Chapter 168: Beneath the Surface The following day, Xin and his companions gathered in the fortress again.
This time, they had come equipped with an array of potions, each vial carefully chosen to combat various status effects and threats that might await them.
Among their supplies were vials of antidotes, holy waters, HP and MP potions, anti-freeze and anti-burn, Para-kiss, needles, and the like.
With their inventory laden with potions, Xin and his companions have retraced their steps back to the starting point of the chateau.
The atmosphere in the fortress had changed overnight. Shadows seemed to creep and dance on the walls, whispering secrets of the dungeon’s mysteries.
The very air felt charged with an eerie energy, making every step they took feel heavier.
To their astonishment, the room they had previously fought in felt foreign, alien even.
It was as if they had entered an entirely different dungeon altogether.
The layout was similar, yet subtly different as if the walls had shifted during the night, rearranging themselves in a sinister pattern.
The air was heavy with an otherworldly aura, and the once-familiar surroundings now felt like a maze of uncertainty.
"What’s happening?" Rever asked, his confusion evident. "These rooms look the same, but something feels off."
"It’s the dungeon," Victor explained, his tone carrying a mix of fascination and realization. "It’s as if the fortress is a living entity, ever-changing. Each time players enter, it reshapes itself, keeping players on their toes."
"That explains the lack of consistent information," Rever muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Every time we enter, it’s like stepping into a different world."
"Let’s be careful," Yuzuro muttered with a low voice.
Xin and the others pressed forward, their eyes scanning the distorted architecture for any familiar landmarks.
Every twist and turn seemed to lead them deeper into the labyrinthine heart of the fortress. The passageways stretched out endlessly, each corner concealing hidden dangers and potential traps.
As they moved their way back to the previous room where they had fought the Lanternal, they couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.
The others felt like it was the monsters and beasts in the area, but Xin guessed that it was probably just Hilda.
The walls seemed to close in on them, and the very stones beneath their feet felt like they were shifting ever so subtly.
The dungeon had become a living entity, a sentient being that toyed with their senses and perceptions.
Despite the disorienting environment, they reached the familiar room, albeit with a sense of trepidation.
Rever’s voice was cautious as he inquired, "The Lanternal won’t come out, right?"
"I certainly hope not," Yuzuro replied wryly, a shiver running down her spine at the memory. "I have no desire to experience that again."
"Let’s not linger. We should proceed forward before the Lanternal decides to make another appearance," Victor said, his gaze sharp as he warned Rever, "And please, don’t touch anything."
"Why do you always assume it’s me? I’ve learned my lesson, okay?" Rever defended himself, his tone slightly exasperated.
Xin and the others moved on to the next room. Thankfully, the Lanternal didn’t emerge this time.
An air of caution hung over them as they navigated the armory, refraining from touching anything for fear of triggering another Lanternal encounter.
A rare weapon wasn’t simply worth their lives. They were lucky the first time, but who knew what would happen the second time?
Advancing toward the hall leading to the next room, Xin and his companions faced a new challenge: monsters lurking in the shadows, primarily the Globbus.
A creature residing in damp caves appeared before them. Its spindly limbs ended in long, clawed appendages, and its head resembled a steel trap with rows of razor-sharp teeth.
The creature’s skin was slick with moisture, reflecting the dim light in the tunnel.
ǁ Globbus ǁ
Globbuses preyed on lost travelers, gnawing off their flesh with sharp claws, leaving only bones behind.
. Afterward, the Globbus secreted a fluid that bleached the bones and made them malleable, allowing it to roll the bones into perfect spheres.
Once ingested, these spheres emerged from the creature’s skin, forming a hardened exoskeleton.
These bone spheres, resembling glinting pearls in the darkness, were often mistaken for precious treasures by unsuspecting adventurers.
However, they were a macabre testament to the Globbus’ deadly hunting habits.
ǁ E N D ǁ
Xin and his companions watched the creature warily.
"It’s ugly . . ." Yuzuro commented.
"They’re quite deadly, too. Be careful. Its spit contained acid, and you might suffer burn damage," Victor explained.
As usual, it was Midnight Duchess, Victor, and Rever who were the ones who engaged the monsters. Their weapons gleamed in the faint light, the glint of steel contrasting against the darkness.
The Globbuses, with their spindly limbs and sharp claws, emerged like nightmares from the depths. Their moist, glistening skin gave them an unsettling appearance, and their jaws snapped open and shut, revealing rows of razor-like teeth.
With each encounter, Midnight Duchess’s knives sliced through the air, the blade connected with the Globbuses, sending them sprawling in a flurry of limbs.
Victor swung his swords at lightning speed. The resounding clang echoed through the cavern as the blade met the creatures, slicing them like butter.
Rever was in his beast form and darted between the monsters, his claws finding their mark with the monsters’ skin.
The Globbuses fell one by one, their cries silenced in the darkness.
Amidst the chaos, Xin’s golems stood tall and imposing, a stalwart defender against the onslaught. Its rocky exterior absorbed the blows from the Globbuses’ sharp claws, protecting Xin and the others from harm.
Whenever the Globbuses lunged forward, Xin’s golem moved to meet their attacks. Though slow, there were numerous of them, creating a wall of rocks around Xin and Yuzuro.
Its stone fists swung, striking the creatures with a force that sent them tumbling backward.
Eventually, despite the Globbuses relentless attacks, the group pressed onwards and stumbled upon a dark path with two unlocked doors that led to the Torture Chamber and Guards’ Resting Room.
Crossing this doorway into the Catacomb areas actual depths filled everyone with dread. The creepy voices got stronger as they entered a dark world.