Chapter 387 Battle in Misty Mountains 2/3 (1/2)

The sharp blade mercilessly pierced through the thick fur of the Blood Bat. Its flesh scattered in the air as it flapped its wings frantically, searching for a route to escape. However, a flame emerged on the tip of the sword, instantly turning it into ashes.

”Was that the last one?”

Everyone exchanged looks before nodding to Rhode's whisper. Although there was a large number of Blood Bats around, no one stopped moving. Everyone advanced all the way into the depths of the cave. The bats, realizing that their prey was too difficult, chose to leave.

After catching their breath, they realized the cave in front of them wasn't the same as before. Instead, it was an exceptionally dusty man-made tunnel as though no one had touched it for decades. Although the thick layer of grime and spider webs covered most of the tunnel, everyone was still able to clearly identify the neat platform, roundly shaped obelisks and shattered statues under the light.

Rhode scanned the tunnel thoroughly and saw some broken spider webs. His expression dulled. He beckoned to Marlene without turning his head around and she immediately extinguished the light hovering by her side. Everyone immediately scattered and hid in the shadows.

Everyone remained motionless in their positions as darkness and silence re-enveloped the area. Shortly after, footsteps could be heard in the distance. Several figures holding torches appeared. As the flames brightened the area, a few Barbarians appeared at the end of the tunnel. They lifted their torches high, scanning their surroundings.

”What happened? Did you find anything?”

”Nothing. There's nothing abnormal here. Why did those bats cry so suddenly?”

”Could there be rats?”

”Stop joking.”

These Barbarians seemed to be fearful of those Blood Bats too. Under the bright flames, Rhode observed their features carefully. After discovering the broken spider webs, Rhode realized that someone might have passed through this area earlier. It seemed that he was right. Those Barbarians somehow managed to discover this secret passageway. However, luckily, it seemed that these people weren't too mindful of this place and they didn't set up stricter security. If not, it would be very troublesome.

Rhode stuck his head out and looked at the Barbarians. There was a total of five Barbarians lined up in two columns. The leading Barbarian held his torch highly while the remaining four Barbarians followed him closely behind.

”Where the hell did those irritating Blood Bats go to? The last time when I waved the torch, those bastards came flying towards me. Why isn't there even one today?”

”Could it be those bats flew away? Haha, if that's the case, then it's a good news for us… Shall we go check out the situation?”

Rhode slowly slid his hand towards his sword hilt while the others stayed close behind him. They held their weapons, waiting for the moment to strike. When the Barbarian was about to step one more foot into the ambush location, he spoke out.

”Forget it.”

At that moment, the Barbarian behind him held his shoulder.

”Perhaps those bastards went to search for their meals. We'd better not leave this tunnel. Did you guys forget how that idiot died? What if those bats return after we're halfway through? I don't want to be a dried corpse!”

The Barbarian leading the way considered for a moment before retracting his foot.

Damn!

Rhode gritted his teeth. It seems that this bunch of people didn't intend to leave. So then… Rhode let out a sigh before lowering his head and gave a command into his ring.

”Marlene, Lize, attack!”

”Nessay!”

An incantation sounded from the corner and along with it, Lize rolled swiftly on the ground and appeared in front of the Barbarians.

The sudden appearance of the woman caught the Barbarians by surprise. They widened their eyes and gaped, revealing a shocked expression. Meanwhile, they waved their hands and seemed to be screaming incoherently. However, the entire tunnel was in a completely odd silence. Not a single sound left the open mouths of the Barbarians, making them seem like their performing a mime show.

Lize extended her right arm high and swung it downwards. Along with this action, a golden barrier emerged behind the Barbarians, blocking their escape route.

The Barbarians felt something was off. Two of them immediately turned around and hammered the golden barrier. Their attacks were fruitless, however. The remaining three started rushing towards Lize.

Lize took two steps back in a calm manner and another golden barrier immediately wrapped her body. When the Barbarians had arrived with their knives, they were unable to shatter the barrier.

Rhode emerged behind the three Barbarians like a specter. Then, along with a red flash, two of the Barbarians collapsed to the ground. The one remaining Barbarian was pushed to the ground by his companions before his neck was cleanly sliced by Rhode's blade. After witnessing the deaths of their companion, the remaining two Barbarians were petrified. But before they could come up with anything, they felt a cold breeze passing by and the next moment they knew it, numerous ice shards pierced into their foreheads and chests. After a while, the two Barbarians finally entered their eternal rest.

Rhode proceeded to scan the depths of the tunnel and after ensuring there weren't any more odd occurrences, he let out a sigh of relief. Then he beckoned Marlene with his right hand.

Noticing his gesture, Marlene stood up and chanted softly. A magical symbol shattered in the middle of the young woman's palm and the silenced tunnel was once again injected with new signs of life. Lize heaved a sigh of relief and extended her right arm to deactivate the golden barrier.

”Well done.”

Rhode unsheathed his sword and nodded at the both of them, looking pleased. Lize replied with a smile while Marlene blushed and lowered her head, feeling embarrassed.

At this moment, the other mercenaries had gathered. One of the middle-aged mercenary plucked out the throwing knife from the Barbarian's forehead, wiped the blood off and unsheathed it into a leather sheath. Then, he asked with a slight frown.

”Sir, what's next? It seems like this tunnel isn't that safe.”

”Continue to advance.”

He swept a glance towards the two corpses and twitched his brows. It seemed that this Fortress was in a worse condition than he had imagined. In the game, this secret passageway was so extremely hidden that even Rhode only knew this secret after bribing some high-leveled players of the guild. However, it seemed that there were differences between this era and in the game. The Barbarians dared to patrol around this area proved that this area wasn't as hidden as before.