Chapter 608: Granite Caverns

Wain spent the three days before the operation began walking around the city. He could have spent that time training, but he just wanted to rest before a major battle and see what the most progressive cities looked like now.

He showed great interest in the blacksmiths in Dermin, some of whom had terrific skills, but it wasn't enough to fulfill Wain's order.

"Well, I hope Skyla's familiar blacksmiths won't disappoint me." Wain muttered before heading toward the base of Green Cats.

It was as turbulent there now as it was at the base of Twilight Embers as both Guilds knew there would be an important battle today.

Underneath the building was a passageway that led to Granite Caverns, so that's where Wain headed since most of the Green Cats members were already there.

"What's taking so long? Are you the kind of person who's always late?" Teresa asked with a disgruntled look as she stood at the entrance.

"Huh, I'm definitely not the last one, so how can I be late?" Wain grinned, "It's about to start, try not to die, I'm not going to defend you."

"Pfff, I didn't even doubt that." Teresa shook her head before following him.

Granite Caverns were several kilometers below Dermin and were even wider than the city, so each Guild, strong or weak, had a base there, as it was in Granite Caverns that Guild members got the bulk of Souls, rare resources, and ores.

"You have finally arrived." Fosko appeared as Wain and Teresa emerged from the tunnel.

"Yeah. Decided to meet us?" Wain asked while looking around.historical

"Something like that. Although I actually thought I'd be able to see your faces, but it looks like that's not going to happen yet." Fosko smirked as he bent over to Teresa, "You smell so nice, as though a flower."

"W-What...?!" Teresa exclaimed while waving her hands.

"Ahahahaha, I didn't think such a serious woman that I saw yesterday could be so shy. It's pretty cute, though. I like that." Fosko muttered with a pleasant smile on his face.

"That's enough. You'll have time to get to know each other better on your way to Last Light. We're here on other business." Wain uttered before heading forward.

"What?! You won't even stand up for me?" Teresa exclaimed.

"Hmm? Why would I?" Wain raised an eyebrow, "I don't care about your relationship. You can fuck whoever you want, it's none of my business."

"Fine. Honestly, I was worried you might be a couple, but it looks like your heart is still free, right?" Fosko uttered, stepped forward, and gently took Teresa by the chin.

Teresa flinched, but she had nowhere to go as Fosko pinned her against the wall. His actions restrained her as she was completely confused.

'What should I do...? Hit him...? Or maybe...? Teresa inwardly uttered while Fosko approached her.

"Unfortunately, I'll have to take it away to touch your lovely lips." Fosko muttered as he touched Teresa's mask.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Suddenly a powerful pressure came over Fosko that made his feline ears straighten as though in mortal danger. Fosko turned around, and his eyes went wide.

"Don't you dare take a mask off, you sly bastard!" Wain uttered in a thunderous voice while exuding a massive stream of dark energy as his gaze literally pierced Fosko.

"Damn, what a shame you noticed after all." Fosko sighed and shook his head as he stepped away from Teresa, "Okay, then we'll come back to this later when you can show me your face, sweetie. Damn, this is so romantic."

Teresa watched in silence as Wain and Fosko walked away while a hurricane of emotions went through her head.

...

"Are you serious?" Wain asked in a careless manner.

"She's not your girlfriend, right? Why are you suddenly curious?" Fosko smirked.

Wain remained silent.

"Okay, I'll be honest with you. I originally put on this show to unmask her, but maybe I really did fall in love. It might be the start of something bigger." Fosko said with a happy smile while holding his hands behind his head as he stared at the shining crystals that dangled from the granite ceiling.

"Good." Wain nodded.

...

A short time later, all the members who were to participate in the mission gathered outside the Green Cats' base at Granite Caverns. They were all excellent fighters with the best equipment and extensive combat experience. Those in the Fourth Chronicle were considerably fewer, but it was still enough to destroy a huge city if they wanted to.

"All of you know why you are gathered here. Our task is to destroy one of the Twilight Embers' bases on the third level of Granite Caverns! We will definitely do it today!" Skyla exclaimed as she let out her majestic aura that as though the stream had reached everyone.

"Level three? What is that?" Wain asked with a confused look as he turned to Fosko.

"We need a crystal there, so we must go down. There are four levels and we'll go almost to the dangerous one." Fosko uttered as he waved his hand.

"How are the levels different from each other?" Teresa asked while standing behind Wain.

"Hey, you can come closer. I don't bite." Fosko smiled, "On level three, the ratio of Fourth Chronicle monsters to Third Chronicle is one to four."

"I see. One in four... Well, that shouldn't be a problem." Wain muttered.

"Sure, but sometimes monsters with three lit torches can show up, and it's a real headache. That can't happen on the second and first levels, so the third can be very dangerous." Fosko muttered in a careless manner.

"Fosko! Come here!" Skyla suddenly shouted with an angry look.

"Sure." Fosko sighed as he appeared beside her.

"Fosko and I will destroy Crystal, so you will be led by Nina." Skyla uttered, and a girl with long blond hair emerged from the crowd.

'Huh, looks like she's changed her outlook on life.' Wain muttered inwardly while looking at her scars.

The scars had strange dark veins that emanated an aura familiar to Wain as the same one he felt from Markaz in the Forgotten Forest.