Warmth.
It brushes against Rosa's face first, then cradles the back of her head.
She realizes she's lying on her back.
Her eyes remain closed as she stirs, then slowly opens them. Flickering torchlight greets her, familiar and warm.
She blinks, adjusting to the glow.
Another warmth circles through her scalp—gentle fingers tracing slow patterns.
Her blurry vision sharpens. A familiar face looks down at her.
A gentle smile.
Lilia.
"Good morning, Rosa. Slept well?"
Her eyelids flutter as the pleasant caress threatens to pull her back under.
Yet she shakes herself awake and pushes her body upward.
"Sssshhh… it's okay. You don't have to force yourself."
Lilia's palms land on her shoulders and ease her back down, guiding her head to rest on her lap once more.
Rosa's body relaxes, but her mind begins piecing together what happened.
That's right. I'm still trapped inside a cave in Eisenvalt.
Mana still drains from her—subtle, constant.
The chain of events floods back. The cave-in. Almost dying to an ore hermit. All her preparation rendered useless.
She grits her teeth as the locked room flashes through her mind, then shakes her head to dispel it.
She glances sideways, confirming the survivors are still there. The blonde woman tends to the injured man. The armored man slumps against the cave wall.
And at the far side of the chamber—the burnt, limp carapace.
A breath of relief escapes her lungs. The worst is over.
"We did it…"
The words feel unreal. Her eyes widen as the realization settles.
I managed to defeat a formidable foe with barely any mana left.
Another surge of gentle strokes across her scalp.
"Yes, we did. We did."
As if to measure herself, she pictures the figure in her mind—how she would have fared.
Not even close.
"My spells weren't enough… They didn't kill it…"
Rosa's jaw clenches tighter.
"I… almost got you killed…"
She covers her eyes with her arm.
"Not on purpose, doesn't count." Lilia's voice stays light. "If that's what you're worried about—me too. Almost got us both killed. Many times, even before this whole mess."
Lilia takes a deep breath.
Rosa feels her arm being gently tucked away.
She doesn't resist as light floods her vision once more.
The blur of tears surprises even her.
She looks away reflexively, turning her face toward Lilia's torso.
"Besides…"
Lilia continues, her fingers never stopping their slow rhythm.
"That monster didn't slam into me because of you. That's all that matters."
Rosa feels the strokes continue. Her eyelids clench tighter.
Her mind immediately fires back.
I froze. When the creature lunged at her, I froze.
I didn't have a plan.
I didn't know what to do.
If Frieda hadn't called out, I never would have thought of the dagger.
"Rosa… I'll say it again."
Lilia's voice firms.
"If it wasn't for you—regardless of how it came to be—I might not be sitting here. Breathing."
Rosa's mind is already forming another retort, but approaching footsteps cut it short.
She wipes her eyes and forces herself up from Lilia's lap, leaning against the cave wall.
"Seems your friend is awake now. Glad to see that."
Frieda sits down in front of them.
She extends both hands—one holding a waterskin and pouch of hardtack for each of them.
Rosa takes hers tentatively, setting them aside.
Lilia accepts with a smile. "Thanks. But I knew she'd be fine."
"Also, thanks for the green potion. Gave me enough mana to stabilize Lennard."
"Green potion?"
Rosa tilts her head.
"Ah, right. I gave her another vial while you were sleeping."
Rosa immediately recounts in her head.
One after the hermit fight.
Two for the intense Sharvessaich.
Two for the Vlitzdraiche.
One combined with a regular potion for the final Keugelvlitz.
Two for Frieda—one during the centipede fight, one for healing.
That leaves four.
Her hand slips into the satchel. Her fingers find the same number of vials.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Lilia glances at the man lying on the floor.
Frieda goes silent for a moment.
"I did what I could. Only time will tell."
"Let me know if you need another vial." Lilia turns to Rosa. "Right?"
Rosa nods silently.
Lilia's gaze shifts to the far end of the cave wall.
Rosa follows—and meets the armored man's eyes.
She flinches and looks away.
"Speaking of… is he going to be okay?"
Lilia's voice is flat, wary.
"He needs time…" Frieda sighs, her eyes going distant. "That makes two of us."
A pause.
"It's better to let him be for now."
Rosa glances at the jade staff strapped to her back.
She grabs it by the handle and offers it to Frieda.
"I picked it up to return it… Seems like I was too late…"
Frieda's breath hitches.
She reaches for the staff, fingers trembling.
The moment she makes contact, she clutches it like a lifeline.
Her head bows. Her shoulders shake. Sobs seep out of her.
"Liesel… Liesel…"
Rosa tries to divert her attention, shifting her gaze to the helpless man near the torch.
Tears stream from his eyes, dripping past his temples into his ears.
