A blob of light slowly emerged from the darkness, moving toward Bran and Eric.
"What did you see?" Eric asked before Eren could speak.
Eren looked at his two teammates and sighed. "The giant is sleeping. The room is just around the corner, and it's filled with all kinds of treasure. But there's only one exit. If he wakes up, escaping will be much harder."
Eric glanced at Bran, seeking his approval before proceeding. He was starting to realize his thoughts were scattered, as though he wasn't entirely himself anymore. Bran seemed affected by a similar hex but showed some resistance as his instincts took over.
Bran met his gaze and nodded. "Let's go. The giant orc is already asleep. This is the best opportunity, and we don't have to follow that stupid plan either."
Eric was a bit taken aback, but he couldn't argue. It truly was an opportunity. He turned to Eren and said, "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
The trio moved cautiously through the narrow passage, one by one. Eren led the way, Bran followed close behind, and Eric came last, awkwardly contorting his body to squeeze through the tight space. The rocks shifted at the slightest touch, brushing against their skin—a chilling reminder of the risk of being buried alive. Still, they pressed on.
Soon, they stood before the giant door, its handle towering meters above them—so high it would take five Erens stacked to reach it. Both Bran and Eric were in awe of the majestic door.
Then Eren whispered, "We don't need torches inside; there's light in there."
Bran and Eric quickly extinguished their torches and put them back in their inventory.
Slowly, they crept inside, following Eren.
In front lay a massive one-eyed orc, its dark green skin glistening, and tusks so enormous they pierced its own skull, slowly leading to its demise. Luckily for the trio, it was fast asleep, its thunderous snores echoing through the dark walls that seemed to devour the faint light streaming from above.
But that was not where Bran's eyes were; he was fixated on the various glistening armor and weapons. Among the piles of armor, one particular piece stood out as the most astounding. Painted golden with angel wings on its front, it radiated brilliance in stark contrast to the others. If there was ever armor made by gods, this one fit the description. Its majestic appearance almost cast a spell on Bran's mind, replacing his thoughts with its own allure.
He stepped closer to the angel's armor, moving like a zombie, his mouth hanging open with saliva dripping out. His eyes were fixed, ears deafened. Eric had to put him in a chokehold to prevent him from accidentally waking the giant. Just before he lost consciousness, Eric released him. Snapping out of the trance, he looked at Eric, who was standing over him. "What happened?"
Lending a hand to help Bran up, he said, "You're so greedy. Just grab whatever's near the exit and far away from that stupid giant."
Eren was already stuffing his inventory with armor and skill books, Bran, scratching his head, followed suit and soon filled his inventory completely. Eren and Eric also finished looting.
"Let's go, I'm full," Bran gestured to the duo. Eric nodded, but his attention was drawn to Eren, who stood near the corner of the room where the giant's hand lay.
Confused, Eric frowned, but before he could approach, Eren drew his sword and plunged it into the giant's hand. The giant groaned, thrashing in pain, Eren swiftly dodged and moved to the other side. Bran was already sprinting toward the exit, and though Eric hesitated for a moment, he quickly followed.
But it was too late, Orc roared behind them, eyes opened. Suddenly it's eye glowed, and the door was pulled, completely shutting it up.
With no other choice, both of them drew their weapons. Bran unleashed his Fang Render, carving into the orc, his bestial aura radiating fiercely. Eric activated Fortune Trade to boost him, raising his shield and shouting as he triggered both Stone Heart and Boulder's Head. Empowered by the boost, Bran roared like a lion, gaining a 25% damage increase and 25% damage negation.
The orc's flesh was tough, but with the stat boost, the beastly king nearly tore through it with its fangs. However, before he could regain his footing to launch another attack, the orc grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground, leaving him a bloodied pulp.
The last thing he saw was a man smiling, his lips moving silently. Even with his bloodied eye, he managed to read the words.
Eren swiftly pulled a scroll from his inventory and tore it, instantly teleporting behind Eric. He grabbed Eric by the shoulder, pulled out another scroll, and tore it with his teeth. In a flash of shimmering white light, both of them vanished, leaving behind a furious one-eyed orc.
The roaring orc shook the entire cave, the mountain obelisk trembling with its fury. But it was too late; the source of its frustration had already fled, taking what he wanted and leaving what he intended.
Revenge. Eren had been plotting it since the day they arrived at the camp, and now it had finally come to fruition. The man was dead, his corpse now being devoured by an orc.
Eric stared at his friend, horror etched across his face.
"What… what did you do, Eren?"
A jagged, manic laugh burst from Eren's throat.
"It had to be perfect—iconic. The purest image of karma." His grin stretched wider, eyes gleaming with feverish excitement. "Think about it: the wolf took your arm… and then I took the orc's arm. When you were bleeding, that brute only cared about keeping the monster away—and now? Now he's trapped with the beast, and the irony is, it's the monster that's screaming."
"Hahahaha!" Eren's face twisted with hysteria. "I'm not mocking you—I understand your pain. The wolf really got you."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a reverent whisper.
"It's a perfect loop… an Ouroboros."