Since that day, the number of times Nickname and Alan met increased for some inexplicable reason.
Sometimes it was at Alan's invitation to carry out a mission together; other times it was a chance encounter in the city, followed by tea and idle chatter. Alan would always find some reason to invite Nickname along, and Nickname found it increasingly difficult to refuse these invitations.
On this day, the two tracked a group of Treasure Hoarders to the ruins of an old town. Eventually, they discovered the Treasure Hoarders were hiding in an abandoned mine, a dark and complex labyrinth inside.
Alan lit a fire starter and observed the footprints on the ground. "They've gone deeper. Be careful; the structure here is unstable and could collapse at any time."
Nickname nodded and followed closely behind.
There were many forks in the mine, and without the footprints to guide them, it would be very easy to lose one's way. The deeper they went, the more damp and cold the air became. Water droplets condensed on the cave walls, occasionally dripping with a soft thud.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from ahead, followed by the sound of tumbling gravel. The two exchanged a look and simultaneously quickened their pace.
Turning a corner, a narrow passage appeared before them, with faint flickers of firelight at the far end—the Treasure Hoarders were just ahead. However, a large pile of fallen rocks blocked the center of the passage, clearly the result of a recent collapse, leaving only enough room for one person to squeeze through sideways.
"I'll go in first," Alan said, squeezing into the gap sideways.
Nickname followed closely behind.
The passage was extremely narrow and the stone walls were rough; the two were practically pressed against each other as they passed. At such close proximity, Nickname could smell the unique fragrance on Alan, mixed with the dusty scent of the mine.
Just as Nickname was about to pass through, an ominous cracking sound came from above. Alan reacted instantly; before Nickname could even process what was happening, Alan pulled her toward herself and turned, using her back to block the falling rubble.
With a muffled thud, Alan's body trembled slightly.
"You—" Nickname was about to speak, but Alan covered her mouth.
"Don't make a sound," Alan whispered in her ear. Her warm breath brushed against her ear, sparking a fine, tingling sensation. "They're right ahead."
Only then did Nickname notice the firelight at the end of the passage getting closer. Members of the Treasure Hoarders were walking this way, holding torches.
This was not a suitable place for a conflict; the space was too narrow and the enemies were too numerous, putting them at a disadvantage.
Alan pulled Nickname to hide quickly in the shadow of a nearby rock. The space was so small they were forced to press tightly together.
Nickname's back was against the cold stone wall, but her chest was pressed against Alan's warm body. At such close range, Nickname could clearly feel Alan's heartbeat—steady and powerful—yet her own heartbeat suddenly accelerated at that moment.
She didn't know if this palpitation stemmed from the danger, from Alan's breath so close at hand, or from something else entirely.
The footsteps of the Treasure Hoarders drew closer, and the light from the torches could already reach the edge of the rock where they were hiding. Nickname held her breath and gripped her polearm tightly.
In that critical moment, Alan suddenly raised her hand. A small hidden weapon flew from her fingertips, striking a loose rock on the distant cave wall. With a clatter, the sound of the rolling stone successfully drew the Treasure Hoarders' attention.
"Over there!" someone shouted, and the footsteps immediately moved away.
Only after confirming it was safe did the two emerge from their hiding spot. As soon as they were out, Nickname immediately checked Alan's back, only to see a prominent bruise on her shoulder blade. Fortunately, there was no bleeding.
"You're injured." Nickname's brow furrowed.
"It's a minor injury." Alan moved her shoulder nonchalantly and turned back to Nickname with a curl of her lips. "Finish the mission first."
Nickname wanted to say more, but seeing that Alan had already chased after the direction the Treasure Hoarders went, she had no choice but to follow.
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