Watching as the toads' spear-like tongues smashed into the front warriors—Maerd, Agnes, Delila, and Lloyd—Levi couldn't help but worry. Injuries were mounting, and they were growing tired. He feared he’d have to expose his powers to help out. Despite their flaws, he didn’t want them dying here.

Levi's mind was spinning, constantly evaluating the best moment to make a move for the book. If he acted too soon, he’d be beset on all sides by the toads. Without any movement skills to rely on, it was too risky.

However, if he acted too late, someone would die. The decision weighed heavily on him: follow his greed and need for power, or let his morality win out and help them.

Levi made his choice.

The temperature in the cavern rose, like a sun had just spawned before them. Levi summoned his mana into a blaze in the palm of his hand. The others whirled their heads around, staring at him in shock. He had no more reservations.

With his mana container thrumming with power, Levi unleashed a fiery lance straight at a toad. It bore through its head, killing it instantly. He spun on his heels and immediately killed another. Grinning, Levi aimed at a pair of toads clumped together. This time, he didn’t rely on accuracy. Sculpting the fire spike in his hand, he formed it into a tight ball, then threw it like a baseball. The ball of wild mana dropped and rolled next to them, and in the next second, exploded, sending gore and viscera flying.

The sudden onslaught from Levi gave the front warriors a moment to regroup. The toads were momentarily thrown into disarray, their numbers suddenly thinned. Levi’s fire attacks had created a chaotic opening, and he could see the resolve in the eyes of his comrades as they pressed the advantage.

Maerd, despite his earlier disdain, nodded in surprise appreciation as he cleaved through another toad. Agnes and Delila worked in tandem, cutting down any toads that tried to flank them, while Lloyd used his shield to protect them from the toads' deadly tongues.

Levi didn’t let up. He conjured another fiery lance, this one larger and more intense, and hurled it at the largest toad he could see. The lance struck its target, causing the creature to screech in agony before collapsing in a smouldering heap. The remaining toads, sensing the tide turning, began to retreat into the shadows.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead from his exertion, Levi glanced around. The cavern was littered with the remains of the toads, and the air was thick with the smell of burnt flesh. His comrades, though bloodied and bruised, were alive and victorious.

The book still lay in the centre of the cavern, untouched and seemingly unharmed. Levi took a step toward it, but before he could reach it, Maerd’s voice stopped him.

“What are you doing?” Maerd asked between harsh breaths.

Levi frowned. This was it. Maerd wouldn’t let him take his reward.

Maerd looked around and continued, sword in hand, “A young boy already at Tier 2. You must belong to a top family in the Imperial City. What are you doing here? There’s no dog, is there? You’re here to take the Relic for yourself.” Maerd accused him, his voice growing louder, a mean streak glinting in his eyes. “How much wealth has your family given you? And yet you want to take what’s ours? What we found? Bled for?”

The others were also looking at him, their hands turning itchy. Delila was lost. She didn’t know what to do. Neither did Levi, truthfully. With the situation turning for the worse, Levi’s palms turned sweaty. He hoped Bram would help him out of the situation. The man had a heart of gold. Yet he was nowhere to be seen. Was he a man of his words? He wouldn’t help, no matter what?

Think, Levi, Levi thought, calming down. If there was one person that could get out of a situation without fighting, it was him.

Gently guiding mana through his tongue, Levi spoke, “I understand your frustration, Maerd. But think about it. We fought side by side, we protected each other. If I wanted it for myself, then I would have saved my power to the last breath. This Relic can benefit all of us.”

Maerd’s eyes narrowed, but he seemed to be considering Levi’s words. Delila stepped forward, her face showing a mix of confusion and concern. “Derek's right. We’ve all earned it. Why not share the knowledge and power it contains?”

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Levi nodded, seizing the moment. “Exactly. Depending on what it is, we can take turns using the Relic, each of us growing stronger. This way, we all benefit.”

Agnes, usually the stern one, looked thoughtful. “That makes sense.”

Lloyd, his shield resting by his side, added, “Derek's right. Besides, without him helping us, I don’t think we’d have made it, Maerd. We should share the rewards.”

Maerd hesitated, his gaze flicking between Levi and the book. Levi could feel his influence working, but he knew Maerd wouldn’t be swayed so easily. He needed to push a little further.

