Adventure World Online (AWO) Chapter 259 259: The Land Below Part 2

The journey for Siegfried and his companions initially improved. They no longer encountered clusters of dozens of beasts. Their teamwork had reached a level where they understood each other well, allowing them to coordinate their attacks and advance with relative ease. Before long, they ca across a scouting team reduced to just two mbers. These two had taken refuge in a safe zone, a rare feature in the ga where players could rest amidst a sea of beasts. Safe zones were scarce and limited in size, with players often reluctant to share the locations. The two were fortunate to have found one.

Siegfried and his group joined the scouting team, who provided the location of the mine before using scrolls to teleport back to the city. They had run out of crystals and could not face any more beasts.

"Guild leaders, deputy leaders, Ms. Peach Blossom, everyone..."

The scouts greeted them.

"You guys don't look too good,"

Draco said somberly.

"To be honest, this has been a tough challenge. I don't know what the developer was thinking, placing a mine in such a location. The area near the mine is even more terrifying, swarming with beasts,"

one scout reported.

"How are we even supposed to get close to the mine? And what about the Doom Star Guild?"

Siegfried asked, his expression tense.

"Not much different from us. Even their guild leader, Demos, couldn't approach the mine. But I don't think it will be long; Demos is gathering his forces for an assault."

"You two head back to Heaven City. It'll take so ti to travel there. I'll contact Rafael to prepare the forces. Once you reach Heaven City from Troy, lead them back here,"

Siegfried ordered. The scouts nodded, pointing to the mine's location for the group before using teleportation scrolls to depart.

"So, what about us? Wait for reinforcents or try to scout closer?"

Phiros asked.

"We should take a look. There must be so condition to all this. If we don't get too close, we should be able to avoid being attacked."

Destiny suggested. After deliberation, the group decided to approach the mine. Peach Blossom and Valentine stayed in the safe zone, as Peach Blossom's wounds had not fully healed.

They crept along the tree line, using the foliage as cover to avoid detection by beasts, just as the scouts had advised. Eventually, they reached a vast open area with a small mound at its center. Floating above the mound was a rotating ore-like object. The sight of the mine entrance was even more daunting—a cliff with a narrow, winding path stretching down through the trees, a snaking detour all the way to the mine area. And it was not just one mine. The expansive area held nearly ten mining sites, with beasts scattered all along the paths and throughout the mining areas. The sheer concentration of resources and danger left everyone baffled by the ga's design.

"What's the dev team thinking? Why put so many mines close together instead of spreading them out? Won't this make players fight each other to the death? Controlling one site an controlling all the others!"

Oliang grumbled in frustration.

"I bet the ga developers have so kind of stake in these mines. Otherwise, they wouldn't have made it this complicated,"

Lidded Wet Trash Can agreed.

"Could be. Rember the slter? That thing costs a fortune. The ga must have so kind of plan for these mines,"

Aden agreed with Wet Trash Can.

"Either way, we have to take control of the mines first to figure it out,"

Oliang said grimly.

"One thing's for sure, we might have to fight on two fronts simultaneously,"

Draco warned.

"The Doom Star Guild, hmp! Perfect. I've been itching to test their so-called strength,"

Siegfried said, his tone sharper and more determined than usual. Killer and Murder nodded firmly in agreent, while the others shook their heads wearily.

"Well, well. I never knew Siegfried of Pendragon was this eager to fight my guild,"

a voice suddenly spoke from behind, startling everyone.

"Demos,"

Siegfried muttered darkly. Demos stood there, smiling nonchalantly. He crept up on them alone without alarming anyone, which put Siegfried's group on high alert, suspecting that other mbers of the Doom Star Guild might be hiding nearby.

"Didn't expect to run into you here. I've heard so much about you, and seeing you in person is such a delight,"

Demos said, his eyes gleaming as he fixed his gaze on Siegfried. Killer and Murder, usually cheerful, now wore somber expressions as they stared intently at Demos.

"What are you doing here?"

Siegfried demanded.

