The sun was close to setting.
Even though almost no light had ever reached the depths of this forest to begin with, the two of them kept running without pause.
Ryn did everything he could to stay close to Richard.
He knew all too well—if they were ever separated, he would be lost in this cursed forest… and surely die.
Richard continued to lead the way relentlessly. Exhaustion from endless running and constant sword swings was beginning to show. No matter how tightly they controlled their focus, their breathing, their discipline—the unceasing waves of Calami were slowly wearing them down.
Ahead, the darkness was absolute.
Only the faint glow of Richard's Auroral Tear allowed Ryn to see where he was going—and to make sure they hadn't lost each other.
Tension crushed down on Ryn's chest.
When will this end…?
He had fought Calami for days and nights before.
But this time—before even a single night had passed—it already felt like weeks. He just wanted it to be over.
Richard kept running ahead at full speed, never once looking back.
And as Ryn's focus began to blur, exhaustion finally claimed its toll.
His foot slipped.
He tripped over a tree root and crashed to the ground.
A massive horde of Calami—far too many to count—surged toward him at once.
Slash!
Richard's blade struck down the Prowler that had leapt closest to Ryn, only a heartbeat away from tearing him apart.
"Up!"
Richard shouted.
Ryn scrambled to his feet and joined him, cutting down the advancing Calami until they managed to regain their footing.
"Run!"
Richard ordered again, without mercy.
They ran on.
Relentlessly.
Until the first light of dawn began to break through the sky.
Before long, Ryn saw pale rays slipping through the trees ahead.
The exit was close.
The flame in Richard's hand flared brighter, as if answering the rising sun.
At last, they burst free from the forest of the Calamyr Mountains.
Richard slowed his pace just enough to let Ryn run ahead into the open plains—then summoned a towering wall of fire behind them, sealing off the forest and preventing the Calami from breaking through.
Richard turned back and kept running forward, shouting for Ryn to follow him.
They continued sprinting until they were certain no Calami were pursuing them anymore. At last, they reached a sparse forest and stopped together.
Both of them collapsed beneath a massive tree, sprawled out on the ground, gasping for air as if their lungs were about to burst.
"You idiot…"
Richard muttered between heavy breaths.
"You almost got the two of us turned into monster shit."
Ryn apologized, still struggling to catch his breath. Richard waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine, it's fine."
He turned to Ryn and asked,
"So? Still want to climb up there and destroy the curse?"
Now, Ryn truly understood why Richard had said—
That no one in their right mind would ever choose to ascend the mountain to erase the curse at its source.
Ryn shook his head.
"No… I get it now. I've had enough."
Richard burst out laughing, even as he continued to pant.
His laughter echoed beneath the warm sunlight…
A sharp contrast to the horrors they had just escaped.