She spun and kicked Gomon. The force of that kick threw him away and slammed him against the wall.
That kick was serious! Even Aidan, who had [Hard Muscle] to reduce the damage still felt the pain on his face.
Aidan stood up and ran to him. "Wait! He just lost an arm. If you kick him again, he might lose his life."
Sofiel ran and held her hand. "You shouldn't hurt your friends."
Kalukaga stepped beside her. "Don't"
Siraye snorted and walk away. The hunters at the front gave them a worrying glance, but he waved his hand to tell them it was fine.
"Let's not talk about her race ever again. At least not in front of her," Gomon said.
Aidan nodded. "Come on. Let me help you."
After helping Gomon to his feet, he and Aidan walked a few meters away from Siraye. After that event, Aidan could not walk alongside her, lest she kicked him again. But it was weird for her to be so angry about that. Why? Was there something wrong with her wings?
As Aidan walked along the dimly lit tunnel, he realized that he was foolish, insensitive, and rude. He should have stopped Gomon when she told her not to talk about her race. In the end, it was his fault. Apologize. He should apologize to her later.
"Sorry, Aidan," Gomon said, walking beside him. "It was my fault that she kicked you in the face. You realize it too right? about her wing." He said the last part with a whisper.
Aidan nodded. "Yeah. It was our fault. And we should apologize."
Gomon sighed. "I know. But What if she doesn't accept our apology? Maybe we should just pretend it never happened and let time do its thing."
"Naturally, we should let time do its parts. Yet, we still need to do ours," Aidan said.
Gomon looked at him. "Alright. I'm not good at apologizing so let's do it together."
"Sure. Let her calm her anger first. Then we can take our chance."
The hunters turned to the right, and Aidan and the rest followed. They came into another cave, this time far larger with a lot of people gathering in the middle. They held their spears as they talked and laughed. Some had bruises and clothes wrapped on their arms and legs. Their wounds didn't seem to make them down as they chatted.
"Here they come!" a stoic voice said. There was something to that voice. Something that gave Aidan the feeling of bravery, camaraderie, and energy.
Aidan looked left and right to find the source of that voice.
"Are you the leader?"
Aidan turned around and found a man tens of inches taller than him with enormous golden armor that covered his entire body. The armor was like a hill in that both were huge. His armored head was flanked by two thick, round shoulder plates that were taller than his head. On the front side of the shoulder plates, a round purple crystal was embedded into a socket. How could a man move in such armor?
"Yes, I'm the leader," Aidan replied.
The man smiled and grabbed his hand. "Nice to meet you. My name is Feval Ardred. Since we are in this together, I'll treat you like my brother and let you call me Feval."
"Likewise. Then you can call me Aidan."
Feval nodded and released his hand. "I like you already, Aidan. We can exchange stories and brag to each other, but we need to get out of here first. How's your force?"
"You can see them with your eyes." Aidan pointed towards the hunters.
"Not bad. You got a full squad of Grimm Empire's soldiers. You're a lucky one."
Aidan raised an eyebrow. "They tell me that they are hunters."
Feval laughed. "Hunters? Well, they're not wrong on that part. But they do not hunt for themselves." He stared at him. "They hunt for their emperor—Orfeo Trik Grimm. The emperor of the Grimm Empire. Enemies of Bleassephere Empire."
Aidan opened his eyes wide. He had thought that these men were soldiers, but he didn't expect them to be the enemies of this empire. In all honesty, Aidan did not care from which part of the world they came. Nevertheless, now that he knew their identities, he had second thoughts about them. What if they betrayed him because he was from Bleassephere?
"Tense now are we?" Feval said.
"How do you know who they are?" Aidan asked.
The tall man turned to look at the hunters. "You can know so many things about someone just by looking at them. Brown skin, fine muscle, and scars that covered them whole, any soldier who had fought against the Grimmnian would know who they are. Their empire is known to produce the most talented and battle-hardened of soldiers."
Then I should kill them! No danger should be allowed to stay.
Feval put a gauntleted hand on his shoulder, making him drop to the ground slightly. "Worry not to be. Both nations are at peace. Those Grimmnian men won't betray you. But vigilance would serve you well in any situation."
Aidan frowned. The way this man talked was like a circle. First, he said that these men were enemies, now he said they won't betray him.
