After nearly a full day of work, the adventurers finally finished building their forward base for exploring the labyrinth.
The most important step was erecting a sacred statue. Several nuns then prayed together, linking the statue to the stone monument and the holy relics placed around the base, and weaving them all into the barrier.
This would greatly strengthen the barrier. More importantly, it would establish a direct connection between the base and the town chapel. The sacred power flowing between them would steadily purify the route from the entrance to the Underground Ruins to the base.
Before long, that stretch of the labyrinth would become a true safe zone. Adventurers would be able to reach the base easily, prepare there, then press on into the deep darkness to destroy Evil Fiends and seek their fortunes.
Of course, rations, clean water, firewood, and other supplies would cost more here than on the surface. Transport was not free. The town authorities would earn a little on the difference while giving the townspeople another source of income.
Once the adventurers struck it rich, they needed somewhere to spend their money...
Pan Long did not stay for the rest of the construction. Once enough people had arrived, he ventured back into the labyrinth beneath the ruins, wandering its passages in search of an enemy worth fighting.
Unfortunately, after roaming for most of the day, he had not seen a single worthy opponent.
Aside from scattered skeleton soldiers, he found only figures in black robes and crowns who looked dubious at a glance: madmen who worshipped Evil Gods.
Those madmen were fairly capable, at least far stronger than the skeleton soldiers. Some used Spell to strengthen their bodies, briefly turning into towering brutes whose muscles were so hard a cleaver might not cut through