The Unexpected Betrayal
While Baran was delighted by an unexpected harvest he had never anticipated, Tia, who had been watching from behind, was inwardly horrified despite her outward appearance. 'What in the world······.'
She had heard rumors that the blind man was strong. After all, his name had come up often enough at the academy. However, she had naturally assumed they were exaggerated. Rumors tend to be exaggerated, after all. But that was not the case. Far from being exaggerated, they were actually an understatement. The fact that he used a bow clearly meant he was a sniper. Yet instead of shooting from a distance, he had struck a half-vampire dead with a single blow from his bow. How could that possibly be an understatement?
'Or perhaps he simply doesn't know how to shoot?' She briefly entertained the thought, but soon shook her head. That made no sense. Why would anyone fight with a bow like that? It would be far more efficient to just use a sword. 'If he's this strong even in close combat······.'
If he could also snipe from afar, he might very well be stronger than Lillia. 'This won't do. I need to revise the plan a little faster.'
With that thought, Tia began rapidly revising her plan in her mind.
After killing the half-vampire, Baran and his group re-entered the dungeon. The deeper they went, the more vampire bats attacked them. Of course, each time the mercenaries stepped in to cut them down. While they were taking a short rest, the mercenary captain approached Baran with an ingratiating voice.
"You've worked hard, my lord."
He handed Baran a water bottle. His obsequious behavior didn't quite match his large frame, but given the reality of the situation, it was only natural. The power Baran had just displayed was nothing short of overwhelming.
"Thank you."
Baran accepted the bottle and took a drink. Just from killing a single half-vampire, the way they looked at him had changed considerably. So this is what it feels like to be treated with respect.
-That's not how you use the Bow of the Beginning.
At that moment, Miroel grumbled from behind with her lips pursed. She seemed quite displeased that he had used the bow like an extension of his arm.
"Well then, since we've had some rest, shall we proceed further inside?"
Tia stood up and spoke. The rested mercenaries nodded and began moving deeper into the cave once more. The further they went, the narrower the passage became. However, unlike before, there were almost no bats in sight.
After a while, the mercenary captain spoke while looking at the entrance ahead.
"It seems this is the end once we go inside."
Lillia nodded.
"Then let's go in."
With those words, the two of them took the lead this time. They felt the mercenaries wouldn't be able to handle the boss monster. But at that very moment—
A surge of dense mana erupted from Tia's body at the very back. Everyone was startled by the unexpected situation. No one had expected Tia, of all people, to release mana.
"Tia?"
Just as Lillia voiced her confusion—
"Lady Lillia. Life is about real combat."
Tia smiled ominously and extended her hand. Lillia quickly assessed the situation and urgently commanded the mercenaries.
"Stop her right now!"
"What?"
"It's already too late."
Blades of wind shot forth from Tia's hand. The mercenaries' eyes widened in shock at the unexpected turn of events. They tried to block it, but—
The attack wasn't aimed at them. It struck the cave ceiling instead. Just as they wondered why she would target the ceiling—
The ceiling at the cave entrance began to collapse with a thunderous roar. Everyone was startled by the unforeseen situation. Lillia tried to rush out, but—
It was already too late. If they tried to escape now, they would likely be crushed by the falling rocks. In the end, only Baran and Lillia remained trapped inside the cave.
"Now then, shall we clean up the rest as well?"
With that thought, Tia sent blades of wind hurtling toward the mercenaries.
At the same time, Lillia furrowed her brows at the unexpected situation. She had never dreamed that Tia, who had been her secretary since childhood, would betray her like this.
'Why did she betray me?'
She racked her brain and reached a conclusion in less than three seconds.
'Highrun.'
The one who had assigned Lillia's secretary was none other than Highrun. If that meticulous man had planted Tia to prepare for the possibility of her own betrayal, then everything made sense.
'Judging by the situation, he must have become certain today that I betrayed him.'
Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to act now. She couldn't stay here. If Highrun learned of her plan, it would be the end for her.
'The fact that she's going through all this trouble means she doesn't have a direct line of communication with Highrun.'
Therefore, she had to capture Tia before she could meet Highrun.
"Baran, can you break through these rocks right now?"
Lillia asked urgently. However, contrary to her expectations, Baran gave an unexpected answer.
"I'm sorry. It seems impossible."
"What?"
Baran, of all people, was saying it was impossible. Lillia couldn't understand it at all.
"Don't tell me······."
Baran shook his head, cutting her off.
"That's not it. It seems the woman outside has erected a barrier."
Upon hearing that, Lillia closed her eyes and focused.
'There's definitely something like a curtain outside.'
She could feel a mana barrier. It looked far from ordinary. The fact that Tia had set this up alone clearly meant she had been preparing for this for a long time.
'So she suspected me from the very beginning.'
While Lillia was deep in thought, Baran was inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.
'Good thing she didn't notice.'
The barrier outside wasn't a lie. However, to be precise, it was possible for him to break through with his own power.
'But I can't do that.'
He had been waiting for this moment. Lillia was in danger. If things went according to his plan, he stood to gain countless benefits. He would earn Lillia's debt, obtain a hidden piece to prepare for the final exam incident, and finally—
Capture Tia!
📍 Location: Inside the dungeon
🎁 Reward: Unknown
"Lady Lillia."
"Yes?"
"I believe there is a way to escape."
Lillia's eyes widened at his words.
"There's a way?"
"Yes. As you know, my eyesight isn't very good."
"Ah, yes."
"However, my other senses are that much sharper. That's why I can feel a suspicious presence in this room right now."
A glimmer of hope appeared in Lillia's eyes. Baran slowly walked forward and tapped the floor, recalling his knowledge of the original work. The next moment—
A vibration suddenly echoed through the room, and then—
"Heh······."
-I never expected something like this to be here.
Another door appeared at the end of the room. It was a place most players wouldn't know about. The only reason he knew was because he was the developer. Therefore, it would be absurd for him not to know about this hidden location.
'I wondered if things might be different since the protagonist is female, but······.'
Fortunately, that wasn't the case. Even with a female protagonist, the overall episodes remained almost the same.
At any rate, that was that.
"Let's hurry and go."
"May I ask you something first?"
At that moment, Lillia looked at him with a slightly serious expression. It felt strangely awkward to see her, who usually wore a sly smile, make such a face. However, he had to pretend not to notice her expression here. Baran tilted his head in confusion.
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just······ why are you helping me? Honestly, you have nothing to lose even if you don't help me, right?"
"Hmm. I'd like to answer, but if we keep talking, we might end up late. Judging from the wind coming from inside the door, it seems like a shortcut. Even so, we might miss that woman if we're not careful."
"······You're right about that."
"You don't want that either, do you, Lady Lillia?"
She slowly nodded at his question. Baran continued speaking as he entered the door.
"I'll answer that question after we resolve this incident."
"Yes. I hope you will."
With those words, the two of them ran at full speed.