Chapter 9: Brainwashing Skill in Your Eyes

As our push into the Drefon Great Labyrinth proceeded without a hitch, the time had finally come for me to bite the bullet.

It was the day before Lucretia’s birthday. Inside my tent, just before we were set to head out for the day's raid, I sat alone, pulling a ring case from the very bottom of my rucksack where I’d kept it hidden.

I clicked the lid open. Inside sat a ring adorned with a small, sapphire-blue gemstone. I let out a breath of relief seeing it was safe, but my chest tightened as I realized the moment of truth was drawing near.

What if she turns me down?

The anxiety gnawed at the back of my mind, refuseing to let go. I knew how she felt about me—at least, I was pretty sure I did—but even so, I couldn't stop my brain from spiraling into worst-case scenarios.

I fought to suppress the urge to just bolt. It’s fine. Pull yourself together, Hugh!

“Hugh-uuu?”

“Wha—?!”

I jumped so hard at the sudden voice behind me that I nearly hit the ceiling.

Turning around slowly, I found Lugue standing there, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Ah, sorry. Did I startle you...?”

“N-No. My bad. I was just... spaced out. Don't worry about it.”

God, that’s just great. I looked like a complete idiot in front of the girl I like...

“Sooo... what were you doing?”

“O-Oh, this? Just, uh, tidying up my gear.”

“Hmmmm?”

Lugue narrowed her eyes at me, clearly suspicious. L-Look, I wasn’t technically lying. I was "tidying" by taking a ring case out of my bag. Totally counts.

“Everyone’s waiting, you know?”

“Right, got it. I’ll be right there.”

I quickly stuffed the ring case into my back pocket, shielding it from Lugue’s view, and followed her out of the tent.

The rest of the team was already gathered at the entrance of the Great Labyrinth.

"Team" sounded a bit formal, but in reality, it was just the usual gang.

Under Alyssa’s direction, the students had been split into four squads based on their abilities. Our group was the First Squad, tasked with pushing into the deepest reaches of the dungeon. The lineup consisted of me, Lugue, Lily, Lecty, and Idiot, with Ryug and Tina acting as our supervisors. Seven of us in total.

“You’re late, Hugh. What on earth were you doing?” Lily asked, crossing her arms.

“Sorry. Sorting my gear took a little longer than expected...”

“Is that so? Well, I suppose I’ll take your word for it.”

Lily let out a knowing little giggle. I’d consulted with her on a few things beforehand, so she probably had a good idea of exactly why I was running late.

“You’re flirting with Lily again...!”

Seeing our exchange, Lugue puffed out her cheeks.

It was cute that she was getting jealous, but honestly, she and I were usually the ones doing the flirting. Lily and Lecty just watched Lugue with expressions that were hard to describe.

“Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s start the briefing,” Ryug interrupted with a wry smile.

“Continuing from yesterday, we’re going to push as deep as possible. There are ten floors in the Drefon Great Labyrinth; let’s make the sixth floor our goal for today. With your skills, we should be able to reach it by evening without any trouble.”

“If we’re arriving by evening, does that mean we’re camping inside the dungeon tonight?” Lily asked.

“Yes. There’s a safe zone on the fifth floor where monsters don’t wander. We’ll camp there and decide on tomorrow’s objectives based on how we’re holding up.”

No one objected to Ryug’s plan, and we began our final gear check.

Since we’d be spending the night in the dungeon, we couldn't just pop back to the base camp if we forgot something. I was glad I’d grabbed the ring when I did.

Just as we shouldered our packs and prepared to set off—

“Pleease waaaait!”

Rosalie came sprinting toward us from the direction of the base camp. Behind her, I could see Alyssa and Cicely following at a more measured pace.

“Phew... Made it... just in time,” Rosalie panted, leaning over with her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

“Since I cannot join you, I wanted to at least see you all off!”

For this excursion, Rosalie—who was technically a hostage from the Divine Grant Religion to Prince Lucas—had been assigned to a different squad. Her group was staying near the entrance to gain combat experience against weaker monsters.

