While Yue struggled with Renji's coat, a sharp metallic hum sliced through the air. Renji Aikawa had stand beside them, the soft echo of his Supersonic Step still ringing faintly. His crimson jacket fluttered from the sudden burst of speed, and his eyes scanned the area with an intense amber glow.
Renji reached for his hip and popped the safety on his sleek black pistol — the Chrono Trigger — mana-reactive alloys glinting ominously in the dim light. He twirled it smoothly, slotting a shimmering temporal bullet into the chamber with practiced grace.
"Something's wrong," Renji muttered. He activated Sense Presence, and his pupils narrowed.
"There's something big above us—" he began, but it was already too late.
With a sickening crunch, the ceiling gave way, and a massive, grotesque scorpion-like creature crashed down. Four arms, each ending in cruel, serrated scissors, clacked hungrily. Its eight legs rattled the stone floor as it scuttled forward with horrifying speed. Two thick tails rose menacingly behind it, venomous stingers pulsing with a sickly glow.
Renji reacted first, lunging to the side with Supersonic Step, dragging Yue with him as Hajime stumbled back and chugged another vial of Ambrosia.
"Guess this is the dungeon's final boss," Renji said grimly, lowering Yue to the floor next to Hajime. "You two good?"
"Can't say great, but I'll manage," Hajime growled, his grin returning. "We keep her safe no matter what."
The scorpion hissed, then lunged. One tail shot out, spraying acidic venom. Renji's eyes flickered. Temporal Sync.
The world around him slowed to a crawl.
He twisted midair, pulling Yue into a spin, narrowly dodging the corrosive spray. As time snapped back, Renji somersaulted and landed behind the beast, flicking the Chrono Trigger forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Time-distorted bullets shattered the air, each round accelerating mid-flight with temporal pulses, striking the scorpion's armored hide. Sparks danced, but the beast didn't falter. It wheeled around with blinding speed.
"Tch—hard shell, huh?" Renji spat. "Let's soften you up then."
He extended his free hand, mana crackling at his fingertips. "Chrono Weave."
Dozens of flickering afterimages of himself appeared, each one darting around the scorpion, confusing its senses. It struck wildly, cutting through illusions.
As it did, Hajime leapt up beside Renji, Yue clinging to his back.
"Thanks for the save," Hajime muttered. "But let's end this bastard fast."
"Copy that. I'll buy you an opening," Renji replied, his grin mirroring Hajime's. "Eclipse Edge!"
He dashed in, his pistol now glowing with a violet shimmer. Slashing the air with his blade-like mana projection, he carved across one of the scorpion's legs. A temporal ripple exploded from the cut, briefly slowing the limb's regeneration. The scorpion screeched and swiped at Renji, who vanished again with a Supersonic Step and reappeared by Hajime.
Just then, the monster's other tail fired — a jet of poison-tipped needles.
"DOWN!" Hajime barked, throwing himself and Yue to the side. Renji raised his pistol and activated Rewind (Minor), rolling back his position by two seconds, effectively dodging the volley as if he had known it was coming.
The needles burst where Renji had stood, splintering into acidic shrapnel.
"Cover me!" Hajime shouted.
Renji snapped off three suppressive rounds at the creature's head as Hajime tossed Donner into the air, pulled a grenade, and lobbed it underneath the monster.
BOOM.
The grenade exploded, coating the scorpion in blazing black pitch. It shrieked, thrashing violently. The flames danced up its shell, finally charring through the armor.
Renji didn't hesitate. "Yue, target its core while it's staggered."
From behind a broken column, Yue pushed herself to one knee, her knuckles white around her catalyst — a matte obsidian rod inlaid with sapphire runes. Mana surged from her, cold and sharp. Her breath fogged the air as she narrowed her focus.
"On it. Azure Blaze"
The runes ignited.
A low, piercing hum pulsed through the chamber as blue fire erupted from the ground beneath the scorpion. A tight, intersecting grid of flame lanced upward, slicing into its underbelly in perfect synch with the exposed plating. Superheated mana chewed through chitin with surgical precision.
