In a certain location, deep underground where not even the faintest rays of sunlight reached, there existed a dark cave. The silence was so heavy you could hear your own heartbeat. No insect sounds, no wind, nothing. The walls and floors were untouched by man, naturally formed by the earth itself. Well — mostly naturally.
Because in the very center of this cavern, sitting there smug as ever, was a grand, ancient magic circle. So intricate, so advanced, that any modern mage would have either fainted, screamed, or knelt before it in awe. An artifact from an age long lost, forgotten under centuries of dirt and shadow. Waiting. Untouched. Until now.
Suddenly, a faint crimson glow began to pulse through the runes. It spread slowly at first, then faster and faster, until the entire cavern was illuminated in a brilliant scarlet light.
And then — with all the build-up of a divine miracle… there was a flash.
Out of the blinding light came not one, not two, but three figures.
Renji staggered slightly as his boots hit solid ground. He turned on instinct, scanning his surroundings with sharp eyes. "Well… this isn't the surface."
Hajime groaned beside him, brushing soot from his sleeves. "Seriously? It was supposed to be the surface…"
The third figure, smaller than both of them, moved with quiet grace. Yue stepped lightly across the stone, her long, pale hair catching the last of the lingering glow. Her crimson gaze swept the cavern, unreadable.
"...A hidden passage," she murmured at last. "It makes sense. He wouldn't have left something like this exposed."
Renji exhaled, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "You're probably right."
He turned toward her, checking her over for any signs of harm. "You alright, Yue?"
Yue tilted her head slightly, then nodded. "Unhurt."
She reached out, brushing a bit of dust from his sleeve. It was a small, almost absent-minded gesture — but familiar. The kind you make toward someone whose presence you've grown used to, and quietly value.
"I was more worried about you," she added softly, so only he could hear.
Renji smiled faintly. "Takes more than a little teleportation mishap to do me in."
A few steps away, Hajime waved a hand through the lingering smoke. "Ugh, you two are hopeless. Next time, I'm picking the exit."
Yue glanced at him, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "You'd still rush ahead without looking."
"Hey!"
The smallest of smiles tugged at Yue's lips. "It's not a bad thing. It's… very you."
Hajime grumbled, but couldn't hide the faint, embarrassed grin that slipped through.
Renji shook his head, chuckling. "Don't let it get to you, Hajime. She just means you're a stubborn idiot sometimes."
"Gee, thanks."
Yue stepped closer to Renji, her expression thoughtful. "It's darker than I expected… and still."
She slipped her hand around his wrist, not clinging, but making sure he was there, solid and steady beside her. "Stay close."
Renji didn't tease her for it, nor did he draw attention to the touch. He only gave a quiet nod. "I'm not going anywhere."
Without another word, the three of them moved forward, the beam of Hajime's glowstone cutting through the dark.
In those oppressive depths, words felt unnecessary. The silence between them was companionable — a shared understanding built from hardship, survival, and trust. And though Yue's gaze lingered on Renji a moment longer than it did on Hajime, it wasn't with overt romance, but with quiet certainty.
Wherever he went, she would follow.
And for Renji, that was enough.
The final stretch of the labyrinth had been deathly silent.
No monsters. No traps. No surprises. Just long, winding tunnels carved from ancient stone and illuminated only by the flickering light of a pale green glowstone.
Hajime led the way, flashlight sweeping over the walls. Yue stayed close to Renji's side, her steps almost soundless. She didn't say much, but her presence was steady, calm — a quiet reassurance that made the oppressive silence bearable.
"Hm? What's that?" Hajime's voice broke the quiet. His light stopped on a part of the wall that looked oddly pristine. A perfectly straight vertical line ran up the stone, ending at a palm-sized heptagon carved into its surface. Around it, symbols were etched, one of which they recognized instantly.
Oscar Orcus' personal crest.
"Bingo," Hajime grinned, fishing the ornate ring from his Treasure Trove and holding it against the carving.
With a heavy boom that echoed down the corridor, the stone parted to reveal a passage beyond.
Renji arched a brow. "Convenient."
Yue allowed the faintest flicker of amusement to cross her features. "He liked his dramatics."
