After their brief respite, Hiroshi and Nagi entered the next floor of the tower, the dim light casting strange shadows on the stone walls. It didn't take long before they encountered a few Garmr and Cockatrices. Hiroshi and Nagi fought with ease, dispatching the monsters with little difficulty. The Garmr's wolf-like bodies fell swiftly under their attacks, while the Cockatrices were no match for their combined strength.
Orihara's voice suddenly cut through the air, sharp and commanding. "Take the Garmr skin," he ordered. "Also, find mustard seed and yuzu."
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "Mustard seed and yuzu? Alright, we'll search for them." He spoke aloud, as though Orihara could hear him clearly.
Turning to Nagi, Hiroshi added, "Let's take some Cockatrice meat, Garmr skin, and Garmr meat. We'll need it later."
Nagi looked up, his expression skeptical. "Why not cook it right now? It's fresh."
"Because," Hiroshi replied, "we're searching for some specific materials. I think I saw mustard seeds and yuzu somewhere around here. Let's focus on finding those first."
Nagi says "Alright, we'll split up and search."
The two of them separated, scouring the floor for the mustard seed and yuzu. Hiroshi pushed through the dense foliage, eyes scanning for anything that resembled the ingredients Orihara had mentioned. Time passed slowly, and just as he was beginning to wonder if they'd ever find the items, he heard a sudden loud crash.
While Nagi searching, he got by trap and somehow enter the boss. a massive figure stepped forward from behind the door—a beast that seemed to be a mix of a dog and a cat. Its fur was matted and dark, its eyes glowing with a strange, otherworldly intensity.
The creature's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "I am Domovoi, the Knight of Crimson Ruin. Once, I served a glorious kingdom, but it fell to the abyssal forces. My king's orders are clear: I must protect this door. Any who enter will die by my hand."
Without warning, Domovoi swung his sword with terrifying speed, aiming directly at Nagi. Nagi barely managed to dodge the strike, but before he could react, a powerful kick sent him crashing to the ground.
Nagi struggled to get up, his body aching from the impact. "What the hell? This guy... he's too strong!" He wiped blood from his lip, determination flashing in his eyes. "But I'm not giving up. I won't leave Hiroshi alone. I'll get stronger—no matter what!"
Domovoi's cold laugh echoed through the chamber. "You're weak. How did you even make it this far with your level?" He raised his sword, preparing for another attack.
Suddenly, a window appeared in front of Nagi's eyes, glowing with an ethereal light. Your bond status has increased enough to unlock the bond system. Are you accepting it? (Yes/No)
"Bond system?" Nagi muttered under his breath, staring at the screen. Without hesitation, he selected "Yes."
The window shimmered, and a new voice, familiar but distant, spoke in his mind. This system is given to you by Orihara. You now have access to bond privileges. You can use bond points to increase stats, acquire skills, and more.
A surge of power coursed through Nagi's body. He felt faster, stronger, more attuned to his surroundings. He grinned. "You're pretty confident in your speed, huh?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Domovoi growled, his eyes narrowing.
With a swift motion, Nagi vanished from sight, his speed almost a blur. He reappeared in front of Domovoi, delivering a powerful punch that landed squarely in the creature's chest.
Domovoi stumbled back, shocked. "How did you become so fast in such a short time?" He gritted his teeth, then raised his sword once more. "I'll have to go all out."
"Nagi takes his sword from his dimensional bag also known as debug"
The battle raged on, Nagi and Domovoi clashing swords with ferocity. The sounds of metal against metal echoed through the hall as the two fighters engaged in a deadly dance. For half an hour, they fought, neither giving an inch.
But in the end, it was Nagi who emerged victorious. With one final, well-placed strike, he pierced Domovoi's defenses, sending the beast crashing to the ground, lifeless.
Domovoi's eyes remained open, domovoi smile and said. "It's been a while... since I've crossed blades with someone. It was an honor." With those words, he took his final breath.
Nagi, though victorious, was covered in scratches and bruises from the intense battle. His body ached, but there was a sense of quiet satisfaction in his heart. He bowed his head in respect for the fallen knight.
"We didn't speak much," Nagi said softly, wiping the sweat from his brow, "but we shared something, didn't we? The chase, the clash of swords... It was an honor."