After a couple of games of trial and error, Yakeru finally got the hang of Jo-ku. He strategically discarded a couple of cards in exchange for new ones. Feeling confident, he placed his hand down with a smug smile only for Hiroto to do the same. Since he was still new to the game, it took him a few seconds to register that Hiroto had bested him for a third time.

"So much for 'Third time's a charm'."

"It's not your fault. He's just really good at this." Touma comforted Yakeru as Hiroto chuckled, gathering his cards.

Yakeru couldn't help but admire their elegant design. They had gold borders that turned to spirals at the corners. They seemed to have a subtle rainbow effect when the light hit it a certain way as well.

"Neat, huh?" Hiroto snapped him out of his trance.

"Oh, yeah. They're really cool. It must've cost a lot to get them."

He collected the rest of his cards and organized them before effortlessly performing a spring flourish between his hands.

"They were a gift from my daughter. Even when her budget was limited, she still remembered how much I enjoy card games. Since they're limited edition, I'm sure she went through a lot of trouble snagging the last deck before they sold out."

"Oh, I can't imagine those were easy to find. She sounds very kind and thoughtful."

"Yeah," he shuffled the cards absentmindedly, mustering a weak smile to no one in particular. "She waits for me every time I go out."

"I see."

Hiroto bridged and shuffled them a few more times before dealing. Touma managed to secure a win here and there, putting a smile on his face, but the more experienced jo-ku player, Hiroto, won the majority of the time. Overall, the timid boy seemed more at ease.

𝘙𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦...!

The cards stuttered across the fabric. Veins cracked into the walls and the group of rangers braced themselves. Both Yakeru and Touma hurriedly discarded their hands as Hiroto grabbed the four corners of the fabric and covered his cards. Everyone bolted towards Hiroto as he grabbed his shield. Once everyone was accounted for, he imbued it, projecting a barrier above them.

The ceiling split apart, allowing for boulders to rain down on them. The boulders produced ripples in the barrier each time they smashed into it. Amidst the commotion, Yakeru just so happened to look Hiroto's way. The old man's expression was hardened, unwavering. His stance faltered not once as rubble hammered his reinforced shield.

There were other details he, Kenji, and Fuyumi took note of as well. The moment the clan felt the quake, they bolted to Hiroto seemingly without a second thought. Kenji and Fuyumi were both close enough so they weren't in immediate danger. Alek even took the liberty to replenish Hiroto's radiance while he protected them without being asked to do so.

The clan understood each others' roles to such an extent that they seemingly acted on reflex. It spoke volumes about their coordination.

After a few seconds longer, the quake subsided and the debris settled.

"Holy crap..." Alek murmured.

"Everyone, pack your things. It's time we keep moving." Hiroto commanded, assuming their belongings weren't already crushed.

Fuyumi had a trace of worry on her face. The clan members didn't seem to notice but Yakeru had known Fuyumi long enough to catch the subtle shifts in her expressions. He watched silently as her eyes darted around to confirm her two companions were both accounted for before her face softened in satisfaction.

Hiroto deactivated his barrier while the others scavenged the area of what remained. As expected, most of their items were ruined though allowing them to set out quicker.

Kenji nudged Yakeru's shoulder.

"Hey. Alek's pretty impressive, right?"

"What do you mean?"

Kenji glanced over at Alek dusting himself off.

"I mean he's been replenishing the teams' radiance the whole time without showing any signs of fatigue."

Yakeru's eyebrows shot up, finally understanding what his comrade was getting at.

"Oh, yeah. You're right. His channels must be highly developed."

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The team finished gathering their things and headed out. Now that they knew something awaited them ahead, they treaded carefully.

"Remember, something might be down here with us. We have to assume the worst so stay alert." Hiroto cautioned his allies.

Touma, although timid, was naturally aware of his surroundings. This made him perfect to play the role of a scout. Even if most of his allies didn't see much potential in him. Either way, if he claimed to have seen something, Hiroto knew to take him seriously. Their lives were in his hands, after all.

Their light source only became more scarce the further they went down as multiple lamps had been knocked down and broken.

"W-We're closing in on the area where I saw those moving shadows..." Touma warned, clutching onto his staff.

Hiroto raised his shield in response before quietly ushering his force to move forward. Shadows on the walls, floor, and ceiling became more abundant from the gradual lack of light. A partial clearing came into view, the entrance to the room only illuminated by a single lamp that had survived the quakes. As for the room itself, it was already consumed by darkness.

"Alek. Give us some light." Hiroto ordered.

Nothing happened.

Expecting the shaft to brighten, the group was instead startled by what sounded like a wooden thud softly echoing behind them. They all glanced back expecting to see their teammate but the shadows made it challenging to see three feet in front of them.