Then a quiet sob reaches her—not Frieda's.
She turns toward the source. The armored man clutches his knees, shoulders shaking.
Liesel.
Her mind catches on.
That's probably the name of their fallen comrade. The owner of the staff.
Her thoughts flash to the feeding chamber. Countless hermits fighting for space on the shapeless form. The threads of blonde hair caught between pincers.
Her hand flies to her mouth as bile rises in her throat.
Could it be?
A soft arm wraps around Rosa's shoulder, pulling her close to Lilia once more.
She doesn't resist. She doesn't want to.
Moments pass.
Rosa pulls herself away, composing herself.
Soon after, Frieda's shoulders begin to settle. Her sobs grow less frequent.
She takes Rosa's hand and places the staff in it.
"For now… I think it's best for you to hold it."
Lilia's head jerks back in surprise.
"Are you sure!? I mean… it seems like it belonged to someone you cherished."
Rosa only gazes at Frieda's eyes, unsure what to say.
"It's fine… You need it more than we do." Frieda's voice steadies. "And we need you to have it even more. At least until we get out of this cave."
She wipes her eyes and turns to the armored man leaning against the cave wall.
"You're fine with it, right, Eihard?"
He keeps silent, taking a deep breath.
"Do what you wish." His voice is close to a growl. "But I won't forgive you if you break it."
"I… won't." Rosa's reply comes out weak, yet her crimson eyes sharpen. "Especially now."
I don't intend to. Not when we're this close to getting out alive.
Frieda clears her throat. Her expression turns serious.
"I'll… check on the others. We'll begin after that."
Lilia nods firmly. "Right. I'll fill her in on the details."
Frieda walks toward Eihard and Lennard.
"Details?"
Rosa glances at Lilia, raising an eyebrow.
"Rosa." Lilia's expression shifts, serious now. "This isn't over yet."
A pause.
"The centipede we defeated wasn't the only one here. Apparently, there's another one guarding the exit."
A churn stirs in Rosa's stomach.
I had to use everything just to survive the last fight. And it almost ended in disaster.
Her mind begins to spiral again.
Then warmth wraps around her palm.
"Rosa… we're not alone." Lilia squeezes gently. "Let's think together, alright? For now, I want you to listen."
Rosa nods. Sweat still beads on her temple as she gulps down her nervousness.
"The centipede—maybe you noticed if you paid close attention. The tracks it left are smaller than the ones you found earlier."
Rosa glances at the crawl prints on the ground. Her eyes widen.
She looks at the burnt remains. Large, yes—but not as large as the earlier tracks suggested.
"Frieda confirmed it. There are two giant centipedes. One guarding the exit—or rather, the entrance they came from."
Lilia gestures at the metallic curls of the corpse.
"And this one. It was already beaten and weakened when it found us. Frieda thinks it was from the other centipede."
She takes a deep breath before continuing.
"Eihard confirmed it too. Not so pleasantly, though."
Rosa's stomach drops as she processes the information.
It reaffirms her initial assessment.
Facing the other centipede is certain death.
Larger. Stronger. Possibly even faster.
"Do we have… any other options? Other paths to explore?"
Lilia shakes her head.
"Unfortunately, we tried exploring a bit. All dead ends."
She twitches, as if something just hit her.
"Right!"
She rushes to the far corner of the chamber and returns with a leather wrap, presenting it proudly to Rosa.
The lingering sensation of warmth leaving her body intensifies as the cloth draws near.
"We got what we came here for. A void hematite! This should fulfill the condition, right?"
Rosa's face relaxes, dumbfounded.
"Where did you…"
"One of the dead ends. Frieda almost got herself completely drained down that path." Lilia puffs her chest, rubbing her nose. "Fortunately, I brought my enchanted pickaxe! The magic's gone now, but I managed to mine some of it and pull her out. That's why I had to give her a vial."
"Lilia, you don't intend to bring that into our upcoming battle, do you?"
"Of course not! I might be a bit of an airhead, but I'm not that dumb!"
"A bit?"
"Shut it!"
There it is. The smile and attitude of the friend Rosa knows too well.
Rosa chuckles along with Lilia, a semblance of normalcy returning between them.
But the relief is short-lived. The conclusion remains clear.
They have no choice but to face the centipede.
"She's calling us…"
Rosa follows Lilia's gaze.
Frieda signals them over. Torches stand planted in the ground, forming a makeshift campfire. Eihard already sits near it, beside Frieda. Behind her lies Lennard, still helpless.
Lilia stands first and offers Rosa her hand.
Rosa shakes her head and rises on her own.
They settle around the torch-fire. Lilia positions herself between Eihard and Rosa.
"Lilia, was it?"
Eihard's voice.
Lilia turns to him immediately.
"What is it?"
Her voice is low, almost threatening.