Hajime gave a smug little shrug, gesturing ahead. "Shall we?"
The three pressed on, the path straight and uninterrupted. A few doors tried to block their way, but Orcus' ring made short work of them, bypassing each trap without incident.
It felt… too easy. But none of them were about to complain.
Then, at last, a faint glow appeared in the distance.
Not from torches or magic crystals — but from sunlight.
Real sunlight.
Renji's heart skipped a beat. He felt Yue's slender fingers brush lightly against his hand. Not grasping it outright, just a soft touch — seeking quiet reassurance.
He glanced down at her, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she was smiling. Not her usual guarded, placid expression. A genuine, unrestrained smile. It made his chest tighten.
Without needing to say a word, they both broke into a run.
Hajime called after them, "Hey — wait for me, you jerks!"
But neither slowed.
The sunlight grew closer, the scent of earth and fresh wind replacing the stale, metallic air of the dungeon.
When they burst into the open together, it felt like breaking the surface after drowning.
Even though it was still at the bottom of the Reisen Gorge, it was the surface.
The cliffs towered high above them, and the sunlight barely reached through the gaps — but it was enough.
Renji stopped, tipping his head back toward the sky. Yue stood beside him, her hair catching the wind, and for a long moment, they just stood there in silence, breathing.
"We made it," Renji murmured.
Yue's eyes never left him. "Yeah."
They didn't speak again. Instead, Yue stepped forward and leaned her head briefly against his shoulder. No theatrics. No dramatics. Just quiet closeness, as though to confirm for herself that he was still here, still real.
"Alright, alright, lovebirds," Hajime called as he jogged up, slightly out of breath. "Leave some air for the rest of us, huh?"
Renji laughed, and Yue smirked faintly.
"Jealous?" Renji teased.
"Hah! As if. I'm the cool lone wolf type."
He crossed his arms, though it was obvious to both of them he was a little annoyed at being left behind.
Yue gave him an almost motherly pat on the head. "Good boy."
"Hey!"
That finally broke the tension, and Renji and Yue laughed together — not mocking him, but genuinely relieved and lighthearted for the first time in what felt like forever.
The gorge might still be hell, but for now… it was enough.
By the time their laughter had finally run out… they were surrounded by monsters.
The howls echoed from the cliffs above and the rocky outcroppings below. Dozens of them, fangs bared, eyes gleaming in the half-light of the gorge.
Hajime stood first, Donner and Schlag already in hand. He grumbled, "Sheesh, how rude can you get? Could've let us enjoy ourselves a little longer."
He paused, frowning.
"Wait… didn't they say magic doesn't work down here?"
Back when he'd been summoned, he'd actually paid attention to the lectures about Reisen Gorge. The mana dispersion field that nullified most spells. Yue's magic would be no exception.
"...It gets dispersed," Yue confirmed quietly. "But it's not a problem."
Her voice was steady, but Renji could see the faint line of tension in her brow. The old pride flaring up — an ancient princess who didn't like being forced to play defense.
"How much more mana would it take?" Renji asked softly.
Yue glanced at him, her gaze warming just a little at his calm presence.
"Ten times the usual… for even something simple."
Renji exhaled. "Then don't waste it. I'll handle this."
Yue opened her mouth to protest — she hated being sidelined — but he placed a hand briefly against her shoulder. No words. Just a steadying touch.
She looked up at him, and her lips pressed into a thin line. A quiet, reluctant nod.
"Alright… Don't show off too much," she murmured.
Hajime chuckled, holstering Schlag and raising Donner.
"Guess that leaves us two trigger-happy idiots."
"Correction," Renji smirked, flipping open the cylinder of his Chrono Trigger Pistol. The weapon shimmered faintly, runes etched along its length. He slid in shimmering blue cartridges, the casings thrumming with compressed time magic.
"I'm the trigger-happy idiot. You're just the guy with a railgun."
Before Hajime could respond, one of the beasts lunged.
A gunshot cracked out — not Donner's sharp bang, but a strange, distorted report, like a bullet tearing through stretched glass.
The monster's body slowed mid-air, its motion dragging sluggishly as if time itself clung to it. A second shot hit it square in the head, and the creature crumpled to the ground in unnatural slow motion.
