Chapter 10

As Zane had anticipated, Verna's mercenaries had thoroughly ransacked the entire tomb but found nothing. Apart from the broken pots and pans and the bloodstains, there wasn't even a single gray dwarf corpse. This was completely at odds with the gray dwarves' previous claims of heavy casualties.

But the more this happened, the more anxious Verna became. Zane had noticed her gaze on him more than once. Clearly, this dark elf also felt something was amiss, but even so, Verna had no intention of withdrawing. She was like a gambler who had bet everything on the last game, hoping for a big win or a big loss.

Since Verna hadn't come to him to request a withdrawal, Zane naturally wouldn't force her to leave. To Zane, these mercenaries were originally just cannon fodder for himself. It didn't matter whether they were there or not; it was better if they were. As for Verna's life or death, it was none of his concern.

The repeated failures of her mercenaries clearly made Verna very angry. She continuously lashed the ground with her whip, the sharp "snap" sound expressing her dissatisfaction. The mercenaries, in turn, dared not even breathe loudly as they rummaged through the tomb filled with bones. Unfortunately, even after smashing and scattering the bones, they found nothing of value.

Zane had no interest in this farce. He quietly stood beside Enoa, carefully observing the grand hall before him. This was the most spacious part of the tomb and its central area. But even here, apart from the stone coffins placed around, there was nothing else.

However, with the help of the succubus's reconnaissance, Zane had already discovered a passage leading downward. He had observed the traces left by the gray dwarves, and it was clear that they had opened Pandora's box at some point here, releasing something he absolutely did not want to see.

And now, that box had been closed again.

But it was not impossible to open it again.

The noise in his ears grew louder. The frustrated half-orcs and bear goblins began to angrily swing their weapons, smashing everything in sight. They toppled the stone coffins, roaring as they swung their weapons, reducing everything inside to rubble. The pain from the ambush and the frustration of finding nothing had driven these creatures to lose their reason, once again displaying their fierce and brutal nature.

Neither Verna nor Zane stopped the mercenaries' actions. The concept of desecrating corpses was nonexistent in the underground world. To the creatures of the underworld, corpses were merely props, no different from rotten tables, broken swords, and armor.

More importantly, by smashing these things, one could avoid encountering enemies one did not want to face on the way back.

"Rumble... rumble..."

Just as another bear goblin pushed a standing stone coffin to the ground in a fit of rage, suddenly, the entire hall emitted a deep rumbling sound. Hearing this, the mercenaries, who had been destroying everything in a frenzy, were immediately startled. They quickly gathered around Zane and Verna, looking around warily.

However, this time, there were no traps or attacks. Amidst the rumbling, the walls that had appeared to be tightly sealed began to rise. Soon, a pitch-black, naturally formed cave appeared before everyone. Seeing this, the corners of Zane's mouth curled up, and a smile appeared.

Pandora's box had been opened.

A cold wind blew from the depths of the cave, causing many to shiver slightly. But for those with keen senses, it meant much more.

"There's the smell of blood!"

A bear goblin rubbed his nose and loudly spoke to Verna.

"There's been a battle inside, with many dead bodies!"

"Roar!"

At the same time, a strange roar suddenly echoed, and then everyone saw points of crimson light emerging from the depths of the dark cave. Soon, dozens of short figures appeared.

"They're gray dwarves!"

Upon seeing the enemies clearly, everyone was greatly startled. The gray dwarves who emerged from the cave had bloodshot eyes, and they raised their battle axes as if mad, charging at the mercenaries like a whirlwind.

The mercenaries, caught off guard by the gray dwarves' sudden attack, roared and raised their weapons to meet the enemy.

Soon, weapons clashed.

As the most skilled and fierce combatants in the underworld, the bear goblins and half-orcs were not to be underestimated. The completely berserk orcs roared and swung their massive swords, cutting the gray dwarves and their battle axes in half. The bear goblins swung their flails, sweeping through the air and smashing the gray dwarves who surrounded them.

