Chapter 266: Racing Against Time: Trapped in the Cavern

The crimson-haired boy journeyed forward toward the distant horizon, his resolve was unwavering to find the Rose Havenglow.

As he traversed several dunes, the scenery around him began to transform. The once monotonous sandy desert terrain gave way to a varied landscape with rugged hills and scattered vegetation. The uniform expanse of sand was now replaced with an array of colors and textures, from the rusty-red hues of rocky outcroppings to the verdant greens of shrubs and cacti.

The vast expanse of the barren landscape was broken up by these imposing formations that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Rio acknowledged their beauty but refused to let himself become distracted. He knew he had to remain focused and continue in the direction Eve had given him.

As he pressed on, Rio encountered numerous red-stage beasts that roamed the area. These creatures were under the control of the Devlin bloodline, so they didn't pose a threat to the boy. He decided not to disturb them, concentrating on his primary mission of finding Rose.

Beyond the rocky cliffs, Rio watched the desert landscape as it give way to a deep ravine. On either side of the ravine was a series of caves, some of which appeared to have been carved into the rock by the passage of time.

Despite the overwhelming atmosphere and the imposing environment, Rio continued on his journey.

Rio's wandering to this point had taken him three long hours, but he didn't let exhaustion slow him down. His expression was explaining his stubborn determination to find Rose and bring her back safely. He knew that every minute counted, as he was already late to save her, and he was well aware that she wouldn't have many resources where she was trapped.

Summoning his energy, Rio began to descend into the ravine, his gaze sharp and his senses heightened.

The further the boy traveled into the ravine, the darker and more oppressive the atmosphere became.

Rio halted his advance and reached out to Eve using telepathy, "Where do I have to go from here?"

The Elven beauty responded immediately, her tone urgent and concerned, a testament to her deep understanding of the boy's urgency, "You should be reaching a cave entrance soon. It leads to a cavern system with natural formations that create a maze-like environment. It's an incredibly dangerous place, even for beasts. Rose is trapped there inside."

Rio's heart sank at Eve's words, discovering that Rose was stuck in such a perilous place, "Ah... How did she end up there?" he asked, his voice full of worry and confusion.

The girl's response was laced with regret as she also didn't know the answer to his question, "I don't know exactly what happened to her, Partner. I was busy with you at the Death Realm, and I wasn't able to notice it. But we can assume that she was teleported to the human shelter at the end of the cavern system and got lost inside. She probably tried to retrace her steps and encountered some beasts, causing her to hide and become trapped."

Rio's mind raced as he pieced together the details of Rose's predicament.

Eve continued, her voice tinged with teasing, "The story you crafted to cover up your little teleportation mishap when you used AI watch for the first time has now manifested itself in the form of poor Rose's situation."

The elven beauty's words were a subtle reminder of the lie that Rio had told the world and his second mother about getting stuck at a snowy mountain's shelter. Although it had been a fabrication, the situation that Rose Havenglow now found herself in was eerily similar.

"I have to find her, Eve, For the sake of Second mother, I can't let Rose remain trapped in that dangerous place any longer." He said firmly, his stubbornness evident in his voice.

Rio's love and respect for his second mother were immense, and he knew that he couldn't bear to see her suffer any longer. He was not concerned for Rose's well-being, but he wanted to ensure his second mother's peace of mind.

"Be careful, Partner, I'll continue to guide you as best I can, but please don't put yourself in any unnecessary danger." Eve cautioned, her voice filled with concern.

"Thank you, Eve," Rio nodded, grateful for her care and help. He was determined to find Rose, but he knew that he couldn't let his guard down. He didn't know what beast he could be facing in this treacherous environment but he refused to be deterred.

Determined to find Rose, Rio stepped into the cave and began to explore the labyrinthine passages.

The dim light filtered through the cracks in the rocks, casting eerie shadows on the cave walls. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, and stalagmites reached up from the ground, creating a landscape reminiscent of a gothic cathedral.

As Rio navigated the twisting passages, he was awed by the strange beauty of the natural formations. The cave walls were adorned with intricate patterns of mineral deposits, which glistened in the faint light. He noticed that the further he ventured into the cave, the narrower and more confined the passages became. It was clear that he was entering the depths of the cavern system.

Relying on his instincts and Eve's guidance, Rio carefully picked his way through the treacherous terrain. The narrow corridors made it difficult to see far ahead, but he pressed on, his resolve never wavering. He knew that Rose needed his help, and he would not rest until he had found her and brought her back to safety.

At one point, Rio came across a particularly narrow passage that seemed to lead deeper into the heart of the cave system.

Taking a deep breath, he squeezed through the tight opening, the rough rock scraping against his skin. As he emerged on the other side, he found himself in a chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling and an underground stream that flowed gently through it.

Rio's eyes swept the dimly lit chamber, searching for any signs of Rose.

Amidst the shadows and natural formations, he noticed a figure lying in the distance. The person appeared to be around 165 cm tall, with shoulder-length blue hair tied back with a golden ribbon. Despite her doll-like features, her current state told a different story.

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Edited By: TheWhiteSnow