Chapter 202: The Sewer
Unable to gather anything else useful, I pondered for a moment and turned my gaze towards Princess Marisa. She was the leader of this operation, and everything would still be decided by her.
Lut Gholein is located in the Desert, so the women here either wear only a narrow piece of clothing barely covering their private parts, draped with a layer of light gauze outside to show off their perfect figure, or they wear wide, airy white robes like the men to shield themselves from the scorching sun.
However, the Princess Marisa before me was slightly different. Perhaps because she was an Ice Mage, she didn't seem to mind the intense sun overhead. Her pure snow-white robe was very well-fitting, clearly custom-made by an excellent Tailor. The bell sleeves started widening from the elbow, and the wide, long cuffs were embroidered with exquisite lace, completely covering her small hands. Even if she held a one-handed Staff inside, outsiders probably wouldn't be able to tell.
On her head, she wore a fluffy white round hat. The size of the hat was a bit exaggerated compared to her petite figure, making her look like a white Mushroom from afar. Below the hat, she wore a white Veil, covering her entire face. Only her pair of bright yellow eyes were visible, along with a cascade of dark and shiny hair spilling out from under the hat. She still bore some resemblance to her father, Jerhyn.
While we were talking just now, she had been standing there silently, gazing quietly into the distance. Her indifferent eyes showed no Feelings, as if she were a statue or a delicate doll, seemingly unaffected and uninterested by anything in this world.
Seeing everyone's gaze fall upon her, her eyes swept over the four of us without a single Pause, then she slightly nodded her Head.
Geleizi seemed to have known her Nature long ago and didn't mind. He walked a few steps forward. Beneath his Feet was a large Wooden Board.
"Hey—"
He bent down and lifted the seemingly heavy Wooden Board with just one hand. A dim Entrance was revealed beneath the lifted Board.
"This is one Entrance to the Sewer. Although there's another one on Twin Seas, I doubt many people would like to enter from there," Geleizi said, lifting the Board aside and turning back to us.
"Be extremely careful when going down, especially you, Kaelen and Holt. Even unto Death, you must protect the Princess's Safety, understand?"
"Yes, Captain."
The two straightened their Bodies and responded with full Presence.
Led by Kaelen and Holt, we entered the Entrance and walked down the uneven Stairs. A groaning sound came from the Entrance behind us, and the Light from the Entrance suddenly dimmed. It seemed Geleizi had covered the Wooden Board back up.
Unexpectedly, after descending into the Sewer, it wasn't as narrow, dirty, and smelly as I had imagined. Instead, it was very spacious and bright. From the Floor to the Top was about five meters high, and the surrounding Space was also quite large. Because it used to be a Trial ground for many Adventure Teams, many Magic Torches were lit here, illuminating the aged brick walls and Floor of the Sewer brightly.
I briefly surveyed the environment of the Sewer and had a plan in mind. This place was even better than the Caves, Jails, and other Terrain in Rogue Encampment.
Oak Sage slowly appeared in the air at my Summon. The Warm Life Aura immediately enveloped the four of us. Kaelen and Holt, who were walking ahead, felt a warmth spread through their Bodies, and a surge of vigorous Life Force welled up from the bottom of their hearts. They turned back in surprise. Seeing Oak Sage in the center of the four of us, they all cast grateful Gazes towards me. As Mercenaries, if they hadn't signed a Contract with a Class-Changed One, they might never have enjoyed such Treatment in their entire lives.
After I Summoned Little Snow, Kaelen, who was walking at the front holding a Spear, also let out a low shout, not to be outdone. A faintly visible Aura appeared beneath his Feet, enveloping him. I didn't feel much, just that my Strength seemed to have increased just a Single Point.
"Please excuse my poor display, Lord."
Kaelen scratched the Back of his Head awkwardly. He knew that his Might Aura was still a long Distance away compared to a genuine Paladin's, and the Strength increase was pitiful.
I shook my Head inwardly. Although Auras claimed not to cost any Mana, they would gradually consume one's own Vitality as the Duration extended. Instead of consuming Vitality on such a weak Might Aura increase, it would be better to save more Vitality to deal with Enemies.
However, I didn't say anything. Everyone had their own Battle Method. I was confident I could protect myself in the Sewer. Even if Danger arose, at most it would just be consuming a Town Portal Scroll. As for the Safety of the Princess and Kaelen and Holt, I could only guarantee to do my best within my Ability.
Shaking my Head, I shifted my Gaze away from Kaelen's slightly smug Expression and casually glanced at Marissa beside me. She still had that indifferent Appearance.