But the gray dwarves were not easy to provoke. Their small stature allowed them to dodge most attacks, and once they reached their enemies, they could sever their legs with a single axe blow. The mercenaries who fell to the ground had no chance to resist and were quickly smashed to a pulp.

For a moment, both sides were locked in a fierce battle.

"I knew it... there would be trouble."

Watching the gray dwarves charging at him with raised battle axes, Zane even had the leisure to sigh. He could see how difficult the gray dwarves were to deal with, and their bloodshot, almost glowing red eyes confirmed their true identity. Clearly, they had been completely turned into puppets.

"It seems this time, we need to use some heavy artillery..."

While muttering to himself, Zane extended his hands, and soon, two strange symbols appeared on his palms. Immediately, crackling lightning burst forth, striking the gray dwarves with force. In an instant, countless arcs of electricity shot out, binding the gray dwarves tightly. Then, a blazing fire erupted, instantly engulfing them.

After hitting the target, the lightning did not stop but moved to the side. In a moment, the area before Zane had turned into a sea of lightning and fire. All the gray dwarves were struck by lightning and then burned to ashes, leaving no trace behind.

But this did not deter the other attackers. The gray dwarves, now turned into undead, surged forward without fear. Seeing this, Zane frowned and took a few steps back.

Unlike the magic of this world, Zane's magic came from the dungeon system. While it had the advantages of great power and wide range, it also had its flaws. As a mage with only two spells, Zane had to endure the cooldown period. A spell's cooldown was ten seconds, during which Zane was essentially powerless.

Fortunately, he was not fighting alone.

As Zane retreated, Enoa appeared before him, her thunder whip transforming into an impenetrable web of electricity, blocking the gray dwarves' further advance.

Elsewhere, the battle continued. The dead gray dwarves naturally did not fear death, but this was not a significant challenge for the strong bear goblins and half-orcs. They mercilessly swung their heavy weapons, smashing everything in sight. The sounds of various impacts, roars, and screams filled the hall, creating a chaotic scene. Almost no one noticed that the dark shadow in the opened cave was beginning to twist and deform.

"Hmm?"

After once again using fire to eliminate the gray dwarves before him, Zane caught a glimpse of a strange shadow out of the corner of his eye. He quickly turned to look in the direction of the shadow and was startled.

At that moment, in the heavy shadows of the cave, several thin tentacles suddenly extended, swiftly lunging at a half-orc. The half-orc mercenary, who was fighting the gray dwarves, did not notice the attack from above. As he swung his massive sword to fend off the enemy's attack, the black tentacles descended from behind, wrapping tightly around his neck.

Startled by this sudden attack, the half-orc mercenary was taken aback. Before he could struggle, he went limp as if paralyzed. Then, the dark tentacles pulled forward, and the next moment, the half-orc mercenary was silently lifted and quickly carried into the depths of the cave.

Trying to run?!

Seeing this, Zane's eyes lit up, and he quickly extended his hand, swinging it forward. Soon, a brilliant, scorching white lightning bolt streaked through the air, striking the black tentacles. With a strange and pitiful cry, the dark tentacles curled and retreated, dropping the unfortunate half-orc and quickly disappearing into the depths of the cave.

"Master? What was that?"

As Zane launched his attack, Enoa also saw the creature. However, because she had to protect Zane, she couldn't deal with it. Seeing the black tentacles escape, she asked with concern.

"I don't know."

In response to Enoa's question, Zane shook his head.

"But I believe it is the core of this adventure."

As he spoke, Zane looked at the system interface before him. There, a system message was quietly floating.

[In the darkness, there are countless wonders and mysteries. Since you have taken this one-way path, don't expect to live a peaceful life. Want treasure? The monster has hidden it in a place where the sun never shines. Become an adventurer and step onto this sacred path of death—Mission: Eliminate the Black Monster and claim the reward you "deserve."]

The daily mission had finally been triggered.

---

Page AD begins

Page AD ends