Chapter 177: The most difficult mission?

Once again, I returned to the Subterranean World.

This time, however, there was none of the nervousness I had felt during my first visit. On the contrary.

I was eager.

For the elite acolytes of the training camp, every advancement along the path of magic was achieved by stepping over the bones of those who were left behind.

I was no different.

If I truly wanted to level up as quickly as possible, I needed to fight.

I needed to face real dangers. I needed to feast upon the resources left behind by those unfortunate enough to become my enemies.

However, the situation was no longer the same as last time.

Adrian’s accidental death and Monak’s severe injuries had left a deep mark on all of us.

That mission had shown us, in the worst way possible, just how dangerous the Subterranean World was.

Therefore, when we arrived at the temporary frontline camp, we began a long discussion about how we should proceed.

After all, one of us had died.

And another had nearly followed the same path.

Monak was still suffering from the effects of the battle.

The wounds on his flesh had healed some time ago, but several treacherous curses had penetrated deep into his body. They were not simple injuries that a potion or healing technique could resolve.

For several days, Monak had needed to focus exclusively on expelling them.

Fortunately, he had managed to dissipate them all.

Even so, his body had been severely damaged and could not return to its peak in such a short time.

At that moment, although he was still a Pseudo-Mage, his strength could only be considered that of a Consolidated Level 2 acolyte.

That was a problem.

The team’s overall strength had decreased.

And I could feel that this had shaken the confidence of some members.

Some of the more conservative members argued that we should complete the missions as a full team.

Even if that meant tripling or even quadrupling the necessary time.

It was, without a doubt, the safest alternative.

After all, those bastards living in the depths probably wouldn’t dare ambush a team composed of three Pseudo-Mages and five Level 3 acolytes.

The suggestion had come from Elara.

And most of them immediately agreed.

Sitting before the temporary campfire, I watched the flames dance across the faces of my companions. The orange light partially illuminated their features, while the shadows concealed the rest.

Elara, however, did not hide her determination.

—We can no longer reduce our overall strength.

—If we lose another team member this time, our situation will be even worse on the next mission.

—Therefore, losing some time is necessary. Only then can we guarantee that we will complete this mission safely.

—That makes perfect sense, I like this plan.

—I think Elara is right.

—I agree.

Selene, Kael, and Rowan immediately supported the proposal.

I remained silent.

So did Ruby.

She was hiding somewhere in the nearby shadows, as she usually did.

The only person who had not yet expressed her opinion was Lyra.

She remained motionless beside a large rock, in a region the campfire’s light could never reach.

As the team leader, everyone naturally turned their gazes toward her.

Lyra slowly raised her head.

Her bright eyes swept over each of us.

That was when I noticed something.

She had changed.

I didn’t know exactly what.

It was an extremely subtle transformation.

Her appearance was practically the same, but there was something different about her presence. A strange sensation that I couldn’t identify.

Lyra finally looked away.

She seemed about to announce her decision when a voice interrupted the silence.

—If you want to carry out the missions in a large group, you can do so.

—But Ruby my hot and gorgeous blood fairy and I will only complete one mission.

My own voice echoed through the camp.

The silence that followed was almost amusing.

Everyone looked at me.

I didn’t care.

Until recently, they probably considered me a dead weight.

Now I had just advanced to Level 3.

Of course, I knew perfectly well what they were thinking.

A newly advanced Level 3 acolyte wasn’t necessarily much stronger than a Level 2 acolyte at the peak of their consolidation.

The biggest initial difference was the amount of mana.

To turn that new power into true strength, I would still need time and resources.

But that didn’t mean I intended to fall behind.

Lyra was the first to speak.

—Are you sure you know what you’re saying?

Her voice was deep and strange.

It didn’t sound like a direct threat, but an invisible pressure began to fill the surroundings.

I could feel her energy.

Before I could answer, Elara lost her patience.

—Newly advanced, shut your mouth and stay out of it!

—This is not a place for you to speak.

—If you really only want one mission, why don’t you go to the deepest cave with your girlfriend?

I looked directly at her.

Then I replied:

—Fine.

—We’ll take the longest mission available in the deepest cave of the Subterranean World.

Elara froze.

—You... what did you just say?

—I said that Ruby and I will complete the most difficult mission.

—Then we’ll immediately return to the Tower.

I tilted my head slightly.

—You can continue at your own pace and slowly visit the other mission locations.

—Arrogant...

This time, it wasn’t only Elara who reacted.

Even the two Pseudo-Mages raised their heads.

Everyone began examining me carefully.

I could feel their magical senses sweeping across my body.

Then a question arose in their minds.

Did I have some kind of trump card?

Or was Ruby the true reason behind my confidence?

Their gazes turned toward her.

Lyra finally asked:

—Did you agree with his suggestion?

Ruby slowly emerged from the shadows.

Her red aura began to spread throughout the camp.

A smile appeared on her lips.

—Yes.

She walked toward Lyra.

—Give us the mission’s item.

Ruby extended her right hand.

Her pale palm contrasted intensely with the darkness around her.

Lyra remained silent for a few seconds.

Then she took out a magical item.

It looked like a small rune.

She tossed it to Ruby.

Ruby caught it easily.

She concentrated her mana on the object and carefully verified its authenticity.

After a few seconds, she nodded in satisfaction.

She put the rune away.

Then she turned around and began walking toward the dark, winding tunnel.

I followed her.

However, before we had taken more than a few steps, Lyra called out to us.

—Wait.

I stopped.

She continued.

—If you die, we’ll be in an extremely unfavorable situation during the next mission. So, take this as well.

Lyra extended her hand.

This time, the object she handed to Ruby was a small crystal vial.

Inside it was a glowing sphere, surrounded by an almost transparent liquid substance.

Ruby received the vial.

Her expression immediately changed.

When she realized exactly what it was, her eyes widened slightly.

Then she looked at Lyra.

The two exchanged a silent glance.

Ruby finally smiled.

—Thank you.

She carefully put the potion away.

Then she added.

—I owe you a favor.

Without saying anything else, Ruby turned toward the tunnel.

I followed her.

As we advanced, the light from the campfire disappeared behind us.

The sound of the team’s voices grew more and more distant.

The darkness swallowed us.

...

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