“It seems they escaped without harm. Congratulations, Tiotudo. Your noble sacrifice didn't go unrewarded.”

Hyunwoo pulled his sword back as he spoke toward the burnt piece of meat in front of him. The body barely held the shape of a human being, and horrible burns were all over the lump of flesh.

“Ooh... Ah!”

“You're still alive? Now, this is a surprise.”

Hyunwoo tapped Tiotudo with his foot, and Tiotudo's charred leg crumpled into ash. Tiotudo’s nerves were burnt to a crisp, so he could no longer feel any pain. Hyunwoo took a knee next to Tiotudo and spoke.

“You used to be my friend, so I'm willing to hear your last words. Do you have anything to say?”

“Huhk! Huhk!”

Tiotudo gasped for breath. His life was slowly fading away, so his breathing was getting weaker. Despite this fact, he managed to open his mouth.

“W… Why...”

“Hmm?”

“Why… Did you attack us?”

The heat had melted one of his eyes shut, and he could barely look toward Hyunwoo with the other. Even that eye had lost most signs of life.

“I was given an order. That was all. You guys made a big fuss about how we could not clear the labyrinths and wouldn't let us...