It was a political decision. If anything happened to her, relations with the Divine Grant Religion would turn ugly. Rosalie had looked disappointed, but there was no helping it.

Besides, her healing skills were on par with Lecty’s when it came to treating injuries. With Lecty heading to the lower floors with us, having Rosalie remain behind ensured the other students would be safe if anyone got hurt on the upper levels.

“Lecty, I leave the others in your capable hands!”

“Yes! And Rosalie, please look after everyone in the class.”

Our two resident Saints shared a firm handshake. Alyssa watched them with a smirk, muttering about how dramatic they were, before sneaking up to me.

“I’m counting on you, kid,” she whispered.

“...Of course.”

Neither of us said exactly what I was being counted on for.

Lugue was just as important as Rosalie—if not more so—but since she was hiding her identity, she couldn't get the same special treatment. Of course, even without Alyssa telling me, I was prepared to protect her with my life if it came down to it.

Meanwhile, the subject of our conversation was busy pouting at us.

“Hmph... Now he’s flirting with Alyssa too.”

“We are not!” I snapped.

Alyssa flashed a wicked grin at the jealous princess.

Before I could react, she grabbed my arm and pulled me in, shoving my face right into her cleavage—or rather, the cold metal of the chest armor covering it.

“Make sure you come back in one piece, Hugh. If you do, big sis might just let you get all cuddly with her~”

“Ow, ow, ow! At least take the armor off first!”

“Hugh-uuu!”

“Wait, no, that was a slip of the tongue!”

“That’s not an excuse!”

An indignant Lugue lunged at me, and with Lily and Lecty joining in on the chaos, our group dissolved into a noisy, tangled mess. Watching from a distance, Ryug and Tina looked on with expressions I can only describe as "complicated."

(I really didn't want to see Dad like this...)

(You and me both...)

I couldn't actually hear them—I wasn't using a 《Ninja》 skill, after all—but the sheer weight of their disappointment radiated across the clearing.

What am I even supposed to do in this situation?!

Eventually, I managed to wiggle out of Alyssa’s iron grip. With Rosalie and the others waving us off, we finally set foot into the depths of the dungeon.

“Let’s try to avoid combat as much as possible,” Ryug instructed. “Lily, if you please.”

“You got it,” Lily replied.

Her 《Strategist》 skill was an incredible asset, capable of identifying every friend and foe within a 1,500-meter radius and displaying them in a bird’s-eye view. The only drawback was that it completely blinded her normal vision while active.

Since using it while walking was a recipe for a broken neck, someone had to carry her.

“Which means I’m in your hands, Hugh. Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

I’d much rather do it myself than let Ryug or Idiot have the honor. I dropped to one knee so she could climb on, and she draped herself over me, leaning her full weight against my back.

The faint scent of sweet peaches wafted from her reddish-brown hair as it brushed against my shoulders. Then, I felt the distinct, soft pressure of two mounds firming against my back.

“Soft?” she whispered into my ear.

“Yeah...” I started to nod, then froze. “Wait, what?!”

I looked up only to find Lugue crouching right in front of me, her eyes level with mine. She was staring at me with a look of pure, unadulterated judgment.

“Hugh, you pervert,” she muttered, pouting.

She huffed, stood up, and trotted off toward Lecty without a backward glance.

What was that all about...?

“You’re certainly popular today, aren't you?” Lily teased.

“You sure she isn't just losing all respect for me?”

“If she’d lost respect for you, she wouldn't be jealous. Though, I suppose whether she stays that way depends entirely on what you do later tonight.”

“...Point taken.”

I adjusted my grip on Lily and stood up, making sure the ring case was still secure in my pocket.

“Oh?” Lily let out a small sound of surprise.

“Something wrong?”

“No, nothing major. It’s just... you feel taller than before. Have you had another growth spurt?”

“Now that you mention it, my uniform has been feeling a bit tight lately.”

I hadn't really noticed it myself, but I’d only been fifteen for a few months. I was right in the middle of a growth spurt, and considering how tall my father was, I probably had a lot more growing to do.