The monster shrieked, limbs flailing. It staggered back—but not far.
Hajime charged again, crouched low, grabbing Donner off his back mid-run. "I'll pin it—Renji, line up your finisher!"
"Already moving," Renji replied, shifting position with a rapid Supersonic Step. His form flickered, reappearing at a flanking angle behind the beast. With a single, practiced motion, he flicked a glowing temporal core into his pistol.
He adjusted his stance, centering the barrel on the exposed nexus just above its thorax. Time slowed around him — not fully stopped, just compressed — enough to fine-tune his shot.
Bang.
The shot landed clean, embedding directly into the core. In an instant, the temporal payload detonated, locking the creature mid-motion. It froze in place — twitching limbs, open mandibles, half-recoiled — suspended like glass.
Hajime didn't let it rest. "Now!"
He vaulted up, swinging Donner down in a clean arc. Mana surged through the weapon's edge, and the moment it struck the immobilized monster—
CRACK.
The temporal hold shattered like brittle glass, and the scorpion's core ruptured in a plume of molten light and shredded plating. The beast collapsed, its body twitching once before finally going still.
Smoke drifted from its carcass. Renji holstered his weapon, eyes scanning for secondary threats. "Target neutralized."
Hajime let out a breath, resting Donner on his shoulder. "No regen this time. It's done."
Yue stepped out from cover, her body dimming. "My magic held longer than expected."
"You timed it well," Renji said, nodding toward the smoldering remains. "Next time, tighter focus on monster's core and we finish it faster."
She gave a slight nod. "Understood."
The chamber's far wall groaned, stone mechanisms unlocking. A set of heavy gates slowly parted, revealing a corridor bathed in cold white light.
Renji turned toward it. "We move while we still have momentum. Patch up quick, then stack formation. No telling what's next."
Renji glanced at Yue. "You good?"
She didn't speak — just tightened her grip on his coat and walked forward.
Temporary Shelter, Lower Floor of the Dungeon
The crackle of fire was the only sound in the small cave, casting long shadows against the stone walls. Hajime worked quietly, packing up the last of the meat from the scorpion and cyclops, while Renji sat near the fire, inspecting his weapons with careful attention. Yue sat a bit further away, her legs crossed as she allowed her senses to relax, keeping watch over the surroundings. Her figure still seemed slightly out of place amidst the rocky landscape, but there was no doubt she belonged here now, even in her strange, ageless form.
The crackle of fire filled the cave as Renji sat cross-legged, sharpening his weapon. Yue sat nearby, her gaze focused on the flames. Hajime stood near the entrance, his back to the wall, observing their surroundings. The firelight cast a flickering glow on their faces, offering some warmth in the otherwise cold, damp atmosphere.
Renji broke the silence with a light tone, his eyes flicking over to Yue. "So, if you've been around for centuries, you must be at least 300 years old, right?"
Yue's gaze sharpened, and she shot him a warning look. "It's impolite to ask a woman her age."
Renji didn't back down, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Come on, I'm just trying to figure out how old you are. You've seen a lot, haven't you?"
Yue didn't immediately respond, her eyes narrowing as she glanced into the fire. "I stopped counting a long time ago."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I get that. Being stuck in the dark for so long, time probably lost its meaning."
Hajime, who had been silently observing, casually added, "The vampire war happened about 300 years ago. If she was sealed around that time, then she's definitely older than that."
Yue's eyes flickered briefly at the mention of the war. She kept her voice low, the weight of the memories clear in her tone. "That war destroyed my kind. My uncle was the last one left... and he betrayed me."
Renji leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Betrayal? That's brutal. Your own family?"
Yue's face hardened at the memory, but she didn't elaborate further. Instead, she turned her focus back to the fire. "Yes. He sealed me away, thinking it would give him power."
Renji fell silent for a moment, his usual teasing demeanor subdued by her words. After a pause, he broke the tension, his voice lighter. "No wonder you're so strong. I mean, blasting through that scorpion's shell like it was paper… It makes sense now."