Renji spun his pistol, cocking it with a flourish.
"Chrono Trigger. Works even in mana-dead zones. It folds time inside the bullet — no external mana dispersion to worry about."
Hajime whistled. "Show-off."
Another wave of beasts closed in. Hajime raised Donner. "Let's clean this up."
Renji smirked, exchanging a brief glance with Yue — a silent promise that he'd come back to her. She gave a tiny, almost imperceptible smile, a flicker of fondness in her crimson eyes.
Then they moved.
Hajime's railgun-like blasts cracked through skulls while Renji's time-bending rounds warped the battlefield, freezing monsters in place or slowing their desperate charges to a crawl.
It wasn't long before the last corpse hit the ground, smoke curling from the barrels of their weapons.
Hajime flopped down on a nearby boulder, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Okay… I admit it. That pistol's damn cool."
Renji holstered it, walking back to Yue's side. She wordlessly reached out and took his hand — just for a moment, a grounding touch before letting go.
Hajime eyed them both, grinning despite himself.
"Y'know, I'm really starting to feel like the third wheel here."
Yue patted his shoulder like one might humor a younger sibling.
"You are."
"Wow. Harsh."
Renji chuckled, glancing up at the cliffs. "Come on. Let's get moving before more of them show up."
And together — the lone wolf, the ancient princess, and her beloved — they continued through the gorge.
Renji's motorcycle, a creation of his own design, roared to life with an impressive growl that cut through the air. It was sleek, yet powerful—its frame was made of a reinforced mana-infused metal, painted a deep matte black with subtle silver accents running along the sides like lightning bolts. The entire bike seemed to hum with a low, mechanical energy, and the moment Renji twisted the throttle, the engine purred with a satisfying vibration beneath him.
The handlebars were wide and sturdy, wrapped in a mix of leather and mana-conducting coils that ensured a smooth ride even through the most rugged terrain. The custom grips were molded to Renji's hands, allowing him to maintain complete control even when pushing the bike to its limits. The front fork had an imposing suspension system, made from compressed mana crystals, designed to absorb the shock of any terrain—whether it was steep rock faces or uneven, treacherous ground. The tires were thick and rugged, built for any kind of environment, but with a slick design that allowed for maximum grip. The rubber was infused with mana, which not only gave it superior durability but allowed the bike to glide over rougher surfaces, ensuring an almost weightless feel even at high speeds.
The seat was low-slung, made of a high-grade leather that conformed perfectly to Renji's form. It was firm, but not uncomfortable, giving him the support he needed during long rides. Just behind him, a padded passenger seat was designed for comfort—perfect for Yue, who settled behind him. The seat was surprisingly light for its design, almost as if it were a separate compartment that could shift based on the rider's weight distribution, offering a seamless ride no matter who was riding.
At the rear of the bike was a sleek exhaust system, running low beneath the chassis with polished chrome accents. Despite the powerful engine, the bike's exhaust emitted a deep, resonant hum that vibrated through the air. Renji had designed it to be quieter than typical combustion engines, relying on mana power instead, but the growl of the exhaust still managed to announce his presence, adding a raw, primal energy to every acceleration.
One of the most impressive features was the magical core embedded at the center of the motorcycle's frame, glowing faintly with an ethereal blue light. It was powered entirely by mana, converting the energy into mechanical power with incredible efficiency. This core was fed by both Renji's own mana and a reservoir that could be replenished from ambient sources, making it an incredibly sustainable machine, though it still had limitations in certain environments like Reisen Gorge, where mana was erratically dispersed.
The custom transmutation undercarriage was Renji's proudest achievement. It was equipped with a series of interlocking transmuted gears and plates, which could soften the impact of uneven surfaces and effectively smooth the ground before the tires hit it. This allowed the motorcycle to glide over rocky terrain, large boulders, and even the occasional patch of unstable sand without the usual jolts or bucking that would hinder a regular bike. It made the motorcycle an ideal vehicle for environments like the gorge, where the ground was unpredictable, but Renji's creation adapted to the landscape with precision.
