MTL - Start a Core Pod

  Chapter 648 Stone City

   "I didn't expect that the underground would be so dangerous."

  Sitting on the chair, staring at the surroundings, Emilia sighed, and Kasim and Roxia next to her also seemed to empathize.

   "Mr. Inquisitor told us before that the underground is difficult to walk, and we thought we could overcome it. It's really... taken for granted."

No wonder the three of them were so exhausted. After being separated from Duanmu Huai, of course they also chose to enter the Underdark Region, and then it took a lot of effort to pass through the underground labyrinth, and then... for the three of them, the nightmare began up.

  In the dark underground, the biggest problem is time. There is no such thing as a watch in this world to tell the time, and in the dark underground world, fledgling adventurers can't tell the time at all, and they don't even know how many days they have spent in this dark tunnel.

  Besides, the ubiquitous monsters in the Underdark are as dangerous as those horrible plants.

For example, the shiny moss can even emit poisonous gas, causing the inhaled creature to fall stiff and unable to move on the ground. Kasim accidentally got the trick. I can't save it.

  At the same time, they encountered a giant monster called an underground worm, which was about the size of a subway train. If the three of them hadn't run fast, they might have been eaten.

Not to mention, when fleeing from the underground worms, Luoxia accidentally separated from the other two. You can't tell the difference between southeast and west underground, you can only see one underground passage after another, and you can't even figure out what these passages is leading to where. It was also thanks to their good luck that they reunited again—otherwise, they might have been completely lost in the Underdark.

  In the end, the three of them finally met a patrol team of underground gnomes. Fortunately, the underground gnomes are a rare and kind race in the Underdark, but they entertained the three of them to go to their city to rest, which somewhat relieved the three of them.

   "I never thought that the Underdark would be so scary."

  Luo Xia curled up in the chair, the warm drink in her hand couldn't dispel the chill in her heart. She still remembers that when she was hunted down by underground worms, she ran away desperately, and when she came back to her senses, she found that there was no one around but herself, and she didn't even know where she was.

  Even if she gets lost in the forest or at sea, Luoxia will not feel panic. She can tell the direction by the direction of the sky or by climbing trees. But in the dark underground cave, for the first time, Luoxia felt a certain kind of hopeless fear. She could do nothing, and there was no way to do it. It is impossible for her to break through the thick crust, let alone distinguish between east, west, north, south, up, down, left, and right, and there are so many passages around that she can't even confirm which passage she ran from, because they all look similar.

  Even if Luo Xia had the courage to shout, the echoes floating in the crypt made it impossible for her to tell where the sound came from.

   "I only now know why so many adventurers are buried here."

  Kasim also nodded, the high spirits he had when he set out had long since disappeared. He had naively thought that he had already passed the test of Neverwinter, so he should have the strength to fight against the Underdark.

   But the facts told him that was not the case.

   This place is like a bottomless abyss, with a huge mouth, ruthlessly devouring all stupid people who dare to trespass without permission.

   "Then shall we continue with our mission?"

Emilia stared at the two companions and asked, they didn't come here for curiosity or pure adventure, but accepted the entrustment of Kelben Black Rod, the archmage of Waterdeep City, to save his nephew—but To be honest, even Emilia felt that in a place like the Underdark, even Master Kelben's nephew would have a hard time finding a way out.

  She had politely asked the underground gnomes before, but was told that she had never seen such a team of people, and the answers of those underground gnomes to Emilia also made her a little helpless.

   "This is the Underdark Region, surface people."

   Just then, a deep dwarf came over and put the food in his hand on their table.

   "Adventurers often come here from the surface and venture into the Underdark, but many of them never return."

   "Then what will happen to them?"

   "Maybe it was captured by gray dwarves, drow and illithids as slaves, or it may have died in an unknown corner of the dark region and became food for underground animals."

  The sub-dwarf looked at the three of them and shook his head.

   "If you want me to say, you are still young, there is no need to spend time here, it is better to go back to the surface."

   "Hey, said Drow, have you heard the latest news?"

   While the dwarf waiter was chatting with them, another subterranean dwarf who was drinking next to him suddenly spoke.

   "You mean the war between the drow? By the stone, isn't that just a rumor?"

   "Hey, that's not just hearsay!"

   The gnome seemed agitated. He took a swig of his wine and patted the table.

   "The expedition leader took his exploration team to see it! According to him, the drow city has been completely destroyed!"

   "Destroyed?"

   "That's right, it was burned up in one fire! Not a single drow was left inside!"

   "Is there such a thing?"

Hearing this, other subterranean gnomes also came over one after another. Subterranean gnomes and drow elves usually do not interfere with the river, but the reason for doing so is that the Underdark itself is very dangerous and complicated, unless the Spider Queen personally orders, Otherwise, the drow elves would not be idle and bored across the underground passage to attack the city of the subterranean gnomes.

