Chapter 341: Abyssal Monsters and Treasures (4k)
The “Greed Slime I” had once again evolved. Beneath its calm exterior was a heart filled with excitement and anticipation.
Inherited from its inherent greed, it possessed an extraordinary treasure-sensing ability.
In its perception, this dungeon was an inexhaustible treasure trove, radiating the scent of treasures everywhere.
However, its excitement wasn’t solely due to entering this treasure-filled area. More importantly, it realized that it finally had a purpose!
No one in this dungeon could replace it…
“Miao?”
A faint meowing suddenly echoed in the mind of the Greed Slime.
It quickly shook its head, dispelling distracting thoughts.
Dark looked somewhat puzzled at the Greed Slime that suddenly started shaking violently, but the Greed Slime soon calmed down and continued guiding them with its tentacles.
The Imp Beast flew ahead under Dark’s command.
Diana and Rose held their Mana Spirit Cards, maintaining necessary caution as they followed closely behind.
Dark tried to control the speed, not rushing too much.
On one hand, overly hasty actions could lead to accidents, like falling into traps.
On the other hand, Rose’s stamina couldn’t keep up yet.
Though the Greed Slime’s evolution lasted only 15 minutes, those 15 minutes felt longer than expected.
Moreover, the “senses” of the Greed Slime were clearly limited by distance.
The farther away, the more blurred the perception became. The closer, the clearer.
So when it clearly pointed out the direction, it meant the “treasure” was not far away.
And indeed, they soon arrived.
After less than ten minutes of travel, the three of them reached the location of the “treasure.”
“Stop.”
Dark abruptly halted.
The Imp Beast flew back from the front, blocking their path.
Dark immediately asked, “What happened?”
The Imp Beast landed on the ground, crossing its wings in front of it and vigorously shaking its head.
Dark realized, “The path ahead is impassable?”
The Imp Beast nodded immediately.
Dark said, “Understood, go scout and report back.”
The Imp Beast: “??”
Dark solemnly said, “Stay alert and continue forward.”
Diana and Rose slowed down their pace.
They continued advancing.
Just half a minute later, after turning a corner, Dark was shocked to find that the path ahead was blocked!
In the labyrinthine second layer of the dungeon, there appeared a bottomless abyss.
The passage leading forward ended abruptly at the edge of the abyss, extending only a few meters.
Looking further ahead, across the abyss, there was a small platform.
On this platform sat a fiery red treasure chest.
“Puoyu puoyu!”
The Greed Slime jumped up forcefully in Dark’s palm.
Clearly, it had sensed the treasure chest across the abyss.
“Well done.”
Even though they weren’t sure if they could obtain the chest, Dark still praised the Greed Slime.
It instantly quieted down, its jelly-like body becoming even softer.
It was clearly overjoyed.
Dark smiled slightly, took out a Mana Spirit Card, and put it back inside: “Come back first.”
The Greed Slime obediently returned to the Mana Spirit Card.
Then, Dark turned his attention back to the treasure chest, his eyes gradually becoming serious.
The position of the treasure chest wasn’t particularly tricky.
With a flying Mana Spirit, it would be easy to fly over the abyss and retrieve the chest.
Even if the chest was immobile, they could control the Mana Spirit to open it and retrieve the treasure.
But rationally thinking, the dungeon wouldn’t make it so easy to obtain the chest.
“There are two main possibilities,” Dark said.
“One is that there’s a monster hidden in the abyss.”
“The other is that the chest itself is a trap.”
“What do you two think?”
…
Diana and Rose were also carefully observing.
After Dark’s question, Diana’s face gradually wrinkled in worry.
Rose, after serious consideration, said, “Regardless of which possibility, we can try it out. We are Magi, aren’t we?”
Dark couldn’t help but smile, “Indeed, we are Magi.”
Magi possessed countless Mana Spirit Cards.
Things regular warriors couldn’t accomplish, Magi could nearly always achieve.
Dark reached into his Mana Card Deck and drew a Mana Spirit Card, then said, “Step back.”