(Your shoulders have gotten broader, too. Heh. I’ve always had a soft spot for sturdy men.)

“Please stop whispering things like that in my ear if you don't want us both to fall over,” I warned her.

Putting a pin in Lily’s mischief for the moment, we followed Ryug and Idiot deeper into the labyrinth. Thanks to 《Strategist》, we managed to bypass almost every monster and clear the first three floors in record time.

The fourth floor, however, was a different story.

While the upper levels felt like vast underground caverns, the fourth floor transformed into a true labyrinth—a confusing network of cramped, winding corridors. Even with a map of the "correct" route, the narrow paths meant we couldn't always sneak around the denizens of the deep.

A pack of monsters that looked suspiciously like velociraptors blocked our path. There were four in total, but one was significantly larger than the rest. It had long, razor-sharp claws on its forelegs and a frill around its neck like a frilled lizard. It looked formidable.

“Should I burn them out with my 《Pyrokinesis》?” I asked.

“No,” Ryug said, looking apologetic. “Your 《Pyrokinesis》 is a bit too high-powered for these narrow corridors. We might end up roasted along with them.”

“Ah... right. My bad.”

It wasn't really Ryug’s fault, but it looked like I wouldn't have many chances to use that fake skill. My 《Brainwashing》 skill had this annoying habit of making every sub-skill level out at Max, which meant even a "simple" fire spell turned into a tactical nuke. It was a bit of a headache.

“In that case, leave the big one to me. Idiot Hortness shall handle this! Any objections?”

“None at all. He's all yours, Idiot,” Ryug replied.

Those two had been acting a bit frosty toward each other since yesterday. I wasn't sure what had happened, but it smelled like a spat. I’d have to poke around and see what was up later.

With Idiot taking point against the frilled leader, the battle proceeded smoothly. The raptors were about two meters long and incredibly agile, but the cramped hallway actually worked against them.

Channeling everything I’d learned from my training sessions with Alyssa, I managed to slay my very first monster. I felt a surge of accomplishment, but I winced at the sensation lingering in my palm. It was going to take some time to get used to the feeling of a blade rending flesh.

I let out a breath and checked our surroundings. The other raptors were already down. Idiot had finished off the leader; its massive body hit the floor with a thud that vibrated through the soles of my boots. It was heavier than it looked.

“Hugh! Are you hurt?!” Lecty cried out, running over to me with her mace in hand.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

There had been four monsters. Idiot took the leader, while Ryug, Lecty, and I handled the other three. Tina had stayed in the rear to guard Lily and Lugue.

“I'm okay!” Lecty replied with a bright smile, holding up her blood-stained mace.

There was a splatter of raptor blood on her cheek.

Uh, yeah. She’s got a cute smile, but the vibes are a little... slasher-movie.

I pointedly looked away from the raptor behind her—the one whose head had been completely caved in—and used my sleeve to wipe the blood off her face.

“A-Ah... thank you...” she murmured, her cheeks turning pink.

Lecty’s 《Saint》 skill included 《Physical Enhancement》 and 《Staff Technique》. In terms of raw combat power, she was leagues ahead of me. Since she didn't have to hold back against monsters, her natural decisiveness really shone through.

Man, I need to step up my game. I want to look cool before I confess, after all.

The rest of the push went just as smoothly. We cleared out monsters as they appeared and reached our target—the sixth floor. After a quick scout of the area, we doubled back to the fifth floor to set up camp in the safe zone.

The "safe zone" turned out to be an unexpectedly vast space. A massive vertical shaft—a giant hole—bored straight through the ceiling and floor, extending both up and down as far as the eye could see. The safe zone itself was a wide ledge hugging the edge of this abyss.

Looking up through the hole, I could see the sky painted in the orange hues of dusk. Looking down, there was only an endless, yawning darkness.

“The nesting ground of Drefon, the Black Dragon...” Ryug whispered. “They say Drefon used this shaft to enter and exit the dungeon.”

“A dragon’s highway, huh...?”

