Separated
Even with the discovery of the changes in the tunnel, the group continued deeper in. At this point, they were over half a kilometre within tunnel number 5. At certain points, the tunnel no longer went in one direction but had split into junctions. The guide only knew about the path from the surface to the unexplored region but not the region itself, so he was of no help. Asher had to then rely on his psychic energy to scan the branch tunnels for the one with a higher mana concentration, greater pressure or some other clue as he believed that doing so would lead them to the destination they were aiming for.
Apart from that, Asher had noticed that the natural tunnel in the unexplored region was designed in such a way that it went deeper underground and not continuously forward. In other words, while the group seemed to be walking in a straight line on a plain surface, they were actually heading deeper underground. This change wasn't obvious as the path constantly slanted downwards minutely, in such a way that it wasn't obvious straight away. However, after casting out his psychic energy to form a net around them, this change that should have been unnoticeable was caught by Asher.
Increased mana concentration, bizarre pressure, a strange creature and an absurd road architecture all made the secret of the mine a conundrum for Asher. At this point, even without his grandfather's last words, Asher would still want to know what was hidden within this mine.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
"Another one." Luther frowned as he stopped.
"Not one." Asher grimaced.
"Kree!"
"Kree!"
"Kree!"
As if responding to his statement, a cacophony of shrills broke the silence in the tunnel as a bunch of shuffling noises resounded along.
"There's at least 10 this time around. Maybe more." Asher alerted them.
"We can't take them on." Luther decided.
One of those creatures was roughly on par with a peak first-stage Guardian in terms of speed. If it were just him, Luther would find no problem facing ten of them as a fourth-stage Guardian, but having to keep a watch after Asher would make this task more difficult than usual. Also, the terrain here was strange and no one knew what else they might find. It was best to preserve as much strength and stamina as possible rather than facing everything that comes their way. It was for this reason that despite having Aaron and the guide to assist him, Luther felt it was better to avoid these monsters.
"Okay." Asher nodded in agreement.
The group then took a turn and headed into one of the openings by the wall. Luckily for them, there were quite a few of such other branch tunnels from the main path, so it would be easy for them to lose the monsters, or so they thought.
"They are still after us." Asher frowned.
"Damn it. How come?" Aaron couldn't help but curse.
"They must be tracking us some way. We can't run; we have to fight." Luther replied.
"We still have time. Let's ambush them." Asher narrowed his eyes.
Compared to a direct fight, it would be more favourable for them if they could utilize the surroundings to their advantage and save more stamina.
"Kree!"
Less than a minute later, about ten eerie figures had appeared at the spot the group originally stood within the branch tunnel. The monsters didn't continue moving forward as they seemed to sense that their targets were close.
Wild grins were plastered on their faces and what looked to be saliva was dripping from them. Just like the first bizarre creature the group had met, these also lacked any facial features apart from their dull grey pair of eyes that helped them see in the dark, and their razor-sharp teeth that formed a wide grin on their faces. Their long nail-like fingers gave off a dangerous feeling with just one glance at them.
The creatures glanced left and right, in search of something but still could not find it.
"Mud Sink."
Aaron's voice broke the stalemate in the darkness.
Slush.
The ground beneath the creatures suddenly went soft with the pressure from the feet sinking their legs into the floor.
"Heee!"
The creatures were all shocked, but before they could even react, a blue flash of light burst from another direction as a blue crescent, about 7 metres wide, made its way towards them.
Whoosh.
Boom.
The crescent wave passed through the monster and crashed at a different spot in the tunnel's walls but with its passage, the creatures all went silent just a second later.
"Haa." Luther breathed out as he sheathed back his sword.
Thump.
The standing bodies suddenly fell to the ground alongside a couple of heads. Just a second ago, these bodies were 'breathing' but had suddenly turned into decapitated corpses.
The creatures were quite fast and unlike before, there were at least ten of them. Having to face them individually would consume more mana and stamina than simply facing one alone. Apart from that, their large numbers made it possible for accidents to occur if the attacking trio did not handle the situation well enough. To avoid such, Asher's idea was to strike them all at once, but the quick speed of the creatures as well as their unpredictable pattern made this difficult for either Luther or Aaron to pull off. Hence, Asher decided to have them gather at one point.
