Shane arrived last and examined the damaged rock. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…A hidden cave."
"Or just a massive hollow rock," Ulon added, peering over his shoulder.
Klaus leaned against a nearby rock with a relaxed posture.
"So," he said, gesturing toward the opening, "should we go inside?"
Shane stood up and glanced around at the group.
Kiel was already staring at the entrance with tense anticipation. Shalotte held his staff tightly, eyes wide with curiosity. Petra looked uneasy but determined, while Maddy crossed her arms like she was ready to blame someone the moment things went wrong.
Even Ulon looked interested.
Shane exhaled quietly.
"Looks like everyone's eager," he said. "Let's go."
Then he looked directly at Klaus.
"You lead."
Klaus blinked.
"Really? Me?"
"You're the scout," Shane replied calmly. "And your sensory skills are better than the rest of us."
Klaus sighed dramatically.
"Alright, alright. No respect for personal safety."
He stepped into the opening first.
The air inside the cave was cooler, carrying the faint smell of damp stone. The sunlight behind them quickly faded as they moved deeper.
Shalotte raised his staff—the tip glowed softly, filling the passage with warm white light.
"Much appreciated," Ulon said. "I prefer not tripping over some rocks."
Klaus didn't react to the light. He didn't need it.
Each step he took was accompanied by a silent pulse of echolocation.
Despite the careful scanning, his pace was oddly casual.
He walked like someone strolling through a quiet park rather than exploring an unknown cave.
After several dozen steps, the passage widened slightly.
Then Klaus suddenly stopped.
"…Really, now?"
The others halted behind him.
Maddy nearly bumped into Petra.
"What now?" she whispered.
Klaus rubbed his temple.
"God must be joking."
He turned around and began walking back toward the entrance.
Shane frowned.
"What did you see?"
Klaus shrugged as he walked past them.
"This isn't a normal cave," he said.
He gestured lazily toward the darkness ahead.
"About twenty meters from here, two main passages are splitting apart, plus several smaller pockets carved into the walls."
Shane listened carefully.
"But that's not the worst part," Klaus continued.
He tapped the stone wall beside him.
"The walls on those passages aren't natural."
The sound that echoed back was too clean.
"Someone made them."
He kept walking toward the exit.
"I think this place is a hidden dungeon, not a cave."
Ulon blinked.
"…Oh."
Klaus stretched his arms as he walked.
"I already had a couple of near-death experiences a few days ago," he said casually. "I'd rather not add more just to rescue strangers."
He waved lazily over his shoulder.
"Good luck if you want to continue."
Kiel's face fell immediately.
"I thought we were going to find them," he said quietly.
Klaus glanced at him.
"Yes," he replied calmly. "But not inside a dungeon."
He pointed toward the dark tunnel.
"We don't know what's inside or what happened to them."
Shane didn't move.
He stood there, staring into the darkness ahead. "Are you sure about that?" he asked slowly.
Klaus had already taken several steps toward the entrance, but Shane's voice made him pause mid-stride.
Shane continued, calm and thoughtful.
"Usually, untouched dungeons mean hidden treasures."
He tucked his hand in his pockets.
"And usually… a lot of them."
Klaus stopped walking.
His ears twitched.
Slowly… he turned his head.
The lazy boredom in his expression faded, replaced by a spark of sudden interest. His eyes sharpened like a merchant who had just heard the sound of coins.
"…Treasures?" he said quietly.
Then he turned fully around and walked back toward the group, passing them without another word.
"Well," he said casually as he reclaimed the lead position, "we can't just let our friends die senselessly, right?"
Kiel brightened immediately.
"Right!"
Ulon crossed his arms and shook his head in disbelief.
"What a noble man," he said with exaggerated admiration.
Maddy snorted.
"Please. Greed runs deeper in his veins than blood."
Ulon nodded thoughtfully.
"I bet if you cut him open, he'll bleed gold."
Klaus glanced over his shoulder.
"If I do, you're paying the healer bill."
Shane said nothing.
He smirked faintly and gestured forward.
"Let's move."
The group advanced deeper into the dungeon.
The air grew cooler and heavier as they walked. The passage widened, and the stone beneath their boots became smoother. It was now more like a street road rather than a cave path.
Soon, they reached the split Klaus had mentioned.
Two main passages stretched in opposite directions, while several smaller alcoves dotted the walls like shallow pockets.
Shalotte raised his glowing staff higher.
The warm light spread across the stone surfaces.
And for the first time, the details of the walls became clear.
The stone was covered with intricate patterns—thin lines and shapes carved into the surface in long repeating sequences. The carvings were faint with age but still remarkably clear.
Shalotte stepped closer, eyes widening as he traced the shapes with his gaze.
"These patterns…" he murmured. "I don't recognize them."
Shane stepped beside him and placed a hand on the wall.
The stone felt smooth under his palm.
"Are you saying they're ancient?" he asked. "The walls look well-maintained."
Shalotte nodded carefully.
"I'm sure, boss."
He leaned closer to examine the carvings again.
"One thing is certain," he added quietly. "This place is older than the empire itself."
Ulon whistled softly.
"Older than the empire?"
He glanced around the passage again, suddenly more alert.
"But if the boss says the walls look well maintained…" he continued slowly, "does that mean someone—or something—is taking care of this place?"
The words settled heavily in the air.
Everyone instinctively looked around.
The quiet dungeon suddenly felt less empty.
Petra tightened her grip on her scythe.
Maddy shifted her stance, her eyes scanning the shadows.
Even though Kiel swallowed nervously, he pulled out the Devil's arm from his storage.
Only Klaus remained relaxed.
He closed his eyes briefly.
A faint ripple of echolocation spread outward again.
He listened.
Then opened his eyes.
"There's no immediate threat," he said calmly. "I sense nothing but cave walls and…"
He frowned slightly.
"…wagons."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Wagons?" Maddy repeated.
Klaus pointed toward the left passage.
"There are a couple of wagons down that way."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he focused.
"Could be the Kultians."
Kiel's face lit up with cautious hope.
Shane nodded once.
"Then we take the left passage."
Klaus rolled his shoulders and stepped forward again.
"Well," he muttered, "let's see whether we're rescuing people… or collecting corpse."