Chapter 20

We were running through the cave with ease, Nonetheless the cold air between us had disappeared. I chased after Toru as we were deep into the cave. Now there were two directions for us to go down, one on the left and one on the right.

"Which one do you think you'll take?"

"I go left, you go right Kirin-Kun."

Toru recommended it as I looked at the cave entrances, looking towards the right cave.

"Okay, stay safe Toru."

Obviously worried for Toru's safety but from what she's shown, she can handle herself. She began heading left as she looked back and waved goodbye to me. I couldn't help myself but wave back, contemplating on following her. I clenched the sword's handle as I headed into the right side of the cave, walking through as the cold silence filled the air once again.

I walked down the cave as I was able to hear my own footsteps, the echo of the cave and trinkling water from the ceiling. Maybe I was too harsh on myself for that month… I took a small bit of time to do an extra reflection, but it was short lived.

Not too long after, the sound of monsters appearing could be heard echoing, along with the sound of metal clanging against the rocky walls. If I recall correctly this floor has cave goblins… I took a second to think as I was readying myself. I took it slow, taking light and quick steps as I heard rambling from around the corner. I took a deep breath, exhaling as I jumped around the corner, seeing three goblins, all of them carrying a stone dagger.

One cried out as I wasted no time in slashing their face, dealing critical damage, and instantly killing that goblin. It shattered right in-front of me as the other two came rushing, I closed the gap by running up towards them, slashing the closest one. It didn't seem to die however as it bore the red slash mark across its entire chest.

I hate their passive skill… I quickly turned my attention towards the other goblin, seeing it in a striking motion. I had no time to parry it as I was forced to block it, taking chip damage from it.

"I'm wasting time…" I muttered.

I then used a Vertical Slash on the goblin that hit me, killing it almost instantaneously as I slashed the second goblin again, causing both to shatter. Instead of walking I sped up the pace and began light jogging, trying to find an exit. As I jogged, the cave shook a bit which thew me off balance, landing in a puddle as I began to get back up from it.

Out of nowhere a textbox shows up in-front of me, saying "A Cave In is commencing, you have 3 minutes to find an exit."

"Shit!"

I quickly got up and began jogging again, running straight as another divergent path was at the end of the long run. But as soon as I saw it, I could see more cave goblins spawn all throughout the hallway ahead. "Out of the way!" I shouted, seeing the goblins turn their attention towards me and rushing in. I began swinging my sword slashing most of the goblins at least once, trying to take advantage of the hit stun.

"Only one second hit stuns!"

I told myself, parrying a goblin's attack and critically slashing it, killing the goblin and made my way closer to the diverge. The textbox showed up again, saying "two minutes remain" as I was trying to hurry myself towards the divergent. Another goblin stood in my way as I dodged around it and sheathed my sword to run faster, hearing the stomping feet of the goblins behind me.

I took a left this time as the textbox showed up once more, "You have one minute." It said, obviously annoyed I sprinted at full speed, seeing the exit not too far and ran straight out. 

"Kirin-Kun!!"

Toru greeted me outside as I slowed to a halt taking a breather, hearing the cave rumble behind him. I turned around to see the cave entrance cave in, sealing off the entrance to the cave. I stood straight as I looked over at Toru, confused if she was responsible for causing the cave to fall in.

"Did you cause it?"

"E-eh?" She looked at me dumbfounded.

"Did. You. Cause it?"

She shook her head in response as I scratched my head, confused on what could have caused the cave to fall in on itself so early into the section. I'll have to figure it out later…For now let's get each other back to Kamdet…

I turned my attention to Toru as I walked up to her, asking "Are you ready to head back?". Again, she'd give me a slight head-tilt, her English wasn't as refined. I took a deep sigh, having to break the sentence down, "Do. You. Want. To. Go. Back.". It then finally clicked for her as she nodded in response, I sighed once more in relief as I began heading back towards Kamdet City, she followed behind fixing her gloves. I turned to look at her, never really remembering asking why she chose melee rather than using a weapon.

"Hey Toru?"

"Yes Kirin-Kun?"

"Why did you choose to use your fists rather than a sword or any other weapon?"

"Oh, I used to punching."

Well, that explains it… I thought.

As we walked through Darkwood forest, I kept glancing over my shoulder to see Toru walking far behind. She'd pick up on this, asking "Why you keep looking at me?" head tilting once again. "I…" I felt a heavy feeling suddenly fall onto my shoulders, was this guilt? Am I scared? I couldn't pinpoint the sudden reason why I felt like I couldn't say it to her directly.

"…It's nothing, I just want to see if you're okay."

"I am okay!"

She was confident as she gave a big smile to me. I couldn't help myself but blush a little at the smile, she spotted it with her keen eyes and scurried closer towards me.

"What was that!?"

She spoke in Japanese, Although I didn't understand I understood that she was trying to look, turning my face away from her. She pouted at my action, muttering, "I just wanted to see…" But up ahead was Kamdet City, we both looked as our speed walk turned into a light jog, making our way to the entrance.