Chapter 438 Underground Maze I (1/2)
Although Rhode wasn't able to bid for the Endless Forcefield successfully, it was something extra after all. Instead, the Maze Key was the crucial item and just obtaining it was good enough for Rhode.
And now, the pre-mission for the Castel Plateau Ruins mission awaited him: exploration of the underground maze.
According to the in-game players's excavation, this underground maze was situated in the Central Garden of Eagle City. The secret entrance would link to the underground maze through a tunnel and of course, this secret tunnel came with a long history… However, Rhode had no interest in how long its history was, nor how hair-raising it was. All he cared about was that this tunnel would lead him to obtain some equipment that would assist him in completing the main mission easily.
A portion of the players who were enthusiasts about the game's storyline felt that this popular method was simple, crude, and even lacked a sense of beauty. This was because these tunnels and secrets were the fruits of success which they had obtained after immersing themselves fully in the plot and consuming countless energy. Just like the fountain in the Central Garden, someone first discovered the secret tunnel hidden within it through a suicide note. After this player took great pains to source for the four slate key fragments and combined it, the tips carved on the back of the completed slate key fragments revealed that the secret was hidden in the fountain in the Central Garden…
However, Rhode saved himself all these troubles. At midnight, he stood by the fountain in the deserted Central Garden. After confirming that there wasn't anyone around, he stretched to find a steel chain behind the wing of the fountain sculpture and gave it a strong pull.
It was that simple, easy, free and unconstrained. And the satisfaction from finding the clues was absent. How boring…
A deep noise sounded beside their feet. The fountain stopped flowing and the pool of water in it began separating in half swiftly, revealing a pitch-black abyss. In a blink of an eye, the pool of water in the fountain was dried completely, displaying before everyone a flight of stairs leading to the bottomless darkness.
”Woah…” Anne was in awe as her jaw dropped.
Rhode observed the flight of stairs before him and started descending it with Anne and Gillian following closely. The entire tunnel was pitch-black; however, it wasn't dark enough to hinder Rhode's group. Gillian snapped her fingers and summoned numerous fireballs around them to brighten the path ahead.
The secret tunnel was rather narrow as it could fit only two people side by side. Wet watermarks remained on the slate and the entire tunnel was filled with fresh water vapor. Rhode focused his vision ahead while leading Gillian, followed by Anne.
”Although we have gotten the Maze Key successfully, Master, you aren't too satisfied it seems?” Gillian asked as she strolled casually, sizing Rhode up.
Rhode shrugged his shoulders. ”A little. Although we did obtain the key, we didn't manage to get the Endless Forcefield, which was a pity. Even though it was possible to win it if I continued to bid, it wouldn't be a smart choice if I spent too much on it too. But I do have a plan, and that is after we have dealt with our proper business.”
”Pfff.” Gillian sneered at Rhode unexpectedly. ”Master, I didn't think that you would be that interested in that thing… So I'm quite surprised.”
”Isn't that normal?” Rhode twitched his brows curiously at Gillian's rather odd gaze, as though she were looking at a guy who had gone astray with drugs but escaped without knowing how lucky he was. It was too weird.
”I guess you must be aware of the powers of the Endless Forcefield. That could be said to be a magical crystal. If we can obtain it, we can use it with the Sphere of Mystery to exhibit considerably formidable powers. This way, we will gain the upper hand in future battles. Isn't that a good thing?” Rhode didn't understand Gillian's ridicule.