Brettreese.
In the Dark Elf language, it ans "City of a Thousand Spiders."
This city, located deep in the Dark Region, is far more chilling and terrifying than its na suggests. Standing outside the Great Hollow and looking inward, the most dazzling sight is the bright red Black Obsidian Pillar at the top, emitting a faint crimson Radiance, barely illuminating the city.
Within the city, dimly visible are spots of dark purple flas, which are the Demon Fire of the Dark Elves, used as symbols to prove one’s identity, status, and territorial range.
"Alright, everyone get ready, put on your cloaks."
"Huh? Do we really need to do this?"
Little Hei was clearly not pleased; she never liked wearing too much, especially clothes that wrapped her whole body, which she hated even more.
"In the underground world, your weapon is your strength and mystique; only this can effectively deter those with ill intentions. If you just walk into the city like that, no one knows what might happen."
Fang Zheng lightly explained, and the gray dwarf beside him chid in.
"Master has a point, and Master should be careful too; the Dark Elves in this city are extrely greedy. If they catch sight of you, you might get kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?"
Upon hearing this, Walnut curiously looked at the gray dwarf.
"Kidnapped for what?"
"As a Servant Husband."
"Uh... Servant Husband???"
"The Dark Elves have a matriarchal society."
Fang Zheng sighed helplessly and began explaining in detail to the girls.
"In the Dark Elf world, females possess the greatest power and hold the highest status. To them, all other males and races are considered inferior beings, including their own Dark Elf males. Well... simply put, it’s similar to those many stories where ruthless Lords snatch away village won, except the gender roles are reversed."
"Huh? There’s actually sothing like this?"
Hearing this, Walnut was also stunned; she had encountered similar situations several tis during her rcenary days and had drawn her longsword to help those in distress. But it’s usually n snatching won; hearing about won snatching n is indeed a first for her.
"Hehehe, now Big Brother, you’re in for a treat."
However, Little Hei approached Fang Zheng with a strange smile, nudging him with her arm and blinking.
"With your looks, Big Brother, those Dark Elf won would go crazy trying to snatch you up. Why not just coast in on your looks, Big Brother? They’re eager to stick to you; are you really not interested?"
"Heh..."
Facing Little Hei’s teasing, Fang Zheng sneered, then said nothing, silently pulling out a cloak to wrap himself up.
Next, the group disguised themselves as rcenaries for a caravan and arrived again at the city gate of this Dark Elf city—the gate was strikingly ornate yet nauseatingly repulsive. The fra was carved with a massive, terrifying spider. Its eight legs were spread out, supporting on the ground as the fra, resembling a web that blocked their path. Above them, the spider’s eyes and mouth were vividly rendered, looking as if the spider could co alive at any mont.
"This spider is the city’s Guardian, a gift reportedly bestowed by the Deity to these Dark Elves, marking the city’s divine favor."
The gray dwarf lowered his voice, introducing this enormous spider statue to the group.
"Don’t speak any disrespectful words about this statue, nor make any disrespectful gestures; otherwise, any Dark Elf can use this as justification to take your lives."
"Of course, I understand."
Fang Zheng spoke while gently tapping his fingers. Then, from behind them, hidden in the darkness, the Aliens seed to receive so command, scattered rapidly, and vanished into the Shadows.
"I’ll leave the next part to you."
"Yes, Master."
Responding to Fang Zheng’s instruction, the gray dwarf quickly nodded, then walked up to the gate, pulling out an emblem and waving it forcefully. The emblem flashed a light, and a window beside the gate opened, revealing a Dark Elf peeking out to glance at them.
Seeing the gray dwarf, the Dark Elf frowned.
"You again? Why have you co back?"
"Hahaha, my goods had so issues, and the client wants to buy more Dark Grass..."
Facing the Dark Elf guard’s ridicule, the gray dwarf flashed an awkward smile, but hearing his answer, the Dark Elf guard furrowed his brow.
"Alright, co in, but I can’t guarantee you’ll leave alive."
"Of course, I understand, I understand..."
"Rumble... Rumble..."
Soon, the stone door opened a crack, and the gray dwarf led his caravan along with Fang Zheng and the others in.
Clearly, the gray dwarf was no stranger to this city; he spoke quietly with the Dark Elf guard briefly, paid so small "transit fee," and the guard allowed them entry. However, for Fang Zheng and the others, the guard’s attitude was evidently not so amicable.
"You have only one day, outsiders."
The Dark Elf guard glared viciously at the gray dwarf and Fang Zheng, standing barely over 1.5 ters tall, clad in black armor with a Longsword and crossbow at his waist. Though it might sound unpleasant, the male Dark Elves appeared much like African refugees Fang Zheng had seen on television—having lean limbs, dark skin, and wolf-like slender faces paired with their silver long hair, looking rather ugly—at least by Outer World’s aesthetic standards.
"You may temporarily stay in the Exemption District but must not leave. If you haven’t left by the next ti the Black Obsidian’s light rises to the top, you will beco our slaves! Understand?!"
"Yes, I understand, I understand..."
Upon the Dark Elf guard’s warning, the gray dwarf quickly nodded, preparing to lead the Earth Beast away. But suddenly, a low rumbling sounded.
"Boom! Boom!"
It was like the footsteps of an elephant or sothing similar, and hearing this sound, the gray dwarf and Dark Elf guard’s expressions changed instantly.
"Just go quickly to the Exemption District!"
Hastily finishing his sentence, the Dark Elf guard returned to the tower, slamming the door shut.
"What’s happening?"
Seeing this, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, looking at the gray dwarf, who offered an awkward smile.
"Master, please be careful; let’s hide here for now..."
Saying that, the gray dwarf guided the Earth Beasts into a nearby alley for concealnt, cautiously peeking out. After a mont, the gray dwarf’s complexion changed slightly, signaling Fang Zheng and the others.
"It’s coming; hide well!"
Coming? What’s coming?
While Fang Zheng and the group were baffled, soon, they saw a massive shadow approaching from the other side of the street.
It was a gigantic spider.
Standing over two ters tall, its front half was typical spider form, but the rear half, where a swollen abdon should be, was human.
A human woman.
Specifically, a fat human woman.
Looking like a mound of flesh, her lower torso rged with the spider’s front half, with layers of blubber above. The surface of this human Lady at Mountain bore spider features, eyes wide open, scanning around like a hunting hound, muttering low, indistinct growls.
After a while, this bizarre entity gradually vanished at the street’s end.
"Phew... What kind of freak is that, so disgusting..."
Finally, Walnut sighed in relief, patting her chest with a look of disgust.
"Rumor has it she was once a human captured from the surface by the Dark Elves."
The gray dwarf also wiped sweat from his forehead, speaking in hushed tones.
"Allegedly, she offended the Spider Goddess, hence transford into this form; she’s deranged, attacking outsiders on sight, best avoided."
"Indeed..."
Hearing this, Fang Zheng nodded.
With sothing like that—it’s best to keep a distance.
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