Baam and Rachel entered the vast, underwater chamber.
They stood upon a small floating platform, encapsulated in a protective Shinsu bubble that shimmered faintly with each pulse of the surrounding current. Darkness enveloped the space, save for the gentle glow of tiny, radiant fish drifting in synchronized schools. Their bioluminescent bodies weaved through the water like stardust, casting dappled lights across the interior of the bubble.
Rachel, seated in a wheelchair, gazed around with quiet awe.
"…It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice soft and distant. "It feels like we've really become fish."
She watched the strange marine ballet, the countless glowing creatures suspended in the Shinsu like floating lanterns in the deep. The water danced with an ethereal brilliance, enchanting and surreal.
Baam stood behind her in silence. His gaze was fixed on the waters, but his thoughts wandered far beyond them. His eyes, wide and uncertain, lacked focus.
Ever since I came here… he thought, clenching his hand slowly. There's something… strange. Like something's flowing in.
He lowered his eyes and looked at his palm, curling his fingers tightly.
It feels… unnatural.
A silence settled between them before Rachel broke it.
"That woman—Yuri. She gave you the Black March, didn't she?"
Baam looked up. "Yeah… She lent it to me. I told her about you."
Rachel turned slightly in her chair, facing him with a curious look.
"Back then… when we were still in the cave, staring at that cold, dark ceiling… Did you ever imagine this? That we'd be here?"
Baam's voice was steady, almost wistful.
"I did. Even then… in the future I pictured, I was here—with you."
Rachel didn't respond at first. Her eyes wandered the aquarium once more, then she let out a small laugh—quiet, but tinged with something Baam couldn't quite name.
"You seem like you're enjoying yourself."
Baam blinked. "What? Really?"
Their conversation lulled as a subtle glow began to spread across the waters below. Threads of light shimmered like spider silk beneath the surface.
"Look, Rachel," Baam said, pointing. "There—see that net? The dolphins must be starting their hunt."
Rachel tilted her head up, following his gaze.
A vast formation was taking shape in the depths—a lattice of glimmering Shinsu, cast by the dolphins.
"…You're not scared at all, are you?" she said softly. "We're about to be eaten by a monster."
Baam gave a faint smile. "If I acted scared… wouldn't you feel even more anxious?"
Rachel chuckled under her breath, the sound barely audible. The silence that followed was heavier than before, wrapped in memories.
Then Baam crouched beside her. "Rachel? What is it?"
She reached out and brushed her fingers through his hair gently. "Look at you," she said with a trace of amusement, "trying to act all cool…"
Baam let out a nostalgic breath.
"That brings back memories."
And for a moment, in the quiet hum of drifting fish and distant waters, they were back in that dark cave—before the Tower, before the tests, before everything.
Just the two of them.
Alone in the world. Together.
---
Khun peered through the controls of his Lighthouse, brow furrowed.
"The dolphins have already set their net—damn it. Once they dive, we'll lose sight of them completely."
Beside him, Narae shifted nervously, clutching a shallow bowl.
"U-um, Khun..."
He turned. "What is it?"
Narae hesitated, then released a small, glowing creature from the bowl. It flitted upward in a ribbon of light, scouting the canyon ahead.
The creature dipped and turned as if mapping an unseen path.
"I… I might be able to find a way," Narae whispered. "There really is a tunnel down there. You were right."
Khun tapped at his Lighthouse's interface, bringing up schematics of the flooded pit.
"Why didn't you mention you're an Anima—able to control divine sea fish?"
Narae's cheeks flushed. "My Shinheuh is not capable of combat. But she can use sonar to survey the surroundings."
Khun nodded appreciatively. "Still—that's an incredible gift."
Narae snapped the bowl closed as the little fish slipped back inside. "Nobody likes a show-off."
Khun raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
She gave a small shrug. "I'll explore a bit more, then head back."
He leaned closer. "Tell me—can an Anima control any creature? The net dolphins… even the Bull?"
She shook her head. "Not at my level. Maybe a Ranker could."
Khun exhaled softly. "Yeah… I suppose you're right."
---
Administrator's Observation Room
High above the arena, Hansung Yu, Lero Ro, and Quant watched a multi-screen display showing live feeds from the test grounds.
Quant lounged on a couch, arms folded. "You've chosen another… unusual test, Director."
Hansung sipped his coffee without looking up. "Have I?"
Quant raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't there a quicker, simpler way to evaluate them?"
Hansung set his cup down calmly. "Don't forget—there are two Princesses of Jahad participating. The test must be special."
Lero Ro peered over Hansung's shoulder at the feeds. "Director, you arranged all of this on such short notice?"
Hansung offered a small grin. "Well-prepared means no worries."
