The Author's Viewpoint-Chapter 136 - This Cage Isn’t Locked

Tave spent the next stretch of time in deep meditation, focusing on stabilizing his Gaia Force and absorbing the elemental particles around him. Thankfully, the environment here was rich with both Dark and Fire elements, his natural affinities, making the process smoother.

It made sense. He’d just killed four demons. The Gaia Force released from their deaths alone was enough to trigger a serious boost.

Imagine that.

He could feel the surge within him. And moments later, the confirmation appeared in front of his eyes.

[ You have advanced to Level 28. ]

Tave opened his eyes. The flow had settled. His power was stable.

Level 28.

That was a big leap, bigger than he’d expected, though deep down, he had hoped for more. After all, the demons he fought were leagues above him. If anything, this should’ve pushed him right to Level 29.

Maybe I’m close. Really close. He glanced down at his hands, still tingling with lingering force.

Could I push it further? Hit Level 30 tonight? Just a few more kills?

No. He shut that thought down.

Fang comes first.

He had to free him. That was the real mission. Only with his loose could they navigate this place more safely, and maybe even stand a chance of surviving the deeper parts of this demon nest.

Letting Fang out was more valuable than any level-up. Even if it wouldn’t be easy.

Tave had already stashed the four demon corpses. No point in sticking around longer than necessary. He needed to get out before anyone started asking questions. Slipping on the face of one of the demons he’d killed, he stepped out casually and blended back into the chaos.

Outside, the party was still in full swing. Laughter, shouting, mugs crashing together. Everyone was still gulping down the brew he’d laced with Lunaris Bloom. A perfect storm of poison and celebration.

Of course, he’d had some too. Just a small amount, thankfully. Nothing dangerous... he hoped. As long as it stayed that way.

Tave kept his head low and moved fast, heading back toward the prison section where his companions were being held.

As he got closer, the noise faded. The demons near were already slumping to the floor, leaning against the walls with half-empty mugs. Still conscious, but clearly fading.

Then he reached the gate leading into the inner prison, where one guard demon still stood, alert, awake, and pissed off.

That one hadn’t joined the party.

"Fucking bullshit," the guard growled. "Everyone’s out there getting wrecked and I’m stuck guarding a bunch of losers. Shit’s not fair. Screw this damn post!"

He turned and saw Tave approaching, his face twisting with fresh anger.

"The fuck are you doing here? You here to make me feel even worse, huh? Rub it in? Want me to beat your face in for walking into this mess?"

Tave kept his cool, but glanced down the corridor, still a few demons around, not fully out yet. He couldn’t risk anything loud or suspicious.

He unclipped a bottle from his belt and held it out.

"Shut up. Do your job. Stop whining like a damn baby. Drink this and quit crying. Finish the whole thing if you’ve got the guts."

The guard blinked, confused for a second. Then his expression shifted, eyes lighting up like he’d just been handed a treasure.

He grabbed the bottle without hesitation.

Tave popped the lid and tipped it right into his mouth. The guard drank eagerly, gulping it down like a dying man in a desert.

Good. Drink up, you idiot. Enjoy your Soul Fire.

The guard wiped his mouth and let out a satisfied growl, completely unaware of what he’d just swallowed.

Tave pulled out another bottle from his belt.

"Don’t tell me you can’t handle more," he growled. "You were just talking big. Prove it. Drink like you mean it."

The guard snatched the bottle, laughing.

"Hah! You think I’d back down now? Screw that! I can drink circles around those party freaks!"

He tilted his head back and downed the second bottle just as fast as the first, letting out a loud, satisfied sigh as he finished.

A few moments later, his legs wobbled. He stumbled back and dropped to the ground, breath shallow, eyes glassy.

"Oh, damn... this stuff... it’s so good," he muttered, voice fading. "So smooth... I’m satisfied... I want more. Wait... what is happening to my stomach..."

Before he could say more, Tave stepped forward and kicked the side of the demon’s head. There was a dull crack, and the guard collapsed to the floor, motionless.

"You’ll be dead soon enough," Tave muttered coldly.

He crouched beside the body and began patting it down, checking every pouch and belt loop.

His fingers brushed against a small bundle of keys tucked under the guard’s sash.

Got it.

Tave stepped inside the prison chamber and quickly scanned the room. His eyes landed on his captured allies, all slumped or sitting quietly in the corners of their cells.

He rushed toward Fang’s cage first. It was closest, and he could escape fast if Tave got Fang out now.

As he neared, the shadow wolf lifted his head.

Tave crouched at the lock, fumbling with the key in his rush. It took him two, three tries before he finally got it into the slot. He twisted it sharply.

Click.

The sound was small, but to Tave, it was everything. The lock gave way.

He exhaled, relief flooding in.

But Fang’s eyes locked on something behind Tave, his posture suddenly shifting.

Tave’s gut dropped.

He turned.

At the door stood four demons, their expressions hard, their eyes sharp and angry.

"What is going on here?!" one of them barked. "Why’s the guard passed out drunk?! And who the fuck are you?!"

Tave’s mind spun. He hoped they hadn’t seen him unlock Fang’s cage. Slowly, carefully, he slid the key from the lock and slipped it back behind his belt, trying to mask his movement.

The cage door was still closed. Barely. Just enough to look locked.

These four demons weren’t guards. That much was clear. They weren’t dressed like it, and their presence here didn’t fit the usual patrol pattern.

But what mattered more, none of them recognized the face Tave was wearing.

One of them stepped closer, eyeing him sharply.

"You got the keys?" the demon barked. "I didn’t see the guard with them. What are you doing down here?"

Tave’s mind raced. He needed a solid excuse, and fast. Something simple enough for them to believe, but bold enough to make them hesitate.

He squared his shoulders, deepened his voice, and snapped back with demon-like attitude:

"He had the keys, yeah, until he blacked out like a damn idiot. I was sent here to check on the prisoners. They were too important to lose track of, even during a party like this."

He gestured toward the cage area casually, trying not to look tense.

"They told me to make sure no one’s dead or escaping while half the fortress is drowning in brew. I came down, found the guard out cold, so I took over."

Now, he waited to see if these meatheads would buy it.