Chapter 140: Guardians of the Elder Druid "Nice thinking, Lord Schrodinger!" Rever complimented.
"It wouldn’t last," Xin said, sweat tickling at the side of his face as his golems were shaking and cracking under the door’s pressure.
His fingers then clutched a precious item, the [Shell of Oceanic Powers], which contained the formidable Tier 4 spell, Aqua Torrent.
Without a second thought, Xin unleashed the spell. A torrent of water erupted forth in a brilliant display of liquid might.
The Aqua Torrent surged towards the Azer, a force of nature pitted against elemental fire.
The clash of elements was cataclysmic. Water met fire in a tumultuous collision, steam billowing in all directions.
The Azer roared with agony as the Aqua Torrent engulfed it, its fiery form hissing and crackling under the onslaught.
In the midst of this chaotic spectacle, Midnight Duchess seized the opportunity. With a swift movement, she lunged forward, and her fingertips grazed the door’s edge, securing her grip. She pulled herself inside, the door closing just inches behind her.
The stone door groaned as it came to a resounding close, sealing off the chamber and crushing the golems between its weight.
Rever and Yuzuro watched in awe and relief as Midnight Duchess emerged on their side, her silhouette marked by the shimmering remains of the Aqua Torrent.
All of them were now safely on the other side, and they heaved sighs of relief, their bodies trembling from the adrenaline-fueled escape.
"Thank you," Midnight Duchess addressed Lord Schrodinger with a nod of appreciation.
Xin, however, shook his head and spoke, "You’ve saved me multiple times in the past, so . . ."
Midnight Duchess chuckled softly. "So I guess we’re even now."
Xin wanted to express that he still felt indebted to her, given her repeated acts of saving him, but Victor interjected, urging them to move forward.
"Let’s go. There’s only one more room after this."
Xin didn’t have the opportunity to voice his unspoken thoughts as Midnight Duchess, and the others continued their journey.
"It’s been quite a wild ride back there, hasn’t it?" Yuzuro commented, reflecting on their recent experiences. "This dungeon certainly lives up to its reputation for becoming more challenging the deeper you go."
Victor nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it does."
Rever’s enthusiasm was evident as he contemplated what awaited them in the upcoming rooms. "I can’t help but wonder what challenges the third and fourth rooms will bring. The previous ones were getting a bit monotonous. This is the excitement I’ve been craving."
Yuzuro observed, "I’ve noticed there aren’t many other players around here."
Victor explained, "From this point forward, some rooms are designed to accommodate only one group of players. In reality, other players are led to different, identical rooms. This is to prevent groups from helping each other through sheer numbers, making the dungeon progressively harder as we go deeper."
"Interesting," Rever remarked, intrigued by the mechanics of the dungeon.
However, Yuzuro’s confidence wavered as she contemplated her role in the group. She began to doubt whether it was appropriate for her to be in the same group as such skilled players.
Comparing herself to the others, she couldn’t help but feel like dead weight.
While Xin was of a lower level than her, he had proven to be more helpful than she had been. She had only been saved and hadn’t contributed much, not even as a healer.
She felt like a burden on everyone.
Perhaps it would be best if she weren’t in the group at all? Yuzuro pondered, her self-confidence diminishing with each passing moment.
Eventually, they reached the last room, where they stood before the Elder Druid’s Tomb.
The chamber exuded an aura of reverence and ancient wisdom, filled with the energies of nature and centuries-old rituals. Intricate carvings on the walls depicted the cycle of life and the harmony of nature.
Four Sentinel Magmins, guardians of forbidden knowledge, were brought back to life, ready for battle.
They stood as formidable obstacles to be overcome before the players could access the sacred depths of the main altar, protecting the secrets hidden beyond with unwavering vigilance.
In addition to the Magmins, several Giant Badgers guarded the tomb. These creatures possessed sturdy, thick-furred bodies that ranged in color from deep brown to jet black.
Their wise gazes surveyed the surroundings, and their formidable claws spoke of their strength and determination to defend the burial place of the Elder Druid.
With a low, rumbling growl, they warned any intruders to approach with caution.
"I don’t see any tomb in here," Rever voiced his confusion, surveying the chamber’s interior.
"Nor any other players," Yuzuro chimed in, realizing that this room marked the final challenge they had to face in this dungeon.
It had its advantages, though, as they wouldn’t have to contend with other groups vying for items and rewards.
"So, what’s the plan?" Rever inquired, clenching his fists in readiness.
Victor outlined their strategy with confidence. "It’s simple. Midnight will handle the Giant Badgers while the rest of us focus on dealing with those Sentinels."
Rever appeared skeptical. "By herself?"
"The badgers are a less challenging opponent for her," Victor explained. "We’d face a far more formidable challenge with those four Sentinels. Her role is to ensure the badgers don’t get close to us while we take care of the magmins."
Yuzuro’s voice was meek as she suggested, "Can’t we just take them down together?"
Victor shook his head firmly. "No. If we attack, those enemies will come after us. It’s better to split up and ensure we aren’t surrounded."
He then turned to Midnight Duchess, his gaze filled with challenge. "Can you handle it?"
Midnight Duchess confidently brandished her blades. "Not a problem." She stepped forward, and said in an annoying tone. "Just let me know if you can’t handle the Sentinels, and I’ll gladly assist."
The corner of Victor’s lips rose. "As long as you keep those badgers focused on you, everything will go according to plan."
Xin was just standing on the sidelines, and observed the exchange between Victor and Midnight Duchess with a lethargic face.
It seemed they had their own dynamic, and he had grown accustomed to their interactions.