Kosu got emerged with the energy bounced back from both the energy machine and the dungeon core. An unsettling sensation washed over Kosu. Waves of energy surged within him, making him feel nauseous and disoriented. It was as if the very essence of the dungeon was pushing against him, demanding to be released.

"Kosu, are you alright?" Jinpei asked, noticing Kosu's sudden stillness.

Kosu clenched his jaw, struggling to control the energy that swirled inside him. "I... I don't know. I can't hold this back!" he gasped, instinctively reaching for his katana. The sword felt like an anchor, and he concentrated, directing the chaotic energy toward the blade's tip.

To his astonishment, the katana began to glow with a brilliant, pulsating light, the energy coiling around it like a living thing. Kosu's heart raced as he felt the power surge, and without thinking, he jumped high into the air, propelled by instinct rather than consciousness.

In one fluid motion, he slashed his blade downward, unleashing a crescent wave of energy that surged through the room. The blast tore through everything in its path, shattering stones and sending debris flying.

"Kosu!" Jinpei shouted, instinctively casting a protective barrier around himself. The spell flared to life just in time, shielding him from the onslaught of rubble and energy.

As the dust settled and the echoes of destruction faded, Jinpei turned to Kosu, his expression serious. What had just happened?

Kosu dropped to the ground, completely spent. Jinpei rushed forward, positioning himself to cushion Kosu's fall. The impact was jarring, but Jinpei held firm, absorbing the shock.

Moments later, Kosu blinked groggily, his eyes struggling to focus. "What... what just happened?" he murmured, bewildered.

"You unleashed a tremendous amount of energy," Jinpei replied, his voice steady but laced with concern. "You need to be careful. That kind of power can be dangerous, especially if you can't control it."

Kosu took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dizziness. "I felt it surging through me, but it was overwhelming. I didn't mean to—"

Jinpei interrupted, "I know. But what you just did... it was destructive. Look at the damage." He gestured to the room, now littered with rubble and debris, remnants of their surroundings reduced to dust and scattered stones.

Kosu's heart sank as he surveyed the chaos he had caused. "I didn't realize how powerful that attack would be. I just wanted to protect us..."

The aftereffects of the attack began to settle in, and Kosu swayed on his feet, feeling the weight of exhaustion and strain. "I can't stand straight," he admitted, grimacing as the burden of the energy took its toll on his body.

Jinpei noted the strain in Kosu's posture and the pallor of his skin. "We need to get out of here, at least temporarily," he said firmly. "With all this commotion, it's too risky to stay. We can regroup and figure out a plan."

Kosu nodded weakly, grateful for Jinpei's support. Together, they retreated through the wreckage of the room, the air heavy with dust and the weight of their ordeal. As they made their way back, Kosu couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something monumental—but first, he needed to regain control of his own power before facing whatever lay ahead in the Forbidden Dungeon.

As Jinpei and Kosu retreated through the wreckage, a sudden sound made them freeze. The unmistakable sound of multiple footsteps echoed through the corridor, growing louder by the second. Instinctively, Jinpei grabbed Kosu's arm and pulled him behind a sturdy column that jutted out from the wall, concealing them from view.

Peering around the column, Jinpei's heart raced as he saw a group of figures clad in the same black armor they had encountered earlier. They moved with purpose, heading straight toward the dungeon core room. Thankfully, the chaos from Kosu's earlier energy blast had obscured their presence, and the armored men seemed oblivious to the two adventurers hiding nearby.

Jinpei strained to overhear their conversation. "We need to retrieve the machine!" one man barked, his voice commanding, clearly the leader of the group. "Dr. Kuro won't be happy when he knows his experiment failed."

At the mention of the name "Dr. Kuro," Jinpei's mind raced. He knew that name all too well—it belonged to a notorious criminal scientist wanted by the City Hall for his illegal experiments. Could this be the same person? The implications were staggering, and Jinpei felt a chill run down his spine.