The hole had to be over a hundred meters wide. If a creature could fly through here with its wings fully extended, the Black Dragon must have been gargantuan. How on earth had Lugue’s ancestors managed to slay a monster like that?

After a brief moment of awe, we got to work. We pitched our basic tents and shared the chores for dinner. It wasn't as fancy as the main base camp, but it was more than comfortable for a night in a dungeon.

Eventually, the sky above the shaft turned ink-black. Dinner was over, and everyone settled into their own business.

Gathering my courage, I approached Lugue—no, Lucretia—who was chatting with Lily and Lecty.

“Tia, you got a minute? I... I want to talk to you. Just the two of us.”

“O-Oh. Okay.”

Tia nodded, looking a bit nervous herself. Lily and Lecty whispered something to her as she stood up, and then we walked together toward the edge of the cliff, well away from the tents.

I had a feeling Lily and the others were watching us from the shadows, but we were fifty meters away. They wouldn't be able to overhear us.

The moonlight pouring down the shaft caught Tia’s silver hair, making it shimmer like stardust. I didn't think I was imagining the faint blush on her cheeks.

“So... what did you want to talk about?” she asked.

“Right. Yeah. About that...”

Crap. My heart is pounding so hard I'm worried it's gonna jump out of my throat!

Stay calm! If I panic now and my mind goes blank, it’s all over.

I pressed a hand to my chest and took several deep breaths, my eyes darting around for something—anything—to say. Then, I looked up and saw the full moon hanging directly over the shaft.

“T-The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?”

“Huh? Oh... yeah, I guess?”

Lucretia looked genuinely baffled. Dammit, Hugh! Why would you use a Natsume Soseki line in another world? They don't have that literary trope here, you idiot! Even in my past life, that would've been too subtle for a fifteen-year-old!

Beside me, Lucretia reached a hand out toward the moon. In that moment, she looked like a masterpiece—a painting or a sculpture, ethereal and mysterious. I felt an overwhelming wave of affection for her.

Ah... I really do love this girl.

I just needed to say it. Simple and honest. Once I realized that, the panic finally subsided.

“Tia, I—”

I was just about to tell her how I felt when it happened.

The ground beneath us gave a violent, sickening lurch.

“Eek?!”

“Tia!”

I lunged forward and grabbed her, pulling her into my arms. The shaking grew worse, accompanied by a low, guttural rumble that seemed to come from the earth itself. Pebbles began to rain down from above.

An earthquake?!

We had tremors in this world occasionally, but I’d never felt anything this violent. We were standing on a jagged cliff edge. The ground could give way at any second, or a boulder could crush us from above. We had to get away—now!

I tightened my grip on Tia, preparing to run, when—

『――ＧＹＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！』

An ear-splitting roar echoed through the shaft, so powerful it sent cracks spiderwebbing through the walls and the floor.

Oh, this is bad—

Before I could even process the thought, gravity vanished. The ledge crumbled, and before I knew it, I was being dragged down into the bottomless abyss, still clutching Tia tight against my chest.

◇

Immediately following the roar that shook the world, the Great Labyrinth began to collapse.

“Hugh! Tia!”

Lily, who had been watching them from a distance, screamed as she saw the ledge give way. The two of them were thrown into the air, locked in an embrace, and swallowed by the dark maw of the pit. She reached out, her fingers clawing at the empty air, but it was too late. Hugh and Tia vanished into the shadows.

“No... this can’t be happening... Hugh? Tia? No... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Lily!”

Lecty tackled Lily, pinning her down just as she tried to throw herself after them.

“Let go, Lecty! Hugh is—Tia is—!”

“I can’t! We have to go, now! This whole place is coming down!”

The cracks caused by the roar were tearing through the stone near them, widening by the second. It was only a matter of time before their standing ground collapsed as well.

Using the 《Physical Enhancement》 from her 《Saint》 skill, Lecty hauled the screaming, struggling Lily away from the edge. She glanced back once, her lip trembling as she confirmed there was no sign of Hugh or Lugue, then wiped her tears and ran.

(Hugh and Lugue are going to be fine! They have to be! So I... I have to protect Lily!)

