Chapter 124: The Secret Prisoner Quest What a detailed description, Xin thought.
He was about to stand on his feet and ask the others to move to the next room when a notification materialized on his screen. The words emblazoned across the interface captured his full attention:
[CONGRATULATIONS! You have unlocked one of the necessary items in the quest, THE SECRET PRISONER!]
In an instant, the significance of those words reverberated through Xin’s mind.
"The secret prisoner?" he murmured to himself, connecting the dots between this quest and the fortress they now explored.
Curiosity swelled within him as he realized the potential value of this quest, the key to unraveling the enigma of the secret prisoner’s identity.
Wasn’t that the reason why the fortress was built in the first place? To held that prisoner inside.
Yet, another question loomed: Should he share this newfound knowledge with his companions?
A sense of cautious guided his decision. Xin chose to keep this quest for the time being, deciding to see where it would led first.
Victor’s voice interrupted his thoughts. "Have you gathered everything you need?"
Xin’s gaze shifted to Victor, the quest still fresh in his mind. He nodded in response to Victor’s query, his thoughts revolving around the quest that now held his attention.
"Alright, everyone," Victor announced, redirecting the group’s focus. "Let’s proceed to the next area."
Yuzuro roused Rever from his impromptu nap, and he awoke with a start, disoriented and bleary-eyed. "W-what’s going on?"
"It’s time to move," Yuzuro chided, her hands placed firmly on her hips. "If you wanted to rest, you should have logged out and tell Xin and the others."
Rever shook off his grogginess, stretching as he replied, "I’m not tired, just took a quick nap. Now that I’m recharged, let’s get going!"
Yuzuro shook her head, amused and exasperated in equal measure, as Rever enthusiastically skipped his steps and joined Xin’s side.
The party advanced into the next area, stepping into what had once been a bustling courtyard.
Now, it stood in stark contrast to its former vitality, an emptiness that resonated with the echoes of past activity. The space, once teeming with livestock, had been drained of life.
Gone were the gentle sounds of hooves and the contented grazing of animals. In their place, a profound silence reigned, a haunting reminder of the vibrant existence that had once thrived here.
Feeding troughs, now bereft of nourishment, served as melancholic relics of the exuberant life that had once animated this space.
. Faded memories clung to the corners of the courtyard, whispering tales of the past in the stillness of the present.
Yuzuro broke the quietude, and observed the sparsity of players in the area. "It seems rather empty," she remarked, the contrast to the former rooms casted a somber shadow over their exploration.
In contrast to the previous rooms, few players scattered throughout the area, their avatars distinguished by a variety of appearances and equipment.
Some were intently investigating corners of the courtyard, while others engaged in hushed conversations or traded items.
Their presence added a semblance of life to the otherwise desolate courtyard.
Victor shared a tidbit of information with the group. "A Legend-grade items used to be found in this area," he revealed. "But ever since then, nothing has surfaced here."
Rever casually inquired, "Did your pet find anything?"
Victor shook his head. "Shadow didn’t uncover anything of note."
Without much debate, Rever took the lead, his resolute tone brooking no argument. "We should move on, then," he urged. "I have a feeling the system might log us out soon saying that we need sleep again or something."
"As I thought. You’re sleepy aren’t you?" Yuzuro muttered to the side.
"I told you that I’m not!" Rever argued.
The group acquiesced, their collective goal propelling them forward into the next area. The unspoken urgency to complete their first quest loomed, driving them to press on before the system could indeed log them out.
The transition into the new area greeted them with a sight that Yuzuro had hoped never to witness.
The butchery salon, a grim chamber filled with the aftermath of death, confronted them. Countless species lay strewn across cold metal tables. Their once-vibrant lives were extinguished in a gruesome fashion.
The stark remnants of these atrocities echoed in the chilling tableau of human bones that adorned the walls, serving as haunting reminders of the darkest deeds perpetrated within these walls.
An imposing furnace dominated one corner of the room, its fiery maw casting eerie shadows that whispered of the room’s sordid history.
At the far end of the hallway, a closed door stood as a sentinel, its secrets veiled by its unwillingness to yield.
With a light shove, however, the group could gain entry to the mysteries that lay beyond.
"L-let’s get out of here." Yuzuro’s distress was palpable as her eyes darted around the blood-soaked chamber, her trembling hand unwittingly clutching Rever’s clothing.
Yet, instead of Rever, she found herself clutching Xin’s clothe.
Midnight Duchess quickly snatched her hand and offered comforting words, "Don’t worry. They’re deceased. There’s nothing they can do to harm you."
Yuzuro’s face was drained of colors and she went paler. "D-dead . . . ?"
Victor swiftly redirected their attention. "Let’s not dwell here. I’m not fond of this type of scene. There’s only one room left before we complete this part of the map, so let’s hurry before the system log us out."
The group advanced to the final room, a serene alcove nestled within the fortress.
An imposing iron door stood ajar, revealing an entirely different world beyond its threshold. This fiery realm was alive with movement as a giant furnace danced at its center, its fiery embrace casting flickering shadows that danced on the surrounding walls.
The air bore the unmistakable scent of ashes and was permeated with an intense, scorching heat emanating from within.
The open door beckoned, a gateway to the fiery chamber that stirred both curiosity and apprehension.
As they approached, Yuzuro couldn’t help but voice her intrigue. "What are they doing over there?" she inquired, her gaze drawn to a group of players congregating around the furnace.
Victor answered her, "The furnace conceals a hidden treasure. Players can uncover valuable items there, provided luck is on their side."