Chapter 325: Getting Away (2/2)

At the bottom of the stairs the full extent of the hideout was visible, consisting of a single main chamber with two small side chambers extending off from it.

”Homey.” Sera commented dryly once they had a chance to look things over.

”I'll be making some amenities next.” He shot back defensively. ”In the meantime, I figured the rest of you would prefer to spend your time in the demi-realm.”

Thoughts elsewhere, he quickly stuck the magic key into a nearby wall and summoned the portal.

Obviously setting aside her complaints, she asked. ”So we're calling it a day then?”

”Yeah, I'll take the first pair of delvers to the dungeon tomorrow.”

”Wait, we are still doing that?”

”Of course. The situation has changed a bit, but that doesn't mean we can afford to let this opportunity pass. We'll play it safe and escape at the first sign of trouble, but we still need to enhance everyone's combat ability as our first priority.” He replied with a confident grin.

She grumbled for a few seconds, and then finally nodded. ”I can't really argue with that. If you are that concerned about someone attacking us, we definitely need to work on improving our strength.”

”Because we'd be operating within our own version of the dungeon, there would be little chance of them interfering with us while delving. Thus, so long as we are careful while entering or exiting, the actual dungeon would be relatively safe.” Morris added thoughtfully before laughing. ”That's something I never thought I'd say. A dungeon, safe.”

”That's settled then.” Mike announced, wanting to move things along. ”Why don't you all head inside and rest up for now? By the time you wake up tomorrow, I'll have this place looking downright luxurious.”

One by one, the rest of the party filtered into the portal until only Tal and him were left. She paused at the doorway and glanced at him, as if wanting to say something.

”What is it?”

”Are you alright?” She asked quietly in the ancient elven language.

”Of course I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?”

She stepped over to him, taking a moment to study his face. Despite her usual emotionless mask, he could somewhat sense that she was worried. ”Back at the city, once you finished reading that note, you had a really frightening expression.”

”Ah...that. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.” He replied gently while rubbing the back of his head.

”Do you wish to talk about it?”

For a moment he almost said no, but decided that it might be better to get it off his chest. With a wave of his hand, he created a pair of chairs made of soil hardened into rock. ”It's a bit of a story, so why don't we have a seat first. Sorry it's not too comfortable for now. I'll work on making some better furnishings soon.”

She sat without another word, and looked at him expectantly.

Sighing, he started speaking. ”After we met, but before we became a group, I took a request with another party of adventurers. Although it was only for a few days, traveling with them and seeing new and interesting things with them was pretty fun. At the time, I thought I could call them friends. But…”

He paused for a second trying to find the right words. Tal continued to listen silently, not even a small hint of emotion in her expression.

”But, when we were heading back to the city, we were ambushed by a Tier 4 vampire.”

There was a sharp intake of breath, but she made no comment.

”I was...so much weaker than I am now. So weak in fact, that I was helpless to prevent him from beating me into the ground and killing one of the adventurers I was traveling with...I know it might sound a bit arrogant, but being that powerless was mortifying. Not only were those adventurers getting caught up in that mess because of me, but I didn't even have the ability to protect them from the consequences.”

He stopped again, staring at the wall of the hideout and finding himself wishing that there was a fireplace or window. Something to distract his gaze.

”Anyway, I managed to activate a Limit Break that somehow temporarily pushed me into a similar realm of power by hijacking parts of the System, something that shouldn't have been possible. There's a lot about that I still don't understand, and I fear that I never will, but with that power I was able to defeat him and save the adventurers.”

After a few seconds of silence, Tal asked. ”Are you afraid that something similar will happen now, and that this time the skill will not activate to save you and those you care about?”

”Nothing so defined as that. I'm practically a different person now. I don't need to rely on that unknown ability to protect my friends anymore...Still, when I read that note, I have to admit that I was worried. What if they were merely biding their time, waiting for me to let my guard down before striking again?”

He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. ”In hindsight that seems unlikely, but it nonetheless showed me that I haven't gotten over it yet.”

He sighed again, leaning forward and massaging his face with his hands. After spending weeks getting used to the calming effects of his enhanced Willpower, it was shocking to get hit by that sudden surge of anxiety. In retrospect, he might have overreacted.

Maybe escaping like this would spook them into taking action. Commit to a hostile action they weren't originally planning on.

[Did I make another mistake?]

As he was still bent over, elbows resting on his knees, he felt a pair of arms encircle his head and shoulders, Tal's quiet voice whispering in his ears. ”It will be alright.”

For a moment, he let himself be soothed, relaxing into the embrace and simply enjoying a moment of peace. Unfortunately, he soon became aware of another more primal emotion arising from the proximity, so he tapped her arm to let her know he was fine.

”Thanks, I needed that.” He replied once she'd stepped back.

The barest hint of a smile touched her eyes. ”Your welcome. Do not work too hard tonight. There will be plenty of time to deal with your worries tomorrow.”

Mike watched her vanish into the portal and felt a bit sad to see her go.

[...Do I have a thing for older women?]