As Licht and Liebe were ready to head into Purgatory Palace, Licht said, "Only 50 m till the line… but 50 km till the destination."
Liebe said, "I know."
Licht said, "So what's wrong? Why do I sense fear from you? It's definitely the first time I'm seeing you like this. Does this place really scare you?"
Liebe said, "It's not that. We are ready, but the problem is… the black market."
Licht said, "You don't mean—"
Liebe said, "Yes. In the past few years, devils have started appearing in the black market as products. Lower-ranking, they might be, but…"
Licht said, "A fire is a fire, no matter how small."
Liebe said, "If the general public knew, they would start supporting the black market instead of fearing it. Criminals would become heroes. The world would be turned upside down, and the greatest line of defense against the devils will lose the faith of humanity. And the moment the seal on the underworld breaks, humanity will be done for."
Licht said, "Truly a frightful idea. But what scares you?"
Liebe said, "Gaia being sold off in the black market as a product. And what we are getting ourselves into is a trap."
Licht said, "Even then, we will keep Gaia safe."
Gaia said, "Are you two going to leave me?"
Liebe said, "No, of course not."
Licht said, "Nah. Then I'd get bored not finding a zombie to annoy me. Let's go, kid."
Liebe said, "You ready?"
Licht said, "Always. Whiskey after this."
Liebe said, "Sure."
As they rushed into the Purgatory Palace section of the Abyssal Zone, monsters began to spawn from the ground in hundreds.
Licht said, "How many bastards are here?"
Liebe said, "We don't have time to count them. Just go through and kill everything in front. Standing still will get us killed."
As ice fangs began to spawn in front of them in dozens, Licht said, "What now?"
Liebe said, "I didn't want to use it just now, but… Dark Magic: Black Grand Strike!"
As a path was cleared, Licht said, "These ones are harder than the ones back in the 100 km tundra."
As the boss from the tundra—Goliath and Drag Worms—spawned in front of them, Licht said, "Great. This place can spawn bosses, too. What now?"
Liebe said, "Great. How far are we off from the coordinates?"
Licht said, "Still 40 km left."
Liebe said, "Only one choice left."
Licht said, "What's this?"
Liebe said, "If the Abyssal Zone itself is damaged enough, the Abyssal Zone prioritizes repair over spawning monsters."
Licht said, "Okay, then. Light Magic: Divine—"
Licht said, "Stop. We can't use that kind of magic. Let's use a combo spell."
Licht said, "Okay."
As they sheathed their swords, Liebe said, "Gaia, buff us."
Gaia said, "Flame Magic: United Flames!"
As Liebe and Licht were buffed, Liebe and Licht said, "Combo Magic: Holy Demonic Strike!"
As they punched a way through the boss and the other monsters, Liebe said, "Now, fly!"
As they rushed again, Licht said, "These bastards keep coming."
Liebe said, "I can see that."
Licht said, "They are like cockroaches—easy to squash, hard to keep down."
As multiple Skelos bosses appeared in front of them, Licht said, "Light Magic: Endless Light Stream!"
As they slashed the monsters apart, Liebe said, "How far?"
Licht said, "23 km."
Liebe said, "Great. We already used about 5% of our total mana, and still 23 km left. And it will just get worse. And so will we if it's all an ambush."
Licht said, "Frick that. Try surviving now."
Liebe said, "Sky. Fly higher. Flying so close to the ground isn't helping."
As they flew higher, they were immune from the ground monsters, yet the flying monsters—gargoyles, wyverns—Licht said, "Great."
Liebe said, "Look in front."
It was the twin bosses from the 1,000th km: Huginn and Muninn. As it used a strong wind magic attack, Licht said, "I'll handle this. Light Magic: Divine Light's Piercing Execution!"
As the bosses were dealt with, Liebe said, "Gaia, hold onto me. At this rate, these things will rip through your wings and get you."
As Liebe and Licht were almost there, Licht said, "Just a bit more—5 km."
As they had to see the next threat, it was three Quetzalcoatls.
Licht said, "Frick."
Liebe said, "Gaia, buff me and hold onto Licht."
Gaia said, "Flame Magic: Combo Flames!"
As Liebe's injuries and mana were healed, Liebe said, "Licht, I'll handle these bastards. Keep Gaia safe."
Licht said, "Idiot, you can't beat these."
Liebe said, "I wasn't asking. Get Gaia out of here."
As Licht flew as fast as he could, the Quetzalcoatls went after him. Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Vesta Grand Blades. Looks like they're after Gaia—at least that's for sure."
As Liebe made chase, he struck them, yet the monsters were fixated on Gaia. Liebe said, "What the hell is wrong? These things are stronger than the one I killed."
As Liebe grabbed one by the tail, it swung Liebe up and used a tail attack to slam him to the ground. As Liebe and Licht were on the ground, Liebe said, "Licht!"
Licht said, "1 km left."
As the Quetzalcoatls, along with a devil, appeared, Licht said, "No way."
The devil said, "Flame Magic: Purgatory Flame!"
As the Quetzalcoatls prepared to use their breath attacks, Liebe said, "Well, no choice left. Dark Magic: Abyssal Gate—Vesta Grand Strike!"
As their attacks clashed.