“Think about it, Maerd,” Levi said, his voice calm and persuasive. “Even if it’s a profession, if one of us learns it, we can help each other. Or we can sell it. I have contacts with the Imperial City.”

Maerd’s eyes softened, and for a moment, it seemed like he would agree. But then his expression hardened, and he shook his head as if shaking off a fog. Levi’s heart dropped. Did he have an Ingredient capable of battling Incite?

“Wait a minute,” he said, his voice growing colder. “What are you doing, Derek? You’re trying to manipulate us.”

The tension in the air thickened. Levi’s heart sank as he realised Maerd had broken free from his influence. The others looked confused, their expressions wavering between trust and suspicion.

“Maerd, it’s not like that,” Levi began, but Maerd’s hand was already on his sword.

“Enough!” Maerd spat. “You’ve been using some kind of trick on us. I won’t be controlled.”

Levi’s mind raced. He had to act quickly. He focused his Incite skill on the others, using more mana than before, and amplifying their doubts and frustrations. “He’s trying to divide us,” Levi said, his voice urgent. “Maerd wants the power for himself.”

The group erupted into chaos. Agnes turned on Maerd, her face twisted with anger. “Is that true, Maerd? Have you been using us?”

Delila, usually calm and composed, stepped back, her eyes wide with confusion. “What’s going on?”

Lloyd raised his shield defensively, looking between Maerd and Levi. “We need to calm down!”

Maerd’s face contorted with rage. “You’ll pay for this, Derek!” He lunged at Levi, sword raised.

Levi dodged, using Incite to fuel the conflict. The cavern filled with shouts and clashes as the group turned on each other. Agnes and LLoyd attacked Maerd, while Delila tried to fend off everyone, shouting for peace.

Levi moved swiftly, using his smaller stature to stay out of the main conflict. He needed to keep them distracted long enough to obtain the book. He fired off another fire lance, not aiming to kill but to keep the chaos going.

Maerd, his face a mask of fury, slashed at Agnes, who parried and struck back with equal ferocity. Delila and Lloyd grappled, their weapons forgotten in the frenzy.

Levi, seeing an opening, made his move. He sprinted towards the book and snatched it off the floor, the book clutched tightly in his hand. Then he bolted to the entrance as fast as his legs took him, he glanced back at the group. They were still locked in combat, their shouts echoing through the cavern.

He felt a pang of guilt but steeled himself. This was about survival and gaining the power he needed. With one last look, he turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness of the cave’s entrance, the sounds of battle fading behind him.

Breaking out of the cave to a wall of sunlight, Bram stood there imposingly, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Guilt only seemed to assault Levi stronger than before. What he did was wrong, he knew that. He had no intentions of sharing, or selling the book. He had no contacts within the Imperial City. He had lied, had made them fight each other, wound each other. The images of Delila trying to stop her friends from fighting amongst one another stuck to him like glue.

“Bram–” Levi said, his voice choked.

However, the stern look of disapproval didn’t descend upon Levi. Instead, Bram displayed a wry smile.

“You are a true Krag-born, Levi,” he said, grabbing his shoulders, guiding him forwards as they entered the forests. “You can no longer return to the town. I’m afraid Maerd won’t simply leave that be.”

Levi glanced over his shoulder. “Will they be okay?”

Bram nodded. “Don’t worry. They’re fine. A few scratches but those will heal.” Bram nudged him. “Do you regret your actions?”

“I do,” he replied honestly. “I have the Relic, but I can’t shake the feeling of guilt.”

“That’s good,” Bram said. “If you felt nothing, then you’d just be a monster. The path to strength is one paved on guilt. It may sound harsh, but as a Krag-born, you need to get used to it. Stealing from others is incredibly common in crypts. And that’s the least of your worries down there. But that’s not for a long time, Levi.”

Levi nodded, absorbing the information like a sponge.

“So what now?” Levi asked.

“Well,” Bram scratched his stubble. “We need to get it repaired, first of all. And there’s not many that can repair Relics around here. Tell you what, I’ll have a look around the town and I’ll see if there’s any old Relic Restorers here. Head back to your camp. There’s a monster named Teethling to the west. Hunt that, and I’ll take the poster for you.”

“Thank you, Bram.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”