Something seems off.
Zhongde's knowledge of civil engineering told him that building a basement for a house located by the river was a very abstract thing.
Even in the real world, a poorly handled waterproofing detail can turn a basement into a private swimming pool, let alone in this fantasy world where watertight technology is unlikely to be involved.
While it might seem strange to apply some logic from the real world to this game, the game is meticulously crafted in every visible aspect, so it shouldn't make such a basic mistake.
Thinking of this, [ Zhongde ] called out to [ Do Some Farm Work ]:
"Check if there's an exit or passage leading upwards. If this is someone's basement, we might have to pay compensation."
"Okay, let me see!"
[ On the Do Some Farm Work ] The body remaining outside the cave entrance slowly moved, helping his head to better see what was inside the basement.
There are three closed doors; I haven't seen a corridor or stairs yet.
After changing his perspective, he reported again:
"It's somewhat reflective, looking like a mirror or... a glass vessel."
Using the light reflected from the glassware, [ the Do Some Farm Work ], whose eyes had adjusted to the darkness, gradually reported on the situation inside the basement.
"No wonder it's damaged here; the ceiling below is arched, and the thickness between this spot and the floor is the lowest..."
"Hey, what's this? There seem to be gems too? Oh my god, rubies?!"
"Does this game have a hidden room treasure mechanic? I wonder if I can exchange it for cash at Seraphina's place..."
[ Do Some Farm Work ] continued to describe the layout of the basement, and [ Great Wei Boxing Champion ] frowned slightly as he listened to this information.
"Basement... glassware... hidden room..."
This story seems familiar...
He suddenly looked up and his eyes met those of Zhongde, whose face was filled with terror!
Oh right, it's the story Kaping told!
That wild mage's hut!
The two immediately sensed something was wrong; an instinctive fear began to grow within them, while the voice saying "[ Do Some Farm Work ]" continued to ring out.
"Hey, these rubies are getting bigger and bigger! And there are so many of them! Hey, I feel like..."
"Quick, pull the head out!"
The two shouted in unison, but it was too late.
[ Do Some Farm Work ] strained with his exposed limbs, trying to pull his head out of the hole, but to no avail, and his voice grew softer and softer.
Driven by an unknown force, the already damaged wooden planks began to writhe and mend the hole. Sharp splinters pierced his skin, and after a scream, [ Do Some Farm Work ]'s body went limp, his cervical vertebrae clearly broken.
The sound of the wooden planks wriggling and digging into flesh continued rapidly, and so, in full view of everyone, the player [ Do Some Farm Work ] really did become a headless corpse.
[ Howling Pothos ] was the first to react, taking two steps forward, grabbing [ Do Some Farm Work ]'s ankle, and dragging his headless body back.
Although the person is dead, since only a head is missing, resurrecting him shouldn't cost much.
But now it's not about money anymore.
For the remaining three players, the most pressing issue was... why was the ground shaking?
"Oh no! Run!"
[ Zhongde ] shouted and grabbed his companion's other ankle, and the three of them began to retreat quickly.
For these seasoned gamers with extensive gaming experience, the simultaneous appearance of screen shake and cutscenes can only mean one thing—
The boss is here!
However, the three people and the corpse only retreated a dozen meters before stopping.
The reason is simple: although people don't do it intentionally, it's a basic ethical standard in online games to fight the monsters they encounter.
Moreover, looking at the constantly cracking ground in front of them, the three realized one thing: if they let this BOSS, which had not yet revealed its full form, roam around Upperstream Village, they would really be doomed.
So everyone put [ Do Some Farm Work ]'s corpse aside, entered battle mode, and silently started screen recording.
[ Howling Pothos ] looked at the two people with cold, stern expressions, as if facing a formidable enemy:
How did you know there was something wrong with this basement?
[ Zhongde ] gave an awkward smile and briefly recounted the story that Kaping had told them the day before.
[ Howling Pothos ] pondered for a moment after listening and asked:
"So, what happened to the maddened house in his story? Was there any way to defeat it?"
[ Zhongde ] revealed a bitter expression:
"That old man's stories were disjointed and incomplete; he kept saying he'd forgotten them..."
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] shrugged:
"You can't expect someone with dementia to remember everything."
In the open space at the village entrance in front of the three people, the roof of an old-fashioned wooden house with a pointed roof has been completely exposed, and under the influence of an unknown force, it continues to grow from the soil, with the tenacious vitality of bamboo shoots or mushrooms after the rain.
The boss that is appearing is already two people tall just from a rooftop, and a faint blood-red glow can be seen from the cracks in the mud and moss covering its surface.
Seeing this, the three quickly retreated, but dared not run away and let the monster destroy the surroundings. They wanted to fight, but were afraid that the BOSS, who had not yet fully appeared, would kill them casually in the entrance animation. In the end, they could only stand at a distance and record everything.
The ground tremors undoubtedly attracted the attention of the villagers Upperstream Village. These people, who had trees growing on their bodies, gathered in twos and threes, but were startled by the headless body of [ Do Some Farm Work ] and the ever-growing house, and began to scatter and run away.
Hearing the news, Kaping, who was far away, also approached the village entrance. After turning the last corner, he saw the wooden house that was half-exposed from the ground and froze on the spot.
The fleeing villagers bumped into his shoulder, causing Kaping to stumble and snap out of his daze...
The story Grandpa told... it was actually true!
First came the roof, then the wooden walls, windows, doors, wooden stairs, and supporting pillars... After about half a minute of cutscenes, the house, which was about seven meters tall including the roof, finally appeared in its entirety before the players.
Upon closer inspection, the three of them saw that the BOSS that emerged from the ground was actually a wooden house whose bottom was completely suspended in the air by thick wooden pillars at the four corners.
And then, that was it.
After the body was completely pulled from the ground, the magician's cabin stood there quietly, as if it was always meant to be there, and nothing had ever happened.
But the three players could hear a faint, low growl, like the hiss of a tiger before it attacks, constantly reminding them that what lay before them was no ordinary house.
The surroundings gradually quieted down. [ Zhongde ] frowned, instinctively sensing that something was amiss. He switched the short spear in his hand to a throwing stance:
"Why isn't it attacking? It's already killed one; it's a bit late to call it a neutral monster now..."
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] reached out and pressed down on his shoulder:
"Don't rush, there are only a few of us."
While the two were hesitating, [ Howling Pothos ] was still observing carefully.
It's highly illogical for them to be on the field but not attacking, and... although the hut appears to be stationary, [ Howling Pothos ] can always sense something slowly moving in its peripheral vision.
Where exactly is it? What is it preparing?
[ Howling Pothos ]'s pupils suddenly contracted, and he shouted:
"Be careful, it's taking root!"