Yue's eyes flickered toward him, a faint acknowledgment in her gaze. "It's the power of my bloodline. The Atavistic Vampires were ancient. And I was their heir."
Renji whistled lowly. "Ancient, huh? Must be nice, being that powerful."
Hajime, still standing near the entrance, nodded slightly without looking at them. "Power doesn't come without a cost. You carry your history with you, whether you want to or not."
Renji glanced at him but didn't respond, instead shifting his attention back to Yue. "So, if you were twenty when you were sealed... you're definitely older than 300. Maybe 320 or even close to 400, huh?"
Yue's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—an acknowledgment, maybe even resignation. "I stopped aging when I awakened my powers. I was twenty, but I haven't aged since."
Renji paused, taking in her words, then let out a low laugh. "That's... a hell of a gift, I guess. You don't have to worry about getting old."
Yue's lips barely twitched in response, but she didn't continue the conversation. The weight of her silence was enough for Renji to realize this was a subject she didn't want to dwell on.
The fire crackled softly as the three of them sat in relative silence. Renji leaned back, stretching his legs out before him, while Yue remained still, her gaze focused on the flames. Hajime stood off to the side, keeping watch, but the quiet gave way to a more relaxed conversation.
Renji, still curious about Yue's abilities, broke the silence. "So, you said you have perfect affinity with every element. That's… pretty ridiculous. I can't imagine how powerful that must make you."
Yue gave a soft, almost amused sigh. "It sounds impressive, but it isn't as simple as it seems."
"Yeah? Why's that?" Renji asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yue adjusted her position, her tone thoughtful. "I may have perfect affinity with every element, but my real strength lies in how I manipulate them. I don't specialize in one, so my control over them is… not the same as someone with a single-element affinity."
Renji leaned forward slightly, interested. "So you're like a jack-of-all-trades with magic?"
"Something like that," she answered, glancing at him. "When I fight, I mostly rely on spells. It's faster and safer for me. My magic is strong enough to kill most enemies, but I'm not very skilled at close combat."
Renji smirked. "Well, considering how much you can destroy with those spells, I wouldn't be worried about getting up close and personal."
Yue's lips twisted in a faint, knowing smile. "It's not just the spells. Even if I run around throwing magic, I can still take a lot of damage before going down—thanks to my regeneration."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "Regeneration huh? Sounds like you're pretty much unkillable."
Yue didn't respond immediately, her gaze dropping to her hands as if to assess the power running through her. "It's not as perfect as you think. My regeneration only works as long as I have mana. If I run out, I'm vulnerable. If I were to be damaged and couldn't heal fast enough, I would die."
Renji nodded slowly, taking in her words. "So, once your mana runs out, that's it. No more regenerating."
"Yes," Yue confirmed quietly. "But unless I'm reduced to ashes instantly, I can recover from almost anything. That's how I survived the centuries trapped in the dark."
Renji's smirk faded slightly, the weight of her words sinking in. "That's... a lot to carry. Having that kind of power, but also knowing it has limits."
Yue's eyes darkened for a moment, and she looked away. "The power to regenerate isn't always a blessing. Sometimes, it feels more like a curse."
Renji didn't know how to respond to that. He shifted uncomfortably, realizing how little he understood about the weight of Yue's immortality. But instead of probing further, he changed the subject, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Still, it's gotta be pretty insane to have magic like yours. Just blasting through enemies without a second thought."
"Not quite," Yue answered, her voice soft, almost nostalgic. "It's not always as easy as it looks. Even with all this power, I still had to train for years, recite the spell names in my head, and focus on the incantations. It's a habit that stuck with me, even though I don't need to speak them out loud anymore."
Renji's curiosity piqued again. "Wait, you still say the spell names out loud? Even though you could just think it and cast?"
Yue nodded, her gaze distant as she continued. "It's a way to solidify the spell in my mind. Even those born with magic have to maintain a clear focus on the image of the spell. For me, saying the words just helps me center myself."
"That's… kind of weird, honestly," Renji chuckled. "But I get it. I guess we all have our little quirks when it comes to what we do."
"Indeed," Yue agreed, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips.
