Seeker 127

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Chapter 127. Cave

After defeating seven orcs in the village, some time passed. 

Amidst the continuous drizzle, we, who had left the village, had arrived at the cave entrance where the orcs were said to have made their lair.

"The cave might still have some orcs remaining. Please take care, esteemed adventurers."

One of the villagers who had guided us to the cave said before returning to the village. 

Only three of us were left behind, Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and me.

After dealing with the orcs that attacked the village and hearing the situation from the village chief, we come here to finish off the remaining orcs and investigate the missing adventurers.

"The villagers didn't know the situation." 

I chuckled while receiving an unlit lamp from Yuzuki.

"It certainly seems that way. Information like 'Orcs have settled in the cave.', 'We requested an adventurer from the guild to exterminate the orcs.', and 'The adventurer who entered this cave didn't come back' hasn't changed from what we know. [Fire Weapon]!" 

Yuzuki enchanted my spear with magic fire.

Using that flame, I gently lit the lamp. 

The light illuminated the dark depths of the cave. 

The tunnel, rough and rocky, continued far into the distance from the entrance.

We cautiously ventured into the cave, feeling the slightly chilly air brushing against our skin, different from the humid warmth outside.

"If she went into the cave and didn't return... it means something happened further ahead." 

Kazane-san whispered in a tense voice, walking beside me.

"It's only natural to think that. But we have no idea what happened."

"A-Are you okay, senpai...? I-I'm starting to get scared if you put it like that." 

A slightly trembling Yuzuki said.

Her hand gripped my clothes tightly.

"I can't help it if there might be ghosts!"

"I-If you say that, it makes me even more scared! I'm not good with such things!"

"Considering the situation, Daichi-kun, you're surprisingly calm. You've got guts."

"Even though I may not look like it, I'm still a guy."

"Wow, I can rely on you. Can I cling to your right arm, Daichi-kun?"

"Huh...? Uh, sure. But let go when the fighting starts, okay?"

"Yay, that puts me at ease. Hug♪"

"U-Um, me too! I'll cling to senpai's left arm! Hishh!"

"It's hard to move... You two know this, but don't let your guard down."

""Okay.""

While exchanging such relaxed banter, we continued to advance through the cave. 

After a while, we reached a point where the cave split into two paths.

One leading to the left and the other to the right.

"Kazane-san, do you sense any monster presence in either direction?"

"Hmm... I faintly sense something in the left direction."

"Alright, let's head left for now."

We proceeded down the left path and soon encountered 3 orcs.

However, we have easily defeated them without any issues. 

As we picked up the magic stones dropped by the defeated orcs, Kazane-san murmured.

"Even if we were solo adventurers, we wouldn't have any trouble with these small fries at level 25."

"Yeah, that's right. Even if I ran out of MP, I could still beat them down with my staff."

"The most frightening thing is the unknown..."

Since the cave continued further ahead, we kept moving. 

This time, we encountered four orcs, one of which was a higher-ranked orc mage. 

Nevertheless, we defeated them effortlessly as well.

Eventually, the cave led to a dead-end.

"It looks like this is the end here."

"Next, we should check the right path from the previous split. Wonder if there are more orcs over there?"

"We should consider other possibilities as well. Let's stay alert and proceed."

"Okay."

We turned back and headed towards the right side of the split. 

As we cautiously advanced, we eventually reached a place that resembled a small room. 

We could see another passage leading further ahead on the other side of the room.

"No orcs here... and no other presence either."

"Let's move on. I've said it multiple times, but don't let your guard down."

"Yeah, yeah. It's like you're being a nag~."

We traversed the chamber and headed toward the passage beyond when suddenly.

"""Huh...?"""

A shimmering magic circle appeared on the floor of the cave's chamber. 

It looked like a teleportation magic circle we had seen somewhere before.

"""A teleportation magic circle!?"""

A blinding white light enveloped my vision.