Chapter 34: Entering a Bigger Hole

"Such flexibility, and you can also harden it by will?"

"...Yes."

It was a completely different reaction than what Rhys was expecting. Although he already knew that Katarina and Ayesha's personalities could not be any more different, he was still quite intrigued by how truly different their responses were.

Ayesha's face was completely covered in Rhys's thick white web, and yet unlike Katarina who slightly panicked… Ayesha was playing with it.

She was testing its flexibility, and is even rubbing it even more on her face to test how sticky it was. And even as Rhys hardened it, Ayesha just casually snapped it in half like a biscuit.

His webs had the strength to lift an entire human without breaking, and yet Ayesha was just treating it like a toy. Just a testament to how strong Rankers are.

"Huh… this is extremely useful," Ayesha hummed as she pulled a web that was on her lower lip, stretching it along with her lip, "But increased reflexes… and web shooters? Maybe that Eros is some kind of spider god?"

"I… don't know, Ma'am."

Rhys knew nothing about the blood running in his veins—but he did know that the ability he was showing was something he received from Arachnea—but of course, saying that would already be revealing things no one needed to know.

"Huh…"

And while Ayesha continued to play with his thick white web, Rhys started to focus on the 5 empty Hearts floating above Ayesha's head. He had been waiting to hear Ayesha's desire to whisper in his mind ever since they met…

…but not even a single whisper echoed in his mind.

Could Ayesha not desire anything? Or could he only hear desires that directly involve him one way or another? The latter would make more sense, as desiring nothing was impossible, not unless Ayesha was some sort of monk that has reached enlightenment.

Of course, Rhys was just guessing—it was like he knows everything about his abilities, but also knows nothing, it was… weird. Is it like this for everyone that has Awakened?

"...By the gods, I can hear you thinking from all the way here," Ayesha finally wiped all of Rhys's web from her face as she raised her voice, "You… were thinking of something lewd, right?"

"No, Ma'am."

"I would understand, I am likely the grandest specimen you have ever encountered," Ayesha scoffed, "But harbouring feelings for your superior is illegal. You got that, boy?"

"...Yes, Ma'am."

"I was just messing with you, you runt. Zeus, can't you young people take a joke anymore?"

"..." Rhys has already noticed this, but Ayesha seems to be the kind of person that just says whatever's on her mind—the complete opposite of him.

"Well, that's enough of that," Ayesha then gestured to Rhys to follow her as she stepped out of the tent. Rhys took one final glance at Ayesha's tent to try and learn more about her—but aside from all the Indian tribal stuff, the only thing that was worth taking note of was the teddy bear.

"You two! Since you just like eavesdropping on your Commander's conversation, then go join the recruits for training!"

And as soon as Rhys stepped out of the tent, she saw Ayesha scolding two soldiers—the two soldiers from earlier that were supposed to be patrolling the base but instead ended up eavesdropping. Sadly for them, they were too slow to leave and were seen by Ayesha.

"But, Ma'am…we just got back to the Surface."

"Did you just disobey a direct order!?"

"N…no, Ma'am!"

The two soldiers quickly stood up straight and saluted, before starting to walk down their way to hell, literally. The two of them, seemingly whispering loudly at each other,

"Oh shit, she talked to us!"

"You fucking simp. We're being punished."

"Punished. What do you think it's like to be punished by her… physically?"

"I am truly starting to question why I'm your friend."

And as the two soldiers reached the Hole, Rhys could not help but be amazed as he saw them just casually stepping off the edge; still chatting with each other even as they fell.

"Recruit!" Ayesha then called for Rhys.

"Ye—!!!"

And before Rhys could even utter an answer, Ayesha suddenly appeared beside him… already grabbing his neck. His increased senses felt her, but he was just too slow to do anything.

"You're not dodging anything this time," Ayesha suddenly ran toward the Hole; dragging him as she leaped high up in the air.

"..." Rhys widened his eyes as he saw the Hole in its entirety. He wasn't shocked by how large it was, however, but how high Ayesha could jump—they were higher than his school's building.

"Clench," and with that word as her only warning, Ayesha forcefully threw him straight down into the Hole.

And Rhys truly did as she said—grit his teeth. He had fallen before, so aside from the added unexpectedness of it all, the feeling wasn't really new to him.

"Oh?" And as Ayesha saw Rhys not screaming or even losing his calm, a small smirk started to crawl on her face as she followed Rhys into the Hole.

Rhys tried his best not to close his eyes even as they reached the complete darkness of the Hole. It was a weird feeling—there seemed to be air resistance, but at the same time, there was not.

10 minutes. It wasn't until 10 minutes had passed that he could see a pinch of light from afar—getting larger and larger by the second.

It is said that the Underworld was 700 to 1000 kilometers below the Surface, but it might as well be a completely different dimension altogether.

And soon, he felt a rush gutturally crawl throughout his entire body as the gravity started shifting. It felt as if his organs and entire soul were being left behind as he emerged to the Underworld.

Well, it was more like he was spat out by Hole, throwing him to the side as he violently rolled on the ground.

"Kh…" Rhys quickly tried to calm his breaths and ignore the nausea entering his brain as he stood up—but it was hard. The smell piercing his nose didn't really make it easy.

The smell of vomit from the other recruits that fell ahead of him; some of them, still sprawled on the floor. As for the two soldiers, they were just casually standing there and still chatting about Ayesha.

"..." Rhys then started looking around, only to notice several buildings surrounding the Hole, as well a towering wall that protected the perimeter—a complete contrast to the tents back on the Surface.

Rhys finally understands why the base on the Surface seemed too scarce, because that truly was just a camp. The real base of the Underworld Corps…

…is in the Underworld.

"...That makes sense."