Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?
Chapter 292 - 225 What is the Use of a Forging Stone?_2

Chapter 292: Chapter 225 What is the Use of a Forging Stone?_2

Seems like someone’s missing, where did Vienma go?

"A bit hard to swallow." Merca took a bite of the white lobster meat, then stuck out her tongue, "Not as good as the stuff from lobster fish."

"Hey, Merca, is the food in the gourmet area really as delicious as you claim?" An elf couldn’t help but ask, they always heard Merca boasting about how incredibly tasty the food from the gourmet area was.

"Haven’t you guys gone to take a look after all these days?" she asked in surprise.

"Been busy with other things, kind of forgot about it." The elf scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"Next time I’ll take you guys."

Merca’s words instantly reaped cheers, with just a little incentive elves became very optimistic, though this only applies to the traditional Elf Clan.

Elves like Steeran who ventured out had long since changed their values, just like normal folks wanting more after getting some perks.

After some casual chitchat, by the time the giant lobster claws were nearly gnawed clean, Vienma’s figure gradually appeared out of the thick fog.

Satisfaction was written all over her face, the dirt on her skirt vanished under the effect of the Cleaning Technique.

During the time everyone was resting, she went out alone—not for food, but to scout ahead. Now that she was back, everyone knew it was time to set out.

Rewind back a little before, right after they passed through the Seal, they discovered Steeran was gone. Without their guide, they could only fumble forward.

Then they encountered monsters, as the fog was too thick to see the path, and their attempts to dodge the monsters’ attacks only drew in more of them. Eventually, they took some time to clear the area and found this hill as a temporary resting spot.

"Couldn’t find the way." Vienma shook her head. Lakes surrounded them in all directions, without a hint in sight.

The optimistic elves weren’t disheartened, randomly picking a direction and setting off.

But...

"They went the wrong way." Gong Qiying, who was peeking at everything through the back of the Crystal Ball, sighed, wondering if these elves were all directionally challenged.

The location they were initially teleported to was actually not far from Academy Gate Town, but the cyclical heavy fog obscured the traces of the bonfires.

And these elves’ luck was such that they naturally went the wrong way.

Getting lost wasn’t scary, but what’s fearful is that they didn’t realize they were lost, still joking and laughing on the wrong path.

"Just because your hair is green, do you have to be as directionally challenged as someone from the Seaweed Clan?"

Gong Qiying initially had high hopes for this group of elves, counting on them to collect the fragments of Topps’s paintings, but the pieces were mostly hidden inside the academy. If these people couldn’t enter the academy, it would all be for naught.

Should he find another way to guide them? Never mind, let nature take its course. They couldn’t possibly never find Academy Gate Town in their lifetime.

He flipped through his own map of Lake Lienia murmuring to himself:

"Can’t say they’re entirely unlucky, at least if they keep going they’ll encounter a new residual shadow character, provided they don’t change directions again."

In the view of the Crystal Ball, the elves strode firmly on what they believed to be the right path, heading west.

Had they walked northwest, they could have encountered the Luminous Stone Dragon and the Academy Hui Stone Key, but their path was due west. Continuing that way would only lead them to insurmountable mountains, known colloquially as the border.

Generally speaking, sane adventurers wouldn’t attempt to cross something that obviously looks like a boundary. Everyone knows that every Dungeon has its boundaries, and venturing beyond those offers no reward.

Gong Qiying watched as they encountered a Historical Battle Giant Lobster taking a group of lobster fish out for a walk, then got scared by the ultra-long range and tremendous power of the Water Cannon—it seems like every adventurer has this reaction upon entering, and by now, it has stopped interesting him.

Those elves, whose personalities might be off the rails but whose strengths were undeniably on point, witnessed a young girl chant and then unleash earth-shattering Big Bomb Magic, killing the Historical Battle Giant Lobster in one hit, only to collapse to the ground, completely drained afterward.

Following the lobster came the turn of, well, not dumplings (strike through), but the Finger Worm family, whose disgusting appearance, ghastly movements, and magic that forcibly restrained actions taught the elves a lesson.

In the Elf Forest, the elves only saw creatures that were either cute or handsome. Even the Monsters there conformed to many people’s aesthetic standards. They had never seen something like Finger Worms that were purely designed to disgust.

Everyone but Vienma and Merca showed a look of discomfort on their faces.

Then, ghosts, Doll Soldiers, and Big Crabs came one after another, which could be considered as the Lake District’s welcome ceremony for newcomers.

Monsters in the Lake District are attracted by those of similar strength, so the strong will meet strong Monsters, while ordinary people might only encounter a medium-sized lobster.

By the law of attraction among the strong, Vienma and her companions encountered an Elite Monster [Mud Fish Dragon] in a clearing.

There isn’t much to say about the battle, as the Mud Fish Dragon, no matter how strong, couldn’t overpower Mugram—it was at most tougher than the Knights of Pipicalia.

But then...

"Phew."

Vienma emerged slowly from the clump of mud thrown out by the Mud Fish Dragon, with an evil ghost-like expression of Horror on her face.

The intense killing intent made the Monster tremble slightly, feeling as if it had awakened a ferocious beast.

"Run for it, the old lady is furious!" Someone shouted, and the elves scattered, escaping in all directions. About two seconds later, the ground started to tremble.

By the time people looked back, they saw the small lake had transformed into a forest, as if a corner of the Forest Area had been brutally transplanted there.

The Mud Fish Dragon was bound by thick branches and shell like a salted fish, immobilized.

"Today, we eat grilled fish." Vienma spat out a mouthful of mud, her face so grim that it seemed water could drip from it.

Facing the fierce-looking Mud Fish Dragon, everyone really wanted to Refuse, but no one dared to.

"Well, shouldn’t we find somewhere to rest first, everyone is tired," Kunan came forward to smooth things over, sweating and pointing to a spot not far away, "Let’s go there, I just saw a little house over there."

Lizna took the initiative to use the Cleaning Technique to help Vienma get rid of the mud, and even tried to quietly use the calming technique, but wilted under Vienma’s glare.

Damn it, are you just a "few years" older than me, and your Magic knowledge a tad bit higher? When I grow up, I’ll kick your ass for sure. Her expressionless face showed a slight sullenness.

There indeed was a house not far away, but as everyone approached, they noticed a large pot set up nearby, bubbling as if something was being cooked inside.

Merca went over to have a look, and suddenly a strange voice came from beside her.

"Want to buy some shrimp?"