It was completely pitch-black inside the tunnel system.

But Thanks to Sally’s night-vision spell, the party was able to see clearly, The same as if lanterns lit the way.

From the moment they entered the tunnels, nobody had said a word.

A long 30-minutes, not a single word spoken.

Amaya decided to break this silence.

“So, uhmm…We’re almost there, right?”

Jack nodded, “We are getting close. Still not there just yet.”

He glanced at Amaya, and saw how she was looking all around, paranoid. Her walking posture was similar to that of a frightened New-B.

“What’s making you feel on edge?” Jack asked.

“Hah. The poor lady's probably scared of underground spaces.” Ham stated.

That was far from the truth. Amaya was just surprised nothing bad happened yet. Usually, an issue would have presented itself by now.

‘I guess there are some moments where nothing happens.’ she thought to herself before finally answering, “It’s nothing really. I’m just waiting for some action. I Can’t wait to slay these rats.”

It would also be a good easy way to gain Exp.

The rest of the party shared glances, then Jack chuckled.

“Rats? That’s a funny thing to call them.”

Amaya was confused by this. Had she been wrong?

“They're not rats?”

Ham sighed, “Lady, did you not look at the details before you took the quest?”

Amaya didn't read any details. She didn’t even look at the quest on paper. The guild lady was the one who told her everything.

“No…I didn’t really get to see the details…”

Ham facepalmed, “Ugh. Well, Are you at least the required rank?”

“Yeah, I’m D-rank.”

After she said this, everyone's walking came to a stop.

“What?!” Ham shouted, “Lady, Are you crazy?!”

Then and there, it was apparent, she wasn’t on the quest she thought she was. And based on everyone’s faces, Amaya knew she was in a bad position.

Jack commented, hesitation included in his voice.

“Err…This is a B-ranked quest. We’re dealing with Gnolls.” He wore an expression, showing that he was concerned for her safety, “Amaya, this isn’t a quest for a beginner…You shouldn’t be here.”

Jack looked at Ham and Sally, and each of them agreed it was best to take Amaya back. Gnolls weren't the strongest monsters, but they were more than capable of killing any D-rank. It would be a one-sided fight if any of them attacked her.

They would all be at a disadvantage if they had to fight while Amaya. This, they weren’t ready for.

Jack laid his hand onto Amaya’s shoulder, “Listen, we don’t have anything against you. It would just be too risky. That’s why I hope you understand why you need to let us guide you back.”

‘Right. I’m too weak for this.’ Amaya thought to herself.

She was a bit hurt, but smiled nonetheless, “That's okay. I get it. I’m fine with that.”

“Great. Let’s go now.”

A sudden whistle filled the air, an object flew past Amaya’s face.

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Swoosh!

There was no time to understand exactly what it was, Jack had already been hit.

“Agh! W-what the hell just hit me?!”

An arrow was sticking out of his shoulder, all while he tried to get up from his knees. Before he could, a second arrow pierced his leg, causing him to fall on his side.

Ham shouted, drawing his sword when he identified the threat.

“Gnolls!”

Amaya was already panicking even if she had no idea what Gnolls were. But she soon found out once she spotted them. A group of at least 20.

The Gnolls had faces that looked like hyenas, but their bodies were somewhat humanoid. They all stood on two legs, taller than the average person. Their eyes, full of bloodlust.

The Gnolls charged forward, wielding blunt axes, some holding bows.

Since Amaya was the closest target, they had their sights set on her first. She attempted to run but tripped as an axe was swung at her.

By a papers-width, it missed and hit a wall, becoming stuck.

‘That was almost instant death!’ Amaya thought to herself.

She wanted to fight back, but was frozen by shock. Before the fury monster could attack again, Ham stabbed in through the heart, killing it.

“NOw, Sally!” He shouted.

ClinK! Clink! Clink!

The rest of Gnolls violently swung their axes, but their attacks bounced off a wall of light that appeared. A wall made of a beautiful golden light. It was a sight that Amaya would’ve loved to admire, if they weren’t under attack.

Sally held her wand tightly, “Hurry. We don’t have much time.”

She explained that the wall could only keep the Gnolls away for about 5 minutes. After that, she wouldn’t be able to cast the same spell again.

Their time was limited, but Jack was still on the ground, not able to move.

Ham walked over and easily lifted him, despite being a small dwarf.

“Don’t worry, I got you.”

All of them ran, not sure where they were going. Anywhere was better than their current spot, so they kept on going. Till they physically couldn’t run anymore.

____________

None of them kept track of how long it was, but it felt like forever.

They finally stopped when they reached what seemed to be a room.

Inside, they laid Jack against a wall, where Sally tended to his wounds.

Removing the arrows and patching his wounds, Sally asked him, “How do you feel?”

Jack had sweat dripping down his face, and his breathing was rapid. He wasn’t looking good at all.

It was even a struggle for him to get words out. “The arrows…I think…they were poisoned..”

Seeing how fast his condition was worsening, it had to be fast acting poison.

“No. Please no.” Sally’s face grew a look of distress.

She didn’t know how to go about treating poison. And she didn’t specialize in healing or cleansing magic either.

At a loss, she looked over to Ham. He, too, didn’t know what could be done to help their friend. Blacksmithing and combat were the only things he knew.

They had no way to help. The rest was up to luck and chance.

“Damnit!” Ham shouted, slamming his fist against the wall, “We wouldn’t have been caught off guard if it wasn’t for her. Why the hell is a D-rank here in the first place!” He gestured at Amaya angrily.

She took the insult silently, having no reply. Amaya completely accepted it. Because of her, someone else was hurt, likely to die.

‘They have every right to be mad. It is my fault. Misfortune follows me everywhere. I should’ve known what my luck could make happen.’ Amaya thought to herself, gazing toward the ground.

She understood that they probably hated her. This, she was okay with and understood.

Sally stood up.

“It’s not her fault. It’s obvious, she was somehow misinformed. And plus, the Gnoll are the ones who attacked, not Amaya.” Sally put her hand on Ham's shoulder, “Calm down. We need to start thinking.”

Ham snarled a bit before he fully understood the stakes. Anger could wait till another time.

“You’re right. So, what shall we do?” he asked.

It would normally Jack’s job to make plans, but he was unconscious.

Sally was the second smartest so it was up to her now.

She first grabbed the map and figured out where they were. However, there was an issue. The entrance was pretty far from their current spot.

And Taking the same route back wasn’t an option due to the many Gnolls.

A detour was the only way, but it would take twice as long.

“And who knows how much time we have before the poison kills him.” Sally stated.

However, Amaya came up with an Idea that could determine that. She wasn’t the smartest, but she knew this had to work.

“Analyze Condition.” She muttered, observing Jack.

A screen came into view, only visible to her eyes.

[ Analisis:

Subject: Jack

Condition: Poisoned

35 minutes till subject is reduced to death. ]

As expected, it wasn’t good. But now the time limit was clear.

“We have thirty-five minutes. If we don’t make it, he’ll die.”

Each of them knew it seemed impossible. Still, they had to try.

It was the only way Jack might survive.