Dimensional Descent

The freshmen who followed behind Leonel felt as though they were walking into a paradise. After so long without seeing the sky, they realized how much they had taken something so simple for granted. Still, what they were the most shocked about was the fact that they had actually made it out at all.

After the seniors left, many of them had been thrown into the pits of despair. Though Leonel had managed to lead them to the mine itself, following underground tunnels was a completely different animal and there were even many times they thought it was all over.

Yet, Leonel had actually succeeded. And, to make matters even more shocking, despite running into several enemies below, the grenades Leonel had given them were just strong enough to kill them without also bringing the tunnels crumbling down around them.

By this point, many looked toward Leonel's back with hints of worship, even Ingkath and Irolana were no exception.

"Hey! You lot! What the hell are you doing here?!"

Leonel inwardly smiled, thinking that yet another group of King of Ores guards were going to get in their way.

What the group of freshmen following behind Leonel didn't know was that he had been confident in leading them out because he had seen Sarrieth's network of mines. Though that map hadn't had the underground tunnels marked on them, Leonel was able to deduce which might be connected based on the ores they produced and their proximity.

From the very beginning, Leonel knew he would be able to find a path out even if it took some trial and error.

However, for the first time, Leonel was surprised to find that his deduction was wrong. What he found weren't the guards of the King of Ores faction, but rather a group of blue belts who still had their former Peak emblems on their person.

From Leonel's understanding, they were from Loyal Peak. But, after scanning the situation, he realized that it didn't matter much.

The group was now so close to the mountain pass that it was within eyeshot. But, compared to the past when there might have been just a few groups travelling up and down the path, it was now flooded with activity.

now was so large that it was surprising that their group was noticed at all. It could only be

Leonel explained the

ran into a pair of Titan Hyena's and their Oryx partners. We were

mention of the Oryx. Rather, they were surprised that

of the mountain pass obvious. It seemed that the news of Oryx activity had finally made

were shocked was because many had already signed off all the freshmen in the area to death after receiving reports of where the Oryx had targeted. Never did they imagine that not only would some survive, but

belt at the helm took a deep

likely be necessary for you to answer some questions about

Leonel nodded. "Understood."

processed.

looked back at the group

bit surprised to find that every single one of these freshmen was looking toward Leonel as though to seek approval. Was his word as a senior not enough? What

These freshmen were the first to come back after having contact with the Oryx. If not for this, how could he be so

as Garlando shrank to his own thoughts,

of abilities, their caution makes sense. Who knows if one of the Oryx awakened a disguising ability or

quickly led away, having no idea the kind of

…

group. In fact, they all were. It wouldn't be much of an interrogation

tent flickered. His mind, finally free from