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That... what was that?

In the darkness, Tales stared fearfully at the layer of rock above Kez's head.

He blinked hard, but still saw nothing. Above Kez's head was pitch-black.

Sin of the Hell River gave him no response.

"Hey, kid!"

The seamstress's displeasure nearly filled the tiny cavern. "Are you messing with me?"

Her voice rang through the cave, followed by waves of echoes.

Tales was startled by her angry shout.

"Nothing..."

The boy took a deep breath and stared at the top of Kez's head, still shaken. "I... I spaced out..."

"I'm coming."

This time, Tales thrust his arm out with all his might, raised the Eternal Lamp as far forward as he could, and nervously looked left and right. Step by step, he edged ahead, finally catching Kez's palm and climbing up.

Naturally, this earned him another round of scolding from the seamstress.

But Tales no longer cared.

As Kez continued scouting the way ahead, Tales held the lamp alone and passed the spot where the face had appeared.

He could not help repeatedly raising the lamp and looking up, checking whether that strange human face had really appeared overhead.

But there was still nothing—only rocks quietly embedded in the stone.

Had I seen it wrong?

Probably... right?

Tales took a deep breath, suppressed the trembling in his hands and feet, and tried to throw every thought about the strange atmosphere out of his mind. Following the faint light from Kez ahead, he hugged the Eternal Lamp to his chest and continued forward through the pitch-black surroundings, forcing himself onward.

They advanced for another half hour.

During that time, Tales carefully took one step after another, each step filled with unease.

"Good. We've already gone more than halfway. Now, above us..." The seamstress's voice came from ahead,