Chapter Thirty-Six Deep in the Dungeon
Although Jotes had repeatedly emphasized the dangers of exploring ruins, Moria set out without any preparation.
The location of the Black Forest Underground Ruins was not far from the Goblin Market, but Jotes was not taking them to the main entrance.
“I discovered this place alone, and no one else knows about it. Going in through this entrance leads directly to the deepest dungeon.”
The dwarf moved a wooden plank, revealing a deep, dark opening sloping down into the unknown.
Dungeon?
Li Wen pondered the word seriously. She thought the dwarf had called it a dungeon to conceal the underground ruins, but it seemed there really was a dungeon. But why? Shouldn’t that be an alchemist’s laboratory? Where did a dungeon come from?
Her knowledge of this area, and even the entire Black Dragon Territory, was too limited. The only thing she knew was related to the End Original Text. Beyond that, both the Goblin Market and the alchemist master’s laboratory were things she had never heard of in her past or present life, so she could only suppress her doubts for now.
Dwarves lived in dark caves for a long time and naturally possessed dark vision, so Jotes walked at the front, scouting the way for everyone.
They hadn’t brought torches, so Moria consumed mana and used divine ability to create a glowing sphere.
“The dangers in the ruins mainly come from traps and monsters that might inhabit them,” Jotes muttered softly. “But after a ruin becomes known to everyone, the dangers are not just that… Adventurers who come to seek treasure, and those who travel with you, can all take your life in an instant. Ah, sorry, I’m not talking about any of you…”
Moria didn’t pay attention. He just recited a doctrinal admonition: “Never let possessions blind your eyes, for those eyes are meant to gaze upon the Glor.”
Li Wen walked behind him, not offering any opinions. She was already annoyed by the two wild mages behind her.
“I think that dwarf has a big problem.” The female wild mage whispered beside Li Wen without any concealment, as if afraid Li Wen wouldn’t hear. After their impromptu introductions, Li Wen already knew the female wild mage’s name was Nasha, and the male’s was Harik.
“I think so too,” Harik agreed. “He smells strongly of garlic, which reminds me of the smelly socks I left under the bed at the inn.”
“You left your socks under the bed at the inn?” Nasha was completely shocked.
“I know it’s bad, after all, a pair of socks costs 3 pennies…”
Is this the main point?
Li Wen quickened her pace, wanting nothing more than to get away from the two of them.
But the two clearly didn’t realize Li Wen’s thoughts and also quickened their pace to follow.
“Hey, don’t walk so fast. it’s dark and slippery here. I’m really afraid of falling and sliding somewhere unknown.”
Then let them go wherever they are supposed to go. Besides, Moria had already illuminated the tunnel with divine ability, so it wasn’t that dark.
“You weren’t kidnapped by that knight too, were you? We’re planning a brilliant escape, want to join us.” Nasha whispered, looking cautiously at Moria ahead.
Li Wen could no longer stand it. She blurted out, “Do you see? He’s engrossed in exploring the underground ruins. If I were you, I’d run away right now instead of arguing like flies with a stranger here, you understand? Huh?!”
The two wild mages seemed startled by Li Wen’s sudden anger and trembled, shaking their heads in perfect sync.
“No, no, you don’t know how scary that guy is. He pretended to be friendly and said he would perform magic for free, and we were looking forward to it. Then he actually made all the money and treasure we stole, ahem, earned, appear right before our eyes… We had never seen such magical magic, and the audience almost killed us because of it.”
It’s a shame they didn’t kill you, Li Wen thought to herself.
At this time, everyone finally reached their destination. They emerged from a crack in a wall, and as the dwarf Jotes had said, it was a dungeon.
The entire dungeon was about a third the size of the Goblin Market, divided into individual cells by strong walls and iron bars, and the place where they emerged was also one of these cells.
The cell was filled with shackles, chains, and various types of torture instruments, all showing signs of use, with residual bloodstains and unknown smudges. The walls of the cell were covered with scratch marks and bloody handprints, seeming to indicate the inhumane torture suffered by the prisoners previously held here.
It didn’t look at all related to the alchemist master’s laboratory.
Li Wen noticed that some of the torture instruments seemed too large for humans, indicating that the prisoners in the cells might not have been the only intelligent races of human-sized beings.
“There’s a sound from above.”
Moria said at this time.
“That’s normal. Above us is the main body of the ruins. It’s like a huge maze or an underground castle that receives countless visitors every day. Currently, adventurers from all over are scouring for treasures or dueling with monsters above us, so you can hear their movements,” Jotes said faintly.
“So, is this where you found the potion?”
Li Wen was the one speaking. This dungeon was too eerie; she just wanted to find the potion and leave as soon as possible.
“No, it’s still deeper… Please follow me.”
After a moment of silence, the dwarf led them further into the dungeon.
Along the way, everyone saw more shocking torture instruments, their structures and purposes revealing strangeness and grotesqueness. Dried corpses were placed on dissection tables, their abdomens split open, and their skin covered with rock-like scales. Further on, all the cells were no longer using bars but more sealed metal doors. Some doors continuously emitted sounds and screams from within, as if undergoing torture.
Everyone who heard the sounds had a change in expression, but only the dwarf Jotes remained unmoved, as if accustomed to it.
“Don’t mind them… it might be vengeful spirits, or something more terrifying, but no matter what, just ignore them.”
“It seems like something… very painful happened here?”
Moria wanted to open the iron door to investigate, but this time there were people like wild mages with no combat power around. To avoid unnecessary accidents, he calmed himself down.
“It’s always like this,” the dwarf said. “But what does that have to do with us?”
Moria frowned and was about to speak when he heard Jotes speak.
“We’re here, this is it.”
A doorway appeared in the darkness. Before Li Wen could even get a clear look at the door, the dwarf pushed it open without hesitation.
