Chapter 27: Preservation and Protection (2/3)

As the group ventured deeper, the surrounding darkness began to encroach upon the safe zone illuminated by their torches.

Along the way, they had passed towering, thick pillars carved with intricate patterns that had remained standing for countless ages, and walls scrubbed clean by time, their murals long since faded into unrecognizable smears.

Chief Colin Iliad maintained an unwavering expression, doing his utmost to instill confidence in his team.

Throughout the journey, Anise and Anthony had discovered several items that appeared useful. After a tedious identification process, a small portion remained functional, though most were beyond repair. Of those that were unusable, some had been rendered inert because their extraordinary characteristics had been extracted—likely by some unknown monster—while others possessed negative effects so potent that the squad could not risk carrying them.

They rested several times, though without a clear distinction between day and night, they had no way of knowing how much time had passed. The deeper they descended, the more intact the environment became, and the more luxurious the surroundings grew.

"Giant architecture is typically built downwards; the lower the level, the higher the status. Their massive frames cannot be supported by tower-style construction," Anise explained to the others. Although everyone present already knew this, a reminder never hurt. "Giants with six subterranean levels belonged to the noble class. We are currently on the path to the sixth level, which means the former owner of these ruins was at least a Sequence 5 noble."

"Of course, that doesn't guarantee there are Sequence 5 materials inside. Don't get your hopes up too high," Anthony added.

They reached an underground corridor that remained remarkably well-preserved. Both sides were adorned with exquisite murals depicting giants battling dragons.

"Are there traps ahead?" Colin asked Berger.

Berger observed carefully for a moment. "It doesn't appear so, and my spirituality hasn't issued any warnings."

Colin nodded, and the squad proceeded.

Suddenly, Berger spoke: "Stop." Such a sharp command held the highest priority in the team, second only to Colin.

Everyone, including Colin, froze instantly. A foot already mid-stride remained suspended in the air.

"My spiritual intuition tells me that a large number of dangerous zones have been detected ahead. I suspect they are traps of some kind," Berger explained.

"How should we retreat?" Colin did not act rashly, opting instead to ask for the expert's advice.

Berger pulled Anise back slightly. "I, Anise, and the Chief can retreat, but those in front seem to have already been targeted by the traps."

No one spoke, waiting for his further explanation.

"The traps will likely trigger the moment Stiak retreats. I am not certain of the specific effects."

Because there were more traps ahead, most prey would choose to retreat upon sensing danger. A skilled hunter would turn the "path of retreat" into the final link of the trap. That was the current situation.

Colin stepped forward. "Tell me when to stop."

"Good... stop." Colin bypassed Anthony and Rat, moving to stand beside Stiak.

Colin drove his greatsword into the ground. A golden radiance, like the first light of dawn, spread from the blade across the floor, washing over the three in front and extending to where Berger stood.

"Follow my lead," Colin commanded calmly.

"Run!"

Stiak and the others turned and bolted instantly. At the same moment, the floor cracked open. But because the ground was covered in a layer of golden light, the three did not fall.

Colin flashed behind Anthony, the slowest of the group. The torch he had been carrying had somehow ended up in Rat's hand, replaced by a second greatsword—one of deep crimson. With his back to Anthony, he kicked out, simultaneously bringing his second blade down with a heavy blow. Anthony was instantly sent flying, rolling twice to land beside Berger, where he was hoisted up by the two who had caught up from behind.

Colin's sword collided with a massive flail that surged from the ground, scarlet light erupting amidst a shower of sparks. The golden light on the ground shattered, and Colin was knocked into mid-air.

He reached out, and his first greatsword flew back into his hand, spinning. He used the momentum to strike downwards again, leaping a further distance by leveraging the counter-force.

But soon, Colin realized something was wrong. A small wind field had formed between him and the flail, exerting a massive pull that dragged him—unable to find purchase in mid-air—toward the weapon.

Rat threw the torch to Stiak and reached out with both hands. With a grab of his left hand, the distance between him and Colin was "stolen." With his right, he caught a thick, protruding spike on Colin's armor and pulled back with all his might. Colin was instantly yanked away from above the fissure, escaping the flail's upward strike range.

The flail immediately shifted its trajectory, smashing down from above.

Rat shouted, "Left!" Everyone except Colin dodged to the left.

Rat returned the stolen distance, placing it between the flail and the left wall. The flail was forced to shift right. Colin stepped forward, his greatsword lashing out against the left side of the weapon.

With a loud clang, the flail was knocked aside, slamming into the right wall and obliterating the exquisite murals.

Berger, leaning against the wall, suddenly felt as if he had been grabbed. He surged with flames, coating his body like a suit of armor. The binding sensation vanished instantly; he lunged forward, rolled on the ground, and looked back.

His own shadow had come to life, detaching itself from the wall. A pitch-black, shadowy Berger stood there, burning with black flames of its own.

The corridor had transformed, turning into flesh and blood intertwined with black and scarlet—writhing muscle and rotting meat.

Eyes oozing with pus opened within the flesh. The cracks in the walls became gaping maws filled with serrated teeth, and dozens of tongues sprouted from the flail.

No wonder Berger hadn't sensed the danger at first; the entire corridor had been fused and corrupted by the former owner's demigod-level extraordinary characteristics.

As an obscure, maddening whisper emanated from the depths, a massive head—nape-down—crawled out like a spider. It was so enormous it crammed the corridor, dozens of arms trailing behind its neck.

The head tilted back to look at them. It had only one eye, positioned in the center of where a human's eyes would be. It was vast, filling nearly the entire upper half of its face. There was no iris; the socket was packed with dense, writhing tentacles.

It opened its mouth, and the maddening whispers grew into a roar.

"Close your eyes!" Colin’s voice was no longer calm; he bellowed.

Those who had suffered physical distortion from gazing directly at an incomplete mythical creature immediately forced their eyes shut, huddling together. The Guardian, closest to a demigod, cast a layer of [Protection] armor over them, while Anthony desperately released waves of soothing power into the surroundings.

They had made a mistake. This underground structure did indeed belong to the royal family and a demigod, but it did not belong to a Sequence 4 Monster Hunter.

It belonged to a Black Knight.