Kobe clenched his fists, his eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you? That magic... it was sealed centuries ago! No one in Earth, Heaven, or Hell ever managed to wield it. Just what are you?"
The demon leader smirked. "You don't need to know. Just die."
A red flash streaked across Kobe's eyes—he barely had time to register the energy-charged fist aimed at his face. He dodged, but another came from the side. No time.
He activated his gravity attribute, increasing his weight just enough to shift away from the blow.
Taro's voice trembled. "W-What? Since when does he have gravity control?!"
Kobe, now weightless, moved like a feather—graceful, untouchable. Then, he made his fist heavy and slammed it into the demon's gut.
The leader gasped, staggering back.
Kobe laughed. "You really are dumb, aren't you? You don't even know how to control that power. I bet your insides feel like they're being ripped apart."
He stepped forward, a calm fury in his voice. "Let me show you the result of decades of training."
He punched the air—space twisted.
His hand vanished, and an instant later, it struck the demon squarely from another direction.
"This is my elemental trait of space—Dimensional Punch."
The demon couldn't follow the blows. He was being torn apart from angles he couldn't perceive.
Kobe exhaled. "That's enough. Time to end this."
Rin's eyes fluttered open. Barely conscious, he whispered, "You really came..."
Kobe walked toward the staggering demon. He grabbed both arms.
"Elemental trait of gravity—Black Hole."
The demon screamed as his arms were swallowed by an invisible force.
Kobe grabbed his head. "Sleep tight, bitch."
A twist—and the demon's head was erased from existence.
---
Rin stood, shaky but smiling. "Well done... Kobe."
"Rin! You're awake!" Taro rushed over.
Kobe turned. "Good job staying alive this long. Let's get you all treated. Then you're reporting everything."
They walked toward the dungeon's exit—but time suddenly stopped.
Only Rin remained aware.
His body wouldn't move. "W-What is happening now...?"
A sound—heels clicking.
A woman appeared before him: short black hair, white eyes, a flowing black dress. She touched his cheek.
"So... you're the one who woke me up? How pathetic."
Rin forced out, "Who are you?"
"I'm the Black Rose. You saw me, didn't you? I don't know why or how, but it seems you're terribly unlucky."
" unlucky?"
She smiled. "Let's just say... I'm what your people would call an evil spirit. Only one of me exists in this world. And now, our souls are bound."
Rin's breath hitched. "Bound?"
"The moment you touched that flower, I awakened. I've been sealed for over two thousand years. I doubt anyone even remembers me. But now that I'm back... I'll be making good use of you. See you soon, Rin."
"Wait—!"
Time resumed.
Rin gasped, stumbling.
"T-Taro... did you see her? That woman just now—black dress, black hair? She was right in front of me!"
Taro blinked. "What?"
Kaela frowned. "Again with your nonsense?"
"I'm not making this up! She said she was from the Black Rose—the one from earlier in the dungeon!"
Kaela grabbed him by the collar. "Rin, stop trying to act special. You're making a fool of yourself."
"Kaela, enough," Taro said. "And Rin, we didn't see anything."
Rin's eyes widened.
"...You too?"
He turned to Kobe. "Kobe! You saw her, didn't you? That woman just now?"
Kobe looked troubled. "I'm sorry, Rin. Maybe you're just imagining things."
Rin opened his mouth—then stopped. His voice caught in his throat.
Kaela punched him across the face. "I said stop it!"
"Kaela! What the hell?!" Kobe yelled.
Taro stayed silent.
Rin held his face, heart sinking.
Taro... you didn't even say anything. You just stood there...
You really just sold me out for her, huh?
...
Fine. I'll figure this out alone. I don't need your help.
They exited the dungeon.
Arianna was sitting beneath a tree, waiting for them.
...
To be continued ...