From Master Assassin to a Random Extra: OP in a Dating Sim
Chapter 68: Marcus and Cynthia (2)

Chapter 68: Marcus and Cynthia (2)

As they continued deeper into the cave, the path sloped steadily downward, narrowing slightly as moisture slicked the jagged stone beneath their boots. The air was growing colder, damper—each breath fogged slightly as it left their lips. One wrong step and a person could tumble several meters down the incline, bones bouncing off unkind rock.

Then, without warning, the earth gave a sudden violent lurch.

A tremor surged through the cave like a ripple of pure force, shaking the walls and sending dust cascading from above. The floor trembled beneath them with a low, ominous groan that echoed through the darkness like some beast rousing from slumber.

A faint voice—muffled yet sharp—rang out through the stone corridors, amplified strangely by the cave’s acoustics.

’Shatter Fist!’

Marcus’s eyes widened, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips as recognition struck. Connor, he thought immediately, recalling the explosive brawl they had shared against the Wolf Lord during the Forest Trials. Of course he’d shout his spell like a maniac...

Behind him, Cynthia staggered.

Her foot skidded on a loose patch of gravel, and with a small gasp, she began to lose balance—clearly unused to navigating such rough terrain, especially when the ground itself refused to stay still.

Without hesitation, Marcus turned, reaching out instinctively. His arms wrapped around her mid-fall, catching her just before she could collapse against the sharp stone. Their bodies pressed close for a moment as the tremors continued, stronger now.

"Careful," Marcus said, his voice low but steady. "Hold me tight."

He maneuvered quickly toward a flatter ledge, guiding her toward it with firm steps despite the unstable ground.

Cynthia nodded, slightly breathless, and wrapped her arms tightly around Marcus’s waist as instructed. The warmth of her body was evident even through the cold cave air and the flickering tension between them.

The tremor rumbled on, distant magical detonations clearly reverberating through the cavern system.

"I guess spells being discharged by other students are causing tremors across the entire area," she muttered, steadying her breathing as she scanned the shifting rock formations with furrowed brows.

Marcus narrowed his eyes at the path ahead—a jagged slope that descended into darkness, the mouth of the passage wide like some beast’s open maw.

"We can’t just stand here," he said. "I’m going down!"

Cynthia blinked. "Wait... what!?"

Before she could object, she found herself suddenly lifted—Marcus scooping her up into a princess carry with surprising ease. Her body tensed as her arms instinctively circled his neck.

"Don’t let go!" he shouted, his grin wide and almost boyish in its thrill, a flicker of excitement dancing in his eyes.

Without warning, Marcus dashed forward and then dropped into a crouch, launching himself onto the slope. The world tilted as gravity took hold—he was sliding down the descent, using the incline like a natural slide, the rocks speeding by in a blur.

His boots scraped sparks from the stone. Wind rushed past their ears. Cynthia’s hair whipped into his face, and she shrieked—a sound caught between terror and thrill.

"You’re crazy!" Cynthia shouted, clinging to him now, her voice half-panic, half-laughter.

Marcus only laughed in response, the sound echoing wildly down the twisting slide. The tremors began to fade behind them, the magic-induced quakes weakening as they descended further from the site of the other students’ combat.

But that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Because if others were fighting above...

Then something waited for them down here.

Ahead, a faint light shimmered—reflected off a smooth, watery surface that sparkled like scattered sapphires. Crystals embedded in the walls caught the light and fractured it into radiant patterns, dancing over the tunnel.

"Finally!" Marcus exclaimed with a gleeful breath as the slope ended in a sudden drop.

The two of them plunged into the open chamber below—falling straight into a shallow, glimmering pool of water.

SPLASH.

Marcus landed squarely on his feet, the impact throwing up a wide arc of water that drenched them both. The cold hit like a slap, and instantly, their clothes clung to their skin — every fold and line defined by the wet fabric.

Cynthia’s legs were still wrapped around him when they hit. She blinked, stunned. Her hair, soaked and heavy, draped across his shoulder, and her breath ghosted warmly against his collarbone.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Just the quiet ripple of water around their ankles. Just the glow of crystal light painting her face like stained glass.

"Well, that was something..." he laughed breathlessly.

Cynthia was still in his arms, arms around his neck, eyes wide. Her expression twisted between shock and incredulity—then, a second later, flick!

Her finger smacked against his forehead.

"We could have died!" she snapped, cheeks puffed slightly in frustration.

Marcus winced, grinning despite the sting. "Beats waiting for tremors to end. Who knows how long the others would’ve fought for?"

He set her down slowly, letting her legs slide free from his arms. As she straightened, her palm brushed against his chest for balance — and lingered, just a second too long.

The water sloshed around them, cool and quiet. Cynthia pulled her hand back, fingers curling at her side.

"You okay?" Marcus asked, voice low.

"I’m fine," she replied, not quite meeting his eyes. "Just... trying to catch my breath."

"I wonder where we landed...?" Marcus muttered, rubbing the spot on his forehead with a sheepish chuckle.

The new cave system was massive—colossal, even. The ceiling loomed high overhead, crystalline formations lining the walls, glowing faintly with ethereal blue light. The crystals bathed the water in a soft, dreamlike radiance that shimmered like liquid stars.

Cynthia’s eyes widened as she turned in a slow circle, completely captivated by the sight. "This place is... beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet awe. The scale of it was overwhelming—like an underground cathedral carved by nature and magic alike.

But then she paused.

Her nose twitched. A faint scent tickled her senses—metallic, bitter. Her brows furrowed.

She sniffed again.

"...You’re right," she said, her voice turning cautious. "It kinda reeks here."

Marcus glanced at her, then followed her gaze toward the deeper part of the cavern.

"It’s subtle," she added, "but definitely iron. Blood, maybe. I can’t tell if it’s from the rocks or..."

She didn’t finish the sentence.

Marcus, meanwhile, was eyeing the glowing crystals embedded overhead, a calculating gleam in his eyes.

"I wonder how expensive those things would be if I sold them," he muttered, fingers twitching like he was already appraising their market value.

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Aren’t you already well off? You’re a Ravenfield, aren’t you?"

Marcus flashed a grin, raising one hand like a bard mid-performance. "There is no such thing as enough money! Besides—I want to earn my own fortune. I don’t want to rely too much on my family’s name."

There was something unexpectedly sincere in his tone.

Cynthia stared at him for a moment, then her expression softened. His words struck a familiar chord in her chest.

"...Well, I guess you’re right," she said with a light chuckle, brushing damp hair behind her ear as she turned to scan the vast cave again. "It’s more satisfying when you earn it yourself, anyway."

Cynthia [Affection: Warm +15] +7

Current Emotion: Trustful

[Notice: Affection Increase Was For Totaled The Past Minute]

Marcus smiled faintly to himself.

Good... just five more and I can complete that objective...

But then his smile faded.

His eyes narrowed as his instincts flared—a hunter’s sixth sense igniting at the same moment the smell of iron intensified sharply. This time it wasn’t just a faint presence—it came from a distinct direction.

Straight ahead.

He turned his head, eyes scanning the black tunnel leading deeper into the glowing cave lake.

"But that can wait..." he murmured.

Cynthia stepped forward, wand already glowing faintly, magical runes spinning gently across its surface. "Are we going?"

Marcus’s grin returned, wry and unshaken.

"Better than running from something we don’t know," he said calmly. "Besides—who knows? Might be a beast that swims faster than a dragon."