As Renji revved the engine, a thin, almost imperceptible blue aura surrounded the wheels, signifying the flow of mana coursing through the bike's system. It wasn't just for power—it was part of the bike's unique design that allowed for enhanced stability, particularly on rough or shifting ground. The bike was lightweight but solid, crafted to maintain high speeds while still being agile enough to handle quick turns and sudden maneuvers.
When Renji and Yue rode together, the motorcycle seemed to hum in harmony with them. Yue's arms wrapped tightly around his waist as they picked up speed, and the bike responded fluidly to Renji's every command. The tires gripped the dirt paths beneath them as if they were one with the land, and the air around them seemed to part with ease, the wind flowing past them like a stream.
As they drove, the subtle mechanical hum of the bike intertwined with the occasional loud whirring of the exhaust, creating an almost symphonic atmosphere. The lights of the forest flickered in and out of view as they sped past, and the bike's integrated magical sensors adjusted the vehicle's trajectory, ensuring they stayed balanced no matter how unpredictable the terrain became.
Renji couldn't help but grin as they rode. This motorcycle was a masterpiece—one built for adventure, for power, and for freedom. Every bump in the road, every twist of the throttle, and every rush of air seemed to amplify his excitement, making him feel truly alive as he and Yue ventured deeper into the gorge.
Hajime was not far behind, but he had opted for a different approach to navigating the rough terrain of Reisen Gorge. His motorcycle, Steiff, was also custom-built, though in a more utilitarian, almost military-like style. While Renji's bike had sleek curves and polished chrome, Steiff was a powerhouse of raw, no-nonsense engineering, designed for durability and efficiency over aesthetics. It had a sturdy, angular frame made from a combination of reinforced alloy and mana-infused ceramics, making it look like a beast of a machine that could endure anything the world threw at it.
The tires of Steiff were massive, almost twice the size of Renji's, with deep treads designed to cut through sand, dirt, and rocks with ease. The front of the bike featured an intimidating set of thick, dual-fork suspension systems, with large mana-infused shock absorbers that glowed faintly blue as they absorbed the uneven ground. The engine itself was visibly larger, a massive mana core that hummed steadily beneath the thick frame, protected by a series of cooling fins that extended from the sides like the wings of a mechanical dragon.
Hajime had mounted Steiff a few moments after Renji, and though it didn't possess the same elegance as Renji's bike, it made up for it with sheer practicality and stability. The deep rumble of its engine was the first thing you'd notice—louder than Renji's bike but still softer than a traditional combustion engine. It had a controlled power that pulsed with Hajime's steady mana output, and while Renji could control his speed with ease, Hajime had set Steiff to a steady, calculated pace to keep it running for the long haul through the gorge.
Sitting on the bike, Hajime's posture was stiff and precise, his legs spread wide for stability as he steered the heavy machine through the rocky paths. His hands, firmly gripping the reinforced grips of Steiff, were in complete sync with the bike's movements. His focus was sharp, eyes scanning ahead for any obstacles or monsters that might appear on their path.
The air around him was filled with the sound of Steiff's low mechanical growl, occasionally cutting through the faint hum of Renji's bike in the distance. Unlike Renji, who seemed to enjoy the ride, Hajime's face was focused, not without a hint of determination. He wasn't just cruising through the gorge—he was on a mission, intent on finding the entrance to the labyrinth. His mind raced, cataloging every detail of the terrain, watching for anything that might give away the labyrinth's secret entrance.
Hajime had modified Steiff with a set of dual mana-enhanced guns mounted on the sides, in case they ran into any aggressive monsters. He kept his hand near the controls, ready to fire should the need arise. His body remained steady, but his senses were always alert to the slightest movement. Every time he heard a roar or saw movement from the corner of his eye, his reflexes kicked in, and Steiff's engines hummed louder as it accelerated, ready to cut through whatever was in its way.
Though he rode solo, the distance between him and Renji was closing. He'd glance behind him occasionally, seeing the sleek black silhouette of Renji's bike and the figure of Yue, leaning into Renji's back, arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Hajime couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of satisfaction—Renji had always been the type to seek the thrill of the ride, and it looked like Yue was enjoying it as much as he was.
