Pangolin followed behind Nameless and answered hesitantly, "There's Black Tide outside the Refuge. Once it corrupts you, you turn into a monster. The only way to survive is to hide in the Refuge."
"Black Tide? What's that?" Nameless asked as he entered the tunnel leading to the Refuge.
Pangolin explained, "I don't know. We poor wretches who stumbled into the Bottom don't know much. We just know the Black Tide is dangerous, and the Refuge's entrance has to be sealed tight. Otherwise, even inside, we might be corrupted."
As he spoke, he hauled back the stone he had used to block the entrance and wedged it firmly into place.
The man and the mole walked through the pitch-dark passage. Nameless found it rather interesting: not only did it twist and turn, but many sections had recesses holding stones that could be pulled out to seal the passage further.
Half an hour later, the passage opened up. A cavern roughly the size of a basketball court appeared before Nameless. Plants grew inside it, alongside houses built from numerous blocks. A mantis was shaving a wooden stick to repair the fence around the growing area, while several little fairies used their abilities to provide light for the plants. Not far away, a few people had gathered and seemed to be discussing something.
Suddenly, a dog-headed man's nose twitched. He whipped his head toward the entrance, and the moment he saw Nameless, his ears pricked up and he let out a roar.
The sound drew every creature's gaze to Nameless. Several humans instantly drew their weapons, and fairies raised their wands. All of them braced for a deadly fight.
"Pangolin, why did you bring someone into the Refuge? Have you got a death wish?" A real pangolin glared at the mole Pangolin from