Chapter 441 Underground Maze IV (1/2)

The Zombie Witches' formation was instantly disrupted by Anne's threatening shield. Perhaps if it were the Necromancer or Lich, they would have a chance to retaliate. However, these magical creatures equipped with basic intelligence behaved differently. Zombie Witches were hesitant in this chaotic situation and scattered frantically to escape from Anne's whirlwind. At this moment, Rhode appeared behind a Zombie Witch.

Shing! Gracier secretly penetrated the Zombie Witch's skull without any resistance. The other Zombie Witch widened its mouth and converged the surging billows of magic into an intense shock wave. It released a strong blast at Rhode to avenge its companion.

Although this Zombie Witch had quick reactions, the flaw in its low intelligence exposed itself here: it disregarded its companion who was right before Rhode and due to this, its companion became the sacrificial victim of its own magical shock wave. After getting struck by the shock wave, the Zombie Witch hovering in midair was left with only its lower body. Instead of being concerned for its companion's miserable encounter, the Zombie Witch tilted its head as it couldn't figure out where Rhode was.

At this moment, an X-shaped radiance flashed before the Zombie Witch.

Rhode landed on the ground before the corpse of the Zombie Witch fell from the air.

The battle ended.

Standing on the peak of the platform, Rhode glanced below him. Instead of the Maze Zombies, numerous pitch-black vestiges stained the ground. Gillian was strolling through the hall towards the platform and sensing Rhode's gaze, the fox-eared young lady gave an OK gesture with her hand. ”Master, no problem.”

Boom! A deep collision sounded from the other side. Rhode turned over to find Anne rolling and getting up on her feet. The pitiful Zombie Witch beneath her feet had turned into meaningless debris.

Anne revealed a cheerful smile to Rhode. ”Leader, Anne's part is OK too.”

”Well done.” Rhode observed the surrounding as he complimented.

Although the Zombie Witches were inferior to Necromancers in terms of powers, it seemed that Anne's reactions in battle when facing three of them were still rather great. Even though Rhode knew the tricks of Zombie Witches inside-out, he didn't explain the details to Anne because he wanted to put the young lady to the test and see how well she could bring her qualities out. It seemed that Anne had passed his test and this would be extremely helpful for the next battle. Rhode shifted his attention to the box before him.

That was a silver, squarish equipment in a shape of a box. It was carved with complicated patterns as though it was part of a certain ritual. A dull emerald gem was embedded above, lacking the luster of a magical gem.

Could it be that the powers inside it have been fully exhausted?

Rhode picked up the equipment and scanned the magical gem carefully. After all, the most basic way to judge a gem's magical powers was that the more glaring it seemed, the more magical powers it possessed. This was the same theory for equipment or weapons embedded with magical stones. In terms of price, a sword inlaid with a magical gem brimming with magical powers could be sold for thousands of gold coins. However, if the magical gem had lost its powers, the sword would only be sold for a dozen gold coins as it would be deemed low-grade. At earlier stages, this had become a source of income for Alchemists with the Production subclass. After mastering the techniques of Productions, these players could obtain or purchase low-grade magical items through adventures or NPC and profit after repairing and re-selling. However, there were also probabilities that the item repair would fail. Furthermore, with news of these methods spreading in succession, many picked up this skill. As a result, the price of the low-grade magical equipment increased dramatically. Moreover, with an abundance of magical equipment in the market, the increase in saturation and price reduction led to a steep drop in profits. Therefore, this was no longer a good source of income for Alchemist players with the Production subclass.

Rhode concluded that this magical equipment was utter trash. He wouldn't be able to use it unless it got repaired with its magical gem replaced. But… Rhode's forehead furrowed because the strategy guide didn't explain that he needed to repair this equipment. This portion wouldn't be deliberately abandoned if there indeed was this requirement to repair it. Moreover, even if the author had forgotten to include this detail, players would have added on in the comments. But, I don't remember seeing the players' comments on this issue, so what's wrong…

If this equipment required repair, it was a grave mistake to not bring Lapis along. After all, not every smith could repair magical items. Furthermore, with the probabilities in success rates, it would be best for Lapis who possessed the Behermes' alchemy skills to repair this equipment. At the same time, it didn't seem realistic to fetch her.

”Master?” Gillian's voice pulled Rhode back to reality. However, Rhode's eyebrows rose as soon as he realized that the dull magical equipment in his hands suddenly emanated faint magical radiance.

”This is…” Before Rhode could finish his sentence, a glaring beam of white light emerged from a gap in the middle of the platform ground. The hall was shrouded in radiance entirely and at the same time, Rhode found himself suspended in the air and the space around him had distorted…

”Damn it, Anne, Gillian, be careful! This is spatial teleportation!” exclaimed Rhode.

”Eh?” Anne curiously widened her eyes and scanned the surroundings. ”No problem, Master.”

Gillian remained as calm as usual. This fox-eared young lady was unconcerned, or perhaps, she was ready for it all along.

At this moment, a dazzling white brightness occupied Rhode's vision and he was vestured in the entirety of it…

When Rhode opened his eyes, the first sensation he felt was a cool breeze filled with the scent of soil.

”I don't remember that damned strategy guide mentioning that I'd be teleported by that thing…” Rhode held his hand against his forehead and grumbled as he struggled to get back on his feet. He found the half-conscious Anne half-kneeling on the ground while Gillian stood quietly beside her. The Fire Elemental Lord was used to such standards of spatial teleportation. She shut her eyes and positioned both hands before her like a wise and virtuous woman.

As soon as Rhode stood to his feet, Gillian opened her eyes and gazed at her master with a cheeky smile. ”How was it, Master? Feels great?”

”That was terrible. I regret not taking a motion sickness pill in advance.” Rhode stomped the ground a couple of times to force the dizziness away. He lifted his chin and gazed forward. Unlike the underground hall, Rhode could clearly see the glittering stars in the sky and the distinctive rays which only the Light Dragon Soul emitted. The moon hung in the air brightly and the waist-deep prairie in a distance swayed in the gentle night breeze. Rhode was familiar with this place and even though he had only been here a few times, he remembered this place deeply. Gazing at his feet, a perfectly round slate ritual laid quietly in the prairie.

”I was thinking why would a ritual would be in that kind of ghostly place… It seems to serve this purpose…” Rhode mumbled at the sight of the slate ritual.