"Alek?" Hiroto tried keeping his composure but the worry in his voice betrayed him.

The only response he received was incoherent sounds too quiet to make out.

"Light! Anyone!"

Kenji wasted little time and infused his staff, brightening the shaft. As he did, everyone reflexively stumbled back in shock.

An almost transparent green sludge was latched onto Alek's head, his panicked screams muffled. Movement slithered above Touma's field of view in his peripheral vision. Mustering every ounce of courage, he tilted his head up and his face turned pale. The others followed his gaze, sharing similar reactions.

Dozens of sludge-like creatures dangled from the ceiling in preparation for an ambush.

"Slimes!" Hiroto roared, manifesting a barrier above them.

𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘵! 𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩!

Before long, the once-amber-colored barrier turned a dark shade of green as the slimes descended onto their prey.

"Damage dealers, form a perimeter around the conjurers!" Hiroto ordered.

It took a few moments for Yakeru and Fuyumi to gather their wits but they eventually did as they were ordered. Bo, however, kept his eyes glued to Alek who continued to shriek through the green mass clamped to his face. Moments passed before he sprinted to assist his comrade, drawing his sword as he did.

"Bo! Get back here!"

He ignored the old man, weaving through the green minefield.

Slimes began to skid across the ground towards the group taking shelter under the barrier. The slimes were mostly made up of a gooey substance except for their center. They had a dark bean-shaped center that pulsated every couple of seconds. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they needed to target.

Yakeru hacked and slashed at the aggressors, aiming for their center mass. Fuyumi took advantage of her athleticism, zipping around the room to compensate for their missing damage dealer.

As Bo reached the suffocating ranger, his face went pale. Alek thrashed around hopelessly, desperate to remove the slimy mass only for his hands to sink into its near-liquid exterior. Bo raised his sword, his eyes locked onto the slime's weak point but hesitation froze him in place.

"Stop moving!"

It was futile. Alek couldn't make out the muffled voice or the vague figure through his obstructed vision. Every time Bo decided to go through with a swing, Alek's appendages would flail in the way.

A guttural screech tore out of his throat as patches of hair disintegrated from his scalp. His flesh ripped from his face, exposing the delicate muscles and tissue underneath. Bo watched with trembling eyes as his comrade was consumed alive.

Alas, his assistance was in vain as Alek's muffled screams were silenced and his body went limp. The sight of Bo's former clan mate turned food ignited a rage within him.

"You...!" Bo raised his longsword and drove it into the unsuspecting slime feasting on his friend.

Its body spasmed violently before sprawling out on the stone floor. He whipped around, slicing through more slimes that had tried to ambush him.

Fuyumi slashed through her assailants one by one, leaving the terrain with green splotches and her allies in awe. Since slimes lacked blood, her bloodhound blade's siphon effect was useless in this fight. Nonetheless, she tried covering as much ground as she could with the little stamina she had left. Most of the group were noncombatants so it was practically her, Yakeru, and Bo against these creatures.

Her movements began to slow and her breaths became heavier. Taking advantage of the situation, a slime managed to latch onto her leg. For a moment she tried shaking it off as she fended off more slimes but that only seemed to tighten its hold, cutting off the circulation. The moment she decided to direct more of her attention on her leg was when another slime clamped onto her back. Panic began to set in as the creatures started eating through at her clothes to reach her flesh. Her movements became more frantic, growing more desperate to pry them off as more of them lunged toward her.

Before they could reach her, Kenji had already prepared to cast his ability. Igniting his staff with radiance, the slimes halted mid-lunge before they were slammed into the stone floor, killing them instantly. The monsters clinging to her had also whipped down to the ground, revealing torn fabric.

𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵!

They were crushed under the increased weight which shocked him. Normally he couldn't kill monsters by merely increasing their weight though he assumed it was because their bodies were fragile.

There were still dozens of them advancing towards them but taking that new knowledge into account, he raised his staff. Slimes that were once skidding across the room's floor came to a sudden stop. Their bodies contorted before their bean-shaped hearts caved in, killing them instantly.

The other conjurers stared at him in surprise. To them, it seemed as if he was somehow forcing the monsters to self-destruct. They weren't sure how an E-rank was capable of this but that soon didn't matter as the cavern began to shake.

𝘙𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦!!

The room trembled and the roof split apart. The quake threw everyone off balance, enough to shake Bo out of his feral frenzy. Realizing the situation, he darted across the room, avoiding crashing debris, and slid under Hiroto's barrier.

𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘮! 𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵!

One by one, the slimes were crushed as the rangers stumbled over. Sweat slid down Hiroto's face, struggling to keep the barrier stable as they were buried under the rubble.