The fire crackled softly in the background as Hajime continued to work on his transmutation. His mind was focused, but his curiosity about their situation persisted. He glanced over at Yue, who had been quiet for a while, lost in thought. It seemed like there was something she hadn't fully shared yet.
"Anyway... onto the most important question," Hajime said, breaking the silence. "Yue, do you have any idea where we are? Or any idea how to get back to the surface?"
Yue shifted slightly, her expression neutral, but there was a faint hesitation in her eyes. "Unfortunately, I don't. However..." she trailed off, her voice soft but carrying an air of something unspoken.
Hajime raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more she was holding back. "What is it? You know something, don't you?"
Yue met his gaze, her eyes steady but unreadable. "According to legend, this labyrinth was built by one of the Mavericks."
"Mavericks?" Hajime echoed, the word unfamiliar and somewhat foreboding. His hand paused in its work, and he turned his full attention toward Yue. She seemed to hesitate, then nodded, confirming her words.
Renji, who had been silently observing from a corner, chimed in with his usual dry tone. "Mavericks? Sounds like some badasses who thought they were too clever for their own good."
Yue glanced over at him, her expression unreadable as usual. "They were rebels who tried to bring about the end of the world," she said, her tone flat, but there was something about her voice that hinted at a deep understanding of the gravity of what she was saying.
Hajime frowned, absorbing the information. "Rebels? So these Mavericks tried to destroy everything?"
Renji snorted. "Rebels, huh? So they were just a bunch of idiots trying to play god." His voice was laced with cynicism, but his eyes were sharp, as if processing the implications of Yue's words.
Yue nodded slightly, her voice remaining eerily calm. "Yes. There were seven descendants of the Mavericks. They colluded to bring about the end of the world, each contributing to the plan in their own way. But the gods intervened before their plans could succeed, stopping them from destroying everything. The Mavericks were then exiled to the farthest corners of the earth."
Hajime absorbed this new layer of information, his frown deepening. "Exiled... and their 'bastions of exile' became the Seven Great Labyrinths?" he asked, piecing the story together. Yue nodded, her eyes distant, as if recalling ancient knowledge.
"Yes. This place—The Great Orcus Labyrinth—is one of those bastions. The Maverick who created it is said to reside in the deepest depths. Some even say that the deepest part of this labyrinth is... hell itself," Yue added, her voice almost a whisper, the weight of the words heavy in the air.
Renji quirked an eyebrow. "Hell, huh? Sounds like the perfect vacation spot." He leaned against a nearby rock, folding his arms, looking strangely relaxed despite the dire situation. "Guess we're stuck in paradise, then."
Hajime ignored Renji's sarcasm, his mind focused on what Yue had said. "So, if the Maverick who created this place is at the deepest part... you think there's a way out down there?"
Yue nodded again, her tone thoughtful. "...It's possible there might be a path to the surface there, in the deepest part of the labyrinth..."
Hajime leaned back slightly, contemplating. "I see," he said, his eyes narrowing in thought. "I can't imagine there being some huge, thousand-story-long staircase at the bottom. But if this whole thing was built by someone from the Age of the Gods, there's probably some teleportation circle or something that leads out."
Renji's lips curled into a slight grin, but there was an edge of skepticism in his voice. "A teleportation circle? Sure, why not. It's not like we've got anything better to go on." He glanced around at the labyrinth's oppressive darkness. "But hey, if it gets us out of here, I'm all for it."
Yue's eyes flickered toward him, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "It's a possibility," she said simply, though her tone suggested that she didn't fully believe it herself.
Hajime grinned, feeling a spark of optimism despite the grim surroundings. "Well, if it exists, we'll find it. Can't be that hard, right?"
Yue didn't answer immediately, but she looked at him—really looked at him—and for a brief moment, the intensity in her gaze softened. She didn't say anything, but it was clear she was thinking. Then, without warning, she shifted her position, sitting cross-legged beside him as he worked.
He glanced over at her, his fingers still working with precise movements. "Is it really that interesting to watch me work?"
