Chapter 172: Traps of Temptation Panting heavily, Rever complained, "That was intense. We could have easily been overwhelmed."
"They might seem weak individually, but their sheer numbers make them deadly," Yuzuro added, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
"Some enemies, like the Lanternal, are just impossible to defeat," Victor said.
"Aside from the [Monocle], how can you tell if an enemy is undefeatable?" Xin asked because it seemed like Midnight Duchess and Victor could already tell whether an enemy was killable or not.
Midnight Duchess shrugged nonchalantly. "Experience."
"You’ll get the hang of it once you’ve played the game more," Victor added.
Eventually, Xin and the rest of the team found themselves standing in the heart of the mysterious Secret Treasury, shrouded in the aura of forgotten secrets.
This private retreat was a testament to the Prime Minister’s unimaginable wealth and power.
Rows of beautiful chests and intricate decorations adorned the room, each item seemingly possessing a story.
The room itself appeared sentient, aware of the hidden treasures it held.
Much like Shadow and Victor, Midnight Duchess possessed the ability to spot hidden treasures. Her keen awareness led her to reveal a concealed door, unraveling the mysteries hidden behind it.
Upon entering, Xin and the others were greeted by an overwhelming sight: an unimaginable wealth glittered all around them.
The chamber sparkled with jewels, gems, and gold artifacts. Among the treasures stood a stone coffin, distinctive amid the opulence.
"Whoa . . . look at all those chests," Rever exclaimed, his eyes widened with greed.
Yuzuro, however, was not as thrilled. "I have a bad feeling. Once we touch those treasures, trouble will follow."
"I couldn’t agree more," Victor nodded solemnly. "They wouldn’t leave such treasures unguarded without a catch. That’s the first rule of the game."
Rever grumbled in frustration. "So you’re saying a formidable enemy might appear?"
"Not might," Victor replied, his gaze locked with Rever’s. "I’m certain something will emerge."
Rever clenched his fists, torn between temptation and caution. "But think about it! Legendary equipment could be waiting inside. Sacrificing a few levels might be worth it. We can grind our way back up, but those items are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities."
"Weigh the risk," Midnight Duchess chimed in, her tone indifferent. "If you choose to touch the treasures, be prepared to stake your life in return."
Rever hesitated, his hands trembling with desire. Saliva dripped from his mouth as he struggled to contain his overwhelming temptation. "Considering the rewards, the sacrifice might just be worth it. We can’t let this opportunity slip away!"
The group exchanged hesitant glances, uncertainty hanging heavy in the air.
"R-Rever . . ." Yuzuro hesitated, her words caught between reproach and understanding.
. "For once, your enthusiasm makes sense," Victor commented, surprising everyone with his approval.
Midnight Duchess shook her head slightly. "It’s a valid point, but what if there are no legendary-grade items? What if we risk our lives and levels for nothing?"
Rever’s initial excitement wavered, his shoulders slumping. "Geh . . . W-we’ll never know unless we try."
Midnight Duchess turned to Lord Schrodinger, her tone even. "The decision is yours, Lord Schrodinger."
Xin addressed Rever seriously. "Rever, I understand your thirst for rare items. We all want one too."
"I knew you would!" Rever’s response was enthusiastic, but there was a glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes.
"But," Xin continued, "in order to obtain those items, we usually have to defeat a boss or a guardian or survive a trap. That’s how it usually works."
"Y-yeah?" Rever’s enthusiasm started to fade as he sensed where this conversation was heading.
"Then, if we can’t defeat these bosses or solve the traps, we won’t be able to obtain the items," Xin pointed out, his voice calm and rational. "We will lose our levels and won’t acquire the items in the end. I see no advantage in risking our lives for uncertain treasures."
"B-but . . ." Rever’s voice trembled, his desire for the treasures conflicting with Xin’s logic.
Victor sighed a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Lord Schrodinger makes a valid point."
Yuzuro gently patted Rever’s shoulder and sighed. "Let it go, Rever. We need to move forward."
Reluctantly, Rever closed his eyes tight and took a deep breath, his inner struggle evident. "FINE. But don’t think I won’t come back for these treasures in the future. Just you wait."
As Rever continued to voice his protests, the others pulled him along, leading the way to the next room.
The group proceeded through the next passageway, entering the Soldiers’ Clinic via a simple wooden door.
The room exuded an aura of tranquility, welcoming weary souls.
A winding route led to the healing and restoration sanctuary, a place designed to provide refuge from the chaos of battle.
The air was thick with the scent of healing herbs and whispered prayers seemed to linger, creating an atmosphere of solace. Here, wounded troops found care and respite.
Victor’s sharp eyes caught sight of another note within the room. Its cryptic message hung in the air, challenging their understanding:
"Beyond the realm where shadows cease to play,
In lands where northern winds whisper and sway,
Embrace the chill, follow the guiding star,
For northward lies the gate, unlocking afar."
"These notes are starting to baffle me," Rever confessed, his brow furrowed. "The rooms seem straightforward. Unless . . . there are hidden routes we missed."
Victor shook his head confidently. "Shadow would have noticed them by now."
"There’s no point in overthinking these notes if we don’t understand," Xin interjected. "Let’s keep moving forward."
"Lord Schrodinger is right," Victor agreed. "We likely have just one more room to explore before the final battle."
"I can’t believe we’ve come this far," Rever mused, his tone tinged with disbelief.
"Me neither," Yuzuro chimed in.
"Congratulations, everyone," Victor congratulated them with a chuckle. "We’ve achieved what not even 90% of the players managed."
Rever’s expression soured. "We made it this far because we didn’t hoard any treasures except for that bow."
"Which nearly cost us our lives," Yuzuro added, her voice stern.
"Stop bringing it up," Rever retorted.
"That’s because you’re not learning from your mistakes."
Their bickering continued until they reached the final area before the boss room, a place shrouded in mystery known as the Room of the Great Foreteller.