CHAPTER 135: [TEMPORARY POWER-UP?]

Eli’s blood ran colder than what was already spilling from his body.

’Seventy-two percent... eighty-six percent...’

His trembling hand clutched at Kairo’s sleeve, knuckles white despite the slick crimson smearing his grip. His yellow eyes shook, not from pain this time—but from dread.

’We’re... we’re not making it out of this, are we? Is it because of this monster, or...’

His gaze snapped upward, catching the monstrous outline writhing against the cavern’s ceiling. The octopus loomed larger than life, its many glowing eyes pulsing like cruel lanterns of inevitability.

’Or is it because of that? Because of the SS-Class monster head?’

His throat constricted violently. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t scream—the air refused to obey. His panic tore through his chest instead, raw and feral.

’System—what am I supposed to do?! What the fuck are we supposed to do to survive this?!’

But there was nothing.

Only the crash of water exploding against the rocks. The groan of stone splitting under the monster’s mass.

The metallic shriek of Kairo’s obsidian blade slicing air with precision. Mio’s silver threads cracked like whips beside it, cutting arcs across the cavern.

Zaira’s voice carried through the chaos—shouting something, desperate—but the words drowned beneath the ringing in his skull. Eli couldn’t hear. He didn’t want to.

All he could see—burned into his vision like brands—was that 14%. That 72%. That 86%.

Percentages. Deaths. Their ends, already carved into the walls of this dungeon.

Then—

Ding.

His head snapped, a jolt rippling down his spine.

[SYSTEM PROMPT]

Player has requested survival guidance. Player may accept a [Temporary Power-Up] in exchange for completing an Additional Task.

Warning: Failure to complete the task will result in [SEVERE PENALTY].

Eli’s pupils constricted, heart slamming harder against his ribs until his vision swayed.

’...A temporary... power-up?’

For the first time, something new. Different. Not just missions. Not just affection points. A bargain.

His grip spasmed against Kairo’s sleeve, fear tangling with disbelief, heat surging against the ice in his veins.

Ding.

Another flicker. The text sharpened, demanding.

[SYSTEM PROMPT]

Do you accept?

❏ YES

❏ NO

Eli’s chest rattled. His pulse roared in his ears louder than the monster’s shriek.

It pulsed in front of him—bright, merciless, waiting.

’A temporary power-up... in exchange for another task?’

His throat constricted, lungs dragging in shallow, ragged gasps. Every beat of his heart felt wrong—like hollow pipes grinding against bone where blood should’ve been.

His body was already at its limit, screaming, collapsing piece by piece.

’What if I say yes? What if it’s something I can’t do? I can’t even keep up with the first task. I can’t even stand on my own two feet.’

The warning glared sharper across his vision: [SEVERE PENALTY].

’What does that mean? Death? Another punishment? Or something worse?’ His jaw locked, teeth sinking hard enough into his tongue that copper pooled faint against his lips.

And yet—

Something flickered behind his eyes. The offer was tempting. Too tempting.

The system wouldn’t dangle it here, not unless it thought this was their only chance. Not unless it thought this battle was already unwinnable.

’If I refuse, do I just... watch them die?’

Do they all just wait to die?

The thought burned hotter than the dizziness, brighter than the ache of his wounds.

But still—hesitation coiled tight in his gut, unease twisting every nerve raw.

Before he could decide—

The cavern shook with sound.

Not a shriek. Not stone breaking.

Cheers.

Mio’s voice cracked through the air, half triumphant, half disbelieving. "I got it—I got it!"

Zaira’s grunt followed, sharp, strained from impact.

Eli’s head turned sluggishly, vision dragging through haze until it landed—

On them.

The severed tentacle hit the ground with a wet, twitching thud, thrashing weakly before going still. And cradled against Zaira’s arms—heavy, limp—was Mel.

Unconscious. Pale. But breathing.

Alive.

Relief slammed into Eli so hard his lungs gave out. His chest convulsed, a ragged shudder tearing through him as if he’d been holding his breath for hours.

His body sagged in Kairo’s arms, muscles finally giving way, weak laughter bubbling at the back of his throat but dying before it could escape.

Even Kairo exhaled beside him. Low, quiet—like a crack running through steel. His shoulders eased just barely, the first sign of reprieve since the monster had revealed itself.

Then—his arm was yanked.

Eli’s yellow eyes flew wide, a startled gasp breaking free as Kairo pulled his bleeding wrist closer. The grip was iron, steady, unyielding.

"K-Kairo—?" His voice broke, heat rushing traitorously to his cheeks despite the haze of blood loss.

The man didn’t answer.

Not at first.

His free hand slid into his pocket, movements efficient, economical. He withdrew a folded square of white cloth—plain, clean, practical.

A handkerchief.

Without ceremony, Kairo wound it around Eli’s torn wrist. Scarlet bled instantly into pale fabric, soaking it through. His motions were quick, deliberate, practiced—each tug sharp, each knot precise, as if tying down his own fraying control.

"—Ah!" Eli hissed, pain sparking bright through his arm as Kairo cinched it tighter.

"Good." The word was clipped, flat, low. His voice a razor—calm, but edged. He gave the knot one last pull, locking it tight.

Eli thought that was it.

But Kairo wasn’t done.

In the next breath, the captain’s hand came up—firm, sudden—gripping Eli’s face. His palm was warm but unrelenting, tilting his chin upward until his gaze locked into the hunter’s black eyes.

Eli’s heart lurched, breath stuttering. The world narrowed to those eyes. Cold, sharp, but burning with something deeper he couldn’t name.

"Do not do something like that again, Eli. You hear me?" Kairo’s voice cut through the cavern like steel—low, serious, final.

"But I—" Eli tried to speak, the words trembling at the edge of his lips. He wanted to tell him he’d only wanted to help, that there was no other choice—

But Kairo shook his head once, a hard, decisive movement that silenced him.

"I brought you here. I am responsible for you." His voice stayed even, but the edge behind it was heavier now—like a command, but also a vow.

"That means I will not let anything happen to you. I will not risk you. Out of everyone’s lives here—" his grip on Eli’s face tightened just slightly, enough to make sure the words stuck "—yours is more important."

Eli’s breath caught, his chest clenching at the weight behind the words.

"Keep yourself out of trouble," Kairo continued, his tone like iron. "And only do what you have to. Nothing more. We’ll do the rest. I’ll do the rest, and protect you."