----------------------------------------

Following the direction El had last pointed out. Each step echoed faintly, and I winced, knowing that stealth was my only shield down here, I kept to the shadows, the damp stone walls pressing in on either side.

The path was rough, twisted in places, as if it had been chiseled out by claws rather than tools. The air was stale, each breath thick with the earthy scent of moss and mildew. I forced myself to ignore the tightening in my chest, the prickling awareness that this entire escape plan relied on a half-remembered sketch and whatever scraps of El’s knowledge he’d left behind.

Not that I didn’t trust him. Still, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he’d “forgotten” a few crucial details—like the reason the only escape route just happened to be near a monstrous boss-type creature.

Because of course, it was. Apparently, if there’s a hellish, near-impossible path out of this place, that’s the one I get to take.

With a sigh, I paused and pulled out the page from my ring, ducking low and lighting a torch so I could examine it under the faint orange glow. His sketch wasn’t exactly what I’d call reassuring. A few scattered lines, crude outlines of landmarks, but the essential details were there—or at least as close to “essential” as El’s sketching skills allowed.

“Alright… let’s break this down,” I muttered to myself, squinting as I turned the paper in different angles, hoping for some hidden clarity that never materialized.

At the center of the cave, marked with a dark, heavy line, was a large crystal of some kind. El had scrawled something like “boss” near it, the word barely legible, the ink smudged and faint. So, the creature wasn’t just near the crystal—it was sort of guarding it??.

Great. Around the crystal, he’d marked little dots that I could only assume were smaller monsters, scattered like a field of mines across the cavern floor. My eyes traced the path he’d drawn, a shaky line that wound around the crystal, curving in a wide arc to avoid what looked like the densest clusters of monsters.

And then, in the far corner of the map, a single ‘X’ stood out, scratched into the rock face like a beacon of hope—or maybe doom. Next to it, a faint line squiggled downward, with a small symbol that vaguely resembles waves.

I exhaled sharply. Of course, the exit would be underwater. Because why not add the possibility of drowning to the list of dangers? Just once, I’d like things to be straightforward. But no—here I was, planning to sneak past a horde of monsters, slip by a boss, and swim through some underwater passage, all without getting myself killed.

Stuffing the paper back into the ring, I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tension in my shoulders.

Focus, Lexi. One step at a time.

I moved forward, my steps silent, calculated.

The crystal would be the key landmark, unmistakable even in the dark depths of the cave. With any luck, I could stay far enough from the boss and its minions to avoid detection.

And if I couldn’t… Well, that wasn’t a scenario I wanted to dwell on.

Then, up ahead, a faint sound caught my attention—a low, rumbling noise, the kind that could easily be mistaken for shifting earth, if not for the strange, rhythmic quality.

I froze, instinct taking over as I dropped into a crouch, my body pressed low against the rough ground. Notics armor responded instantly, amplifying the silence of my movements, blending me into the shadows.

I strained my ears, focusing on the sound. It was faint, barely audible, but unmistakable—growls, deep and guttural, layered with a faint scraping that could only mean claws against the stone. My heartbeat quickened, a rush of adrenaline flooding my veins, sharpening my senses. The monsters were close, possibly just around the next bend, and by the sound of it, they weren’t alone.

Slowly, carefully, I inched forward. Every step felt measured, and deliberate, each one bringing me closer to the source of the noise.

Crouched in the darkness, I could feel every heartbeat thrumming in my ears, each one a steady countdown to the clash I knew was coming.

The passage was cold and damp, pressing in around me, amplifying every distant snarl, every scrape of claws on stone. I stretched my senses to their limit, Exira coursing through my body, sharpening my awareness until every sound, every flicker of movement, was like a spark against my nerves.

Sounds are getting close. Probably more than one.

The rumble of their growls echoed, growing louder with each passing second.

No wait… the monsters are running toward me…hmm

Moving forward, still crouched, I eased my way into a slightly more open section of the cave. Here, I had room to maneuver, space to strike without getting boxed in. I let Exira expand, feeding it through my limbs, flooding my eyes, and strengthening the very core of my senses until it felt as if my body had become one seamless weapon, honed, lethal. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself, my focus sharpening to a razor’s edge.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Not cheesing the fight with Exira…well not unless I can manage, I’ll just hone my weapons with Exira.

Just skill. Just the blade and what I can do with it.

With Exira humming in my veins, I slowly unhooked my torch, snuffing it out in one swift motion and sliding it back into my belt. I dropped my sword quietly on the ground and slipped out the rod I’d kept sheathed on my back. With a quick flick of my wrist, the rod extended, morphing smoothly into a spear, the weight solid and familiar in my grip. I took a deep breath, steadying my heartbeat, feeling every muscle tense, every nerve sing with anticipation.

