Sean walked down the sloping, dark corridor without a hint of fear. He sensed unseen eyes on him, guiding him and keeping him at ease. The feeling was pleasant.
Not like Don Capo…
Soon the light ahead reached his feet. He quickened his pace and stepped into an even larger cavern where sparkling crystal stalactites hung from the ceiling.
In the center lay a vast, crystal‑clear lake so deep its bottom vanished in darkness. The water formed tiered ledges, and the soil on each ledge glittered with blue gems. Their glow bounced off the stalactites, turning them into the chandeliers of a royal hall.
Drawn by the woman who waited on the deepest ledge, Sean stepped into the water. With every stride, blood seeped from him, dyeing the lake crimson.
His skin shriveled and turned ink‑black, while his eyes melted into blood and left hollow sockets. Still, he felt no pain or danger, only peace.
The deeper he sank, the red clouds thickened until Sean vanished from view. On the lowest tier, the water wrapped around him, and a gentle, coaxing whisper filled his mind.
An inhuman roar rose from the depths, thick with pain and sorrow. Moments later, a Black Umi with a massive bear-like body, larger even than Alex's huge frame, climbed out of the bloody water.
His wet steps echoed through the cavern as he lumbered toward the Don Capo Gang's safe zone. Oddly, his mind stayed human, his thoughts rippling across the lake cave like the woman's earlier whispers.
Soon his low howls reached the gang, and they saw a new kind of Black Umi heading their way.
"M‑Monster's here!"
"It's… Black Umi! We can deal with it!"
"But it's huge! We need to be careful!"
"Yeah, don't let it touch you!"
They fell into the formation Ace had taught them and kept their distance. Fighting from afar worked against Black Umi and any unknown threat.
When it came into range, they hurled attacks but failed to leave a mark.
It echoed the time Ace's spear from Earth couldn't cut the Silvervest Bear. Back then Ace kept calm and changed tactics. But for the weakest part of the gang, it only reminded them how Elias had died.
Panic scattered them like headless chickens.
Yet the creature ignored them. It opened the makeshift coffin, lifted the corpse, cradled it in huge arms, and trudged back into the dark tunnel.
"W‑what in the world just went down?"
"Man, it's supposed to be the safe zone!"
"I am so fucking done."
"Guys… where's Sean?"
"Beats me… I don't care."
…
The weaker members griped, on the verge of tears. Moments like this proved they weren't built for this world.
About two hours later, Ace and the others returned with loot and fresh intel, spirits high. The sight of the despondent crew killed the mood.
"What the hell happened here?" Ace asked.
"Don Capo! A monster showed up—a huge Black Umi—from that corridor!" a member shouted, pointing at the dark tunnel. "We're not safe! This place is way too dangerous! You were wrong about the safe zone!"
Ace ignored the noise and scanned the area. "Where's Sean?"
"We don't know," Sean's friend said.
"I don't see any signs of a fight or blood," Ace said, eyeing the group. "And I don't see Sean. Figure it out. He went in and woke the monster."
"Then we have to save him!" the friend cried.
"If he's dead, he's dead. Zone's safe till you poke the dark spots. All you had to do was sit tight and watch each other. You let him wander. That's on you, not me," Ace replied.
The gang wilted under his glare.
Turning to his core team, Ace asked, "Ready for a brawl? We can die in there."
"Don't gotta remind me, Don Capo," Alex said, smacking his fist into his palm with a grin.
"Absolutely!" Chaewon affirmed calmly.
"Always," Mercer added.
One by one, the core team lined up, ready to crack open another secret of the Bank Grotto.
"We're going in." Ace strode off, friends on his heels.