The sound of an explosion resounded again after a solid minute. Whatever the reason for that explosion was, I knew that it couldn't be good. That explosion, it meant nothing good! It could be enemies that might be making their way here. And if that was the case, then we'd have no way of escaping them. It was because of how difficult it would be to go up to where the teleportation circle is!
There was only one way I believed I could prevent the worst from coming to bloom. As for what I considered the worst… That's the situation where the people behind the explosions are enemies who are making their way here to eventually corner us and most likely slaughter us.
What a nightmare!
The best way to deal with enemies that are bound to corner us once found is to not be found! And if it was impossible to not be found, then delaying it should be a priority! We would need to hide and prepare for a perfect ambush. It was going to be difficult, and my intuition was telling me that at least two of my people were going to die!
However, I was also certain that with an ambush, we'd have at least a chance of gaining victory, even if our enemies were to have weapons.
I let out a breath as I readied myself to bring what I had in mind into reality.
"Everyone! We need to prepare for a fight! There are enemies ahead!"
"Okay!"
"We are ready!"
Even though none of them had any better experience or knowledge about any battle, they still agreed to follow my words, even after I told them about the possible death that could occur later. They processed the words and in the end, they were quick to agree…
I was relieved.
Before I let everyone follow along, I discussed the strategy that I had in mind.
After I was done, I told everyone, "Come on, let's go!"
*Boom*
More loud sounds reverberated in the distance.
We didn't make too much noise as we traversed closer to where the sound of explosions was coming from. Perhaps I might have been too paranoid by sneaking around when the enemy was too occupied exploding things on his way to us… I did not want to risk being caught though!
As my group and I ventured deeper and deeper to wherever the cave leads, we couldn't help but notice that the cave was getting more and more narrow. The area we initially traversed was slowly shaping from a spacey room into some kind of natural underground pathway.
Ultimately, we reached a point where the cave branched into three separate pathways. Now, we had to decide which route to take.
I decided to have everyone hide somewhere decent because I wanted to wait a little before heading into one of the pathways. The feared enemies that could corner us had not arrived, not yet at least. That is why I decided to wait and attempt a sudden ambush just in case they abruptly arrived.
*Boom*
After about five minutes, another explosion trembled throughout the area. Thanks to this, I confirmed that the enemies were not yet making their way towards us, and also confirmed their estimated location.
This whole time, while I was waiting, I had been doing so by standing before the pathways. This was all a part of my plan. I am not that stupid to just stand at a spot where I'm easily exposed to the enemy!
As I had been standing in front of the three pathways the entire time, I was able to pinpoint the source of the explosion. Although it wasn't my intention to find out so soon, I was fortunate enough.
I was able to feel the shift of air pressure and heat from the explosion. This was coming from the middle pathway, I assumed.
"Nice," I muttered.
I was elated by the development of the situation. This meant that the enemies having to go through the middle pathway increased the probability of my strategy succeeding even more.
The initial idea of my strategy was to lure the enemy to follow a weak retreating target, that being me, before they'd be ambushed by my people.
It's a strategy that works even better now, given that we have the advantage in the area, to the point that it seemed as if this place was our home ground and fortress.
"Everyone, gather up. There's a little change in plans."
I divided everyone into teams of two, as it would be necessary for the ambush to succeed, and also because the number of people made it possible for me to split them up like so.
A total of five teams: two went into different tunnels, two hid opposite to each other, and the last team went to hide somewhere further away, where I'd be running to later.
With this, the perfect ambush that I had in mind was set. It was time for me to proceed with the next step, to be the bait!
And so I set forth through the middle pathway. I walked a little and it wasn't long before I could see a faint source of lights in the distance. The location of the people who were most likely enemies was confirmed.
All of a sudden, while still walking my way closer to the place that was faintly lit by a few dots of light, a growing light appeared out of nowhere further ahead, flashing before me.
Magic!
I realized immediately that I was definitely dealing with a potential enemy that wasn't using explosives to mine the area, but enemies with the power of magic who seemed to be fighting head-on with an opposing force.
This was bad. Too bad! It would be dangerous to go against an enemy who could use magic, a power that I did not know the possibilities of!
What if he just launches a surge of fire at me?! In this straight tunnel-like way, I can only run a straight path. So, I'm bound to become fried chicken once he discovers me! Damn it! Damn it!
In the end, I was left with a dilemma. I had no idea what to do, and I was hesitating to take another step forward.