Subsequently, Little Snow, Poison Creeper, Lazy Crow, and the two Ghost Wolves, Little Two and Little Three, appeared one by one at my Summon. Except for Little Snow and Lazy Crow, the other little guys probably hadn't appeared for a long time. As soon as their Feet touched the Ground, they impatiently stretched their Bodies.
"Uwah!"
A miserable cry rang out. I looked back and saw it was Little Snow. It had appeared right beside Kaelen, and its heavy panting even hit his Neck. Kaelen was so scared by Little Snow's huge Body that he sat down on the Ground, Dumbfounded, and moved back several meters.
What kind of Mercenaries did Geleizi introduce to me? I had a Headache inwardly. It seemed these two gentlemen were the legendary Greenhorn Adventurer Team.
In the Diablo World, the Trial grounds for Novices were not only in Rogue Encampment. Take Lut Gholein for example. Lut Gholein also had places for Novice Trials, but they were far from being able to provide the comprehensive Monsters and various places for Adventurers to get sufficient Trials like Rogue Encampment. Adventurers trained in this kind of environment naturally couldn't compare with Adventurers who came out of Rogue Encampment, so they were also called Greenhorn Adventurer Teams. If the Death rate for Adventurers who received sufficient Trials in Rogue Encampment was five percent in Lut Gholein, then for these Greenhorn Adventurers, it reached thirty percent, or even fifty percent. Only by passing this stage in Lut Gholein did they barely have the Qualification to be mentioned in the same breath as other Adventurers.
"Attack. I'll handle the Enemies. You two are Responsible for leading the way."
I coldly glanced at Kaelen, who was still sitting on the Ground, and Holt, whose Body was stiff, and walked ahead first with Little Snow and Poison Creeper.
Kaelen and Holt, who were lagging behind, exchanged bitter smiles. Regarding my disdain, it seemed natural to them. This world was one where Strength was respected. Who told them to act so cowardly and incompetent?
Under the guidance of Kaelen and Holt, the group walked through the maze-like Sewer for about half an hour.
"From here onwards is the Zone where Monsters gradually appear, Lord." Kaelen behind me showed a cautious Expression, tightening his grip slightly on the Spear in his hand.
As if to confirm Kaelen's Words, just as he finished speaking, bursts of clattering sounds came from around the Corner. Little Snow lowered its Body beside me and let out a low growl. Its scarlet Tongue slightly curled, looking impatient to go into Battle.
"Lord. It's Burning Dead. This Sound, there are at least twenty or more. But their Speed isn't very fast, we should temporarily avoid them."
Holt swallowed a mouthful of saliva with difficulty and said.
"I said, I'll handle the Enemies."
I turned back and glanced at them. My Tone was no longer as cold as before. Although they were indeed a bit cowardly, thinking from another perspective, given their Strength, having such a performance was understandable.
After speaking, I went forward to meet them with Little Snow and Poison Creeper. The pitiful Little Two and Little Three could only let out pitiful whimpers and stayed in place to protect the other three. Who told there weren't enough Enemies to go around?
Around a Corner tens of meters ahead, we finally met the Enemies face to face this time.
Under the faint red Firelight, forty to fifty Skeletons, holding various Weapons, rushed forward. These Skeletons were covered in blood red, looking as if they were about to burn at first glance. They truly lived up to their Name. And unlike the bare Skeletons in Rogue Encampment, they were also wearing Leather Armor and Hats, and even the Weapons they held were blood red. It seemed their Attack and Defense were more than a notch higher.
"As an appetizer, this is barely acceptable."
I licked my dry Lips, my Eyes narrowed into slits.
"Woof!"
Little Snow let out a low roar, then suddenly took a leap and actually rushed out first.
"Ah, you scoundrel, you actually stole a march!" I said fiercely. Unexpectedly, Poison Creeper beside me also darted out closely behind.
*Sweat*, how did I end up raising two such unscrupulous Pets? They don't care about their Master's Feelings at all.
No time to complain. If I don't follow up quickly, I'll only be able to pick up some Leftovers.
I let out a tiger-like roar. While rushing forward, the Equipment on my Body gradually melted into my Body, replaced by a layer of pure white Appearance. In less than a few seconds, I transformed into a giant Werewolf.
"Boom—"
The first Burning Dead to bear the brunt was punched and sent flying, smashing onto the group of Skeletons behind it. The crisp sounds of Bones colliding and rubbing kept ringing out.
"Hehe, Skeletons are Skeletons after all. Even if they wear a few more vests, the Feel is still that good."
I let out a ferocious laugh and strode forward.
