Sticking to their word, Kosma and Griseo indeed had stayed out of Alex's way, watching him from a distance as the boy was easily clearing floor by floor with flying colors.

Despite his two spectators, Alex was able to keep his mind focused and clear as he progressed through his current run.

He'd reach the halfway point, taking a breather as he stretched for a moment before sitting down.

As he did, the two onlookers would approach.

"Hey. So, how have I performed so far? You can be honest. I won't be upset." Said Alex.

"You're amazing." Said the young painter with as much excitement as one could possibly put in a monotone voice.

"Thanks Griseo." Said Alex before looking up at Kosma. "Well, what's your assessment? I'm sure getting your praise won't be as easy."

The green haired boy took a moment to respond to Alex's question before he eventually gave him an answer.

"Well for someone your age, your proficiency at swordsmanship is fairly remarkable. It reminds me a little of Sakura. How long have you been at this?" He asked.

"I was trained by my caretaker when I was twelve. I'm fifteen now so I've been at this for three years. Honestly though it's felt longer than that."

"Why did you learn at such a young age?" Asked Griseo.

"I grew up without parents, always having to rely on others for eleven years. I get that as a kid it's weird to think that way, but I just felt like I wanted to sustain myself from now on once I had turned twelve. Thankfully my caretaker was understanding and had no issues with it. After all, we both knew that she'd still have my back no matter what."

That would be where the trio's conversation would end as after a few minutes, Alex would stand back up fully rested and he continued on, looking to finish the second half of his excursion.

Much like the first, the second part went by smoothly however upon reaching the second floor, something unusual happened.

Normally, he'd be immediately greeted by the boss enemy awaiting him at the center of the floor but this time, there was nothing.

The floor was completely absent of any enemies in general which Alex found very bizzare.

Suddenly, things would get even more bizzare as Alex could've swore he began to feel raindrops coming from above as he looked up and saw the sky was covered in rainclouds.

'What the hell? That's.......odd? Since when did this place have rain?' He thought to himself before suddenly hearing Griseo give a panicked yelp.

The boy turned around to see two Honkai Zombies had suddenly appeared between him and the two others as Kosma immediately stood in front of Griseo to guard her.

"Kosma! Griseo!" Shouted Alex as he approached them only to be blocked off by the zombies.

Strangely, the zombies showed no clear motive to attack and were just there to block the group.

At that moment, a warping noise was heard as Alex turned back around to see a dark rift had appeared in the center of the floor as out stepped out a figure.

That figure being none other than the cloaked girl.

Alex was a little confused at the sight as he still had no clue what was going on or even why she had suddenly showed up in the first place.

"Uh, hi? May I help you or something? Kinda rude to just barge in unannounced you know." Said Alex in a fairly casual tone which was in stark contrast to how Kosma responded.

"You. Why are you here?" Asked the green haired boy in a stern tone as his expression was one of caution as Griseo peeked from beside him to get a look at what was happening.

The cloaked girl remained silent before snapping her fingers as a rift appeared behind the two.

"Kosma. Griseo. Head back." She said.

"B-But...."

Griseo clearly didn't wanna leave so soon and gave a pleading look to Kosma but the boy knew better and quickly turned her around.

"Alex will be okay. Come on." He said.

The two would enter the rift and be sent back to the ER entrance as now it was just her and Alex on that floor.

The two looked at one another as the girl for once struck up a conversation, one that she had tried to convince him on before.

"So, I see you've been rather effective and efficient at work. At this rate, you'll catch that Herrscher girl in no time. I'd ask if you've enjoyed your time here, but we both know that it's really been a hassle. I bet you're feeling pretty tired right now, constantly going back and forth between these excursions and the lobby." She said.

Alex kept silent for a bit, thinking his words over before finally answering.

"Honestly, no not really. I've actually enjoyed my time here. Getting to understand stories and tales from a bygone era, even if some ended tragically." He answered.

"Tragedy struck in our time, and it continues to strike in yours. I warned you that whatever you and that Herrscher seek from here would amount to nothing. Don't you remember what I said? Battling the Honkai will forever be a losing battle. That constant pursuit for the impossible will just drag you deeper into desperation, until your inevitable demise. You have to quit moving forward, here and now."

Again, Alex remained quiet as the cloaked girl refused to give up on trying to coerce him to turn back and leave.

Despite her words, Alex was steadfast in his decision.

"No, I don't. Mei and I truly believe that once we obtain the answers that we need here, it'll be able to save our world from disaster. No matter how slim our chances may be, we'll take those odds no matter what. Who cares if the numbers are highly against us? We won't run from it. I won't run from it. We're determined to challenge fate head on." Proudly proclaimed Alex.

The cloaked girl remained silent for a moment, beginning to get a little upset at Alex's willingness to keep going as she clenched her fists.

"You'll all be consumed by the Honkai." She said, her tone starting to become a little annoyed.

"I don't care. We've come this far on our journeys to simply chicken out now. My mind's made up." Said Alex as he began to walk on forward, approaching the girl. "I may end up being corrupted and consumed by the Honkai, but I'll carry that burden with me. So long as it means the next step to a brighter tommorow."

The boy then stopped beside the girl.

"Any pain that comes my way from this journey, I'll gladly accept it with open arms." He said.

Right as he was about to head to the rift and return to the lobby, he heard the girl speak.

"You say you accept it..............................."THIS ISN'T A GAME!"

Multiple alarm bells went off in Alex's head as he instinctively rolled away from her which was a smart choice.

Upon looking back at where he once stood, he saw the cloaked girl had attempted to slash at him, as he got his first look at her weapon.

"H-Hey! The hell's your problem!?" Shouted Alex.

"Shut up! It's time that you learn.....................what REAL PAIN FEELS LIKE!"

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Chapter 7: Complete