"I think you already know, Siegfried. The mines. Seems like we're both interested in the sa prize,"

Demos replied, his tone calm, completely unbothered by the hostile aura emanating from Siegfried's group.

"You're planning to attack the mines?"

"I know you are, too. From what I've learned, whoever successfully invades the mines gets a percentage from the excavation profits, but they don't gain exclusive rights. Plus, the ga steps in to manage the mines afterward, taking their cut as well. It's pretty unfair, isn't it? All that effort, and the ga still takes a chunk. They really squeezes you dry."

Despite his pretended grumbling words, Demos's smile remained unwavering.

"If you're serious about attacking the mines, I won't stop you. It's great to have soone help clear out those pesky beasts. But make no mistake—the one who reaps the full rewards will be and my guild,"

he added, his tone dripping with open provocation. Siegfried and his friends visibly bristled at Demos's challenge, their brows twitching. His words carried a thinly veiled insult, and there was no way Siegfried would back down from this fight. Especially not against Demos. He was willing to risk everything to win this battle and defeat the man standing before him.

.....

It was suffocating, breathless, like no matter how much she struggled, her body kept sinking deeper. Down below, it was freezing and pitch black. Chang Long briefly thought of Wu Ming's secret training ground, which had a similar atmosphere but was far less oppressive. She felt she could not endure any longer. She considered taking a breath and letting the water flood her lungs, ending her struggle and waiting two hours for a respawn. Maybe then the lover's quest would fail entirely. After all, she had descended alone. Her mandatory partner did not seem the least bit concerned or inclined to follow her down. Just as she braced herself to face death, a hand reached out and grabbed hers, trying to pull her upward. However, it felt as if her body was being sucked deeper, down to an open area...

Then her legs touched sothing, the sensation was strange but unmistakable—it was air, not water. Chang Long held her breath a little longer until her entire body landed on cool, solid ground. Monts later, another body followed, still clutching her hand tightly.

Both of them continued holding their breath, their faces turning blue, unsure if the place they had landed had breathable air. As Chang Long prepared to exhale, Thankhun unexpectedly covered her mouth and nose with his hand in a well-aning attempt. She swatted his hand several tis, unable to hold her breath any longer. Once she broke free, she exhaled forcefully through her nose.

"Breath... I can... breathe,"

Chang Long exclaid between gasps, turning to Thankhun, whose face was a shade of green. He gave her a questioning look, and she shook her head with an exasperated expression.

"Look at . I'm breathing!"

Thankhun let out a breath, his face reddening slightly. Once they had both regained their composure, they realized they no longer needed to cling to each other, even when standing re inches apart.

"Where are we? Is this vast open space really under the well?"

Thankhun asked, finally taking in their surroundings.

"The Land Below..." Chang Long replied.

The Land Below was an expansive, barren land with cracked, reddish-brown soil. Clusters of dead, dry trees were scattered around. Above them, the sky was murky and desolate, like an overcast, unsettling rain sky. As they surveyed the area, they turned to each other, unsure of what to do next.

"What should we do now?"

Thankhun asked.

"We're here to find soone. So let's find them,"

Chang Long replied.

"From the looks of it, nothing could survive here. That guy fell down five years ago—there's no way he's still alive, right?"

Thankhun said, scanning the surroundings again and sighing in frustration.

"I don't think so. If this is a mission to find soone, then there has to be soone to find. Zhi Yuan!!"

Chang Long shouted, her voice echoing far into the distance. But no response ca.

"See? I told you. Zhi Yuan's probably beco fertilizer by now,"

Thankhun said with a grimace.

"If Zhi Yuan's fertilizer, then what happens to the mission?" Chang Long retorted.

Chang Long turned to Thankhun, clearly startled.

After having her mood spoiled by him, she resud her search for Zhi Yuan. No matter which direction she walked, all she encountered were ruins and dead trees, with no signs of life. As her resolve began to waver, she spotted a shadowy figure in the distance—sothing that appeared to be alive. Rushing toward it, she discovered it was Thankhun, standing behind a crumbling wall, catching his breath.