Asher didn't know how the creatures tracked them, so he could only do his best and leave off some clothing from the group that contained both their smell, aura and blood with a bit of warmth. He placed these items at one spot which happened to be just where all the creatures gathered. When they appeared, Aaron was to use an earth spell to hold them in place and prevent them from dodging Luther's attack which was the finishing move; a wide-range spell with astonishing attack power.
"We are not yet out of the clear. I have a feeling there may be more to come." Asher said.
"What the hell is up with this tunnel? How could so many of them be hidden here but no one knew anything? Why didn't elder Randel send in a report to the duke?"
The last question was aimed at the guide, but even he had no answer for them.
"Young lord, we need to report this to the duke." Luther said.
Unlike before however, there seemed to be no room for negotiation in his tone.
"Let's just-"
Boom.
An explosion rocked the tunnel with dust particles falling from the top.
"What was that?" The guide hurried to ask.
Luther frowned as he stared at the ceiling, trying to find any hint that could explain the strange occurrence.
Boom.
The explosion went off again. This time though, it was much more powerful than the last and the tunnel began to collapse.
"Run."
Without much thought, Luther dashed towards Asher and caught him by the waist, before carrying him and running for the rote they came through. Aaron followed right close and the guide tried his best to keep up with them.
Boom. Boom.
Rumble. Rumble.
"It's too late. The exit's been blocked."
Asher's yell interrupted them just as they left the branch tunnel and were on the main path.
Luther glanced far ahead and realized it was true. The main path they took was blocked off by a large boulder that fell from the ceiling returning through the same old route was now impossible, at least for the moment. They now had two routes to take: the branch path or continuing forward along the main path. However, with the appearance of that group of creatures, going forward possessed a large risk to the group.
"Let's go."
Without much thought, Luther dived back into the branch tunnel with Asher. Although he didn't know where this tunnel led, Luther believed it to be safer than the main path. At the same time, he also didn't know where the main trail led either.
The group ran with their best into the tunnel and kept moving forward. However, they had only gone 150 or so metres in when the path ahead also got blocked by another boulder.
"Damn!"
Luther finally lost it and cursed but the worst was yet to come.
"The back pass is about to be blocked!" Asher's voice alerted the group.
By the time Luther and Aaron turned back, the guide was already retreating to the main path.
"Bastard." Aaron cursed.
"Ignore him. Follow." Luther yelled.
He could see how a huge part of the ceiling about 90 metres away was about to collapse and block the path. If they couldn't make it in time, they would be stuck here with barely much lighting or air available. They might even get buried alive if their luck was worse.
"We won't make it." Aaron said.
They could see as how the ceiling had already broken off and was completely descending. Once it landed, the entire tunnel would be closed off, and they would be stuck in this 90 metres space. Ignoring them, even the guide who left first would barely make it in time. With the thickness of the rock that was descending, breaking through it with magic to escape would be difficult and with the tunnel being unstable, it was a risky plan.
Luther bit his tongue as he grabbed Asher tightly.
"Young master, take care. Don't worry about us."
"Luther-" Asher wanted to say something, but he was too late.
Luther had already channelled his mana into his arms and Asher's body, after which he hurtled Asher through the gap between the rock and the floor like a rugby ball[1].
Bang.
The ceiling finally collapsed and blocked the exit, but Asher had made it in time, luckily. Although risky and unsafe, Luther's last move seemed to have guaranteed Asher's life for the moment.
"Luther!"
Asher yelled. However, he was forced to stop that and retreat as the tunnel was still unstable, and it seemed like another collapse of the ceiling would occur. If that happened, Luther's sacrifice would become pointless if Asher were to die here.
"Damn it."
Asher cursed before leaving for the main path. Although its exit was blocked, the main path seemed to have a more stable foundation, so it didn't suffer much from the tremors. The only reason the group didn't pick it was because of the risk factor promoted by the bizarre creatures. But with the situation as it was now, Asher simply could not care any longer.