Over the next few weeks, hunting became a daily routine for Phisola and Eric. And often, they would return with some more juicy catch.

“We made a lot of progress these last few weeks, wouldn’t you agree?” Eric said joyously.

“Look at you, sounding so happy.”

“Of course I am! Now I actually have some chance of getting out of here alive.”

Her mouth curved into a small smile: “But yes, we have sped up the process for several moons. If we keep it up like this, we’ll be out in a few decades.”

“That’s… still a lot of time, but it is way better than a hundred years.”

“And while it may be reckless, I will admit it’s fun. Of course, these beasts are no match for me, but it does feel nice to beat the shit out of something regularly.”

“And I’m just glad that’s not me.”

“Heh. I guess I didn’t even realize how much stress I’ve accumulated in this place. It feels nice to have a release.”

“You’ve been here for a long time. No intelligent being can stay alone for so long and remain unscathed.”

She brushed her hair elegantly in one swift motion, “I admit that it does feel nice to have someone to talk with. Stupid as one may be, it’s still better than having nobody around.”

“Sure, I may be ignorant about survival, but I’m learning. For example, I’m not scared of playing prey anymore.”

“Not scared? Your heart beats so hard when you do it, I can hear it from two levels up!”

“It’s the adrenaline, not fear.”

“Adrenaline gets into effect when you’re scared, idiot,” she turned her gaze away from him, “Oh, there’s a clearing up ahead.”

“Not much of a clearing with trees inside. Ouch!”

She pulled her hand back quickly after twisting his ear, “Semantics. You know what I mean. Let’s check it out and see what’s inside. Maybe some more of those fruits we found before.”

“Oh, that would be nice! I never thought I’d get tired of meat, but when that’s all you’re eating every single day, any change is welcome.”

“Come, let’s see what’s inside.”

They entered a large, forested area. It would look no different from any other forest on the surface if not for the obvious ceiling.

“This place is huge!” Eric awed out loud, “This is …”

“Just like a real forest?”

“Well … yeah!”

“There are places like this all over the dungeon. They usually have some nice food too, but be extra careful. We’re certainly not the only ones here.”

“What, do you sense something?”

“No, it’s just common sense. Every sane creature would pick a bountiful place like this for its lair. But only the strongest ones can stay here for long, the weaklings are usually kicked out. So stay on your toes.”

“Aha, got it.”

They examined the area for a while but found no success in finding anything useful. Suddenly, Phisloa raised her left hand, stopping dead in her tracks. Seeing her do that before, Eric knew he should do the same.

“What is it?” He asked in a whisper.”

“Campfire up ahead.”

“Campfire?”

“Yes, a campfire,” Phisola responded with an ironic voice.

“I can’t see it from the trees.” He pointed out.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Trust me, it’s there.”

“So, does that mean there are some people up ahead?”

“What else would it mean?”

“Oh … oh!” His eyes opened wide upon realization, “That’s great!”

“How so?”

“Maybe we can help each other. Maybe …”

“They aren’t here for the same reason you are.”

“… they’re… oh, you think they are the adventurers you mentioned?”

“And who else would it be this deep in the dungeon?”

“And … you had some fights with them before, right?”

“Yes.”

“… do they know you’re a devil?”

“Yes.”

“How so? By looking at the horns?”

“They usually have priests or clerics with them. A scouting party on its own, not necessarily, but a camp like this … they certainly have at least one.”

“So?”

Phisola gave him a sideways look, full of annoyance.

“I’m just asking!” He defended himself, “I’m completely ignorant when it comes to the devils and priests of this world.”

She stared at him briefly before answering: “Blessed people can sense a devil like me.”

“Like how you can sense prey?”

“Exactly.”

He unconsciously looked at the distance: “Do they know we’re here?”

“Certainly.”

“So … will they come after us?”

“No, they won’t. But they’re ready to defend themselves.”

“Can you sense them?”

“Now that I’ve focused, yes. And they do have two blessed people among them. And they’re all looking towards us.”

“So, what should we do?”

Phisola got lost in thought for a while.

“Hmm … it would probably be best to leave them alone and go our way.”

