Chapter 691: Step with Caution

"If this place does really have an array master buried then the skill that we can receive will be that of an array master. I will be able to utilize it as Arrays can also be built by Scribes, but the process will take more time and effort to build something that could cover an area." Adrian stated.

"We are here to investigate the place remember?! The elders did not let me drag you here if they do not have a clue on what these tombs are. It is probably related to the death aspect of nature which is why you are needed.

The only elements that the Ryujin cannot manipulate are those of time, space, life and death. Those energies are the essence of nature which is why the dragonkind cannot manipulate them." Peridot stated and Adrian nodded in agreement.

"That is of course very true since demons have to sacrifice their ability to wield other elements for the mastery of arcane magic that can control time, space and force." Adrian replied as he started to scan the area once again.

Adrian could feel a faint magical signature in the air that is reminiscent of a gateway, but it is so miniscule. He feels that he must not jump to conclusions as being mistaken could lead to their death. He does feel as if he is transported to some sort of Death land but not at the same time.

Adrian stopped walking and Peridot noticed this. She knows that Adrian already has a hypothesis on hand but needs more information to back that claim.

"So…what are your deductions?" Peridot asked as she wants to also contribute to the investigation.

"This place has the energy of death lingering inside of it, but it is a tomb after all. If we were transported to one of the death lands or underworlds, then the two of you would have died already. Your body is not built to handle energy of the dead after all.

The only logical explanation would be that this whole tomb is a copy or a summoned section from one of the death lands. You can think of it as the partial summoning that I did earlier but on a scale of a place. It also explains why the death lands are temporary and vanish." Adrian explained.

"Is that even possible?" Peridot asked.

"It is possible as domains work the same way. The caster summons a patch of land in an area that blesses the user's overall self. In other words, the culprit for summoning the tombs is either a demigod or a god. Since gods cannot descend easily then we are looking for a demigod.

Peridot suddenly tensed up when she heard the word demigod as they will easily get wiped if they encounter one. The only one that she knows that could go toe to toe with a demigod would be her master.

"You do not have to be that nervous as we are not fighting a demigod. Also, the demigods are not at their peak power as of now which is why the world is still peaceful. I have been told that lots of demigod crave territories of their own, but they are currently weakened which is why they are staying silent." Adrian muttered as he was told about the state of the demigods from Pann.

"You are saying that because you are not the one actually in the front." Peridot stated as she knows that she will really die if they face off against a demigod.

"Either way, we have no choice on the matter as my wind dragon core is on the line here. We have to get to the source of the tomb which means we must defeat the boss monster. Step where I step unless you want to become barbequed." Adrian stated as he started to follow the trail that he found.

Adrian is currently following the small traces of death energy. He figured that a hole should be stabilizing this tomb in order for it to manifest in the overworld. The only thing that he does not know is the method that this person used to open a portal to another plane of existence.

"The one who opened this could have either failed or accidentally opened these tombs.  If they summoned a part of a death land then should have contracts with the gods of death to even think of summoning a part of a death land." Adrian thought as he slowly and gently made his way out of the array field.

"If this is really part of the death lands then why are the monsters not undead or dead beings?" Peridot asked as she does not know about the death lands ruled by the God of Death.

"The death lands are not necessarily filled with zombies or ghouls that you thought. In Pandemonium, the places where the dead go to is not a battlefield but a resting place. Some are used as prisons or a punishment center to detain those that are really evil in their life." Adrian stated.

Adrian suddenly stopped talking and looked at his surroundings with the evil eye. If the other area was filled with arrays that can kill a person, then this new area will outright do so. All the arrays that Adrian read sounded ominous.

Adrian decided to try and trigger one of the arrays that he read which had the words 'swords of death'. The moment Dodu entered the array, a large light exploded and the next thing they saw baffled them. About a hundred or less swords pierced Dodu's body, but the slime is not affected.

Dodu even started to melt the swords that were summoned by magic as it seems they have a physical body. Dodu is not hurt by the trap since the damage it dealt is that of the physical category. Dodu could easily chomp down the swords like food served to a glutinous prince inside of the palace.

"That array utilized a subspace. Interesting." Adrian stated as he then led the group out of the area where the arrays are placed in a manner that could kill a person in mere seconds.

After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived in a wide area. Peridot is about to lead the way when Adrian stopped her as the area is so clean that he cannot see anything. Something like this should not be possible if the previous areas are actually filled with arrays.

"Something is strange about this place. If that portal there is the exit, then it is too easy." Adrian stated as he knows that a high-level dungeon should not be just them exploring.

Before the group could decide what to do, something strange happened to their bodies as they could not move. They could then see that their bodies are being dragged to the center of the room despite their unwillingness.

A few seconds later, the group finally saw who is actually using a spell against them. A statue that looks like a man with a fan on his hand. The fan even has the symbol of yin and yang but only one thing truly caught Adrian's attention.

"The hole on the chest of the metal statue is actually pouring out energy from the death realm. No wonder I was not able to locate the source since it is actually moving and observing us." Adrian muttered as he could feel that they were being watched the moment they entered the tomb.

The voices that he heard are also coming from the hole on the chest of the metal statue. Adrian wanted to inspect the metal statue, but he is being restricted by something invisible. He could speak but is not able to use skills and spells.

[You are currently under the effect of Skill Seal.]

[Cannot use any spells and abilities for a period of time or when the duration of the skill channeled is gone.]

Adrian observed the metal statue use the fan to direct some sort of energy towards them that damaged the three with a decent amount. The attacks were weak, but they could not fight back against the metal statue.

"Sirius!" Adrian shouted as a large wolf exited the shadow of the metal statue.

Sirius should have been able to hit the metal statue but about four clay soldiers suddenly materialized and blocked the attack. It is then Kanlaon who moved next as he increased the size of his body and used his tail to shatter the metal statue, but another group of clay soldiers blocked the attack.

The two soulbounds might not have dealt damage to the metal statue but that made it lose its grip on Adrian, Peridot and Saru. Peridot did not waste time as she used all the buffs on herself and the team. Both she and Saru came crashing down on the metal statue, but another set of clay soldiers emerged from the ground to meet their attack.