Chapter 10 – Endless Caverns?
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“I politely decline,” Kim Si-woo’s words echoed the caverns.

 

.

.

.

 

I stood stupefied and in pure silence, which was broken only by the occasional drips of water. 

 

“Why?” I asked pensively. 

 

“I don’t want to be under anyone,” he casually replied, moving on from the goblin camp.

 

“Why are you so insistent on becoming my teacher anyway?” Kim Si-woo added as he conjured a ball of light, illuminating a path ahead.

 

I frowned internally. How was I supposed to explain that I needed to lick his boots to maintain my own power and save the world? And all because some stupid voice inside my head said so?

 

I'd be labelled as a schizophrenic!

 

[Hey! I have a name, you know?!]

 

Right- wait, you have a name?!

 

[Yeah! It’s just… I forgot]

 

Why do you have amnesia too?! Isn’t it typical that you’re super powerful and helpful? You don’t give me any quests, rewards or powerups, and all you do is yap in my head all day!

 

[Uwaaaa, harsh!] 

 

Freeloader! That's your new name!

 

[Wha-!?]

 

“It must be difficult to say.” Kim Si-woo’s voice suddenly brought me back to reality, where I realised I was staying silent for a bit too long. 

 

“Don’t worry, I won’t pry too much.” I stared at his complicated gaze with some confusion. I had a feeling that a massive misunderstanding just happened…

 

“Let’s move on, academy staff should’ve been deployed by now.” Kim Si-woo reassured as we headed towards the endless abyss ahead, guided by a small radiance.

 

Although I’ve failed to recruit him for now, there are plenty of opportunities left in the future. Not to mention, he didn’t look at me like trash anymore! It felt more like… indifference?

 

Progress!

 

[Progress!] 

 

We continued to navigate the complex tapestry of cave networks that connected to the cavern, with Kim Si-woo maintaining the lead. Along the way, we managed to finish off a few of the goblins that ran away, but there was nothing of note aside from that.

 

“We might die here.” I coldly concluded as I began to feel mentally numbed by the hours of silently walking. It truly felt endless. 

 

With a sigh, I sat down on a nearby rock with a bored look on my face.

 

“Hey, do you know anything similar to this place?” Kim Si-woo suddenly asked.

 

“I’ve never seen any place like this. It’s a brand new region that has never opened up before,” I replied. 

 

The other world was mapped out with great detail over the years as it ultimately connected to the same world. As a part of the curriculum, it was mandatory to study topography, which meant all students should be familiar with the world to an extent.

 

There were various examples of underground systems. However, none of them resembled this endless cavern.

 

It was almost as if-

 

“This place is made up.” The protagonist concluded as he grabbed a nearby pebble and threw it at the wall. It perfectly collided and scattered into the air, as one would expect. 

 

“Fake?” I tilted my head. 

 

“We’re in an illusion. I don’t doubt my memory. We’ve been walking in a loop.” He picked up a similar pebble and threw it at the wall again. It perfectly collided and scattered into the air, again. 

 

I narrowed my eyes. He was right. Patterns repeated despite us having passed them already, now that I looked around at the rocks. Their size and features weren't so unique. 

 

“Is it a feature of this place, or is it…” I muttered to myself.

 

“Or is it me?” Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice interrupted. 

 

Me and Kim Si-woo immediately jolted away from our spots and prepared our weapons. We looked at the source of the voice- a middle-aged man with grey hair wearing a suit. 

 

Although he seemed ordinary, neither my senses nor the protagonists detected him. He was far from someone we could face recklessly.

 

“Who are you?!” Kim Si-woo shouted as he prepared the ice sword I made for him. 

 

“Really? I know I’m not popular, but to think neither of you know my face…” The man sobbed to himself before he clicked his fingers, which revealed our location to be a massive open space with white tiles.

 

It was one of the academy’s underground facilities that simulated the other world. How did we end up here? Most students would never encounter this area unless they were among the best in the school.

 

Perhaps it was the butterfly effect of my intervention, but the protagonist was only supposed to train here after the academy’s tournament arc later in the game. 

 

Not to mention, I still didn’t recognise the man in front of me. As a student cabinet member and a professional with 500 hours of experience, I knew pretty much everyone in the academy and beyond. To have both the authority and strength to teleport us here... 

 

I juggled my memories, trying to find any clues about his identity. 

 

“I was curious about our top student here, who went out of her way to find someone.” The man revealed with a meaningful smile.

 

He knew who I was, which wasn't that surprising. I was a local celebrity after all. More importantly, though, he was actively tracking me!?

 

If he was a teacher, wasn't this a complete violation of school policy? Scratch that, where are the local privacy laws?!

 

“I’m impressed with your senses, Private Kim Si-woo. Have this pill- it helps boost growth. Consider it a reward for being in my little game.” The man eerily clapped before he handed over a red pill to the protagonist.

 

I recognised it. 

 

The pill was an extremely common early-game item to boost the protagonist’s growth exponentially, typically found after quests and sold by a mysterious wandering witch.

 

“Thanks,” Kim Si-woo eyed the pill with suspicion. Naturally, I would be suspicious too, but it was a proven game item with no side effects- that I knew of. 

 

Unexpectedly, this became quite a beneficial encounter. However, I still couldn't recall anything about him. There were only three suspects when it came to having the ability of teleportation. He did not fit any of the criteria to be them. 

 

“I won’t take any more of your time. You are dismissed, Private!” With a prompt salute, the old man sent Kim Si-woo on his way.

 

“Wait,” Kim Si-woo paused for a moment. 

 

“What about her?” He pointed to me. 

 

“I have a few things to discuss with the Second Lieutenant,” the man calmly smiled with closed eyes. 

 

With me? Was it related to the student cabinet? 

 

“Since you know us already- who are you?” Kim Si-woo further asked.

 

“Ohoho, of course. Where are my manners? I’m Colonel Welsh, nice to meet you,” the Colonel extended his hand to Kim Si-woo, who reluctantly accepted it. 

 

“You too seem quite close, are you dating?” The Colonel asked after he eyed both of us both of us for a moment.

 

““Not at all.”” We both calmly replied. 

 

Instead, I’m his soon-to-be glorious teacher, not his girlfriend! 

 

[Stage 1: Denial]

 

Shut up, freeloader!

 

“Hahaha, alright,” like a kind uncle, the Colonel heartily laughed before we both saw Kim Si-woo off.

 

As he departed, Kim Si-woo's complicated eyes signalled to me that he wanted answers later on. From his perspective, it made sense that I would have a hand in instigating this, but I really didn't know him!

 

[Oh no... the trust is decreasing!]

 

This wasn't a fruitful encounter after all! Damned old man, just when I thought I was making progress.

 

I glared at the Colonel's still smiling, aged face.

 

What did he want from me?

 

 

Hi all! Another chapter here, thanks for reading! 

Edited and fixed any mistakes hopefully! Please point out any I missed!

Discord: https://discord.gg/sTscEap6h9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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