Chapter 24 - Escape 6
According to the ga, Lia was the one who drew Zoli’s attention to a mine, where she held off the pursuers. Elite infantry under Zoli stord the mine and trapped her inside.
I had sohow replicated the scenario, but here were the problems.
First, I wasn’t Lia. I wasn’t a level 4 wind musou knight. I didn’t have the elental advantage, nor could I stand toe to toe with Zoli, a level 5 earth heavy knight.
Second, I was a level 2 fire knight. Level 2 Fire Knight versus Level 5 Earth Heavy Knight? That wasn’t a duel. That was suicide with extra steps.
Still, I didn’t stop at the entry area. I plunged deeper into the maze of the mine, inviting Zoli into my battleground.
"YOU CAN’T HIDE, YOU LITTLE INSECT!"
His taunt echoed through the tunnels as he kicked a minecart aside.
"Co here and get it, you pig!" I shouted back, because apparently my survival instinct had taken the night off.
"YOU THINK I’M AFRAID OF YOU?!"
Whoops. The counter-taunt was super effective. He stomped into the tunnel like a raging bull.
I laughed dryly and scrambled forward. I ran into a fork. The left path followed the rail track, while the right was narrower. A gust of wind blew through the right tunnel periodically.
I took the right path. While running, I unsealed the jar tucked under my arm and drank a mouthful of wine. The tunnel narrowed until the jar barely fit between the walls. Still, this was the right direction.
Zoli was right behind , but his bulk and armor prevented him from squeezing through.
This was only a temporary asure. I knew I couldn’t stall him forever.
"BASTARD! YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE?!"
The fatty finally turned around to fetch his giant hamr. He would probably try to break the walls, just like in the ga when he chased Lia.
I stopped looking back and focused on the path ahead.
After another 200 ters, the ceiling dropped lower, squeezing into claustrophobic misery. Cow-Cow abandoned my head, hopping onto the ground and running in front of .
I crouched, the ceiling barely a ter tall.
BOOM.
The cave shook. As I feared, Zoli was smashing through the walls to reach . This felt like I was a character in a horror movie now.
I crawled faster. Sharp rocks scraped my knees, shins, hands, and back. This reminded of the ti when I was escaping the mass grave. Very adrenaline, much panic, wow.
Light appeared ahead. Not Cow-Cow’s fire, but blue.
We stumbled into a do cavern. Stalactites hung from above. Stalagmites jutted from below. The ceiling soared fifteen ters high. Blue crystals embedded in the rock glowed, but everything in the room slled like burned pepper.
These minerals were this musou world’s unique ores — Caerulex. In the ga, these ores were pri ingredients for gemstones, which could be used to enhance weapons and other equipnt. However, these raw ores had a dangerous property.
I smirked. Even the ore’s location matched the ga scenario, though I had entered from the exit route.
I grabbed Cow-Cow by the neck and pushed through the stalagmite maze. I had to prepare the trap that Lia used in the ga.
At the far side, a cave opening waited three ters above. I would have to climb to continue making my way to the exit, or the real entrance to the stage.
"Cow-Cow, go up and wait for !"
I swung him upward. He panicked, flapping his chubby wings. He managed to land inside. He peeked down and yelled, warning .
After sending Cow-Cow up, I climbed a stalagmite. It was not to escape, but to gain a foothold and face the path I had co from.
BOOM!
Zoli blasted through the walls, entering the cavern. Soldiers carrying torches poured in behind him.
Of course he wouldn’t chase alone. This cunning bully never made things easy.
"THERE YOU ARE!!"
Zoli spotted instantly. Soldiers raised their torches.
"SURRENDER AND TELL WHERE THE PRINCESS IS! THEN, I’LL ALLOW YOU TO HAVE YOUR WAY WITH HER!"
Please stop yelling in caps. I knew he wanted my ass, but this was cringe. Also, I wasn’t interested in that silicone woman. Did he think I got horny looking at artificial MMD models young enough to be my daughters?
I pretended to chug wine and raised a middle finger.
"Instead of that, how about we settle this like proper knights? Duel , you pig!"
This move was suicidal, but I knew he wouldn’t refuse. I secretly crenched the dragon seal in my pocket, preparing for the worst.
Zoli burst into laughter. He dropped his hamr to clap.
"FINE! YOU AND ! BRING IT! YOU LOTS, BACK OFF!"
The soldiers stepped away, gathering at the cavern entrance.
Zoli stomped the ground, stepping onto a stalagmite. As soon as he landed, the earth shifted. Stalactites morphed into a solid circular platform, rising five ters high.
The platform trapped us together. Behind yawned a cliff with sharp stalagmites waiting below. Blue ore veins glowed faintly in the floor. Zoli didn’t seem to know what raw Caerulex stones could do.
Zoli removed his helt, revealing a pointy, zit-covered face. Honestly, he looked like Jabba from a certain sci-fi movie, if Jabba had hair.
The giant smirked and raised his hand. His hamr flew back into his grip.
"I’M ZOLI DIRIPIO, THE GREAT GENERAL OF AVARITIA! STATE YOUR NA, INSECT!"
I told you. Stop yelling in caps.
I shook my head, discarding unnecessary thoughts. Placing the wine jar on the ground, I lifted my sword, saluted, and announced my identity.
"Hercules, son of Zeus!"
"Suss? Who?!"
"Your father!"
Zoli sneered, "You dare mock , vermin? Do you think you can leave after you mocked ?"
I tilted my head and snorted. "Haven’t you noticed? The princess isn’t here. Actually, I did try to flee, but you didn’t let . Now, you’re stuck with while your lovely princess is gone."
"...I see. You’ve baited . Bravo!"
Zoli burst into laughter. However, his cold eyes were full of murderous aura.
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