LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 13: chapter 13 - again
The group sat around the dim glow of a small fire, the flickering light casting long shadows against the cave walls. Despite the quiet hum of tension in the air, there was a rare moment of stillness. The battle with the rat swarm had left everyone battered and exhausted, but the eerie silence of the labyrinth pressed on their nerves.
Erin pulled up his system screen with a practiced motion, the blue interface lighting his face.
"Let's check where we stand," he said, his tone clipped but steady. "We need to know what's left to do."
Mo Tang nodded and brought up her own screen. Rishitha hesitated for a moment before doing the same, careful to shield her interface from the others. Unlike them, some of her missions weren't meant to be shared.
[Erin's Mission Log]
Main Mission: Survival in the Forest
Status: In Progress
Mission: Conquer the Depths
Objective: Cross the underground lake while avoiding or defeating the creatures lurking within.
Time Limit: 2 hours (Remaining: 1 hour, 12 minutes)
Reward: +50 Points, Skill Upgrade (Teamwork: Moderate)
Emergency Mission: Survive the Swarm
Status: Completed
Reward: +20 Points, Increased Teamwork Skill (minor)
New Objective: Escape the Labyrinth
Status: In Progress
Reward: Skill Upgrade: Keen Instincts (Advanced)
[Mo Tang's Mission Log]
Main Mission: Survival in the Forest
Status: In Progress
Mission: Escape the Labyrinth
Objective: Navigate and escape the labyrinth safely.
Status: In Progress
Reward: Skill Upgrade: Keen Instincts (Advanced)
Emergency Mission: Survive the Swarm
Status: Completed
Reward: +20 Points, Increased Teamwork Skill (minor)
Mo Tang let out a breath and leaned back, her eyes scanning the interface. "Looks like we're both still stuck on escaping this place. At least the swarm mission's done."
Erin grunted in agreement, his fingers swiping through his screen. "Crossing that lake will be a problem if we don't come up with a strategy soon."
"Lake?" Rishitha asked, tilting her head.
"There's a body of water ahead," Erin explained, gesturing vaguely in the direction they were heading. "It's marked as a danger zone. Probably infested with creatures. My mission requires us to cross it."
Mo Tang's screen blinked, and she frowned. "Same. I need to escape the labyrinth, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ties into the lake challenge. The rewards are too specific."
Rishitha pretended to study her own screen, her heart pounding. She had no intention of revealing her secret missions. Make Mo Tang win the hidden mission prize. The words hovered in her mind like a weight she couldn't ignore.
Her screen displayed a list of completed missions, the rewards quietly tucked into her inventory. But her pending missions felt heavier:
[Rishitha's Mission Log]
Main Mission: Survival in the Forest
Status: In Progress
Hidden Mission: Lead the Group Out of the Cave Successfully
Status: In Progress
Reward: ???
Hidden Mission: Discover the Artifact Within the Treasure Chamber
Status: In Progress
Reward: ???
Secret Mission: Ensure Mo Tang Wins the Hidden Mission Prize
Status: Completed
Reward: 100 Points
She closed the screen quickly, not wanting Erin or Mo Tang to catch a glimpse.
"How about you, Rishitha?" Mo Tang asked, her voice soft but curious. "Any leads on your missions?"
Rishitha fumbled for an answer. "Just… surviving the forest," she said, her voice careful. "And figuring out how to deal with this labyrinth, I guess."
Erin narrowed his eyes but didn't press her. "Fine. Let's focus on what we know. Mo Tang and I need to cross the lake, and it's likely tied to the labyrinth. Whatever's ahead, we'll deal with it together."
Mo Tang nodded, her expression determined. "Agreed. It's not like we've had much of a choice so far."
Rishitha forced a smile, though her mind was racing. Her own objectives were tangled with theirs, but the stakes were different. If they find out about my system, my missions… will they still trust me?
For now, she kept her secrets close, the weight of her system missions pressing down like an invisible chain.
"Let's rest," Erin said finally, extinguishing his screen with a flick of his hand. "We'll need our strength for whatever comes next."
As the fire crackled softly and the cave fell silent again, Rishitha stared at her faintly glowing interface. The words blurred in her tired vision, but she couldn't look away.
Whatever comes next… I'll face it. She clenched her fists. Even if I'm walking a different path than the others.
