As the group of knights retreated from the crimson mist, Henry couldn't help but voice his confusion and concern. The mist seemed to have no effect on Seraphine, and it puzzled them all. They were aware of the danger the mist posed—anyone who came into contact with it for too long would surely meet their demise.
"Boss, why does the mist do nothing to her?" one of the knights asked Henry as they retreated from the crimson mist.
Seraphine glanced back at the terrified and astonished knights following behind her. She couldn't help but smile faintly at their ignorance. They knew nothing of what she had discovered.
"Do not worry," Seraphine assured them, her voice calm and assured. "The mist has no effect on those who lack an accumulation of mana within their bodies."
The knights exchanged skeptical glances, their eyes still stinging from the mist's toxicity. Doubt lingered in their minds, but Seraphine's unwavering confidence began to sway their disbelief.
"Are you certain of this?" one knight asked, his voice strained from coughing, his eyes bloodshot from the mist's touch.
Seraphine nodded, her eyes gleaming with self-assurance. "I have no mana within my body, yet the mist has not harmed me. It is safe for me to proceed."
Henry, filled with fear for Seraphine's safety, contemplated the situation. He knew the knights could not approach the dungeon entrance due to the dangerous mist, but he hesitated to let Seraphine venture alone.
"Should we retreat for now?" Henry proposed, fear etched on his face. He didn't want to risk his own life, nor did he want any harm to befall Seraphine since the young master already put an order to him.
Although she knew the risks involved, Seraphine couldn't retreat now. If she did, they would send a new group of explorers to retrieve the demonic relics, making it difficult to supervise or monitor it. Being the first to witness the dungeon personally would be the most advantageous decision, giving her a chance to take action before anyone else.
Seraphine's eyes locked with Henry's, her determination unyielding. "As the only one unaffected by the mist, it is my duty to assess the situation inside. I will handle it."
"Seraphine, you can't enter alone like that! It's far too dangerous!" Henry yelled, desperately wanting to stop her. He knew the risks involved, as the deadly crimson mist could easily claim her and his life if the young master knew anything about this.
Seraphine turned to face Henry, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. "Don't worry, Sir. Please wait for me outside and trust that I can handle this." She offered him a reassuring thumbs-up before resolutely stepping towards the swirling mist, disappearing from the knights' sight.
"That stupid kid! How am I going to report this to the young master?"
Henry's heart sank, frustration and fear intertwining within him. He cursed under his breath, cursing Seraphine for her audacity to enter alone, knowing full well the consequences they might face when reporting to the young master. How would he ever explain this to the young master, knowing that he had allowed Seraphine to face danger alone?
As Seraphine descended the old stone stairs, she could feel a sense of trepidation enveloping her. The dungeon's atmosphere was thick with the eerie presence of the crimson mist. The very same mist that had plagued the wasteland and threatened the estate's prosperity.
She recalled the story from the book, recounting the young master, Damian's expedition into this dungeon alone. It was within these depths that he had discovered the demonic relic, a relic that had forever altered the course of his life. Damian, like Seraphine, possessed no accumulated mana, rendering him powerless in the eyes of his father and other aristocratic families.
The book assured that the dungeon was completely safe, devoid of any traps or monsters. It seemed that the crimson mist served as the ultimate deterrent, effectively guarding the relic and preventing unauthorized access.
With each step, Seraphine's nerves tightened. The mist surrounded her, obscuring her vision and making navigation difficult. The dungeon's interior was shrouded in dim light, emanating from the ethereal glow of scattered crystals.
"I know it's supposed to be safe, but this still feels so daunting," Seraphine confessed, her voice filled with a mix of apprehension and determination.
"Don't worry, Seraphine. Through my eyes, I can see everything clearly. I will guide you every step of the way," Alice reassured her, providing a calming presence within Seraphine's mind.
Alice, her trusted AI companion, had the ability to perceive the surroundings despite the darkness and mist. This newfound sight provided Seraphine with a great advantage as she ventured deeper into the dungeon's mysterious depths.
"Our goal is to reach the altar where the demonic relic rests. Once we remove it from its resting place, the entire mist will dissipate," Alice explained, drawing upon the information gleaned from the original story.
As Seraphine and Alice pressed forward, their footsteps echoing through the silent corridor, they followed Alice's precise navigation. Step by step, they advanced through the labyrinthine passages of the dungeon. In stark contrast to Damian's arduous journey in the original story, Seraphine and Alice swiftly made their way towards their destination, their progress unhindered by wasted time or unnecessary detours.
Finally, they arrived at the imposing iron door that guarded the altar room. Seraphine's small hand trembled as she pushed against the heavy door, exerting all her strength and determination. With a great effort, the door creaked open, granting them access to the sacred chamber beyond. Exhausted, Seraphine took a moment to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling with each labored inhalation.
As she surveyed the altar room, a sense of awe washed over her. The entire space exuded an air of ancient Chinese civilization, adorned with intricate carvings, delicate paintings, and ornate symbols. It felt like a portal to another realm, a distant continent, or even a different world altogether. The grandeur and mystique of this hidden chamber was unlike anything Seraphine had encountered since arriving in this unfamiliar land.
"The book scarcely described the details of the demonic relic, but this room's ambiance suggests an ancient Chinese influence. Could this relic be from the murim world?" Seraphine pondered aloud, her eyes wide with disbelief. The setting and atmosphere defied her expectations, revealing a connection to a realm she had never imagined encountering in this new reality.
"It does appear to be so," Alice confirmed, her gaze fixed upon the centerpiece of the room—the demonic relic. At the heart of the altar, a pulsating organ, dark and crimson, radiated an unsettling energy. Its beats echoed in the chamber, a haunting reminder of its formidable power. Seraphine and Alice exchanged uneasy glances, unable to shake off the discomfort emanating from the relic.