With hundreds of living shields behind her, it felt impossible for the F-Tier dungeon that had once been so cruel to her to remain an obstacle.
The moment she stepped through the gate, the world changed instantly.
The blue light vanished, replaced by a narrow corridor smeared with shadows. Damp stone walls glistened like wet skin, covered in claw marks and blackish stains of unknown origin. Torches were wedged haphazardly into cracks, their flames small and flickering, as if nearly choked to death by the heavy air. A foul stench immediately struck the nose—a mixture of rotting carcasses, sewage, and something acidic, stinging the throat.
Several Nagawira in the rear ranks vomited instantly. Others covered their noses, their faces pale and their breath hitching before a single monster was even sighted.
Then, the sound came.
A long, piercing screech echoed from all directions—rolling along the stone walls like broken laughter. From the darkness at the end of the corridor, the sound of claws scraping against stone began to draw near. Thousands. Unseen, but felt.
Shiki did not stop.
"Johan!" she barked. "Get your squad to the front! Kill anything that blocks the path! The rest of you, do not slow down! If you stop, you're fodder!"
Her tone was cold, devoid of emotion, as if she were giving routine training instructions. She immediately lunged forward, not waiting for an answer.
The Nagawira behind her flinched, but the approaching screeches forced them to move. Johan and his squad pushed to the front line, shields raised and weapons drawn, while the long line behind began to run, their heavy breathing mingling with the thickening stench.
The corridor branched in two.
"Left!" Shiki shouted without hesitation. Johan reflexively turned, nearly tripping due to the suddenness. There was no time to ask questions.
Soon after, a three-way junction appeared—darker, narrower, its walls wet as if perspiring.
"Left!"
Once again, the command fell before anyone could think. Shiki moved as if she had memorized the labyrinth. Every turn was taken without pause, without doubt, as if the map of this nest was etched into her mind. In the back, the breathing began to fracture. Heavy footsteps turned into drags. The scent of rats grew stronger—fishy, sharp, making stomachs churn.
In some corners, glowing red eyes flickered in the darkness before vanishing again, followed by low screeches that made skin crawl. Rose, running not far behind Shiki, began to see people staggering.
"Boss..." she gasped, out of breath. "Many are starting to run out of energy. If this continues, they'll be left behind."
Shiki did not look back. Her pace did not slow even for a second.
"There is no time," she answered coldly. "We must reach the boss room as quickly as possible."
Behind them, a Nagawira tripped and fell. A short scream was heard before he was dragged into the shadows. No one dared to look back.
Rose gritted her teeth, then gathered her courage again. "Boss... what if I take a few people to hold the rear? So the others can—"
Shiki's footsteps stopped abruptly. The sound of hundreds of people's footsteps followed suit. The narrow corridor felt even narrower. Shiki turned slowly. Her golden eyes reflected the torchlight—cold and sharp, without a trace of hesitation.
"Did you not hear my command?" Her voice was low and flat, yet oppressive. "I said move forward."
Rose tensed. The air felt heavy. The rat screeches drew closer, rolling like waves through the dark tunnels. Cold sweat ran down Rose's back.
"N-no, Boss..." she said quickly, bowing her head. "I only—"
"Move," Shiki cut her off. "Keep moving," she said coldly. "No one stops until I command it. If anyone is left behind, it is not my fault! It is because you are weak. Johan, move out!"
Without waiting for an answer, she resumed her run.
Behind her, the Four Seasons forces jolted back into motion, their faces pale, eyes wide—not because of the monsters they hadn't seen yet, but because of one thing that was far clearer.
Their leader did not care who was left behind.
Their pace quickened once more. No one spoke anymore. Only the sound of choked breathing, the thud of feet on wet stone, and the clashing of metal remained. The leather armor that initially felt light now seemed to weigh down their bones. Shields felt heavier with every passing second. Several Nagawira began to stagger, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapon hilts, their vision blurring with sweat and exhaustion.
Rose looked back—and immediately turned her face away.
The rear ranks were starting to break. Some tripped, falling to their knees, trying to rise with shaking hands. Others stopped just to catch a breath, their chests heaving as if about to burst. Their mouths were open, but no sound came out, only a raspy breath that sounded like a hiss.
Then, the first shriek exploded from the darkness.
The cry was short. Cut off. Several Nagawira in the middle ranks turned instinctively. From the corridor behind, something moved fast—a low shadow that blended with the floor, a dull furry body glistening with slime, small black eyes reflecting the torchlight like wet beads.
Giant Rats.
Their long snouts quivered, yellow fangs jutted from split lips, their bodies muscular and dense, moving low and fast like a stream of filthy water flowing through stone crevices.
A Nagawira who had been left behind had just managed to stand when a rat leaped onto his back. He screamed. The sound didn't even have time to become a full cry. Fangs pierced his neck, his body slumped, and before anyone could move, a dozen other shadows pounced on him. Fur, teeth, and claws covered him in an instant. There was the sound of bones snapping. There was a wet sound that no one wanted to hear.
Then... there was nothing. The spot was empty, leaving only a dark stain on the stone and the smell of warm blood mixing with the dungeon's stench.
Several Nagawira froze. Their faces were pale. Their eyes bulged. Their mouths were open, but no sound came out. Until one of them screamed—
"RUN!!!"
The formation collapsed instantly. They scattered forward, pushing and shoving each other, not caring who fell or was trampled. Weapons slipped from grips. Shields were tossed to the floor. Only one thought remained in their minds: get away from the sound of those claws.
Behind them, the giant rats pursued. They moved faster. Far too fast.