Chapter 62 - Jungle Expedition Part 4
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[Sai Crimsonheart POV]
A Week had passed since our expedition through the 『Underground Jungle』. The immense size of this place was still unknown even to me, but we've managed to explore a considerable number of places during this week of venture.
Seia, Lily, and Akari had finally reached their 800HP mark while Me and Luna were on its way to attain it.
You might be wondering why Akari had maxed-out her HP instead of Luna but actually, Luna insisted to prioritize Akari first instead of her since out of all of us, Akari was the fewest Arsenal in our group.
But well, both of us we're already near of reaching our mark so it doesn't really bother us that much. I already got my Health at 760HP while Luna is 780HP and is only need a piece more.
Aside from the 『Everfruit』 and some excess of 『Life Essence』, we also managed to gather many varieties of drops from monsters and some ores—especially a new ore called 『Ancient Damascus Ore』 which is a new type of metal that will start to spawn—together with other two new ores upon entering 『Chaos Mode』.
As much as I would like to use it and upgrade our armor, it unfortunately needs an upgraded version of a furnace which we currently don't possess right now. It's regrettable that we have to suffer with our underwhelming armor against the monster who were dozens of times stronger.
The only thing that is keeping our survival in check is the Weapon and Equipments that we often found in the treasure chest while venturing.
• One of them is called 『Offensive Gauntlet』 which increases our Melee Damage and Speed by 21%. Me and Luna were the only one wearing it since were only the member focused on Melee combat.
• Next item is called 『Impact Gloves』 which another Melee Equipment that increase and doubles the user's knockback.
The 『Stella』 game has a feature of combining two items together, forming a new upgraded version of those two items mentioned merge into one—similar to our Mobility Boots.
Although unfortunately, we can't combine it currently as we need the help of Mr. Fjell to do it for us.
• The following item is called 『Endless Quiver』 which is an Equpment specialize exclusively for Rangers like Lily.
You know how those mobs who use projectiles at the player and doesn't get run out of ammunition for some reason? Yes, you can get that in the game.
『Endless Quiver』 has also an upgrade that can be crafted by combining it with 『Uriel's Quiver』. Thought unfortunately, we still can't do that, so Lily is currently equipped with two quivers at her back which is hilariously a mess appearance wise.
• Now for the weapons, we luckily got a weapon drop called 『Gleam Sword』 which can dish out an astonishing amount of 230 Melee Damage per hit. Although, it is a disappointment being a two-handed sword. thus, making it very slow to use.
It still can be used though; Luna is currently the one using it. Furthermore, thanks to the 『Offensive Gauntlet』, Luna can utilize it perfectly which gave us a bit of space to breath when fighting.
• The last weapon is called 『Uzi』 in which I crafted using the ores and monster drops we collected. This weapon fires bullet at very high velocity which it's hit contained 30 damage per bullet.
Seia is the one using it—and out of all of us, thanks to the 『Uzi』, Seia is currently the strongest out of all of us. Even I would probably stand no chance against her as her weapon is too overwhelming.
There's also many equipments we found during this week, but I won't mention them since they're a bit unnecessary to know.
We're currently on our way back to our base when suddenly met a party of 3 male members walking aimlessly.
"Heh," Seia showed a surprised look. "This is the first time we saw someone in this place. It kind of makes me relief seeing a someone besides us."
"Right." Luna replied. Agreeing Seia's statement. "It's already been a week after all."
"Yeah, I'm starting to get homesick since then..." Lily added, looking timid.
"I can just send you guys back if you want." I replied. "I have no problem going alone, you know."
"As if we'd let you do that!" Lily retorted, scowling. "Coming here made me realize the hell you're walking into. At least let us shoulder your burden."
"That's right," Luna added. "You've done so much for us after all. You even had to overwork yourself creating us a comforting place to ensure we have a place to rest."
"Mhm," Seia nodded. "I won't be able to reach my dream if I'm just going to easily concede here."
"You guys..." I lightly replied, surprised. "Appreciate it."
Everyone beamed a smile and gave me a firm nod. As for the guys...
I used ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ on the 3 guys and just by looking at their stats and the equipment they're carrying, I can tell that they still don't know the situation.
"Hey, you guys!" I called the three which shift they're attention to mine. "I suggest you be extra careful in this place. It's not a place you can leisurely venture into."
Only reckless people who were full of themselves often came here.
"I'm surprise they've managed to come here." I mumbled, albeit hearable near me. "I'm pretty sure I blocked the entrance to the underground..."
"What do you mean by that?" Lily asked in bewilderment. The girls also looked at me in a similar manner. "And what do you mean you blocked the entrance of the underground?!"
"I'm pretty sure everyone perceives the 『Underground Jungle』 as a useless place since they've only managed to find some useless items in this place. They also considered it very dangerous as it was swarming with monsters." I paused, pondering something. "You can say that these 3 idiots just came here with the intention of showing off."
"They're full of themselves I guess." Lily replied. "And what about the part of blocking the underground's entrance?"
