273 Entrance 1 (1/2)
Chapter 273: Entrance 1
The group walked along the mound, and entered a small patch of woods to their right.
In the midst of the forest, a pitch black pit gaped open at a slant on the grassy ground. It was surrounded by vines and grass, and they could only vaguely feel the cold draft rushing out from between the cracks.
Andy went forth, using his hunting knife to cut apart some of the wild growth, revealing the entire cave.
He lowered his head, and immediately saw a row of faint footprints on the ground. Some grass had been flattened underfoot, and had yet to bounce back up completely.
”It’s here.” Andy pointed ahead, and a black shadow darted out from behind him, leaping into the cave with a whoosh. ”I sent Black Panther ahead, please wait for a moment, guys.”
The group scattered and stood apart, constantly aware of the surrounding situation.
A black wolf appeared by Cayduran’s feet, white smoke bubbling from its mouth. It was evidently a Fire Wolf that had been raised to a very high level, almost approaching Form 2.
His hand moved slightly, and the Black Wolf immediately stood up, and began to walk casual circles around the surrounding forests.
Everyone was on alert. This was a bandits’ cave, and they needed to be constantly aware of any movements around them. After all, several batches of city guards had already perished here. The other side would surely anticipate stronger reinforcements to follow.
Garen stood beside Goth, the neon butterfly perched on his shoulder.
He knew very well that there weren’t just any normal bandits in this cave, but an extremely powerful Luminarist.
The Totem Light would only demonstrate its own defensive power when similarly attacked by Totem Light.
With his current Neon Butterfly’s defensive power, even twice of that wouldn’t be anything in front of regular totems. Even a Black Wolf would be able to break through his defense easily. Garen was mainly relying on his own Divine Statue Technique for defense. Due to the different in quality, the Divine Statue Technique’s Body Hardening Technique couldn’t be all that powerful against the Totem Light either.
Garen compared himself, and after adding the two together, he decided he was more or less equal to Andy’s Black Panther.
”Cayduran, your Black Wolf is almost Form 2, isn’t it?” Jessica started talking to Cayduran quietly. The two of them grew up together, and although Jessica’s older brother didn’t get along with Cayduran, Jessica herself was pretty friendly with him.
”There’s still a long way yet. Although I managed to find some ways to raise it, there’s still some distance to go before it reaches Fire Wolf level.” Cayduran shook his head. ”The later part of evolution is an upgrade in total quality, too many people get stuck here.”
Jessica found some questions about evolution and start chatting idly with Cayduran, as a way to kill time.
Cana had her hands tied with Valerie, but no one knew what they were talking about.
Garen released his Neon Butterfly to make patrols in the sky over his head, paying close attention to anything that might happen.
Goth, on the other hand, released that ink-colored Blackfield Bird. It was just a wooden bird, that couldn’t do anything but move its eyes.
By then, Andy had also more or less completed his scouting. Frowning, he turned around and said, ”There’s a fork in the road ahead. Two roads, do you want to go on?”
Cayduran hesitated.
”It shouldn’t be too big a problem, they’re just bandits. I myself cleaned up a lot on my own before, and that was totally fine.”
”What if we’re sealed inside?” Jessica began to hesitate.
”It’s fine, I know penetration tactics, I can open up a tunnel in a second. As long as there isn’t Totem Light in the way, we don’t have to worry about any other materials,” Cayduran replied with a smile.
”I’ll be the one to lead my sister, I don’t need your crap.” Andy gave him an angry glance.
”Would it kill you to keep your mouth clean!” Cayduran was mad too. ”Forget it, we’ll go in first. When we reach the fork, we’ll each take one side, just read the signals when we get there. Let’s go.”
He led the Black Wolf down into the tunnel, followed closely by Cana. And then Valerie glared at Garen with disdain, chasing behind Cana.
”We’ll go too.” Andy waved his hand, and was the first to enter. He held a small white ball in his hand, but Garen didn’t know what it was. Judging by the expression of wariness on his face, it evidently wasn’t any normal item.
Goth went second, Jessica third, and Garen was the very last.
It was pitch black in the tunnel, and all they could hear was the smattering of Andy’s footsteps from ahead.
Garen followed behind the three of them, feeling the air grow colder and colder, and the tunnel grew wider. Cayduran and the others, who had gone ahead, were gone without a trace.
”Be careful, don’t get left behind,” Andy’s voice came from the furthest front.
”I know.” ”Relax.”
The three of them replied in turn. In these pitch black surroundings, the four of them couldn’t see very well with their eyes, so they had to follow behind Andy’s Black Panther to advance. The Black Panther’s brilliant green eyes shone slightly luminescent in the darkness, like two oval emeralds.
After walking another distance, Andy suddenly stopped.
”We’ve reached the fork. They took the left side, we’ll do the right.”
The group continued advancing down the right side, and quickly came across yet another fork in the road.
”Wait!” Andy’s voice suddenly held a hint of anxiety.
He walked a little further forward, to the front of the Black Panther, and took out two flints from his pocket
Hiss!
The spark lit and died in the darkness, followed by the soft rustle of burning. The small torch Andy had prepared was instantly lit up, and it lit up the rest of the cave as well.
”There’s some trouble…” Under the bright red firelight, Andy’s complexion changed slightly.
The other three quickly hurried up to him.
”What’s the matter?” Goth approached him.