Time slipped away quietly amid their countless adventures and battles, and half a month passed. The woodlands and meadows near the Newbie Village had become as familiar to the three as their own backyards. Ethan stepped onto the damp soil, the fallen leaves crunching softly beneath his feet, while sunlight filtered through the sparse tree canopy, casting dappled light on the ground. He tightened his grip on the bronze sword , recalling the awkwardness he'd felt when first entering the game—a surge of pride welled up in his chest: he and his companions had grown far more in sync.
Lily's long hair was lifted by the gentle breeze, clinging lightly to her forehead. She held her staff, tidying the runes on it with careful fingers, her gaze sharp yet soft. "Ethan, look at that thicket to the left—there might be wild wolves lurking," she warned softly, her voice laced with unignorable concern.
Ethan nodded, his steps steady. "Yeah, I noticed. Mark, keep watch on the right flank."
Mark furrowed his brows slightly, his Taoist shield glowing with a faint light. "Don't worry—I'm ready to stand between you two at any moment," he said in a low voice.
They walked along the forest path, the scenery shifting with changes in elevation and terrain: a gurgling stream here, moss-covered rocks glistening with moisture there. When the wind blew, it carried the scent of earth and grass; occasionally, a hare would dart away in panic, spiking their alertness. Every strike, every dodge, deepened their coordination.
As their combat experience grew, they learned to quickly identify monster types and attack patterns. Low-level foes like small wolves, straw men, and wild boars could barely threaten them when they fought together. Ethan's sword swings grew faster and more precise—he experimented with new sword techniques in battle, while Mark and Lily supported him in perfect harmony, forming a formation that balanced offense and defense.
During breaks, Lily would carefully organize their backpacks and potions. She brushed the sweat from Ethan's forehead, her tone tinged with gentle teasing: "You've improved fast, but don't get so caught up in charging forward that you forget to watch your back."
Ethan smiled faintly, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. He realized that this sense of being cared for, intertwined with the satisfaction of battle, made him grow more dependent on their little team.
As daylight faded, they lit a campfire deep in the woods. The flames danced across their faces, revealing faint expressions of exhaustion. Ethan stared at the flickering fire, making a silent resolution in his heart: their goal wasn't just to level up or collect gear—it was to forge true trust through every trial.
Finally, after a battle against a horde of monsters, their experience points crossed the threshold, and all three leveled up to 25 at once. The sound of the level-up notification echoed through the virtual world, sparking excitement and thrill.
Ethan tightened his grip on his sword hilt, a fiery determination glinting in his eyes. "We finally hit Level 25—now we can go to more dangerous places… the Centipede Cave."
Lily nodded softly, her fingers brushing the carved patterns on her staff. "It's far more dangerous than the Newbie Area, but we'll get better gear and resources there. I'll be careful, and you two need to look out for each other too," she said in a low voice.
Mark ran his hands over his Taoist shield, his gaze calm yet resolute. "The Centipede Cave has a complex interior, filled with traps and monsters. We must keep our formation and stay in communication."
The three gathered around the campfire for a detailed discussion, analyzing the cave's terrain and monster distribution. Drawing on the theories she'd learned at the Magic Academy, Lily proposed spell-casting strategies and crowd-control plans for different monsters. Ethan, using his experience as a Warrior, mapped out attack routes and defensive formations, while Mark added suggestions for Taoist shield placement and movement.
The night wind carried a damp chill, and the firelight painted their faces with a mix of seriousness and tension. Ethan felt the weight of responsibility grow heavier on his shoulders—he wasn't just fighting for his own growth; he had to protect these two companions. The trust and attentiveness in Lily's eyes made him realize that their friendship had already transcended that of mere battle partners.
"We must coordinate closely," Ethan summed up in a low voice. "Any mistake could get us into danger. Lily, you take charge of crowd control in the center; Mark, guard the flanks; I'll charge ahead to draw the monsters' attention."
Lily nodded gently, her smile filled with trust. "I've got this, Ethan."
Mark bowed slightly, his shield glowing brighter. "We'll protect each other—no matter how dangerous it gets."
The fire flickered, and the night grew deep. All three shared an unspoken understanding: the Centipede Cave was not just a challenge, but a trial of their friendship and trust.
Night enshrouded the outskirts of Bich Village . The humid air mingled with the smell of earth and mildew, and the entrance to the Centipede Cave lurked in the shadows of an ancient woodland. A thin mist drifted slowly around their feet, glinting faintly in the moonlight—as if hidden phantoms were watching every step of the intruders. Ethan gripped his Ebony Sword tightly, his palms slightly sweaty, feeling a faint vibration from the hilt. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart: today, they would enter the legendary Centipede Cave, facing more unknown dangers than anything in the Newbie Village.
