Chapter 41: Peril on All Sides

Everyone understood this principle; otherwise, they would have acted already. This was precisely what frustrated them most: despite having an overwhelming advantage, they were still being led around by that wandering swordsman, utterly unwilling to accept it!

“Did you notice the female warrior’s shield in their party? I’m pretty sure it’s a blue shield, while our tank is still using the green one from the Molten Fortress Prison.”

At this, Master Hong revealed a playful smile, murmuring almost to himself, “How interesting, I never imagined such a small Molten Fortress could become so lively~”

...

At that very moment, in the deepest part of the cavern.

After watching the man with the Flame Demon’s Sword depart, A-Kui still felt uneasy and ran out to take a look. She returned, excitement barely contained, “They really left! Hah, I can’t believe those old hands were fooled by just a few words!"

Lu Kuan rolled his eyes wordlessly. Only then did the three girls lower their weapons, their expressions relaxing, though their gazes kept unconsciously drifting toward Lu Kuan.

Just now, his demeanor had been strikingly masculine.

Unlike the sharp ferocity he showed in battle, Lu Kuan stood face to face with the formidable Master Hong without yielding an inch. That powerful confidence, the authority radiating from within, was something none of the three had ever seen in their peers.

A-Kui couldn’t help but mutter softly, “Could this boy be a baby-faced roughneck in disguise?”

Lu Kuan had already learned to filter out A-Kui’s jibes. He turned and walked deeper into the cave. Despite all the commotion, the little boy sleeping in the corner hadn’t stirred in the slightest.

Lu Kuan glanced around, spotting some leftover dry rations in the corner, along with the remains of a few wild fruits. He picked one up to examine it.

“Sleepfruit?” Qingyi, standing nearby, recognized it as well, realization dawning in her eyes.

“He’s got guts, eating random fruit he picked in the forest.”

Lu Kuan tossed aside the pit and clapped his hands. “Looks like we’ll have to carry him. Qingyi, I’ll leave him to you.”

Of the group, only the warrior had the strength to bear the load. Qingyi understood, stowed her weapon and shield, and lifted the boy onto her back.

But the way back proved far more perilous than any of them had expected.

As night deepened, the nocturnal cave-dwellers became active. In just twenty minutes, the group encountered three waves of them deep underground.

“Flash spell! Eyes shut!”

At Lu Kuan’s shout, Qingyi’s shield flared with dazzling light, turning the dim tunnel as bright as day. The two cave-dwellers ahead were blinded, shrieking and stumbling backward in panic.

It was too good an opportunity to miss. A-Kui’s magic missiles shot out, leaving fleeting afterimages in the air, while Qingyi and Bai Keke followed up, striking the dazed creatures head-on.

Lu Kuan, meanwhile, stood back with an easy smile, watching the three girls fight monsters with gusto. At his feet, Ah-Tang snored on, undisturbed.

After recent hardships, the three girls had grown ever more adept at combat. In less than a minute, the cave-dwellers were dispatched cleanly.

*Clap, clap.*

Leaning against the stone wall, Lu Kuan applauded cheerfully. “Not bad, not bad! Your teamwork is spot-on~”

All three girls were panting from exertion. While scouring the spoils, A-Kui shot Lu Kuan a glare. “Captain, your tactics work great, but could you lend a hand too? The faster we clear these monsters, the better—it’ll be dark outside soon!”

“You need to learn self-reliance. If you always rely on me, you’ll never improve,” Lu Kuan replied with conviction, glancing at the system time. “No use rushing. Night has already fallen. I don’t think we’ll be leaving the canyon before dawn.”

A few minutes later, as they reached the cavern’s exit and peered cautiously outside, the girls realized Lu Kuan’s warning was no exaggeration.

The canyon, so empty by day, now flickered with countless torches. Cave-dwellers of all sizes bustled in and out of crevices and caves, the scene as busy as a market.

A rough estimate put their numbers at five or six hundred, not counting those still hidden within the caves.

“We’ll head back,” Lu Kuan whispered over the party channel, ushering them into retreat.

“How did it come to this…” The girls wore anxious faces. Even novices knew how dangerous the wilderness was at night. Would they really have to spend the night in the canyon?

“We lost some time dealing with the Flame Demon’s Sword party. Otherwise, we’d have made it out,” Lu Kuan said.

As he spoke, he habitually rubbed his chin, only to recall he hadn’t grown a beard yet. Shaking his head, he continued, “Let’s return. The deeper underground we are, the safer.”

Though reluctant, the girls knew Lu Kuan’s analysis was sound. Rushing out now would only get them killed. They’d have to endure for the time being.

Fortunately, they were already familiar with this underground passage. It didn’t take long to return to the deepest cavern.

After so many trips, fatigue was setting in. Lu Kuan took several thick logs from his backpack and expertly lit a campfire.

The girls watched, eyes wide with surprise. A-Kui was the first to huddle near the fire, eyeing Lu Kuan curiously. “Your backpack must be a treasure bag. You seem to have everything in there!”

Lu Kuan poked at the fire, feigning innocence. “Didn’t you say the quest might take us into the wild? Of course I brought campfire supplies.”

A-Kui couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Who else but this weirdo would waste precious inventory slots on such things?

Indeed, Lu Kuan’s backpack organization was unlike most. Where others hoarded precious potions, Lu Kuan carried only the smallest healing, stamina, and basic antidote vials—one stack of each. The rest of his space, apart from arrows, was filled with survival supplies. With no teammates, he had to handle responsibilities usually left to warriors himself.

“Weirdo, with your skills, the queue of guilds and studios wanting you must be a mile long. Why go it alone?” A-Kui teased.

Lu Kuan simply grinned, saying nothing. He thought to himself, You’ll understand in time—better to keep a dog for company than deal with those people.

The cave was silent and dark, the only sound the crackling of burning logs, the gentle firelight flickering on the three girls’ beautiful faces.