She repeated the mantra to herself, fighting to keep her heart from shattering.

Near the exit of the safe zone, Idiot was waving his arms frantically. He ran toward them the moment they came into view.

“Are you all right, Lady Lecty?!”

“Yes... but...”

“Idiot! Hugh and Tia... they fell...!” Lily sobbed, her voice breaking.

“...I see.” Idiot’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tight they shook. “This place isn't safe. It could go at any moment. Lady Lecty, can I trust you with Lily Puridy?”

“Yes...!”

“Good. Then we move. Now!”

His voice was forced, a cold mask of calm over a well of emotion. He turned on his heel and led the way toward the exit, with Lecty carrying the sobbing Lily behind him. Lily buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with every ragged breath.

At the entrance to the safe zone, Ryug and Tina stood frozen, their faces pale.

“Ryug... what do we do? What are we supposed to do?!” Tina cried.

“I... I don't know...”

Idiot marched straight up to the trembling Ryug.

“Hey.”

His voice was laced with a terrifying quiet. Before Ryug could react, Idiot grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the stone wall. Ryug wheezed, staring up into Idiot’s furious eyes.

“Was this part of your little 'strategy' too?”

“N-No... this wasn't supposed to... The diary said the Black Dragon's revival wouldn't happen until much later! That’s why we were trying to settle things before it woke up!”

“So you set it up so Hugh would come here? And look at the result!”

Ryug slumped against the wall, utterly defeated by Idiot’s words.

“Idiot! What are you doing?! Let him go!”

Lecty reached them, still holding Lily, and stepped in to stop the confrontation. Idiot let out a sharp breath and released Ryug’s collar. Ryug slid down the wall, collapsing into a heap on the floor.

“We were just... trying to save the future...”

“Save your excuses for later. Right now, our only priority is getting back to the surface.”

“Wait, Idiot!”

Lily squirmed out of Lecty’s arms, her hair a mess and her eyes wild. She lunged forward, grabbing onto Idiot’s sleeve.

“Hugh and Tia fell! We have to help them! We have to go back now!”

“Lily Puridy...”

“Please, Idiot! You have to!”

She was a far cry from the perfect, composed lady she usually portrayed herself as. Idiot’s heart ached with the same desperation she felt, but he knew that going back now was suicide.

Something down there had changed the very geography of the dungeon with a single roar. Five students weren't going to pull off a rescue mission against that.

(I'm losing my cool too, aren't I...)

Idiot took a deep breath and knelt down to meet Lily’s eyes.

“You’re a 《Strategist》, Lily. You can tell if they’re alive or not. Why haven't you checked?”

“Because I'm terrified! What if I check and they're not there?!”

Her skill reached 1,500 meters. The depth of the shaft was unknown, but there was a good chance they were still within range. One pulse of her skill would tell her everything.

But if there was no response... it would mean the end. Lily couldn't bear to know. Idiot understood that fear all too well.

Which was exactly why he had to be firm.

“Then steel yourself! You are Lily Puridy, aren't you?!”

“...!”

“What is our duty right now?! It’s to survive and report this! Whatever that roar was, the dungeon has undergone a catastrophic change. If a monster that powerful has appeared in the depths, what happens next?”

“...A Monster Parade.”

An ecological collapse. When a dominant predator appears, the weaker monsters are driven out of their territory and flood toward the exit—and the surface.

The monsters nesting in the Drefon Great Labyrinth would be in a state of total panic. It was only a matter of time before they spilled out of the dungeon. The roar might have been heard outside, but the town of Balread wouldn't know how dire the situation was. They had to warn them before the town was overrun.

“You know what we have to do, Lily. And more importantly...”

Idiot stood up, addressing the entire group with a sudden, defiant confidence.

“My rival would never be pathetic enough to die from a little fall like that!”

It was a lie meant to encourage the others, but it was also a prayer he was saying to himself.

(I'm counting on you, Hugh... don't you dare die on me!)

