Chapter 226 - Taming the Finals (Unit 1) - 17

Han alternately observed the tunnel's progress and the chamber entrances, tense for any sign of danger. The silence between them extended for several minutes, broken only by the sound of earth being removed and the occasional brief instruction from Ren.

"Thank you," Han finally said, his voice low but clear in the confined space. "For not letting me fall."

Ren paused briefly in his work to feel for vibrations while listening, his palm pressed flat against the tunnel wall.

"With the dagger," Han continued, his eyes fixed on the glowing hydra as it worked, "you could have held on alone. Since you probably would have stayed up close to the surface... Matilda or Mira could have thrown something down for you to climb up."

Ren resumed excavation, but responded without turning around, his focus unwavering. "If I had done that, you might not have survived. And I wouldn't be able to sleep thinking I could have saved you."