Evening shadows stretched long as we crossed into the Cavern Valley, the air heavy with damp stone and whispers of danger. My hunger gnawed at me, but my Infinite Ring held no food.
"I'll hunt something," I said, forcing a smile.
The Vampire Queen tilted her head. "I don't know what humans eat. I only drink blood."
Tamara, the Slime Girl, rippled softly. "I need water. Here—drink quickly. Monsters lurk nearby."
I drank, easing my exhaustion, but sighed. "Water is not food."
Yevna, the Necromancer, hesitated. "If I tell you what I eat daily, you'll be frightened."
I met her eyes. "We are friends. Bonds don't break. Tell me."
Her voice was quiet. "I eat souls of the dead, regardless of race."
I thought grimly, If I had known this in the first labyrinth, I might have killed her. But the past is past. She is my ally now.
Tamara asked, "Dransart, what kind of kingdom will you make?"
I answered firmly. "A kingdom aided by Catastrophe. A place where hidden races escape human eyes. Vampires, slimes, witches—all will live together. A wonderful kingdom."
Yevna's eyes darkened. "My parents tried to build bridges between humans and other races. Humans ordered guardians and locals to eradicate witches. They died for it."
I placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. But we are here for you. Count us as family."
All three blushed, turning away so I could not see their faces.
I went hunting. A bloody rabbit darted too fast. My hunger slowed me. I tried to strike a bloody-winged bird with a stone infused with Holy Slash, but it failed. Collapsing, I thought death was near.
Last Minute Luck activated. My slashes ricocheted off trees, momentum carrying the stone into the bird. It fell. I carried the bloody wings back to camp.
That night, I cooked the bird, mumbling, "If only I caught the rabbit."
My companions returned with armfuls of bloody wings and rabbits—food for ten days. I smiled faintly. If I had asked sooner, I wouldn't have collapsed. But it is enough.
We ate together. The Vampire Queen sipped my blood. Tamara absorbed my moisture. Yevna watched, envy flickering in her eyes.
The cavern valley glowed ominously. A cave pulsed with dangerous aura. Its eye opened—vast, terrifying, alive.
The ground trembled.
I gripped my sword. "This aura… it's not a beast. It's something greater."
The Holy Eye whispered, This is the guardian of Catastrophe's path. If you defeat it, you step closer to the center of the world.
My companions readied themselves. The Vampire Queen's blood shimmered. Tamara liquefied, her body rippling. Yevna's undead stirred.
I raised my blade. "Then tonight, we fight. For the kingdom we will build. For the Catastrophe we will claim."
Thus begins the battle in Cavern Valley—the guardian's awakening, the test of Dransart's resolve, and the first step toward the Catastrophic King.
Would you like me to detail the guardian's battle next, showing how each of Dransart's girlfriends unleashes their unique powers, and how his Holy Eye evolves during the fight?