Chapter 14: Are You Worried About Me?

“Hard to say who did it. But I’m sure this cave is the main cause of the subsidence.”

The lead student crouched before the cave.

Through it, a vast space was clearly visible.

“Should we check it out?”

It felt risky, but as an adventurer, Peggy didn’t want to miss the chance to explore.

“Should be fine, right?”

The lead student hesitated.

“Maybe it’s just a natural phenomenon. Let’s go in and look. At least it’ll justify our advisor’s orders. But if there’s danger, we retreat immediately!”

“Obviously!”

Peggy looked thrilled.

She volunteered to lead the way.

Na Naya and Meng Linna flanked the students, one in front, one behind.

Inside the cave, it was a whole new world.

Hard to believe such a huge space hid behind a rock wall. The lighting was much better than outside.

Meng Linna squinted, then lowered her torch.

Something felt off.

She couldn’t quite place it.

“Look over there!  A giant bug!”

Peggy’s sharp eyes spotted it.

A huge creature lay in the middle of the clearing.

Calling it a bug wasn’t quite right.

It was lion-sized.

It resembled a hermit crab.

A thick shell covered its back.

Two sturdy pincers extended forward, supporting it like legs.

“That’s a Burrow Crab.”

The lead student identified it instantly.

“They dig through rock to build nests. Judging by its size, it probably carved out this space. It likely caused the subsidence.”

Feeling they’d found the cause, everyone relaxed.

But Meng Linna still felt uneasy.

Something wasn’t right.

Peggy stepped forward, drawing her longsword.

“What happens if I kill it?”

“No issue.”

The lead student was already surveying the area.

“Do what you want with it.”

With permission, Peggy didn’t hesitate.

She thrust her sword.

Despite “crab” in its name, the Burrow Crab’s defenses were weak.

Its exposed head had no armor.

Peggy pierced it easily.

“Ha, easy win!”

As Peggy gloated, Meng Linna finally pinpointed what felt wrong.

Dungeons, of unknown origin, had walls lit by sources tied to their boss.

For a bug-type boss like the Grave Shadow, fireflies lit the walls.

But their light was so dim, explorers needed lamps.

This space, dug by the Burrow Crab, shouldn’t have any light source.

Yet when Meng Linna looked up, pale blue magic lamps hung on the walls.

If the Burrow Crab dug this, where did the magic lamps come from?

“Uh…”

Before she could warn them, the ground shook violently.

“What’s happening?”

The students, unprepared, panicked.

“Don’t panic!”

Meng Linna grabbed the student beside her.

“Follow me out!”

A loud boom echoed.

The ground under the Burrow Crab collapsed.

A monster in heavy armor leaped from the hole. It wore thick armor. But oddly, its abdomen was unprotected, fully exposed.

Through the gaps, they saw it wasn’t human. It was a creature of fiery magic.

“That’s a B-rank Ironmelt Demon!”

Meng Linna, experienced, recognized it instantly.

“We can’t fight it. Retreat in order!”

Easier said than done.

For Peggy, closest to the demon, it wasn’t so simple.

The armored beast kicked.

It sent Peggy flying into a wall.

“You guys go!”

Na Naya drew her blessed hammer-spear, ready to fight.

“Someone has to hold it off.”

“But…”

Meng Linna wanted to argue.

The Ironmelt Demon stomped, making everyone stumble.

Realizing her own weakness, Meng Linna accepted she couldn’t stay.

“Stay calm, go through the passage one by one!”

She scooped up the unconscious Peggy.

She directed the others to flee.

Escaping wasn’t hard.

Maybe because Na Naya held off the demon, no one was attacked.

The monsters on the way were fleeing too.

They had no time to bother the group.

Back on the surface, Meng Linna handed Peggy to the lead student.

“Please take care of her.”

“What does that mean?”

The lead student looked panicked.

“You’re going back into the dungeon?”

“Na Naya’s still in there. No matter what, I can’t abandon my teammate.”

Without waiting for a reply, Meng Linna dove back into the dungeon.

“Na Naya, hold on…”

Casting a Speed Blessing on herself, Meng Linna quietly prayed for Na Naya’s safety.

Sure, Na Naya had a system.

But that was a B-rank monster!

In her past life, Na Naya was a famed enforcer in the Tribunal.

As an inquisitor, her combat skills were top-notch.

But that was then.

Now, she hadn’t grown that far.

Adventurers could take on tougher tasks.

But killing a higher-rank monster was near impossible.

The stat gaps were too wide. Even Na Naya would struggle.

Worried, Meng Linna hurried to the cave entrance.

There, she saw Na Naya inspecting the Ironmelt Demon’s corpse.

“What, you came back? Are you worried about me?”

Seeing Meng Linna return, Na Naya’s face showed surprise.

“Yeah, I was pretty worried.”

Meng Linna admitted openly.

“After all…”

Before she could finish, the Ironmelt Demon’s corpse roared loudly.