Chapter 450 - 400 : Hidden Civilization (1/2)
”What the hell?”
The Joker exclaimed as he looked around the interior of the broken church. Apart from some dusty and destroyed seats, there was nothing but blue crystals of all sizes and shapes.
There was even one big crystal that almost reached the ceiling at the far end of the room. Strangely, this wasn't like a normal church as there was a weird painting on a partially destroyed wall near the big crystal.
They couldn't see the whole picture as the wall had countless cracks but they could see two entities fighting each other, one light and one dark.
”The concentration of Mana is very high.”
Leiu commented as he picked one crystal and examined it. There were no monsters or enemies, just this eerie room and the numerous crystal scattered all around.
”I read that, in some cases, these crystals can summon evil Gods through faith and prayer.”-Leiu
”Why would they summon a god though?”-The Joker
”Many reasons… to annihilate this world or rule it.”-Arthur
They were merely speculations but they couldn't be ruled out. Each of the three chose a corner and started searching clues. Arthur searched through the old documents, which only had incomprehensible incantations. Leiu toured the room and was checking if there's a hidden room or a portal.
As for the Magician, who's sensitivity to Mana is the highest out of the three, he stopped next to the big crystal and planted his palm on it. He stood still for five minutes before he started moving his hand, trying to locate something.
After a while, his finger clicked on a hidden button which caused the crystal to violently shook. Beautiful crystalline stairs that led underground appeared from within the crystal, causing the Joker to laugh.
”HAHAHA there's nothing that can escape my eyes!”
He beckoned for the other two then started descending the stairs. Leiu quickly followed, leaving Arthur, who did the same after stuffing the documents in his pockets.
”It's getting thicker.”-Leiu
While examining this strange place, which was too illuminated by the stairs and shiny walls, Leiu commented. The concentration of Mana here was so dense that you can see small blue particles in the air.
****
”What's wrong?”
A figure with dark-skin and pointy ears which was staring at some kind of a map, raised its head and glanced at its kin, which barged in with a frown on its face.
”There are invaders.”
The leader waved his hand dismissively and said
”Deal with it, I have no time to waste on ants.”
”Chief, they're not the bandits.”
”It doesn't matter who they are! Just get rid of them!”
As the chief angrily banged his hand on the table, the subordinate bowed and hastily left.
****
The trio descended the stairs for two whole hours before they finally reached the end of this long staircase. What met their sight was a civilized place with buildings and an outrageous amount of Mana Crystals. However, what really caught their attention was an enormous crystal that was at least one kilometer in height.
It resembled a tower and it emitted a mind-numbing amount of pure Mana.
Just as they appeared, the trio suddenly jumped, each toward one direction. In the place they were at a second ago, three fast bolts struck, causing a small crater.
”Three!”-Leiu
”East, North-West, South-West.”-Arthur
Arthur relayed the enemies' position while darting toward the East, not bothering to explain what to his companions.
The Joker threw a grey card upwards, which burst into a red light that dispersed into three directions, locking onto the opponents like glue.
'Ghost Rat Trail: Activated!'
Each ran toward one of the enemies, Arthur unsheathed his katana and leapt at the dark-skinned creature. The enemy started retreating the moment they missed their bolts, unfortunately, the invaders were much faster than they had initially thought.
Meaning, these creatures greatly underestimated the trio's strength. The first who successfully killed their opponent was neither Leiu nor Arthur but the Joker, who easily caught up to his enemy using his cards.
He used the card like a magical flying carpet and appeared before his enemy. Four cards were simultaneously thrown, each meant to hit a limb. Surprisingly, the enemy was fast and stronger than those weak bandits.
Two cards missed their target but the other two successfully hit the left hand and leg of the monster, who rolled on the ground and tried to jump away only for a monstrous force to drop on him.