Chapter 77: Underground Passage
Following the directions of the two Rogue Archers, I headed straight for the entrance of the Underground Passage. Before long, I encountered a massive obstacle. Towering before me was a continuous Mountain Range, stretching as far as the eye could see, filled with steep Cliff Faces. Mountain Peaks rose one after another, piercing the clouds and extending for an unknown distance. The entire Dark Wood seemed to be cut in two by it.
This was likely the Arreat Mountain Range that Cain mentioned, separating the Stony Field and the Dark Wood. Looking at its height and danger, it's no wonder people were willing to spend hundreds of years carving out an Underground Passage.
Since I had reached the foot of the Mountain Range, the Entrance to the Underground Passage shouldn't be too far. I tried ordering Lazy Crow to fly up and search. I didn't really expect it to complete the task, but unexpectedly, after a while, as I was wandering at the foot of the Mountain Range, it swooped down from high in the sky, cawing proudly at me. My heart filled with joy; it seemed the training in the Rogue Encampment hadn't been in vain. My Tacit Understanding with Lazy Crow had increased by another point.
With Lazy Crow leading the way, I quickly found the Entrance to the Underground Passage. However, to my surprise, there was a small Squad of Moon Clan members guarding the Entrance – led by an Elite Moon Clan member with five of its Followers. My eyes immediately lit up. My only regret about coming to the Stony Field was not encountering a single Elite. Well, ask and you shall receive.
As I got closer, my presence was discovered by this Squad of Moon Clan. They roared and charged towards me.
No, such fast Speed!!
Watching their running Speed, my heart was startled – it was no slower than the Dark Hunters. Especially the leading Elite, it was frighteningly fast. Damn it, could this be Extra Fast, which is even more troublesome than Lightning Enchanted? How could my Luck be so good, encountering such rare and troublesome Stats in a beginner Trial area?
The Extra Fast Stats appearing on the Moon Clan, who originally had High Attack Speed Low Movement Speed, was like adding wings to a tiger. Fortunately, I had developed the habit of Shapeshifting before fighting Elite or higher Monsters, so I wasn't completely overwhelmed.
By the time my Werebear Transformation was complete, the Elite had already charged forward with its Followers. Its Great Cleaver slashed down repeatedly. Its Attack Speed and Attack Rating had increased significantly. Not to be outdone, I let out a Bear Howl, raised my massive palm, extended my Claws, and fiercely slapped the Elite Moon Clan member. As expected of a Werebear Form known for Strength, this blow, even against an Elite Monster, sent it staggering back several steps, almost falling onto its rear, caught off guard. Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf also picked their own Opponents. With their Strength/Power, there shouldn't be any problem. As for me, hehe, just kidding. I currently have the equivalent of a Level 30+ Paladin's Life and a Level 30+ Paladin's Defense. As long as it's not imbued with Elemental Damage, in the entire Rogue Encampment, even a Mini-Boss is not my Opponent/Rival, let alone an Elite Monster?
After Poison Creeper and the others dealt with the Followers, they turned back. This Elite Level Boss didn't last long under our Encirclement. Before long, it breathed its last. While cleaning up the Battlefield, this Elite Level Boss unexpectedly dropped a blue Javelin.
Javelin of Decay's Measurement:
Throwing Damage: 9-14
One-Hand Damage: 4-5
Quantity: 56
Required Level: 10
Javelin Class: Increased Attack Speed Class
+3 Minimum Damage
+12 Poison Damage over 3 seconds
What a troublesome Javelin. The One-Hand Damage is already good, and for long Distance, I can choose to throw it. The Throwing Damage is also terrifyingly high. Plus, with the additional Toxin Stats, even the Normal Attack Damage is higher than all the Weapons I currently have on hand. However, the only regret is that these Javelins have a limited Quantity and cannot be Repaired once used up, which is very different from the Game.
As for throwing, Sister Sharna had taught me that it's much simpler than Archery. I initially mastered the method in less than a morning. Although it wasn't very accurate, as a Class Changer, I was Reluctantly qualified.
