Hunter stood there, his gaze fixed on Nastes' lifeless body, the echo of their clash still ringing in his ears. His heightened senses, sharpened to a razor's edge, were reeling from the near brush with death.

His body began to tremble—whether from the Dark plasma’s after effect on his core or the sheer, senseless brutality of the carnage around him. He couldn't tell. All this destruction, this madness, just to feed the insatiable appetite of death cultists and their twisted ambition for control.

"Hey, Hunter." Jo's voice cut through the chaos, a soothing balm to his battered soul.

They locked eyes, sharing a moment of silent understanding. Then, Buckie, the ever-loyal rooster, wandered aimlessly across their path, grounding them back to reality.

Jo sank down, her hand gently stroking the big bird’s back, lost in thought. Hunter watched, a warmth kindling in his heart at the sight. She stood after a moment, the weight of her own fears and the burden of what lay ahead etching deep lines on her furrowed brow.

Suddenly, she launched herself into Hunter's arms. He enveloped her in a fierce hug, holding her as if trying to shield her from the world.

Time seemed to slow down around them.

Jo's sob broke the silence, a sound so raw and heart-wrenching that it tore right through him. Her shoulders sagged with a weariness that spoke volumes, and Hunter felt a lump forming in his throat. He swallowed it back, determined to be her rock.

This is Jo's lone battle but I've got to be strong for her, be the support she needs right now.

Gently, he brushed a stray wisp of hair from her forehead and offered her a reassuring smile. "You're not alone in this, Jo. We'll figure a way out, together."

Jo looked up at him, her eyes a tumult of sadness and resolve. “I trust you, Hunter, and I believe in you…” Her gaze drifted to Nastes' crumpled form, his hand no longer that of a hungry serpent. “You just stared death in the face and gave it the middle finger. And that's after barely breaking through with your senses in a whirl. And I know there’s more going on inside the tower than you've let on—”

"I'm sorry, Jo, I—"

She raised her hand to stop him. "No need for apologies. If you’re keeping secrets, I know you’ve got your reasons. It’s no coincidence that you’re the only one who can enter that tower. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me everything. Until then, let’s leave it at that, shall we?"

Her strength in that moment made Hunter's heart swell with pride and love for her.

Their moment was shattered by a wet, gurgling gasp.

They turned to see Lyra standing over Aspa, where she lay, blood pooling dark crimson beneath her. Mercos, with Monty perched on his shoulder, stepped back from the creeping dark red tide. Jo took Hunter's arm, leading him towards the scene, with Buckie hopping alongside.

Aspa, even in her dying moments, looked at Jo with a menacing grin, like a wolf eyeing its prey. "Death is not the end for me, child." Her voice croaked as she pointed a bloodied finger at Jo. "I've made a deal, and there's no turning back now."

Hunter’s gaze flickered between Jo and Aspa, confusion and concern etched on his face. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Her grin stretched wider, even as blood bubbled from her mouth. "The Dark Harvest is a path of no return. Soon, your core won't be the only thing corrupted. I will return, and I can't wait to see you then, child."

Jo stood tall, defiance radiating from her. "I'll resist you to my last breath. You won't get the satisfaction of seeing me fall."

Aspa's laugh was a cacophony of cruelty and blood, a sound that sent shivers down Hunter's spine. "I hope you do resist. It will make your inevitable corruption all the sweeter in the end. And don’t worry your pretty little head, I won’t have to come for you child, you will come searching for me willingly."

Jo's face turned pale, but she held her ground. "Leave her. Let her choke on her own venom." With that, she scooped up Buckie and strode away, leaving Hunter to follow, his mind racing with questions and a deep-seated worry for what lay ahead.

Footsteps echoed, signaling to Hunter that Mercos and Lyra weren’t far behind, while Monty's wings cast eerie shadows in the purple gloom leading back to the stairwell.

The level below was as still as a graveyard.

Jo stopped and turned to face Hunter, her gaze lingering on Buckie with deep affection. “I was blindfolded when Aspa brought me in here, so it looks like I’ll be following your lead to escape this wretched place.”

Buckie closed his eyes, enjoying the attention Jo lavished on him.

