My breathing was uneven.
The cold stone pressed against my palms and seeped into my skin.
I tried to calm myself down.
Yeah… no. Still full panic mode.
I struggled to sit up. My knees ached, but honestly, that was the least of my problems right now.
I blinked several times, but it was pitch black.
The only sounds were my own breathing and distant dripping water.
"Perfect. Classic cave quest. No light, no map… full nightmare unlocked."
Slowly, I stood up, using the damp wall for balance.
Your eyes will adjust. They always say that.
Your eyes will adjust.
A few seconds passed.
And a few more.
Still black.
"Come on! Adjust already!"
Finally, faint shapes started to emerge.
Rough stone walls, roots hanging from cracks, scattered pools of glistening water.
Okay… at least I won't walk straight into a wall now.
I turned to look at where I fell.
The slope I had slid down was completely blocked by rocks.
No way back.
"Bravo, me. Not only did I fall, I also sealed my exit."
Up ahead, the path split into two.
Of course it did. Like every cursed cave ever.
"Right or left?"
I stared at both.
One was wider but darker.
The other was narrow but had a faint breeze.
Breeze usually means an exit… or death. Both are options.
Honestly, flipping a coin would be smarter.
"Left," I whispered eventually.
Why? Because my instincts usually suck.
I entered the narrow tunnel.
With each step, my heart slowly started to calm.
Maybe it's not as bad as I thought…
Maybe—
A clicking noise.
I froze instantly.
That was definitely not water.
And definitely not nobody.
My hand reflexively grabbed the basic sword at my waist.
"Please let it be falling rocks. Something harmless. Please."
The clicking grew louder.
Rhythmic.
Getting closer.
I took a step back.
Two faint glowing dots appeared in the darkness.
Like tiny pearls floating low to the ground.
I squinted.
The shape slowly came into focus.
Low, broad, close to the ground.
A segmented body covered in dark, stone-like armored plates.
Each plate jagged like broken rocks.
Six short legs moved in perfect sync, each step making that eerie clacking sound.
Its head tilted slightly.
Thin mandibles twitched and rubbed, producing a metallic rasping noise.
WARNING: Enemy Detected!
Type: Stonecrasher (Level 6)
Combat Skill: 48/100
Threat Level: HIGH
Recommended Action: Run Immediately!
"Holy freaking shit!"
Combat skill… 48?!
Mine is 5.
FIVE!
It's literally ten times stronger than me!
I am so unbelievably dead.