◇　◇　◇　◇

I felt the sensation of my body being hurled through the air, falling down, down into the dark.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. I reached into my chest pocket. This fall felt like it lasted an eternity, but in reality, it was probably only seconds. If we hit the bottom at this speed, neither Tia nor I would survive. There was no time to hesitate.

Cancel 《Brainwashing》! Your skill is 《Levitation》!

I switched to the first skill that came to mind and pulled Lucretia closer. The moment the skill took hold, I felt a sensation like being wrapped in a soft, invisible cushion.

We began to drift, floating down through the darkness like dandelion seeds in a breeze. A few seconds later, my feet touched solid ground. I shuddered, realizing that if I’d been even a second slower with the skill change, we’d be nothing but a couple of red smears on the floor.

But we weren't out of the woods yet.

A deluge of dirt and rocks began raining down from above. Without a moment to catch my breath, I shielded Lucretia with my body and kicked off the ground. Thanks to 《Levitation》, I was able to leap a massive distance, feeling almost as if I were jumping on the surface of the moon.

But I wasn't fast enough.

A brutal impact shattered the silence as a rock slammed into my right shoulder, followed by another hitting my left leg. White-hot pain flared through my body. I fought to stay conscious as Tia and I tumbled across the uneven ground.

A massive boulder crashed into the spot where we’d landed just a second before. The impact shook the earth, and stone fragments rained down on my back. I couldn't move my leg anymore, so I threw myself over Tia, acting as a human shield.

How much time passed after that? I don't know. Eventually, the cave-in seemed to stop, and the rain of debris from the shaft above ceased.

Did we... did we actually survive?

With the last of my strength, I rolled off Tia so I wouldn't crush her. I tried to push myself up, but the agony in my shoulder and leg was so intense that I collapsed back onto the dirt.

“Hugh...? Hugh, answer me! Please!”

I heard Tia’s frantic voice. Everything around us was pitch black. There were no bioluminescent mosses down here at the bottom of the shaft; only the tiny patches of moss that had fallen with the rocks from above provided a faint, starlike glow.

“Are... are you hurt?” she sobbed.

“I’m fine... just a few scratches...”

Liar. It hurt so much I couldn't even twitch my right arm or left leg. I couldn't see how much I was bleeding in the dark, but I was pretty sure my bones were in pieces.

I needed to fix this. Now.

The collapse had stopped for now, but it could start again at any moment. There might be monsters nearby, too. We had to move.

I was terrified of Tia finding out about my 《Brainwashing》 skill, but this was no time for hesitation. I reached for my chest pocket to grab my mirror so I could switch to 《Saint》, but my hand felt... clumsy.

“Tia... can you get the mirror out of my chest pocket...?”

“Mirror? O-Okay. I've got it.”

I felt her slender fingers fumbling around my pocket for a few seconds. Then, her voice came back, sounding confused.

“Um... you said it was in your chest pocket, right?”

“It should be...”

The folding hand mirror I always carried like a lucky charm was gone. I’d used it just before the fall to switch to 《Levitation》, but in the panic of grabbing Tia, I had no memory of what I’d done with it.

I must have dropped it. Which meant it was probably buried under tons of rock. Even if I could find it, it was too dark to see my own reflection anyway.

I felt the heat slowly draining from my body. Strangely, the pain in my shoulder and leg was beginning to fade—not because they were healing, but like I was being given an anesthetic. My brain was shutting off the pain signals. I couldn't feel my arm or leg at all anymore.

“Hugh, stay with me! Hugh!”

In the darkness, I could just make out the silhouette of the girl I loved. Something wet splashed onto my cheek—Tia’s tears.

I felt like crying myself. What kind of man makes the girl he loves cry like this?

“Tia... listen to me. You have to leave me and—”

“No! Absolutely not!”

She shut me down before I could even finish the sentence. Well... I would've said the same thing if our positions were reversed.

But there was no guarantee Tia could make it back to the surface alone. She’d likely be killed by a monster before she even found the exit. On the other hand, if she stayed here, she’d either be buried alive, eaten, or stepped on by whatever made that roar. Even if the chance was less than one percent, I had to bet on her survival.

