For what felt like hours, Chronos attacked Sachi over and over. Each time, Sachi barely made any progress defending himself.
The scepter felt like a brick as it bulldozed into him, and Chronos would rewind time just to do it again.
He could tell his Foresight was working, each time they attacked him was at a different angle, and he could accurately predict that. However, his predictions still weren't quick enough for him to defend himself.
"Come on Sachi! This is nothing compared to the Eternal Flame's guild!"
"Why can't you defend yourself?"
Sachi was too occupied with trying to dodge the incoming blows, each try was unsuccessful.
"Are you not angry enough?"
"We saw what you did to those men at the gate!"
"Is rage your muse?"
"Is that what drives you, Sachihiro?"
"That makes you no better than the men you slaughtered."
Sachi wanted to defend himself, only letting out gasps of air as the scepter struck him again.
He didn't kill them just because he was angry.
He killed them because he wanted to go home.
To see his family.
His friends.
The few people that actually believed in him.
Did anyone believe in him here?
Did he believe in himself?
"Come on Sachi! We haven't made any progress!"
He thought back to when he died. He watched helplessly as Lyra was brutalized. That girl followed him out of that city, despite being told off.
She believe in him, and he failed her.
"That 'system' of yours is nothing but vanity if you don't have any skill to back it up!"
A brutal bash of the scepter into his stomach sent Sachi reeling.
Serendelle's life is riding on his shoulders too, and he failed her the same.
That failure was what made him truly angry.
The scepter struck Sachi in the chest as he was sent tumbling back onto the marble flooring.
This time, time didn't rewind.
"You're boring us."
"We brought you here because we had high expectations, but you're not entertaining us anymore."
Sachi scrambled and brought himself to his feet. He could see the aura emanating from Chronos.
Sachi couldn't sense any killing intent once he stepped into the portal, but something had changed. Once he collected himself, he realized he was standing in front of a monster.
"Show us something fun, Sachi."
He couldn't fail them again.
Serendelle, Lyra, and Zephyr, they all needed him.
Chronos lunged at him once more.
Sachi took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He didn't need his eyes to see his enemy, Foresight was like an image that was projected into his mind, almost like a sixth sense.
He could feel a presence to his left and above him. He swiftly reached for his Katana and sliced in a single upward motion, interrupting the path of both attackers.
Two metal clangs sounded as the Kazekiri strikes the scepters, and for once, Sachi still stood on his feet.
Chronos let out a breath of excitement.
Chronos Two spoke in a joyous tone. "Did that growth come from a sudden breakthrough? Or perhaps you got lucky?"
Chronos Three appeared to be more invested. "Removing one of your senses to heighten another… We've never thought of using Foresight like that before."
Sachi released a breath of relief. "It was just a moment of clarity."
Chronos rejoined in their dialogue. "Very well done, Sachi! But do remember, this was just a test for your new power. The path ahead of you is much more difficult."
The searing portal opened up again behind Sachi.
"We've done all we can for you, Sachihiro. Spend any longer here and we'll risk being in the Eternal Flame's sights."
A sudden force pushed against Sachi's chest, nudging him backwards through the portal.
"Good luck, Sachihiro."
He stumbled backwards, landing on a patch of grass behind him.
"Ugh…"
"Sachi, you okay?"
Lyra was leaning over him, blocking the sun overhead. She was joined by a concerned looking Serendelle and Zephyr.
"Yeah… I think I just hit my head…"
Lyra hurriedly helped him up. "What was that, Sachi? You stepped into the portal for barely a moment."
Sachi sighed. 'God of time… I should've figured.'
"I'm not sure, but I think they're on our side."
Lyra tiled her head. "Who?"
Sachi brushed himself off and fastened his equipment. "Someone strange. Let's start moving. There's a dungeon this way."
Lyra shot up next to him. "Oh! You saw the dungeon too?"
Serendelle was slightly confused. "Sachi, when did-"
"It's right over there." Sachi pointed beyond the brushes. He nodded his head in the same direction, avoiding Serendelle's question.
"Let's go."
He began to walk off on his own, with the others scrambling to follow him.
After several minutes of walking, he held up his hand to halt Lyra. They crouched down in the bushes as they eyed the men lounging outside.
Lyra notched her bow. "Let me handle this."
Sachi put his hand on the bow, and lowers it. "No, I can handle it."
He gripped the handle of his Kazekiri.
[Skill activated: Gale Slash]
[Skill activated: Gale Slash]
[Skill activated: Gale Slash]
Each blade of air flew through the air, cutting each of the men down.
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[Stat increase threshold met]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[Champions slain: 11]
That's the second time that notification had appear, and the first time he didn't get a bonus after killing a Champion.
"Serendelle, what's going on with this?" Sachi pointed to the screen.
The small green bird landed gently on his shoulder. "Once you've slain a number of champions, the amount needed to get stronger increases. So now you'll gain a bonus every five Champions slain."
The bird chirped in joy. It seemed that Serendelle was happy to finally choose a Champion that's getting her strength back.
Sachi nodded to her understandingly. "Let's keep going then."
Before he stepped into the cave, he paused.
"Lyra, stay out here. If any more of them show up, signal me."
She seemed surprised. "Huh? But there's definitely more of them in there, I can back you up!"
Sachi gave her a short look. "You haven't seen me fight yet, right? You'd only get in the way."
She looked frustrated, but couldn't deny it. Anyone who was strong enough to stand up to the Eternal Flame was much stronger than her. "Tch, fine."
She crossed her arms and leaned against the hillside.
Sachi gave a slight smile and made his way into the cave, with Serendelle still perched on his shoulder.
"Why shoo away another helping hand? She could be a valuable asset to us."
His pace quickened as he made his way through the looted rooms.
"She will be."
The pattering of Sachi's footsteps began to dwindle as he approached a familiar corridor.
The same one where he had ran into the Eternal Flame's men.
Sachi let out a deep breath, and stepped out into the room. He stared down upon the weak men, but most importantly, that tall assassin, who was staring right back at him.