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Return of the Fallen Volume 3 Chapter 23

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Author: Blue_Rat

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ch23

Seeing the enormous tunnels, which stretched 15 feet tall, many in Kazuki’s group were taken aback. The surroundings resembled that of a large beehive instead of a naturally formed cave. This, however, was not what caused them to gasp in astonishment. Instead, it was a purplish-grey fog that seemed to fill every one of the paths.

Kimi immediately screamed in horror.

“Miasma, it’s the Miasma! Hurry cover your faces, hold your breath before you die!”

Everyone quickly covered their face with a cloth and Asuna also helped to cover the confused Mei’s face.

“Mei don’t inhale that stuff in.”

Kazuki had seen this purplish-grey fog earlier. He had been suspicious of it but not afraid. He felt something familiar about it but for some reason, he couldn’t put his thumb on it.

Asuna and the others thought there was something wrong with Kazuki, seeing how nonchalant he was. Shin shouted at his back.

“Ryuta are you insane? Cover your mouth before that Miasma kills you.”

Even Nunully grew worried and grabbed Kazuki’s hand.

“Ryuta, don’t breathe in.”

Kazuki shook his head.

“This isn’t Miasma, were fine.”

Asuna was worried.

“But but this purplish fog, isn’t this what Garn showed us before, how can you say that?”

“Do you not remember what Garn said. That Miasma moves as though it has a mind and attacks living things. If it were the same as what he described, that fog would have attacked us the moment we stepped into this large chamber. Not only that, the color is slightly off as well. Look at the edges of the fog. The Miasma we witnessed in Tresta was purplish-black, while this is purplish with hints of grey mixed in. It’s hard to tell at first but if you look carefully you can see it.”

Asuna’s observed the fog a little closer and discovered that Kazuki was right. A feeling of relief swept over her and she lowered her shirt from her mouth and nose. Now that she calmed down she felt embarrassed for showing her supple stomach and belly button. Kazuki though hadn’t even looked at her or noticed which made her feel even more embarrassed. At the same time, she saw Nunully’s hand resting comfortably in Kazuki’s and a hint of jealousy rose within her.

Asuna walked over and breathed in deeply.

“Ha, Ryuta your right, thank you.”

Asuna slapped Kazuki hard on his back. Enough so that he took a few steps forward, which in turn caused him to let go of Nunully’s hand.

Nunully knew exactly what Asuna was up to but Kazuki was left confused and slightly annoyed.

“What the hell was that for?”

Asuna simply grinned.

“What are you talking about. I was simply appreciating your help that’s all.”

Asuna then turned and walked back to Mei, who was still holding her breath.

“Eh, Mei what’s the matter, what’s wrong!? Ah oh! Breathe Mei, it’s fine now, don’t hold it in and breathe.”

Mei exhaled and gasped for air. She still didn’t know what was going on but found it fun and wanted to do it again. Asuna was left trying to explain that it wasn’t a game.

Shin though was left wondering if it was really alright.

“Ryuta are you sure? I mean just look at that fog, doesn’t it seem odd to you.”

“Odd, yes but dangerous…I don’t think so. If anything it seems somewhat familiar for some reason.”

Shin didn’t understand but if there was no danger why should he be the only one concerned.

Shin uncovered his face and inhaled deeply.

“It just seems like humid air.”

Nunully as well, hearing Kazuki say it was fine was good enough for her and she too took in a breath.

Kimi held her staff tightly but found no problem and relaxed a bit followed by Sam.

Kimi pointed her staff at the purplish-grey fog and cursed.

“Stupid smokey stuff go away. Hmpf.”

Shin laughed at Kimi.

“Hahaha, what do you think it will listen to you. Kimi maybe it will move if you fart on it.”

Everyone stared at Shin with a look that said [ ” really” ]

But shortly after little Mei was clapping her hands together while laughing loudly.

“Hahahahahaha.”

Shin nodded to himself.

“You see, little Mei gets it.”

Little Mei stopped and tilted her head and asked.

“I get what?”

Everyone looked between Mei and Shin and broke out in laughter. Even Shin had a laugh at himself. The Cautious atmosphere from before had been completely thrown away.

*Chtstrsht*

A loud sound suddenly interrupted their laugh. As the sound of something sharp scraping rock rang out around them, everyone went into defensive mode and stood with their weapons at the ready.

*Chtstrtcht*

The sound of rocks being scrapped echoed out and got louder and louder.

Kazuki shouted at everyone.

“Somethings coming closer. It’s coming from one of the tunnels but I can’t tell which one. Either way, it will be here soon, so get ready.”

Kazuki stood at the front and Sam joined him by his side, a Large Warhammer in his grasp. Shin, Mei, and Asuna weren’t far behind them spread out in a half-circle. Finally, Nunully and Kimi were at the rear spread apart as well. Kimi was already preparing a focused beam of light, while Nunully prepared two sharp ice spears, ready to launch at any moment.

