Chapter 1218 - Dark Region (2) (1/2)
Using the phrase ‘meeting face-to-face on a narrow path’ in the underground world couldn’t be more fitting for this situation. The reason for innumerable clashes and battles here was that when two parties met, they were almost caught in a dead end. Unlike the surface, it was tough for two hostile creatures to escape in the underground, trapped by stone walls. Apart from that, there were also many other reasons for starting a fight. One of the most common reasons was…
The other party blocked my way.
That wasn’t a joke in the underground.
When Rhode’s turned the corner with raised torches in their hands, they spotted an underground lizard that was almost as tall as a horse and a dwarf mounted on its neck. The dwarf wore a ridiculous-looking shell as his hat, while the underground lizard had goods and food supplies tied to both sides of its body. This underground tunnel wasn’t spacious, but it wasn’t considered narrow either. It could accommodate up to two underground lizards standing shoulder-to-shoulder. If this encounter happened on the surface, giving way would be deemed chivalrous. But in the underground world, giving way meant weakness, which was an extremely dangerous thing to do. Not only that, but it also sent out the hidden message of ‘I can’t defeat you, so please let me leave’… This was basically no different from ‘I’m weak, please kill me’.
This went to show why battles were so common in the underground.
Upon seeing Rhode’s group ahead, the dwarf seemed really nervous. Rhode sensed the insecure trembles of his body, which was somewhat exaggerated, like a clown performing comedy on stage. But Rhode wasn’t mindful because dwarves were a race that loved making exaggerated gestures. The dwarf stared at Rhode’s group and after a few moments of silence, he patted the lizard’s head gently. Shortly after, the huge lizard moved toward the stone wall. Looking at this scene, Rhode didn’t say a word, but nodded at the dwarf in response instead, before leading the rest into the tunnel behind the dwarf.
This was supposed to be a small encounter, if the dwarf didn’t break the silence all of a sudden.
“… Wait…!”
The moment Rhode’s group sauntered past the dwarf, the latter yelled. The startled crowd turned around and stared at him, giving the dwarf tremendous pressure. The dwarf thought his behavior was a little rude. Even though these humans didn’t seem like bad guys, yelling at them in the underground was too risky, after all… But since the dwarf had already spoken, he could only brace himself and continue speaking.
“Erm… Say… You guys are adventurers from the surface, right? I don’t know why you are here, but you’d better be careful. It hasn’t been safe around here lately.”
“Oh?”
Upon hearing the dwarf’s words, Rhode twitched his brows. The reason why Rhode chose to enter the Darkness Capital through the underground tunnels was because the possibilities of the underground being invaded by Chaos was much lower than the surface’s. In the past, that was also what happened in the lands of Chaos. Even though Chaos enfolded the sky and ground, their power had always been weak in the dark underground. That was the reason why ancient inhabitants built their refuges in the deep underground.
“Did something happen?”
“I’m not too sure.”
Facing Rhode’s question, the dwarf shook his head.
“It’s just that many places have entered lockdown. No one is allowed to leave and enter the cities, which is why I have to remind you guys. Even though I don’t know if there is a guide amongst your group, many gathering places and cities are closed to outsiders right now. If you trespass, you risk getting yourselves killed.”
“All of them are in lockdown?”
This time, it wasn’t Rhode who replied, but Nell instead. As a dark elf, she was more sensitive in this matter.
“Is Carlesodar City in complete lockdown too?”
“Of course.”
Upon hearing her question, the dwarf couldn’t help but raise his guard. He gazed uneasily at the young lady who stood before him. Carlesodar City was one of the largest cities for dark elves, and it seemed like these people were heading there…