“So, how are we going to do this?” Hazel asked, walking beside Astrid as they both strolled through the forest.

“We’re going to need to draw Dolk into a trap, but I don’t think he’s stupid enough to fall for one.”

“Oh, that’s easy,” The mage said with a beam. “We just need to get you to grab his attention. Like screaming since you’re in danger or something.”

Astrid cocked an eyebrow, looking somewhat doubtful of Hazel’s plan. “Are you sure that would work? Dolk is an expert when it comes to ambushes and sneak attacks, to the point where he’ll know if I draw him in.”

Hazel then raised a finger. “That’s if he was a normal person, but this guy is no different from a Yandere, and a very delusional and deranged one at that.”

“What’s a yan-dere?” The dark elf questioned, tilting her head to the side looking confused.

The mage paused, unsure of how she should explain the concept of a yandere to her. She crossed her arms and pondered for a moment, searching for the best words to describe it.

“A Yandere is a very clingy, psychopathic individual who is deeply in love with someone to the point where they will do anything to keep that person to themselves. To the point of even murdering people that might have a thing for them as well. And this Dolk guy fits the bill one hundred percent.”

Astrid’s eyes widened in surprise then shifted to a pondering look. “Well, he did have a thing for me since we were young, so it’s not too far off. But he’s never displayed such obsessions over me before until now.”

“My guess is that he reached his limit. Got any ideas on how that happened?”

“I…think I do,” The dark elf narrowed her eyes. “Dolk has been obsessing over making us stay in this dungeon for an entire month, even when our Tribe was in danger because of the merging of worlds.” She scratched her head irritably. “Normally, he would follow my orders and put that aside, but he’s been persistent in convincing me. And when he betrayed me, he kept rambling on how I don’t understand what’s happening and that I couldn’t go back.”

“Interesting…” Hazel mumbled.

There was clearly something else going on here. Dolk’s persistence along with his cryptic ramblings. Hazel could tell that there was more to this little story than either of them expected. And the Dark Elf Rogue seemed to be a clue as to what that is.

Hazel stopped in her tracks, still contemplating over the new information she was just told. Just what kind of secret was Dolk hiding? Not only that but how bad was that secret that this Rogue would go through such drastic lengths? You don’t just kill your own people over a secret. Not unless that secret had dire consequences if it was ever revealed.

She still believed that Dolk was a Yandere, but he seemed to be doing this more out of fear and desperation which then heightened his obsession. So, what exactly was Dolk afraid of?

“Why was Dolk so desperate to keep you in this dungeon? Did he ever mention that?”

Astrid nodded. “Yeah, he did. It was about my Brother, Kollr.”

“Your brother, huh? Didn’t you mention before that you had three to four siblings?”

“That’s right. And Kollr is one of them. He’s the second oldest child of the family, while I’m the first.”

“And why was your brother, Kollr, a topic in your conversation?”

Upon Hazel’s question, Astrid’s expression darkened, as if she was remembering a bad memory. When the mage noticed the look on her face, she was just about to retract her question since it seemed like a sore topic, but the dark elf beat her to it.

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“Kollr and I don’t exactly see eye to eye. Especially since He’s also after the title of Tribal Chief.”

“Oh yeah,” Hazel snapped her finger. “You mentioned something like that too. You said your father was the Chief of your tribe and you were next in line, right?”

According to Astrid, as the Oldest Child of the Family, she was destined to become the next Tribal Chief. Of course, since she wasn’t the only child of the Tribal Chief, her other siblings had a chance to take her spot. And Kollr appeared to be one of them.

Typical sibling rivalry. Hazel could remember all the times she and her brother competed against one another like racing to the car, playing fighting games against one another, and who could do their chores faster.

Those were good times.

“Unlike my other siblings, Kollr is the only one who wants to become Tribal Chief, and that is not something I can allow.”

“Why? Do you believe he’s unworthy or something?”

Astrid shook her head rapidly. “It’s not a matter of being worthy, it’s a matter of his character. His personality. Kollr is a very selfish and cruel person who uses people to his advantage and discards them when they are useless.”

Hazel stared dumbfoundedly at Astrid, almost believing that she didn’t hear her correctly. Her brother was some kind of Sociopath? First a Yandere, and now that? Why was this dark elf surrounded by crazy people?

“Dolk said before that Kollr threatened that he would kill me if he didn’t do something to keep me from becoming Tribal Chief.”

“Your own brother threatened to take your life?!” Hazel exclaimed. “What the hell is up with this guy?”

It was one thing to use people to only benefit yourself, but killing a family member just to keep them from becoming a Tribal Chief? That bastard was beyond evil and downright malicious.

Hazel almost related to Astrid regarding her relationship with her siblings, but that was impossible now after what she just heard. Her brother was nothing like this Kollr guy.

“Kollr is extremely apathetic,” Astrid sighed. “He used to be so innocent and kind back when he was a child, but as he got older, something changed him. And I don’t know why.” She lowered her head in despair.

“Still, killing a family member just to become Tribal Chief doesn’t excuse his behavior and actions.”

“You’re definitely right. Which is why I’m doing everything in my power to keep him from becoming Tribal Chief.”

“Which is also what is driving you to find a way out of this dungeon. So you can return home and keep Kollr from taking your position.”

Astrid nodded. “Becoming Tribal Chief means being their protector and doing everything in your power to keep them from harm.” Declaring this, she stood firmly in front of Hazel, fully expressing herself regarding her future position. “Kollr only wants the position to accomplish his goals, not to protect his fellow Tribesmen. He is unfit to be Tribal Chief. If he were to actually gain the title, my tribe would be destroyed because of him.”

Hazel stared at Astrid, taking note of her serious tone and expression. She could tell that this title meant everything to her. She saw it not only as some position but also as her duty and sole purpose. A sacred job that she must commit to every step of the way.

For some reason, Hazel couldn’t help but admire Astrid’s passion. And here she was, simply desiring to use magic just because she always wanted to. Of course, that also wasn’t so bad, but Astrid’s goals seemed more…fulfilling and meaningful.

So much so that Hazel slowly began to question her purpose. What exactly did she want to do with her life? Before the system appeared, her dream was to always use magic, and now she could. But was that all there was to her dream? Nothing more than that?

She soon heard an audible cough coming from Astrid, thus bringing her attention away from her deep thoughts. She would have to worry about her life crisis once she was out of the dungeon. Fretting over such things wasn’t a good idea since she needed to focus on surviving.

“Anyway,” Astrid began. “What’s our plan?”

“Leave that to me,” Hazel gave a thumbs up. “I know just what to do to get Dolk’s attention on you so we can ambush him.”

Astrid looked at Hazel curiously. “And how do you plan to do that?”

Behind the pair, the sound of roaring could be heard through the trees. Emerging from the woods, a large Orc appeared, brushing past the bushes before setting its sight on Hazel and Astrid. It let out a fierce and rabid snarl, glaring at the pair with blood-lusted eyes.

Seeing this, a sly smile formed on Hazel’s face before she turned to face Astrid, maintaining the menacing grin. The dark elf felt chills run down her spine as the mage gleefully stared at her.

“Like I said before; we need to put you in danger!”