"And you. You're not from around here either it seemed. Your light color, not so good built, and skin as smooth as glass you might as well be a woman. Do the eels never shine in your area. How can your skin be brighter than an eel ball?:
"Let's just say that I live in a world where the sky always snows."
Feval nodded. "Make sure you kept that a secret unless you want your region to be filled with noble women of Bleassephere." He laughed.
"What's that even mean?"
Feval sighed. "You need to give yourself some sense of humor, boy."
"Why don't you tell that to my friend here." Aidan tapped Gomon's shoulder.
"Oh, didn't see you there little buddy. Where's your parent?"
Gomon looked at the tall man in golden armor. Rage swelled within his eyes, but then it died down and he looked towards the ground.
Aidan shook his head. "That's enough for the small talk. How do we get out of here?"
Feval smiled. "We have fifteen thousand men and twenty-five children of fate. With this force, I can bring all of you out."
"How?" Aidan asked.
"By following my command."
"If you expect me to agree just because you have glittering golden armor then you are mistaken. These men trusted me, and it is my job to ensure their interest."
"And what is their interest?" Feval said, "You talk like you know these men, but you don't. How long has it been since you met them? An hour? A day? Just because you have fought alongside them, it doesn't mean you can trust them."
Feval circled him. "Or was it not trust, but superiority? Do you feel proud when you're in command? Tens of men at your beck and call, is that what you want?"
"What are you saying?" Aidan said.
"Tell me, Aidan. Why do you want this power?" Feval stopped in front of him. "You fight. You kill. Your journey will be filled with nothing but the flesh and blood of your enemies. And for what? In the end, what will all that be for?"
Aidan looked at the man in golden armor. His words made him think of the past when he was weak and powerless. Aidan had been running away all his life, even when he shouldn't. But now he had the chance to stop running away. He could do it. With his own hands and legs, he now had the chance to become someone he had always wanted to be—someone that can protect.
"Power," Aidan said. "I need it to protect the others. I need it to protect what is mine."
Why did I tell him this?
Feval laughed. "Tillre Vod was right. You are a good seed."
"Who?" Aidan asked.
"Nevermind that. Ledrind, come here. Let me introduce you to our new brother."
A man covered in a red robe walked over. He had a mask that covered his face but it still revealed a pair of fiery eyes. As he approached, Aidan noticed there were no arms inside the long sleeves. How would the man fight without his hands?
Feval pointed at Aidan. "What do you think, Ledrind."
Ledrind stared at him with that red eyes of his. "He has potential."
Feval laughed. "You should be proud, boy. He rarely praises someone."
Aidan was interested in this man so he used [Analyze]
HP: 350
Energy: 2,500
Skills: [Spell Incantation]
His level was so high! This was the first time Aidan met someone so strong. Well, the vice dean and the other teacher might also be strong but this was the first time he analyze a high-level character. The giant snake he had fought before only had level eight.
Then what about the man in golden armor?
[Analyze]!
HP: 3,500
Energy: 250
Skills: [Super Regeneration]
Holy! He was ten levels stronger! Where the hell did Aidan find the courage to talk back to this man. And based on their levels, Aidan was sure the ability wasn't strong enough to gather all of their information. This meant that what he read now was merely the surface of an ocean.
He should use it more often so it could level up.
"Both of you are strong," Aidan said.
"What? This glittering golden armor isn't obvious enough." Feval laughed.
Hussav walked over. "Sir, we've been waiting for some time. Shouldn't we plan on what to do next?"
"I like this man. Always has the goal in mind," Feval said.
"Thank you for the praise, sir."
Aidan wondered how strong Hussav was. Back at the tunnel, this man fought really well.
Aidan used [Analyze] on Hussav.
HP: 160
Energy: 0
Skills: [Spear-Mastery]
What, why was his level so high? Even Aidan, who was much stronger than Hussav, was only at level 5. Was it because he wasn't a child of fate? That could be the reason for the gap in strength. So this meant that the system didn't judge levels based on strength but something else.
What could it be?
Aidan shook his head. Speculation would not guide him towards anything. What he needed to think about now was how to get out of here. But even Feval and Ledrind who were much stronger than him were caught and stuck in this place, how could he have the chance? Wait, was it even possible to catch them in the first place? Looking at Feval who smiled and stood with a straight posture, Aidan had second thoughts.
"Feval. How did those cultists capture you?" Aidan asked.
"Captured?" Feval chuckled. "Please, we barged our way in."