, these parasites are annoying!"
Xavier: "Quit whining. None of this would've happened if you hadn't triggered the trap!"
Raijin: "HEY—F*** YOU!"
Xavier: "Just kill them. We need to regroup with the others."
[Lilly & Angelly's POV]
Angelly: "Thank you for protecting me. I'm sorry—I'm just… not strong enough."
Lilly: "Don't worry. These are just B-Ranks. I can handle them."
Angelly: "Then I'm counting on you."
[Back to Riah & Gendai]
The parasite slammed both girls into the stone wall, cracking the cavern with brute force. Gendai staggered, winded. Riah gritted her teeth, drawing her sword through the blood dripping down her side.
Riah: "I'm not dying here. Not today."
Gendai: "You're bleeding…"
Riah: "This is nothing! We're going to win—because we have to!"
Gendai, panting, raised her hand and ripped chunks of stone from the cavern walls with her telekinesis, hurling them at the parasite. It darted through the rubble, kneeing her in the gut. She crumpled—until Riah launched herself with a flying kick, knocking it away from Gendai.
[Kazimir & Tojo's POV]
Tojo: "That was easier than I thought."
Kazimir: "Yeah. One A-Rank isn't much for the two of us. But I'm worried about the others."
He paused. Electricity sparked from his fingertips.
Kazimir: "…I can feel Lilly's energy. She's right below us."
He blasted a hole through the floor with a burst of lightning. They dropped down, descending floor by floor—until they heard screams echoing through the caverns.
Kazimir: "That's Riah and Gendai…!"
[Back in the depths of the dungeon]
Riah: "Gendai, if you don't want to die, protect yourself. I'm going to pour everything I have into this one final shot!"
Flames surged around her. She raised her sword, channeling divine wrath into her technique—"Blaze Inferno!"
The blast tore through the cavern. Smoke billowed. But as the dust cleared—the parasite still stood, scorched but alive.
Riah: "No… Why won't it die…?"
Gendai: "I—I don't want to die… Not yet…"
Riah: "We're not strong enough…"
The parasite lunged for Gendai—only to be cleaved in half by a slash of lightning from above.
Gendai (eyes widening, voice trembling): "…Kazimir."
Kazimir (stepping forward): "Tojo's handling the others. I came as soon as I heard your voices."
Riah (collapsing against him): "You came to save me…"
Kazimir: "Gendai, take Riah somewhere safe. You're still standing."
Gendai: "Understood."
She picked up Riah gently, moving them both to safety.
Kazimir's eyes narrowed. His rage crackled, electricity dancing across his blade. He unsheathed his sword, energy humming violently.
Then, he moved.
In a blur of light and thunder, he clashed with the parasite, striking again and again, breaking through walls, forcing it back. With a final roar, he unleashed a charged slash that vaporized the creature and carved a tunnel to the exit.
Tojo: "You got it?"
Gendai: "After that? There's no way it survived."
Raijin: "If it were me, I would've speed-blitzed that cockroach."
Gendai: "Ugh, you're the one who got us into this mess!"
Raijin: "Then don't die next time. Sounds like a skill issue."
Riah (limping over to Kazimir): "I can finally breathe…"
She leaned against him, her body trembling.
Kazimir: "I'll carry you out. The exit's right there."
Riah (softly): "Thank you… for coming when I needed you."
Kazimir: "You were protecting Gendai, weren't you?"
Riah: "Of course. It's our job. I couldn't let her die."
Kazimir: "But you could have… and you didn't. That means something. You two make a good team."
Riah (sighs): "You're so clueless… and I love that about you."
Kazimir: "What's that supposed to mean?"
She wrapped her arms around him in a quiet embrace.
Kazimir (blushing, startled): "This is… unexpected."
Riah: "I just missed you, that's all."
Kazimir (hugging her back): "…I missed you too."
Raijin: "Damn, Kazimir's really out here getting cuddles mid-dungeon."
Tojo: "Can't lie—kind of a rare moment."
Gendai: (watching quietly) "…"
Angelly: "Gendai? Something wrong?"
Gendai: "No. Just wondering… if he'd come for me like that too. If I opened up."
Back at the Astral Legion campus…
Kazimir carried Riah in his arms straight to the medical wing. Meanwhile, Gendai sat alone on the field, watching the stars.
Kazimir eventually found her.
Kazimir: "Why're you out here by yourself?"
Gendai: "Who else would I be with? No team quests today, so everyone scatters."
Kazimir: "Fair point. But you did great out there. You and Riah… you make a solid team."
Gendai: (looking away) "She hates me. That's not going to change."
Kazimir: "It might. I think she's starting to trust you. She just won't admit it."
Gendai: "…Why do you think that?"
Kazimir: "Because when I got there, the parasite was already close to death. You two had done the heavy lifting. Riah's stubborn, but she's not blind. She knows strength—and loyalty. She saw both in you."
Gendai: "…Maybe you're right."
She looked up at him, a small flicker of hope behind her eyes.