Aiden, Clara, and Chloe moved deeper into the dungeon, the dim glow of the mana-infused crystals embedded in the rocky walls casting eerie shadows along their path. The scent of damp earth mixed with the metallic tang of blood from their previous battles lingered in the stale air. Having eradicated the goblins they encountered earlier, they pressed forward cautiously, aware that the deeper they went, the stronger the monsters would become.
As they walked, Aiden's ears twitched slightly, his senses heightened by his connection with Ciara. He noticed her ears flicking in the same direction he was focusing on. Something—or someone—was following them. At first, he dismissed it as another group of adventurers heading in the same direction, but as time passed, their footsteps never veered away, never took a different path at the crossroads. They were trailing them, deliberately.
A frown creased Aiden's brow as he focused more on the sounds. Five pairs of footsteps. Their movements were synchronized, purposeful. These people weren't lost adventurers; they were after them. His mind quickly ran through possible scenarios. He didn't want to put the girls in danger, but dealing with five unknown enemies alone wouldn't be easy either. Before he could finalize a plan, a new problem presented itself.
More goblins appeared ahead.
Clicking his tongue in irritation at their timing, Aiden prepared for battle. Clara and Chloe readied themselves as well, their exhaustion evident but their determination unwavering. Clara launched a fireball at the leading goblin, incinerating it instantly. Chloe's vines burst from the ground, ensnaring another before crushing it with brutal efficiency. Aiden, moving with practiced ease, used earth magic to create spikes beneath a cluster of goblins, impaling them before following up with a fireball to clear the rest. Within moments, the battlefield was silent once more.
As Aiden cleaned up the monster cores, an idea formed in his mind. If those people were following them, why not lure them into these goblins? But first, he needed to confirm their true intentions.
Turning to Clara and Chloe, he suddenly suggested, "Let's take a break."
Both girls looked at him in surprise. "You? Wanting a break?" Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You were the one pushing us to keep moving," Clara added, skeptical.
"I just think it would be best to rest up before moving any deeper," Aiden replied smoothly. "I'll go scout the surroundings in the meantime, just in case any monsters are lurking."
The girls exchanged a glance. He just said he needed a break, yet now he wanted to scout? They knew better than to question him outright, though. "Alright, just don't take too long," Chloe said, sitting down on a nearby rock.
Aiden nodded and quietly made his way back toward the previous crossroads. He turned in the opposite direction, keeping his senses sharp. If those people were after them, they would follow him instead of taking the main path. As he reached the intersection, he crouched low and waited, blending into the shadows. Moments later, he heard their approaching footsteps.
They stopped at the crossroads.
Then, as expected, they turned in his direction.
Aiden sighed internally, wondering if he had good or bad luck. Either way, he would have to deal with them now before they became a problem. He remained still as the five figures approached. They were clad in gray hooded cloaks, moving silently like seasoned hunters. From the corner of his eye, Aiden recognized one of them—the same person he had seen trailing them before they entered the dungeon. So, they had been after them from the start.
The leader of the group was the first to notice Aiden standing in their path. Surprise flickered across his face before it twisted into a grin. "Well, well," he chuckled darkly. "Looks like our jackpot just walked straight to us."
Aiden's frown deepened. "Jackpot?" he echoed, curiosity lacing his voice. "Mind explaining? I'd love to know what's so amazing about this jackpot you're talking about."
The five men froze momentarily, staring at him as if he were insane. Was this kid seriously unaware that they were targeting him? Or was he mocking them?
The leader smirked and gestured for his subordinates to surround Aiden. "Doesn't matter if you don't get it. You'll understand soon enough." He began chanting a spell, and so did his men.
Yet Aiden remained completely unfazed. "So you won't tell me? Shame." He sighed dramatically before repeating his question, his calm demeanor making the leader laugh loudly.
"You talk big for a dead man!" The leader roared, unleashing his spell. Simultaneously, his subordinates launched their own attacks, a barrage of fire and wind magic aimed straight at Aiden.
In an instant, Aiden erected an earth wall around himself. The spells collided against it, sending debris and dust flying in all directions. When the dust settled, the five men gawked at the undamaged wall. Not even a single crack had formed.
Aiden sighed, recalling what Clara and Chloe had told him earlier—that dungeons often brought out the worst greed in people, making them willing to kill for profit. Now, he understood firsthand.
His gaze shifted to Ciara, who was perched on his shoulder, tilting her head curiously at the men. Aiden chuckled. "I guess you really are my jackpot in some way or another," he murmured. After all, he did need some human test subjects for Lumina.
Lowering his hand, he dispelled the earth barrier. Without a second's hesitation, he conjured multiple earth spears and launched them toward the five men. The sharp projectiles pierced their heads in an instant, cutting off their screams before they could even react.
Aiden exhaled slowly, stepping over the fallen bodies. "So much for letting greed get to their heads," he muttered. With methodical efficiency, he collected their bodies, storing them in his space storage. He paused for a moment, listening for any other movements nearby. The dungeon remained eerily silent.
Now, the question remained—should he proceed with the experiment he had been considering? Looking at the corpses in his storage, he pondered whether Lumina's suggestion was feasible. If it worked, it would change things drastically for him. A smirk tugged at his lips. Perhaps it was time to test his theory.