The Underground Passage was not naturally formed like the previous two Caves. Traces of artificial construction were visible everywhere. However, under the erosion of time, these traces were gradually becoming blurred. Clearly, the Monsters here were stronger than those in the Stony Field. Not only were there Skeleton Archers, Ranged Attackers with higher Damage than the Dark Wanderer, but there were also ugly and disgusting Crippled Fiends, and Foul Hunters, the evolved form of Dark Hunters, lurking inside, waiting to Sneak attack passing Travelers.
The names of these Monsters sound quite frightening. Skeleton Archers have high Attack, and their Skeleton frames are inconspicuous in the dark. When they hide in Corners and Sneak attack you, you often can't even find their tracks. But thankfully, their Weakness is also significant. Because they are not fast, they simply give up on escaping and just stand still, shooting away. Even if you find them and approach, they won't run away.
Crippled Fiends, these ugly and ferocious things, I don't even know how to describe their Appearance/Countenance. They are uglier than the fictional biochemical Monsters in my original world. In comparison, even Zombies are much cuter. Their Attack is also quite terrifying for some Class Changers. It's okay in melee – if you can tolerate that disgusting big mouth. But if they get injured and feel there is a Gap/Difference in Strength/Power with you, they will immediately run away, and while running, they will turn back and spit out a circular Lightning Bolt from their mouths. For Class Changers without Lightning Resistance, the Damage is still quite high, and there's also a Chance of causing Paralysis, although it's only for an instant. But if four or five of them do it together, it's enough to make you depressed.
However, these Mobs alone are not enough for me to use that Golden Leather Armor. After the lesson from the Cave, I now know the preciousness of Durability. Although the Golden Leather Armor has the Replenish Durability Stats, for Clothes that are used more and more frequently now, it's still not enough to cover the consumption. Unless I encounter a relatively Powerful Monster, I won't take it out. The Health and Defense of Werebear Transformation, and the Speed and agility of Werewolf Transformation, are already more than enough. Moreover, I am not fighting alone. The abilities of Poison Creeper and Ghost Wolf are even higher than mine, so these Crippled Fiends don't pose much of a threat to me. The only thing to be careful of is not to provoke too many. If dozens of Crippled Fiends spit Lightning Bolts together, wouldn't that be like a Machine Gun? Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.
Foul Hunters, there's not much to say about them. They are actually similar to Dark Hunters, but their Leather Armor has changed to yellow, and their Defense and Attack have also improved to a certain Degree. Like Dark Hunters, they haven't changed their nature and like to hide in dark Corners. When they see someone alone, they will swarm out and Encirclement them. However, I have five Ghost Wolves and Poison Creeper, and if necessary, I can Summon four Ravens. I don't know who will be surrounding whom.
Along the way, I killed every Monster I encountered, especially the Elites. I didn't encounter a single Mini-Boss. Among the few Elite Level Bosses I killed along the way, the most valuable item dropped was a Skull Cap.
Crimson Self-Repairing Skull Cap
Defense: 9
Durability: 18-18
Required Level: 12
+25% Fire Resistance
Replenish Durability 1 per day
Another piece of Equipment that can automatically Replenish Durability. Given the frequency of Helmet Durability consumption, this is almost equivalent to Indestructible. The Level is also just right. I immediately replaced the Normal Skull Cap on my head.
In the early stages, except for the Knight Shield specifically for Paladins, Equipment that increases all Resistances or has two or more Elemental Resistance Stats simultaneously is very Rare. So I don't expect all my Resistances to reach a very high Degree. I just need to prepare several sets of Equipment and use the corresponding Resistance Equipment to counter the corresponding Elemental Monsters. This is basic common sense in the early stages, but it seems it's not easy now. Including the Helmet I just got, I only have two pieces of Resistance Equipment. Wearing them only gives me 25 Fire Resistance and Lightning Resistance. It's definitely fine for dealing with Elites, but it would be a bit troublesome for a Mini-Boss.
