The figure emerging from the sky was an elderly man with striking crimson hair.
"Humph, no matter your talent, you are but a toy before a true Magus. I might not be able to eliminate you directly, but there are other means. Your secrets will soon be mine."
Erick gazed at the cave where Zatiel had disappeared, his visage a cocktail of anger and jealousy. Zatiel's youth held the promise of ascension to Magus status in the near horizon. Erick, on the other hand, was nearing the sunset of his life, with no hope of advancing to a rank 2 magus.
'Although Clyde poses a threat, if I obliterate all traces of my involvement, he'll be devoid of evidence. The family patriarch won't permit him to harm me.'
He exuded a menacing aura, pondering the fates of the pawns he'd manipulated.
...
The Magi World was vast, its depths rivalling its surface. The world was stratified, and while the surface was most hospitable, the subterranean layers teemed with life and civilizations, including non-human entities who had chosen this realm.
Those seeking refuge from the three dominant powers above often settled here.
These depths were colloquially termed the Underground Zone, despite each layer having its distinct name.
Zatiel and Sophia ventured towards the first layer. Despite the cave's darkness, their unique attributes allowed them unimpeded vision.
'That timorous elder wouldn't confront me head-on. He must have conspired with the denizens here. As for how he knew of my descent here, a tower informant must be the mole.'
Cold fury glinted in Zatiel's eyes, angered by these shadowy machinations.
'Previously, I merely aimed to end you, but now, "He" might find pleasure in feasting on a Rank 1 Magus.'
As Zatiel was lost in thought, Sophia's voice broke his reverie.
"What's wrong?"
Zatiel, baffled by her inquiry, tried to gauge their surroundings for threats.
"You've been acting peculiar since we entered. Is everything alright?"
Sophia's concern was evident, fearing Zatiel might be compromised.
"I apologize. Some matters are harder to shake off. Rest assured, I'm unharmed." Zatiel's demeanor returned to its familiar calm.
Sophia, though puzzled by his words, didn't press further.
Zatiel grappled with his feelings. It was vexing to know a Rank 1 Magus plotted against him when once he wielded the power to alter destinies. But dwelling in the past wasn't his style. He promptly refocused.
Hours later, they emerged into the Wastelands, the first stratum of the Underground. The vast expanse consisted mainly of rugged terrains. Though below the surface, it was expansive, with cavernous heights and vast land stretches.
This realm housed numerous species, mostly the weaker ones who didn't venture deeper.
Zatiel had gleaned that the deeper regions rivaled the surface in habitability, hosting entities as formidable as those above.
The Wastelands lacked a sun, but luminescent rocks scattered above and below provided modest illumination.
"We need to gather certain materials from this layer, then we'll engage some of the local species. Stay close."
Zatiel's tone was stern, emphasizing Sophia's safety was contingent on her proximity.
"I understand."
Sophia grasped the gravity of their mission and remained vigilant.
Pleased with her attitude, Zatiel communicated with his chip.
"A.I. Chip, use the Underground data I acquired from the tower to chart the most efficient route for material collection and tribe engagements."
Zatiel had extensively researched the Underground prior to their descent, familiarizing himself with its geography, hazards, and inhabitants.
This was so he could utilize the chip's abilities to devise the optimal course of action; the Wasteland is vast, and to wander aimlessly in search of what he needs would be a considerable waste of time.
Promptly after an order was issued, the voice of the chip resonated.
[Bip... scanning environment. Determining the most efficient route. Task completed, displaying to host.]
Once the chip's voice ceased, a line materialized on the ground before Zatiel, delineating the path to follow.
"Let's proceed," Zatiel and Sophia adhered to the designated path, and after a few hours, they arrived at their initial destination.
Before them lay small mountains harboring caves that pierced through, and at the entrance, small, lizard-like humanoid creatures—kobolds known for their animosity towards other species—were visible.
'Kobolds usually oscillate between the power of a rank 2 and 3 apprentice. From what I sense within those mountains, there should be around a hundred of them,' Zatiel analyzed the adversaries, formulating his strategy.
"We are here to exterminate those kobolds?"
Sophia, aware that her capabilities would scarcely contribute in combat, was anxious about a potential confrontation.
"No, our objective is a mineral inside those mountains. Eliminating these kobolds, despite being dragon spawn, yields no benefit. Their feeble nature and our subsequent purification of their blood wouldn't procure a single drop of dragon blood. Furthermore, we require miners for this location."
"Do you expect them to comply?"
Sophia couldn't fathom how Zatiel intended to persuade those creatures to mine for him.
"Certainly, when faced with a choice between inevitable demise and submission, they'll choose the latter," Zatiel spoke with an air of someone who has maneuvered such situations countless times.
Sophia was left at a loss for words, questioning how Zatiel, despite his potency, could single-handedly confront a mountain teeming with kobolds.
Zatiel perceived her confusion but remained silent, instructing the chip, "A.I. Chip, scan both of us."
[Bip... Analyzing host. Strength: 12.3 Physique: 14.8 Speed: 11.9 Abyss Aura: 15.7]
Zatiel's statistics had significantly improved, thanks to his constant consumption of magical creatures and his endeavors in runes.
Reaching a Spirit Force of 15 designates an apprentice as a Pseudo-Magus, signifying their readiness to advance to rank 1, but Neo-Demons necessitate a surge to 20 points before progressing.
The seemingly small difference required immense effort and high-energy sustenance to bridge.
[Bip... scanning apprentice Sophia. Strength: 5.1 Physique: 4.6 Speed: 5.3 Spirit Force: 7.3 Status of the body: Severe deformation detected in the organism. Advancement to rank 1 life form is highly unlikely due to contamination.]
'The contamination grants her immense physical prowess despite the lack of bodily training but also contaminates her energy and constitution.'
Zatiel, with the assistance of the chip, promptly deciphered Sophia's condition. He could aid her through several means, but such matters could wait. He refocused on the mission at hand.
"Stay behind me." Zatiel, without concealing his presence, advanced towards the mountains.
Sophia, unsure of his intentions, hesitated before trailing behind him.
The kobolds, sensing Zatiel, bellowed warnings, summoning their kin. A dozen assembled swiftly, launching an assault.
Zatiel, witnessing their attack, unleashed his abyss aura but refrained from casting any spells. Instead, he released the full power of his magnetic force field.
A crushing pressure emanated from him, halting the advancing kobolds abruptly.
Fear flickered in their eyes as their bodies quivered, retreating as Zatiel progressed forward.