Lily stood beside him, the tip of her staff glowing with a soft blue light. Her eyes scanned every rock and vine around the cave entrance with sharp vigilance. "The air near the entrance is unusual—there's the smell of centipede venom mixed with the dampness," she warned in a low voice, her fingertips trembling slightly as she traced tiny magical runes in the air.
Mark walked behind Ethan, his shield tilted slightly, ready to defend at a moment's notice. "In my world, caves like this often hide complex mazes," he muttered to himself. "Airflow, humidity, and traces of creatures can all hint at traps." His eyes lit up faintly, and a soft aura appeared in his palm, preparing for any sudden threat.
The three stepped slowly into the cave. The stone walls were damp, and the sound of dripping water echoed through the deep, dark passage, lingering in the air. Ethan felt the pressure on his shoulders grow heavier: in this unknown environment, he had to ensure his companions' safety while planning their tactics. Every step on the wet rock made a soft sound, as if stirring creatures lurking in the darkness.
Before long, they encountered their first small group of centipedes. Their black exoskeletons glinted coldly, their antennae waving constantly, and their eyes shimmered with red light. Ethan stood his ground quickly, swinging his sword to fend off the oncoming centipedes. "Lily, fireballs on the left flank! Mark, keep your defense up!" he shouted.
Lily reacted instantly, a streak of icy blue flame shooting from the tip of her staff, hitting the centipedes accurately. Their exoskeletons smoked instantly. The firelight illuminated her delicate face, and sweat slid down her temples. Ethan felt a mix of tension and excitement surge within him—he realized he had to not only attack but also protect his friends.
Mark's shield flashed, blocking a centipede's sideways strike. The light reflected off the cave walls, revealing several slippery stone crevices. Ethan took the opportunity to adjust his position, swinging his sword again—every strike felt precise, as if he and the battle had become one.
As they ventured deeper, the number of centipedes grew. The dense sound of their antennae waving and bodies crawling created an oppressive atmosphere. The three had to keep moving, dodging, casting spells, and counterattacking. The cave floor was muddy, and the slippery rocks made every movement risky. Ethan calculated his steps and attack rhythm in his mind; his breath fogged in the night air, and every sword swing felt like a conversation with an unknown challenger.
During a lull in the fighting, Lily crouched down, examining the crevices and ground carefully. "There are some herbs here—they might help reduce fatigue, and they could even be useful in the real world," she said. Her fingers moved quickly over the rocks, picking out a few glowing herbs and tucking them safely away. Ethan froze for a moment, impressed by the wisdom and attentiveness from her world. "The knowledge from your world is… amazing," he said softly. "I never thought plants in a cave could help with real-life problems."
Mark nodded slightly, saying nothing—but the way he held his shield and the look in his eyes showed his silent approval and support. A warm feeling rose in Ethan's chest, and he realized that their team was bound not just by battle coordination, but by unspoken trust.
Time passed, and the sound of crawling and low hissing filled the Centipede Cave. The three fought while studying the cave's layout. Water droplets occasionally fell from the ceiling, striking the rocks with a clear sound; the moss on the cave walls glowed faintly in the firelight, like ghosts watching them. Ethan reminded himself silently: every dodge, every spell cast, had to be in step with his companions—otherwise, the price would be steep.
As the battles continued, a chemistry formed between them: Ethan directed the attack direction, Lily handled crowd control and damage output, and Mark took charge of defense and flank support. Every skill cast and position adjustment felt like a carefully choreographed dance. He could feel his leadership skills improving subtly, and his sense of responsibility growing heavier.
For two consecutive days, they explored the Centipede Cave, gradually adapting to its rhythm. The slippery rock surfaces, the dense swarms of centipedes, and the dim light made every movement tense. When Ethan dodged the centipedes' antenna strikes, he felt the urgency of time and the sharpness of his own reflexes. He exchanged tactics with Lily and Mark, discussing attack orders, fireball timing, and shield placement—each conversation deepening their understanding of one another.
During a break, Lily sat on a wet stone, catching her breath. Her staff rested beside her, and she clasped her knees with both hands, her gaze fixed on the depths of the cave. "Ethan, in my world, magic and academia are closely intertwined, but there are few opportunities for free exploration. Being here, I hope to break free from those constraints and understand the true nature of power," she said softly.
