Made in Abyss Episode 10

Poison and the Curse is the tenth episode of the Made in Abyss anime series.

Synopsis
Riko and Reg descend to the 4th Layer, The Goblet of Giants, which consists of a series of platforms filled with hot water called Flat-creepers. As they travel, Reg becomes aware of something watching them, that also moves when they talk. He thinks it may be a Delver, but not a White Whistle Delver, though he is concerned that he hasn't been able to locate it yet. Suddenly, an Orb Piercer appears behind them.

Riko warns Reg not to fight back against the Orb Piercer, as they can pierce through even steel. The Orb Piercer fires needles at the two, and Reg grabs Riko, and manages to successfully evade unscathed. Then, the Orb Piercer extends its spikes and rushes at them. Reg and Riko themselves aren't hurt, but the Orb Piercer is able to tear the backpack, and their equipment goes flying out.

Reg realizes that the Orb Piercer can predict its prey's movements. The Blaze Reap lands right next to the Orb Piercer's foot and it kicks the Artifact away. Reg recalls Ozen saying that the creatures on the 4th Layer are much more cunning and strong.

As the Orb Piercer approaches the two, Riko hands Reg the Scaled Umbrella and tells him Orb Piercers should be afraid of objects or creatures larger than it. The Orb Piercer charges at them, and Reg attempts to block it with the Scaled Umbrella, however, the Orb Piercer is able to break through it and the spikes nearly hit Reg. When Reg looks for the Blaze Reap, behind him, Riko's hand was hit by Orb Piercer's poisonous spike and Reg panics. Reg hurries to constrict the poison while the Orb Piercer waits for them to move; the Blaze Reap is submerged and he can't use the incinerator, otherwise he will black out for 2 hours.

Escape is the only option for Reg, but they can't escape as the Orb Piercer predicts their movements. Reg tries ascending the 4th Layer however, that would cause Riko to be inflicted with the curse of the 4th Layer. Riko tells him to ascend regardless, because she doesn't have much time left to live once the poison spreads too far. Reg grants her request and ascends to the 4th Layer, with 800-meter altitude. After the ascension, Riko begins to hallucinate, as well as starts bleeding out of every orifice. Riko begins to think that The Abyss curse may not only be harming her, but as well helping her. She thinks that the poison will be drawn out by the bleeding.

Reg attempts to wipe the blood from her eyes, but no matter how many times he wipes it, blood keeps gushing out. He tries to take Riko's glove off to check the wound, but she screams in pain due to her hand being so swollen. Riko tells Reg that he will have to cut off her hand or she will die. Tears fill in Reg's eyes. Reg goes with the plan to cut Riko's hand off. Riko tells him he will have to break the bone of her arm, or else cutting her hand off with a knife would be troublesome as mentioned by a Black Whistle Delver to Riko. Reg gets a stone, puts it under Riko's arm for breaking the bone, and puts a stick of wood in her mouth to suppress the pain. He tightly ties a rope near her hand to prevent the poison from flowing over her body.

Reg goes with a signal to break Riko's arm. By pushing through against the stone, he breaks her arm, which causes Riko to scream out in pain. Reg regrets having to do it, but Riko reminds him that it is necessary to continue their journey to the Abyss's bottom. Reg's hands are trembling while trying to cut Riko's arms off, but he tries to stay focused. Then, small insects begin to swarm around Reg and he tries to swat them away in a sort of sad-angry manner. Riko stops breathing in a midst of this. Reg sobs trying to revive Riko from dying and an unfamiliar voice comes from nearby. "You're noisy," and also tells him that Riko's heart is still beating, though it may stop any moment. Reg asks who the person is that directed their voice at him. The person almost reveals their real name, but stops themself and just says "I'm just a fluffy stuffed doll. One that's here to comfort you guys."

The person instructs Reg to do CPR to Riko. She then begins to breathe, but the person says she will not regain consciousness anytime soon. Together with Reg, they carry Riko to their hideout and fetch some sticks for a splint. Inside the hideout is delving equipment, whistles, pickaxes, and much more. The person remembers they haven't stated their name yet, pulls down their hood, and introduces themself as Nanachi. They also tell Reg they are what Delvers call a Narehate.

Adapted From

 * Volume 3, Chapter 18: The Depths' Third Layer: The Great Fault
 * Volume 3, Chapter 19: Poison and the Curse
 * Volume 3, Chapter 20: Nanachi

Referbacks

 * Strains of ascension of the 4th layer

Character Appearances

 * Nanachi
 * Reg
 * Riko

Bestiary Indexing

 * Kazura Squid
 * Orb Piercer

Quotes
"Nanachi to Reg"

- I'm Nanachi. I'm what you Delvers would call a Narehate.

Background Music

 * The Pit
 * Treehouse
 * Relinquish
 * Roar of the Abyss
 * Forces Beyond Control
 * Tour the Abyss
 * Forest of the Abyss
 * Pathway
 * In the Blind