“Alysia, repeat the words I’m about to say.”

“Miki, you don’t need to live like this,” I said, and a few seconds later Alysia called out those same words. “You don’t need to sacrifice yourself. Master is alive. Deek is alive. He wants you to remain alive too.”

Although she couldn’t hear my words, she should be able to acknowledge Alysia. The way she suddenly stiffened over those words told me I was right. For a brief moment, I hoped I could change her mind. However, if curses were so easy to cure, then anyone would have a blessing. After a brief moment of consideration, a sad smile formed on her face.

“If only such a thing could be true.” She sighed.

“It is true!” Alysia cried out. “Aren’t you the one that has the most spiritual perception? He was able to find you. Don’t tell me you’re not able to sense him!”

“I know you wish to stop this, but I can’t. If I do not do this, then you will also perish. Do you understand? I’m already cursed. Even if Master… my true Master, was here. I would still give my life to protect him.”

“Heh… you think you have this all figured out?” My expression darkened.

Alysia looked at me and flinched slightly. “M-master…”

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“You think I would let you give your life for me so needlessly?” I demanded. “I know you can hear me. Are you pretending I’m not here? If I was here, then everything you’ve done would be for nothing. If I was alive, then you would have to face the countless people you slaughtered. Is that it?”

My voice had risen to nearly a shout, but Miki still didn’t face me. However, when I noticed a single tear falling down her cheek, I was pretty sure I was on point. Miki was ashamed of herself. This entire parade was just a guilt trip that she was putting herself on. However, I wasn’t feeling sorry for her. Rather, I was feeling angry.

“Did you think that I would just sit back and let this happen? Are you thinking so little of me?” I declared, pulling out my sword. “You’re not trapped in that prison. You’re hiding in it. You’re trying to hide from your responsibility! If that’s the case, I’ll tear apart your chains and pull you out!”

I lunged forward, aiming for the chains wrapped around Miki. My blade met resistance, and I found myself being parried just as my blade was about to cut through the first chain. I looked to the side to see Hero standing there. He gave that familiar too friendly grin. It was starting to piss me off.

“I can’t let you do that. Even if you freed her, it wouldn’t change anything.”

The man who had moments ago been about to chop Miki’s head off was now protecting her from me. This was rich.

“Let me?” I sneered. “You won’t let me do anything. I had a feeling I’d end up fighting you. You’re not the first ‘me’ I’ve killed.”

“Hold back Master,” Shao spoke up. “We’ll finish Miki off.”

I glanced to the side. “You too, Shao?”

“If she dies, won’t I have Master all to myself?” Shao shrugged. “You wondered why I was so normal? Perhaps it is because Miki always feared that of all the women, I’d be the one to end her life!”

It looked like this dungeon’s true nature was revealing itself in more ways than one.