Chapter 8 - Adapt

Renji’s eyes narrowed. “I can kill them?”

The leader turned to Alina sharply. “What is he saying?”

“He says he wants to surrender,” Alina lied.

Renji assessed the two assailants and the current situation.

Ten metres and closing. Carbine’s on the ground, wrapped in cloth. They’re in plate armour with padding—might stop a 9mm round. Headshots, then…

A round chambered? Can’t remember. I’ll chamber one anyway.

Should be able to drop them before they reach melee range.

“We know you’re out of magic,” the leader said, pointing his sword at Alina. “Using a crystal takes longer—don’t bother trying.”

In a single motion, Renji drew his sidearm and pulled back the slide. He brought the pistol’s sights onto the assailant on the left and squeezed a quick double tap.

Blam! Blam!

Two rounds struck the assailant in the face.

Alina cried out and covered her ears.

The leader was next. Renji dropped his aim to the knees and fired a single shot, shattering one. The man crumpled to the ground with a bone-chilling scream, clutching the mangled limb.

Renji holstered his sidearm and noticed Alina crouched nearby, hands clamped over her ears, eyes tightly shut. Until now, she’d only seen him fire the suppressed carbine.

Ah. Her first exposure to unsuppressed gunfire.

He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked up. Her gaze widened at the corpses, then shifted to him.

“It’s over. You’re safe. Sorry for scaring you,” he said gently, brushing a hand across her cheek.

Alina nodded and sat, tucking her knees to her chest as she tried to compose herself.

Renji turned his attention to the groaning assailant. He stepped over and pressed a boot to the leader’s thigh, just above the ruined knee.

“Alina, can you translate?” Renji asked. His voice was calm—too calm—but the edge was unmistakable.

“Y-yes, I can,” Alina replied, sitting up straighter.

It’s like he’s a different person… she thought.

“Ask why the Duke sent him.”

Alina translated.

“Piss off!” the guard spat.

Renji’s face remained neutral; inside, his thoughts churned.

I’m stuck in a world I don’t understand. Dragged here without consent. And this bastard says ‘piss off’? I didn’t even want to be here.

He pressed harder with his boot. The guard screamed.

“Screw you!” the man growled.

“I do not have time for this shit,” Renji muttered, voice low.

He drew his sidearm again, took his foot off the man’s leg, and dropped to a knee. He pressed the barrel against the man’s right hand and pulled the trigger.

Blam!

Alina flinched as the guard wailed in agony.

Renji moved the barrel up to the man’s elbow.

“He wants you dead!” the man shouted, cracking before the next shot could fire.

“Why?” Alina asked, translating again.

“No one’s supposed to know the Duke tried to summon a hero,” the guard groaned.

“Why does he need a hero?” Renji asked.

“He wants to take over other floors. A hero has the strength of an entire army. You can’t send a real army through the portals.”

“Which floors?”

“I swear, that’s all I know.”

Renji glanced at Alina. “Any more questions?”

“N-no…” she said, shaking her head.

It’s the same person… but his voice is different. His eyes are different. Is that where all his anger went?

Renji stood and fired two rounds into the man’s face. Alina winced, covering her ears again. He holstered his weapon.

Renji searched the bodies, taking only their coin pouches. He returned to Alina and knelt beside her.

“You alright?”

“Y-yes. I am now. Thank you,” she replied shakily.

“Want to rest here a little longer?”

“No, I’m fine. It was the loud noise that shocked me,” she admitted, eyes flicking to the sidearm.

“Ah, I understand,” Renji said, nodding.

He drew the weapon again and removed a bullet, explaining how the propellant ignites, creating a small explosion that propels the bullet forward—hence the noise. He added that confined spaces like the cavern amplified the sound due to the lack of dispersal.

“Thank you, Renji. I feel better now,” Alina said, standing and brushing off her robe.

“You’re welcome. There’s a saying in my world: ‘We fear what we do not understand.’” He slung his pack over his shoulder.

Alina found herself staring as he adjusted his gear.

Gentle Renji is back. Angry Renji… no, not gone. Just asleep.

“We should stay on Floor Fifteen for now,” Alina suggested. “The safe floors are ruled independently.”

“Good idea.” Renji nodded. “More frogs, or are we done for the day?”

“I’ve had enough excitement for one day,” Alina muttered, picking up her pack. “Let’s find an inn in Durren. The main town on this floor.”

Renji nodded. “Let’s go then.”

***

It was what passed for late afternoon in the labyrinth. As they exited the cavern, Renji took in the green open expanse before him. He paused a beat, breathing in the scenery.

Crossing a bridge, he spotted a few men fishing along the riverbanks.

“There’s fish here?”

“Yes! Not on every safe floor, though. Fifteen has several nice rivers. Oh, and Thirty-Five has a beautiful lake.”

“How big are these safe floors?”

“Hmm… hard to say. They’re all different. Floors like Fifteen and Twenty take a day or two to cross. Some are larger, some smaller.”

Thirty to forty klicks wide… (kilometres). Renji ran the numbers. Damn. Is that even possible?

He nodded silently as they continued toward Durren.

The mind link between Alina and Renji was still active.

I wonder how long it lasts. Learning to read and write is going to be a hassle.

A short while later, as they entered the city gates, Renji spoke.

“Alina, can I ask a favour?”

Alina turned to him. “Of course! What do you need?” she asked, bright-eyed.

“Whoa, didn’t expect that much enthusiasm.” He scratched his cheek. “Looks like I’ll be stuck here a while. Can you teach me the language?”

“Yes! We’ll start today!” She grabbed his wrist and dragged him further into town.

“I know a great bookshop!”

He’s depending on me for once… I can’t help him get home, but this much I can do.

Half an hour later, they were inside. Renji spotted a book with a swordsman on the cover. He flipped through it—couldn’t read the text, but the diagrams made its purpose clear.

“Alina, what’s this one say?”

She leaned over. “Master the Sword. Interested?”

Renji nodded. “Yeah. Seems useful.”

“Let’s get it.” Alina took the book and paid the clerk. They left with four books in total and went searching for an inn.

***

At the inn, Alina washed away the dust of travel and changed into a fresh robe. She caught herself humming as she tidied her things, the tune light and unthinking. The sound surprised her—it had been days since she’d felt light enough to hum at all. Maybe it was the safety of a roof, or maybe it was knowing Renji was just down the hall.

Spotting the stack of books on the table, she gathered two into her arms, hugging them close. Lessons would be a good distraction—for both of them.

Her steps quickened as she left her room, excitement bubbling in her chest.

A few doors down, Renji had just finished washing up and putting away his gear when a knock sounded. He opened the door to find Alina standing there, books held to her chest, her face bright with anticipation.

“We’ve got a couple of hours till evening meal,” she said, beaming. “Want to start your first lesson?”