Chapter 171: Tides of Vermin Amidst the aromatic symphony of spices and sizzling sauces, the group entered the bustling kitchen, where culinary wonders were crafted amidst the clinking of utensils and the hiss of pans.
The vibrant atmosphere wrapped around them like a comforting blanket, but their purpose led them to a less glamorous corner of the dwarven chateau.
Exiting the kitchen, they ventured into the dimly lit laundry room, a space filled with the scent of soapy fabric and the subtle sound of dripping water.
Rows of washing tubs and clotheslines created a maze of moist fabrics, enveloping them in a unique ambiance.
In this unassuming place, Victor’s keen sense caught sight of a note. It read:
Beneath a sky of crimson hues and gold,
Where secrets linger, waiting to unfold,
Where southern whispers meet the western breeze,
A hidden path lies, embraced by ancient trees.
Rever pondered aloud, "We’ve been finding notes like these lately. What could it mean?"
Yuzuro chimed in, "It’s likely a riddle, a clue to find the right way forward."
Victor held up a finger, his senses alert. "Did you hear that?"
"W-what?" Yuzuro tensed.
"Trouble approaches. Be prepared," Midnight Duchess warned, and knives appeared in her hands.
The group stood in the dimly lit laundry room, their senses heightened and their guard up.
Their cautious whispers echoed in the moist air as they waited for their enemies to appear. The tension was palpable, each member of the party acutely aware of their surroundings.
Suddenly, a small squeak piped up amidst the shadows.
The group froze, their eyes widening in surprise.
Rever scoffed and chuckled, dismissing the sound. "It’s just a rat, nothing to worry about."
However, before anyone could react, hundreds of tiny red eyes gleamed in the darkness, multiplying rapidly until the entire room seemed to pulsate with a scarlet glow.
The space was alive with movement as a horde of rats emerged from every nook and cranny, their sharp claws clicking against the stone floor.
Their agile forms darted through piles of soiled laundry and gnawing on grain bags tucked in the corners.
. Despite their small size, their sheer numbers and sharp teeth made them formidable adversaries.
Yuzuro trembled involuntarily, her voice quivering as she exclaimed, "Oh, my god . . . are those . . . rats?"
"Are they . . . are they going to attack us?" Rever stammered, his eyes wide with apprehension. There was so many of them!
Victor tightened his grip on his sword. "Rats are carriers of diseases. We must avoid their bites at all costs unless you want to endure the agony of relentless, none-ending poison."
The room buzzed with the rats’ noises as the group prepared to defend themselves against the swarming horde of rodents, their small size belying the potential danger they posed.
"Are we going to fight them?" Rever asked, unsure. "There’s too many of them!"
The laundry room was overrun by a sea of rats, their numbers seemingly endless.
Yuzuro’s uncertain voice cut through the tense atmosphere, "S-should we . . . should we try to flee?"
Xin’s response was swift and decisive, "We won’t win a direct confrontation. We need to create a way out."
With that, Victor raised his sword high, the blade catching the dim light. He then brought the weapon down, a powerful force emanating from it.
The blade sliced through a large group of rats, but their numbers were so vast that the gap was immediately filled by new rats swarming in.
"All I can see are rats, as far as my eyes can reach," Victor remarked dryly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "We need a path, and we need it now."
He then didn’t waste a moment. He swung his sword again, this time with a different strategy. Instead of aiming to clear a large area, he focused on creating a narrow path, slicing through the rats strategically.
"Follow me!" he called out to the others. "Stay close, and don’t get surrounded."
Matching Victor’s agility, Midnight Duchess effortlessly moved alongside him. "I’ll help clear out the way. Lord Schrodinger and Yuzuro, fire as many spells as you can."
It was unusual for Midnight Duchess to give commands, so they knew that the situation was serious.
Xin nodded and quickly put his [Flame] spell into his highest tier slot. With his gun, he unleashed [Flame], creating multiple bullets of fire that engulfed the rats on one side.
The rodents squealed and scattered, some succumbing to the flames while others desperately tried to find a way around the fiery barrier.
However, despite his efforts, Xin’s lower level became apparent.
While Victor and Midnight Duchess could deal significant damage with their attacks, Xin struggled to one-shot the rats. His flames, while effective, weren’t as powerful as they could be.
Xin was even more determined to raise his level. It should be his priority right now together with accumulating wealth and dominating NPCs to get their rare items.
Yuzuro, while not a powerhouse in terms of offensive spells, provided invaluable support with her divine spells. Her magic, though not overly damaging, created a supportive aura, aiding her comrades without causing harm.
In the midst of chaos, the trio of main damage dealers — Rever, Midnight Duchess, and Victor — stood as pillars of strength.
Rever’s roars echoed as his claws tore through the horde while Victor’s sword danced with lethal precision.
Midnight Duchess, like a shadow, darted among the rats, her movements quick and deadly. Their synergy allowed them to carve a path through the relentless tide of rodents.
Unlike their first dungeon experience, this time, their coordination was markedly improved. Each member knew their role, and their movements flowed seamlessly as they covered each other’s backs.
Their teamwork became their lifeline, preventing them from being overwhelmed by the sheer number of rats.
Amidst the turmoil, they fought fiercely, each member relying on the others.
Rever’s roars and claws tore through the horde. Victor’s blade danced in the air. Midnight Duchess darted like a shadow. Xin continued to unleash his flames, albeit with less potency than he desired. And Yuzuro tried her best not to hit anyone with her spells.
The battle dragged on, the relentless swarm pushing them to their limits.
Their struggle intensified as they fought tooth and nail for their escape, the horde seemingly endless.
Finally, they managed to break through the swarm, making it to the hallway leading to the next room.