Turning
chapter-681

'Permission to the third basement. The abilities of Reneve and Cyregina... Yes. I'm beginning to understand.'

Earlier, Nukijo had mentioned that the problem was that both individuals from Durban had awakened their powers.

On the day Reneve awakened, it wasn't just her. Her longed-for friend, Cyril, also known as Cyregina, had awakened as well.

Reneve's ability was to suppress the power of other Awakeners, and if Cyregina's ability was to make her body and weapons invisible, could there be a better combination for escaping from there?

If Reneve had known that Cyregina was alive and possessed such an ability, she would not have remained so quietly confined for so long. A plan to escape with the others trapped in the surrounding rooms, by communicating with them and releasing their suppressed abilities, would have quickly formed in her mind.

‘Nukijo's insistence that Reneve use her power, whether awake or asleep, now seems not only to prevent the Awakeners on the third floor from escaping. Perhaps it was also to preemptively prevent Cyregina, unable to bear it, from secretly trying to meet Reneve.’

Even if Cyregina used her invisibility to sneak into the third underground floor, her invisibility would dissipate as soon as she stepped in, due to Reneve's power supression ability.

Cyregina, despite her remarkable ability, had no choice but to serve under Nukijo and be absolutely obedient to gain access to the third floor, probably for that reason.

However, Nukijo likely never intended to let the two meet, regardless of how obedient and compliant they were.

If only one of them had awakened. Or if Cyregina's ability wasn't invisibility that allowed attacks while hidden, things might not have escalated to this extent. It was indeed a cruel twist of fate.

"You died too easily."

Yuder coldly gazed at Nukijo's corpse, then felt a cloth settle on his shoulders and turned his head. Kishiar, who had draped the cloak over him, smiled brightly as their eyes met.

"Now that there's no need to keep wearing those clothes, you should put on something warm."

"...Thank you, but isn't this your garment, Commander?"

They were currently wearing clothes said to have been worn by boys and girls in ancient times during ceremonies to wish for victory. The attire, revealing much skin and loosely fitted with no buttons but only a few golden strings tied in knots, was hardly suitable for winter. However, its design allowed unencumbered movement, which was an advantage.

The existence of these clothes and the changing room were disclosed by Elpkins and other Awakeners who had subdued Nukijo's group backstage. The backstage area included a makeshift changing room where concept costumes, created anew for each day's combat, were stored. Clothes for the day's participants were already laid out there for them to change into.

Reluctantly, they had to wear these to avoid suspicion before going on stage and starting their task.

Fortunately, the design was somewhat better than the rag-like garment Elpkins originally wore, which barely covered the essentials.

However, Kishiar managed to pull off even that unrealistic attire terrifyingly well. Although his face was vaguely altered, his body remained unchanged. His broad shoulders and slender waist made even the roughest sack look as if it were custom-made for him.

According to the Awakeners, those participating for the first time today could wear robes or cloaks over their clothes without arousing suspicion. Thus, they wrapped themselves in the outer garments they had originally worn. The rest of the clothes were distributed to other Awakeners like Elpkins, who were dressed in sacks.

Kishiar had kept his outer garment on all this while, but Yuder had discarded his earlier, resulting in his body being splattered with blood here and there. He was concerned about soiling Kishiar's clean cloak with this mess.

"I'm fine, please just take it."

"There's too much blood on you. If you go out like this, you'll lose body heat."

Yuder didn't seem to mind the blood, considering it wasn't his own and he could summon fire if he got cold.

"Then, I'll go and fetch the clothes I threw away earlier."

"This one?"

At some unknown point, Kishiar had picked up Yuder's discarded garment, now a black, tattered cloth bundle. It was ripped and covered in various liquids and dirt.

"I saw it on the way here, but it's already been trampled and ruined."

"..."

"This cloak is enchanted like your gloves. It's made of a fabric that doesn't easily stain. Don't worry and wear it. That's why I kept it on."

His last words were almost a whisper, soft yet tinged with an unwillingness that made it difficult to refuse.

Perhaps Kishiar had been quite concerned about Yuder's condition without showing it during the fight.

"But if I wear this, won't you, Commander, get cold?"

"Don't forget that I've seen the pinnacle of swordsmanship. This is nothing to me. And we'll likely meet Nathan on our way out. He must have brought an outer garment, knowing the plan."

Yuder wondered if it wouldn't be better for him to wear one of Nathan Zuckerman's garments. However, Kishiar's expression was resolute and radiant, seeming unyielding to any suggestion.

'Hmm... From experience, this isn't a mood to refuse.'

Kishiar, who usually didn't obstruct Yuder's actions, could persuade him perfectly when needed. His current reaction was strikingly similar to the firm yet gentle demeanor he had shown when he was blinded in the Great Sarain Forest.

Finally, Yuder nodded in agreement. Only then did Kishiar smile and properly tie the cloak. Wearing the cloak didn't completely hide the blood splattered all over him, but it was enough to prevent people from recoiling in shock at first glance.

Just then, the Awakeners, having calmed their excitement from the victory, approached them. They were startled to see Nukijo's dead body but soon murmured with mixed emotions.

"Is he dead?"

"Really dead? Just like that?"

Nukijo had been at the top of the power structure inside the fighting arena. The Awakeners felt a mixture of emptiness, anger, and relief that such a seemingly indestructible figure had died so vainly. They regretted that he died too easily for his deeds, but the sight of his corpse also brought a sense of real relief that the nightmare was finally over.

The surviving subordinates of Nukijo merely looked on, with no one lamenting the death of their leader. Thus, Nukijo's body was left untouched, his eyes unshut.

They gathered Nukijo's subordinates, who showed no further will to resist, and tightly bound them together. This was to facilitate an easier handling for the Cavalry members who would join them later.

During this time, Yuder called Reneve, who had been standing at the back, to inform her about the whereabouts of the friend she had been so desperately searching for.

"Before Nukijo died, I was fortunate to learn about your friend's fate. It turns out she was alive."

"Cyril... she was alive? Are you sure?"

Reneve, who had believed Cyril to be utterly deceased, displayed a mix of bewilderment and joy, but Yuder, knowing her happiness would not last, suppressed his emotions.

"Before I proceed, I want to confirm if your friend's real name is Cyregina."

"Ah... Yes, that's right. Cyril is just a Durban-style nickname. We never used her real name... But why do you ask?"

It was as expected; the probability that Cyregina was not Cyril was nonexistent. Yuder took a deep breath and spoke softly.

"It seems she was here, just like you. She served under Nukijo and went by the name Regina."

"Under Nukijo, as a subordinate?"

Reneve questioned in disbelief, doubting her ears at such an unexpected revelation.

"No... That can't be. Would she continue to work here, knowing I am here? In this dreadful place? Are you sure there’s no mistake? If she worked here... they would have no reason to hide Cyril's fate from me. What exactly..."

"The truth can only be confirmed by the person herself, but I suspect the reason might have been to save you."

"To save me?"

As Reneve asked in a daze, the young Awakeners of the Star of Nagran, who were nearby, perked up their ears and turned their heads. The familiar name had caught their attention.

"Regina? We know her. She was the one who led us here."