Yue nodded silently, her eyes fixed on his hands as he worked through the transmutation process. She didn't say a word, but her focus was unshakable, her gaze tracking every motion he made with curiosity. It was a rare, almost childlike expression from someone so ancient and powerful.
Renji, still leaning casually against the wall, couldn't resist teasing her a bit. "You know," he drawled, "watching Hajime work is like watching a rock slowly erode. It's a long, painful process." He smirked, his eyes flicking between Yue and Hajime, clearly enjoying the tension. "But hey, I get it. It's like a trainwreck—you can't look away."
Yue glanced up at Renji, unfazed by his comment. "I find it... calming," she replied, her voice almost too soft to hear, though her words were firm.
Hajime chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll take that as a compliment." He caught himself staring at Yue for a moment, noting how her small frame was wrapped in the oversized coat, her expression soft yet intense. He couldn't help but feel a strange warmth spread through him at the sight.
Without thinking, he turned his head, offering her a small smile. "You look cute when you're so focused."
Yue's expression shifted briefly—her lips tugging slightly upward before returning to her usual stoic demeanor. But Renji noticed the subtle shift. It made his heart race a little faster.
As he turned his attention back to his work, he couldn't help but feel a new, deeper sense of camaraderie between them. They were both trapped in this labyrinth together, but at least, for now, they had each other. And Renji, for all his sarcasm and biting remarks, was right there with them, adding his own brand of awkward humor to the mix.
The soft clicks of metal echoed as Hajime methodically worked on reloading his ammo. Yue sat nearby, legs tucked beneath her, quietly watching him. Her golden eyes weren't just curious—they were searching. Observing every movement, every small shift in his expression.
It had become a habit now—watching Hajime, reading the quiet anger and fatigue behind his calm. He didn't talk much unless it mattered, and in this place, words were rare currency.
Hajime muttered to himself, "Can't believe she's actually three hundred... Still looks twelve. This world's messed up."
He wasn't even trying to hide it. Just speaking his thoughts out loud.
Yue blinked slowly and raised an eyebrow. "You really just said that?"
Hajime froze for a beat, then glanced over. "What?"
"You were thinking something dumb," she said plainly, voice flat but not unfriendly. "Probably about how I look."
He sighed. "I wasn't wrong."
"Still dumb."
A quiet moment passed. Then she asked, "Why are you here?"
He hesitated—not because he didn't know how to answer, but because he wasn't sure if he wanted to say it out loud. But what else was there to do in this place?
"I got left behind," Hajime said. "Betrayed. One second I'm fighting with my classmates... next thing I know, someone's trying to kill me. I fell. Lost my arm. Barely survived."
Yue's gaze didn't leave his face. Her fingers curled slightly on her lap.
"I ate monsters. Changed who I was to stay alive. I didn't have a choice."
"And Renji?" she asked quietly, glancing toward the figure leaning against the cavern wall.
Renji had been silent until now, arms crossed, watching the two of them talk. He shrugged, his voice casual but low.
"I was with him. Fell at the same time. It was either die or keep moving."
Yue's eyes shifted to him fully now. For the first time, she really looked—past the jokes, the laid-back attitude. His clothes were torn, face bruised in places he didn't bother to wipe clean, eyes darker than before.
"You fought, too," she said.
Renji gave a short nod. "Yeah."
"You saw what he went through."
"Most of it," he replied. "Wasn't pretty."
There was a silence between them. Not uncomfortable—just heavy.
"I thought I was alone," Yue said after a moment. "For so long... I didn't think anyone would come."
She turned away, brushing at her cheek. Her shoulders trembled just slightly.
Hajime noticed, sat up straighter.
"Yue—"
"I'm fine," she said quickly, but her voice cracked at the end. "I just—You two… you went through all that, and still kept going."
Her hands curled into fists.
"I don't get it. Why didn't you just give up?"
Renji looked at Hajime, then back at her. His voice dropped lower, more serious.
"Because we didn't want to die down here," he said. "That's all. No hero speech. No purpose. Just... keep moving. One more step."
Hajime added, "You either break... or you change."