"We've got to move quickly," the leader continued, urgency tinged with frustration. "If he finds out we lost control of the core, there will be hell to pay."

Jinpei glanced at Kosu, who looked pale and shaky, still recovering from the energy backlash. They couldn't afford to be discovered now, especially with the threat of Dr. Kuro looming over them.

As the black-armored men began to disperse, searching for the remnants of the machine, Jinpei whispered to Kosu, "We need to slip away while they're distracted."

Kosu nodded, his eyes wide with anxiety. Together, they carefully maneuvered around the column, keeping to the shadows. The chaos provided them a small window of opportunity. They quietly retreated into a side corridor, moving quickly yet quietly to avoid detection.

Once out of sight, they paused in another room, catching their breath. The walls were lined with strange artifacts and old scrolls, remnants of the dungeon's past.

"What now?" Kosu asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jinpei took a moment to steady himself, processing the weight of their discovery. "We need to gather more information about Dr. Kuro and what he's doing here. But first, we have to get out of this dungeon and report back to the City Hall."

Kosu leaned against the wall, still feeling the aftereffects of his earlier attack. "I can barely stand, Jinpei. We need a plan."

"We'll find a safe way out and regroup," Jinpei assured him. "But we can't let them find us again. We have to be smart about this."

With that, they cautiously moved deeper into the dungeon, determined to find an exit while keeping a low profile. As they navigated the maze-like passages, the urgency of their situation weighed heavily on their minds. They knew the threat of Dr. Kuro and his minions was far from over, and they needed to prepare for whatever lay ahead.

As Kosu leaned against the wall, his body still reeling from the strain of his earlier attack, Jinpei assessed the situation with a heavy heart. They were trapped in a precarious position, and it was clear that Kosu wouldn't be able to move much further. Time was running out, and they needed a plan.

"Kosu, you need to rest here," Jinpei said, his voice firm yet gentle. "I'll draw their attention away from you. You'll be safer if I become a decoy."

Kosu looked up, concern etched across his face. "But Jinpei, it's too dangerous! You can't—"

"I have to," Jinpei interrupted, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll find a way to notify the officers from the City Hall. You just stay hidden and recover. I'll be back for you."

Reluctantly, Kosu nodded. He knew Jinpei was right, but the thought of being left behind filled him with dread. "Be careful," he urged, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jinpei gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Just stay quiet and out of sight."

With one last glance at his friend, Jinpei slipped into the shadows, moving swiftly through the corridors. He knew he had to create a diversion that would pull the soldiers—and the monsters—away from Kosu's hiding spot.

Once he felt he had put enough distance between himself and Kosu, Jinpei focused his energy, drawing on his magic. He prepared to unleash a wide-range spell, knowing it would create a loud explosion that could shatter the stillness of the dungeon.

With a fierce shout, he released the magic, and the resulting explosion echoed through the halls, illuminating the darkness with blinding light. The sound reverberated, a thunderous crash that would surely attract every soldier and monster nearby.

As he expected, the footsteps of soldiers quickly changed direction, rushing toward the source of the noise. Jinpei could hear their frantic shouts as they realized an intruder was in their midst. He grinned, knowing he had successfully diverted their attention.

But he also heard the guttural growls of the monsters responding to the disturbance, their predatory instincts triggered by the chaos. Jinpei's heart raced as he prepared to evade them, knowing he had to keep moving to stay ahead of the oncoming threats.

Meanwhile, Kosu remained behind the wall, his heart pounding in his chest. He could only hope Jinpei would be able to retreat safely and reach the City Hall for support. With the noise of the explosion still ringing in his ears, he focused on hiding his presence, drawing in on himself as he tried to rest.

The tension in the air felt palpable, and Kosu knew he had to conserve his strength. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside him. The fate of both himself and Jinpei depended on their choices in this unforgiving dungeon. As he settled into a moment of stillness, he silently prayed for Jinpei's safe return.