I can't believe I'm a part of the Atack team. This was probably one of the worst situations that could have ever happened. I'm going to be a part of the team I was supposed to steal from... with an evil incarnate.
" So you bastards will be the first inside. We will stay at the back, and all you have to do is to scout the Lair and lead us so we can sketch out a map " Drill stood behind the crowd.
You guys were the strongest in the bunch and you're standing behind even the support team? This is a recipe for disaster. This is a Grand Lair for christ's sake. Why the hell are these guys entering the Lair, without any prior scouting? Why are we supposed to scout for these devils? Besides, shouldn't we report this to Tree first so they could at least analyze the rank of this Lair? These guys are treating these people like animals.
You can't even clear this Lair even with one 7* Hunter. You need multiple 8* to clear a Grand Lair and their strongest in this bunch was two damned 5* Hunters.
My nervousness was reaching its peak. I couldn't run away, as I'm bound to die if they found out. I was supposed to be the Joloe family's slave as of now. As I look at the Temple buried in the ground in front of us, I could only remember the fear I felt when I was face to face with the Shrieker.
" Maybe if we find an artifact, Young master Krean will release you from this status no? You could finally escape from the dog status and become wild dogs "
Artifacts...
Artifacts are legendary and unique consumables, typically found on Lairs. The higher the rank of the Lair, the more likely an artifact gets formed. They are unique and only have one of their kind. Once you consume an artifact, you will be granted buffs and immense strength. Although not every artifact is good, there are some that give you more negative effects than good which are deemed as Cursed Artifacts. One of such is the Jade Fruit of Endurance which gives you immense toughness but your body becomes too heavy for a normal human to carry completely crushing the eater to death.
" Anyways go now " Drill waves his hand still with a smug smile on his face.
The first people of the group walk towards the giant door of the Temple.
" Why is this door so massive? " You could hear the casual conversation of the Attack team. " I don't know, all I know was it's apparently about 30 meters according to the people who dug this. They found the Lair a week ago, and they spent all that time, digging to the bottom. "
Are they not scared in the least? I know they don't know that this is Grand Lair, but come on this is a Lair for christ's sake. You guys are 1 to 2 * hunters at best, this is a Grand Lair!
I was still complaining but the door finally opens as a huge gust escaped from its frame. The squad marches forward, with Drill and his guards still standing at the back. Now that we've progressed forward, I realize just how massive the temple was, the ceiling in this hall was even taller than that of the door. Every single thing seems to be made out of marble with small drawings made of gold on the ceilings and the walls.
...
We continued walking without any disturbance. There should be no traps as this was a temple and not a labyrinth, but shouldn't there be more beasts here? Why is it so eerily quiet?
" There's a trapdoor in the middle of the ground " Someone in front suddenly shouts. This caught the attention of Drill from behind.
...
" Hmmm... Send someone inside. " Drill exclaims as he analyzes the dark hole on the opposite side of the trap door.
He then faces the crowd seemingly looking for someone. What does he need now? He then passes the attack team arriving at the area of the support team.
"You " He grabs the arm of an old man on the support team. " Go in there "
Is this guy fucking serious?
" Uhhh, I'm qu-ite ol-d now sir Drill, I'm afraid I - " The old man stutters as he tries to convince Drill to change his mind. He seems afraid as he kneels down on the ground with both his arms on the floor as well.
" Exactly you piece of shit, you're old bones wouldn't help us anyways. Your ability is also so useless, that's why you're in the support team old man. You're gonna die soon, so you better head on down there and at least do something before you die or I'll push you myself. " Drill smirk as he grabs the old's man hair lifting him up from the ground.
How are these people enjoying riches and success when they were no worse than the criminals banished from the Strongholds. This was absolutely disgusting...
" Sir Drill, please... " Drill continued lifting the old man as he grabs him all the way from the back to the trapdoor in front. He throws him in front of the trap door throwing a rope towards his location.
" GO down " Drill points to the floor.
The old man who looked desperate seems like he had no other choice. He lifts himself up, seemingly ready to go down the trapdoor.
" I'll go down instead " I raised my hand. I can't watch it any longer. I won't feel human any longer if I let this man go down that trapdoor. Besides, this could be my chance in escaping this demon.
" Oh? " Drill seems amused by what I just said. " You'd rather go down that hole huh? "
He slowly approached me with a huge smirk on his face.
" It seems like we have a little hero on our hands. "
* Slap *
His hands flew to my cheeks slapping my face.
" Kneel the fuck down " He exclaims forcing me to kneel on my knees.
" Oh, you're quite the looker huh? Don't you think you should be in a brothel? "
" HAHAHAHA, you should've stayed at home kid. I don't think life after slavery would be better "
As much as I wanted to fight back, I didn't have the means to do so. Getting myself killed here would just be the dumbest idea that ever existed. Well, calling out was dumber...
" Go, man whore " He walks off seemingly bored of the situation. He points at the trapdoor where the old man was stationed at.
I stand up as I walk over. " You don't have to young man. He's right, I'm dying soon, I can't let your future fall into ruins for my sake " The old man trembles while looking at me.
" Yeah you're right mister, you're old. So stay at home " I smile in turn ignoring his words.
" Thank you, young man... " It seems like he was ashamed of the situation as he avoid eye contact with me.
It's now or nothing. There were no traps in temples, so it should be safe. I could only hope the beasts dwelling in this Lair were not stationed down below.
I hop down the hole climbing the rope attached at the top. I slowly descend the rope still nervous about the situation below. I could see light escaping from one side of the hole directly beneath me, but it was small and faint. Judging from the height of the halls in this temple, that's probably just the floor below. Well anyhow as long as I could escape this expedition team, I'd be happy.
...
" Kill him. " As I climb down the rope, all I hear were these two words, followed by the pleading of the old man, then silence.
" I have no use for useless people. " Drill's sinister voice echoed through the long hole I was traversing into.
...
A human who was more a beast than a beast.
...
Your time will come, you piece of shit.