The Insider System

Chapter 255: Tunneled

Seeing the stone change again Lake didn't stop for a break like he normally would and just kept hacking into the wall with his long sword. Seeing how dusty and loose the new stone was he did stay slightly further back as he dug in case it started to collapse. After looking at the new stuff for a while, Lake couldn't help but think of the road he had walked into town on; this new stuff looked almost exactly like the parts that hadn't been smooth stone and he wondered if this was where they had gotten it from.

Gravel was an easy way to make a nice road that didn't take mages so he could see them using the stuff they dug up like this. He was hoping it was also a sign that he was close to the surface and would be breaking through soon enough. After a while Lake saw a few stones fall from the ceiling and flew away as the first collapse started.

It ended soon enough and after sending all the debris in his way down the tunnel he continued to dig. After a few more collapses like the first one Lake saw something he thought he never would again. The sky looked so bright and it actually took him a few seconds to realize it was night time.

He had passed days underground sometimes in complete darkness so any light looked bright enough for him to mistake it for day. Sticking his head out of the hole and looking around to see where he had come up, Lake didn't see anything that he recognized. He was also about halfway up a mountain and looking back at the top of the mountain Lake bet it was what was blocking the city from his view.

Getting out of the hole by flying up Lake saw the bubble that was the barrier slowly emerge from behind the mountain as he gained height. He wanted to stay out here for a while and look around more as an excuse to take a break but he quickly flew back down the tunnel to tell Wezz he was done.

It had been a while since Lake had gone to check on them as well since he had decided to finish the tunnel no matter what so it was past due for him to check in to see if they were fine. It would be a real shame if they died after all he had done for them so he really should have taken a small break to check on them after a few hours of digging.

It would have been the right call though if they were fine when he got back. Flying towards the base after entering the 10th tier Lake could tell right away that there wasn't a big battle going on from how quiet it was. This didn't mean something had already happened though but he wouldn't know till he got back to the base. Seeing the guards standing in their spots just fine, Lake congratulated himself for making the right decision and went to find Wezz.

Lake found him sitting at a table with a few other people and he could tell by the tone of their voices they were having a serious conversation. He felt what he had to say was better though so he cut them off. "The tunnel is complete." Wezz stopped talking as soon as he said this and turned to him to ask. "Are you ready to leave right away or do you need to rest?"

It seemed Wezz was extremely ready to get out of here but Lake needed a few minutes. It seemed using skills that needed Stamina tired you out a lot faster than if you went without them even if you regained it as fast as you were using it. "I need a few minutes and I'll be ready to go. Start getting everyone ready."

There was no reason to mention he was going to sleep in those few minutes but he figured no one would notice since they would be getting ready to go on a journey. Entering his room Lake sat on his bed and smiled at how fast it was to take off his new armor. Now the only things he had to undo straps to take off were the greaves and his arm guards which he just left on.

Laying down Lake fell asleep and woke up within a few minutes and was back up to look for Wezz to see how long it would be until they could leave. Lake also needed to go and make it so they would be able to enter the tunnel since it was inside the elevator shaft one would need to fly to get to it now.

He hadn't thought of it till now but he needed to carve out a path to the tunnel's entrance along the side of the shaft so he didn't have to ferry one person at a time. "Wezz how long till you're ready?"

"I think we'll be ready in less than an hour but I need to ask, how long is the tunnel?" Thinking about it, Lake had to say it would probably take them a few hours to climb up since they were unable to fly like him. "It takes about five hours at normal pace probably, I made it so we don't pop out right next to the city so we don't have to worry about any armies finding the hole and setting up an ambush for whoever comes out of it."

Lake made it sound like the fact they were going to have to climb down a mountain was on purpose to keep them safe so no one would complain when they saw it. "Ok in that case I'll give everyone more time to get ready. We'll need extra water and food for a break in the middle of climbing."

Done with this conversation Lake said. "I need to make some changes to the entrance of the tunnel now so I'll be gone for a while. Feel free to wait for me to come back to set out so you don't get attacked on the way to the elevators." Lake was sure the demon Worshipers would notice an army marching and assume it was an attack even if they weren't headed right for them.

There was also no reason for them to head for the tunnel until he was done so they might as well wait. "Ok see you in a few hours." After hearing Wezz's farewell Lake went back to the Elevator and started to dig out the side so everyone would be able to walk their way into the tunnel.

It took less time than he had expected because he found he was able to just hold the sword out as he flew back and fourth to carve out a large ledge for them to use and he was able to return to the base to tell Wezz he was ready. Walking in Lake saw everyone had gathered what they wanted to take with them in bags and even though he could tell some people were still preparing they were almost ready to go.

Walking up on Wezz who was holding another meeting Lake said. "I'm ready whenever you are." Wezz didn't stop what he was saying this time so Lake went ahead and listened to what they were talking about. "We can't waste time getting people to go and tell them."

"It won't take as long as you're saying, all we need to do is tell a few and let them spread the word." Lake was interested now so he asked. "What are you guys debating?" Wezz turned towards him after he asked them this question and said. "They want to tell some people that are hiding that there's a way out but I think it's a bad idea for a few different reasons."

Lake was on Wezz's side on this but it put him in a bad position because he had been playing a hero but Wezz wanted to leave right away without telling anyone where they were going to keep themselves safe. After thinking for a while Lake said. "Don't worry about that, I plan to get more people out after we find a safe place on the surface. I'm just going to bring you out now because of the lurking threats that are nearby."

Saying this Lake was able to make it seem like he was a hero who was being cautious for now to keep them safe while in reality he would probably never come back unless he was chased back down here. "You're right we shouldn't tell people how to evacuate until we know we aren't leading them to their deaths but I'm worried the Demon Worshipers will attack the people hiding here as soon as we're gone as a deterrent." Lake wasn't going to say this person was wrong to think this would happen but he really didn't care what happened to the people down here as long as the ones that survived had good things to say about him.

"They aren't in as much danger as you think. I'm pretty sure there's a reason they haven't come out to attack and I don't think it's just because you or I are here. That being said, even if I'm wrong we still need to go because we'll probably be the first people to get out with news of what's happening. I wouldn't be surprised if people are already here to help but just don't know how."

Seeing the effect the word "help" had on the people he was talking to, Lake knew he had convinced them their escape would be what saved the Metal Domain. "He's right, saving a few more isn't worth failing to get outside. If we spread the word the Demon Worshipers will give their all to stop us."

Seeing how pumped up everyone was, Lake wondered if maybe no one here had very high Charisma. His points had been good but not without flaws or even that convincing so he felt maybe he had been overlooking the fact he could talk them into almost anything as long as he proposed it right.