Escape 2

The Dragon's Breath continued for nearly ten seconds before stopping.

The rocks in the mine tunnel melted into flowing magma, and a passage, still radiating high heat and with molten lava dripping from its ceiling, pointed directly outwards.

In the middle of this passage, a rock that hadn't completely melted moved, then dissipated into a speck of light, entering the metal bestiary on Caelan's waist.

Just before being engulfed by the flames, Caelan and Violet rushed out of the narrow opening, hid behind the rock wall, and then immediately summoned Iron Head to block in front of them, isolating the terrifying high temperature of the Dragon's Breath.

However, after that, the rocks on Iron Head's back were almost completely burned away, and Iron Head became Bald Head.

"I'll give you extra meals when we get back! I'll find you all kinds of flavored stones to eat until you're full!"

Caelan patted the bestiary, not knowing who he was comforting, and then summoned the rock again.

The path ahead had almost turned into a magma pool, so they could only let the rock carry them out, being careful to avoid the lava dripping from above their heads.

Since they weren't completely safe yet, and no one was sure if the Bone Dragon wouldn't come back for a finishing blow, Caelan had the rock carry them out of the mine, then ran for several miles, reaching a small stream before finally stopping to rest.

With continuous summoning, Caelan's own magic power was almost at its limit, so he had to rest first, otherwise he might pass out again.

"Ha... I thought my short life was going to end here..."

Caelan gasped for air, still feeling some lingering fear.

This was only his first time leaving home, and he encountered such a monstrous thing; this world was too dangerous.

From now on, he wouldn't leave home no matter what, he'd just stay in the castle and be a shut-in!

—He said to himself inwardly.

But after the initial tension, Violet burst into laughter:

"Hahahahaha I can still see tomorrow's sun... This is it, the adventure I've always craved!"

Caelan looked at her with a bewildered expression: "You like to seek death?"

"Death? No, no, Caelan, escaping death is where the fun is!"

"If I weren't here, you would have truly died, wouldn't you?"

The Bard still had an excited expression: "But aren't you here? Perhaps this is fate! Delving into the abyss of death, encountering an Undead attack, fighting a giant dragon... This is a plot that usually only appears in the stories I fabricate! That's why I said, you will be my best friend!"

Caelan raised an eyebrow: "So you finally admit that the stories you tell are all fabricated?"

Violet replied without the slightest embarrassment: "Stories, of course, must be liked by the audience, and some appropriate exaggeration is necessary."

"...Alright, say whatever you want."

Caelan sighed helplessly, then got up from the ground and patted the rock that was kneeling by the stream, drinking water.

"Let's go, Rock, we're going back."

Violet also scrambled up immediately: "Hey, wait, I'm here too!"

...

It was already dark when they left the mine, and by the time they returned to the castle, the moon was already high in the sky.

Looking at the castle, almost hidden in the darkness, Violet's mouth fell open.

"...Is this yours?"

"More or less."

After running all day, the rock was so hungry its stomach was practically touching its back, and it walked weakly.

Caelan got off the rock and had only taken two steps forward when he saw Fat Tiger and Fu running towards him from the castle.

"How are there still monsters!"

Violet was startled by the two of them, but seeing Caelan's unperturbed reaction, she relaxed.

"...Are these also yours?"

"Mhm."

Caelan replied distractedly, watching as the two Kobolds ran up to him and then quickly hid behind him.

—What's going on, are monsters spawning in the castle too?

Then Tina also walked out of the castle gate, seemingly looking for something, and then saw Caelan.

"You're back? Did you see..."

She saw Fat Tiger and Fu hiding behind Caelan, and then a look of understanding appeared on her face.

"They have such a good relationship with you, no wonder they ran out without even eating."

This made Caelan have a bad premonition.

"...What meal?"

...

Looking at the pot of indescribable stuff in front of him, Caelan suddenly thought of the thick soup he had seen in the mine not long ago.

Although the ecological environment inside was not as terrifying, the smell emanating from it was even more unbearable.

Tina also stood to the side, shaking her head, looking puzzled: "How could it be like this... It shouldn't be, right?"

"Yeah, what's going on... Can you even ask that?"

Caelan turned to look at the various ingredients placed nearby.

Almost all types of mushrooms grown underground had been taken out.

This was no different from putting all the seasonings into a soup.

He looked towards Tina, intending to glare at her and scold her to make her remember, but as soon as his gaze fell on her, she shrank her head slightly, looking a bit wronged, and he couldn't bring himself to scold her anymore.

"Mmm... Never mind, I'll do it."