Chapter 178: Aren't We Friends?

[4:30 AM.]

Michael stood outside the camp, staring at the gateway with hands folded behind him.

'Sunny's father knows little of the truth, he knew nothing about the gods or even the rulers of the monsters, he only knows that the gods sent angels to help us. And nothing more.' He sighed.

"What are you thinking about?"

He looked over his shoulder, seeing Erika walking towards him. A thick scarf was wrapped on her shoulders.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" He asked, looking back at the gateway.

"Can't sleep." Erika stopped beside him. "What about you? Why are you standing here all alone?"

Michael looked at her in confusion.

"What?" She asked with an urge of her head.

"Why are you asking? Don't tell me you are worried about me."

"Can't a friend care for a friend?" She asked. "Or aren't we friend?"

Michael exhaled. "I'm just thinking about Queen Echidna, the voice we heard in our last game."

"You also think this gateway appeared here because of her?"

"Yes." Michael nodded. "I changed my plan because I don't know what powerful Monster is inside, it might even be one of her children. That's why I decided to bring Jennifer along, instead of leaving her with Mira and Maria."

"Then why did you bring me along? You could have left me in the house."

"The same reason I brought Tyson and Rahond, You three are still week, especially those two. I brought you guys here so you can all grow stronger."

Erika nodded. "What about our enemies? Do you have a plan?"

"My plan to deceive Damon failed, But Rebecca and Firenze will soon be taken care of..." He turned to her. "I have a question."

"What is it?" She moved her gaze to his, staring at his brown eyes.

"After your sister's surgery, will our deal still stand?"

Erika moved her gaze always from his. "Although the Main objective of the deal is completed, I'm already in the guild... The deal can be terminated, but our friendship can't."

Michael smiled slightly. "You should go inside and rest, that scarf won't be able to protect you from the cold."

"Then why don't you protect me?" Erika gathered her Courage and asked.

"Huh?" Michael stared at her in mild confusion.

She moved closer to him, and rested her head on his chest. Michael was clearly taken aback by her action, but still wrap one hand cover her shoulders, covering her with his overcoat.

Erika smiled slightly... Feeling such warmth for the first time in her life, she let down her guard, and closed her eyes.

The two stood like that for a while, staring at the gateway 100 meters away from them.

Hearing her gentle breathing, Michael looked down at Erika's beautiful face. Seeing she was asleep, He smiled; and gently picked her up. Turned around and walked towards her tent.

_

He tucked her into bed, and covered her with the huge soft blanket.

"Sleep tight, Erika. We have a lot of work to do in the morning." He left the tent after saying that.

_

[Morning]

[9:00 Am.]

Erika walked out of her tent in a black leather jacket and long black pants, topping it up with a black Military boot, Her sheathed sword hanging behind her back.

"Good morning, Erika." Jennifer greeted with a smile. She was in a red Armor, which is a Rare-Class item.

"Yes, Erika. I didn't know you are such a deep sleeper." Tyson said with a smile, he was also putting on an Armor. And surprisingly more advance than Jennifer's, A Epic-class item.

"Don't mind him, First elder." Rahond said, he was dress in all black, just like Erika.

"Where is Michael?" Erika asked, not seeing Michael anywhere.

"He is comin-- Speak of the devil." Tyson pointed at Michael, who stopped behind Erika.

Erika looked over her shoulder seeing Michael staring at her. "Good morning." He greeted with a smile, and walked past her towards the gate.

Erika blinked a couple of times in shock.

"Yo girl! What did you do to Micky? He actually smiled at you." Jennifer asked teasingly.

Erika just shook her hand and followed behind Michael, not answering her question.

'There is something going on between these two, I'll find out what it is.' Jennifer thought.

"Ok everyone!" The head yelled, he was also in a black Armor with his son, and Elders.

"We have two hours to kill the Boss, and close this gate."

"What about the resources?" Rahond asked.

"Those guys are the best mining team in the whole 20 Cities, we'll go inside first and clear the entrance. Then the mining team will enter and mine all the resources."

The Conquerors nodded in understanding.

"Let's move in!" He entered first, followed by Sunny, then the three Elders, and the man with a sword. All of them were all gold medal holders apart from sunny.

"Both of you should stay close to me." Michael looked at his left then right. "You two don't have Armors, hence you have a slight disadvantage in defense; that's why you need to stay close."

"We understand." Rahond said, while Erika nodded.

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The first thing that greeted them the moment they walked through the gateway were bones, there was still fresh blood on the ground, But not a single flesh on the bones.

"The Blood is still fresh, I'll say this happened a day or two days back." Tyson said observing the blood on the ground.

Michael looked around the dim place, which looks like a chamber, all around them was nothing but rocks. The dark tunnel in front of them is the only way forward, But None knew what was waiting for them in there.

"Did you send some people in here?" Erika asked the head.

"Yes, the first team returned unharmed, but they found nothing. I took them as lazy and the fear of exploring the dungeon, so I employed two more teams and sent them inside. In matter of 10 minutes we lose communication with them."

"Now you know what happened to them, who is the strongest among these two groups?" Jennifer asked, staring at the bones.

"The second team has a Platinum Medal 3-stars holder, while the third has a Gold medal 1-star Holder." An elder answered.

"That means, what ever is in here is way stronger than a Gold medal 1-star holder. Stay sharp... We'll find out more if we march forward." Michael said, walking towards the dark tunnel.

'Seeing in the dark is really helpful.' He thought.