Rishitha couldn't sleep. Her head throbbed with exhaustion, but the pressure of her secret missions kept her wide awake. Every flicker of the fire felt like a reminder of the stakes—her life, her parents, the fate of this world.
She glanced at Mo Tang and Erin. Both were huddled close to the fire, their exhaustion evident even in their sleep. Mo Tang's hand rested lightly on the hilt of her blade, a subconscious habit born of necessity. Erin, ever alert even in rest, had his back against the cave wall, his arms crossed as though ready to spring into action.
I can't keep holding back, Rishitha thought, biting her lip. If I don't start acting, my secret missions will put them in more danger. But how do I play this without breaking their trust?
She opened her interface once again, this time navigating to the newly unlocked skills and rewards from her completed missions.
[System Interface: Skills and Inventory Updates]
Passive Skill: Guardian's Will
Effect: Reduces incoming damage by 10% when protecting others.
New Skill: Keen Instincts
Effect: Heightened awareness of hidden dangers and traps.
Basic Healing Potion: 1 (Inventory)
Skill Scroll: Basic Trap Detection
Her eyes lingered on Guardian's Will. Protecting others had always been instinctive for her, even before this world. But here, it had literal value—a skill that could turn the tide of a fight.
Rishitha's thoughts were interrupted as Erin stirred. His piercing gaze met hers, even in the dim light.
"You're awake," he said, his voice low but clear.
Rishitha hesitated. "Yeah. Couldn't sleep."
"Worried about the lake?"
"Something like that."
Erin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You're holding something back."
Her heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
"You've been too quiet. You contribute, but it's always in the background. You never take the lead, never speak up unless you're pushed." His eyes narrowed. "You have a system like us, don't you?"
Rishitha's blood ran cold. Does he know?
Before she could respond, Mo Tang stirred and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Rishitha said quickly. "Just… strategy talk."
"Good," Mo Tang said, yawning. "Because we need one. The lake's going to be a nightmare."
Erin took charge, as he often did. He stood, his towering figure casting a long shadow across the cave. "First, we scout the lake. We don't cross it blind."
Mo Tang nodded. "Agreed. My interface mentions creatures in the water, but nothing specific. If we can figure out what we're up against, we can plan."
Rishitha swallowed hard. "What if the lake's unavoidable?"
"Then we make it crossable," Erin said bluntly. "Either by baiting the creatures away or taking them out."
Mo Tang frowned. "That's risky. What if they're stronger than us?"
"Then we use our environment," Erin countered. "Rishitha, do you have anything that could help? Traps, diversions?"
Her pulse quickened. The Basic Trap Detection scroll in her inventory came to mind, but revealing it would raise questions about where she got it.
"I… might be able to sense some traps or hidden dangers," she said cautiously.
Erin raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Good. That'll be useful."
As the group discussed tactics, Rishitha's mind worked on multiple levels. She couldn't let them know about her hidden missions, but she also couldn't risk failure.
Her objectives were clear:
Ensure Erin and Mo Tang survive the lake. Secretly guide them to the hidden artifact in the treasure chamber.
If she played her cards right, she could fulfill her missions without arousing suspicion.
The Plan Scout the Lake: Use Keen Instincts to sense any hidden dangers in the water or surrounding area. Set Traps: Discreetly use the Basic Trap Detection skill scroll to identify areas where the creatures could be lured and neutralized. Control the Flow: Lead Erin and Mo Tang toward the artifact's location while making it seem incidental. Emergency Backup: Keep the Basic Healing Potion ready in case of critical injuries.
As the group finalized their immediate plans, Rishitha steeled herself.
They don't need to know everything. As long as we all survive, that's what matters.
"Let's move," Erin said, his voice breaking the silence.
With the fire extinguished and their gear secured, the trio ventured deeper into the labyrinth. Shadows danced along the walls as they approached the faint sound of rushing water—the lake awaited.
For better or worse, Rishitha's hidden path would intertwine with theirs, and she couldn't afford to falter.
The sound of rushing water grew louder as the trio advanced. A damp chill hung in the air, clinging to their skin and making every breath feel heavier. The faint glow of bioluminescent fungi illuminated the cavern, casting an eerie blue light across the jagged walls.