"…I apologize for earlier. I… wasn't on the—"
"Apology accepted!"
Lilia cuts him off, her tone suddenly bright.
"You don't have to say more. However!"
She points a finger at him.
"Approach my Rosie that way again and I'll burn you."
Eihard sighs. The tension in his face eases, just slightly.
"Warning received." He turns toward Rosa. "Oh, Rosa… I also apologize for earlier."
Rosa nods, averting her gaze once more.
He sighs again and falls silent.
Rosa peeks at him. His gaze drifts toward Lennard behind Frieda.
Then he breaks away, staring at the ground.
"Well, seems like we're all gathered now."
Frieda glances at each of them.
"First, I think introductions are needed. I'll start."
She places a palm on her chest. A distinct regal aura emanates from her.
One Rosa finds familiar.
"My name is Frieda. As for my surname, I prefer not to say. I hope that's alright with everyone." She pauses. "I'm a caster specializing in support spells."
She glances back at the man behind her.
"He is Lennard. A monk. But for now, let him rest."
He gazes at the ceiling, saying nothing.
Frieda turns to Rosa.
Rosa nods immediately.
"Rosalina Grace. Caster. I can cast a variety of spells, but lightning magic is my specialty."
"Liliana Hildegarde!"
Lilia follows without missing a beat.
"I don't commit to a role, but I can use various fire magic and cast some support too!"
Silence follows.
Then Eihard.
"Eihard Kreuzberg… A warrior. My magic is body reinforcement."
Frieda nods.
"Now that we know who our allies are, let's assess ourselves before we assess our enemy."
"This philosophy—it's one of the Shonshi's, isn't it?"
Lilia chirps as if hearing a line from her favorite book.
Frieda nods again, this time with a smirk.
"Right… What do we have here? One caster, one striker, one all-rounder, and one support. As for Lennard, he has to be protected. Did I miss anything?"
"All of us mana-dried, at that…"
Rosa adds with a sigh.
"We still have the green potions, right?"
Lilia glances at Rosa with an expectant look.
"Four left. We only brought two batches of six. The mana yield wasn't that great either."
Rosa raises her palms, facing herself. She curls and uncurls her fists.
"The reason I could cast Vlitzdraiche is because I had some mana saved up—on top of what the potions gave me. Spells of that caliber are no longer an option."
"Not to mention what I found out about the giant centipede."
Lilia leans in.
"I checked its carapace. Turns out the whole thing contains void elements as well."
"So that's why my spells died too early…"
Rosa mutters.
"That makes two problems…"
Frieda taps her chin, staring at the ground.
"You got one more."
Eihard this time.
"That bastard aims for the weakest link. We also have to bring him no matter what. One of us has to guard him."
"You… can leave me here…"
Lennard finally speaks, causing Eihard's jaw to visibly clench.
"You know we won't do that."
Frieda's voice is firm.
"Either way… that means we can bait it to a certain position."
Eihard continues. Frieda bites the nail of her thumb.
"That's…"
Lilia bites back her words, unable to finish.
Rosa doesn't like how it sounds either. But they are out of options.
Frieda probably knows that as well.
"I don't mind…"
Lennard's voice is weak.
"If it means it'll help you defeat the creature, use me as you wish."
"We'll… think it through first…"
Frieda hesitates. A small click escapes her bitten nail.
Rosa scours her brain, recollecting the earlier battle.
"Our win condition, if we refer to our earlier fight… Hold the creature in position, then launch a full-power strike."
Frieda presses her palm to her chest.
"Then I shall be the one who protects Lennard. I can cast defensive spells and restrain it when necessary."
Rosa nods, arms wrapped around herself.
"Good call. Question is—how do we deal the strike while it's restrained?"
"How about our mana potions? The regular ones." Lilia scoots closer to Rosa. "I saw you use a vial earlier. That'll widen our options."
Rosa pops open one of her blue potions and takes a single gulp.
Cold liquid washes over her tongue. No warmth surges through her body like before.
She shakes her head.
"They're completely drained by now."
Frieda raises her hand.
"About that… I have a suggestion. Forgive me for prying, but I studied both of your daggers and the scroll." She pauses. "They're illegal runic magic, aren't they?"
Rosa's body tenses. Strangers have now caught her possessing outlawed weapons.
"Don't worry—I don't intend to report you or anything. Not after you saved us."
Lilia sighs in relief, her hand already wrapped around Rosa's.
"Besides, the daggers might be the finishing strike we need. It's clear they have some kind of runic enchantment, and they don't react to the void element." Frieda tilts her head. "Though I couldn't tell what they actually do."
She continues, letting out a confident smirk as she pulls out the runic scroll.
The same scroll Rosa received from Helgen.
"As for this scroll—this might be the answer to our mana problems."