Chereads / I was a merchant NPC before I became the LAST BOSS. / Chapter 16 - Journey To The West Part 2

Chapter 16 - Journey To The West Part 2

[DWARV CAVE]

Eidos stood at the entrance of the cavernous underground world, his eyes wide with amazement. The sheer scale of the cave system dwarfed his expectations. He had imagined a small, winding tunnel, but what lay before him felt like the lair of a colossal dragon.

As he ventured deeper into the cave, Eidos was surprised to find that it wasn't the dark and foreboding environment he had anticipated. Instead, an otherworldly glow emanated from the rocks within the cave, casting an ethereal light that illuminated his path. It was as if a thousand stars had been trapped within the cavern walls, creating an otherworldly, enchanting atmosphere.

Monsters, unlike any he had encountered on his journey so far, roamed the cave. Their skin resembled armored plates, and their presence was formidable. However, to his surprise, they paid him no mind. They simply went about their business, ignoring his presence entirely. It was as if he were invisible to them, just as the goddess had mentioned. Most of the monsters in this cave, it seemed, would not pose a threat to him.

"They really ignoring me..."

A wry smile tugged at Eidos's lips as he recalled the goddess's words. If she were here, she would undoubtedly be disappointed in his lack of faith in her guidance.

Eidos continued his journey through the cave, his initial apprehension slowly giving way to a sense of relief. The abundance of well-placed signs made navigating the labyrinthine tunnels a breeze, a far cry from the arduous adventures he had faced in the past.

As he ventured deeper into the cave, Eidos couldn't help but chuckle to himself. The ease with which he was progressing felt almost surreal, especially considering his past experiences in this world. It was as though the world itself had decided to cut him some slack, offering a reprieve from the usual trials and tribulations.

He picked up the pace, his footsteps echoing through the cavern as he marveled at the ethereal beauty surrounding him. The soft, star-like glow from the rocks illuminated the path ahead, casting an otherworldly light on the stalactites and stalagmites that adorned the cave's interior.

Eidos's thoughts wandered to the rarity of his current situation. For once, it seemed that he might actually make it through an adventure unscathed, without any unexpected surprises or perilous encounters.

But then, just as he allowed himself to relax and savor the unusual tranquility, a sudden appearance of another player came from the opposite direction.

Sweat flowed down on Eidos face as he looked at the player's face staring back at him as if he were saying, "Oh, you're approaching me?"

But he turned out to be nothing more than a passing player who paid him no mind, Eidos let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was a close one," he muttered to himself, feeling a mixture of gratitude and amusement at his own earlier optimism.

Eidos couldn't resist a wry smile as he glanced upwards, his thoughts directed towards the absent goddess, "thank goddess Bladrayne I guess?"

He chuckle at his own thoughts. He envisioned a comically cheerful goddess, with a radiant smile, enthusiastically offering him a thumbs-up of approval. It was a lighthearted moment of gratitude in the midst of his quest, a reminder that even in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, a touch of humor and imagination could go a long way.

**

*SSHHHSHS*

A woman landed gracefully at the entrance of the town, her presence drew the attention of players and NPCs alike. She was a striking figure, clad in a vibrant blue dress adorned with ocean-colored armor and a beautiful long blue hair, a mesmerizing blend of strength and beauty. Her arrival was met with whispers of awe and curiosity from those who beheld her.

"hey isn't that Scheiren? one of the east front liner?"

"nah. there's no way that one of the 3 arias of the east route will be in this kind of place."

"haha can't argue with that"

With an air of confidence and determination, she scanned her surroundings, her eyes sharp and discerning. It was evident that she was on a mission, and her appearance signified that she was not to be underestimated.

[Welcome to Niphia Town, Player Scheiren.]

The disembodied notification tone echoed in Scheiren's ears as she sprinted through the town, her breath ragged and uneven. Her friend's call had propelled her into action, a sense of urgency pushing her to her limits. There was no time to waste, and she couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

As Scheiren reached the spot where her friend had described the encounter, her heart sank. It was as she had expected – that the person she was looking for was nowhere to be found. She scanned the surroundings with a mixture of frustration and determination, hoping to catch a glimpse of any clue that might lead her closer to her target.

In her quest to find him, Scheiren had made a calculated decision to keep this mission a secret. She couldn't afford any interference or distractions from other players who might have their own motives for seeking him out.

Scheiren glanced to the side, her gaze fixed on the friend list window displayed in her interface. Among the names listed, one stood out prominently – [AlbaLos]. This name held a significance impact to a lot of players and NPC alike.

As she continued her quest to uncover the truth and locate the missing person, the presence of [AlbaLos] in her friend list served as a reminder of the history that they had together. It was filled with mysteries and intrigue. The answers remained elusive.

The town of Niphia remained cloaked in its usual ambience, with players bustling about, oblivious to the intrigue unfolding in their midst. Scheiren felt the weight of her actions pressing down on her, her choice to conceal her intentions adding an extra layer of complexity to her pursuit.

Meanwhile, Eidos remained blissfully unaware of the players who were beginning to close in on him. Among them, Scheiren stood as an enigmatic figure, her true intentions concealed beneath layers of mystery. Friend or foe, the lines were blurred, adding to the intrigue of this digital world where every move held consequences yet to be unveiled. The chase had only just begun, and the fate of their encounter remained shrouded in uncertainty. The melancholy of Scheiren's fruitless pursuit weighed heavily on her, a reminder that not all quests in this virtual world would end in victory.