Chapter 276 – Lurking Danger

Chapter 276 – Lurking Danger

Niel led the team up the steep ladder, sword and shield at the ready. The plumes of mist rolled over them, denser and colder with each floor they crossed. Stepping on the stone of the third chamber, high rectangular windows lined the walls and framed the smoky white swirls.

Aside from the visibility, Kai was concerned about the impact of the mist on his skills. His bond with Hobbes was already weakening, his senses were restricted to a few meters, and Hallowed Intuition’s whispers were growing fainter.

It’s better than being out there alone…

While the three young seekers were practically strangers, it was reassuring to have other human beings with him against the creatures lurking in the fog.

“Now the fun begins,” Niel muttered with a low tone, muffled by the fog. “Remember to not break formation, no matter what happens.”

“We know,” Caeli snorted. “Stop trying to be cool. You’re not Kea.”

“I wanted to keep up morale.”

“And I’m super motivated.” The girl gave him a light shove. “We just need to cut down those annoying bugs and find Kea before she decides to leave.”

At Kai’s side, Mari shook her head. “Stay focused, guys. They could attack us at any moment.”

“Isn’t that the point? We’re trying to lure them in here.” Caeli raised her voice and twirled her rapier. “C’mon, cowardly bugs! They should be able to hear us, right?”

“I think so…” Mari held her enchanted staff with both hands.

The team tensed, back-to-back to peer at the four windows; the whirling movements of the fog kept them on their toes. A creature could be hiding in front of them without any of them knowing. Kai gripped the blue enamel of his wand, ready to draw his sword if necessary. He’d rather not reveal his spatial artifact to three strangers in the middle of nowhere, though he might not get a choice.

“I don’t think it’s working.” Caeli broke the silence after thirty seconds and took a cautious step toward a window. “They weren’t so timid the first time they attacked us here.”

“Same for me,” Kai muttered. Despite the magic within the fog interfering with Hallowed Intuition, he should be able to tell when a hostile beast came near. “They seemed pretty intent on ripping me apart regardless of the consequences.”

“That’s why we should find out why they’re here. Cloud fairies are cautious beings by nature, they don’t attack humans unless provoked.”

“I know, Mari.” Neil didn’t lower his guard despite the quiet. “But whatever the reason, it doesn’t change our situation. We still need to get out of here and find Kea.”

“I don’t like this one bit.” The girl gave a begrudging nod.

The trio was far more relaxed than Kai expected from someone facing a swarm of deadly beasts—it must not be their first experience. They spent a few more minutes trying to lure the cloud fairies inside; out of cunning or shyness, the wicked cotton balls weren’t biting.

“Guess we’re really doing this. We have to go outside. Me and Mat will go first, while you watch our backs,” Niel grunted with a glance at him. “Do you know how to climb? The walls are quite steep.”

“Yes, I’ll manage.” Kai was a little peeved at not being asked his opinion, though dividing the group between front liners and ranged fighters made the most sense. Niel probably meant to do him a favor by not pairing him with Caeli. And whatever spells Mari could cast, he must consider her more reliable than him to protect their descent.

Let’s get this over with.

Kai pushed the mist out of the chamber to let them regain their full visibility—there was no point holding back if those nightmare fairies weren’t coming. The team looked at the sudden clarity with mouths agape.

“You can actually cast magic without chants or skills.” Mari watched as if she were seeing him for the first time.

“Wow, boy. This is quite convenient.” Caeli clapped his back. “You’re a proper mage.”

I told you I could do it. Why do people always act surprised…

They must have thought him a half-mage only capable of cantrips outside his profession skills. He could see the questions crowding their gazes. The urgency of the situation spared him from answering. If they escaped this alive, there’d be time to think how to avoid them.

Kea first.

“We have to move fast. Those things have probably noticed your spell too.” Niel hung the shield to his back and headed for the window with one wary glance. “Can you clear the mist to the ground?”

Kai went to lean beside him and strained Mana Observer to reach the ground—more than fifteen meters below. It was a deadly fall even for him. He could use Water Magic to carry him down if he were alone, but that would leave him more exposed if the shrieking cotton balls attacked.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“It’s too far.” He shook his head, opening a vertical corridor till the midway point among the mist. The strange ambient essence kept consuming his own the farther he pushed. “That’s my limit. I can’t keep this up for long.”

“Uh, it’s already better than I hoped.” Niel gave him a curt nod and swung one of his legs outside with surprising nimbleness, soon followed by his whole body. “Watch my back.” The young man climbed down, grasping the seams between the boulders that made up the tower—one hand still holding the sword.

“He does like to show off, doesn’t he?” Caeli stood beside the window with Mari. “Your turn, boy. Scream if something bites you. I’ll jump down to save you.”

Should I worry that she’s really going to do it?

“Thanks,” Kai held the wand between his teeth and hopped outside. The handholds were shallower than Niel made them look; he channeled Body Augmentation in his fingers to hold his weight.

He descended to the halfway point when the girls watching were swallowed by the fog. Then the whispers brushed his thoughts.

Shit.

Danger buzzed louder each second. Kai wanted to scream a warning, but if those creatures were cunning enough to ambush them at the most vulnerable moment, a shout might call them down sooner. His spell had cleared a cone of mist to the weeds below.

Almost there—

The murmurs spiked, leaving no doubts. “They’re here!”

“What—” Niel watched him with a frown, his head jolting toward the mist. “Fuck!” The man threw a measuring glance at the seven meters separating them from the ground. “I’m—”

“Jump!” With one front covered by the tower, Kai released a fan of ice needles at the mist, hoping Luck would skew the odds in his favor. He channeled more mana into Body Augmentation to reinforce his body and loosened his grip.

Niel was already falling with no need for further encouragement. His body glowed with a skill while the shield on his back scraped the tower to slow the plunge.