Dimensional Descent

Aina pulled her sword out quickly.

She didn't quite understand what was happening. Shouldn't Invalids be creatures of instinct? They shouldn't have any intelligence or sense of comradery. Something like signaling one's allies was a distinctly human trait. Sometimes beasts of higher intelligence would engage in such matters as well. But, Invalids? That should never happen.

'It didn't become energy?'

Aina was shocked once again. The Invalid before her collapsed, but it didn't disappear into energy she could absorb. Just what was happening?

Aina's heart seized. Did she make a mistake? Was it not an Invalid at all?

No, that was impossible. Its eyes, its aura, its demeanor, it all screamed Invalid. So, what was happening exactly?

Aina didn't believe that she would make such a rookie mistake. Plus, what existence other than an Invalid could shriek like that even after having its head pierced through?

Aina was certain, it hadn't been a shriek of pain or unwillingness. It had no emotion behind it all, it was completely hollow and without conscience.

'I need to move.'

Aina thrust these thoughts to the back of her mind, taking a glance at the wall the 'Invalid' had been scratching at.

If Leonel had been there, he would immediately recognize the Tier 5 Black Ore embedded into the wall. It wasn't very valuable, but it wasn't worthless either. At the very least, it could sell for a couple kilograms of Black Urbe Ore.

'I don't have time to dig it out and it doesn't seem like a very high level ore either.' Aina nodded to herself. 'Run.'

Aina turned tail and ran. She felt it was unfortunate that she had placed herself in such a difficult situation for such a worthless Ore she couldn't even mine, but there was no time to cry over spilt

back in the direction

wall. And, if she got lost in these tunnels, there would be no one to come out and save her. Therefore, her best chance was to follow her

their way. If she

confidence, only to come

of them with their backs facing her. But, they all simultaneously rotated their heads in her direction as though

her jaw

go forward?

But, the latter would force her to forget her initial plans entirely. There was no way she would be able to keep

of tunnels simply had too many diverging paths. If it wasn't for this, there was no way that Aina would only meet these

grit her

If that was the case, there might very well be even more if she

a faint red hue covering her blade and

thought, she shot forward, brandishing her

seemed disjointed. Though they were as fast as Fourth Dimensional humans,

more like some alien species just learning how to walk on their own two feet thanks to bodies they

send a cold shiver down Aina's back, but this was a good thing for her. The less coordinated they

leg in quick succession. Without even bothering with the remaining two, she shot by the gap she created

make. As long as the Invalids she

several corners, almost lamenting her previous actions. Why couldn't she had traveled in a straight line before? What

into several more Invalids. Many were alone, allowing her to easily bypass them. But, a few came in groups of two and three. Still, it

she grew more anxious the more she ran. How were there so many Invalids here? Why did none of them become motes

she ran into, the more she began