Chapter 8

Appalled to hear there's a poor soul trapped in these treacherous depths, I spring to my feet, preparing myself to lend them a helping hand.

However, Shiori doesn't budge an inch, preferring to bask in the warmth of her spell.

Hayato: Aren't you coming, Shiori?

Shiori: Ehh, no? Why are you?

Shiori: Just sit down and relax, pal! They'll eventually go away.

Hayato: Would you really deny assistance to someone in need? Ugh, how can you be so heartless and sleep at night?

Shiori: I sleep like a baby!

Shiori: And for the record, there are no righteous people in these caves.

Shiori: It's a jungle made of stone where you can become something else's prey in a flash.

Shiori: Doesn't that ring some bells?

Hayato: The only bell that you said rings is that you're a selfish bounty hunter. I should've expected that kind of behavior from someone like you.

Shiori: Pfft, fine! Go "help" them. But I don't want to hear any complaints if you manage to survive!

Disregarding my companion's comment and finding myself unable to ignore the pleas of someone in danger, I let SARA guide me to the source, delving deeper into the Sunless Gorge.

Massive rock pillars surround me, extending the already impenetrable darkness characteristic of these caves.

As I advance, I begin to hear the voice of that endangered person.

Their tone is so hoarse and feeble that I can't determine whether it belongs to a man or a woman.

I shudder to imagine the time they've spent terrified beneath the mountains.

Hayato: Hello, are you there? I'm coming for you, so don't fret.

To not worsen the situation of the stranded soul, I state my intentions, sticking to the only passageway that didn't collapse.

Hayato: Oh dear... Did my improvised escape plan alter the caverns?

Hayato: The explosive blast surely spread throughout the peaks, so it wouldn't be unfeasible for me to have caused all of this.

SARA: There's a bigger chance the explosives didn't compromise the integrity of the tunnels.

SARA: Taking into account the information Shiori shared earlier and the readings of the sensors, Blackflame Peaks is located in a very active seismic area.

SARA: These tunnels might have crumbled way before your arrival.

SARA: More tremors are coming from the depths below.

Hayato: I like how that sounds, SARA, so I'm going to go ahead and accept it as the truth.

Hayato: It's better than admitting half of the caves are now debris because of me.

Opting to believe the regular earthquakes reshaped the gorge, I speed up to bump into the person waiting for rescue.

Knowing that the corridors could fall apart at any given time is unnerving.

Not lingering, I barge into a larger chamber covered in black cobwebs, where a torchlight hangs in the middle.

It's too dark to spot who's holding it.

???: H-Help... I-I need... help...

???: Come... C-Come rescue me...

Hayato: Calm down, I'm here for you. Tell me, what happened?

???: I'm... I-I'm afraid... Please...

Hayato: Everything will be alright. Are you hurt?

???: H-Help... I-I need... help...

Strangely, instead of communicating with me, the waif repeats the same sentences over and over again with a gruff voice.

Are they in shock? I must make them snap out of their trance before I can help them come back to the surface.

Hayato: Listen to me, okay? Breathe in slowly and tell me your name after you exhale.

Hayato: You are in good ha-

Hayato: ...

As I approach the torchlight, I discover to my horror that a human being didn't craft it.

Instead, it's an elaborate mimicry, resembling a hand grasping it.

Having fallen for its cunning trap, the voice stops, and the beast pounces at me from the ceiling, revealing its true nature.

A towering arthropod over twenty feet tall with four sets of extremities and razor-sharp fangs that could pierce any armor, including mine.

Enraged to have been tricked, I use that source of energy to evade its first strike, leaping backward to prevent its fangs from sinking into my neck.

Hayato: You sly monster... I'll make you pay for that!

SARA: Warning, the creature is likely extremely venomous. Being grazed by its fangs will lead to paralysis or death.

Hayato: I figured that out judging by the dark goo that's constantly oozing from them!

Assuming whatever this living nightmare is behaves like a spider, I stay mobile, rolling from one side of the room to the other while staying away from the deadly liquid that the beast keeps seeping.

Tired of not being able to capture me, the monster hisses and shoots a cobweb in my direction, carpeting the floor with it.

SARA: The beast is attempting to slow you down. Rolling will lead to ensnaring. Avoid it at all costs.

Hayato: If I can't move, then I must attack!

Hayato: But damn... My batteries are nearly dead! I must employ regular bullets and riddle its torso with them.

SARA: Negative. The creature is protected by a thick layer of chitin.

SARA: Anti-tank ammunition required. Conventional bullets will bounce off and become strays.

Hayato: Anti-tank ammunition?! Where am I going to produce a rocket launcher from, huh?

As I discuss with SARA the lack of such equipment, I continue to narrowly dodge the monster's flurry of attacks.

That thing is growing angrier! It won't be long before it charges at me.

I won't be able to evade that kind of strike because my boots are coated in the webs. Moving is becoming awfully difficult!

I must come up with a solution before I turn into a sitting duck.

Hayato: If bullets won't cut it, maybe the laser cutter will!

Hayato: I cannot fire the Light Lancet, but the batteries have just enough juice to turn on the short-range laser beam.

Having to rely on the laser technology again, I detach the laser generator and drop my weapon, aiming to use it as a sword.

It wasn't meant for this kind of job, but anything works in a pinch.

Hayato: Here I am, beast! Don't be such a coward and come at me!

Hayato: If you want to have a hearty meal, you'll have to work hard for it!

Apparently understanding my taunt, the monster screeches as it launches its heavy body at me, attempting to stab me with its long legs.

Predicting its movements, I go prone, facing upward, turning on the cutter to slash the creature from below.

A torrent of a disgustingly viscous liquid begins to escape from its innards, the creature howling in agonizing pain.

Hayato: Do you want some more? Come back, and you'll have it!

Unfit to fight, the giant spider-like beast glares at me before it beats a hasty retreat, squeezing its body in the gap it used to ambush me moments ago.

With the thing gone, I take some seconds to collect myself from the ordeal.