Taking a few deep breaths, I calmed my mind and centered myself, entering a battle trance

Stretching my arm back, I shifted into a throwing posture, muscles coiled, body aligned, every inch of me primed to strike. Exira pulsed through the spear, crackling in faint purple sparks along the shaft, sharpening the weapon’s edge, and strengthening its weight.

Seconds stretched into eternity as I waited, every sense focused, every ounce of my will channeling into that one point of release.

Then—movement.

A burst of noise erupted from the passageway to my side as two hulking forms dashed into view, their mottled skin glistening in the dim light, fangs bared, claws extended, tearing forward with mindless aggression. They hadn’t seen me yet, their eyes fixed forward.

Fuuu~

I released the spear, my breath catching as it left my hand, Exira propelling it forward with deadly speed.

Swish.

The spear flew, leaving a faint purple trail as it arced through the air, embedding itself with a crackling burst straight into the chest of the first creature. The impact was enough to lift it off its feet, sending it crashing back against the cave wall with a sickening thud. The spear pinned it there, sparking with Exira’s power, the creature’s limbs twitching in spasms as the glow faded from its eyes.

Now…fuu

The second monster froze, staring at its fallen kin, momentarily stunned by the sudden death. I didn’t waste a second. Grabbing my sword from the ground, I poured Exira into the blade, feeling it hum to life, a faint violet glow emanating along its edge as I bolted toward the creature.

It turned, its eyes narrowing, a snarl escaping its throat as it swiped at me with a heavy claw. The swing was fast, but I was faster, ducking under it, my shield rising instinctively to meet the attack.

Clang.

Sparks flew as claws met metal, the impact reverberating up my arm, but I held steady, forcing the creature off balance.

I didn’t hesitate, switching my grip on the sword, and sliding seamlessly into a thrusting stance. I drove the blade forward, Exira’s power burning along its edge as it sank deep into the creature’s flesh.

A howl tore from its throat, an ear-splitting wail that filled the cavern, raw and furious, but I didn’t let up. I twisted the blade, cutting deeper, severing muscle, shattering bone, until the fight in the creature faded, its weight collapsing to the ground with a final shudder.

Its corpse slumped at my feet, lifeless, blood pooling around it. I exhaled sharply, adrenaline still surging, my grip tightening on the hilt as I scanned the shadows.

Then, a low growl echoed through the cave, rough and ragged, dragging my attention back to the first creature. It was still alive—or barely. The monster had managed to wrench itself free from the spear, stumbling forward, blood pouring from the wound in its chest. Its breaths came in weak, wheezing gasps, but its eyes were locked on me, burning with the last embers of defiance.

It staggered forward, its body heaving, mouth open in a snarl that was half-roar, half-dying scream.

Alright, I thought, shifting into a battle stance, sword raised, eyes steady on my opponent. One more time.

Hold…

The creature lunged, throwing its entire weight into one last desperate attack, claws extended, teeth bared in a furious snarl.

Now

I sidestepped, sliding my foot forward in a half-circle, keeping my balance as I pivoted, swinging my blade in a swift, clean arc. The edge sliced through its neck, smooth and fast, the blade’s Exira-infused glow leaving a faint trail in the air as it passed.

Slash. Thud.

The monster’s head rolled, hitting the ground with a heavy, final thump, its eyes staring blankly into nothingness. Its body followed, collapsing into a lifeless heap, the last remnants of rage flickering out like a snuffed candle.

I took a deep breath, letting the tension seep from my muscles as the cave fell silent once more. The echoes of the fight faded, leaving only the faint drip of water and the dull throb of my heartbeat pounding in my ears. The entire battle had lasted mere moments—a flash of movement, steel, and Exira—but the weight of it lingered, pressing down on me.

I retrieved the spear from where it was still embedded in the wall, wiping the blood off on my sleeve before retracting it back to its compact form.

Hmm…fuu did well I think…

I glanced down at the corpses, their twisted forms lying motionless on the stone floor, the faint smell of blood and death hanging in the air.

The creatures hadn’t stood a chance. But then again, neither would I if I had been a fraction of a second slower if I’d hesitated even once.

I wiped my sword and sheathed it, my gaze traveling across the darkened cavern. No sound, no movement. I let my guard down just a fraction, but the sense of unease remained, a lingering reminder that this was just the start.

The boss monster El had warned about still lay ahead, waiting, somewhere in the depths of the cave, guarding that crystal and the only way out.

----------------------------------------