Maki crouched in the dimly lit alcove of the 28th floor, her spear resting against her shoulder. The echoes of the previous battle still reverberated in her mind—monsters twisted beyond recognition and a figure steeped in divine corruption.
She glanced at Scathach, who was meditating nearby, her crimson eyes closed and her aura calm but impenetrable. Archer was further back, sharpening his arrows while muttering something about reckless plans and impossible odds.
"We can't keep fighting like this," Maki said, breaking the silence.
Scathach opened one eye, her gaze heavy with meaning. "Elaborate."
Maki sat back, running a hand through her disheveled hair. "That guy back there, whoever he was—he's playing on a different level. He's toying with us, and I hate being outmatched."
Archer smirked from his spot. "Outmatched? You mean you hate not being the strongest person in the room."
"Shut up, Arrow Boy."
Scathach's faint smile softened the tension. "He isn't wrong, Maki. Your potential is extraordinary, but you lack refinement. Raw strength and determination alone won't take you further."
Maki's green eyes burned with frustration. "Then what do I need?"
Scathach stood, her presence as imposing as ever. "Discipline. Precision. And a deeper connection to the power that stirs within you."
Scathach led Maki and Archer to a secluded section of the floor, a cavern where glowing crystals lined the walls. The atmosphere was heavy with mana, the air almost electric.
"This place will serve as a forge," Scathach declared. "Here, you'll learn what it means to wield your strength with purpose."
Maki raised an eyebrow. "You're saying I've been doing it wrong?"
Scathach didn't answer directly. Instead, she threw her spear at Maki without warning. The weapon whistled through the air, its deadly tip aimed straight for her chest.
Maki's instincts screamed, and she dodged at the last moment, the spear grazing her shoulder. "What the hell, Scathach?"
"React faster," Scathach said coldly, summoning the spear back to her hand with a flick of her wrist. "In battle, hesitation is death. Again."
The drill began in earnest. Scathach attacked relentlessly, pushing Maki to her limits. Every move was designed to test her reflexes, endurance, and adaptability. Archer watched from a safe distance, occasionally offering sarcastic commentary.
Hours passed, and Maki's frustration boiled over. Sweat dripped from her brow, her muscles screamed for relief, and her pride took a beating with every failed counter.
"Enough!" she shouted, slamming her spear into the ground. "You're asking for perfection while treating me like a punching bag."
Scathach's expression didn't waver. "And yet, you're still standing."
Maki blinked, her anger momentarily replaced by confusion. "What?"
"You've endured more today than most warriors could manage in a lifetime," Scathach continued. "You're stronger than you realize, but strength means nothing without control. Feel your weapon. Breathe with it. Let it become an extension of yourself."
Maki tightened her grip on her spear, Scathach's words settling deep within her. She closed her eyes and inhaled, feeling the weight of her weapon, the flow of her energy, and the pulse of the Dungeon around her.
When Scathach attacked again, Maki moved differently. Her spear met Scathach's with a resounding clash, but this time, she didn't falter. Her strikes were precise, her movements deliberate. She wasn't just reacting—she was fighting with intent.
The training was interrupted by a guttural roar that shook the cavern. A massive creature emerged from the shadows, its form a grotesque amalgamation of stone and flesh. Its eyes glowed with unholy light, and its claws tore through the crystal walls as it advanced.
"We've got company," Archer said, nocking an arrow. "And it's not here to talk."
Maki and Scathach stepped forward in unison, their weapons raised.
"You wanted to test your progress, Maki?" Scathach asked, her voice steady. "Here's your chance."
Maki grinned, the fire in her eyes reignited. "Let's see what this thing's got."
The battle was fierce, the creature's strength and resilience pushing the trio to their limits. Archer provided cover fire, his arrows targeting the beast's glowing weak points. Scathach's strikes were precise, each one carving through its defenses like a scalpel.
Maki was in the thick of it, her movements sharper and more fluid than ever. She dodged the beast's claws, her spear striking with newfound confidence. Every attack carried the weight of her training, each step a testament to her growth.
The creature let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing into a heap of stone and ash. Maki stood over its remains, her chest heaving and her spear coated in ichor.
"That was… intense," she said, a grin breaking across her face.
"And you handled it well," Scathach said, placing a hand on Maki's shoulder. "You've made progress, but don't let this victory breed complacency."
Archer approached, his usual smirk in place. "You're lucky I was here to save your ass."
Maki rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "Thanks, Arrow Boy. I couldn't have done it without your sarcasm."
The group shared a brief moment of levity before Scathach's expression turned serious.
"The Dungeon is growing more dangerous, and the corruption we've seen is no coincidence," she said. "We need to be prepared for what's coming."
Maki nodded, her resolve stronger than ever. "Then let's keep pushing. Whatever's waiting for us, we'll take it down."