I’m sorry, Tia.

I really do love you.

So please... hate me.

“My real skill... isn't what I told you. It’s 《Brainwashing》.”

The ability to switch skills was just a side effect. The true nature of my power was a foul, taboo skill meant to dominate others. It was a wicked, ugly power that shouldn't even exist. And I’d been hiding it from her the whole time.

When she hugged me, when we slept in the same bed... I’d been holding that demonic power, secretly controlling her.

“Everything you feel for me... I planted those feelings with my skill. So... just leave a piece of trash like me and go—”

Please, run. That was what I wanted to say.

Instead, the sweet scent of osmanthus enveloped me.

The words were cut off as something soft pressed against my lips.

“You idiot! I won't let you insult the person I love like that!”

“Tia... I’m sorry...”

“It’s okay.”

She kissed me again. Tia’s warmth spread through me, and the sensations I’d lost began to flicker back to life. The pain in my shoulder and leg returned, too, but it was a "good" pain—a reminder that I was still alive. It hurt like hell, though.

I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. I wanted to touch her. I forced my left arm to move, and Tia gently took my hand in both of hers, pressing it against her cheek.

“I love you, Tia. I’m sorry I didn't say it sooner.”

“I love you too, Hugh! So much!”

We finally put into words the feelings we’d both been holding close. I could feel the tension leave her face, and despite the pain, I found myself smiling. God, if being this happy was an option, why did I wait so long to say it?

“You're really not going to run, are you?”

“Hmph. You promised we’d go to the moon together, Hugh. Did you forget?”

“No, I didn't forget...”

I just didn't expect to almost reach the moon—the permanent kind—so soon. Maybe going to meet Tia’s mother on the moon wouldn't be such a bad way to go.

But it was too early to give up. I’d finally told her how I felt. Dying now would be the ultimate waste of a good confession. I wanted to be happy with Tia. I wanted us to become a family. I wanted to have kids with her.

For that to happen, I had to struggle until the very end.

“Tia, can you help me up? I'm still using 《Levitation》, so I shouldn't be too heavy.”

“I’ve got you!”

With Tia’s help and my skill, I managed to stumble to my feet. My right arm and left leg were still useless and throbbing with agony, but the skill kept me almost weightless, allowing me to stay upright. If I wanted to, I could probably just float right out of the shaft... but I wouldn't be able to land safely, and I wasn't leaving Tia behind. That wasn't even an option.

As I stood, I scanned our surroundings. In the dim, starlike glow of the moss, the terrain began to take shape. And there, at the end of our line of sight...

A massive tunnel yawned open, glowing with an ominous purple light. I didn't know what that light meant, but it felt sinister. There didn't seem to be any other way out.

Our choices were simple: stay here or move forward. And whatever made that roar was almost certainly waiting at the end of that tunnel.

“Shall we?”

“Yes.”

Staying here wasn't going to solve anything. Leaning on Tia, I started hobbling toward the light. If we could find a puddle or a reflective ore, I could use it as a mirror to switch skills. At this point, that was our only hope.

We walked for a while, the purple light growing brighter until I could finally see Tia’s face clearly. She must have felt me looking at her, because she glanced up and gave me a gentle, pure smile.

Looking at that innocent smile, I had to ask.

“Um... about the 《Brainwashing》 thing. I wasn't lying. Aren't you... afraid?”

“Nope. I already knew.”

“...Come again?”

My brain pulled a total system failure. Wait, she knew?!

“The day you were called to the royal castle... the day I 'met' you for the first time as Lucretia. I was waiting for you as Lugue when I ran into my brother. He told me then that the true nature of your skill was the power to dominate others.”

“W-Wait, hold on! That was the day after the entrance ceremony!”

That was months ago! Practically the third day we’d known each other! That meant Lucretia had known the truth about my skill long before I’d even told Lily.

I guess it made sense that Prince Lucas would tell her. Thinking about it now, there was no way he’d let his precious sister stay near someone with such a dangerous skill without taking precautions.

But seriously, that damn brother-in-law of mine!

