Chapter 272: Training & Etc. (6)
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• Adventurer GrimV
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High up in the sky.
A Draghorn with two people riding on its back, a Guard in his mid-20s who was holding the reins and a White Cloak Priest in his early 30s with tanned skin, began descending to the abandoned building that housed the entrance of the Cave of Ka'Ya.
Seeing that Draghorn descend, the Rhonea which also had two people riding on its back, a Knight in his mid-20s and another Knight in his early 40s, descended as well.
Once the Draghorn landed, the Priest got off and went to the entrance.
The Rhonea also finally landed and the Knight in his early 40s immediately got off as well and then rushed over to the Priest.
"Priest Captain Maxence, what are you doing?"
The Priest stopped and turned to the Knight.
"Knight Major Stilis, you and I know that that demon isn't planning to hide inside the mine because it will only be surrounded once the rest of our allies arrive."
"Then let me go instead. You're the only healer here. We can't afford to lose you."
Maxence shook his head.
"This mine is most likely the same as the Cave of San'ge which has several floors and is like a maze. If only one person enters, by the time you finished searching one floor, witnessing the demon's speed, they would've already escaped the mine."
"Priest Captain, I have some experience chasing criminals who tried to hide inside a mine. If anyone starts digging or fighting, the sound can be heard no matter what. But the most dangerous part here is if the whole mine collapses.
“In addition to that, the intelligent ones would choose around B2 or B3 to dig their way out. Meanwhile, the less intelligent ones would choose B1 to dig their way out or hide for a moment before climbing back to the surface to escape, or choose the last floor to hide or pray to whatever evil deity they worship that there's a secret underground river that they can escape to."
"Then two people should go. I'll check the B2 or B3. You, since you have the experience, should check the last floor. And the rest, they would patrol in the sky," Maxence said.
"Priest Captain, I don't think it's a smart idea to go down inside the mine. But knowing your attitude, I know I can't convince you. However, please keep this in mind: Keep your distance from the demon and do not engage. And if we don't hear any sound within 10 minutes, we leave the mine right away and guard a couple of meters away from the entrance. And lastly, there's a possibility that it could have other allies inside there."
Maxence nodded.
"Okay, 10 minutes."
Stilis turned to the Knight and Guard who were standing beside the Draghorn and Rhonea.
"Knight Lieutenant, continue sweeping in the sky. And if you spot the demon or spot anything suspicious, light up a flare."
The Knight saluted.
"Yes, Knight Major!" he said before climbing back to his Rhonea.
Stilis then turned to the Guard.
"Guard Solan. Return to our barracks and inform the rest."
The Guard saluted.
"Yes, Knight Major!" he said before climbing back to his Draghorn as well.
Stilis returned his gaze to Maxence.
"Priest Captain?"
Maxence nodded and they both headed to the entrance.
When they entered the building, the first thing they noticed was the hole on the platform of the large elevator or a crude pulley system that allows people to travel up and down the mine and transfer a large amount of things.
As for how they were able to spot it despite not having any light source in the area, they were all wearing Magic Items with the [Vision] spell that allows them to see in the dark. However, it wasn't like the eyesight of demons. It only allows the wearer to view everything in the world as black and white, it was sensitive to bright lights, and it can't pierce deeply through water.
When Maxence and Stilis got on the elevator, they noticed the hole at the center but didn’t say anything.
Maxence went the side while Stilis went next to the control panel.
"Did you hear that?" Maxence said.
Stilis focused and strained his ears for a moment and then nodded.
"It's a faint sound, probably a Physical Art."
"Where do you think it's coming from?"
Stilis shook his head.
"I can't tell exactly where. The only thing we can do right now is to descend one each floor and base it from there. However, it will be quite tricky."
A puzzled look flashed on Maxence's face.
"Quite tricky? Why?"
Cra-cra-cra-aaa-aaa-annng…!
Stilis pressed a button and the elevator’s its chains and cogwheels made a painful metallic cry as it started to awaken before it finally started descending. However, as it was descending, the chains continued to make so much noise.
"Now I understand," Maxence said.
"I will stop the elevator for a couple of seconds with every floor we encounter to listen," Stilis said.
Maxence folded his arms against his chest.
"No problem, as long I get off at B2 or B3."
Stilis nodded.
"No problem," he said and then paused for a moment. "Did you notice what I noticed when we first saw it destroying the barracks?"
"You mean it's height?"
Stilis nodded.
“Right.”
"Lesser Demons can only manipulate their height between 3-6 meters. Meanwhile, Demons can manipulate theirs between 3-18 meters.
“There’s more. Not many know this, but Demons can also copy the number of arms of a Lesser Demon. Lesser Demons can only have a maximum of 4 arms while Demons have 6.
“But if there’s one thing that both a Demon and a Lesser Demon can’t copy from each other, it’s their Enchant Chaos spell. Lesser Demons have light red lightning that amplifies a spell by twice, while Demons supposedly have red lightning and amplifies a spell by thrice."
Stilis raised an eyebrow.
"Supposedly?"
"I've never fought a Demon. I only saw their corpses from a Wave a few years ago. It was already over when my team and I arrived. But I’ve read books and reports, and talked to people who have encountered Demons. You?"
"Same."
Cra-aaa-annng...!
Stilis pressed the button and the elevator stopped when they reached B1. Both men immediately focused and strained their ears. And after a couple of seconds, they heard something.
"I don't think it's coming from this floor," Maxence said.
"I agree," Stilis said.
Cra-aaa-annng...!
The elevator resumed descending.
***
6th Floor or B5, Cave of Ka'Ya.
[Explosive Throw].
Vivian threw a rock at the remaining pile of nervous systems that her Poison Golem gathered for her.
Booom!
Ding!
'Unlocked [Throw Mastery] - Level 10!'
Finally…
Now I can focus…
Status Panel…
Chapter end
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