The ornament was left forgotten in his pocket as he went and continued his search for the 'key' to enter the tomb. Sadly his efforts fell short as someone else has found it first. He is definitely not upset at someone for being faster than him. Much to the system's complaints of him being childish on critical moments.
The method to enter the tomb was by following a certain pattern alongside the walls. This was discovered using the murals, which has depicted a cat's eye following a vine. A recurring pattern in the walls inside the tunnel.
Contrary to one believed upon stepping into the king's tomb, there were no deadly arrows awaiting for them. Instead a huge painting of gruesome ways of death appeared before. All of them were what Kevin knew what would happen to them if they didn't get to remove the tomb's curse on them.
"I hope this is just a scare to discourage tomb robbers." A player said with an ugly expression. He was a huge man with quite some muscles on him. Looking too fitting to this excavation outfit.
"Well myths says that this will happen to those who try to disturb the king's rest." An female NPC said. She was one of the rare females of this team, an academic from a well-known institute. Angelica Kane was her name.
"There is no scientific evidence on them, so you can just not mind it. At most admire it as an artwork of the ancient world." Said Angelica as she studied the painting with appreciation of a tourist.
Hearing that, all players on hearing range were feeling complicated. Most of them were experienced people, so they knew that this painting is in fact the greatest warning and the most accurate representation of their futures should they fail to leave. There was always a price for knowing, and they are envious of the ignorance of the NPCs. At least they will not be burdened with the knowledge they hold.
Kevin acted like what Angelica told them, secretly communicating with his system if it has an image saving function. This painting may come handy later. So he wants to have the most accurate copy of it when he needs it.
The system responded positively. Saying that it already saved the image, just say it to him or search upon the storage area. It is available whenever he will need it.
Afterwards Kevin had fun immersing himself with his role. He did his best on integrating with the NPCs, especially Angelica whom he hopes to be his girlfriend in this world. Out of all options she seems to be the most safe one. Her future death was also one of the peaceful ones, so he is quite relaxed in her presence.
The players on the other hand were like cats with cucumbers. They are on guard the whole time. A slight sound or movement makes them jumpy and very aggressive.
According to the NPC scholars, the whole tomb is very big. Almost on the same scale of a city as they analyzed the records painted on the walls and ceiling. If the king and their people were still alive there, they are complete with the facilities and necessities for living. This was an information that utterly amazed the scholars.
In their knowledge this is indeed the most extravagant tomb there is. Other resting places they went into were not this massive nor this detailed. Not to mention, this whole tomb if they are not wrong, is composed of at least half of the citizens sacrificed to accompany the king.
Even without knowledge in this field, Players were also fascinated by the finding other than feeling dread. If it is true then, their chances of living were indeed too slim. Sacrifices in game worlds is often associated with corresponding effects. And this world it may mean rising to defend their fallen king. A scenario they would rather not like to happen for the sake of their lives.
Due to the massiveness of the place, the originally planned three days exploration were cut short as they need to turn back to prepare more corresponding resources to stay longer. A day and night to stay in and observe what they could in the meantime. If they found something of value in where they are, they can bring it back for whatever purpose the finder wants. Only everyone has to swear not to tell anyone else about this findings of theirs.
There were no objections on that and everyone started to prepare to sleep for the night. Unknowingly they have spent all morning just to reach this place. Everyone is both physically and mentally fatigued. Deeming their current area as safe, they prepared to sleep in turns.
Kevin was one of the second batch to sleep. For now there is no danger for them. So he is rather relaxed at the moment. Casually enjoying the paintings all over.
Others were not the same. Players were just like rabid dogs at the moment. One small stimulation is enough to make them snap and alert everyone of danger at given notice.
NPCs on the other hand were quite the opposite. None of them were guarded at all. Some of them were even celebratory of this finding. Imagining their lives will be after they fully explore the whole tomb. Those who took some relics on the side were not the minority, intending to keep them as souvenirs for their first exploration here.
As the only one who knew the next events that took place, Kevin chose to turn blind eye to them. This is a necessary part of the plot. The start of the curse of this tomb unto them.
When his turn to sleep arrived, Kevin immediately shut everything around him. Intending to not mind them and focus on himself as the system told him. He is afraid this world will be crueler to him. The last one was gentle as Kathrine ensured he was safe despite being her captive.
"System alerts me if something happens." Kevin instructed as he does not believe in his companions.
[Roger that]
As he fell into his dreamland, Kevin vaguely saw a young girl staring at them at one of the pillars of the tombs. He cannot make up her appearance, but he is sure she is beautiful with her structure alone. Not to mention she was standing quite poised for a simple girl.
Not thinking deep with it, dismissing it as an hallucination of a sleepy person he slept deep.
As he was asleep he did not see the girl smiling at his sleeping vintage. He did not see the magical scene of all of the team falling asleep at the same time. Did not see the girl touch him with pale fingers softly. Not knowing that the whole tomb was coming alive at this very moment.
The girl murmured a series of old words as she smiled at Kevin. Casting a contemptuous glance over the others. And casting a series of purple aura unto the prizes of the greedy intruders.
Doing all that, the girl then retreated like there was nothing wrong. Everything was then restored to their former appearances. The people on guard duty were awake like they did not take a short nap at all. No one thinks that anything was out of place or strange during the whole period.
The system, which was once again useless, just watched the whole thing helplessly. He cannot wake up its host at all even if it planted a whole party in his mind. Something is really blocking their connection somehow.
Perhaps the only thing it is happy with is that it is not knocked out like the first world. At least this time there is a detailed report he could give. And he even recorded the whole thing for his host to see for himself. Its host really has no excuse to call him a useless system now as it really did something. Only that it did not work as it hoped.
It will not get scolded with this at hand right?