Mikail and Euyn collapse in a sandy tunnel after fleeing the samroc, both shaken but alive. Mikail reflects that Euyn distracted the beast and carried Mikail to safety, a selflessness Euyn never showed in the palace.

To light the cavern, Mikail draws his sword, which briefly flames due to poisoned oil hidden in the scabbard; Euyn uses it to ignite a wall torch before the flame dies. Mikail notes the tunnel’s small mercies—left-behind torches and water—then drops to his knees from blood loss.

Euyn searches Mikail’s bag for the apothecary kit and gives Mikail laoli for pain, then cleans and stitches Mikail’s wounds with water, spirits, and a sterilized needle. As the drug takes effect, Mikail privately reflects on laoli’s origin in Gaya’s charm plant, how Gaya was colonized for it, and that Euyn does not know Mikail is Gayan—or that King Joon’s brother killed Mikail’s family during the rebellion.

When Euyn wonders about retrieving their gear, Mikail insists they wait until daybreak and sleep instead. Euyn, jumpy but determined, offers to keep watch and has Mikail rest with his head on Euyn’s lap; Mikail admits he missed Euyn, while recognizing Euyn still resents him for not rescuing him from Idle Prison. Mikail falls asleep thinking they have saved each other for now, though betrayal may still come.