Warm rays of the sun never illuminated the lands here, and even the gentle luster of moonlight was banned. The only presence that existed was darkness. Under the shine of bright torches brought in by these foolish intruders, only the ice-cold, stone walls and solid rocks announced their existence. This was the land enveloped by eternal darkness, where light could never exist.
The Dark Region.
Most of the evil races were gathered here. The existence of darkness released all valves of desires. Creatures who couldn’t survive on the surface or were chased to the underground grew up in the darkness. They abandoned their possessions, but received much more instead. Perhaps this couldn’t be compared directly, but to them, there was nothing more important than gaining strength.
Gazing at the pitch-black cave, Neo rubbed his huge nose, extended his arm, and spurred on the underground lizard under him with a long whip. Along with this action, the massive, four-legged lizard dashed forward briskly. Even though it stepped on gravel and grit, no loud sounds were made at all.
Neo was the same as most dwarves: kind, smart, and adventurous. Some traveling poets termed dwarves as underground elves. Of course, no one agreed with this analogy in terms of their appearance. But if one were wandering in the underground exhaustedly, dealing with the assassinations of dark elves and cunningness manipulation of duergars, one would realize that only the city of dwarves was willing to open their doors and welcome one with open arms. Therefore, it wasn’t hard to understand why the dwarves gained such praises.
Neo stared at the cave ahead and stretched his body tautly. Even though Neo had been through this path hundreds of times, he didn’t let his guard down. No one knew when an enemy would show up. In the Dark Region, it was only when one returned to one’s warm, lovely home that one could barely relax oneself. If it weren’t for the huge remuneration, Neo wouldn’t be willing to leave his safe den. He clutched a refined crossbow in one hand and the button above the rein in the other. This way, if he were ambushed, he could defend himself immediately and get into battle with the enemy. As a member of a race that had lived underground since ancient times, even though dwarves didn’t seem as diabolical as dark elves or as cunning as duergars, if one were foolish enough to think that dwarves were pushovers, the dwarves would use their unique methods to remind them that they weren’t only lucky to survive the harsh underground all these years. An army of dark elves avoided a heavily-guarded dwarf city, not to mention wandering creatures in the cave.
But recently, the situation seemed somewhat abnormal.
As an underground trader, Neo was aware of what was happening right now. Many clients of his decided to give up their territories and headed deeper into the underground. Some even sought to leave the underground and headed to the surface, which surprised Neo greatly. Just like fish in the ocean that never craved to go ashore, perhaps to residents on the surface, the underground world enveloped in darkness was a living hell. But creatures born in the underground never headed to the surface nor bathed in the sun. Be it the kind dwarves or sinister dark elves and duergars, they were all the same. Perhaps it sounded ridiculous, but to underground inhabitants, the surface was an unknown and dangerous place. It was just like how they could never understand why creatures living on the surface weren’t afraid that they would fly into the sky one day. When one raised one’s head and couldn’t see the ceiling and solid walls, wouldn’t they feel unsafe?
And now, since some inhabitants decided to escape this place and head to the surface, Neo felt like the situation wasn’t as simple as he had imagined. Besides, what worried him was that according to some rumors, the nearby dark elf city was ‘sealed off’ completely, prohibiting anyone from entering and exiting. Not only that, but they also purchased huge amounts of resources as though they would be in lockdown for a year or two. Normally, Neo would cheer with both hands raised at this behavior. But now, he felt rather worried instead. For the situation to escalate to the extent where dark elves sealed off their city, it showed that a crisis might have occurred recently.
Seems like I need to remind the others after heading back. If anything were to happen, at least they are prepared for it, isn’t it?
“…!”
At that moment, the four-legged lizard came to an abrupt halt. It stooped over in alertness, staring ahead. Neo tensed up instantly at its behavior. This underground lizard had been through special training. Not only could it roam about stably and silently, but it could also sense the presence of other creatures. If there were any dangers ahead, it would warn its owner immediately. Judging from its reaction, it seemed like it spotted some enemies ahead.
But shortly after, Neo discovered that the situation wasn’t as he had imagined. Because the scarlet flames that illuminated the stone walls revealed the identity of the enemies.
Surface creatures.
Almost immediately, Neo witnessed several men in robes raising torches and sauntering out the other end of the tunnel.
***
“I don’t like this damn place, Leader. It’s so dark, stuffy, and boring!”
Mini Bubble Gum (No. 2) spread her arms apart and grumbled in displeasure. Upon hearing her complaints, Rhode shrugged.
“At least it is quiet here. Besides, it is suitable for us to conceal our trails. According to Angelina, the undead creatures on the surface are basically insane. Do you want to spend your time with those undead creatures instead?”
“Fine… I was just saying, that’s all.”
Facing Rhode’s answer, Bubble curled her lips and remained silent. Standing close to her, Icy Snow’s cat ears stood at attention and carefully listened to the surrounding movements. Her eyes glinted in a dark green flash as she traversed across the tunnel silently like a cat.
This time, Rhode didn’t bring too many people with him. Just like what his younger sister mentioned, this time he was here to rescue someone and not to kill their target. That was why the most important thing was not to attract any attention. Even though he didn’t bring a huge party with him this time, they were suited for the situation and environment. It went without saying that Angelina went with them because she knew the entrance to that mysterious tunnel. Other than her, Rhode also brought Nell along, as the white-skinned dark elf was most familiar with the underground world. With her around, they could waste the least amount of time getting through the area. Mini Bubble Gum (No. 2) also came with them. Even though the original Bubble screamed and grumbled shamelessly, insisting to follow with them along, considering the risks involved, Rhode decisively threw her in Canary’s care. Bubble was frustrated because there was also someone who blatantly followed them and yet, Rhode accepted her generously.
Anne hummed as she followed Rhode closely. It had always been her favorite hobby to follow him around for adventures. This time, Rhode allowed her to follow the group as he valued her strength. On the other hand, Marlene and Lize also hinted to Rhode that Anne’s ‘days’ were approaching. During this period, she had been acting restless. Rather than leaving her in the camp to scourge Marlene and Lize, they would rather Anne follow Rhode to vent some of her pent-up energy. That was why when Anne volunteered, Rhode agreed straightaway. This obvious double standard left Mini Bubble Gum in displeasure. But it was a pity that she couldn’t do anything about it.
Mini Bubble Gum desired to come, but was not allowed to. On the contrary, someone who didn’t wish to come was forced to by Rhode.
And that person was Cassidy.
This ‘Contrast Deity Warden’ had been afraid of Rhode. It was especially so after he brought his younger sister back, where Cassidy kept following his younger sister around and avoided meeting Rhode as much as possible. Even if there were something on, she would report to his younger sister. Therefore, this time when Rhode appointed Cassidy to join the party, Cassidy wasn’t willing at all. But it was a pity that no one stood on her side this time. His younger sister smiled and said to Cassidy gently: “I’ll leave it to you then, Cassidy.”… Later, the pitiful Contrast Deity Warden followed the party helplessly like a noble abducted by slave traders.
“Big Brother, there’s something ahead.”
At that moment, Icy Snow came to a halt and said softly. Even though her archery skills were hardly useful in underground tunnels, Rhode needed her [Space Detection] ability. Even though Nell was also familiar with the underground world, she hadn’t returned for a long time, after all. Besides, it was normal for troublesome creatures to run out from nowhere. With Icy Snow around, Rhode’s group could at least avoid some troubles and danger. They didn’t have time to waste on them now.
“What is that?”
Upon hearing Icy Snow’s words, Rhode twitched his brows and asked. Icy Snow puckered her brows, looked ahead, and shifted her gaze away.
“A dwarf,” she said.
