Underground Cage, Within the Time Axis

Actually, I was torn over whether to have him follow me down or leave him up there to stand guard.

If he stayed above, just as he said, my retreat route might be cut off.

But if he followed me, he could be in danger at any moment.

So I didn't know what to do either.

When he asked whether I trusted him, I told him outright that I didn't.

He smiled. "Since you don't trust me, I'd better go down with you!" With that, he climbed up as well, preparing to follow me down.

"Walk in front," I told him.

He shook his head with a bitter smile, but still moved ahead of me.

"You really are cautious," he said.

Having him walk in front was relatively safer. If he stayed behind me and suddenly attacked while I wasn't paying attention, I might not even know how I died.

I figured there was nothing wrong with bringing him along.

At least right under my nose, he would have to be careful about whatever he planned to do.

And making him walk ahead was like buying myself a second layer of insurance.

If we came to blows at this distance, I would have time to react.

"This temple is one of your monastery's properties too, isn't it?" I asked.

He actually nodded. "Yes, but there has always been a young lama stationed here. I suspect even he might not have known about this secret passage."

That was certainly possible. What a young lama knew about secrets would be limited.

I took out my flashlight and handed it to him. He didn't hesitate, immediately taking it from me.

The instant he took the flashlight, I regretted it a little. My flashlight could do more than provide light—it could also shock people.