Ethan smiled, tightening his grip on his sword hilt. "I get it. Your goal is like mine—not just to fight, but to explore the unknown and all its possibilities."
The deeper they went into the Centipede Cave, the more slippery the walls became, covered in thick moss—every step required extra care. The air was a mix of earth, mildew, and faint venom, and the low hissing of centipedes echoed from the cave's depths, like an invisible pressure weighing on everyone's nerves. Ethan gripped his sword hilt, feeling the cool touch of the metal, and every breath he took matched the rhythm of the battle.
"There seems to be a fork up ahead," Ethan said in a low voice, his eyes scanning the dark cave walls. "We'll split up to search, but keep each other in sight."
Lily nodded, the faint light at the tip of her staff illuminating the fallen rocks and moss on the ground. She crouched down, touching the earth to gauge the air. "The left passage is more humid—there might be a hidden centipede nest. Let's take the right; I'll mark the path with ice-blue runes," she said.
Mark followed closely behind Ethan, his shield tilted forward slightly, its glow reflecting off the damp stone walls. "The antennae are moving on the right—stay alert," he warned softly. Ethan and Mark exchanged a glance, nodding in silent understanding.
They moved forward cautiously, the narrow cave making every step difficult. Suddenly, a medium-sized centipede slithered down from the cave ceiling, its long antennae reaching for Ethan. He dodged quickly to the side, swinging his sword to clear a path. The blade scraped against the centipede's tough exoskeleton, letting out a harsh, screeching sound.
Lily cast a spell instantly, flames wrapping around the centipede's antennae and stopping its attack. Mark raised his shield to absorb the impact, and the three coordinated their movements again, taking down the centipede. Sweat trickled down Ethan's forehead, a mix of tension and excitement flooding him—his heartbeat gradually steadied, but the weight of responsibility on his shoulders grew heavier.
Over the next few days, they fought, dodged, cast spells, and counterattacked in the cave. Every strike required precise calculation of distance and skill cooldowns; every dodge meant predicting the centipedes' movements. Water droplets occasionally fell from the ceiling, glinting in the firelight; the humidity made their clothes stick to their bodies, and their breath fogged in the air.
Lily crouched down, rummaging through the plants on the ground with quick, deft movements. "These herbs can refresh us and restore mana," she said. "From what I remember of parallel world knowledge, they can also stimulate the energy flow in our bodies."
Ethan nodded slightly, grateful for his companion's support in critical moments. "The knowledge from your world is invaluable—it's taken a lot of pressure off me," he said softly.
Mark warned in a low voice: "Another group of centipedes is approaching from the right rear—block them in advance." His shield glowed faintly, revealing flickering spell runes that provided extra protection for the team. Ethan adjusted his position accordingly, focusing his attacks on the most threatening targets while ensuring Lily had enough space to cast her spells.
As time passed, they spent three consecutive days fighting, dodging, casting spells, and counterattacking in the cave. The humidity, narrow spaces, and dim light of the Centipede Cave made every movement tense. Ethan's shoulders and arms ached, but an unprecedented sense of responsibility and accomplishment welled up in his chest. He realized that every battle not only tempered his body but also deepened the trust and chemistry between the three of them.
Lily sat on a stone platform, catching her breath, her staff resting against her knee. "Ethan, your commands are steady, and our coordination is getting better and better. If we keep this rhythm, we can handle the threats deeper inside," she said.
Ethan wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied softly: "I feel your trust, and I understand the weight of this responsibility. We must stay calm—any carelessness could lead to failure."
The night grew darker, and the low roar of centipedes echoed from the depths of the cave. The moss on the cave walls glowed faintly in the firelight. Ethan, Lily, and Mark exchanged glances, confirming each other's condition. Every breath, every movement, every spell cast had formed a subconscious rhythm—their actions coordinated like a carefully choreographed dance.
During a break, Lily said in a low voice: "In my world, magic learning is strictly regulated—everyone must follow a fixed path of study. I want to explore the unknown and find the true nature of power. This experience here is a chance for me to break free from those constraints."
Ethan nodded: "I understand. Your goal is like mine—not just to fight, but to explore the unknown and all its possibilities."
The deeper they went into the Centipede Cave, the more slippery the walls became, covered in thick moss—every step required extra care. The air was a mix of earth, mildew, and faint venom, and the low hissing of centipedes echoed from the cave's depths, like an invisible pressure weighing on everyone's nerves. Ethan gripped his sword hilt, feeling the cool touch of the metal, and every breath he took matched the rhythm of the battle.