"So? You didn't find anything, did you? Want to rest?"

Thankhun asked, offering her his water bottle.

"No, I'll find Zhi Yuan,"

Chang Long snapped, glaring as she shoved the bottle back at him. She walked off, ignoring him completely. Just as she braced herself to face death, a hand reached out and grabbed hers, trying to pull her upward. However, it felt as if her body was being sucked deeper. Eventually, she stumbled upon an ancient structure. It was so dilapidated it seed unlikely to support any exploration inside. The building was a small, square room about three ters wide. At the top stood a statue of a woman, her arms wrapped around herself, her head tilted to rest on her right shoulder. Behind her, one wing was broken. Her face bore an expression of sorrow, and on closer inspection, she seed to be crying.

"morial to Princess Eskasha,"

Chang Long read aloud from the inscription on the door, her curiosity piqued.

"Who would bother to build a tomb in a place like this? This ans there must have been people here."

She walked around the structure, finding only one entrance. The other three sides had arched window fras carved into the walls, but no actual openings. Instead, inscriptions adorned them.

"Princessa Eskasha (The Frost Princess),"

Chang Long read the na of the morial's owner. It was a beautiful na. The mont she finished reading it aloud, sothing incredible happened. Snow began to fall. The desolate landscape transford. Gradually, houses and streets materialized from bare ruins, revealing a bustling and prosperous town. People crowded the streets, children ran and played, their joyful laughter filling the air. Vendors called out to potential custors, while young couples strolled hand in hand, radiating happiness.

Chang Long now stood beside a solemn-looking man dressed in full military uniform, surrounded by a field of white daisies. He appeared anxious, scanning the area as if waiting for soone who had not yet arrived. Chang Long tried to speak to him, but he did not seem to notice her. When she reached out to touch him, her hand passed straight through, as though he were a ghost.

"It's an illusion,"

Chang Long whispered to herself. If everything she saw was just an illusion, she wondered if Thankhun could see it too. Was he experiencing the sa vision? This must be part of the mission, she decided. Sitting down, she resolved to wait, just as the soldier was doing.

Thankhun, anwhile, was startled by the scene unfolding before him. From the empty wasteland, houses and streets had suddenly appeared, bustling with people who seed oblivious to his presence. So even passed straight through him, as if he did not exist. Staring around in surprise, Thankhun tried to make sense of it all. While it was likely an illusion, the falling snow made him jump, and he began to shiver from the cold.

As he was still confused about what was happening, a woman's figure appeared before him. She walked gracefully along the path, her fair skin gleaming like snow. Her large, light purple eyes shimred with emotion, and her full, pink lips curved into a faint smile as she observed the scenery on either side of the path. Thankhun followed her as though entranced, his eyes fixed on her beautiful face as she walked further away from the town. She left the city, continuing along a narrow path lined with small blades of grass, which sparkled like crystals under the gentle sunlight as frost clung to them. The woman humd a soft tune, her deanor cheerful as she moved forward. The winding path led them farther and farther until the town was almost out of sight. As they entered a field of daisies, Thankhun noticed two figures standing there. One was a solemn young man whose expression grew even more strained upon seeing the woman's face. The other, Thankhun instantly recognized—it was Chang Long.

"Askuro,"

the woman greeted warmly.

"Eskacha," the man responded, his tone heavy with reluctance, avoiding the princess's gaze.

"You don't seem well. Is sothing troubling you?"

Princess Eskacha asked, her voice laced with concern as she noticed the young man's expression. Askuro shook his head and offered a gentle smile.

"Let's go for a walk."

He extended his arm, and the princess nodded, taking hold of it. The two walked slowly along the path. Eskacha smiled happily, while the man at her side looked burdened.

"Eskacha, I have sothing I need to tell you,"

Askuro finally said, turning to face the princess. His expression was so serious that Eskacha could not help but feel a twinge of fear.

"What is it?"

she asked softly. As their eyes t, Askuro stood frozen for a long mont, his face revealing pain and the weight of what he was about to say.

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