Ch. 1.3 - The Suicidal Plan

"Aaargghh...! I already killed 11 dire wolves while evading the arrows of an undead skeleton. I still have a long way to go." I quickly opened a potion to replenish my mana. I got hit by an arrow on my right knee.

Any monsters that jump from the other side across the hole towards my side while still in midair, I swing my sword and stabs them. However, earlier there were many dire wolves jumping from the other side towards me, that's why I prepare magic spells, "Fireball" a beginner-level spell. I can chant a maximum of six fireballs and control them. If I use it as an intermediate spell my control of it is not very good and it takes my full focus. I got to Rank-B mainly because of my skills as a swordsman. Although I should've also practiced more of my magic control.

"Now that I think about it, the length of the hole isn't that long they can surely charged at me. Why haven't they done it already?" I pondered.

I was confused.

"Have my message been delivered yet? I send it 30 minutes ago. I am running low on mana and it looks like they're planning something." I said to myself worried about what's going to happen next.

The pathway is narrow from the entrance but if you go further it widens and it seems they are planning something. "Are they intelligent monsters?" I asked myself while using my keen sight.

"No, that shouldn't be the case they usually charge when they see someone the first time, unless that someone is strong enough to instinctively signal the monsters to back off. Perhaps someone is leading them? That may be possible. Besides those World Breakers were the ones who planned this, I can think that these monsters are not what I usually face." I carefully watched them.

My eyes twitched. A bright red light was moving from the rear of the monsters as far as I could see. It's drawing closer and closer...

"Isn't this bad...?" I readied and took a stance.

After the bright red light passed the horde of monsters I saw that the bright red light was the eyes of a running undead skeleton. It was wearing full plate armor and holding a broadsword. It leaped from the floor and charged at me.

"What's up with those red-eyes? Is he under a spell or something?" I swung my sword hitting the undead skeleton's broadsword, I jumped a few steps back and fire off the six fireballs I was controlling. However---

"He dodged it? What's up with his movements? This isn't how a normal undead skeleton fights." I was flustered and surprised it feels like I'm fighting a Rank-B adventurer... No... his movements are better than mine then he's strong as a Rank-A adventurer?

"That Cruceus was right. I can't come out of here alive. Not until I beat this thing!" I shouted.

We kept fighting and somehow one way or another I can barely dodge his attacks but I was clearly being overpowered by his strikes.

"Aaarghh...!" I pushed him back with my sword and I got closer to the hole I created and I realized. "What did I do... he's closer to the exit than I am if he runs outside now I may not be able to catch up with him." I gripped my sword tightly.

"Graaah...!" The undead skeleton charged and attempted to pierce my body.

I jumped and got to the other side where the horde of monsters are. "Why did he charged at me? Shouldn't he be charging away outside the entrance of the cave? Wait... is that why these monsters aren't charging earlier? I'm the target? Although still, why didn't they just charged at me?" I shouted in frustration.

The undead skeleton leaped and slashed me upwards. I stopped it by gripping my right hand to the handle tightly and placing my left hand near the tip of my sword. I pushed it upwards and take a step back and ran towards the direction of the horde of monsters.

"If I'm your target then I have a stupid plan that may or may not work out!" I said while being filled with uncertainty, yet somehow I was smiling.

After all, what I'm about to do is only a suicide attempt.

"O, by the power of the Great Afrita-sama the Goddess of Aenea, lend me your power, as I repel out my foes, with a surging violent wind! Storm Surge!" I chanted hastily. "Earth Wall!" I chanted and used the casted wall as a stepping stone and kick it as hard as I can and used another spell.  I leaped from the wall and passed the hordes of monsters, only a bit of meters between us. "Swift Step," I chanted and ran towards the dark pathway.

Magic spells above the intermediate require chants especially if you're not experienced enough as a magician. I definitely should've practiced more back when someone was tutoring me.

The hordes of monsters in a split second charged at me following me as I head farther inside the Thermite Cave.

"Now that the first step of the plan is successful I should head to a large area and thin them out and deal with them separately... Hahaha... what am I talking about, at best I can only fight at my full strength until I used these remaining two magic potions." I was in a tight situation. I wondered if this was the right thing to do.

"The effects of the night vision potion earlier will only last two minutes and it cost me 15 silver coins to buy at that shady merchant. I need to find a light source." I kept running looking at my back if the monsters are still following me.

The undead skeleton caught up and was running faster than most of them. 'That skeleton is scary,' I thought to myself.

I looked at the two potions and smirked. "I should be able to last a little bit longer if I use this correctly and perhaps I might live in the end."