But Hajime was a man of purpose, and his thoughts were never far from the task at hand. He maneuvered Steiff around an outcrop of jagged rocks, the heavy tires grinding over the rough terrain, as he kept his eyes focused on the path ahead. The air smelled fresh and earthy, with a tinge of salt from the distant sea. A faint roar echoed in the distance, and Hajime's lips twitched. It was definitely stronger than the monsters they'd encountered so far.
Steiff kicked up a cloud of dust as it surged forward, its heavy engine spitting out a burst of energy as it tore through the gorge at a faster pace. Hajime's sharp eyes locked onto the distance. He wasn't going to let Renji and Yue outpace him—he'd catch up soon enough.
Renji's hand gripped the handlebars of Steiff with a sense of quiet intensity, his focus sharp as he guided the bike down the narrow, jagged path. The air around him was thick with tension, and the rhythmic hum of the engine seemed to echo against the jagged cliffs, amplifying the growing sense of danger that surrounded them. Yue sat behind him, her presence a quiet, still weight against his back, her body leaning slightly into his, but not enough to disrupt the careful balance he maintained. Her silence was as sharp as the wind whipping past them, but Renji could feel her curiosity—her unease—as they sped deeper into the gorge.
Ahead, the sounds of something massive were growing, too loud to ignore now. It was a low, rumbling noise that carried a menacing cadence, one that seemed to vibrate through the ground beneath them. Renji's grip tightened on the handlebars, eyes darting to the left and right, searching for any sign of the danger that was approaching. A fleeting glance at Yue confirmed her attention had shifted to the same source—the source of the growing tremors.
"Renji," Hajime's voice came low, almost absent, as though he were stating a simple fact. "Something's coming. I can feel it."
Renji didn't need to be told twice. He could feel it in the air—the strange, unsettling pressure that had built around them. He slowed Steiff, letting the bike roll forward slowly, the engine's low growl vibrating against the rocks. His eyes were sharp as he scanned the surrounding terrain, every nerve in his body alert, ready for whatever came next.
Yue leaned forward just slightly, her eyes narrow as they scanned the horizon. Renji didn't need to look back to know she was just as aware of the impending danger as he was. Her dispassionate calm was like a constant rhythm, steady in the face of growing tension.
As they rounded a corner, Renji's gaze locked onto the cause of the commotion. The creature was massive—two heads of pure raw muscle and power, its gigantic form looming at the mouth of a cave, a hulking figure that dwarfed the landscape around it. A T. rex. The beast's jaws snapped open and shut in a rhythm that seemed almost mechanical, while its beady eyes glinted with ferocity. Its massive claws dug into the earth, its body a terrifying contrast to the jagged rocks and dry, dusty earth.
Behind the T. rex, a small figure darted between the beast's massive legs, trying to evade the jaws snapping shut around her. She was fast, but nowhere near fast enough to escape the creature's reach. Renji's eyes tracked the movements of the girl, a sense of unease creeping up his spine. There was something about her—her panic, her vulnerability—that drew his attention more than it should have.
"Renji," Yue's voice was a murmur behind him, almost too soft to catch. "She's just a rabbit girl. It's not our problem."
But Renji's gaze remained locked on the scene unfolding ahead. The girl was small, practically a blur of white fur and wide, terrified eyes as she dodged in and out of the T. rex's massive form. Her movements were frantic, desperate. The creature lunged toward her again, jaws wide, but she slipped past just in time, avoiding death by inches.
Renji's grip on the handlebars tightened. He could feel Yue's disinterest—her usual cold detachment. She wouldn't care about a random bystander running from a predator. But there was something about this girl that tugged at Renji's instincts, something about the way she was desperately calling out for help that felt… real.
"Help! Please! I need your help! Please!" The girl's voice pierced through the air, her words cutting through the noise of the T. rex's roars. It wasn't just a cry for mercy—it was a call, a plea for assistance. Renji's heart rate quickened. This wasn't just a random victim trying to survive; there was purpose in her desperation.
Yue's voice was nonchalant, but it didn't reach Renji. He could hear her speaking, but his mind was already turning over the situation. "She'll survive. Or she won't. It's not our concern."
Renji's mind raced, but he didn't turn his attention from the girl. The T. rex was getting closer. He could see its massive form lumbering forward, jaws snapping. His body tensed, adrenaline surging through his veins.
