In the depths of the underworld, where Kiro and Nasu lay punished, a solemn figure emerged from the shadows. Qinguang Wang, one of the ten kings of Diyu, arrived with an air of authority and compassion. His eyes fell upon Kiro, who was suffering from the harsh conditions, particularly the thirst that plagued him on the 10th day of his punishment.
Qinguang Wang's expression softened as he gazed at Kiro. With a wave of his hand, a gentle breeze carried a cup of crystal-clear water to Kiro's parched lips. The king's intervention was a rare act of mercy in the unforgiving realm of the underworld.
As Kiro drank the water, his eyes flickered with gratitude towards Qinguang Wang. The king's aid offered a glimmer of hope in the darkness, and Kiro wondered what lay behind this unexpected act of kindness.
Qinguang Wang's benevolence extended to Jin as well, as he offered the refreshing water to both Kiro and Jin. The two of them gratefully accepted the king's gift, feeling a sense of relief wash over them as the cool liquid soothed their parched throats.
In the harsh environment of the underworld, Qinguang Wang's act of kindness provided a rare moment of respite for Kiro and Jin. As they drank, they exchanged glances, their appreciation for the king's mercy evident in their eyes.
Qinguang Wang's expression turned solemn as he revealed his true motivations to Kiro. "It's not out of kindness that I helped you," he said, his voice low and measured. "Rather, I felt pity for you, a human, enduring such hardships in the underworld."
The king's words conveyed a mix of emotions, with pity being the dominant sentiment. His actions seemed driven by a sense of empathy for Kiro's fragile human nature, rather than any genuine affection or goodwill.
Kiro's eyes met Qinguang Wang's, and he saw the truth reflected there. The king's help came not from a place of warmth, but from a sense of obligation or perhaps even curiosity about the human's plight in the underworld.
Kiro's words hung in the air, a promise that echoed with determination. "I will remember you as I get out of here," he said, his voice firm.
Qinguang Wang nodded subtly, his expression unreadable. With a glance around the desolate landscape, he vanished into the shadows, aware that his actions could be misconstrued by the other kings. If discovered, he would face punishment for showing mercy to a mortal.
The king's departure left Kiro and Jin in contemplative silence. Qinguang Wang had taken a risk by helping them, and Kiro wondered what consequences the king might face because of his actions.
Kiro and Jin endured the unforgiving environment of the underworld, where the harsh temperatures seemed to sear their skin and pierce their bones. The air was heavy with malevolent energy, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to writhe in agony.
The freezing cold seeped into their marrow, causing their limbs to numb and their skin to frostbite. But then, without warning, the temperature would shift, and scorching heat would envelop them, burning their skin and dehydrating their bodies.
The tortures they faced were relentless, with no respite or mercy. The underworld seemed determined to break their spirits, to reduce them to mere shadows of their former selves. Kiro and Jin stumbled forward, their bodies battered and bruised, their minds reeling from the constant torment.
Despite the gruesome tortures, they found ways to endure, drawing strength from each other and their determination to survive. But the underworld's cruelties seemed endless.
Kiro's resolve hardened as he steeled himself against the tortures of the underworld. "This is nothing but a mere trial," he told himself, his inner voice a beacon of determination. "If I want to become someone who'll free the world from darkness, I must endure this and more."
With a newfound sense of purpose, Kiro drew upon his inner strength, letting his conviction fuel his resilience. He knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was determined to push through, driven by his vision of a brighter future.
Kiro's words became a mantra, echoing in his mind as he faced the underworld's cruelties. With each step, he fortified his resolve, his determination to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. The darkness might be formidable, but Kiro's spirit remained unbroken.
Nasu stood tall, his expression unreadable as Lyra approached him. "Where's Kiro?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Nasu's gaze met Lyra's, and he revealed the truth. "Kiro pulled me away and entered the underworld in my stead," he said, his voice low and measured.
