Just as Kris and Eliza entered the room, tons of debris from the ceiling rained down on them.

Kris was the first to react. He immediately looked down to tell Eliza to run, but she had already collapsed to her knees. Her entire body had stiffened with an expression of fear and despair on her face.

Shit! If she doesn't move, then...!

Kris gritted his teeth and, with one hand, grabbed Eliza around her waist and flung her over his back. Using every ounce of strength in his legs, Kris leaped out of the way.

The heavy rocks tumbled to the ground, blocking the entrance and trapping the two heroes inside. Kris looked back towards the entrance to verify the safety of his team, but it had been sealed with no way to see the other side. To make matters worse, more rubble was falling towards the duo’s present location.

Kris started sprinting in order to reach the exit on the other side of the room.

What was once the ceiling continued falling around Kris as he evaded debris that landed in front of him. He had to keep a tight grip around Eliza so she wouldn’t fly off of him from the sudden shift in momentum. Without slowing down, Kris used his free hand to draw one of his swords and sliced another rock in front of him.

Damn, if this doesn’t let up, we won’t make it…!

Although Kris had plenty of stamina left, it was not an infinite supply. He will eventually be overcome with exhaustion, and if this debris didn’t stop soon, it was only a matter of time before their lives would be extinguished.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting noise screeched across the room and Kris looked up while continuing to sprint.

With a cracking sound, the largest part of the fractured ceiling broke away and hurtled towards the heroes.

Kris put extra strength into his legs and raced to cross the threshold of the debris’ impact area before it collided with the ground.

Leaping forward with the last of his strength, Kris just passed the exit before the large chunk of rock impacted with the floor and sent shockwaves in all directions.

Kris turned his body midair so that his back would hit the ground first and cushion Eliza’s body. After landing, Kris rolled over and hugged Eliza close to his body, intending to shield her in case there was more to come. The rumbling continued inside the room for what seemed like an eternity before becoming deathly silent .

*****

Kris confirmed it was safe once the rumbling had stopped and slowly stood up, looking at where they had just been. The exit was completely obscured and the room could not be seen at all.

Kris was instantly struck with fear that his companions had perished, but remembering the tracking tool each of them carried, Kris checked his and was greatly relieved when he saw four green marks. Since his and Eliza’s were also undamaged, he assumed his friends would notice their survival as well.

After confirming the safety of his missing comrades, Kris knelt down to check on Eliza’s condition. She was unconscious, with a slight cut to her forehead and minor bruises on her body. Since he could not wake her up, Kris picked her up in a princess-carry and started advancing once again.

Although he was also slightly injured, Kris did not feel comfortable taking a rest in their present location. There was no telling if there would be another catastrophe like before and he wanted to move a safe distance before resting.

After walking for another half-hour, Kris decided it was far enough and finally relaxed his exhausted body. He set Eliza down and prepared a thin bedroll from his pack. After laying the still unconscious Eliza onto the cot, Kris grabbed bandages from his pack and treated Eliza’s head wound. He then prepared a small fire and used its light to check his remaining supplies.

There was enough food for a few more days, but his canteen wouldn't last after tomorrow without Lily to refill it with Water Magic. He still had a set of emergency rations, but those were only to be used on the return trip after slaying the Abyss King.

The expedition was planned so that they would get in and out of the labyrinth within ten days. Everything had been going according to schedule, but now with the group split, Kris was beginning to worry if they would make it in time.

In the worst case scenario, they would have to abandon the labyrinth and head back up to the surface in order to resupply. Unfortunately, that would also give the Abyss King more time to build up his strength, which would be troublesome for the hero party.

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Kris sighed as their problems seemed to be increasing unexpectedly.

Well, our main concern right now is linking back up with the rest of the group. Hopefully, Eliza will wake up soon.

Just as he thought that, Eliza’s hazy consciousness began to stir.

Kris rummaged through his supplies and took out a small bottle filled with blue liquid, called a healing potion.

Although his knowledge in alchemy was lacking, Kris vaguely knew that its ingredients stimulated the mana within one’s body in order to hasten the healing process.

This particular concoction was weak and only treated minor injuries, but it was enough to help her recover her strength for the time being.

Kris opened the bottle and took a seat next to Eliza. He held her head up with one hand and used the other to pour the potion into her mouth. Swallowing the bitter liquid caused Eliza to make a pained expression for a moment before showing a relieved face. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at her surroundings.

Her eyes settled on Kris sitting next to her and she called out his name in a low voice.

“...Kris?...What happened!? Where is everyone?!” (Eliza)

"Careful Eliza. I'll fill you in, so take it easy, okay?" (Kris)

Eliza tried to sit up, but Kris put a hand on her shoulder and eased her back down with the hand behind her head.

"We're still cut off from the rest of the group. You were knocked out from the blast so I brought you here. I already checked my tracker and everyone else is okay. We just need to find a way to get back to them soon." (Kris)

Kris explained the situation to calm Eliza down. After a few more minutes, he helped her into a sitting position and gave her some food and water to calm her nerves.

Eliza ate the food slowly, and then she started talking with a sullen face.

“...I’m terrible, aren’t I? When I felt that pressure, my mind just went blank and I couldn’t move. Even when the roof collapsed, I just sat there, waiting for death to come and get me…” (Eliza)

Eliza looked at Kris. Her eyes were already wet and tears started to fall as she continued her words.

“...In the end, you had to save me...I’m sorr-” (Eliza)

“Stop.” (Kris)

Just as Eliza was about to apologize, Kris cut her off. Grabbing her shoulders, Kris decided to tell Eliza his true feelings on the matter.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. What I did was my choice and mine alone. I won’t hold it against you. This place is designed to bring out the fear inside oneself. Especially that last instance, that was just abnormal. It’s no wonder someone like you with heightened senses was the most affected by it. We should have prepared for it beforehand.” (Kris)

“But-” (Eliza)

“If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I should have warned you about this possibility when I first felt it. It’s my responsibility as the leader of our group. For that, I’m sorry Eliza.” (Kris)

After his sincere apology, Eliza opened her mouth to say more, but Kris gave her a look that said not to rebut him. Eliza closed her mouth and looked down as Kris continued to speak.

“Now, our first priority is to regroup with the rest of our companions. We can’t search for the Abyss King’s tomb while we’re split up like this. If we follow the trackers, it should lead us to them. However, our supplies will dwindle if we don't hurry. Are you well enough to move now?” (Kris)

Eliza nodded her head. Satisfied, Kris stood up. Then he reached out his hand for Eliza to take.

“We have to support each other. That’s what it means to be a team. Since I helped you out this time, I’m confident you’ll return the favor. Until then, let’s work together and get the hell out of here!” (Kris)

Eliza wiped away her tears, then she looked up at Kris. She had a determined face and smiled as she grasped Kris’s hand and pulled herself up.

“Right!” (Eliza)

Kris smiled in return. Once he finished packing up his gear, they both nodded to each other, and then they continued running down the dimly-lit corridor into the unknown...