“What did you think when you heard that, Tia?”

“Hmm... Well, I already knew you were a serious, sincere person, so I figured it wasn't a big deal.”

“Please, I'm begging you, have a little more common sense regarding your own safety...”

The reason she never showed a hint of suspicion wasn't because she was keeping it a secret; she genuinely didn't care. What would she have done if I was the type of guy who used my skill for selfish gains? I swear, this girl...

“Hehe, that’s exactly why I love you.”

Ignoring my concern, Tia playfully poked my cheek. Well... I guess if she’s okay with it, I'm okay with it.

We pushed further into the cave. Fortunately, we didn't run into any monsters, but we didn't find any puddles or shiny minerals either.

I don't know how long we walked. When I happened to glance back, I saw a trail of blood marking our path. It was definitely coming from my shoulder and leg. No wonder my head was starting to feel fuzzy.

“...Sorry, Tia. I need to rest for a second.”

“Okay.”

Tia nodded and helped me over to the cave wall. I leaned against the jagged rock and slid down until I was sitting on the floor.

“Hugh!”

I wanted to tell her I was fine, but no matter how hard I tried to fix my expression, it was obviously a bluff. As I sat there, I realized something.

I probably wasn't getting back up again.

Thump.

A heavy vibration shook the ground from somewhere in the distance.

“W-What was... eek!”

I grabbed Tia’s hand and pulled her close as she tried to peer into the darkness.

“Hugh?”

“Quiet...”

The vibration came again almost immediately. It was rhythmic, like footsteps, and it was getting closer at a steady pace.

Then, a massive shadow emerged from the depths of the cave.

The silhouette was unmistakably a dragon with a pair of gargantuan wings. Had the Black Dragon Drefon, supposedly slain ages ago, truly returned to life?

The shadow loomed closer and closer. If we stayed quiet, would it just pass us by? If its sight and smell were worse than a human’s, we might have a chance... no.

I had a feeling it was being drawn right to us by the scent of my blood. It was probably hungry.

“...Tia.”

“No.”

I hadn't even said anything yet, but Tia wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to me. If I could’ve used my 《Brainwashing》 skill, I would’ve commanded her to run, but I didn't even have the strength to resist her hug.

Were we going to die together like this? Honestly, as far as endings went, it wasn't the worst.

But before that, there was one thing I had to finish.

I reached into my back pocket with my left hand and pulled out the ring case. When I clicked it open, Tia’s sapphire-blue eyes went wide.

“Hugh, is this...?”

“Happy birthday, Tia. And also...”

I’d planned on asking her to be my girlfriend. But if this was going to be the end…

“――Will you marry me?”

“Yes!”

Tia nodded with everything she had and pressed her lips to mine.

That sweet, melting moment of happiness couldn't last forever. When I opened my eyes, a colossal dragon covered in obsidian scales was staring right at us.

Tia pulled back, her wide, sapphire eyes brimming with tears.

Within those glistening depths, I saw my own reflection—clear as a mirror.

“《Brainwashing》... release.”

The words tumbled out effortlessly. I felt a familiar click—the unmistakable sensation of the skill taking hold.

I pulled Tia close with my left arm, my gaze locking with the Black Dragon's.

“Skill: 《Brainwashing》!”

I roared, pouring every last ounce of my strength into the command. Above the dragon’s head, a glowing notification appeared: 【Brainwashing in Progress】.

The beast’s massive jaws, inches away from snapping us in two, ground to a shuddering halt.

I didn't care if this thing really was the legendary Drefon or some other monster entirely. The only thing that mattered was that it was getting in the way of my time with Tia.

“Begone, dragon.”

The Black Dragon bowed, pressing its snout into the dirt in a gesture of absolute submission. Then, it began to dissolve, crumbling into silent, shimmering particles of light.

I’d meant for it to just crawl back into its hole, but... whatever. Close enough.

A sharp twinge of pain flared behind my eyes, but I ignored it, pulling Tia into a crushing embrace.

Right now, I didn't want to think about anything else. I just wanted to lose myself in her warmth.