"How can I be sure that you won't kill me as soon as I let us out?" Selene asked.
"Simple," Kyle answered with a smile. "I can't. You're way faster than me. You could just outrun me, get to the Alpha Team, and that's it. Also, you're stronger than me."
Selene seemed unsatisfied. "That's all?" she asked.
"I mean, is that not enough?" Kyle asked in confusion. "I already showed you how it's physically impossible for me to kill you. What more do you want?"
"How about us being friends?" she asked.
"Sure, there's also that, but how is that going to convince you?" Kyle asked. "Anyone in my position would lie their ass off just to survive. I can't prove that I don't want to kill you, but I can prove that I can't kill you."
"Also, my arms are starting to hurt just a smidge," Kyle said with a strained smile as his arms shook.
"Are you saying this to prove that you don't want to kill me?" she asked.
"What's with all of these questions?" Kyle asked with a bit of annoyance. "Are you going to get us out or not?"
"Not yet," Selene said.
"Oh, for fuck's sake, woman," Kyle said with frustration. "You do know that when my arms finally give out, I will collapse, and my face will be buried in your chest, based on the position. At this point, I believe that this might actually be your goal."
Selene's face turned red, and she gritted her teeth in anger.
"Whoops, here goes my strength," Kyle said dramatically as he let his arms shake even more.
The next moment, the stones became even heavier, and Kyle actually almost collapsed.
But then, everything became lighter, and Kyle groaned in relief.
BANG!
Selene kicked one of the rocks and charged through the hole into a wide, open space.
She looked at Kyle with anger and embarrassment, expecting him to stand up.
Instead, she saw the few remaining stones above him collapsing.
"Finally," Selene heard Kyle's muffled voice.
Kyle's casual nature annoyed her.
This was a serious situation!
They both knew each other's secrets, and they both had a solid motivation to kill the other.
Yet, Kyle was acting like this was just a regular day!
"Take this seriously!" she shouted as her frustration took control of her lips.
The next moment, the stones moved to the side, and Kyle slowly stood up.
"Can't even let me rest for a second," he commented as he massaged his stiff shoulders. "I know I'm a big, strong, attractive man, but holding that much weight also isn't easy for me. "
Selene snorted in disgust. "You sound more like a woman with your constant complaining."
Kyle just smirked. "A big, strong, attractive woman?"
Selene didn't dignify that with an answer.
For a couple of seconds, the two of them just looked at each other.
"So, mission done?" Kyle asked. "I mean, it was the Earth Elemental that destroyed the mine, right?"
Selene looked at Kyle for a while longer.
She seemed like she was evaluating something.
"Earth Elementals are rarely alone," she said. "This one was most likely the culprit, but there are bound to be more."
"Great!" Kyle said with a smile.
"Great?" Selene asked with a raised brow.
"Yeah, that means the Alpha Team actually gets to do some work as well! I don't wanna finish the entire mission for just 15% of the pay."
Selene just kept looking at Kyle.
It was almost like she was trying to make sense of his words and actions.
He was acting so… unusual.
Well, he was always acting unusual, but…
It was hard to explain.
"Anyway," Kyle said. "Go turn into a man again. Speaking of, how do you even do that?"
Selene slowly transformed back into Sven.
"It's a Spell," Sven said.
"Why don't I have that?" Kyle asked.
"You refused to learn Spellcasting until just recently, imbecile," Theodor said.
"Yeah, well, anyway, let's go back," Kyle said as he looked around his new surroundings.
He found himself in a long tunnel, which was almost 20 meters wide.
"That's up, right?" Kyle asked, pointing in one of two directions of the tunnel.
"Yes," Sven answered.
"Cool," Kyle said as he started walking in that direction.
Sven slowly followed him but kept a safe distance.
"So, is Sven a real guy?" Kyle asked.
"Yes," Sven answered slowly. "He's my brother."
"So, did I meet Sven or Selene back in your home?" Kyle asked.
"Me," Sven answered.
"Then, what's the real Sven doing?" Kyle asked as he reached the actual mine again.
"He's disguised as me," Sven answered.
"Wait, so you guys just swap places? Why?" Kyle asked as he searched for the way out.
"Powerful people know I have the Aristocrat's Body. Our enemies constantly try to kill me. Sven is putting his life on the line by disguising himself as me."
Sven/Selene's mood dropped. "I fear to hear news of his death every day."
Kyle didn't comment.
"So, I'm just going to call you Selene from now on, unless there are other people present. That okay?" Kyle asked after a bit.
Selene didn't answer. "I'll take that as a yes," Kyle said as he traveled up the winding rails again.
Selene still didn't answer.
The two of them kept walking for a couple of seconds in silence.
"Not in a talkative mood, huh?" Kyle commented.
Selene didn't answer.
"Cool, cool," Kyle commented as he found the exit.
A moment later, the two of them reached the exit, and Kyle looked up.
Then, he jumped with all of his power.
Due to his considerable weight, he didn't reach enough height, but with a couple of Boosts, he managed to reach the edge of the big hole.
A moment later, he saw his teammates and the Alpha Team.
When Falk and Michael saw Kyle, they released a sigh of relief.
"Report!" Martin said coldly from the side.
"Earth Elemental," Kyle said as Selene landed behind him.
When Martin heard that, he narrowed his eyes.
"We got one of them, though," Kyle said. "We did more than our part of the mission. The remainder is up to you."
Martin didn't answer.
The Alpha Team seemed to be in a bad mood, and Kyle knew why.
'Man, that's gotta suck to kill a bunch of Earth Elementals. Imagine not having an improved Soul or a pet Colossus.'
'Sucks to be them.'
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