This place near the abyss was not safe.
If there was indeed a monster hiding in the abyss, it would likely be a massive creature.
It could very well be the second-layer boss!
Following normal logic, he ordered the Imp Beast to retreat to the corner.
Then he summoned his only flying Mana Spirit.
“It’s decided, Wrestler Eagle!”
…
“Hacha!”
The Mana Spirit wearing a wrestling mask posed dramatically, showing off its muscles.
Diana curiously lifted her hand, feeling her soft tendons, comparing them with the Wrestler Eagle.
Dark happened to see this, and his lips twitched.
He had always wondered:
How could someone who didn’t look muscular have such strength?
What was this “natural power”?
Or did her muscles only harden when needed, then soften afterward?
Hmm…
There might be a chance to feel it.
…
Dark quickly interrupted his thoughts and explained the situation to the Wrestler Eagle.
The Wrestler Eagle had strong comprehension abilities.
It patted its chest, indicating understanding.
Then it immediately spread its wings and soared high.
It had a heroic air of going forth with no intention of returning.
As it flew towards the abyss, Dark’s nerves tightened.
If the Wrestler Eagle fell midway, he would have only one flying Mana Spirit left.
“Whoosh!”
Even at the edge of the abyss, the Wrestler Eagle showed no signs of slowing down.
Fearlessly, it flew into the abyss, reaching the middle section in an instant.
Only then did its movements show a slight hesitation.
The coldness emanating from the abyss made it shiver involuntarily.
But relying on its flying inertia, it quickly crossed the abyss, successfully landing on the platform where the treasure chest was located!
The Wrestler Eagle felt a hint of joy, immediately folding its wings to land.
Seeing the treasure chest within reach, it took a few steps, extending its wings to open it.
Then…
“Click!”
A mechanical sound suddenly rang out.
The treasure chest was indeed opened!
…
Dark and the others couldn’t help but peek from behind the wall, trying to get a clear view.
Inside the treasure chest lay scattered treasures.
There were gold foils, glowing pearls, and gems.
But the most eye-catching item was a rusted short sword placed in the center!
Amidst the treasures, this rusty sword seemed ordinary, like a common battlefield relic.
Yet, its ordinariness gave it a peculiar sense.
The Wrestler Eagle attempted to pick it up.
But as soon as its fingers touched it, violent tremors erupted beneath its feet.
Immediately, two glaring red beams shot up from the bottom of the abyss.
The red light illuminated the ceiling.
A shrill, piercing scream tore through the air.
A terrifying tentacle covered in suction cups shot out from below, seemingly aiming for the Wrestler Eagle on the platform.
The Wrestler Eagle reacted swiftly, transforming its feathers into arrows and shooting them.
But the arrows were blown away by the wind stirred up by the tentacle, scattering in all directions.
The Wrestler Eagle tried to take flight.
However, as soon as it rose, the tentacle attacked, wrapping around it tightly in an instant, making it impossible to break free.
At this critical moment, the Wrestler Eagle suddenly felt a call from its master.
It immediately opened its mind, responding to the call.
The tentacle exerted force, attempting to pull it into the abyss.
But the Wrestler Eagle’s body instantly turned into light and vanished.
“Click!”
The treasure chest automatically closed.
The tentacle searched around the platform, finding nothing, and then retracted back into the abyss.
…
“Phew—”
Seeing the abyss return to tranquility, Dark finally let out a sigh, raising his Mana Spirit Card slightly.
The Wrestler Eagle on the card looked dejected.
Dark rubbed its chest, praising, “Well done.”
The Wrestler Eagle blinked, then seeing the seriousness in Dark’s expression, it turned joyful.
It proudly beat its chest.
Dark couldn’t help but smile, looking up at the abyss.
At the critical moment, he had recalled the Wrestler Eagle into the Mana Spirit Card, saving it from being pulled into the abyss.
But that was just a temporary solution.
The appearance of the tentacle proved his suspicion.
