As we get deeper into the nest, the darker and creepier the ambiance noises get. But the howling and screaming can still be heard. Fortunately, my new stats helped us got away from the demonic wolves. I was now twice as fast with faster stamina regeneration.

My goal is to find another way out or find a light source, either from a hole in the cave ceilings or light crystals. I am currently holding the torch from the guy that I had killed, and although it will still take a while for it to burn out, it might disappear without us finding our way out.

I looked over my stamina.

Stamina: 32 / 150

“I’ll take a rest here.”(Daniel)

My shoulders are aching, and my back was hurting from running with her on my back. I brought her down gently and used my lap to act as a pillow. She was shivering from the cold due to the lack of sunlight and heat coming with the wind from the outside. The further we get into the cave, the colder it will be. But there is still hope.

Since this whole underground system is a nest, this path is bound to be connected to another, increasing the chance we find our way to the outside world. But time is running short. The demonic wolves will surely catch up on us, and not only that, but the path that we may find can be the way into the labyrinth, which even the weakest demonic beasts are enough to eradicate the entire LP students.

Stamina: 40 / 150

‘Dang…. With this regeneration speed, it’ll take another ten minutes for my stamina to replenish fully.’(Daniel). I thought as I stroked Julia’s forehead and lightly slapped her cheeks. I was trying to wake her up, but not to the point that she’ll scream.

After another five minutes of trying and she had finally woken up. I sigh in relief. But I remembered that I’d only leave her behind if I do not carry her. If we could find other groups of students, we could team up, and if the worse had come, I can use them as baits and escape with Julia.

Grandfather had told me that all life is precious and equal, but why do I not feel that way? Right now, Julia is much more important than the students that we might encounter. Am I weird for thinking this? As I was thinking to myself, the woken up Julia finally talked.

“D-daniel. Sniff. Are we dead?”(Julia). She was trembling, but now I can’t tell if it was still from the cold or fear. Maybe it was both.

“No, we won’t die. Didn’t I promised to protect you in this situation.”(Daniel)

She looked at our surroundings. It was dark, and there are eerie noises that can be heard in all directions. The screaming and howling are faint but are still around. With further inspection, there are bugs on the floor and walls. Luckily for us, I picked a spot where there are none.

“What happened to the other guy who was with us?”(Julia). She was looking confused and scared. She probably thought that in this situation, the more, the better the chance of surviving.

“I… He fell when we were trying to run away from the demonic wolves. I tried to give him my hand, but it was already too late. I was still carrying you, so I ran away without helping him.”(Daniel). I lied to her. She doesn’t need to know what had really happened. At first, I thought that she might feel responsible, but I lied. She might hate me if she finds out. And I don’t want that to happen.

“I see. I’m sorry. If it wasn’t for me…”(Julia). She was sobbing with tears in her eyes. Guilt rushed towards my chest for lying. She probably felt the same way for thinking it was her fault he died.

If we met another group, I’d have to knock her out and use the others as baits. My priority is our survival, OUR. It was good that Josh and the others had already reached the soldiers at the other side because if they haven’t. It would affect me even more if they were the ones I had to sacrifice.

“Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t your fault. Remember, none of this would have happened if the earthquake did not occur. Tell yourself this. I’m innocent. WE’RE innocent.”(Daniel). I rubbed her forehead with my hand, further calming her down.

“You’re right. If I die here. If I break down here. I won’t be able to get justice for my brother and punish those Null or any others who also uses their powers for evil.”(Julia). Her eyes shone brightly again. She slowly got up with a determined face.

“That’s right. You have to punish those who are evil. Someday, you will shine brightly and will save a lot of people. Compared to that, this is nothing to you.”(Daniel). If you use your power to protect the others, I will use mine to protect you.

“Daniel, thanks. I don’t know if I would be still alive or in the same mind if it weren’t for you. You really saved me this time. Maybe you’re not just a little brother material after all.”(Julia)

“Material?”(Daniel)

“No-nothing… Forget about that.”(Julia). She avoided my eyes and looked in the other direction. Her face was turning pinkish, and her hand was getting warmer. Did she get sick from the temperature? This isn’t good.

“I see. It’s been nine minutes. Let’s start to move. Here, get on my back.”(Daniel). I stood up and lowered my back, allowing her to get on my back quickly and comfortably.

“I can’t… You’ve already done enough. I can move on my own now.”(Julia). She said as she scratches her left cheek. But I can’t let her walk by herself yet. It will be faster if I carry her instead.

“No. Julia, get on my back. It will be faster. And I could still see you shivering from cold. Save your energy for when we need it.”(Daniel). I looked at her directly into her eyes with a serious expression.

“O-okay.”(Julia). After she got on my back, I started running again. She is now lighter than before and was currently holding the torch, further lessening the burden. But I can’t let my guard down yet. Sooner or later, they will catch up.

After five minutes of running, we finally reached another path that can either lead us outside or doom. But I cannot decide if I should pick left or right.

“Go near each entrance. We’ll use the torch to detect the wind currents.”(Julia)

“You’re a genius! I never even thought of that.”(Daniel). I put her down to her feet, and she slowly made her way towards the left entrance.

“Anything?”(Daniel). I whispered, trying not to blow on the torch with my breath accidentally.

She stood there for a minute before shaking her head. She then walked towards the other entrance and waited patiently. Not even ten seconds later, the torch began moving. It was only light pushes but was enough to tell us that it’s the way out. I carried her again on my back and ran in that direction.

“How are you not tired yet while running at such speed?”(Julia). She asked me while she uses my nape to cover her face from small flying insects.

“Well….”(Daniel). I wondered what answer would be normal and acceptable. I can’t just tell her that I have this secret bloodline that only I can see. Not yet.