Quant shook his head, impressed despite himself. "Honestly, Director… I'm impressed."
---
Anaak glanced at the ticking countdown on her Pocket and murmured with a grin, "Tick, tock. Tick, tock."
"Shut up!" Endorsi snapped, leaping into the air as she battled the towering Bull.
She darted around it with agile footwork, kicking off nearby rocks and structures, striking the beast with precision. The Bull snarled, swinging its massive arms wildly, trying to swat her down.
With a spinning kick to the jaw, Endorsi sent the creature crashing to the ground.
But it wasn't over.
The Bull rose slowly, eyes flashing. Suddenly, its long, muscular tongue shot out—slick, coiling—wrapping tightly around Endorsi's waist.
"What the—ugh, disgusting," she muttered, wrinkling her nose as the Bull's drool dripped down in thick globs. "You think this is enough to catch me?"
With a surge of strength, she twisted midair, snapping the tongue's grip and landing cleanly on the ground.
Anaak clicked her tongue and checked the timer. "Tsk. Four minutes already."
Endorsi smirked. "Sorry, Anaak. Might not get your turn after all."
But the Bull suddenly let out a piercing screech. Its muscles tensed—then it turned and bolted in the opposite direction, charging through the cavern like a stampede in retreat.
Endorsi blinked. "Wait… are you running?"
Anaak stood, unfazed. "Your five minutes are up," she said, stretching her arms. "Now it's my turn."
Without waiting, Anaak sprinted after the Bull.
"Wait, Anaak!" Shibisu shouted from behind, throwing his arms up in frustration.
Endorsi followed with a grin, chasing after her rival.
Shibisu sighed. "Damn these willful girls..."
---
Elsewhere…
"Nom… nom…"
A half-empty pizza box sat at the edge of a mossy rock.
Ren lounged casually, legs crossed as he took another bite of pizza, chewing with lazy satisfaction.
He swallowed and smiled. "You fell for my trap."
Endorsi's voice echoed through the cavern. "Moo-moo, come on out!"
She strode forward, her boots crunching against the damp stone floor. The silence pressed in around her—until she stopped, sensing something above.
Her eyes flicked upward.
The Bull was clinging to the ceiling, its limbs coiled like a predator poised to strike. Without warning, it dropped from above, jaws wide open, aiming to clamp down on her.
Endorsi leapt back just in time, landing with a skid.
The Bull let out a guttural screech, its eyes gleaming with feral hunger.
"What the—" Endorsi blinked, thrown off by the strange sound.
Before she could gather her thoughts, the Bull lunged again—faster this time.
She dodged sideways, barely evading the attack. "You can move that quickly, huh?"
But the moment her feet hit the ground, a thick, muscular tongue whipped out from the Bull's mouth, coiling tightly around her midsection.
She was yanked off her feet and slammed into the cavern wall with a sickening thud.
"Urgh… This damn cow…" she groaned, struggling against the tongue's grip.
Then she realized something was wrong. The pressure around her body began to increase. The tongue tightened, constricting her like a python.
Her eyes widened.
"W-What…?" Her voice was strained now, her limbs twitching as the strength drained from them. "You're… stronger than before…"
Her breathing grew shallow. "L-Let… go…"
Her vision began to blur as the crushing force closed in.
---
Somewhere deeper within the testing area...
Anaak moved swiftly through the narrow corridor of stone and water, her eyes scanning the shadows. Her grip tightened around the hilt of the Green April, her instincts on edge.
A voice echoed through the cavern.
"What are you so desperately searching for, Anaak Jahad?"
She froze, immediately turning toward the sound. A figure emerged from the dim glow.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her gaze narrowing.
The man stepped forward with a mocking smile. "Surprised?"
His voice was smooth, but there was something oily beneath it.
"I don't have time for games," Anaak snapped. "Get out of my way."
He chuckled. "So brave. Just like the original Anaak Jahad… the real one."
She halted in her tracks, a cold tremor running down her spine. "What... did you just say?"
The man took another step closer, his disguise slipping.
"I suppose there's no point hiding it anymore." His smile widened unnaturally. "I am Ren. Royal Enforcement Division, Unit #67."
A long tongue slithered from his mouth. Dangling from its tip was a pendant—one Anaak knew well. A green crystal, shaped like a teardrop. Her mother's necklace.
Anaak's heart clenched. "Why do you have that?"
Ren twirled the pendant on his tongue, voice thick with mockery. "Who knows? Maybe you can guess."
Her fury exploded. The Green April ignited in her hands as she growled, "That necklace belonged to my mother. Give. It. Back."
Ren cocked his head. "So the bastard child can wield the Green April without even being a proper princess… How interesting."
"I said give it back!" Anaak leapt, lashing out with the whip-like weapon.