Yue wiped her eyes, quiet for a while. Then she looked at both of them—really looked—and said, almost in a whisper, "I'm glad you're here."
Neither of them replied right away. The silence stretched again, but this time it felt different—closer.
Renji gave a small, tired smile. "Well... we're not going anywhere."
The cold air of the dungeon still lingered in the cracks of the stone walls, but the silence between them was heavier than the chill.
"I'm not really interested in revenge anymore," Hajime muttered, voice low as he ruffled Yue's hair. "All I care about now is getting stronger… surviving… and maybe, someday, figuring out how to get home."
He didn't say more. No need to lay it all out. The food, the air, the sound of city traffic—those things felt like a dream now, half-remembered. But the idea of home still anchored him.
That word—home—hung in the air longer than the rest.
The flames crackled softly, shadows dancing on the rough cavern walls. Yue sat close to the warmth, legs folded beneath her, hands clasped tightly on her lap. Despite the firelight, there was a hollowness in her eyes—a kind of silence that didn't come from the room, but from within.
When she had whispered "I don't have a home to return to anymore," it wasn't dramatic. It was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of truth you only say when you've stopped expecting comfort from it.
Renji, seated just across from her, felt something tighten in his chest.
she murmured. "Not in the way you mean."
The way she said it—quiet, but not pity-seeking—made Hajime pause. She wasn't trying to make him feel bad. She was just stating a fact. He opened his mouth, unsure what he meant to say—when Renji spoke first.
"Then come with me."
The words cut through the quiet like a knife. Hajime looked up, surprised.
Yue stared at him—eyes wide, not in disbelief, but in something more delicate. Something like fear. Hope, maybe. The kind that hurts to feel when you're not sure it's safe to believe in it.
Renji held her gaze, steady and calm. "I don't know if I'll make it back. Don't even know what kind of person I'll be if and when I do. But I'm going to try. And if I do… I don't want to leave you behind."
The cavern fell still.
Even the fire seemed to hush, letting the moment breathe.
Hajime turned slightly, watching them both now. He could feel something shift—not just in Yue, but in Renji too. This wasn't some offhand gesture. This was deliberate.
He's serious. He's really offering her that. A place. A future.
For a moment, Hajime felt like an outsider looking in—not bitterly, but with a strange sense of recognition.
Maybe she needs something I don't know how to give.
Renji felt the weight of Yue's gaze settle on him. Not just her attention—her trust. Her ache.
He didn't look away.
"I don't know if I'll even make it out of here," he admitted, quietly. "And I won't pretend like life on the other side is easy. But if we do make it… I don't want want us to go back alone."
Yue lowered her eyes. Her fingers clenched slightly in her lap.
Why would he say that? Why offer me something so warm, so… dangerous? Her heart pounded, not from panic, but from something unfamiliar. Something gentle.
She had lived too long in stillness. In survival. She had forgotten what it felt like to be wanted.
"Why?" she finally asked, her voice softer than breath. "Why would you want me to come with you?"
Renji's lips twitched, not quite a smile.
"Because you're not just strong, Yue. You're more than what's been done to you. I see that. And I want to know who you'll become when you're no longer bound by this world. You deserve that chance."
Yue felt her throat tighten. The usual calm she wore like a veil threatened to break. And still—she didn't look away.
Hajime watched the exchange quietly. He wasn't angry. If anything… he was moved.
She's never looked at me like that, he realized. Not with that kind of vulnerability.
And Renji—he wasn't forcing it. He wasn't even trying to prove anything. He was just… there. Steady. Open.
It surprised Hajime, but it didn't hurt. Not in the way he might've expected.
He's the kind of person who says little, but means everything when he speaks.
"Is that really okay?" Yue whispered. "To take me with you?"
Renji gave a soft breath through his nose, like the question caught him off guard—and hit him deep.
"If it's with you, then yeah," he said.
She didn't answer right away. But this time, when the silence came, it didn't feel empty.
It felt like a seed being planted. Something real. Something alive.
And for the first time in what felt like centuries, Yue allowed herself to lean—just slightly—toward something that resembled home.