The Slimes always fall to the ground like a rainbow rain. I use my Crafting skill to make stone stakes in the ground. After making about fifty of them, spaced apart, I smile, happy that my plan is working. The Slimes that fall into the crevice smash on the ground and die, but with the stakes in place, they impale themselves and their energy crystal shatters on one of them usually.
The Slime shower lasts for about fifteen minutes more, and then it stops. The sound of large drops finally ceases, and an almost total silence sets in. I imagine I could use my Crafting skill to create steps up to the top, but I don't think it's a good idea. I'd be too vulnerable, and I wouldn't have anywhere to run if a monster attacks me. I don't feel confident enough to take my chances, even though I can sense their presence through the vibrations. My plan for now is to explore the crevice and the surrounding caves and try to climb in the meantime. If that doesn't work out, I'll make steps and climb up that way if I don't find any other paths.
Lost in thought, I start to hear and feel powerful vibrations. Knowing that something big is approaching quite rapidly from my location, I try to find a place to hide. Concentrating, I perceive a cavity a little further on. The cavity is large enough for two to three men to pass through. I retreat into the cavity and focus on the vibrations that are becoming stronger and stronger.
A few moments later, a huge monster swallowed all the remaining slime and headed towards me, causing me to retreat even further into the wall where I was hiding. The monster, having found me, tried to eat me and smashed its head against the wall, but to no avail. It remained there, huddled up, waiting for me to come out of my hiding spot, which was not going to happen. Taking the time to observe it, I noticed that this massive creature could only be a Serpatte, a hybrid between a giant millipede and a large snake. It measured about ten meters long with a long segmented body and many thin legs on the sides. It had a gray-black body, multiple faceted eyes, and large mandibles instead of an ordinary jaw. The creature could be easily identified by the ring of bone that protected its third body segment. They usually lived in underground complexes connected by passages that they had chewed over time or pre-existing ones, much like this crevice.
As I backed up a bit since the creature had started to ram into the wall again, I noticed that the cavity surprisingly opened up to a double floor, and behind it was an even wider corridor. So, I decided to venture into it.
After what seemed like about ten minutes, I saw a gate that appeared to have been destroyed, as if several people or monsters had forced it. Measuring about three meters tall and almost as wide, one of the gateway doors is still intact, but the second one is in poor condition. On the remaining door, I can see bright blue lines that shine in the darkness. They form a drawing of people looking up at the sky, as if they were praying to the sun or stars. It must be the remains of an ancient civilization, probably the ones who built the ruins on the surface, I think as I touch the stone bindings with my hand.
Before venturing inside, I decide to go back to the Void Mall.
Loëalun Travia
Upon arriving at the shop, I noticed the owner at his desk. He greets me with a warm smile, and a shiver runs down my body. I still can't look him in the eyes for fear of getting lost in the nacre ocean they contain.
I approach him and smile back, even though I am nervous in his presence, he remains a kind being. I have never seen him show malice or have an outburst of anger and power. I would even say he is caring.
He asks me if I'm in a hurry, and I'm surprised. Seeing my reaction, he continues and asks if I would like to have tea with him. I nod, still surprised, and Zéro, one of the two clerks, appears with a tray holding a teapot and two small cups.
Nervous to see him looking at me so intensely, I start the conversation by asking him how business is going. He tells me it's quiet, except for Gor'Lhemakgney, Minolas, and me, only one new customer has come: Mordakus the Lich. Hearing his name, my instinct tells me to stay away from him, after all, a Lich is anything but natural, and as an Elf, I am sensitive to that. He continues to explain his encounter with him, while introducing me to the new alchemy department. Joyfully surprised, I ask him a few questions as we finish the teapot. I buy the usual potions, the Red Heart Potion and the Exp Potion. I decided to explore the new department by myself before returning to the kingdom and telling Father about this novelty.