256 [Bonus chapter] Put to Sleep
The desert was just as its name implied, a barren expanse of sand. Damian and his companions traversed the desolate landscape on their camels, their only view being endless stretches of sand. Not a single oasis broke the monotonous scenery.
Vance, always assuring the rest of the crew, proclaimed that the city wasn't far away. "It will take us twelve straight hours to reach it, so we still have four hours to go," he stated confidently.
Curious about their destination, Damian, who had little information about their mission, inquired, "What is this place, anyway?"
Vance's expression turned somber as he replied, "You must be aware that a dome has trapped us here, right? It has been this way for over a thousand years."
"We are heading to a city in ruins, once belonging to an ancient civilization that inhabited this desert without the dome! The answers and reasons lie within, but no one has returned alive after attempting to explore it," Vance explained, his sadness evident.
"Great," Damian muttered sarcastically.
The city they were approaching was perilous, but Damian felt no fear. He was determined to escape this place and would risk his life if necessary, even within the treacherous confines of an ancient city.
However, the dangers didn't solely reside within the ancient city. Damian was well aware that Vance and the other members of the group were dangerous individuals. Despite his confidence in defeating them individually, what if they decided to unite against him?
Moreover, Damian contemplated the countless traps and other hazards that surely awaited them inside the ancient city. He hoped the crew members would not trust each other as much as they trusted him. Perhaps Billy, the mushroom, would aid him in accomplishing the mission.
They pressed onward, arriving at their designated location within the timeframe Vance had predicted. Damian wondered if Vance's extensive knowledge of the place and his selection of powerful individuals for the crew were deliberate measures for survival. Was he solely focused on finding a way to break the dome, or did he have ulterior motives?
After reaching their destination, the group discovered a massive hole in the sand, serving as the entrance to the underground ruins. Vance spoke up, cautioning the team about the potential dangers within. "This is the entrance to the ruins. Once a sprawling city, it now lies buried beneath the sand. It's too risky to venture inside right away, so we'll camp nearby for the night," he suggested, concerned for their safety.
Having traveled through the desert the entire day, they arrived at the entrance during the night. Recognizing the futility of exploring the ruins without proper rest and preparation, they agreed to camp for the night. They quickly set up a small campsite about five hundred meters away, seeking shelter near a large rock formation. The desert night was cold, but the warmth of the campfire provided them comfort.
Damian, lacking a proper sleeping arrangement, utilized his Slime Ring to create a makeshift bed that was even more comfortable than regular sleeping bags. His fellow group members observed him with curious eyes, intrigued by his unique abilities and mysterious nature. They wondered how he possessed such powers and questioned his strength in combat. Damian's diverse range of skills made him a potential threat to everyone present.
While the others contemplated Damian's powers and compared themselves to him, Damian and his companion, Billy the mushroom, settled down to sleep. Before retiring, Damian ensured he ate and drank. However, it turned out to be a mistake.
The following day, Damian woke up late, only to realize that everyone was gone. Confusion and alarm filled his mind as he looked around, finding no trace of his companions. He searched his memory and soon discovered the reason behind their absence.
"They must have drugged me through the food or water. Damn it! Powerful stuff," Damian exclaimed, releasing his frustration.
Then, he turned his gaze towards Billy and asked, "How could you not notice anything?"
"My friend, I'm a mushroom, but I sleep like a rock," Billy replied.
"Damn it," Damian muttered in annoyance.
Despite the setback, Damian attempted to calm himself. The situation wasn't entirely hopeless. It seemed that the group had deemed him too dangerous to accompany them, so they poisoned him and proceeded to the city without him.
Knowing exactly where his former companions were, Damian had no intention of backing down or forgetting his mission to find a way out of that place. If necessary, he was prepared to venture into the ancient city alone. In fact, the idea brought him a sense of peace, as he would no longer have to worry about their potential betrayal at any moment.
"At least they betrayed me early on. Now, I am free," Damian muttered to himself, acknowledging his newfound independence.
Having realized and accepted his situation, Damian left the campsite behind and approached the massive hole in the desert, which appeared just as it did the previous night. The darkness inside didn't faze him, thanks to the ring that enhanced his senses. Although he considered purchasing a passive ability to improve his night vision, he hadn't acquired enough Erotic Coins lately due to his entrapment. However, his proficiency in blood magic absorption had granted him considerable power and status, even without the use of those coins.
With determined strides, Damian entered the hole, finding himself in a corridor. Traces of blood and the remains of deceased creatures littered the path. Damian surmised that the underground city likely served as the habitat for various desert-dwelling beasts. His mind pondered what other dangers lurked below.
As Damian ventured further, the silence of the place engulfed him. Not a sound from any beast could be heard, only the shifting and cascading of sand. However, an unsettling feeling of being watched persisted within him. There seemed to be no immediate threat nearby, but was this sensation merely a product of his own imagination?
Continuing down the corridor, Damian eventually entered an open area, revealing the vastness of the ancient city. The absence of light made it challenging to see, even with his ring granting him limited vision in the darkness. Yet, darkness proved to be the least of Damian's concerns, as the city was infested with deadly beasts.
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