Deadmines (I)

Alpha ignored the strange looks from the others and patted Kri on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "He'll be our guide for the rest of the journey—Kri. Come on, say hello to everyone."

Kri removed his hat and said, "Hello, everyone. We meet again. Please look after me." Whether it was an illusion or not, his voice sounded far hollower than before. Linda hid behind Siso and asked, "Are we really going to let that, that undead creature lead us? Isn't he with that guy?" Siso and Peru also looked at Alpha doubtfully.

Alpha had already returned to human form. "Don't worry about that. Kri can be trusted. Besides, he already had a grudge against Rudolf. He just couldn't take revenge on his own. Didn't Kri and I disappear one after the other for a while around noon yesterday? I sensed something was off about him then, so I showed him a little trick, and Kri told me everything."

Kri curled his lips in displeasure. Who knew you'd be so sensitive to undead? Still, it seems you don't actually want to kill them. He then added, "I was originally one of the soldiers stationed here. I've forgotten how many years ago it was. After the Orcs occupied this place and killed me, my resentment lingered, and I remained here. I witnessed all kinds of things that band of thieves did here. As for why I went back to Rudolf's side, I won't talk about it. It has nothing to do with you anyway. But rest assured, since I've made a deal with you, I won't break it. After all, I'm not a treacherous villain like Rudolf."

After suffering at Rudolf's hands, no one trusted Kri so easily. Still, since Alpha said he trusted him, they would give it a try for now.

After a brief rest, they continued onward. As they walked, Kri explained the situation in detail. "This place is now called the Deadmines not only because undead like me haunt it, but because it is a land of death where one can enter but never leave. There are not only human thieves inside, but also a group of Goblins. They develop powerful weapons here for the Brotherhood, hoping to one day destroy Stormwind. As their numbers increased, they gradually expanded this place, turning it into a true underground fortress. It's said that all the wealth the Brotherhood plundered is piled up here."

Once she had grown more familiar with him, Linda was no longer so afraid of Kri. After hearing that, she hurriedly asked, "Then how are we supposed to get in?"

Kri rolled his eyes at Linda. "Through the main entrance, of course. Security here is far tighter than you imagine. Don't even think about digging your way in. If you want to be buried alive, I won't stop you."

Alpha stepped forward. "Enough fooling around. How are we supposed to enter through the main gate?" Kri glanced at Alpha and said fearfully, "You don't need to prepare anything. Just quietly follow me. As for that young lady, I suggest she put on a cloak. That white outfit is far too conspicuous."

Linda immediately flew into a rage. If Siso and Peru had not stopped her, she would have cast a Holy Word to purify that undead creature on the spot.

When they reached a fork in the road, Kri shouted, "May darkness favor VanCleef and favor the Brotherhood." Just as everyone thought Kri had gone mad, the wall suddenly collapsed inward, revealing an opening. "This way." With that, he took the lead and entered. Everyone was speechless. Peru, however, was curious about the passphrase, because he felt he had heard those words somewhere before.

Once inside, they discovered that it was completely different from outside. There were still winding tunnels everywhere, but there were clear signs of living people—or rather, living creatures. Groups of ugly female Goblins darted about carrying trays of alcohol. Humans, Goblins, and ogres gathered here without paying any attention to the newcomers. A Goblin walked over. "Isn't this Kri? Haven't seen you in a long time. Huh, these people look unfamiliar. Are they new recruits under Rudolf?" Before he could get a good look at them, Kri grabbed the Goblin, slipped several silver coins into his hand, and said, "They aren't Rudolf's men. They're new thieves, here to pay their respects to the boss." The Goblin quickly stuffed the money into his pocket. "Oh, oh. Welcome to the Deadmines. Make yourselves at home and look around as you please. The boss is downstairs, though you'll probably have to wait a bit." He hurried away after saying that.

Kri immediately led them into a dark corner and said, "See that path? Follow it down, and you'll find the boss. But let me make this clear first: that path won't be easy. A gate seals off the way, and a Goblin guards it. As for what lies beyond the gate, I don't know either. I've never been there. The rest is up to you. Good luck. I'm leaving now." Before he could finish, Alpha grabbed him.

"What's the rush? Your task isn't done yet. Come down with us." He shoved Kri forward.

Kri had nothing more to say and could only obediently lead the way. Along the way, they narrowly avoided wave after wave of patrols. With Alpha's stealth, they also managed to take out several troublesome mages. "Damn it, there are actually mages here," Linda complained, while still casting a healing spell on Alpha.

Alpha panted. "They don't look like Brotherhood members. They're probably Twilight followers." Kri suddenly lowered his voice. "We're here. The gate is right ahead. That's Kochili, the weapons research expert here."

A huge ogre paced back and forth before them. "You idiot, handle them carefully! Do you know how powerful these bombs are?" A shrill, irritable voice came from above the ogre's head. An ugly, tiny Goblin was sitting on the ogre's head, barking orders.

"So the question is, how do we deal with them?" Siso asked. Alpha thought for a moment. "Peru, draw their attention first. I'll stay in stealth and wait for an opening to stun the big one. Linda, keep Peru healed. Siso, your job is to protect Linda. Once I stun the big one, focus fire on the Goblin. Got it? We only get one chance." After saying that, he transformed into a leopard and slowly faded from sight.

That skill is really convenient, they all thought at once.

"You big idiot, are you trying to blow me up first? Who's there?" Kochili heard footsteps and was about to turn around when a flying shield struck him, then flew back. "Ow, my head! You big idiot, hurry over there and flatten that sneak attacker for me!" Kochili clutched his head and snarled.

The ogre roared and charged at Peru. Peru raised his shield and slammed it into the ground, using his body to hold back the ogre's charge. Linda quickly bestowed a blessing upon Peru, while Siso harassed the ogre from the side. Kochili recovered and said, "I was wondering who it was. Just a few petty thieves. You dare come here? I'll make sure you never leave! Big guy, smash them to death!" The ogre swung his hand viciously against Peru's shield. Peru refused to yield, bracing the shield with one hand while pulling the hammer from his waist with the other and swinging it down.

When the ogre realized he could not break through the human's defense, he instantly flew into a rage. With another roar, he swelled to nearly twice his size and smashed at the shield with even greater force.

He's actually gone berserk, Alpha thought from the darkness. This is bad. Peru can't hold on much longer. No choice, I have to move. While his mind raced, his body had already pounced at the ogre. His claws raked fiercely across its back, spraying blood everywhere. The ogre paused, then began to stagger. Seeing that his ambush had succeeded, Alpha shouted, "Focus fire on the Goblin!" He himself turned into a whirlwind and lunged toward him.

The Goblin froze for a moment, then hurriedly leaped onto a nearby rock. But he was still too slow, and Alpha's claws caught his leg. "Damn it! I didn't expect there to be a little kitty hiding nearby. Fine, you've successfully angered me. Don't blame me for what happens next." He grabbed bombs from a crate beside him and began hurling them wildly at the group. "Haha! I'll blow you all to death! If you've got the guts, stand still!"

"Move! Don't stay where you are! Spread out!" Alpha shouted.

Boom! Boom! Rumble! Explosions rang out without end.