Kobold camp

Kaden rubbed his temples as he stepped back into the scene of carnage. If possible he did not want to cross paths with the priestess again but he couldn't let go of such a big chance. 

He still couldn't believe that someone as famous as the priestess had spawned right next to him in the apocalypse. Maybe he missed all of that because of getting bit by that damn snake. 

His last life would have definitely been a lot better if he had followed the priestess instead of that arrogant prick 'savior'. But in this life being near her was only going to do harm and potentially change her path. 

He did not want to personally act as a hero and save thousands of people. People like her were meant to do that and he did not want to take that away.

"Let's see what happens." He let out a sigh and continued searching the area. First he decided to search the kobold camp before heading to the survivors camp.

Kaden grimaced, boot soles grinding against charred debris as he moved through the ruined camp, sifting through broken crates and scorched tents. The site still reeked of blood and flesh and there was no sign of a water body in the nearby vicinity.

He turned away to search other areas when unexpectedly, he noticed something odd from the corner of his eyes. Hmm. With a frown, he walked forward in that direction to take a closer look.

There, in a dense corner of foliage, hidden perfectly between knotted roots and big ass leaves was a small cave opening.

Kaden's footsteps slowed to a cautious crawl as he peered into the thick brush. His nose wrinkled at the heavy, earthy smell—a mingling of damp soil and something vaguely pungent. 

With a careful sweep of his gaze, he stepped beyond the charred remains and broken debris, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light under the foliage.

Sure enough, there it was: a dark little hollow set behind gnarled roots and oversize leaves. Two thick, twisting roots crisscrossed over the opening, almost like a makeshift gate. In the gloom beyond, he could just barely make out a gap leading deeper under the earth.

"What the…?" Kaden murmured, heart thumping in mild surprise.

He reached out, brushing aside a few of the huge leaves. A damp chill wafted from the opening, sending goosebumps rippling across his arms. A cave—or a tunnel, he realized. Was it always here? 

This stretch of land, as far as he recalled, should have been all solid forest floor and he was very familiar with this place.

He knelt, checking the ground for tracks. The soil at the cave mouth was soft, dappled with spidery root networks. 

He couldn't see any fresh footprints—human or otherwise—though a trickle of disturbed soil suggested someone might have passed through recently and hidden their tracks. Not exactly comforting.

Before proceeding, Kaden carefully cleared away the larger roots tangling over the entrance. He winced when the bark crumbled beneath his grip, sending a muted crack echoing into the darkness. 

The last thing he wanted was to have these roots snap and wedge him inside once he was underground. He tested each one, shifting them enough to ensure he could squeeze back out in a hurry if needed.

Once he was certain the way back wouldn't seal itself, he summoned just a hint of Thorn Whip to wrap around his left forearm—ready to lash out if anything jumped him. 

He had no real torch on hand, but a faint glow from the entrance lent enough light to see a few feet ahead. If it got too dark, he might risk using a small spark of mana for illumination, though that could alert every creature within earshot.

He ducked beneath the twisted roots and inched forward. The cave's rough walls brushed his shoulders, and the earthen ceiling was low enough that he had to hunch. Strange lumps of fungus clung to the tunnel sides, their pale caps flecked with bioluminescent spots, lending a faint glow that pulsed like a heartbeat.

"At least it's not pitch black," Kaden breathed. The mushrooms provided a ghostly light, enough for him to discern a downward slope a few yards in.

Careful not to crush the glowing fungi or inhale too many spores, he crept further, boots skidding on the damp, uneven ground. Every few steps, the tunnel forked or curved, roots jutting in like skeletal fingers. 

The walls dripped with water, forming rivulets that trickled along muddy channels toward some unseen lower chamber. A scattering of pebbles clinked underfoot, echoing into the gloom.

His heartbeat drummed in his ears, poised for any hiss or growl that might echo back. But so far, only dripping water and his own breathing broke the silence.

This is bigger than I expected, he thought, pausing at a split in the path—left veered sharply down, while right seemed to level out.