'Railway... we're at a subway station.'

In every direction in which Noah was pointing his omni device's flashlight at, atop the platform, there were skeletons.

Human skeletons.

They appeared as though they fell asleep and never woke up. Some of the skeletons were entwined, as if they had been embracing each other in a final, desperate bid for comfort.

'I guess they sought refuge in the underground station.'

Of course, help never arrived. In the aftermath of the Great Fall, only a mere fraction of humanity would survive.

'It's a more peaceful way to die compared to being devoured by nightmarish monsters, at least.'

Doing their best in order to avoid disturbing the dead, the group descended to the railway. With one end of the tunnel having collapsed, long ago, they had only one route forward.

Claws was in a sorry state. The green foam covering its ravaged skeletal body glowed in the darkness of the underground tunnel.

'That lizard has a battle addiction...'

Steve did not escape the battle in the city streets unscathed, either. However, the undead warrior fights like a well-disciplined soldier, as opposed to the wild nature of Claws and as a result, Steve was in a better state, all things considered.

In addition, the skeletons of three of the ape-like monsters that Noah had raised, survived and were now advancing together with the group.

Noah himself sported a few bruises, aside from the burn on his shoulder. Mostly though, he was exhausted due to exerting a great deal of essence during the battle.

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As for Jeffrey, he appeared fine, save for a few minor nicks and cuts. Yet, even an ancient and formidable being like him must have his limits.

And so, the unlikely group marched slowly along the railway tunnel, guided by the beam of light emanating from Noah's wrist.

'What the heck...?'

The skeletal remains of some sort of monster hung upside down, tethered to a metal chain. It must have been left there for a very long time, as some of its limbs had withered and fallen to the ground.

As they marched on through the tunnel, the group came across more and more monster skeletons, hanging from the ceiling.

The farther they advanced, the 'fresher' the monster remains were, and there were a lot of them. After walking for over an hour, the corpses were no longer skeletal, but in varying stages of decomposition.

'So many... how long has this been going on...?

Pressing onwards, Noah occasionally spotted human corpses among the monsters.

"Noah." Jeffrey placed his massive webbed hand atop Noah's shoulder. "We are inside the lair of someone very twisted."

"Someone?"

"Yes, what you call an abomination."

Noah shivered as he recalled his horrific encounter with an abomination in the Hollowed Depths.

"It's leading us through here on purpose. I guess making us see our own fate." Jeffrey motioned towards the corpses hanging from the ceiling. "Let me handle it, okay?"

Noah nodded. He believed that he had toughened up ever since he was stranded beyond the walls of The Arc. But now that he was about to face such a cruel and powerful being, Noah was absolutely petrified.

'Why am I so weak...' Noah loathed having to rely on the kindness of Jeffrey, who was risking his own life.

As they continued marching deeper into the tunnel, the corpses began to appear as though they had been slain recently, their bodies marred by gruesome wounds.

"Oh no..."

The last creature hanging upside down, was still alive, barely. Its hide was peeled away in patches, exposing raw flesh beneath. Despite numerous lacerations etched into its body, none seemed severe enough to end its torment.

'No one deserves this.'

Beyond the tortured monster, were rows of chains hanging from the tunnel's ceiling, awaiting their next victims.

The dark tunnel fell into complete silence, save for the creature's labored breaths, echoing faintly through the damp air.

Noah gave Steve a mental command and the undead warrior ended the monster's torment with a single, decisive swing of his blade.

A furious shriek reverberated through the tunnel.

"Filthy... monsters... defiling... my... c... city..." The voice was a woman's, twisted and full of rage and fury. "You... too... shall... p... pay... for... intruding."