Lyra and Mercos soon caught up, Mercos’ towering form casting an imposing shadow beside her. Lyra eyed the big rooster and crossed her arms. “Already forgotten me, you feathery traitor?” The warmth in her tone betrayed her serious expression. Buckie’s eyes snapped open, and he crowed his defiance.

Hunter couldn’t suppress a mischievous wink. “I don’t think he's quite forgiven you for using him as bait for those molemen.”

Lyra’s face registered momentary confusion, then understanding. She eyed Buckie. “Missed quite the escapade, didn’t I?”

Monty alighted on Mercos’ broad shoulder. “We shouldn’t dawdle here, but I doubt we can leave through that slime-infested Level 3 anymore. What about exits on the lower levels?”

Lyra shook her head. “Facing the sea of slime is a picnic compared to the guardians on Level 2. The molemen's hides were tough, but the sentinels on Level II are indestructible and will stop at nothing to protect the Dark plasma core at the bottom level.”

Jo’s eyes glazed over, and she swayed, while her voice grew distant. “As above, so below.”

Hunter rushed to her side to steady her, but she just stared right through him with a blank expression.

Mercos’ face twisted into a grimace, as grim as any reaper's. “That cursed phrase was plastered all over that infernal dome.”

Gently, Hunter coaxed Jo back to the present, concern etched in every line of his face. “Jo, you with us?”

Her response was delayed, a shiver running through her. “Felt like I was somewhere else.” Her tone carried no inflection as she patted Buckie for comfort. “I've spent enough time here. The last thing we need is a close encounter with those core guardians on Level 2, so I’d say we go back the way you entered.”

Hunter checked his inventory; the Night Mare was still on cooldown. There was no flying out of one of those windows, even if they could bypass the purple lava covering them. “We need to pacify those slimes. I can handle beasts, but slimes? That’s a different story.”

Jo’s eyes lit up. “You don’t need to; I have just the thing.” She pulled out pan pipes adorned with serpentine sigils of the wind god Aeolus.

Hunter smirked. “Let me guess, Xuthos acquired that from some honest-working Aegean pirates.”

Jo gave a sharp nod. “That's one way to put it. Everything I've borrowed will one day return to its rightful owners.” Her grip tightened around the pan pipes. “I swear it, if it's the last thing I ever do.”

Hunter released his hold and gave her an encouraging grin. “You have my support.”

“And mine.” Lyra nodded, amusement in her tone. “Those would’ve been handy earlier.”

Monty’s squawk seemed to echo their thoughts.

Hunter glanced at the gray parrot. “Think you could scout ahead and make sure the way's clear down to Level 3?”

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Monty took off, circling above Mercos before darting away. Mercos’ smile was a rare sight. “Stay out of trouble, you feisty feather ball.”

The bird squawked with indignance and flew off.

Leading the group, Hunter felt the tension mount as they approached the stairs to Level 3, where the slime monsters awaited.

At the stairwell's crest, Jo took charge, a determined glint in her eye. She set Buckie down and grimaced at the slimy blockade below. Bringing the pan pipes to her lips, she began to play, the haunting melody echoing through the dank air.

The effect was immediate. A wave of calm washed over Hunter, even as Lyra and Mercos’ shoulders dropped beside him.

The churning mass of rage slowed as the slime monsters shrank back. Jo continued to play, taking careful steps down the stairwell, weaving between the slime monsters. They seemed to sway to the rhythm, goofy expressions forming on their features as they shrank further.

It opened up a path wide enough for safe passage back to the hidden entrance leading out into the city streets. They met no resistance as Hunter pushed open the door, allowing Jo to step through first, with Monty flying overhead to ensure the coast was clear.

Once outside, the door vanished, and the Black Tower became as impenetrable as before—a dark reminder of the death cultists' presence in the city.

Outside, the darkness lingered, but Jo was restless. “Let's not hang around here‌. I need to get back to the port residence.”

Hunter’s eyes went wide, and he scooped up Buckie while Lyra offered the bird a playful pat and some treats as an apology. Buckie graciously accepted them, clearly not one to hold a grudge.