The lake was enormous, its dark waters stretching far beyond their sight. Ripples danced across the surface, disturbed by unseen movements beneath.
Erin crouched by the edge, dipping his hand into the water. He pulled it back quickly, shaking off droplets. "Cold as ice. If we end up in there, hypothermia will be the least of our worries."
Mo Tang stepped beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the surface. "There's something alive in there. It's watching us."
Rishitha closed her eyes, activating her Keen Instincts. A faint vibration buzzed in her mind, guiding her senses. Her gaze snapped to a cluster of rocks near the lake's center.
"There," she whispered, pointing. "Something big. Waiting."
Erin followed her gaze, his expression darkening. "Great. Any idea how we get across without becoming fish food?"
Mo Tang's interface chimed faintly. She opened it, her eyes narrowing as she read. "There's a mention of a submerged path. It's unstable and partially collapsed, but it's the only way to the other side."
"Submerged?" Erin scoffed. "So we're supposed to wade into that death trap?"
"Unless you want to swim," Mo Tang shot back.
As the two argued, Rishitha accessed her own system interface, checking her secret missions.
[Hidden Mission Update]
Objective: Lead the group safely across the lake while guiding them toward the hidden artifact. Reward: Skill Upgrade: Keen Instincts (Advanced). Failure: Team death.
Her heart pounded. She couldn't afford any mistakes.
"Wait," she interrupted. "If there's a path, I might be able to find it."
Erin and Mo Tang turned to her, surprise flickering across their faces.
"How?" Erin asked, his tone skeptical.
Rishitha hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I… have a sense for these things. I can feel where it's safer to step."
Mo Tang raised an eyebrow but didn't question further. "Fine. You lead. Erin, you cover her."
The trio stepped into the icy water, the cold biting into their legs as they moved deeper. Rishitha's instincts guided her steps, her mind hyper-focused on the faint vibrations that signaled stability—or danger.
"Slowly," she murmured. "One step at a time."
Erin stayed close behind, his sword drawn and ready. Mo Tang brought up the rear, her sharp gaze scanning for threats.
As they progressed, the water deepened, reaching their waists. Every ripple sent shivers down Rishitha's spine, her instincts screaming of unseen dangers below.
"We're being followed," Erin said, his voice low.
Rishitha didn't dare look back. "How close?"
"Too close," Mo Tang muttered.
Without warning, a massive creature burst from the water, its serpentine body coiling in the air before crashing down. Waves surged, knocking the trio off balance.
"Get back!" Erin shouted, slashing at the creature's body. His blade connected, but the impact barely left a mark.
Mo Tang launched herself forward, her blade striking with precision. The creature hissed, recoiling slightly but not retreating.
Rishitha scrambled to her feet, her instincts flaring with urgency. "There's an opening ahead! A platform! We have to get there!"
"Go!" Erin yelled. "We'll hold it off!"
"No!" Rishitha shouted, her voice breaking. "If we split up, we're dead! We move together!"
Rishitha accessed her interface mid-battle, her fingers trembling as she navigated to her inventory.
[Inventory: Basic Trap Detection Scroll]
She activated the scroll, her vision filling with glowing lines that highlighted weak points in the creature's body and the surrounding environment.
"There!" she cried, pointing to a jagged stalactite hanging above the creature. "If we bring that down, it'll block its path!"
Mo Tang didn't hesitate. She lunged toward the base of the stalactite, using her blade to strike the weakest point.
Erin covered her, deflecting the creature's attacks with calculated precision.
Rishitha joined them, throwing every ounce of strength into the effort. The stalactite cracked, the sound reverberating through the cavern.
"Move!" Erin shouted.
The trio dove forward as the stalactite broke free, crashing into the water and creating a barrier between them and the creature.
Gasping for breath, the group climbed onto the submerged path's platform. The creature thrashed behind the barrier, its screeches echoing through the cavern.
"We're not done yet," Mo Tang said, her voice firm despite her exhaustion.
Rishitha nodded, her resolve hardening. The path ahead was treacherous, but they were still alive—and together.
One step closer, she thought. One step closer to completing my mission.
As they pressed on, Rishitha couldn't shake the weight of her hidden agenda. Every step brought them nearer to the artifact—and closer to the truth she was desperately trying to keep hidden.