Deep Within the Dungeon

Despite Zotes having repeatedly emphasized the dangers of exploring ruins, Moria set off without making any preparations.

The location of the Black Forest's underground ruins was not far from the Fey Market, but Zotes was not taking everyone to the main entrance.

"I discovered this place myself, and no one else knows about it. Entering from this entrance leads directly to the dungeon at the very bottom."

The gnome moved aside a wooden board, revealing a deep, dark hole that extended diagonally into the unknown.

A dungeon?

Li Wen pondered the word seriously. She had thought the gnome had called it a dungeon earlier to disguise the underground ruins, but now it seemed a dungeon truly existed. But why? Shouldn't that be an Alchemist's laboratory? Where did a dungeon come from?

She knew too little about this area, or even the entire Black Dragon Territory. The only thing she was aware of concerned The Final Codex. Beyond that, both the Fey Market and the Alchemist Master's laboratory were things she had never heard of in her past or present life, so she could only suppress her doubts for now.

The gnome had lived in dark caves for years and naturally possessed dark vision, so Zotes walked at the front, scouting the path for everyone.

They hadn't brought torches, so Moria expended Magic Power to use a Divine Art, creating a glowing sphere.

"The dangers within the ruins primarily come from traps and the monsters that might inhabit them," Zotes muttered softly. "But once a ruin becomes known to everyone, the dangers are not just that... Those treasure-hunting adventurers, those who travel with you, could all take your life at any moment. Ah, forgive me, I wasn't referring to any of you..."

Moria didn't pay it any mind. He simply recited a doctrinal admonishment: "One must never let material possessions blind their eyes, for those eyes are meant to gaze upon Radiance."

Li Wen walked behind him, offering no opinion. She was already fed up with the two Wild Mages behind her.

"I think that gnome is a big problem," the female Wild Mage whispered to Li Wen beside her, making no effort to hide it, as if afraid Li Wen wouldn't hear. After their self-introductions, which they had decided upon themselves, Li Wen knew the female Wild Mage's name was Nasha, and the male's was Halik.

"I think so too," Halik agreed. "He smells strongly of garlic, reminds me of the stinky socks I left under the bed at the inn."

"You left socks under the bed at the inn?" Nasha was utterly shocked.

"I know it's bad, especially since a pair of socks costs 3 pence..."

Is that the point?

Li Wen quickened her pace, just wanting to get away from the two of them quickly.

But the two clearly didn't realize Li Wen's thoughts and also sped up to follow her.

"Hey, don't walk so fast, it's dark and slippery here. I'm really afraid I'll slip and slide somewhere unknown."

Then go wherever you're going to slide. Besides, Moria has already illuminated the tunnel with Divine Art, so it's not that dark.

"Weren't you also kidnapped by that knight? We're devising a brilliant escape plan, want to join us?" Nasha whispered, glancing warily at Moria ahead.

Li Wen could no longer stand it. She said directly, "Can't you see? He's engrossed in exploring the underground ruins. If I were you, I'd run away immediately instead of arguing with a stranger like a fly. Do you understand what I mean? Huh?!"

The two Wild Mages seemed startled by Li Wen's sudden outburst and trembled, shaking their heads in unison.

"No, no, you don't understand how terrifying that guy is. He pretended to be friendly and offered to perform magic for free, and we were looking forward to it. But then he directly made our stolen, ahem, earned money and treasures disappear right before our eyes... We'd never seen such incredible magic. The onlookers almost killed us because of it."

It's a shame they didn't kill you, Li Wen thought to herself.

At this moment, everyone finally reached their destination. They emerged from a crack in a wall, and as the gnome Zotes had said, it was a dungeon.

The entire dungeon was about a third the size of the Fey Market, divided into individual cells by sturdy walls and iron bars. The place where they emerged was precisely one of these cells.

The cell was filled with shackles, manacles, and various types of torture instruments, all showing signs of use, with remnants of bloodstains and unknown grime. The cell walls were covered in scratch marks and bloody handprints, seemingly indicating the inhuman torture suffered by the prisoners previously held there.

By all appearances, this had no relation to an Alchemist Master's laboratory.

Li Wen noticed that some of the torture instruments seemed too large for humans, suggesting that the prisoners in the cells might not have been intelligent races of human size.

"There's a sound from above,"

Moria said at this point.

"That's normal. Above us is the main body of the ruins. It's like a vast labyrinth or an underground castle, receiving countless guests every day. Adventurers from all over are currently searching for treasures or dueling with monsters above us, so you can hear their movements," Zotes said faintly.

"So, is this where you found the Magic Potion?"

It was Li Wen who spoke. This dungeon was too bizarre; she just wanted to find the Magic Potion and leave as soon as possible.

"No, it's further in... Please follow me."

After a moment of silence, the gnome led them deeper into the dungeon.

Along the way, they saw more horrifying torture instruments, their structures and uses exuding strangeness and grotesqueness. A dissection table still held desiccated corpses, their abdomens cut open, their skin covered in rock-like scales. Further on, all the cells were no longer separated by bars but by more sealed metal doors. From some of these doors came constant noises and screams, as if undergoing torture.

Everyone who heard the sounds had a change in expression, but only the gnome Zotes remained unmoved, seemingly accustomed to it.

"Don't mind it... it could be vengeful spirits, or something even more terrifying, but whatever it is, just ignore it."

"It seems like... something terrible happened here?"

Moria wanted to open an iron door to investigate, but this time, with powerless individuals like the Wild Mages present, he calmed himself to avoid unnecessary accidents.

"It always has," the gnome said. "But what does that have to do with us."

Moria frowned, wanting to say more, but just as he was about to speak, he heard Zotes open his mouth.

"We're here, this is it."

A doorway appeared in the darkness. Before Li Wen could even get a clear look at the door, the gnome pushed it open without hesitation.