[When going into the mines, make sure to take this Magic Artifact with you!]

[What is this?] [It will start shining when it detects poison in the air! If this lights up, you need to start going back!]

Igni took the lamp-like object from Rania and held it up in front of him, as Igni and Elina walked inside the mines.

Igni: ......its a narrow path.

Elina: Yes. In that case, well most likely not run into it.

The two walked inside one of the mines tunnels as they kept watch of their surroundings.

Igni: Why do you think so? Elina: If its 3 meters big, right? I doubt that it would fit inside a small passage like this.

Igni: YYeah, I think youre right.

Igni and Elina walked over the railway for an underground trolley, and they continued forward using one of Ignis {Fireball} as light. Among Ignis {Fireball} Spells, it is most focused on light energy exchange and is called [Equip Flame] : {Ignition} {Flare Shot}.

Igni: First, we need to understand the mapping of these tunnels betteroh, watch your step, Elina. Theres a steep drop right here.

Elina: Thank you. But Igni, you dont have to keep being so mindful of me.

Igni: Really? But you are a girl so

Elina: ..........yyes, but Im okay. Im strong after all.

Elina nodded after blushing slightly. But unfortunately, Ignis light was not bright enough for Igni to see this change in her expression.

They walked and investigated each pathway carefully to cover their designated search area.

Igni: .........this place is big.

Igni mumbled to himself because in that space, it was about 10 meters (33 feet) to the roof and about 20 meters (66 feet) half-circle radius.

Elina: It is a large cavern.

Igni: Im guessing this is where the miners gather..probably.

Elina mumbles to herself and Igni analyzes the room.

Inside the room, the trolley railway separated into multiple lines, and there were many small passages connected to this room.

Igni: They probably descend to this place once, and then start digging even deeper from here.

Igni is being quite serious for one reason only.

Its because a girl, Elina, is right next to him.

Igni: I guess well start from the edge path and search each one in order. Lets go, Elina. Elina: YYes. But Elinas voice seemed a little uncertain.

Igni: Is something the matter? Elina: NNo. Its nothing. Its just..I dont like dark spaces.

Igni reaches a hand to Elina.

Igni: Its going to be okay. Cmon. Lets go. Igni adjusted the brightness of his {Fireball} next to him, and making it a little brighter, he took Elinas hand as they proceeded forward.

Elina is slightly afraid of the dark.

And is holding Ignis hand.

In other words, this is an opportunity.

As Igni held Elinas hand gently, he began recalling a certain memory in the past. Yes, it was a night just as dark as it was here

<<<<>>>>

[And so, oye, Igni.]

[Ack?! Dont talk to me all of a sudden!]

Igni is currently hiding in the dark and hunting Monsters.

He felt sweat build up as he balled up his fists, and while he was wiping them dry on his clothes, Lucas, who was standing behind him, suddenly spoke up.

[Listen. I have something important to tell you.]

[Oh, it ran away.]

The Monster realized where Igni was and was just about to attack when it saw Lucas standing behind Igni and immediately ran away in fright.

[So Igni. Right now, you were feeling nervous, were you not?]

[YYeah. I was but..what about it?]

[Now then, was that genuine nervousness you were feeling just now?]

[What?]

His grandfather, who usually spoke about things in incomprehensible ways, said something even more confusing, so Igni couldnt help but ask his grandfather for clarification.

[Of course I was nervous! What are you talking about?!]

[Nervous? Your heart was beating quickly and you were sweating, but that was it, no?]

[Thats what nervousness is!!]

[How is that different from when youre feeling excited then?]

[...........excuse me?]

Igni tilted his head and spoke in a weird voice in his confusion.

[Hmph. Well, listen. Oye, Igni. Between your physical response and your hearts response, <WHICH IS> faster?!]

[What are you talking about?]

[Do people get nervous and then their heart starts beating?! Or do their hearts start beating so they start feeling nervous?!]

[Which? I mean, thats..]

Igni thought about this for a moment.

[I wonder which it is..]

[Exactly! Its something a normal person would not think about..! But Igni! There is an important saying that you should keep in mind.!]

[AAn important saying.?!]

[Yes. Thats[the domino effect]!!]

[ThThe Domino Effect..!!]

Igni shook as he heard the familiar words.

[Exactly! As you seek the pinnacle of Popularity, this may be unrelated and even an evil subject! And though I think it may not be necessary, I will tell you regardless! When people fall into danger..sometimes, they will mistake that for being in an excited state.!!]

[...........?!]

[In other words, human beings think in accordance to how their body responds.! Do you understand where I am going with this..?! You were nervous because you felt your heart rate rise.!!]

[BBut.Grandpa, isnt that just one way of thinking about this.?]

[Listen to me to the very end!!]

<SLAP!!!>

[OOw]

[Yes! As you mentioned, this is just a theory.! I am not <certain> if this is true! But..! Why are you hesitating to use this to your advantage!!]

[...........!!]

Igni shook once again to Lucas words.

[ThThats true. What you say is true, Grandpa..! We need to useanything.and everything to our advantage if we can.! Youre right!]

[Thats right, Igni! If you are able to use this to your advantage, you will no longer be nervous any more!!]

[IIll do my best!! Just watch me!!!]

The young and gullible Igni easily jumped onto this idea.

<<<<>>>>

True, it may only be a possibility!

And it might only be a theory!!

But as long as Ignino, Igni and his friends believe it.you can find it there!

A mans hopes and dreams!

Igni: Are you okay, Elina?

With Ignis {Fireball} lighting the path forward, Elina walked behind Igni.

Elina: YYes. .Im fine.

Elina held Ignis hand tightly, and they both proceeded deeper and deeper down into the mines path.

Igni: Hey, Elina.

Elina: Hm? Whats wrong? Igni: When you were looking at that picture, what thought crossed your mind? Elina: What..do you mean? Igni: You said it looked like a baby right? When you saw that picture.

Elina: YYeah, I did say that.

Elina kept pace with Igni as she nodded.

Igni: After that, you seemed to be deep in thought. So I thought you realized something.

Elina: .......no, its nothing really. Its just something I heard a long time ago.

Elina whispers the words quietly.

Elina: When the <stagnation> of humans gathers, it creates something that resembles a fetus..or something like that.

Igni: Really? I thought they said that Monsters were born from places where human stagnation gathers. Elina: Yes, Ive heard that <also>. Thats why I thought it was just my imagination, so I didnt say anything back then.

In that instant, the tunnels in the mines shook violently.

Elina: AAHHH!!

Igni drew Elina close to him as she almost stumbled and fell.

Elina: .........an earthquake?

Igni: ......no, this is different, Elina. The stench that reached Ignis nose was something he was far too familiar with up until 2 years ago.

And it was also the same smell that etched into his nose when he met with Abyss the other day.

Igni: ......its human stagnation. A Monster came out.