Chapter 34: The Demons' Maze (1)
As the ground cracked beneath him and widely spread to form a vast chasm across the spirit's domain, Hunter absolutely had no chance of saving himself.
He was lured to the underground alongside the forest and other participants, whose survival chances relied only on their skills… or luck.
In Hunter's case, he didn't need the latter, as he wouldn't die with his Deathless SSS Skill. There was a chance he'd be dragged to the gray world, but it didn't seem this way as he hit the ground.
"Ugh!"
Only immense pain and cacophony of his bones breaking filled Hunter's mind, telling him it wasn't time to visit the inheritance grounds. But perhaps it would have been better if his soul was transported to that world, for the pain of his spine splitting into half… wasn't one of the easiest injuries to endure.
Still, it wasn't potent enough to turn him unconscious. Hunter had gone through more profound pain, after all.
And falling asleep… was seemingly impossible for him anyway.
"Sera…phina…"
While his high regeneration left the burnt and scarred skin on his face and right arm alone, going to fix his bones and flesh needing urgent healing, Hunter strained to look around, obviously searching for the new teammate he had won against. At this moment, he needed teammates more than ever before.
Luckily for him, Seraphina was molded differently as well. As she dropped into the underground prison, her lips were already clenching the medicine that helped her keep her consciousness intact.
Her wounds were rapidly healing as well.
Which confirmed to Hunter that she came here with a huge experience on her back.
'Great! I am already feeling better… and it seems there are no dangers as of yet… I should still search for any enemies,' Hunter dropped his head onto the ground after confirming that Seraphina was well.
He then used his new experience to keep them safe.
As his Strength Origin happily moved to his ear, Hunter listened to the sounds in this underground world. First, he heard himself and his bones coalescing to become as tough and sturdy as before. He then picked up Seraphina's low moans as even this strong woman was held back by her humane limits.
At last, Hunter's scope of hearing expanded in all directions, going far in two corridors, which didn't appear to be an outcome of the demon's invasion.
'Suspicious… I'll keep that in mind. For now, I hear nothing and none,' Hunter left a mental note in his while keeping his focus on the surroundings.
Not really having much experience with that, Hunter believed he could stay wary for a long time, as it wasn't like he was losing blood while using his Strength Origin on his ear. But that quickly turned out to be a naive thought, as his right ear started bleeding and aching.
That stinging pain wasn't hard to bear… but it was more than enough to strip Hunter of his scouting ability.
Which was solved by moving his Strength Origin to the left ear!
"No one around us yet… but I no longer can use my right ear… at least for a while. Can you move?"
"I can…"
"We shouldn't lie like that in the middle of the unknown… do you have any skill to hide our presence? I have a skill book to hide a smell… that I didn't have time to learn well. Do you want it?"
Since they were in a way too troublesome situation, Hunter was on board with sharing his skill book with Seraphina. It wasn't like he wouldn't be able to get a similar skill in the future… and there was a high chance he wouldn't be able to learn it at any time soon anyway.
Moreover, it wasn't that precious, either.
But the most important thing was naturally using all the cards at the best moment. If Seraphina was as good as Aimee, she should be able to learn that skill in no time and then keep their presence hidden.
"No need… I have a better skill."
Seraphina hobbled to Hunter's side while saying this, then extended his hand for his, wrapping him in the skill that was naked to a normal eye. However, with his senses, Hunter could tell that he was well covered from foreign eyes, be it his smell, aura, or even the entire presence.
This was awesome.
These two then limped their way to the corner of this underground cave, huddling up to strengthen the effects of Seraphina's skill. They were silent, just like the dim and vast cave swathing them.
It seemed like there was nothing here… until Hunter's already wounded left ear picked up another sound!
"Something heavy… is coming this way."
"Be quiet then… don't even breathe when it comes close."
"Got it."
Soon, an existence of at least sixteen feet in height loomed out from one of two corridors. It looked like a humanoid brown lizard walking on its two, with a long, thick tail digging a deep trail in its wake.
Encased in steel armor and visor, the monster wielded a heavy and long steel club.
However, the visor was what caught Hunter and Seraphina's attention, for there was a gap on the forehead, exposing Lucifer's eye.
The monster was… C-ranked, capable of speech and intelligence.
Still, it failed to find two humans hiding in the corner, for Seraphina's hiding skill allowed her to be a solo hunter for years now. It was a skill called The Invisibility Mantle Of Loki — S Grade.
A present from her big sister, Charlotte.
'Nice! This is really a powerful skill! We can wait for guild to come here and save us! No one sane, even someone like me, wouldn't want to fight in the underground full of demons and monsters invading the space! This isn't something we should participate in!' Hunter inwardly celebrated…
Which he did too soon… for something unexpected happened.
[You've received an item!]
[A book.]
[Empty Book(Unknown)]
[Sponsor: Aza from the Beast Domination Guild.]
A blinding white orb appeared in the dark cave… then its ribbons untied into an empty book but a thick book that heavily dropped onto the ground, just in front of Hunter and Seraphina!
Thud!
The monster turned its proud Lucifer's Eye toward them… and its disgusting imitation of a human mouth parted into a smile, revealing disgusting blades of teeth…
The third eye shone like a red moon upon falling onto the hidden humans…
"Tasty…"
Their presence was now exposed to it…
'Curses!'
…meant nothing else but a battle.