NOVEL NEXT Chapter 376: Back to the Mine?
After Zeke went into the mines, Lillian and Millis strolled over to the surveillance station. They wanted to see what the current condition of the Alpha was.
If Lillian recalled correctly, the current Barrel Mole population inside the cavern should be 50% less than what it currently was—the total previously being a couple of thousands.
It was truly a miracle that the Alpha had chosen for all of them to stay within the mine instead of unleashing a full-blown attack on the entire town.
Lillian narrowed her eyes a little, 'But that's only because when monster was at least capable of thinking of the total strength of the town.'
Every time a monster rises through tiers, its intelligence grows along with it. Currently, Alpha was capable of companionship and even a bit of strategic thinking, but still less compared to something like the Needle Prowler back in the Forest of Disruption.
The only difference between the two was that the Spider was a C-rank while the Alpha was only in the D-rank.
However, in terms of Mana Shells, the Spider had only been through two evolutions, while the Alpha had been through four! Exactly one more than the Beetle, who was only a Maw.
Lillian sighed, 'Even so... The Beetle almost lost to the Spider due to the poor match-up. And I guess also because the arachnid could use mana.'
Nonetheless, compared to the tree, Lillian knew for a fact that the Alpha was weaker, even if it had a thousand or so minions at its beck and call.
Looking at the camera footage, they found countless strewn bodies inside the dark cavern. It was fortunate that the camera was made to be able to look through the dark, for most of the lights had been taken down.
'Will I need the Depressing Warmth?' Lillian wondered if she should take in her lantern. She then looked down at her current attire and found that it wouldn't really help.
'I can ask for a mining helmet, doesn't really matter.'
After a little bit of searching, they failed to find any signs of the Alpha and instead paid attention to the camera facing the elevator and watched as it carried down a group of three.
It was Brexen and the twins that belonged to his party. Lillian could only remember that one of the two was actually a healer, but she couldn't be bothered to focus hard enough to recall.
If Lillian were a gacha character, she would consider herself both a damage dealer and a healer at the same time.
"Hmm... Don'tcha think that guy look pretty pissed, Lil'?"
Lillian snapped out of her thoughts and looked towards Millis, finding her pointing towards the screen that was zoomed in on Brexen's face. He seemed to be extremely agitated.
"Maybe Zeke said something." Lillian shrugged with a grin—already knowing what the captain had said to get that reaction. She then watched as the same person they were talking about exited the mine.
Zeke's clothes were stained with dust, and so was a partial bit of his cap, which he adjusted a bit on his head. He looked over to Lillian and nodded, gesturing for her to come forward.
"Alright, could you please come follow me?"
Lillian nodded but stopped Millis. She then asked:
"Ah, are we allowed to get mining helmets? Y'know, for the darkness."
"Oh? Hm... I'm not sure if we could give them out." Zeke shook his head, "Especially when we're uncertain whether or not you'll make it out."
Lillian gave an exasperated sigh and took a step forward, but then watched as Zeke pulled out two separate helmets with torches built into them.
"However, I'm willing to take some backlash for you two ladies." After handing over the helmets, Zeke turned around and began walking into the mines, followed by both Lillian and Millis.
Zeke glanced back:
"Now then, is it just you two, or are there more coming?"
"Uh, just us for now, but a third is coming later. Someone with a cowboy hat, brown hair and green eyes. I'm sure they'll come in about 45 minutes or so."
"I see..."
Zeke then went silent as he escorted the two down. And once they reached the elevator, he gestured for the two to enter without needing to pay.
Millis raised an eyebrow at this, "Ya sure, sir? We'll be happy to pay, ya know." She confidently stated as she placed her hands on her hips and ignored Lillian, who slowly turned in her direction.
With a twitching face, Lillian muttered with a crooked smile, "W-we? Or is it just me again?"
"..." Millis stared at her silently before giving a thumbs up and grinning broadly, "Ya got this, girl!"
Lillian clicked her tongue and looked towards Zeke, who shook his head and denied the two.
"The mining team hasn't yet paid you back for some of the help you did. So, consider this as a little something."
Lillian smiled and nudged Millis towards the elevator before looking back at Zeke. She then asked:
"Hey, those guys got to you earlier, didn't they? How about joining our little group in taking down the Alpha? I'm sure your invisibility will do wonders."
Lillian's words rang inside the man's ears and caused his calm eyes to widen in shock.
His eyes then shone with a contemplative and hesitant light. Eventually, he sighed and gave a small chuckle, "Hahaha, I appreciate the compliment, I truly do, but I will do more harm than good. I promise you that."
Shaking his head, Zeke watched as the two ladies entered the elevator.
"You can always change your mind." Lillian smiled before entering the elevator alongside Millis, "Well then, we'll be off."
Lillian pressed the button and caused the elevator to jerk and slowly descend. Zeke watched this and nodded. He gave a small wave and muttered:
"I'll be rooting for the two of you to win this pathetic competition, so don't disappoint me."
As Zeke watched the two leave his sight, he gave a loud sigh before turning around and adjusting his cap.
After a second... He couldn't help but feel that...