An hour had passed since the Shadow World began.
Lanchi lightly brushed the rough stone wall with his icy fingers. The sting at his fingertips kept him clear-headed.
Amid the howling cold wind in the prison and the trembling sounds of prisoners in the other cells gradually falling silent, the chains bit tighter into his hands. His wrists hurt where the shackles scraped them, and they had nearly lost all feeling.
Every pore in his body resisted the cold, but it was futile.
"It's really cold..."
He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, feeling the cold air spread through his lungs. Then he slowly exhaled a plume of white mist, sensing every tremor within his body, every heartbeat, all struggling against the endless cold.
As time passed, Lanchi began to grow accustomed to the chill, until his muscles stiffened and his thoughts gradually slowed.
It was hard to imagine whether, if he continued staying in this prison, the cold and despair would become his only companions, accompanying him through a silent and interminably long night.
Although there was nothing wrong with the Shadow World Adams had chosen,
Lanchi had said that he would accept any kind of challenge.
But considering the strength of the two of them, fighting to the bitter end would definitely leave both sides wounded.
"Adams..."
Finally, Lanchi said helplessly from the wall beside Adams's cell,
"If we keep enduring this until we have to determine a winner, I'm afraid it'll hurt our friendship."
Soon,
"What's wrong, Lanchi? Are you already starting to lose steam? I believe you're not the kind of person who would go back on his word halfway through, right?"
Adams chuckled and spoke with a hint of mockery.
In the cell to the left of Lanchi, separated from him by