They sunk and sunk, closing their eyes and mouths to protect against the soot in the water. Even as they sunk, they still heard the ear-piercing noise at a noticeable volume, though not nearly as it was before. Continuing to sink, they eventually dropped through the water, landing in a large cavern underneath.

The group coughed profusely, all of them covered head to toe with ash and soot. Dazed from the sound, Rein struggled to stand, but he persevered as he used his Spring to remove the pieces of earth on everyone’s bodies, cleaning them of the black substance that dirtied them. Chloe then used her Spring to dry everybody off, cleaning everybody back to pristine condition.

After everyone was cleaned, the group noticed Rein’s ears excreting a red liquid as he collapsed on the ground. Chloe gasped and rushed to his aid.

“Rein! Your ear…”

“Damn, that hurt like a bitch,” he uttered as he glanced over at his health, barely conscious.

Health: 300/1500 (CRITICAL CONDITION) (Regenerating…)

Energy: 150/750 (CRITICAL CONDITION) (Recuperating…)

“Are you okay? Just lie down, don’t stand up,” she asserted as she propped his head on her lap.

Clyde approached him.

“Do not misunderstand, I am overjoyed that you are okay, and am extremely thankful to you for protecting us, but I do not understand how you are still conscious after that. Even covering my ears inside your earth dome, I could still feel my consciousness slipping away. You must really be something else, Rein.”

Rein couldn’t hear a word he said.

“The hell? Core’s bleedin’ too!” Quint drew the group’s attention to Core, who was leaning against the wall, his ears bleeding like Rein.

“Chill out, I can’t die, remember? I’ll regenerate this shit in no time. Don’t really get how they’re bleeding though, I covered my ears like you guys. Guess I’m just weak then,” he laughed, as Rein tried to stand up.

He used Chloe’s shoulders as support, getting up on both feet.

“H-hey! Wait, you can’t stand yet!” She yelled at him worryingly. Once again, Rein couldn’t hear what she said, but he assumed she said something along the lines of what she actually said. He laughed, coughing at the same time.

“Heh, *cough*. As much as I would love to sleep on your lap for longer, we’ve got to hurry up. Quint’s sister is in deep shit…” He stumbled, dazed and unbalanced from his injury. He was caught by Clyde, who lent him a shoulder.

“I commend your tenacity. Let us continue, I will be your support Rein.”

“Thanks…” He responded, again, not knowing what he said.

The group looked up, seeing a floating body of water above them, similar to the Hasbin gulf. It was where they fell through and looking around, there was only one path to proceed. It was a long, wide, and dimly lit tunnel. They were surrounded by glowing red cinnabar ore across the walls, reassuring the fact that they were in an inactive volcano.

10 minutes passed as they continued down the tunnel. Suddenly, Rein got a notification on his System menu.

Defense: 221.3 →227.9

[New Skill]

Moderate Regeneration (Health)

[New Skill]

Moderate Recuperation (Energy)

This was the first time Rein’s health dropped this low, putting his body in critical condition. This caused his System to prioritize healing above other things, granting him moderate regeneration and recuperation.

He checked his health and energy.

Health: 921/1500

Energy: 614/750

He regained hearing in his ears and took his arm off from around Clyde’s shoulder.

“Are you okay to walk now Rein? Have you recovered?”

“Yeah, I’m fine now, thanks for lending me a shoulder and a lap,” he answered looking at Clyde and Chloe, this time not guessing what he said.

“Really Rein? Are you sure you don’t need more rest?” Concerned, Chloe inspected him closely. He moved his face away, blushing lightly.

“Don’t underestimate my healing prowess,” he bragged, an attempt to hide his embarrassment. “Besides, we’re coming on a huge room up ahead,” he gestured his head in front of them.

They exited the tunnel and entered a large, vast room, similar to the one they landed in. The walls were dotted with cinnabar ores, with spikes of rock protruding down from the ceiling. The cinnabar was getting more and more abundant as they continued through. They stood in the middle of the room, feeling an ominous presence around them. Even to those who weren’t as perceptive, they still felt the peering gazes looming over them.

“Head’s up, an army’s coming,” Core informed them, seconds before a gargantuan group of roughly armored men surrounded them. They wore green undergarments, with grey armor platings covering their chest, knees, crotch, and a grey helmet on their face.

“Tch, mercenary groups with uniforms really have no class…” Core remarked as the key figure of the army appeared.

“Oh? Is that the leader of Checkmate I see?”

A man with black hair and green highlights emerged from the crowd. He wore a dark green robe, which covered his entire body. His nails were painted green, and his eyelids glossed the same color.

“Well, if it isn’t the Crypt green squad lieutenant, Riskel the Cardinal. A strategist that controls and enhances his army with his mysterious Spring, making the green squad the fittest for frontal attacks,” stated Core.

“Oh, how honored I feel as a lowly lieutenant to be recognized by the leader of the prestigious Checkmate!” Riskel jested, laughing to himself. “Hm? You with the black hair, have we met before? Well, it doesn’t really matter I suppose,” he remarked as he looked over at Clyde, who was stone-faced with no expression.

“Ah hell, what do we do now Core?” Asked Reggie, preemptively throwing punches into the air.

Core took out a marble from his pocket and threw it on the ground, summoning his black-haired assistant.

“Rein, Clyde, and Quint, get your asses outta here. The path behind us should lead deeper into the cavern. Make sure you remember our plan Rein. D8, Reggie, Chloe, and I’ll take care of these guys,” he ordered, the three hesitantly agreeing.

“Watch yourself Core, his Spring is a mystery, but I believe you can figure it out,” Clyde gave his parting words before catching up to Quin and Rein, continuing through the volcano.

“Be careful guys! We’ll finish up here and head over to you!” Chloe yelled after them as they ran through the proceeding tunnel.

“What? Are you an idiot? You sent away half of your troops when faced against a now unwinnable battle. I guess I expected too much of your strategic ability,” Riskel was disappointed, but then sprung up happily when the thought of tearing his opponents to shreds arose into his mind.

“Sir! Shouldn’t we go after them?”

“No. Captain can easily take care of those three. We can go after them after we wipe the floor with Checkmate. Haha! Their leader can’t win without an army backing him,” Riskel insulted Core.

“Chess holds its master in its own bonds, shackling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer. A true Chess master could beat an amateur with only a Queen, Rook, and Bishop. Let’s see who the better strategist is…” Core smiled at his opponent confidently, D8, Chloe, and Reggie readying their stances, awaiting commands from the Chess master.