There were indeed monsters lurking in the abyss.
As for whether the treasure chest was a trap, it was debatable.
…
“Darek, what kind of monster was that?” Rose couldn’t help asking.
Darek shook his head slightly, saying, “It looked like an octopus or squid, but it’s hard to tell what kind of monster it is from just one tentacle.”
Diana exclaimed, “Just one tentacle is already so thick. How big must its body be?”
Darek’s expression turned somber, “I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem like a monster we’d encounter in the second layer… We might have unknowingly entered a hidden space connecting to a lower level.”
The existence of hidden spaces had been confirmed.
St. Maryan’s dungeon itself was a product of distorted time and space, possessing some characteristics similar to secret passages.
Anything could happen here.
Rose quickly understood the implications and panicked, “Can we leave here?”
Darek furrowed his brows and said, “I’ve read a bit. Generally, these hidden spaces can be exited, but once you exit, you may never be able to enter again.”
Hearing this, Rose relaxed slightly, then asked, “Then what should we do next? Exit or continue?”
Darek didn’t hesitate, “Of course, continue.”
Rose asked, “But how?”
Darek pondered, “Give me some time.”
In fact, he had already thought of a way to seize the treasure or the items inside.
Not only was he interested in the rusty sword in the chest, but he was also intrigued by the monster lurking beneath the abyss!
Could seizing the treasure and hunting the monster be done simultaneously?
That depended on the strength of the monster.
From just one tentacle, he could tell it was certainly above three stars, but whether it was in the second or third tier was unclear.
In the bottomless abyss, the Big Milk Jar couldn’t be of much use.
The only thing that could counter it seemed to be the Bastemon.
Perhaps the Mana Nightmare Demon could also engage it.
After some thought, Darek realized that battling the monster carried too much risk.
Instead, it might be better to grab and run!
Finally, he glanced at Diana and Rose, then made a decision.
“Imp Beast.”
“Yes!”
…
When the Imp Beast discovered the Wrestler Eagle in danger and returned, it knew it was time to step up!
It had long awaited Darek’s call.
Until Darek glared at it, it quickly covered its mouth, chuckling dryly to indicate it had only emitted a sound, not spoken.
Fortunately, Diana and Rose weren’t paying attention to this detail.
In response to their confusion, Darek quickly said, “Get ready. We might need to run soon!”
Upon hearing this, Diana and Rose understood that Darek wanted to seize the treasure and then escape quickly.
Their hearts slightly eased.
Even Diana didn’t want to face that enormous monster lurking in the abyss.
After explaining his intentions, Darek immediately drew a Mana Spirit Card, holding it between his index and middle finger at his chest.
The card’s surface was black and gold, giving a sense of confidence at first glance.
It was the “Pride III”!
“Swipe and Evolve!”
As his right hand moved, the “Pride III” card immediately released intense light.
The Imp Beast’s forehead lit up with the symbol of “Pride,” absorbing the light of “Pride III.”
Its body rapidly transformed, enveloped in bright light, undergoing drastic changes.
“Roar!”
With a fierce roar, the tattered bat wings burst through the light sphere.
The dark fallen angel descended upon the world once more!
The tall demon beast, with slightly upturned eyes, exuded an unchanging arrogance.
“Instant Teleportation, Mana consumption 100, maximum movement range 100 meters, exceeding 100 meters will drastically increase Mana consumption, CD 15 seconds.”
…
Despite the demon beast’s disdain for Darek’s “grab and run” plan, it faithfully executed his orders.
First, it flew across the abyss to the small platform with the treasure chest.
During this period, they needed to be cautious of sudden attacks from the monster at the bottom of the abyss.
If any unusual activity occurred, they would immediately use instant teleportation to move to the platform, wait for 15 seconds, and then open the chest to retrieve the sword.
As the demon beast approached the abyss, it clearly sensed the monster stirring below.
But the monster did not attack.
Suddenly,
its pupils contracted, and it sharply turned its head to the left.
When did a gap appear in the wall on the left side of the abyss?