After a round of "sparring" with Sister Sharna on Divine Birth Day, being firmly suppressed, I finally felt deep regret for my weak Strength and at the same time deeply realized its importance. Strength in the Diablo World isn't just for adding points to wear Equipment. If your Strength isn't enough, how can you learn to fight others? Leaving aside other things, just wanting to gain the upper hand in a "sparring" match with Sister Sharna was fundamentally impossible without Strength.
So I reflected deeply after the pain. I added 16 points to Strength and 4 points to Dexterity from the remaining 39 Attribute Points. My Attributes became:
Strength: 60
Vitality: 65
Remaining Attributes: 19 points
This way, after Werebear Transformation, my Strength was even a notch higher than a Barbarian of the same Level. Even in the current Werewolf Transformation, every punch I threw was fierce and powerful, making me deeply feel the sense of Power brought by high Strength.
But even so, I was still far from catching up to Little Snow and Poison Creeper's Slaughter Speed. Leaving aside Poison Creeper's contagious area-of-effect Virus Attack, just Little Snow's fierce fighting style using both Mouth and Claws made me feel deep Despair, wishing I had a few more hands.
Out of the forty-plus fiery red Skeletons, Poison Creeper took care of at least 20, and Little Snow also had a Battle Record of over ten. As for me, I counted, and I only had a pitiful nine, not even double digits. Looking at the Crushed Bones scattered on the Ground, I speechlessly glared at the two of them. Don't you know what it means to have your Merit overshadow your Master? It seems I need to find an appropriate time to teach them what the way of being a servant is.
In just a few minutes, the dozens of Skeletons that could wipe out a Mercenary Squad of moderate Strength were completely annihilated. In the Dumbfounded Eyes of the two Mercenary Brothers, Lazy Crow proudly lingered among the Crushed Bones, picking up Gold Coins one by one.
"Dead Crow, how many times have I told you? Pick up the valuable things first."
Seeing Lazy Crow proudly place a Gold Coin in my Palm, I immediately bent my index Finger and flicked its Head.
Lazy Crow squawked in protest and flew up, flying out with its dizzy Head. This time it learned its lesson. Its Eyes rolled, and it picked up a Cracked Gem with its Mouth...
After cleaning up the Battlefield, I nodded with great satisfaction. My gains from my maiden Battle in Lut Gholein were really good. Besides seven Gold Coins, there were also three Potions, a Cracked Topaz, and it even dropped a broken Dagger. You know, these were all just ordinary Monsters! To be able to drop these things was already very difficult.
"Continue forward."
I said to the two Mercenaries with their Mouths wide open. As for the taciturn Princess, her Eyes still had that indifferent Appearance, and I didn't know what was going on In Her Head.
"Yes, Lord."
Kaelen and Holt finally realized that the one before them was not an ordinary Druid. Elite Level... No, perhaps even a Divine Class Change rarely seen in a thousand years was possible. Feeling that their Lives were guaranteed, they nodded full of joy, and their Chests couldn't help but puff out. Perhaps they were together with a future legendary powerhouse. Maybe in the Historical Records of the future, their Names might also have the honor of appearing in a Corner.
We didn't walk far afterwards before we encountered another group of Enemies. This time, the two Greenhorn Mercenary Brothers didn't act as cowardly as just now. They pressed their Ears to the Ground and listened for a while, then confidently told me that the Enemies ahead were composed of Sand Warriors and Burning Dead. The Quantity of Sand Warriors should not exceed ten, and the Quantity of Burning Skeletons was around thirty.
Regarding their Ability to judge the Enemy Type and Quantity based solely on faint Footsteps, I inwardly also secretly admired them. It seems even the weak have their Methods. To be able to walk out from layers of Danger, they didn't just rely on Luck.
This time I learned my lesson. Before the Battle, I gave orders to Little Snow and Poison Creeper beforehand. You two share the thirty Skeletons, and I'll take care of the remaining few Sand Warriors. Regarding the weak Burning Dead, after experiencing the Slaughter just now, I already lost my appetite.
Ignoring the extremely resentful Feelings conveyed by the two Pets, this time I chose Werebear Transformation. Fortunately, the Height of the Sewer was about five meters. Compared to my current Werebear Form of over three meters, as long as I didn't jump around randomly, it would be fine.
Sand Warriors, to put it bluntly, were actually also a type of Skeleton Frame. What was different was that they wore more comprehensive Leather Armor, looking much more fleshy than Skeletons. And their Height was nearly double that of ordinary Skeletons, almost catching up to my Werebear Transformation. And the most distinctive feature was still its two hands.