Chapter 28: Underground

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Chapter 28: Underground

The spider-like creature being chased by the players was a "dreamweaver," a low-level monster. Despite appearing weak and easily beaten up by players wielding nothing but sticks and shovels, this creature was truly a monster.

Its seeming vulnerability stemmed from the fact that the greatest threat posed by the dreamweaver wasn't its physical attacks but the densely packed venomous spines on its thirteen tentacle legs. A mere slight touch from these tentacles, or even a tiny brush against the skin, would instantly inject the neurotoxin into any living organism.

Once afflicted by this sinister neurotoxin, even someone like Hal, who was built like a bull, would only last a few seconds before paralysis kicked in. Within half a minute, one's consciousness would blur, and the victim would enter a dreamlike state, unknowingly becoming a feast for the dreamweaver.

Stealthy and capable of moving across any terrain with ease, the dreamweaver, with its thirteen two-meter-long tentacles that formed an attack range without blind spots, was a predator among low-level monsters. Even normal close-combat experts like Hal Maxwell, Charlie Rex, or Finley would face a fierce battle if they went up against it.

Unfortunately, players, despite their crazed actions, incessant chatter, and lively movements, couldn't really be considered living creatures. No matter how much neurotoxin the dreamweaver injected into them, the venom would simply flow through their bone crevices.

With players immune to the deadliest poison, fast due to having 40% of a normal person's weight, it didn't take long for the group to catch up, considering that the dreamweaver was only skilled in stealth attacks and lacked agility.

Next, this unfortunate dreamweaver was subjected to the players' annoying tactics: throwing rocks and lumps of mud, grabbing its tentacles, and poking its vulnerable abdomen with broken sticks. This was a pitiful beating that exploited its weakness, leaving it lying defeated on the ground.

"This damn thing got me all dirty." Yang Ying, one of the main damage dealers, wasn't particularly thrilled as she brushed off the green residue on her beginner gear.

"I got quite a bit on me too, and it kinda stinks. I'll have to wash up when we get back." Tang Jia, another primary damage dealer, wrinkled her nose in disgust. "The really annoying aspect of this game is that the damned developers went crazy pursuing realism. We're playing a game, yet we have to do our own laundry. I've never seen anything quite like this."

Inside the town hall, Yang Qiu remained unperturbed while he listened to Tang Jia cursing the game developer.

She's blaming the design, what does it have to do with me as the developer?

"Where are we running to? Why is this tunnel so long?" The players who had just defeated the spider monster finally realized that something didn't add up.

"We've probably gone beyond the town's territory by now," Unceasing Entropy, who was lagging behind in the pursuit, said as she finally caught up with the others. "Since we encountered this monster, the interior of the tunnel has changed. The wooden supports have disappeared, and it's much more spacious. The walls seem to have been reinforced by some special means. It looks sturdier than the tunnels we've passed, which were likely dug by the townspeople themselves."

"Huh? What does that mean?" Tang Jia scratched her head and asked, while Study Obsessed and Yang Ying were equally confused.

Unceasing Entropy briefly reminisced about the short discussion with Blossoming Strokes and patiently explained, "What I mean is, ever since we encountered this tentacled spider, we have entered an underground passage that wasn't created by human hands. Considering we came across possibly Anna's corpse at the entrance of the cellar we entered, I think it's highly possible that the townspeople accidentally dug a passage leading to a monster's lair or its territory. This could have been the cause of the townspeople's annihilation or at least the reason for the loss of many of them."

The other three ladies shuddered.

Brother Lahong hadn't participated in their discussion. Instead, his attention was focused on the monster's body, and now, far from being scared, he turned over excitedly and exclaimed, "Hey hey, big discovery! This thing can be appraised using the 'Identify' skill!"

The four ladies were momentarily stunned, then respectively used "Identify."

[Dreamweaver]

[Lv1]

[Low-level monster, proficient in mental attacks. It injects neurotoxin into prey to induce paralysis, dazed consciousness, and a daydreaming state.]

[Possible drops: Dreamweaver Poison Sac, Dreamweaver Poison Bead, Magic Residue.]

In the information revealed by Identify, the "possible drops" section displayed the words "Dreamweaver Poison Sac" in white font, indicating a common material, while "Dreamweaver Poison Bead" and "Magic Residue" were displayed in blue font, signifying that they were uncommon!

Not just Unceasing Entropy... but you are joining in as well?

Jiang Wei paid no attention to the men's petty jealousy and continued discussing with Blossoming Strokes, "But for the quest we need to complete, the protagonist 'Morris' is obviously an exception. His parchment, on which he seemingly scribbled in a flurry, was left on the staircase at the entrance. That can be interpreted as him reentering the underground passage, don't you think?"

The two continued to search throughout the shelter as they discussed, but unlike the others who rummaged randomly, they seemed to have a clear purpose, lingering only in certain key areas.

"I think so, too. The protagonist 'Morris' should be the last person among the townspeople to enter the underground passage. However, there is very little crucial information, so we can't determine the exact reason. We can only... Ahhhh!" Blossoming Strokes pushed aside two stacked empty crates, only to be startled by the sight behind them.

Give Me Medicine and Qin Guan hurriedly rushed over with concern, and then also let out astonished exclamations.

The wall behind the crates had been hollowed out, creating a cavity the size of a suitcase.

Within the cavity was a contorted body... that one could barely discern was a corpse of a man in a shirt, vest, and overalls.

Blossoming Strokes couldn't really handle scenes of horror and suspense and backtracked several times—being a skeleton and not being afraid of skeletons were totally two different things!

Qin Guan steeled himself and cautiously approached the male corpse to extract the crumpled parchment from its hand.

The handwriting on the parchment was extremely sloppy, completely different from the neatly written one found by Give Me Medicine, but at least it wasn't as messed up as the one found at the tunnel entrance. The partially formed font could still be deciphered, and the system managed to translate most of the contents:

"Dear Anna,

"I can't remember how many days I've been in Taranthan. Perhaps it's been two hundred, maybe three hundred days. I don't know anymore. (blurred handwriting)

(missing contents)

They all think I've gone mad, but I know I'm not crazy. (blurred handwriting) They are the ones who are definitely messed up, not me!

It all started when the farmer's son, Bierda, claimed to have heard distant yet distinct maniacal laughter. He claimed that the laughter seemed to come from the edge of the world yet, at the same time, from under his pillow.

I suspected Bierda had betrayed the Goddess of Prosperity, but he vehemently denied it. So I brought him back to my residence and insisted that he spend the night under my watchful eyes.

This devotee had turned heretic despite being blessed by the Goddess of Prosperity. In the dark night, there was maniacal laughter... but this laughter didn't come from anyone but Bierda himself!

Bierda lost control before my eyes, laughing maniacally and attacking me. (blurred handwriting)

Everyone, including Yalyn who lives next door, denied hearing Bierda's terrifying laughter. They suspect that I killed Bierda out of personal grudges.

I didn't want to embarrass Yarlyn, so I resigned from my position as sheriff. But I absolutely didn't kill anyone for any dishonorable reasons. I'm all alone, but I hope to have your support.

Soon after, I also heard the laughter."

Qin Guan shivered and handed the letter to Blossoming Strokes.

Blossoming Strokes finished reading the contents of the letter, and though she knew it was just a game, she couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine. "Goodness, are the developers insane? Is this supposed to be a quest or a horror game? Are those who can't take horror not eligible to do quests?!"

In the town hall, Yang Qiu remained unperturbed despite being on the receiving end of this female player's berating.

She's cursing the developers, so what does that have to do with me, Lord of Taranthan and Black Mage, Yang?