Chapter 580: Paths (2/2)

”Did you see any difference between the paths we took before?”

Iem, Krune, Luvile, and Harold began to ponder about it. However, none of them noticed anything different.

”The flow of Godly Energy was the same wherever we went. But it could also be because we haven't chosen the right passage. Of course, it is also possible that we selected the right ones, and that's why we haven't reached a dead end yet. It's just that the last option is a lot more unlikely.”

Krune pondered a bit as he opened his communicator. He then took a look at the path they had followed so far and drew a 3d map that showed the ups and downs they took as well. After checking the curvatures of the entire extension, Krune and Iem noticed something peculiar.

”All the passages had ups and downs everywhere. Most of them ended not changing much how deep down we are. However, two of the routes we selected ended bring us even deeper by the time we reached another path selection.”

Iem then had an idea.

”First of all, there was no rule saying that the way out was to go up, right?”

Krune admitted that it was a possibility. At least, they didn't have a better idea at the moment.

”We might as well try it. Look at the patterns of the passages that sent us down by the end. They have something in common. If we check the passages in front of us and follow the one with a similar pattern, we might be able to always go down.”

They couldn't help but feel happy to have the communicators. Without this device, they wouldn't have noticed the patterns, let alone know that they ended going down instead of up. After all, each passage's extension was enormous, and they couldn't count on their Divine Sense or Mental Energy that much.

Krune then entered each passage to check which one had a similar pattern. Once they walked 10 or so km in, it would be enough to determine if it was the right one or not. Once they found that it was the wrong pattern, they returned and selected another path. In the fifth passage, they finally found that pattern once more. Without hesitation, they proceeded forward.

Sure enough, they ended in another selection of paths. After checking the 3d map, Krune and Iem smiled. They had indeed gone much deeper into the cave. Iem and Krune then repeated the same process as they kept selecting the routes that lead down. Just like that, an entire week passed!

In the end, they also noticed another difference. While the normal passages would more or less end going forward, the ones that led down would always make a slight curve to the right.

Krune then eliminated all the wrong selections of his 3d map and put only the right passages together. Sure enough, they noticed that the paths that lead down made a spiral pattern.

It was then that an idea popped in Krune's mind.

”I see... The formations and restrictions in this place aren't just to prevent us from breaking the walls to escape. No, to be more specific, they were made like that for protection. Their objective was to mislead the intruders. I'm pretty sure they also have spatial aspects.”

”What do you mean?”

”I mean that the other paths would not bring us anywhere, but we would not reach a dead-end either. We would keep moving forward endlessly until finally, we ended at the same point again without notice.”

Iem felt a chill on his back. Doesn't that mean that they would sooner or later reencounter those azure beetles? What if they were surrounded on both sides when that happens? Iem doesn't even want to think about it.

”Wait, what guarantees that we aren't walking in a circle with the paths that lead us down, then?”

Krune then pointed at the 3d map.

”Can you see the curves to the right that our paths make? They are not identical. Even though the changes aren't significant, they are still there. So far, we haven't taken a single down path that was the same as the others. That being said, I doubt we are going back to the same point.”

Iem let out a sigh of relief.

”Since that's the case, let's keep going. We should find something sooner or later.”

Krune and Iem kept following the same pattern for another two entire weeks. They were getting nervous that they might be making the wrong choice after so long too. However, while they were moving forward, the space around them warped suddenly. They were alarmed, and there was nothing they could do about it. Fortunately, nothing happened to them after space stabilized again. Nevertheless, they were shocked by what they saw. Right in front of them, there is an enormous underground city!