Chapter 66: Never Dared to Play Horror VR Games
There was only one road from Swirling Mire City that led to the front lines.
Following the main thoroughfare of the city to its very end, one would find a spiral staircase leading to the lower levels.
There were always guards stationed there, allowing only enlisted earthwalkers to pass through.
According to Guoguo, they had previously saved a young earthwalker who was enlisting. With his help, Nox and Shelo managed to find the relevant authorities, claiming they wanted to help fight the otherworldly army and do their bit to protect the world. With that, they managed to get in.
But for the present group, there was no need to go through such trouble.
They didn't seek out anyone or make preparations; they simply walked down the main road toward the entrance of the spiral staircase.
When the earthwalkers guarding the entrance were about to stop them, they met Calidora's gaze.
Right away, the guards immediately withdrew, returning to their original posts as if they hadn't seen anything, allowing the group to pass through and enter the spiral staircase.
"Though I've experienced it many times, Sis Cali's ability is still so impressive..." muttered Guoguo.
"Of course, she used to be called the Holy Dragon Maiden." Yaine laughed, nudging Calidora with her elbow. "Right, Holy Maiden?"
"Don't call me that." Calidora smiled wryly. "That was just a nickname in school. Mervant was called the Shadow Blade Tyrant back then, too."
"Pfft," Osar snorted, quickly waving his hands in apology toward Mervant. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything. That name just makes me crack up every time."
Mervant's lips twitched in annoyance, and in a flash, he disappeared again.
Everyone was used to it by now and continued on. The spiral staircase leading deeper into the underground was just as dark and unlit as the one connected to the surface.
But unlike the old and damaged upper staircase, this one was intact, complete with handrails on both sides.
To be on the safe side, Yaine didn't use the glaringly bright Daylight spell for illumination. Earthwalkers were sensitive to warm light, which would attract attention.
Seeing him come back to his senses, Calidora sighed in relief and turned to Yaine. "Phew, it's the same mental influence Osar experienced, but stronger..."
"Mm." Yaine's brows furrowed as she asked in incantation, "Liu Ji, what did you see?"
"I just..." Liu Ji paused, trying to remember, but was suddenly unable to recall the vivid images in his mind.
"Eh? Wait." He rubbed his temples, trying to recall the scene, but it felt like a fading dream, disappearing the more he tried to grasp it.
"Dream suggestion. Tsk, how troublesome," Yaine muttered. "Cali, keep a close eye. They must have noticed us by now."
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In a dimly lit underground chamber, a priest in black robes standing before a statue opened his eyes.
Interesting, he thought. I expected a decent mage, but there's also a competent illusionist. Well, the rest are just trash...
And since they're trash, there's no need to keep them, he thought, glancing to the side.
Ten soldiers, freshly trained, stood in a row, awaiting to receive their blessings.
The first seven were all robust Earthwalker warriors, selected from the best young Earthwalker soldiers that came of age.
The last three were peculiar—a scrawny earthwalker in the smallest sized armor yet the most enthusiastic, his eyes shining with fervent admiration.
The next was even smaller, unable to fit any armor, wearing a helmet and a cloak as a makeshift outfit.
The last was a great contrast; a tall female with a unique lofty aura. Despite the crude armor, she looked like a valiant knight.
"Two outsiders, and both good fodder," the priest mused. "Coincidentally, there are two groups of outsiders now. Heheh, wouldn't it be fun to make them kill each other..."