68 Duwendes and Engkantos (1/2)
Advanced scouts were sent to the caves. They were instructed to keep a certain safety margin and see what they could discover without taking unnecessary risks. These were direct orders from Luna. Anybody who was reported to be too rash and ended up endangering their fellow soldiers needlessly would be severely punished.
It was because of rules like this that made the soldiers feel that Luna truly cared for their well-being. In almost all of the battles, he never used the excuse of ”if I die, we lose our currency” or anything like that to leave them to shoulder all the risks. Something which a lot of leaders would usually do.
***
Inside the caves, a squad of soldiers who were specially trained for reconnaissance missions was carefully exploring Palje Cave. The caves were absolutely gorgeous. After reaching a certain depth, luminescent crystals were forming everywhere. Even bioluminescent creatures were appearing as if to adapt to the cave environment. Unfortunately, their beauty only doomed them to be easily spotted by other predators. They would hide within the crystals, which were incredibly sturdy. A soldier swung at it with his Itak Tagalog to retrieve a piece, only to find out that all he was getting was barely a scratch and his arm hurting.
”What the hell, why is it so tough?!” He complained. In the first place, he was part of this mission due to him already being level 45.
”Well, you tried to mine it with a sword, idiot.” His friends teased him as they laughed.
”Still, it's pretty tough. But I should have tried the gentle approach first.” He was mature enough to admit that it was a pretty dumb mistake.
”Let me see if we can get a description from it.” Walking towards a cluster of crystals, he reached out to it. As soon as he tapped it, the tiny, bioluminescent critters that were hiding in the crystal scampered away. A description popped up.
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<Visanium>
Used to upgrade walls and gives them the <Luminous> effect, which can be toggled on/off by those with the authority to do so.
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Seeing as the word <Luminous> was highlighted, the squad leader focused on it, and it brought up a description for it.
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<Luminous>
An ability gained by upgrading using <Visanium>. Enables upgraded walls to emit light.
Effective for illumination at night.
Can trigger Active skill: <Flare>
Trigger a burst of the Luminous' highest potential to incapacitate opponents. Directly kills opponents lower than level 30.
Harmful effects do not affect allies.
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”This.. this is an amazing discovery!” After reading the description, he sent in a contact request to one of the higher-ups, which sent in a communication request to Luna as well.
Just as they were celebrating their find, they heard the sound of something being dragged, coming from deeper into the cave.
The squad captain signaled for his men to stay quiet and hide.
Soon a small creature came into view, it was dragging a child's corpse with it. The child's belly had been ripped open, and the creature was munching on his intestines. His lifeless eyes were open wide, with obvious signs of torture before he died.
”Duwende!”*
*munch munch munch*
Even though everybody was used to killing zombies both the ones from the void, infected humans, and even actual humans themselves, seeing a child who apparently went through a great deal of torture only to have his corpse dragged around and be devoured slowly, still made their stomachs turn a bit.
”Hrm?!” As soon as the Duwende passed by their hiding place, it noticed something weird. It turned to look behind him, only to see the squad captain sending a blade straight towards his neck.The Duwende raised the little kid to use him as a shield, but unfortunately for it, the little kid's body to a level 45 was like paper. It did nothing to stop the blade, it cut through the unfortunate boy's body and didn't slow down until it lopped the Duwende's head off. It's ugly head, which reminded them of a Goblin,
Knowing that he needed to report this right away, he did so promptly. He also gave them a quick reminder. ”Warn the team in Biana cave as well! We only managed to kill it quickly because we caught if off-guard, but I can tell, these critters are fast and strong. Equivalent to at least a level 40.”
***
Luna was already headed to the caves. As soon as he heard the news he sped up even more. ”Elder Aran, please head to the Biana cave. They're going to need your help.”
”I'm on my way, Lord Luna.” Elder Aran replied. He was much closer to Biana, so he ended up getting there earlier than Luna arrived at Palje cave. Not wasting any time, they would each head inside the moment they got to their respective locations.
”Thank you. I'll send Maxene to help you as well.”
***
Maxene who had just managed to catch a giant Crab with Sura was pretty unwilling to leave without being able to eat it.