Still, We Press On (9)

An hour later, everyone finally emerged onto the surface.

The entrance in the ceiling was sealed by a locked iron door. When they opened the massive, vault-like door from the inside, they emerged into an abandoned house buried in rubble. Once Kagami had confirmed everyone was out, he locked the door and shifted the surrounding rubble to camouflage the entrance.

“This is technically outside, so stay alert, everyone. The other races in this world are no joke. Especially the Man-Eaters.”

“So this is where it led... I had no idea.”

They had emerged inside an abandoned house, a little way from one of the lift shafts controlled by Earth, but near a route the Resistance often used when heading out on expeditions.

“What were you going to do if the Man-Eaters saw us?”

Merry asked, glaring at Kagami as he finished moving the rubble and dusted off his hands with a satisfied look.

“Oh, we’re fine. Pitta can sense the Man-Eaters’ presence and hear their footsteps, too.”

“...What do you mean? The Man-Eaters are supposed to be the Beastfangs’ natural enemies. Even with the Beastfangs’ keen senses, they shouldn’t be able to detect them, should they?”

“...Well, I’ll explain as we walk.”...