Alex drew a shaky breath, struggling against the sudden weight that had nearly forced his soul to its knees. The first thing he felt was that majestic surge of energy—a raw, metallic essence rushing through every inch of his being like a raging river. His body was no longer the same; it had become a vessel for a mysterious, newly-awakened power.
He opened his eyes very slowly, as if afraid the world itself might have changed while he was gone.
The first shock was the light.
The cavern was no longer the bleak, dim hollow they had entered. It had transformed, becoming clearer and almost alive. A soft, warm glow—like the distant pulse of a lonely star—filled the chamber. The light radiated from clusters of crystalline gems embedded masterfully along the rocky walls, forming a lattice of faint luminescence that cast serene, dancing shadows across the cave.
Before him, Iris sat quietly, wrapped in a calm, dignified presence. She rested on a simple wooden chair beside an old wooden table. What caught Alex's attention were the five black butterflies hovering around the table—each one glowing with gentle silver-white light. They fluttered in a silent ballet, their wings moving in perfect harmony, radiating a soothing tranquility.
Alex watched her closely, noticing the shift in her aura. She had strengthened herself as well. He observed as she drew the butterflies toward her one by one, a wave of fullness and power swelling around her. She had reached the peak of the Second Level—a remarkable feat—but Alex sensed with a quiet pride that his own advancement had been far more dramatic.
In that moment, Iris opened her deep eyes and looked at him. It was a calm yet probing gaze.
"Are you ready to leave this safe place?" she asked, her voice cautious beneath its composed tone.
Alex replied, his voice now deeper, carrying a new metallic resonance:
"I've never felt more prepared. The metallic essence gave me far more than I expected. And you—you look like you've become way stronger"
"I've reached the highest level this chamber can offer, and that's enough for me," Iris said with a light shrug. "But we must leave immediately. These barriers and traps won't withstand the monster hordes if they discover our location. We're valuable prey to them."
She rose and walked toward a narrow corridor swallowed by darkness.
"This is our secret exit. I built it as an emergency escape route. It's long but extremely well hidden. It will save us more than seven kilometers of exposed walking and take us to the nearest safe point near the city walls."
Alex glanced toward the cave entrance, trying to guess the sun's position.
"When do we depart?"
"We wait until this twilight fades into absolute darkness," she said, pointing at a large crystal embedded in the ceiling, glowing faintly. "That's when the patrols grow stronger and sharper. We must move in the deep night, like ghosts—avoiding any confrontation. Patience is a part of survival now."
Alex nodded with confidence.
"The plan makes sense. Your experience is the most valuable thing we have. What do you need me to do until it's time?"
Iris looked at him again, this time with sharper focus. Her eyes examined the new aura surrounding him—a transparent yet dense mantle of raw, dangerous power, like a heavy cloud circling his frame. She was impressed by how willing Alex was to follow instructions. Those who grew stronger too quickly often succumbed to delusions of grandeur.
"My instructions are simple but extremely important," Iris said seriously. "You now possess great power, but you haven't mastered it. The aura you're emitting—beautiful as it is—is also dangerous. It reveals your strength far too easily, Alex. It's clear enough to attract any creature that senses mana or uses heightened perception."
Alex's expression tightened.
"I didn't know it was that obvious. That could ruin any attempt at hiding."
"It will—unless you learn to suppress it now," she warned. "That's your first task. And we also need to speak honestly."
She drew a deep breath.
"Alex, you tend to be impulsive… reckless at times. I don't know what your world was like, but charging through thousands of monsters just hours after arriving here—alongside a stranger—was recklessness of the highest order. And in a stealth mission like this, any impulsive move from you could get us both killed."
Alex looked at her with sincere seriousness.
"I understand your concerns. Believe me—my priority now is survival and reaching the city without any unnecessary risks or solo heroics. I'll follow your plan exactly."
Relief softened Iris's face.
"That's all I need from you. We're in a critical situation, and the dangers are enormous. Reaching the city will solve many of our problems. There, we'll have time to set everything in order."
She pointed to the wooden chair again.
"Now sit. Use every minute to control your power and suppress your aura. We must be mentally and physically prepared for any surprise. There won't be room for talking later. Only focus… and silence."
Alex obeyed.
They sat side by side, silence settling over the chamber. The only sound was the faint whisper of the glowing crystals. Alex sank into deep meditation, struggling to tame the storm of power within him and dim the shining aura that leaked from his core. Iris watched the darkness as it slowly crept in, counting the final minutes before their dangerous escape.
Each of them pushed their limits, striving for perfect readiness—for survival depended on absolute silence and flawless timing.
The cave had become a waiting room, holding its breath for the moment the night swallowed everything.