The killing intent had long since vanished. So had the stench of blood. Yet the tension lingered stubbornly in the air. After witnessing just how effective Haruto’s skill truly was, trying to fight without using it now seemed almost pointless.

  “I already told you, I can’t use it like that. It’s broken, yes. But it has too many drawbacks.”

  Haruto’s voice carried reason as he tried, once again, to explain himself to Haruki.

  “Who cares?” she shot back. “Isn’t going psycho mode for a moment worth saving our lives?”

  “If that happens, YOU’RE in danger too, genius! I’m struggling to keep my mind in check with just a few seconds of using it. You think I’d stay sane for even a minute if we used it to fight a swarm stronger than what we just fought? That’s why I was saving it for powerful enemies only. I can’t risk it. Can’t you understand that?!” he argued back, frustration seeping into his voice.

  “Then go learn how to control yourself! You just have a skill issue,” she replied bluntly, arguing against his argument against her argument.

  This truly was sibling behavior at its finest.

  “Hey, you two…” Hana called out from where she sat beside Haruna, resting on a nearby boulder.

  They both turned immediately. “Y-yeah?”

  The words left them in perfect unison. Their eyes met, and a very noticeable irritation flickered between them.

  “Just stop it… Don’t we have too little time to waste arguing aimlessly?” Hana pointed out calmly. “If you start bickering like idiots, we won’t have enough time to reach the upper floors before the labyrinth shifts.”

  “Whatever…” Haruki scoffed, huffing as she finally relented.

  Hana stepped in more firmly. “Keep this for when we get outside. Because I have something to say too.” Her irritation was clear.

  “C’mon… You too, Hana?”

  “Yeah. Me too! What did you think would happen when you kept something that powerful sealed away this whole time when we could’ve been using it?” she shot back.

  Hana reclaimed her place on Haruto’s head.

  “I already told you, it’s dangerous—” he tried again.

  “You really think you wouldn’t be able to stop yourself from attacking us?” she asked bluntly, cutting him off.

  “Well, I… I don’t know that yet,” he admitted quietly. “And I don’t want to find out.”

  She sighed. “Listen. Next time, you have to use it. And if something goes wrong, we’ll knock some sense into you.” She added more softly, “Besides, I doubt you need to keep a skill like that sealed when it’s clearly the best offense and defense we have.”

  Haruto fell silent. He didn’t have an answer.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Considering everything that had happened so far, he reached an inevitable conclusion.

  “Fine. But if something bad happens, we don’t talk about it again. Is that clear?”

  “I’m fine with that,” Hana agreed without hesitation.

  He turned toward Haruna. “You’re the biggest target out of the three of you. If I go berserk, you’d be the first thing I see. What do you think?”

  Without hesitation, she declared, “It would be an honor to die by your hands, Master—”

  “WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT DYING ALREADY?!”

  Hana immediately intervened. “Haruna, he’s asking if you’re willing to take this risk. You’re more likely to be targeted than the two of us since we’re smaller. Tell us honestly. What do you think?” Her tone was serious now.

  “I…” Haruna hesitated, fists clenching at her sides. Then she answered firmly, “I am willing to take that risk, even if it means dying by your hands, Master…”

  Her feelings were complicated.

  If her master truly possessed a unique skill, one of this magnitude, it would be enough to let him stand beside the forest’s leaders in both authority and power. If he learned to use it properly, he could defeat even a general-rank crimson ant with ease.

  But the risk was overwhelming.

  If she died now, she feared she would simply be replaced. The position she had earned beside him… she did not want to lose it.

  Ever.

  Even so, she forced her selfishness into silence. This could be the turning point of her master’s true awakening.

  He was already a monster.

  And if he mastered this unique skill, they would not only escape the labyrinth, but also crush the Crimson Battalion that had invaded their god’s sacred domain, the Chaos Maw.

  The thought filled her with fierce confidence.

  “We must do it, Master. Miss— I mean, Hana is right. If you learn to control this skill completely, you will be powerful enough to influence the Forest Council on your own.”

  “I understand what you’re saying. But do you understand the risk in this?” he asked, still conflicted.

  “Yes. I do. And I am not ready to die yet. Not until you order me to.” She said it with absolute confidence, casually declaring that her death would only come at his command.

  She’s so confident, he thought, before sighing in reluctant acceptance.

  “Fine. I’ll do it. But I’m giving you one more warning. Be careful, okay?”

  Haruki: “Yup.”

  Hana: “I know.”

  Haruna: “Yes. I must, Master!”

  He handed Haruki over to Haruna as intended. “Let’s get going then,” he said. “I want to reach the top floor as soon as possible. We might face stronger enemies up there, so we need to be prepared. On the way, we train. We experiment.”

  Turning to Haruna, he continued, “I know the cursed sword suits you, but don’t rely on it too much. We need to refine your technique so your instincts improve. I want you to build muscle memory. That way, you can react faster and fight back even if you’re disarmed.”

  She nodded firmly.

  Then he turned to Hana. “You need to start practicing magic too. Don’t fight. Just train, okay?”

  She sighed. “Fine. Whatever.”

  Then, finally, to Haruki.

  “Uh… you… just do your thing.”

  Haruki smirked. “Yeah, yeah. Emotional support. I know. I don’t want to get involved in all that training stuff anyway.” She shrugged.

  As Haruto expected.

  She was calm because they were together. And if she didn’t want to participate, he wouldn’t force her. He knew his sister too well. She preferred watching, cheering others on, steadying them from the sidelines.

  Just like him.

  Only better at it.

  Guess she really was the emotional support of the group.

  Stretching his arms lazily, he muttered, “Let’s go.”

  He started walking ahead, his eyes slicing through the darkness and granting him unnaturally clear vision.

  Haruna followed closely, carrying Haruki and sheathing her sword.

  Behind her mask, a playful smile tugged at her lips. She felt satisfied with the role she played in this team. She was her master’s right hand, trusted to assist him in battle.

  It was a heavy responsibility.

  And a deeply satisfying one.

  Her childishness slowly resurfaced as she began hopping lightly on her toes while walking, trying her best to hide her excitement.

  She failed.

  It was like a young girl walking beside someone she admired, attempting to suppress her joy but letting it slip out in small, uncontrollable bursts.

  It was honestly a little funny.

  Haruto noticed. So did Hana. So did Haruki.

  But none of them said anything.

  Some sparks were too precious to smother.

  And they let hers burn.

  ...