Lyra's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the implications. She couldn't believe that Kiro would sacrifice himself for Nasu's sake. The weight of Kiro's actions settled heavily on her shoulders.
As Lyra processed the news, Nasu stood watch, his eyes fixed on the horizon. Time seemed to stretch out before them, and Lyra couldn't help but wonder if Kiro would ever return from the underworld.
The underworld's unique temporal landscape meant that time flowed at a different pace than on Earth. While Kiro and Jin endured the harsh conditions and tortures of the underworld, several days passed for them.
Meanwhile, on Earth, only a few hours had elapsed. The disparity in time flow created a strange juxtaposition, where those in the underworld experienced a prolonged period of suffering, while those on Earth barely noticed the passage of time.
This temporal difference added complexity to the situation, as those waiting for Kiro's return would have to wait patiently, unaware of the trials and tribulations he faced in the underworld. The divergent timelines would eventually intersect, but the consequences of Kiro's actions remained to be seen.
The 50th day in the underworld had taken its toll on Kiro. His body, once strong and resilient, now faltered under the relentless strain. His mana was drained, leaving him vulnerable and weak.
Kiro's knees buckled, and he fell, his body crashing to the ground. The weight of his exhaustion was crushing, his breathing labored, and his vision blurring. The underworld's darkness seemed to close in around him, threatening to consume him whole.
As Kiro struggled to find the strength to rise, he realized that he couldn't keep going on like this. The underworld's tortures and the draining of his mana had pushed him to the brink of collapse.
Jin's eyes filled with concern as he watched Kiro collapse. He strained against his bindings, desperate to break free and offer aid. However, the restraints held fast, rendering him helpless.
Kiro, sensing his own weakness, summoned a spark of determination within himself. "I must not fall here," he told himself, his inner voice a fierce whisper. With a Herculean effort, he forced himself to rise, his body trembling with exhaustion.
Though his mana was depleted and his body weakened, Kiro's spirit remained unbroken. He took a step forward, and then another, his determination driving him to persevere in the face of overwhelming adversity. The underworld might be cruel, but Kiro refused to yield.
Yánluówáng's throne was shrouded in an aura of dark majesty as he gazed upon Kiro's weakened state. A low, menacing chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he let out a laugh that echoed through the underworld's desolate landscape.
The king's laughter was a cold, mirthless sound, devoid of warmth or humor. It was the laughter of one who reveled in the suffering of others, who found amusement in the agony and despair that filled the underworld.
Yánluówáng's laughter seemed to underscore his dominance over the realm, a reminder to Kiro and Jin of the king's unyielding power and control. The sound sent shivers down their spines, a stark reminder of the underworld's unforgiving nature.
The other nine kings of the underworld, seated beside Yánluówáng, joined in his laughter, their voices echoing through the desolate halls. As they laughed, they shook their heads violently, their faces twisted in a mixture of amusement and disdain.
The cacophony of their laughter was a cruel serenade, mocking Kiro's weakness and suffering. The kings' ridicule seemed to pierce Kiro's very soul, fueling his determination to rise above their scorn.
Their laughter and head-shaking conveyed a deep-seated contempt for Kiro, a mortal who dared to enter their domain. The kings' reaction was a testament to the underworld's unforgiving nature, where weakness was met with ridicule and scorn.
Kiro's eyes burned with a fierce determination as he gazed at the 10 kings. His voice, laced with a deep-seated anger, cut through the underworld's darkness. "A day will come," he vowed, his words dripping with malice. "You will pay for what you've done to me, for what you've made me endure."
The kings' laughter faltered, and they exchanged uneasy glances. For a moment, they seemed to forget about Kiro's weakened state, mesmerized by the intensity of his gaze. Kiro's promise hung in the air, a dark and foreboding omen.
In that moment, the kings saw a glimmer of resolve in Kiro's eyes, a determination that went beyond mere survival. They sensed that Kiro's spirit remained unbroken, and that he would stop at nothing to exact his revenge.