Ren danced away, almost effortlessly avoiding each strike. "Too slow."
With a snarl, Anaak lunged again, this time bringing the Green April down in a powerful arc.
But Ren didn't flinch.
His mouth opened wide—and from its depths, a swarm of grotesque creatures burst forth.
They struck her like a tidal wave, sending her flying across the cavern. She crashed against the rock and crumpled to the floor.
The swarm retreated as quickly as it came, disappearing back into Ren's body.
He smirked. "You should've stayed down."
Anaak pushed herself up with a grunt and charged once more. "Damn you!"
But in an instant, his tongue shot out again—faster than before—and speared her through the torso.
Her momentum stopped cold.
She gasped, blood bubbling up as her grip loosened. The Green April fell with a metallic clang.
Ren shook his head, disappointed. "I thought you'd last longer. But I suppose even a knockoff Jahad can only go so far."
He withdrew his tongue. Anaak collapsed, clutching her side, blood pouring through her fingers.
Still, she crawled forward, dragging herself toward the fallen Green April.
Ren clicked his tongue as he watched her pathetic struggle. "Crawl, baby, crawl. You're almost there."
Just as her fingers brushed the weapon, Ren flicked his tongue again—scooping it up and swallowing it whole.
"Too late. Retrieval complete," he said smugly.
He looked down at her with disdain. "You could've chosen peace. Lived in hiding. But no… you just had to chase revenge. Now look at you."
Anaak coughed blood, glaring up at him. "Shut... up..."
He crouched beside her, whispering, "You've made your mother's sacrifice meaningless."
Tears welled in her eyes, but her fists remained clenched.
Ren straightened. Light began to gather in his mouth, forming into a concentrated beam of shinsu.
But then he hesitated.
"No," he muttered. "Killing you now would be too merciful."
His lips curled into a grotesque smile. "You're still half a princess. There may be some... use for you. Perhaps you'll make a fine pet for the Lo Po Bia Family. After all, they do enjoy taming wild beasts. Who knows? Maybe in a few generations, a proper hybrid Ranker will be born from your line. Wouldn't that be something?"
He kicked her aside like garbage.
Anaak flipped and landed hard, groaning.
Ren turned, lifting his arms dramatically. "So! Time to bring out our next guest!"
From the shadows, the Bull emerged—its massive form lumbering forward.
On its shoulder was a limp figure.
Endorsi.
Anaak's eyes widened. "Horned woman!"
Endorsi's eyes fluttered open. She smirked weakly. "You're still alive? Tough little lizard…"
Anaak gasped. "You… You're controlling the Bull?"
Ren gave an exaggerated bow. "Ding, ding, ding! Correct again. The Bull is under my command."
He gestured theatrically. "This entire underwater hunt was nothing more than a setup. A game. A culling."
Ren's eyes darkened. "You're tower trash. A stain on Jahad's legacy."
The Bull dropped Endorsi unceremoniously beside Anaak.
Then, Ren regurgitated the Green April, laying it between the two girls.
Ren's voice became deadly serious. "This is your redemption, Endorsi. Kill her. Kill the fake beside you. Kill the enemy of your father, King Jahad."
---
A rocky precipice jutted out over a vast abyss.
Six figures stood at its edge, each distinct in shape and presence: a towering giant, a stout dwarf, and a flamboyant young woman in high heels who carried herself like she owned the Tower.
Ha Yuri Jahad, unmistakable in her bold red outfit and commanding aura, stood at the forefront of the group. She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at the yawning chasm before them.
"Hey, Evan," she said with a sharp edge to her voice, "as a Navigator, you're supposed to find the best route. I asked you to lead the way—not guide us straight into hell."
The silver-haired man behind her—Evan Edrok, her long-suffering Guide—threw up his arms in exasperation. "It's not like I want to do this! But if we want to reach the testing area without being noticed, this is the only viable path."
He gestured toward the abyss. "Every other route risks getting spotted by Evankhell's subordinates. This one? It's... uh, less monitored."
Yuri's eyes narrowed further. "Didn't you say Evankhell isn't even on this floor right now?"
"Sure," Evan replied, scratching his head. "But that doesn't mean there aren't eyes watching. You can never be too careful."
Yuri let out a sigh. "I see. In that case…"
Before Evan could brace himself, she turned sharply and delivered a kick to his back.
"You go first."
"AAAH! You crazy princess!" Evan's scream echoed as he plummeted into the fog below.
The rest of the group flinched.
"...Well," muttered one of the team, sweat beading on their forehead.
Yuri walked to the edge and peered down, one hand on her hip. She tilted her head slightly.
"Huh. No sound of him hitting the bottom... Guess the fall really is that deep."
She turned back to the others with a grin.
"Shall we?"