Hunter stared at Jo. “You can't seriously be thinking of going back there. Xuthos will—”

Jo’s scowl cut him off. “Xuthos is clueless. Aspa played the arrogant bastard like a fiddle.”

Adjusting her cloak, Lyra glanced from Buckie to Jo. “My place is pretty cramped, but you’re welcome to stay with me.”

Mercos raised his chin. “I've got more space upstairs in my forge, and if you need a place to stay, you’re both welcome.”

Lyra’s mouth twitched, as if surprised by the big man's offer, then she covered it with a mischievous smirk. “Looking to start a harem, are you?”

His darkening scowl was answer enough.

“Thank you both for your kind offers, but I can’t accept. If I go with you, my Uncle Eratos will find me, and you don’t want the attention of that man if you can help it.”

Mercos gave a grim nod of understanding, and Lyra’s expression soured at the mention of Eratos.

Hunter’s gut twisted in frustration. “I wish I could take you back to the tower with me and find out whatever Aspa did to you. You don’t have to go back to Xuthos. We could hide you. Mercos, Lyra—they’re resourceful.”

But Jo shook her head, a resigned sadness in her eyes. “You don’t get it, do you? I don’t want to hide. If I do that, I’ll never be free. And I’ve still got time. I’m not on death’s door yet, unlike the innocent people under Xuthos' domain. And you underestimate Eratos; he will find me… and when he does…” Jo hung her head, leaving Hunter to grapple with the weight of her words.

Hunter's fists clenched at his sides, a fierce fire igniting in his core. “I'm stronger than before, Jo. I can take him on, and I’ve got allies now.”

Jo scoffed, her skepticism clear. “Strong-headed, more like. But Uncle is a Peak Star Order cultivator, Hunter. It’s sheer madness to think you’re strong enough to take him down.” She placed a hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow in challenge. “Unless, of course, you’re hiding some miracle up your sleeve and you’ve somehow leaped four stages to become a Peak Star Order cultivator yourself.”

Hunter sighed, the weight of reality pressing down on him.

Jo moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Patience, big brother. Even if you were at his level, he's got the experience of a War General. The only reason he hasn’t hunted you down is his arrogance blinds him to the threat you and that tower represent.”

Hunter met her gaze, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. “I’ve had a bit of help myself. Helios and Mistress Arista have been keeping our uncle occupied, diverting his attention from me and the tower.”

“You can run, but I can’t.” Jo’s hands landed on her hips. “We have to outsmart those crooks with the core I’ve been handed by Divine fate. As many allies that you say you have, Vasslius and Xuthos have twice as many, if not more.”

Hunter followed her gaze towards Xuthos’ residence.

Jo relaxed her arms, her voice softening. “They’d sacrifice their wives if they had one.”

The pit in Hunter’s stomach dropped as the next closest thing to a wife for Vassilus was his girlfriend. “I’ve not got much time.” He glanced back at Jo, her expression somber.

He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed, wishing he didn’t have to leave her alone to fend for herself.

“Ooof!” She patted his back, and smiled as he pulled away. “Watch your strength, tower cultivator.”

Hunter smirked. “I’m glad you’ve still got your senses, but I didn’t know you could throw a mean punch.”

“The outcome would have been much worse if I hadn’t escaped the Dark Harvest array when I did. I don’t know what overcame me…” She clutched her stomach. “When my life essence started to slip away I suddenly experienced absolute clarity of mind and saw how to break the array using counter sigils at specific points.”

He raised a brow. “You’ve always been smarter than me.”

“Go on, both of us need to clean ourselves of the filth.” Some of the flakes of blood fell as she rubbed her arm. “Are you going to the bathhouse again?”

Hunter’s eyes widened, reminding him of Eunice. “I need to check on something. Lyra, can you keep Buckie a little longer?”

“Come on now, love. Do you really have to ask?” She kneeled down, scooping the bird in her arms.

“Stay safe, all of you.” He glanced from Lyra to Mercos and Jo.

Jo gave a short nod as he turned, leaving them behind in the moonlight.

