The snow crunched beneath their boots. Hina hugged her scarf closer to her nose as the freezing wind clawed at her skin.
Ivan, of course, was trying to make small talk with Aiko. It wasn't working. Hina walked behind them next to Asim, who, as usual, was unreadable.
When Aiko finally silenced Ivan, his shoulders slumped. She turned to Asim.
"You and Hina will check the cave. You'll find enough creatures there for her training.."
Asim sighed, summoning his curved sword. "Alright."
Aiko gave him a hard stare, then looked at Hina. "Protect her. Don't be reckless, Asim."
Asim groaned. "Yeah, yeah."
Aiko and Ivan went their own way while Hina and Asim entered the cave.
Inside, the air was damp and heavy.
Asim stopped and glanced back. "Stay behind me."
Hina glared at him, annoyed. "I don't need you to protect me."
"Be my guest and get mauled," Asim muttered, walking ahead.
Hina clenched her jaw in irritation. He was really getting on her nerves.
They soon stumbled upon a grotesque creature—a massive, distorted worm, its body melting as it devoured something unrecognizable. Hina froze, horrified.
Asim eyed it for a moment, then turned to her. "Alright," he said flatly, laying back against the wall. "Go kill it."
"HEHHHHHHHH?! I— I can't kill that thing! It's massive!" Hina's voice trembled.
"You trained for this," he said lazily. "Targets twice your size. Remember?"."
Hina swallowed hard, unshackling her katana. She got into stance, trembling, staring at the monster.
Asim formed a rock out of void matter and hurled it. It struck the worm's body, catching its attention. The beast turned, screeching, and charged at Hina.
She dodged, barely avoiding being crushed. She swung but missed.
The worm lunged again—she rolled aside and slashed its side, cutting deep.
"Get on top of it! Stab its head!" Asim called out, still lounging as if watching a show.
Hina gritted her teeth and followed his instructions. As the worm lunged again, she jumped, landing on its head, and drove her katana straight through it.
The monster writhed, then went still.
"Bravo," Asim clapped slowly. "Told you it wouldn't be hard."
"Shut up already," Hina groaned, yanking her blade free.
They continued deeper into the cave, slaying smaller creatures along the way.
Hina's fear began to fade—replaced by determination.
But Asim suddenly stopped. His expression darkened.
"What's wrong?" Hina asked.
"Something's off…" His tone was uneasy. "Maybe it's the cold messing with my senses."
They kept walking until they entered a massive chamber.
Then—everything changed.
The walls melted into black liquid. The air grew thick, painful to breathe.
Hina froze in terror.
"Welcome to my domain…"