Made in Abyss Episode 07

Synopsis
At Hablog's house, he discusses Ozen with Shiggy and Nat. Nat asks what Artifacts Ozen has, but Habolg says for security reasons, that information isn't made public until a White Whistle's whistle is returned to Orth. Inwardly, Habolg is worried how Riko's meeting with Ozen will go.

Ozen tells Reg that locals believe in the Abyss instead of God, because the bottom is unknown and they fear it. Therefore, if one could reach the bottom and return home easily, that faith and the value of Artifacts would be swept away, as easily as Reg is when she pushes him. Ozen adds that treasures of the Abyss aren't listed, not because they are not found, but because they cannot exist, and decides to destroy Reg before he can regain his memories. Reg is amazed by Ozen's strength, but refuses to back down and ties her up with his extending arms. Ozen easily breaks free and grabs Reg's leg, slamming him into the ground repeatedly. Riko tries to stop her, but Ozen flicks her with a finger and sends Riko flying into the wall. Reg instantly jumps up to check on Riko, finding her unconscious and bleeding. Reg decides he cannot hold back against Ozen, and prepares to fire his Incinerator, though with a smaller beam so he does not destroy the Seeker Camp. Ozen grabs his Reg's arm while the beam is charging and points it at Riko. Reg knocks his arm aside just before it fires, piercing through the ceiling. Reg slams Ozen into a wall, tearing her cloak in the process. This reveals that much of her body is covered in Thousand-Men Pins, which greatly increase her strength and vitality. Ozen puts on her armor to continues the battle.

Riko wakes up to find Reg hanging limp in Ozen's grasp. Ozen tells Riko they never should have left Orth, and that Riko will eventually stop moving, just as anything else revived by the Curse-Warding Box does. Riko says that she didn't come to the Abyss to have a long life and Reg being with her is the most important thing. Riko begs Reg not to lose, but Ozen stomps him into the ground and says they are unfit.

Reg wakes up to something pounding on his head. He finds Ozen and her scouts surrounding him, and Riko flings herself on him, weeping. Reg is disgusted with himself for passing out and leaving Riko unprotected. It turns out Marulk defied Ozen's order to stay put, and ran to get the Subterranean Bandits, hoping they would intervene. Ozen praises his actions, but promises to punish him for disobeying later. Reg realizes the whole fight was staged, but Ozen says she wasn't holding back, and threats deeper in the Abyss are more powerful than she is. As they are, Riko and Reg cannot hope to survive the Abyss. Ozen orders Marulk to help them recover, and plans to begin training them the next day. Before she leaves, Ozen confirms that Lyza's grave was empty, and that Lyza is waiting.

In flashbacks, a part of Ozen's history with Lyza is revealed. Ozen explains her peculiar hairstyle hides the physical scars from ascension strain on her head to a curious young Lzya. Lyza sees these scars as proof that Ozen has repelled the Abyss, and asks Ozen to become her mentor. Over time, Lyza becomes a Black Whistle.

Back in the present, Ozen leads Reg and Riko into a section of the forest and informs Riko and Reg that has three weeks before the next group of Delvers arrives at the Seeker Camp to train them. Their first task is survival training: to spend 10 days in a section of the forest, isolated from both the Seeker Camp and the light that filters down through the force field.

Adapted From

 * Volume 2, Chapter 15: The Unmovable Sovereign
 * Volume 2, Chapter 16: A Vile Mentoring Method
 * Volume 3, Chapter 17: Survival Training

Character Appearances

 * Bondrewd
 * Hablog
 * Lyza
 * Marulk
 * Nat
 * Ozen
 * Reg
 * Riko
 * Shiggy
 * Simred
 * Srajo
 * Yelme
 * Zapo

Bestiary Indexing

 * Jinokinoabura