Hunter sprinted to the bathhouse, dipping in and out of the alleyways. The wind rushed against his hair, hoping to get to Eunice and warn her of everything that happened in the Black Temple.

His eyes darted from the stray glints of beady eyes watching from the corners. Like Jo, his mind seemed clearer since his breakthrough. He was more than happy to have met Claude to have such an opportunity with a Divine pact.

His steps slowed as he approached the entrance. The pact,...his amendment he’d added. “Athena’s boon.” Jo’s intelligence increased with her imposing death. “And that fierce punch—her strength matched mine in that moment.”

Hunter opened the door and ran inside, glancing at the young girl wearing gray robes who stood by the podium. “Don’t want to cause a stench in the whole place, going straight to Eunice. Jakob Tanneros’ account.”

“Keep that snake in your pants, hero, she’s occupied.” Her eyes challenged him without breaking her gaze, and one hand shot out to block him. She shifted position, her other hand whipping behind her back to hide a glass vial. Hunter caught a glimpse of its gleaming surface flickering before it disappeared.

He kept a straight face, pretending not to notice.

“Where is Lady Serafina?”

Her eyes narrowed on him, and she pursed her lips.

In his haste, he failed to recognize her at first, but now he recalled the same sour look she’d given him the last time they met. He snapped his fingers, as if trying to recall her name. “You’re Thassia, right? You work for Eunice.”

“So what?”

Hunter looked around to make sure no one was listening, then produced a gold coin. “This is yours if you look the other way.”

Her eyes followed the movement of the coin, but then her lip curled up. She looked at him as if he had just offered her a tray of Digby’s finest shit. “Keep your coin. No one’s available at this time of night, you randy bastard, especially without an appointment.”

Hunter slowly nodded, ignoring the insult, and returned the coin to his inventory. Sharpening his senses, his eyes darted towards Lady Serafina’s private chambers.

From inside came a low murmur of rising intimacy.

He arched his brow.

Straightening to appear taller, Thassia couldn’t hide the flicker of fear in her eyes as she followed his gaze. Then she looked away from Lady Seraphina’s chamber door, as if glancing that way would draw the wrath of its current occupants.

Hunter leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Vassilus is in there, isn’t he?”

Thassia stepped back. “I can’t say.”

“How much is he paying you?” Hunter produced a palm full of coins.

She took a breath, her defiant stare returning. “Keep your coin for your services here. It might be your last if he finds out you tried to bribe me.”

Hunter shook his head and replaced the coin with a single shimmering breakthrough coin.

Her breath caught, and all trace of coarseness fled her features, making her appear much younger. “I wager you’re well-paid here, and you probably saved up enough to live the life you want. So I have to wonder, what’s keeping you here?”

She didn’t answer; the breakthrough coin had her sole attention.

“I know what it’s like out there; families don’t have enough to eat. How big is your family?”

Her shoulders dipped. “There’s nine of us… No, I mean eight. My ma died from Scale Rot. They depend on me; my father, he…he’s not doing so well. See, he was away at war when they took Ma to Death Island…”

Hunter offered her the coin. “This is yours, on one condition. Go straight home, take all your family to Mercos’ forge, and tell him Hunter sent you. He has enough room to keep you safe until safe passage is organized for you all to leave Delphare and start a new life wherever you choose.”

A hint of skepticism returned to her voice. “What’s the catch?”

Hunter shrugged. “There is none. For your safety, you never saw me here.”

She stepped back as if he was crazy. No longer holding a hand out blocking his way to the bathhouse, she took the coin, and slowly backed away, as if half-expecting him to stop her if she turned.

Nearing the door, she spun around and dashed off.

Hunter wasted no time and left the entrance lobby through the double doors on the far side of the counter. He jogged down the silent corridor, sneaking by the empty communal baths.

Slipping past the shower, he peeked inside Eunice’s private bathing area. The sharp contrast of soothing blues against her pale skin was highlighted by the moonlit window. His face paled as his heart clenched tight. He sprinted to Eunice’s side, her head tilted, barely above water resting on the tub’s edge.

“Eunice.” He placed his hand to her neck, fearing he wouldn’t find a beating pulse.