“Do you think they can’t be reasoned with?”

“They’re scared right now. They’re terrified. They’d loose their arrows as soon as they’d see us.”

“Even if it’s me?”

“They don’t know which one of us is the devil. They’d think you’re the one they’re sensing.”

“And … ah, I guess it’s too early for that.”

“For what?”

“I thought if you’d take some distance, enough for them not to sense you anymore, that maybe I could talk to them.”

“That would be a suicide. They’d still loose their arrows on you even if I go back. People don’t just show up in front of you in a dungeon. They’d think it’s a trap. They’d certainly think you’re my thrall.”

“Thrall?”

“They’d think I’m controlling you.”

Eric blinked three times before continuing: “Can devils do that?”

“Nah,” she waved her hand dismissively, “That’s just an excuse idiots use to explain their mistakes. Or why their subordinates started rebelling against them. There’s no way they made a mistake, surely a devil is to blame. Surely, they were charmed or something. But that doesn’t stop even greater fools from believing such nonsense. Anyway, let’s go back. Nothing good will come out of this.”

“Hmm … are you absolutely sure …”

“You can try, but I won’t come to your aid when arrows start flying. If you feel like dying, be my guest.”

“Hmm … ok, let’s leave them for now. If you say they’re on edge.”

“You don’t have to believe me, you can see for yourself,” she turned around and started walking away in a crouch, “I’m not telling you what to do, I’m telling you what I won’t.”

“Ok, ok, I’ll trust you on this,” he decided to follow her, “I’d be suspicious too if someone would just walk up to me in a place like this.”

“Ok. Then, let’s go. There is nothing to find in this forest, they’ve already picked all the fruits. That’s why we couldn’t find a single one, even though trees are everywhere. Let’s try some of the other corridors and see where those lead. These guys are so scared, they won’t bother us.”

“You can sense fear?”

“Every predator can. That’s how you distinguish prey from your own.”

They slowly moved away from the camp, heading towards the forest’s edge. But after they made some distance, Phisola raised her hand up, halting again. Seeing that Eric had stopped too, she gesticulated for him to follow before taking cover in nearby bushes.

“There is someone in front of us. Don’t move,” she whispered in his ear.

“A beast or …”

“Don’t talk.”

They waited in the bush for a few moments, after which they started hearing a lively conversation in front of them. It was a mix of male and female voices, slowly growing louder and louder.

“They’re approaching us,” Phisola whispered, “Don’t move.”

“Ok.”

The conversation grew louder, and soon, three figures emerged in front of them, one of which looked more like an animal than a person to Eric. It was the smallest one, with a squeaky female voice. And while it did walk on two legs like a human, it had the furry head of an animal. Of an animal that Eric knew as a cat, to be precise. Only the head with its dirty-yellow fur and large, green eyes was visible though, as its body was covered in full-body leather armor, with the feline tail swishing happily behind it.

Next to it stood moving armor, noticeably taller than the feline. Eric couldn’t make much from it since the whole figure was covered in full-plate armor, together with the one-piece, metal helmet that only had tiny slits for the eyes and nothing else. The armored figure carried a large shield in its left hand and a long sword in the right.

And next to the armor was a creature that Eric easily recognized as … an elf. A typical female elf he saw on so many game posters back home, back when he still had some time for video games. She was even taller than the warrior next to her and was mostly covered by the grey cloak with some arabesque-style, white decorations. Still, leather armor similar to that of the feline was visible underneath it, especially from the waist down. She had brown skin, while her silver hair was tied into a neat bun. She held a bow in her left hand while carrying some prey in her right, letting it dangle over the shoulder.

Eric realized they would get very close, but not close enough to run into them. Phisola made the right choice moving them to the side, into the bush. Not only did they get out of the way on time, but the bush also did a great job of concealing them in the dim lighting of the cave.

The small group got close, to their left, with the feline being the closest one to them. It was the loudest one in the group by far, its cheery, squeaky voice dominating to the point it sounded more like a monologue than a conversation.

And right when they were supposed to pass them by, the feline suddenly turned its head towards Eric, staring him dead in his eyes with a shocked expression.