*Chtstrtcht*

The noise grew louder once more but now it echoed out from every direction. Not only did it echo from every single one of the large paths carved into the chamber wall but from the only path behind them as well, the noise screamed out.

Kazuki couldn’t tell if there were multiple enemies or if the acoustics of the chamber were simply playing tricks on his ears, either way, he could not allow an unknown enemy with unknown strength to get behind them and block there only escape.

“Sam, fall back to the rear and protect it, I don’t know where the enemies are gonna come from. Also, make sure our escape is clear.”

Sam nodded and dashed to the back. As soon as he got there though he gave some bad news.

“Ryuta! That purple grey fog is starting to fill up the exit. What should we do?”

Kazuki cursed in his mind.

(Damn! We can’t afford to b trapped in this place with so many unknowns.)

Kazuki quickly shouted out his orders.

“Everyone! We are retreating. Sam! Lead us out, Shin and I will bring up the rear, Asuna you carry Nunully, Now Go!”

Sam didn’t hesitate and rushed into the exit, while Kazuki and Shin brought up the rear.

The only information they really had was about the monster and couldn’t afford to face multiple enemies. Right now it was best to retreat and come up with a clearer plan while investigating before they head back in.

Everyone had learned their lesson from the last time when they had entered the Mangshi forest. Whether it seemed simple or not, something could attack you from out of nowhere. Kazuki as well, he may be a native of this world and have vast amounts of knowledge but all that knowledge mainly came from books and was not absolute. He had seen many wild and marvelous things that he couldn’t explain and right now was no exception.

When faced with a situation that he couldn’t explain, for now, he felt it best to retreat, especially because of that fog. Something about it just felt off.

As Sam led the way, that same noise grew increasingly louder. At the same time, the fog-filled up the exit more and more. Pretty soon it became tough for Sam and the others to see clearly but they still pushed on. Asuna as well, for some reason, she felt something from the fog but couldn’t tell what it was and at right now she had no time to think about it. Pushing all unnecessary thought from her mind she ran forth while carrying Nunully.

*Chtstrtcht Chtstrtcht*

Sam sensed something in front of him and swung his hammer with all of his strength. At the same time, Kazuki felt an incredible danger at his back. Grabbing Shin by the arm he leaped forward and something missed behind him.

*Bang!*

*Chtstrtcht*

The sound around them suddenly grew quieter as rocks began to collapse around them. Sam as well, missed whatever was in front of him and swung again but whatever it was had disappeared without a trace.

Now the entire cave was filled with that purplish-grey fog and even with Kimi’s light, there was no way to see through it. Even Kazuki’s ki filled eyes couldn’t pierce through the fog but that no longer mattered, he could smell the fresh outside air and Shin as well could feel the wind on his skin, allowing him to see without eyes.

The two pushed the others from behind toward the outside. Kazuki shouted from the back.

“Keep moving forward, we’re almost there!”

Ten feet, thirty, fifty.

Kazuki and Shin, with one more push, everyone stumbled out of the cave and rolled together for several feet until they ended up in a large pile of snow.

Kimi immediately started to complain.

“Who’s hand was that! Which one of you pieces of shit dare grab my ass.”

Mei’s pitiful voice came from below her.

“Big sis, your big butt is squishing me, please get it off.”

Kimi’s face blushed red as she jumped off of the pile.

She cleared her throat and embarrassingly explained.

“Now now little Mei when you see I am actually normal and have grown perfectly proportional. My butt is the right size for my body type and is shapely as well, not big.”

Mei rolled out of the pile happy to be free from both the scary cave and the pile of heavy bodies. She laughed while making a snow angel.

“Hehehe, Big sis, your butt was just like the moon over there, so so big.”

Kimi grew heated as she looked up at the moon.

“You little brat…Who’s ass is as big as the moon. Come here and I’ll pinch those cheeks of yours. Soon they’ll swell up and then will see whos as big as the moon.”

A scene of Kimi chasing Mei soon played out. Kimi held an angry expression while Mei held one of oblivious joy.

Those words though, Kazuki felt they were off as he curiously glanced at the sky.

(This, how can this be!?)

“Everyone stop!”

Kazuki’s shout brought everyone’s attention to him.

Kazuki asked no one in particular.

“At what time did we enter the cave?”

Asuna was confused but answered anyway.

“An hour o so after the sun had risen, why do you ask?”

Kazuki’s eyes widen as he knew he was not dreaming. He stared at Asuna as though she were an idiot. Pointing at the full moon hanging from above, he said.

“Do you not see the moon out. How long do you think we were in the cave? Thirty minutes, forty at most. Do you still not see the problem?”

It was now that it dawned on everyone. They had entered the cave just after the sun had started to rise and left it not even an hour later, yet when they left, the moon was now at its peak.

Shin’s attention was drawn down the mountain towards the village. He grabbed Kazuki’s shoulder and pointed down below.

“Ryuta, the village, look at all the lights.”

Kazuki and the others redirected their focus and indeed found a strange sight. All of those empty and abandoned houses were all lit up as though people were living there.

(What the fuck is going on!?)

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