CHAPTER 43: CAVE CRAWLERS.

[The skill Analysis is active.]

[Target has been acquired.]

[Name: Cave crawlers.]

[Rank: Special level.]

[Special abilities: Poison and Hunting.]

[Status: Protective, cautious.]

Using the information from his Resource Gathering, Dorian was able to use Analysis to pinpoint the exact location of these monsters he was looking for.

Unfortunately, the information he could get from things varies depending on what they are and what the skills deem important to know.

Dorian stood still, squinted his eyes, and held Maria’s hand to push the fire torch forward.

[The skill Supervision has been activated.]

[You can now see further and in the dark as well.]

He soon discovered that everything was clear and his vision had improved, as if the entire area had been suddenly filled with light.

’Oh, so I didn’t need the torch then.’

As he moved Maria’s hand to the side, facing forward to now have a look at the tunnels, his eyes widened in shock at the sight before him.

He could see them. The cave crawlers, numerous numbers of them.

Some were perched on the walls like spiders, some on the ceiling, and others on the ground, their multiple green eyes staring back at him.

They looked like walking skeletons, only rather than bones, they looked to be made of rotting flesh, seeing as tissues were hanging at every corner of their body and faces.

From where Dorian stood, no one could see them; they had hidden themselves neatly inside the dark.

However, he was certain of one thing. The moment anyone gets close enough. It’s game over.

It didn’t take long for Maria to read Dorian’s body language.

Without saying a word, she pulled out her broken sword, eyes fixed on the same place as him.

She inquired, "Are there monsters inside?"

"Make sure everyone is ready to run when I give the signal. Remember what we spoke about?" Dorian gave her the side-eye.

Maria was hesitant to answer, but she did.

"Yes, my lord."

"Good." Dorian scratched the back of his head. "This is such a pain. Wait here; I’ll be back."

He took a step forward.

Before he could take any more, Maria grabbed him by the hand.

"I knew it! Are you planning to approach them alone?!" she shouted.

Seraphina, who was at the back, immediately threw on a worried look. She didn’t understand what was going on, but if Maria was screaming, then it had to be something concerning.

"Relax, I am not stupid enough to fight that many special-level monsters."

"So what are you..."

"I am going to try speaking to them. From their point of view, we are merely invaders infringing upon their home. They are protecting what is theirs," Dorian replied calmly. "If I can understand where they are coming from, then I can figure out a way to reach a logical agreement."

"Of course, only you will be bold enough to try communicating with a special-level monster." Maria sighed, then looked at him. "At least let me come with you then; I can..."

"Maria!" he yelled authoritatively at her.

She was slightly shaken by this, and her expression changed to one that was a little emotional.

"Me speaking to them doesn’t mean I am certain they are peaceful," he snarled. "If they are to retaliate, your job is to make sure every worker makes it out of here alive. Tell me you understand what I am saying."

She glanced to the side, "But..."

"Maria."

"I-I understand."

"Good girl. Besides, it might work in our favor." Dorian uttered with a smile, releasing his hand from Maria’s grasp as he began to move forward.

As he walked, Maria watched, clenching the hilt of her blade tightly.

She didn’t care one bit about the workers. None of them mattered to her.

If the situation were different, she would one hundred percent focus on protecting them all by herself. This was different; Dorian was the one in danger.

"I refuse," Maria uttered under her breath, conviction glimmering in her red eyes.

The voices of the workers soon began to echo from behind...

"What is going on? Why is Lord Dorian approaching the cave by himself?"

"Should we be worried? Lady Maria looked scared there, right? You guys saw it too, right?"

Seraphina looked to them.

"Please be ready to run when the signal is given," she said, her face etched with seriousness. "Lord Dorian doesn’t want anyone dying; be prepared."

With Seraphina’s confirmation that there was a problem, the employees all appeared even more terrified.

Following her statement, she walked forward and stood directly next to Maria.

"Are there monsters there?" she asked, eyes focused.

"Yes."

"My Lord told you to run when he gives the signal, right?"

"Yes."

"We are not doing that, correct?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. I can cast a barrier using my magic to shield the path to the workers. Long enough for them to escape, so you don’t have to worry." Seraphina didn’t once look away from Dorian.

Neither did Maria.

"Thanks."

"I am doing this for my darling. Think nothing of it."

...

At the very front, Dorian was now standing close enough to the tunnel at the right.

From where he stood, he could see the cave crawlers slowly crawling to the front, stalking him down and waiting for the right time to pounce.

’Wow, seeing them up close is pretty frightening. I can sense their death intent from here, yet, for some reason, it doesn’t seem to be fixed on me. If not, they would have attacked me by now.’

He took a deep breath and then breathed out.

’Come, Lili, time to do your job.’

A small golden light shone beside him, and Lili flew right out of it in her bat form. She hovered right beside his head, her eyes also fixed inside the cave.

"Yes, Master, do you need me to take care of these pests?" Lili asked as she flapped her wings energetically.

"Quite the opposite, actually." Dorian looked to her. "I would like you to act as an interpreter for this meeting, if you will."