This time, even Shinja, the warlord, felt excited seeing the treasure chest. Well, anyone would probably feel excited opening one.
Furthermore, it was guarded by two strong Zombies, so it must have precious items inside.
At the very least, that was the logic that Shane learned in the games he played in his teenage life.
[ You have discovered a Bronze Treasure Chest. ]
[ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]
[ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]
Eager to uncover the treasures that lay within, Shane approached the chest with cautious anticipation.
After confirming with Cloud that there weren't any traps, Shane touched the chest.
It was cold.
The bronze exterior gleamed in the dappled light. He saw intricate patterns etched into its surface, hinting at the wealth of wonders concealed inside.
With a deft hand, Shane unlocked the chest. It was quite easy with his Lockpicking Skill, so it was never a problem to begin with.
Soon, it revealed a trove of treasures that sparkled in the dim forest light.
As the lid creaked open, Shane and the elves couldn't help but gasp.
The group's eyes widened in awe at the sight before them. Nestled within the chest were various treasures that glittered like stars in the night sky, each item more enchanting than the last.
The one at the very front was a short and dark blade, almost like a dagger.
Then, there were dozens of vials of unknown potion or medicine... Lastly, Shane found a dozen of Recruitment Stones!
He didn't think that he would be able to get more people just by opening a chest!
In a few seconds, all these items vanished from the chest as he received a notification from the system.
She could only nod as he trusted the abilities of the elves.
Anyway, the camp was certainly a haunting reminder of a Survivor's struggle in a harsh world.
There weren't really valuable items around, and they weren't in good condition at all except for the tent that was on the ground.
Shane decided not to take it since some other survivors, who needed it more, might find it helpful if they stumbled upon this place.
They continued on their path and soon, Shane heard something...
Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~
He looked at the elves and they all nodded at him!
Apparently, amidst the quiet solitude of the forest, the sound of cascading water caught everyone's attention.
Following the melodic sound, they discovered a hidden gem—a pristine waterfall glistening in the dappled sunlight, its crystal-clear waters cascading over smooth rocks into a tranquil pool below!
"This is it! The source of water!" Shane's eyes lit up after seeing this. With such a lush forest, he just knew that there should be a water source nearby!
The sight was mesmerizing—a natural wonder untouched by time, a sanctuary of serenity in the midst of chaos.
The elves were also smiling, seeing the precious source of life on their first day of exploration.
Eldrin and the others could actually feel the lack of water within the estate... They were certainly worried at first since they were all relying on the mystical water that Shane could produce.
The air was filled with the invigorating scent of fresh water and the gentle rustle of leaves, creating a harmonious symphony that enveloped them in tranquility.
"Hmmm... This is a good place." Chaloem commented after taking a deep breath.
As Shane marveled at the beauty before him, he noticed a huge rock blocking one of the paths of the water. Then, a realization struck like a bolt of lightning.
Perhaps the river near his estate had run dry due to massive boulders blocking its flow, diverting the water from its natural course. The discovery shed light on the longstanding mystery, unraveling the source of the problem that had plagued his small piece of land!
'This must be it!' Shane's eyes lit up as he knew what to do next!