"Having another people here in this place is a bother. Plus, there's a chance that we'd get into a fight because of treasures or something more important."
"You have a point..." Lily timidly replied, seemingly convince to my statement.
"Hah?!" The guy who's probably their leader shows his abhorrence to my statement. "Don't lump me with those weak cowards. I'm the strongest in my town so this place was probably just going to be my playground. Get lost!"
Oya? Strongest in their town huh... This guy probably hasn't seen the whole world yet. I feel bad for this guy.
"I don't really mind if you don't heed my suggestion but," I paused, voicing a serious tone. "No matter what happened, don't ever kill a bug who's flashing green light."
"Whatever. I don't need the words of a coward ordering me." The guy gave a snide remark and continued to walk away.
"Those guys..." Lily gritted her teeth, scowling. The rest also showed a similar expression. "You don't need to mind them, let's go?"
"Hmph," Akari pursed her lips. "They're probably going to die there anyway."
"Except we can't just ignore them." I remarked. "If somehow, they've managed to kill one, that 『Boss』 would probably attack us next."
"Grr!" Lily groaned furiously. "Ah Geez! We should just kill them. It's not like, someone's going to know, right?!"
"Don't say such things Lily," I retorted. "Killing someone isn't as easy as you wanted it to be."
"Why do you say it like you've killed someone before...?" Lily asked.
"..."
After a brief moment, Lily finally realized the meaning behind my silence in response to her question. She then shot a worried glance at Luna in which Luna replied by showing a dejected expression.
Everyone also seems to realize it but chose to stay quiet instead.
"Well anyways, we should head back." I remarked, changing the topic. "I don't like the uneasiness I'm feeling right now."
We proceed to head back into the cabin and call it a day. I really hope this uneasy feeling of mine was just me being pessimist.
I lay down into the sofa and sleep myself while overthinking about the situation. Gradually, fatigue started to accumulate in my body, overwhelming my negative thoughts and fell asleep.
(Next Day)
We found a place which is considered to be the largest part of the cave I've ever seen in my life. It was probably quadruple times larger than those in the underground Ghost White Tundra.
Were currently at the high ground which making my fear of height passively turned on.
"Ah!" Seia reacted when she saw a familiar faces. "Aren't that those guys from yesterday?"
Looks like those guys managed to get in this place before us which is very surprising. Their equipments were times weaker than us which makes it a miracle that they've manage to get here still kicking.
They currently below us—hiding on a stone bunker that they've probably made it themselves. They're currently being swarmed by monsters, unable to do anything. Poor guys but I'd say they deserved it.
"You guys!" I shouted at those guys in a mocking manner. "Tough situation we're facing, aren't we?"
"Huh?" The guy who was their leader turned his gaze to the direction of my voice. "Y-you...! Don't just stand there and help me right now!"
"Oya? Is that how you asked help from someone?" I mockingly said, smirking.
"Huh?!" The guy started to get furious. "I don't want to say such coward things to shit like you!"
"Gahahaha! That's very unfortunate." I waved at the guy with a broad mocking smile. "We'll out of there then, see you!"
To my surprise, Lily, Seia, and Akari we're broadly smiling in satisfaction to my conversation with the guy below us. Luna was still reserve in this kind of situation—awkwardly smiling and keeping her composure in check.
"Bastard! Hey! Come back here!" The guy shouted, giving a grimace of impatient. "No choice, you guys, throw [Bomb] at everyone!"
"E-eh? Y-yes sir!" To his declaration, her two lackeys took out a bunch of [Bombs] in their inventory and starts throwing them to the monsters in desperation.
"Those Idiots!" I uttered in vexation seeing their stupid discharge through their desperate attitude. "These three sure is— Nuh?!"
My eyes widened in anxiety when I saw something near them. A flying bug emitting a green light started to pass them aimlessly.
This is the worst, is this the reason why I'm still feeling the uneasiness since yesterday? Out of all times, why does it have to appear when there's chaos happening!
"Hey!!" I shouted with all my strength at the men who we're throwing [Bombs] in desperation. "I'll help you right now. So stop throwing bombs right now!!"
""Sai?!""
"Master?!"
"Aruji-sama?!"
The girls who we're beside me was startled to my loud shout and is looking at me both confused and agitated.
"There's no time!" I shouted and grappling my way down the cavern. "No matter what happened, do what I say, okay?!"
"Y-yes!!"
"Tch! This is the worst...!" I mumbled in frustration.
But what's worse is that—Those idiots didn't even listen to me and just kept throwing [Bombs] at the swarm of monsters. The explosion causes some cracks at the surface which can be a source of trap when accidentally landed into it.
Until that last throw of one of his lackeys which ricocheted into one of the monsters straight into the bug then exploded at such worse timing possible.
That same time the bug died of explosion; a huge amount of pressure can be felt that horribly shivers our spine—Making us stiff frozen in response to such menacing feeling.
Ah... Here she comes...
[The Jungle stares at you with pure menace...]
[Elemental of Nature: Dryad (Corrupted) has come to hunt you]