Kick

Such a startling remark instantly drove Klein's earlier worries from his mind. Nothing seemed to compare to the sheer outrageousness of what Alice had just said.

"...That's never going to happen!" he protested. "Not everyone is Frank!"

"That's exactly why I didn't tell you what I was thinking..." Alice muttered as she stood and headed farther inside. "I'm going to take a look in there. You..."

Inside, if there was an end to this place, the Chaos Sea might have seeped up there...

She frowned, and Klein ventured, "Should I wait here?"

"...How about this?" Alice shook her head, her expression grave. "We'll go in together first. If you hear or see anything, get out immediately, or go to Sefirah Castle."

After all, as long as he didn't know the relevant information, the remaining dangers weren't quite so direct... He wasn't from one of God Almighty's corresponding pathways. Surely getting this little bit closer wouldn't draw him straight into the Chaos Sea...

With that thought, Alice headed inside. Behind her, Klein raised his right hand and silently recited a divination statement, letting the citrine pendant on his wrist swing. Only after confirming that proceeding would be dangerous, but acceptably so, did he follow.

The passage wasn't long. After a few dozen meters, the way ahead abruptly darkened. Alice stopped, and Klein raised the lantern, moving it around. When the beast hide lantern's light reached the space ahead of them, something swallowed it. The illuminated area was eerily cut off, creating a deeply unsettling sight.

Alice frowned at the scene before her. She looked at the precipice two steps away and the bottomless void below, then turned to Klein. He was already retreating with his lantern, apparently devoid of any desire to investigate. Without the slightest reluctance, he intended to leave