  But the subterranean gnomes have never liked their dangerous and cunning neighbors, and they were surprised to hear that the city of the drow was destroyed at this moment.

  Of course, more fortunate.

   "That's a good thing!"

   "I don't think this is a good thing. We all know how terrible the drow elves are. Even if they are destroyed, what if the other party attacks us?"

   "I think someone should be sent to investigate what's going on... at least find out who attacked and destroyed Drow's city."

   Soon, the subterranean gnomes in the tavern were divided into two factions, and one group raised their glasses and loudly celebrated the destruction of their evil neighbor. The other faction is worried. After all, since the other party can destroy the city of the drow elves, the city of the subterranean gnomes may also face the same danger.

  Because this is the Underdark.

   "Boom boom boom boom!!!"

   Right at this moment, hurried footsteps sounded, and then a subterranean dwarf panted heavily and pushed open the door of the tavern.

   "Drow! They're coming this way!"

  The sound made the noisy tavern into dead silence. The next moment, the subterranean gnomes bravely left the tavern, and Emilia, Kasim, and Roxia also stood up. They all know the cruelty and horror of the drow elves. Anyway, this city of subterranean gnomes rescued them when they were in distress. If the drow elves really planned to attack this city, then they should also help.

Soon, the three followed a group of subterranean dwarves and rushed towards the gate. However, to their surprise, although there were subterranean dwarves guarding the gate, they did not see the imaginary army of drow elves. On the contrary, they I only saw a blood-stained drow elf—from his appearance, he should be a warrior, standing in front of those heavily armed dwarf guards who were staring at him intently, gesticulating and saying something .

   Well, it’s no wonder that the subterranean gnomes would gather around to watch the excitement. It is a rare thing for a single drow warrior to come to a subterranean city.

   "What the **** happened??"

Kasim stared at the drow in doubt. Of course he couldn't understand the drow language, and in fact most of the subterranean dwarves were the same, but they could all see that the drow was very frightened. He screamed and said something, and turned his head to look behind him in horror, as if some terrible monster was chasing him.

   "I don't know, but he looks really scared."

  Emilia looked at the drow vigilantly, and then she looked at the dark passage behind her—it seemed that there was nothing in the darkness.

  However, at this moment, Emilia suddenly heard a voice.

"Got you."

   "————!"

  Almost at the same time, the drow seemed to have heard the voice. He drew out his rapier in horror and rushed towards the subterranean gnomes—this immediately surprised the subterranean gnomes and guards who were watching nearby. However, the drow only took one step, and the next moment his head flew out, and his unbalanced body also fell to the ground.

   Immediately afterwards, a petite figure appeared behind the drow soldier.

   "Miss Augis?!"

Seeing that petite figure, Emilia suddenly screamed out. It was obvious that there was a girl with long silver-white hair and a black dress, who was as delicate and cute as a doll——Amelia, of course know who she is.

  However, Emilia soon discovered that she had guessed wrong.

   "Augis?"

Hearing this name, the silver-haired girl turned the dagger in her hand and stared at Emilia with dissatisfaction. At this time, Emilia realized that although this girl looked very similar to Augis, the temperament of both sides completely different. Augis always gave people a quiet and well-behaved feeling on weekdays, but this girl was full of a sense of rebellious detachment from top to bottom.

   "I'm not a big sister."

   "Are you Augis' sister?"

   I have to say that this answer also surprised Emilia.

   "That's right, you are... ah, you are the ones that the master said went to the Underdark to take risks?"

   "Is Mr. Duanmu here too?"

  Hearing the silver-haired girl's words, Emilia was somewhat relieved.

   Anyway, Duanmu Huai is very reliable.

   "That's right, but the master has something to do right now, so he doesn't plan to go with you... well, it's better for you to return to the surface as soon as possible."

   "Is it related to the drow war?"

   "This has nothing to do with you."

   While speaking, the silver-haired girl stepped back and snapped her fingers. Then a burst of flames suddenly engulfed the drow's body, and then she floated backward like a ghost.

   "The current Underdark region is not peaceful. I advise you to leave early, or... it is best not to get involved with the drow elves."

  After saying this, the silver-haired girl disappeared completely into the darkness.

   Only Emilia and the three were left in a daze, looking at each other.

   "What do we do next?"

  Kasim swallowed a mouthful of saliva. It was obvious that Duanmu Huai had also come to the Underdark, but it seemed...he didn't seem as embarrassed as he and others.

   "I will try harder to see if I can find any clues about Master Kelben's nephew at the designated location."

Although Emilia didn't care about going back to the surface, she had no choice but to take on a political mission this time - Master Kelben saved Neverwinter. Run away if you die, you can only continue.

   "However, I will follow Mr. Duanmu's words and stay away from the drow... After all, Mr. Duanmu said so."

  “………”

   Hearing Emilia's answer, the other two also nodded.

  At least, past lessons have taught them not to take Duanmuhuai's warning seriously.

  (end of this chapter)