"No," Renji muttered to himself, the words a quiet resolution. "I'm not letting her die."
His fingers moved almost of their own accord, finding the cold metal of his Chrono Trigger Pistol, his weapon of choice for situations like this—precise, powerful, and capable of manipulating time in small bursts. With a flick of his wrist, he drew it from its holster, feeling the cool weight of it in his hand. Time could bend to his will, and in that moment, he was certain he would use it to save her.
He focused on the T. rex, studying the angles, his mind calculating the precise moment when he would strike. Without a word, he aimed the Chrono Trigger Pistol at the creature's massive head, his finger steady on the trigger. The world around him seemed to slow, and the bullet fired with a sharp, almost inaudible crack.
The T. rex's head jerked back violently as the bullet hit its skull, sending a shockwave of energy through the beast's body. For a moment, everything paused. The creature stumbled, its massive form faltering, confusion flashing in its eyes as time seemed to stretch and twist around it. Renji's breath remained steady as he adjusted his aim, pulling the trigger again. Another shot. This time, the bullet struck its chest, forcing the T. rex back, its roars turning into strangled, stunned gasps.
Time snapped back into place with a forceful jolt. The beast collapsed to the ground with a bone-shattering crash, its massive body twitching once before lying still. Renji didn't look away from the fallen creature as he holstered the Chrono Trigger Pistol, his hands steady even as his pulse pounded in his ears.
Yue, who had been silent throughout the confrontation, leaned forward just slightly. "You never were one for leaving people to fend for themselves," she remarked, her tone lacking any hint of surprise.
Renji didn't answer immediately, his gaze still fixed on the girl, who was now standing frozen in shock, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths. The world felt quieter now, the only sound the wind rustling through the gorge and the distant echoes of the T. rex's final roar. Renji revved the engine gently, moving Steiff forward, his focus entirely on the girl.
She didn't immediately respond to his approach, still shaking, her wide eyes locked on him, the shock of the situation still gripping her. As he stopped the bike in front of her, he noticed the way her body trembled, the raw fear evident in her every movement.
"You okay?" Renji asked, his voice far softer than it had been moments before.
She didn't answer immediately, still shaking, her eyes fixed on the fallen beast like it might rise again. Her white rabbit ears drooped against her tangled, dirt-smudged hair, and her breathing came in ragged, uneven gasps.
Renji brought Steiff to a slow stop a few meters away, his eyes narrowing as the girl staggered forward. Hajime's own bike rumbled up beside him, Yue perched silently at his side, her gaze cool and unreadable.
The girl stumbled, nearly falling to her knees before catching herself. "P-please…" she choked out, voice hoarse and desperate. "Help me… please… I— I don't have anyone else…"
She clutched at the hem of Renji's coat like a drowning girl clinging to a loose plank in a storm. Her violet eyes shimmered with unshed tears, wide and pleading.
The three exchanged glances. Renji raised an eyebrow. Yue's lips barely curved in a curious frown. Hajime sighed quietly.
"…Alright," Hajime said, folding his arms. "Slow down. What's going on?"
"I… I can't… not here…" she stammered, glancing behind her at the narrow gorge. "They'll find me if I stop too long… please, just listen. Just… hear me out."
Her voice cracked on the last word, raw panic bleeding through.
Renji knelt down, meeting her eye-level, his tone neutral. "Listen to what?"
She gulped hard, unable to say more, her whole body trembling like a cornered animal.
Yue spoke for the first time, her voice quiet but firm. "You're not making sense."
"I… I know," the girl rasped. "I just— please… don't leave. I'll explain. Just… don't go."
Hajime exchanged another look with Renji. "We're not promising anything," Hajime muttered. "But we'll listen. You've got two minutes."
The girl gave a shaky nod, tears spilling down her dirt-streaked cheeks. She didn't even offer her name. Didn't ask for theirs.
Renji jerked his chin toward a nearby rock outcrop. "Sit down. Catch your breath. Start from the beginning."
They didn't move to help her. Didn't make promises. But they waited.
And for the first time since she'd stumbled out of that gorge, something in her hopeless expression flickered — not quite relief, not quite trust. Just… hope.