Although I haven't encountered a Mini-Boss yet, with the experience from the previous two Caves, I don't dare to be careless at all. For me now, Cave is synonymous with Mini-Boss. Whether it was the Foul Cave or the Cave in the Cold Plains, the common feature was that they were guarded by a Mini-Boss. And there's a reason I don't really want to mention: both of these Bosses had beaten me quite badly...
However, in the following six days, until I found the Exit to the Dark Wood, I didn't encounter another Mini-Boss. This made me unsure whether to be feel lucky/relieved or regretful. Although the items given by each Mini-Boss were good, to be honest, I still didn't want to face a Powerful Enemy inside a Cave.
In these following six days, nothing particularly noteworthy happened. Only one accidental discovery is probably worth mentioning. The day before yesterday, as I was following the Markers (this Passage was artificially dug and turned into a large Maze, so there were naturally Signposts), I suddenly saw a peculiar Mark. Curious, I followed the direction indicated by this Mark. I wasn't very worried about encountering any Danger. Looking at the shape of the Mark, it wasn't something a Monster could draw. I also didn't believe that in this era, any Adventurer would be in the mood to play an international Joke on others.
It was a very secluded small Passage. If you weren't careful, you would definitely not discover its Existence. Following the Passage for about a few minutes, the Cave became increasingly damp and narrow. At the end, it was a small Cave that could only accommodate a few people. The Walls of the Cave were very damp. The top was a half-meter long stalactite with a little accumulated water on it, but looking at the Speed, it was unclear if a single drop would fall in an hour. Below the stalactite was a small pit filled with milky white liquid, likely water droplets dripping from the stalactite above.
Could this be something like the Ten Thousand Year Stone Milk from novels??
The Adventurer who discovered this place seemed to still be worried that others wouldn't trust the milky white liquid inside, so they carved the words "Drinkable, effect equivalent to Replenish Life Potion, cannot be carried" on the Wall. What a kind person.
According to my vague memories from the Past/History, this thing should be equivalent to the Well Water in the Game. But speaking of Well Water, I remembered something else. In the Game, there seemed to be many Temples, such as Experience Shrine, Combat Shrine, etc. They seemed to be encountered frequently in the Game, but I don't know if they will appear in this world.
I gently cupped a small amount in my hand and brought it to my mouth. The liquid tasted wonderful. Before I could savor it, it had already slid down my Throat. Immediately, I felt my entire Body refreshed, several times better than Akara's Spirit-Clearing Water. All my Fatigue disappeared without a trace. Although it couldn't compare to the effects of Body Transformation and increasing a hundred years of Skill from novels, it was an extremely rare good thing here.
Looking at the three-quarters of the liquid remaining inside, I originally wanted to put it in a bottle, but thinking of the words "cannot be carried" on the Wall, I gave up. It made sense. If it could be carried, something with an effect better than a Replenish Life Potion would have been harvested by someone waiting here long ago.
Although this liquid was delicious, I didn't touch the remaining three-quarters. Maybe someone behind me desperately needed it. It's better to leave some. It's not that I'm particularly kind, but in this harsh survival environment, a naturally formed Idea/Thought of mutual support arises, just like the Adventurer who marked it and carved the explanation on the Wall.
When I walked out of the Underground Passage, I had been inside for at least 8 days. The Experience from the Monsters in the Underground Passage was already quite good. Coupled with the Tier 2 Skill - Ghost Wolf, and the mutual cooperation of Molten Boulder and Polar Storm, my Efficiency had increased several times. Therefore, my Level Up Speed was not slow but fast. I have now reached Level 13 and killed several Elite Monsters. The biggest gains were naturally Gold Coins and Potions, as well as a few chipped Gems. There were a total of seven pieces of Equipment, including that Skull Cap. Two pieces were blue, and another was a jagged Spiked Club. Its Stats were +% Damage, and the Damage Value was 6-10, only slightly inferior to the Javelin I got at the Entrance of the Underground Passage.