Chapter 28

The war between the surface world and the underground world might make many people think that as long as they bring powerful enough troops, they can just push through. Indeed, in the game, this is the case, but now, Liu Siyi is in a reality that is similar to a game. In this world, at night, there are no lights, and if the sky is not clear, there is no moon either. A torch can only illuminate a short distance.

Take the elves as a comparison. The surface elves and the underground dark elves have adapted to their respective environments. The dark elves have developed dark vision, allowing them to see in pitch-black darkness with just a bit of light. However, the surface elves lack this ability and are just as blind in the dark.

Therefore, the civil war among the elves is a microcosm of the war between the surface world and the underground world. The creatures of the surface world cannot see in the dark, and after suffering countless losses, they rarely launch large-scale attacks on the underground world anymore. Even if they do attack, they use powerful elite squads, disguising themselves as merchant caravans or adventurers to gather intelligence, or even launch surprise attacks.

Does this mean that the surface world can only be on the defensive?

In most cases, the surface forces are primarily defensive. However, this does not mean they are passively attacked, as the creatures of the underground world also face various problems when they come to the surface. The creatures of the underground world have lived underground for countless years, and many of their abilities rely on darkness to function. When they come to the surface, they can only use a fraction of their power, perhaps only one-tenth or one-twentieth.

For example, the dark elves' fourth-tier troops, the dark magic spiders and their evolved form, the shadow magic spiders, have the advantage of ambush. Once they come to the surface, they can only engage in direct combat. More importantly, the eyes of the magic spiders have adapted to the darkness and the bioluminescence of the underground world. In sunlight, they cannot even open their eyes, and in the worst cases, they might be blinded.

How can they fight?

Of course, there are also surface races that have obtained dark vision for various reasons and can live in the underground world, such as dwarves and dark elves. They can quickly adapt to life on the surface. Dark vision, although only a second-tier dark magic, clearly demonstrates its importance.

Some might say that as long as they don't enter the underground world, this magic is useless.

Wrong! Dead wrong!

In the game, this magic does not exist because the game does not need it, but that does not mean it is not useful in reality. In the real world, having night vision in the darkness of the night provides a significant advantage, which is obvious. Therefore, even without entering the underground world, this magic is very powerful and practical.

All of this is what Liu Siyi has understood by combining the legacy and the game, though it may not be entirely correct. However, now, in this unexplored territory, facing high-tier troops that cannot flexibly use their intelligence, having dark vision will make things much simpler.

Thinking this, Liu Siyi quickly returned to the valley, put on his backpack, and went back to the witch's castle.

"Back so soon, do you have any more questions?" A calm, mature voice asked before he even reached the gate.

"Not questions, but I have brought the item you need: the Nightfall Pendant." Liu Siyi took out the Nightfall Pendant from his chest and respectfully held it up with both hands.

"Caw!" A large black bird, resembling a crow, perched on a tree in the courtyard immediately let out a cry, flew over, and snatched the Nightfall Pendant, then flew back into the castle.

Liu Siyi did not stop it, only watching calmly.

... (Silence...)

"Very good, it is indeed my Nightfall Pendant. I don't care how you fulfilled your promise, but you deserve the reward you are entitled to." After a while, the mature voice spoke again, no longer calm but filled with surprise. At the same time, two larger black birds, even bigger than the large crows, flew out of the witch's castle, landed in front of Liu Siyi, and transformed into two young witches, around twenty years old.

Only then did Liu Siyi see clearly that they were not crows, but he did not know what kind of birds they were.

"Elite Witch Lya is willing to follow you."

"Elite Witch Lina is willing to follow you."

"Accepted." Feeling the soul link, Liu Siyi tried to contain his excitement, but the smile on his face could not be hidden. This was not because he did not have to pay the recruitment fee. Originally, he had prepared himself to have two old witches by his side, even if they were not very attractive, at least their strength was undeniable. But when he saw that they were two beautiful young women in their twenties, having two attractive Western beauties by his side every day made him even more pleased.

The most important point was that during his college years, his extracurricular activities were mostly playing basketball and working out, and most of his other time was spent playing games and reading novels. He still did not have a girlfriend. Of course, not having a girlfriend did not mean he could not engage in intimate activities; he still watched educational films from the island nation. So, when he saw these two Western beauties, his first thought was not that he had gained two powerful assistants, but rather: I wonder if I can...

According to legend, the first leader of the neutral unit, the witches, was actually an elf named Pantar. She was highly talented and kind-hearted, excelling in both magic and knowledge. Unfortunately, she was born with a dark attribute and dark skin, which was characteristic of dark elves, though the elf race had not yet split at that time.

A dark-skinned elf living among a group of fair-skinned beauties, and being so intelligent, the outcome was predictable.

The intelligent ugly duckling outshone the group of fair-skinned beauties!

The specific process is unknown, but it can be imagined. In the end, Pantar left, wearing a black coat with a high collar that looked a bit sinister, and began to wander.

During her wanderings, the kind-hearted Pantar eliminated evil, invented magic, and honed her magical skills. She also helped many people, including many women and girls like herself, not just from the elf race. She quickly organized a group of "sisters" consisting of battle mages, lords, heretics, and women and girls from various places. To show their respect for Pantar, they all wore the same black long coat with a high, sinister collar, and they called themselves witches.

Ordinary witches are dark-attribute and can cast dark magic, while elite witches can use and learn various types of magic, a capability shared by all mage units in this world.

When witches are born, in addition to dark magic, they also know a spell that allows them to transform into a black bird. It is said that this spell was one of Pantar's inventions, and no one else can learn it.

"Master, this is the dark vision magic scroll given to you by the lord. With this scroll, you can cast the dark vision spell." Lina respectfully took out a scroll and presented it with both hands.

Liu Siyi took it, unfolded it, and directed his mental energy into the scroll. Immediately, a pair of illusory black eyes appeared on the scroll and attached to his own eyes.

Having handed over the Nightfall Pendant, Liu Siyi was very uncomfortable, relying only on the faint bioluminescence of the algae and the dim light of the witch's castle to see. Now, with the dark vision scroll, his vision was restored after casting the spell.

Although the spell was cast using the scroll, it still counts as being "taught" in a way.

"Lord, thank you for your generosity. If there are no other instructions, I will take my leave." Liu Siyi placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

A lord, whether a witch lord or a goblin lord, is a hero with significant power. This is why Liu Siyi showed respect. A witch lord is at least a fifth-tier innate hero and could even be a powerful seventh-tier hero. Hearing what the goblin Babu said, Liu Siyi had long suspected that this was not a game. How could a small witch castle exist and remain intact among the major powers? Now, he was certain that the witch lord's strength, even if not as strong as the founder of the underground black market, Kross, was not far off.