“Because… I got my strength… Because… Because I wanted to protect you. I didn’t want to lose you? I guess.”(Daniel). It is an honest response, just without the other kinds of stuff.

“Is that a question or an answer?”(Julia)

“An answer.”(Daniel). She pinched me hard and burrowed her face deeper into my nape.

“Y-you can’t say that. Not in this situation.”(Julia)

“I-I see.”(Daniel)

We got further down into our chosen path, but we started hearing grunts, screams and howling. This may have been a bad choice.

“What do we do?”(Julia)

“We should get ba-”(Daniel). As I was about to finish my words, we heard the echoes of growling and footsteps catching up to us.

“Damn! They’re here!”(Daniel). I was thinking of what to do. I can’t do my plan with Julia awake. Then I remembered.

‘Job skills!’(Daniel). Last night, when trying to find out more about the system, it told me that I would learn skills/spells that come with the chosen job. And sometimes, depending on what job I pick next, a skill(s) might get an upgrade.

‘System, what are the skills included with the hunter job!’(Daniel). I asked the system as I run towards where we can hear the fighting at.

-Hawkeye.Lvl1- Increases DEX and reaction time for a short period of time.

-Survival.Lvl1- Remove all Lvl1 or lower debuffs and increases health and stamina recovery.

-Passive-Bow Mastery.Lvl1- Increases AGI, STR, and DEX, when wielding a bow.

-Tranquilizing Shot.Lvl1- Easing the target’s mind and loss of consciousness.

Julia’s bow isn’t here with us, so the only weapons we got are the sword on my waist and her sword on hers. Tranquilizing Shot is definitely the one I need, but we do not have a bow.

‘Wait a minute. She still has her arrows with her! I don’t need the bow for the shot!’(Daniel). I stopped and looked over her back.

There it is! There are only three arrows left, though. The others must have fallen when we were trying to get away.

“What are you doing? They’re catching up.”(Julia). She said as I took an arrow from her back. I then used the Tranquilizing Shot and stabbed her lightly. Enough to pierce to her flesh, but light enough for fast recovery.

“Wha-what are you…”(Julia). She fell asleep.

Now I can execute my plan!

I hurriedly run towards the noises, and I was right. About six students are fighting eight demonic wolves. Around them are bodies from both sides. The students are currently surrounded and seems to be having a hard time escaping from the demonic beasts.

I used Hawkeye, then grabbed all the arrows we have, including the one I used to stab Julia with. I went towards the students, they seemed to be happy when they saw me, but only because they don’t know what I will be doing.

Everything was going into slow motion with the Hawkeye activated. This gives me a good chance that I’ll hit them with the arrows. They are holding their ground against eight demonic wolves, and if I help them, they will retreat, causing my plan to fail.

I threw two arrows towards the wolves and one towards the students. This will make it look like I did this on accident. And even when two wolves are down, they won’t be able to move freely as they lost one student defending their back.

‘Good! This is good! One’s the demonic beasts that were chasing us saw them. They’ll change their target and will forget about us.’(Daniel). I thought to myself while I unknowingly smiled. I didn’t smile on purpose, but it felt good when I knew my plan would work.

“Hey you! Don’t leave us! Help us! Please!”(Random Girl A)

“Please! We don’t want to die!”(Random Guy C)

‘Shut up! We don’t want to die either! I’m not doing this on purpose!’(Daniel). I thought as I clicked my tongue.

“Kyaahhh!”(Random Girl B)

“What?!!? There’s more of them!”(Random Guy C)

“He was leading them to us! IF I SURVIVE THIS! YOU WILL PAY! Agh!”(Random Guy C)

I looked back at them. The demonic wolves that were following us had attacked them instead. There are now more than twenty demonic wolves in that area, and it is now ripping them all apart.

“Hah! Let’s see if you survive that.”(Daniel). I continued making my way towards the exit. I continued running until I see a light. It had probably taken me over 10 minutes right after I left them my gifts.

I could see a UDA soldier resting at the entrance with lots of dead bodies around him. Some are students but mostly demonic wolves.

“Sir! Sir! Please help the others inside! Sniff”(Daniel). I faked my sob.

“They helped us make our way out and was now fighting a horde of demonic wolves!”(Daniel). If I do this, it will be less likely to determine that I played a big part in the student’s demise.

“What! Damn it! Because of the sudden increase in the demonic beasts that we got our hands busy. Where are they?”(UDA soldier A)

“Just straight inside, Sir!”(Daniel). The soldier was then about to start running inside. But I can’t let him get to them yet! If he got inside and one of them managed to survive. It will be my doom. I have to buy time.

“Sir! What is happening?! What are the earthquakes that we felt earlier?”(Daniel). I grabbed his right arm and gripped with my hands tightly.

“What? This is confidential! Now let go!”(UDA soldier A)

“But sir! We deserved to know! My friends who were trapped inside deserved to know! Please!”(Daniel). I pleaded to him with tearful eyes. He stopped moving for a few seconds and talked again.

“Null members were here. It was Density, she caused the earthquakes. We don’t know why they’re here, but they’re the cause of all of this. I’m sorry. If only we have done a better job. Then maybe you and your friends didn’t have to experience this tragedy.”(UDA soldier A). His voice was trembling slightly. He cares so much about the students’ lives, even if we’re the LP students.

‘I guess I bought enough time.”(Daniel). I let go of his arm, and when I did, he started running inside.

I stood there and thought about what my grandfather had said. “All lives are precious and equal.”. All this time, my grandparents had been teaching me the value of one’s life. Although I understand what they mean, and I agree. But you're also mistaken, grandfather. Since right now, I’d rather sacrifice all LP students than lose my friends, especially Julia. I then saw more soldiers coming to our location, and one of them started leading us to the cabin.

Where my friends have been waiting for us, and also where we will be safe.